Free, ad-supported service Pluto TV joins Canada’s streaming landscape

Advertisement

Advertise with us

TORONTO - The executive in charge of Pluto TV says Canada's newest ad-supported streaming service appeals to viewers looking for "simplicity" in TV.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/12/2022 (1341 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO – The executive in charge of Pluto TV says Canada’s newest ad-supported streaming service appeals to viewers looking for “simplicity” in TV.

Olivier Jollet, the platform’s executive vice president and international general manager, touted the FAST model — Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television — as one that sets itself apart from the crowded digital market by offering “usability.”

“I think the simplicity of TV is super-important and audiences are looking for viewing experiences that are easy and seamless,” Jollet said at a launch event Thursday in Toronto.

Olivier Jollet, the Executive Vice President and International general manager of Pluto TV, is shown at the Pluto TV Canada launch event in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Ryan Emberley courtesy of Pluto TV Canada *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Olivier Jollet, the Executive Vice President and International general manager of Pluto TV, is shown at the Pluto TV Canada launch event in this undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Ryan Emberley courtesy of Pluto TV Canada *MANDATORY CREDIT*

“There is no registration, there is no subscription, no coding costs, no need to put in a credit card or whatever. Just download the app and watch.”

Pluto TV is the latest in a growing number of ad-supported alternatives to Netflix and other subscription platforms.

It launched in Canada the day after CBC officially debuted its own FAST service, the free 24-hour streamer dubbed CBC News Explore.

Other ad-supported, free on-demand options include Tubi and CBC Gem, while the Roku Channel also offers comparable services.

Pluto TV promises more than 20,000 hours of content divided among more than 110 channels defined by theme — among them live channels dedicated to factual, kids, drama and reality programming — and single-series such as “Judge Judy,” “NCIS” and “Hawaii Five-O.”

More than 30 channels are devoted to Canadian content provided by Corus Entertainment.

That includes six home and DIY channels featuring reno-celebs Bryan and Sarah Baeumler, Sarah Richardson and Scott McGillivray; four food channels including series from chefs Anna Olson and Lynn Crawford; five kids channels with shows including “Max and Ruby,” “Franklin,” and “Degrassi: The Next Generation; and 14 national and local news channels.

Pluto TV is available on Apple TV, iPhone, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, and Samsung and LG smart TVs.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2022.

Report Error Submit a Tip

More Stories

‘This is Mommy’s park’: city honours two-time Olympic champion curler Lawes

Zoe Pierce 4 minute read Preview

‘This is Mommy’s park’: city honours two-time Olympic champion curler Lawes

Zoe Pierce 4 minute read 1:21 PM CDT

When Kaitlyn Lawes drives through her childhood neighbourhood, she’ll now be able to point to a park bearing her name — and tell her daughters that anything is possible.

On Tuesday, the City of Winnipeg officially renamed Lindenwood Drive West Park in honour of the two-time Olympic gold medallist curler.

Lawes won her first Olympic gold medal in 2014 as part of Team Jennifer Jones at the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia and captured a second gold medal in mixed doubles with John Morris at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

She has also won the 2018 World Women’s Curling Championship and the 2015 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, earned silver and bronze medals at the World Junior Curling Championships, and represented Manitoba at the Canada Games.

Read
1:21 PM CDT

Hydro CEO needs to reckon with winds of change

Dan Lett 5 minute read Preview

Hydro CEO needs to reckon with winds of change

Dan Lett 5 minute read Yesterday at 3:28 PM CDT

Methinks Hydro CEO Allan Danroth protests too much.

At a recent hearing in front of the Public Utilities Board, Danroth suggested Hydro’s plan to build a $3-billion natural-gas-powered generating plant near Brandon was being subjected to unfair criticism. The gas turbines are meant to bolster Hydro’s grid in the event that drought lowers output from hydro-generating stations.

After hearing submissions from interveners concerned about the gas-turbine plan, Danroth lashed out at the “constant, uninformed criticism” that has not only shaken trust in Hydro but also triggered threatening responses from the public.

Danroth said Hydro is monitoring “eight credible threats” against employees, five of which targeted the CEO himself. Although Danroth cited some specific incidents — employees being threatened with guns, and one where a homeowner set his dogs on a meter reader — he refused to elaborate on the circumstances.

Read
Yesterday at 3:28 PM CDT

Building bridges for the next generation

Zoe Pierce 8 minute read Preview

Building bridges for the next generation

Zoe Pierce 8 minute read 6:00 AM CDT

Change has been the motivation behind Clayton Sandy’s work for decades.

A member of Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation, Sandy is an Indigenous knowledge keeper, cultural advisor and community advocate. His work has taken him into newcomer organizations, schools, hospitals and workplaces across Manitoba, where he teaches Indigenous history, mentors youth and helps build relationships between communities.

Sitting down for an interview with the Free Press, Sandy arrived with a busy calendar in hand, a reflection of the many projects and initiatives that continue to fill his days as he works to create change for future generations.

“I have two boys and I have five grandchildren. The racism I put up with was really bad,” Sandy said. “And I don’t want my grandchildren to put up with that garbage.”

Read
6:00 AM CDT

Today’s horoscope

Georgia Nicols 4 minute read Preview

Today’s horoscope

Georgia Nicols 4 minute read 2:01 AM CDT

MOON ALERT: Caution. Avoid shopping (except food and gas) and important decisions from 1:15 p.m. until 10 p.m. After that, the moon moves from Aries into Taurus.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

You have lots of mental energy because the moon is in your sign dancing with your ruler fiery Mars, which pushes you into a leadership role. It makes you feel independent and ready to challenge anyone who challenges you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Read
2:01 AM CDT

WestJet, CUPE reach tentative deal as passengers scramble amid flight disruptions

The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

WestJet, CUPE reach tentative deal as passengers scramble amid flight disruptions

The Canadian Press 6 minute read Updated: 12:08 PM CDT

CALGARY - WestJet and the union representing some 4,400 flight attendants reached a tentative deal Monday to resume work after a brief work stoppage, but neither side is sharing specifics yet.

The airline had said Sunday it had proposed a 13 per cent pay increase starting in October, and then a 2.5 per cent increase in each of the next three years until 2029.

The airline also said it offered a new duty pay premium, equivalent to another 12 per cent salary increase, which WestJet said is designed to solve the cabin crew's claim of unpaid work.

In a news conference in Calgary on Monday, CUPE local 8125 president Alia Hussain said the flight attendants have 30 days to ratify the agreement, and the union will spend the coming days preparing a slide show to present to the members.

Read
Updated: 12:08 PM CDT

Sea Bears’ Allen victim of downtown assault

1 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 12:41 PM CDT

Winnipeg Sea Bears' guard Teddy Allen is in hospital after being assaulted in downtown Winnipeg Sunday night.

The club issued a news release Monday stating head coach and general manager Mike Raimbault and chairman David Asper visited Allen at the hospital but didn't release more information about what happened.

"Our focus is on Teddy's health and supporting him and his family," the Sea Bears' news release stated, directing all questions to the Winnipeg Police Service.

Winnipeg Police Service spokesperson Const. Pat Saydak confirmed the police service is investigating but said no further information was available Monday afternoon.