WATERLOO and TORONTO – Corus Entertainment, CBC and TVO are some of the first Canadian content producers to have podcasts included in Research In Motion’s new BlackBerry Podcasts service.
Launched Wednesday, BlackBerry Podcasts is a free application that allows BlackBerry customers to discover and acquire podcasts from various content providers.
Users can access free audio and video content by searching the podcast catalog by keyword, category, channel or top downloads. Content can be downloaded over Wi-Fi or cellular networks and consumed through BlackBerry’s media player. BlackBerry Podcasts also uses the push technology of the BlackBerry platform to notify users when new content from a subscribed channel becomes available.
Corus Radio’s ExploreMusic is a multi-platform service dedicated to music discovery. Hosted by Alan Cross, Canada’s pre-eminent new rock expert and longtime host of The Ongoing History of New Music, ExploreMusic’s podcasts will offer a resource for context, recommendation and artist/music exploration.
"Corus is delighted to be part of this launch," said Hal Blackadar, EVP and interim president of Corus Radio, in the announcement. "Being included in the BlackBerry catalogue is a great opportunity for ExploreMusic to engage existing and new listeners to the show and music service."
Provincial broadcaster TVO will provide four new TVOKids video podcast channels focusing on the hard-to-teach subjects of math and science, located within the Podcast’s education category.
"I’m incredibly proud that we’re collaborating with an outstanding industry leader like RIM, an organization that shares our vision for making science and math fun and engaging for kids", said TVO CEO Lisa de Wilde. "Increasingly, people are discovering that ‘going mobile’ with TVO is the perfect anytime/anywhere solution for keeping young minds active and engaged outside of the classroom.”
CBC’s content will include “an extensive line-up” of CBC Radio and Television podcasts with new episodes added regularly.
RIM is also offering a BlackBerry Channel which will provide ‘how to’ videos and other content related to BlackBerry products and services.
www.blackberry.com/appworld
www.corusent.com
www.tvo.org
www.cbc.ca
