Dale Dietrich
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Canada’s CTV Puts Full Primetime TV Episodes Online

April 28, 2009 at 9:32 am - by Dale Dietrich

Categories: canada • interactive media • tv
Tags: • • • • •

imageCanada’s CTV Network hast recently started putting full-length episodes of prime TV shows online. CTV is one of Canada’s three major television networks. It carries about half of the major U.S. primetime shows in Canada. Global carries the other half.

The new service is available here (see the ‘Watch Online at CTV.ca’ heading to the right). Episodes can be viewed full screen, though the resolution is quite low by Hulu standards. Episodes are divided into segments/clips, presumably matching how shows are segmented between commercials when broadcast. Canadians can fast forward and rewind or jump from segment to segment. Users cannot, however, fast forward through the short commercials (about 10 to 15 seconds each) that play before some, but not all, segments. So far I haven’t seen many commercials. Below is a picture of the interface:

ctv.ca prime time tv episode viewer

A FAQ is available here. Multiple seasons/episodes of some shows, like ‘The Daily Show’ are available. Only the most recent of others, like Lost  and Grey’s Anatomy, are available. I’ve tested several shows and so far the system works well – though the resolution certainly needs a boost.

Below is a list of the shows currently available:

This is no Hulu, but its a start.

[Update: For Global’s on line lineup, see ‘Canada’s Global Network Also Offers Full Primetime TV Episodes Online’]

FYI, Global carries only full episodes for seven (rather lame) online show right now:

  • The Guard
  • Global Currents
  • Focus Ontario
  • X-Treme Sports
  • Global National
  • ‘da Kink in my Hair
  • 90210

For more information on the availability of full TV episodes in Canada see:

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  • site only works if you're in Canada (or using a proxy network to make it appear as if you ...
  • Thanks for your information.. I'm out of Canada but I still want to try watch all the series online.
  • PRC.
    CTV has had online streaming (including US shows) since 2006.
  • PRC, I knew there was some spotty coverage and clips. What's new to me is that there is a more fulsome lineup and full episodes. I'm learning along with others so thanks for the headsup!
  • snowy2004
    Wow, you haven't visited Globaltv.com recently. First, their video site is http://www.globaltv.com/entertainment/videos/in...

    and they have:

    -24
    -90210
    -Bob and Doug
    -Bones
    -'Da Kink in My Hair
    -Family Guy
    -Harper's Island
    -Heroes
    -House
    -Howie Do It
    -Life
    -Prison Break
    -Project Runway Canada
    -Saturday Night Live
    -Sit Down Shut Up
    -The Guard
    -The Office
    -The Unusuals
    -The Young and the Restless
    -Holmes in New Orleans

    As for CTV, they had the player and full eps online for a while now. They also have video services set up for their other stations (like Discovery Channel and The Comedy Network - with pretty much all the Comedy Central content). They also have a beta HD video player at http://hdbeta.ctv.ca/.
  • Thanks Snowy, I'll check this out. You are right I was unaware, as are most Canadians. I'm surprised it isn't advertised more. I'll update the above (and/or write another post) once I have had the chance to test.

    Cheers,

    ...Dale
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