CBC Gem Streaming Service Launches

Canadian pubcaster CBC has launched the new streaming service CBC Gem with more than 4,000 hours of live and on-demand programming for free.

CBC Gem provides live and on-demand access to CBC’s full programming slate, spanning drama, comedy, factual entertainment, documentaries, arts, kids, sports and national and local news programming. The streaming service also offers French-language programming from ICI Radio-Canada.

CBC will also collaborate with new partners in order to expand the CBC Gem offering with additional Canadian and international content. A partnership between CBC and Wattpad will offer emerging Canadian writers the opportunity to create exclusive content for CBC Gem. Additionally, the streaming service offers more than 100 Canadian feature films, available ad-free in partnership with Telefilm Canada, with a selection of films from the National Film Board of Canada, including Indigenous projects, to be added in the coming year.

“We are in the midst of a renaissance of great television programming, and we want to make sure Canadians have a place in this new world of globalized television—a place that is theirs,” said Catherine Tait, the president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada. “With the launch of CBC Gem, our goal is to offer not just CBC programming but the best Canadian content from across the country by seeking out new partnerships with a wide range of producers, distributors and publishers.”

“CBC Gem is Canada’s home for the best content this country has to offer in addition to a curated selection of acclaimed programming from around the world,” said Gave Lindo, executive director of OTT programming for CBC. “We will collaborate with new partners to continue to expand our library and invest in delivering the best user experience, to ensure that our streaming service is a distinct destination for audiences of all ages, on all platforms.”