Canadian commercial broadcaster, CTV, has signed an agreement with Warner Bros. International Television that gives it the Canadian broadband rights to the primetime shows, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," "The OC," and "Smith." According to CTV, the new agreement is the first multi-program broadband deal between a Canadian broadcaster and a major US studio. As a result of the deal, advertising- supported full-length streaming episodes of "Studio 60" and "The OC" will be available on-demand on CTV's broadband video service, the CTV Broadband Network, immediately following their broadcast on CTV. The broadcaster says that it will provide broadband scheduling information for "Smith" (of which only seven episodes were produced, as the show was canceled earlier this season) shortly. Geo-gating technology will restrict viewing of the shows to consumers whose broadband service is provided by Canadian ISP's. The new deal with Warner Bros. follows on the heels of an initiative CTV undertook with the studio in early November, that saw the broadcaster offering the season premiere and the second episode of "The OC" on its broadband video service, in advance of their linear broadcast. According to CTV, the initiative generated over 120,000 streams in less than 10 days.
Last month, CTV also offered the season-six premiere of "Degrassi: The Next Generation" on its broadband video service in advance of its linear TV broadcast. It now offers over 100 hours of Canadian programming via broadband, including such shows as "Corner Gas," "eTalk," "Instant Star," "Whistler," "W-Five" and "The CTV National News."
Originally Published: December 5, 2006 in [itvt] Issue 7.08 Part 3
Click: http://www.itvt.com to subscribe to our free email newsletter, which contains all the news stories you see on this Web site, and additional breaking news and scoops, in-depth features, interviews, screenshots, videos, and other exclusive content you will not find anywhere else.
[itvt]'s
Early Bird Registration is now open:
http://www.thetvoftomorrowshow.com
March 13-14, 2007
San Francisco, CA
