CBC/Radio-Canada news now easily available to ScreenScape digital signage clients

Canada's public broadcaster licenses English and French news feeds to leading digital signage network.

TORONTO and CHARLOTTETOWN, Jan 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - Canada's public broadcaster, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and ScreenScape Networks Inc. have entered into a content provider agreement that makes digital news feeds provided by CBC/Radio-Canada available to ScreenScape customers on a premium, "pay-per-use" basis.

ScreenScape makes software that helps businesses connect and control screens over the Internet.   Brand marketers and retail networks use ScreenScape to publish digital signage content on screens inside their stores. Other kinds of organizations, such as health clinics, university campuses and professional service providers use it to inform and entertain.  ScreenScape is a leader in the "place-based" media trend that turns TV screens into location-specific, targeted media channels.

The agreement will see ScreenScape offer two tiers of CBC/Radio-Canada programming.

A standard package will supply video feeds of popular categories, such as top news, sports and arts & entertainment.

The comprehensive package will include these categories along with specialized options such as business, technology, and health news, as well as local content from across Canada. Both packages will include French and English content.

ScreenScape customers can choose individual categories and run the CBC/Radio-Canada content alongside their own branded messages and ads in a customized playlist.

"ScreenScape makes it easier for businesses of all sizes to deliver high-quality digital signage. It is a good fit with CBC/Radio-Canada: our fast-breaking news coverage is recognized as being best-of-class, and is renowned worldwide." says Bob Kerr, the National Director of CBC/Radio-Canada's Distribution Division.  "CBC/Radio-Canada has been a leader in digital signage since its inception in Canada, and demand for our signage product continues to grow. Our agreement with ScreenScape allows us to make our News content available to digital signage clients of all sizes in a way that is scalable and efficient."

"By bundling CBC/Radio-Canada premium content with our easy to use content management tools, we are able to offer our customers a range of compelling new programming options" commented ScreenScape CEO, Mark Hemphill.  "This is content CBC/Radio-Canada is well known for, and simply great at producing. The feeds are fully managed and served up in the order of minutes, which helps our customers keep their programming fresh and full of relevant content."

This agreement to incorporate the premium news feeds of CBC/Radio-Canada in the ScreenScape network follows close on the heels of the fall 2014 launch of ScreenScape Connect. Connect is ScreenScape's new plug-and-play device and content management software that turns any TV into a connected digital sign.  Connect is available with no upfront cost on an extended subscription, reducing both cost and complexity of starting a digital signage network. The device plugs into the HDMI port of the TV and connects via wifi to the internet.  ScreenScape customers manage their signage playlists over the internet using their account at ScreenScape.com.

The launch of the premium CBC/Radio-Canada content on the ScreenScape network will be focused on news video in both of Canada's official languages. Future enhancements will include dedicated video feeds with onscreen closed captioning, and integration of CBC/Radio-Canada text news headlines.

About ScreenScape Networks Inc.
ScreenScape makes software that helps businesses connect and control screens over the Internet.   Using a simple plug & play device ScreenScape customers can turn any screen into a connected digital sign.  Once a screen is connected it can be updated, monitored and managed over the Internet using ScreenScape.com.  Brand marketers and retail networks use the technology to publish digital signage content on screens inside their stores. Health clinics, university campuses and other kinds of venues use it to engage and entertain their visitors.  It's part of a growing technology arena called place-based media that is rapidly turning TV screens outside the home into location-specific media channels.

About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages.

A space for us all is CBC/Radio-Canada's strategy to transform the public broadcaster, and ensure that it continues to fulfill its mandate for Canadians, now and for future generations. Through to 2020, the Corporation will increase its investment in prime-time television programming and continue to create radio programs of the highest quality, while promoting the development of digital and mobile platforms and content.

SOURCE ScreenScape Networks