Radio / Television News

All-new interface and streamlined controls added to CTV online video player


TORONTO – CTV’s online video player – which streams some of the station’s shows online – has an all-new interface and streamlined controls.

“We’ve evolved with our viewers to deliver the best content on the best platforms,” said Stephan Argent, vice-president of Digital Media at CTV Inc. “Users can enjoy their favourite programs on their own terms. And the evolution will continue.”

The new CTV video player features seven online channels: CTV, CTV News, TSN, The Comedy Network, eTalk, Discovery Channel and BNN, all available through the parent portal CTV.ca.

The new CTV video player is designed to make online programming accessible to all users, including those who work on Macintosh and Linux systems, and features easier-to-use controls.

It also features better overall usability and a cascading browse function, allowing users to choose programs, episodes and episode segments in an intuitive environment, CTV noted in a media release.

Users can also build their own playlists and create a video library that has a My Lineup feature, allowing viewers to see which videos they’ve watched, and ones that they plan to watch. It also allows viewers to send links, and bookmark with the most popular social networking sites so that users can share their favourite episodes with their friends and network.

“This is about exposing these series to the widest audience possible,” said CTV’s Susanne Boyce. “Summer is a busy time and we want to make sure viewers are able to sample these programs at their convenience.”

Flashpoint, a new original CTV and CBS co-production about an elite Toronto police team, will be added in July to CTV’s shows that are streamed online.