Bell Media's 10 free ad-supported streaming channels will launch on new platforms this year. BCE Inc. headquarters is seen in Montreal on Thursday August 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
Bell Media is expanding the reach of its 10 ad-supported streaming channels, commonly referred to as FAST channels, by launching them on new platforms this year. These channels, featuring original content from CTV News, "Corner Gas," and TSN, will now be available on Plex, The Roku Channel, and Samsung TV Plus, in addition to their earlier launch on LG Channels. The announcement was made by the media giant on Thursday as part of the ongoing upfronts, where major broadcasters present their upcoming lineups.
The FAST channels introduced by Bell in April cover a range of genres, including lifestyle (CTV @Home), sports (TSN The Ocho), and comedy (CTV Laughs). This expansion marks a strategic move to broaden the audience base and increase accessibility to the content offered by Bell Media.
In a similar vein, Corus Entertainment's Pluto TV and several channels from CBC are also making waves in the ad-supported streaming space. CBC recently announced the launch of 14 FAST channels dedicated to local news across Canada, such as CBC News BC and CBC News Toronto, further diversifying the content landscape in the streaming market.
Looking ahead, Rogers is scheduled to unveil its upcoming TV lineup on Monday, contributing to the ongoing evolution and competition within the streaming industry.
