Shaw Communications has added its name to the lengthening list of Canadian pay TV operators which has a launched TV Everywhere strategy. This week it launched its new broadband VoD Player. Customers can now experience VoD on either their PC or TV.
Shaw is one of the last Canadian operators to go down this route where initially Bell Canada brought out a service based on the Online TV button on its own portal, called TMN Online, last October. Since then Rogers added a second TV Everywhere service calling it Rogers On Demand Online or RODO which has just gone live after being in beta for over six months. Rogers has even extended this TV Everywhere service to non-Rogers customers.
Peter Bissonnette, President, Shaw Communications said, ‘Shaw is investing in bringing exceptional content delivered in various ways. Our new broadband VoD Player provides our customers the convenience of watching their favorite movies and television shows when and where they want to.’
Shaw customers will be able to search and order programs on its web site VoD.Shaw.ca and already claims an impressive library of VOD content and says that there will be new release movies from Universal Studios, Maple Pictures and MGM added shortly. Customers which have Movie Central as part of their TV package can order and stream movies and shows from Movie Central at no additional charge.
The system will also allow interoperability between online and the TV, so a customer can begin watching something online and then switch it to their TV screen and vice versa. Shaw says it has VoD available at more than 1.5 million of its customers.