Rogers is rounding out 2011 with app launches that let consumers view live TV on different devices.
Of the two such apps it has introduced within the last week, the newest is Rogers Live TV, the beta of which was announced by Rogers Communications Thursday.
Designed for iPads, the app allows Rogers customers to stream live content from a number of channels, including the Rogers-owned OMNI and Citytv, and third party channels such as CBC, YTV and NBC, among others.
The app is part of Rogers’ broader ‘TV Anywhere’ strategy, which is based on providing content on multiple platforms. At this point, it is specifically available via WiFi to Rogers digital television subscribers in Ontario who are signed up for Rogers Hi-Speed Internet and have a MyRogers account.
Slated to officially launch early next year, the app can be downloaded on iTunes Canada. There are currently 20 channels available to stream with more planned for the near future. A version of Rogers Live TV will also be available for Android tablets shortly.
David Purdy, vice-president, video products at Rogers Communications, noted in a release that the app gives customers “even more real-time access to live content.”
Last week, Rogers launched a similar video app for Citytv that lets iPhone and iPod Touch users to stream the channel’s live and on-demand programming.
In terms of advertising opportunities, a recent report by BrightRoll Canada and the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada (IAB) that polled more than 100 decision-makers and media buyers across Canada predicts that pre-roll video ads will remain the most popular format across online, tablet and mobile platforms in the next year.
Rogers owns Marketing magazine.
