Crave is the latest streamer to announce it’s introducing video podcasts to its streaming platform.
Announced Thursday, Bell Media says the move marks the “next phase of its evolution” for Crave, “expanding beyond a premium streaming destination into a platform Canadians can return to throughout the day.”
The addition of podcasts builds on Bell’s recent moves to shore up the streamer’s offering with the launch of its Sports and News Hubs, as it sunsetted the CTV and Noovo websites and apps on May 1 in an effort to deliver stronger results for advertisers and create a more seamless streaming ecosystem – bringing together culture, sports, breaking news, and live entertainment events – in one destination as viewing habits continue to shift.
“At its core, this is about building a product that fits naturally into people’s daily routines,” said Jerrell Jimerson, Senior Vice-President and Head of Product & Experience, Bell Media. “Streaming solved access to content. The opportunity now is creating experiences that meet people in the moment. Crave has always been home to world-class entertainment — now, with news, live sports, and podcasts, it’s becoming a dynamic, all-in-one platform that evolves with its audience.”
The select podcasts Crave intends to make available on the platform will include English and French video podcasts, including titles from iHeartRadio Canada, promising genres spanning news, sports, entertainment, true crime, lifestyle, and culture.
“This transformation reinforces Crave’s continued vision: growing from a destination audiences visit for specific content, into a comprehensive entertainment platform they can rely on, at any given moment,” Bell said in its announcement.
Netflix officially expanded its platform earlier this year with a curated lineup of video podcasts, allowing subscribers to stream full, visual versions of popular shows from networks like Spotify, iHeartMedia, and Barstool Sports directly in the app.
