Archive for the ‘Cable TV’ Category

Feast your eyes on TMN’s free preview on Rogers on Demand Online

TMN free preview on Rogers on Demand OnlineLots of big happenings at Rogers On Demand Online! We’re all buzzing about the fact that we’ve got a fantastic TMN Free Preview for Rogers cable customers happening right now. If you watch television, or if you don’t, I’m sure you’re familiar with a whole bunch of the titles that you can check out here with just a click of a button.  Here’s a rundown of just a few of the shows you could check out for free right now.

Luck

Some of us will always think of Dustin Hoffman as Benjamin in The Graduate or maybe for his Oscar-winning role in Rain Man. However, I’m guessing that his starring role in HBO’s brand new series Luck will introduce him to a whole new audience.  The shows deals with horseracing and gambling and has a knockout cast that not only includes Dustin Hoffman, but Nick Nolte and Dennis Farina as well. Throw in the fact that it was created by David Milch, who also came up with classic shows like NYPD Blue and Deadwood and it gets even better. But wait, we’re not done yet. The pilot episode, which you can check out right now in our free preview, was directed by the amazing Michael Mann. Take a look at Luck and let us know what you think.

Deadwood

Speaking of Deadwood, that’s another show you can check out in our TMN Free Preview. This is the western to end all western, featuring a star making performance by the great Ian McShane. You can sample the first two episodes from the first season of Deadwood right now for the low cost of free.

Game of Thrones

One of the most anticipated returns this television season is that of Game of Thrones, which was a huge success when it first aired last year. I didn’t watch it right away, but I did play catch up not long ago and have to say I was suitably impressed. Great set pieces, great acting – you don’t have to be a hugh fan of fantasy to get into all of the intrigue. In our TMN Free Preview, you can check out the first episode of Game of Thrones season one, which really sets the stage for all that’s to come.

Those are just a few of the shows you can check out in TMN’s Free Preview. But really, there are so many more shows for you to sample  – Showtimes Nurse Jackie, Curb Your Enthusiasm, True Blood and many, many more. Definitely head over to Rogers On Demand Online and take a look at all of these stellar, award winning shows. I’m pretty sure you’ll find at least one you like. And to read more TMN Free Preview related info, be sure to check Rogers Beyond The Guide blog. The TMN Free Preview is on now until February 26th.

What’s your favourite show in the free preview? We want to know!

Andrew is a regular contributor to RedBoard

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Rogers on Demand Online: what’s new for 2012

Alcatraz on Rogers on Demand OnlineIt’s hard to believe that we’re near the end of January already. How are you feeling? Resolved? Tired? Ready to take on a brand new year? A new year also means brand new tv shows all vying for your time and eyes. To bring you up to speed on what’s out there, we’ve put together a list of some of the new prime time shows we’ve got on Rogers On Demand Online. Take a look – I bet there’s something you’ll love to watch.

Alcatraz

What do you get when you combine the most ominous prison in American history with one of the most acclaimed creators currently working in television? The answer is J.J. Abrams’ Alcatraz, which is free to watch to everyone. The show stars Sam Neil, Jorge Garcia (Hurley from Lost) and Sarah Jones. The series combines the supernatural mystery of Lost with a police procedural style case of the week, which makes it an entertaining show.  The big question of the series – how are long supposed dead former Alcatraz prisoners alive in contemporary San Francisco having not aged a day? Hopefully, we’ll get answers sooner than later.

Arctic Air

Take a look at the new CBC show Arctic Air, free to watch for all Rogers Customers, and you may notice a familiar face. Adam Beach has been seen in all sorts of mainstream fair, including the film Cowboys and Aliens, Flags Of Our Fathers and as a regular on Law and Order: SVU. In Arctic Air, Beach stars as Bobby, who returns home to Yellowknife and the family business, a maverick airline run by an eclectic group of people.  The show is already a huge hit, with more than 1 million people watching the premiere episode. Catch up on the series and see what Canada’s been talking about, right here.

My Babysitter’s A Vampire

If you’re looking for something for the kids, you should definitely check out Teletoon’s My Babysitter’s A Vampire. What began as a made for television film is now a full on series about a trio with some cool powers – Ehtan is a Seer, his best pal Benny is a spellmaster and his babysitter Sarah just happens to be a vampire. Together, they take on all sorts of things that go bump in the night – from zombies and ghosts to demons and witches. My Babysitter’s A Vampire is free to watch to Rogers cable customers, so catch up on the first three episodes right now.

That’s just a taste of some of the new shows available to watch on Rogers On Demand Online. There are also brand new episodes of How I Met Your Mother, Glee and many more available as well.

Of all the new shows that have premiered in 2012, which are you most excited about?

Andrew is a regular contributor to RedBoard

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Sports fans rejoice: Rogers launches 24/7 ‘Sportsnews’

Sportsnews from RogersHere at Rogers, we are passionate about sports. When we announced the recent acquisition of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment,you could feel the excitement all around the office and whether I’m in the elevator or walking past colleagues’ desks, people always seem to be buzzing about what’s happening on the field, on the ice, on the court, and so on.

That’s why we’re pretty excited to tell you about today’s launch of Sportsnews, a new sports cable service at no additional cost for Rogers digital cable customers. It’s the channel you flip to for your real-time sports fix. It’s the first cable service of its kind in Canada. Head over to channel 999 to check it out (available in SD or HD).

Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect to see on Sportsnews:

  • Large scoreboard (one-third of the screen) with scores, including pre and post-game notes and in play scores and stats.
  • Twitter feed streaming from your favourite Sportsnet personalities.
  • The headline zone featuring breaking news and fun trivia facts.

Pulling in real-time scores, stats, breaking news and fantasy info, means there’s always something interesting for avid sports enthusiasts. Especially with the NHL All-Star Weekend around the corner, can’t wait to see how my favourite players stack up in the skills competition and how they’ll perform in the All-Star Game. Pretty sweet I can get those updates while I’m channel surfing or working out.

Will you be tuning into Sportsnews?

Kaili is a regular contributor to RedBoard

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Countdown to Chinese New Year: are you ready for the Year of the Dragon?

Jacky Cheung 1/2 Century Tour sponsored by RogersOn January 23rd, according to the lunar calendar, the end of the winter season is upon us, although it doesn’t quite feel this way stepping outdoors. We’re approaching the Year of the Dragon. I have to admit, I’m really into the zodiac, so I did some Wikipedia research of my own. According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Dragon’s closest Western equivalent is the Aries sign, its motto is “I Reign,” birthstone is ruby and colour is red. Pretty cool facts.

To celebrate Chinese New Year, Jacky Cheung’s ½ Century concert tour is coming to Canada and on January 16, it will be his first time performing in Toronto. He’ll also be in Vancouver on January 13. Jacky is referred to as the “God of Songs ” and if you’re a fan, check out our Rogers Facebook page where we’ll be giving away a pair of tickets to the show each day until January 13. You can also purchase tickets here.

Also, Ontario digital cable customers can enjoy several free previews. Check out the channels and languages featured below:

Chinese New Year free channel previews from Rogers

For more cable and wireless deals in the spirit of Chinese New Year,check out www.Rogers.com/cny.

And, speaking of the year of the Dragon, the Dragon Ball - one of the largest Chinese New Year celebrations in Toronto – is happening on January 28. Rogers has been a proud sponsor of this event for the last 7 years and with over 1,200 guests celebrating it’s sure to be a night to remember.

UPDATE (January 25, 2012, 5:07 pm): Congratulations to the winners of our Jacky Cheung 1/2 Century World Tour giveaway! Here they are posing with none other than Jacky Cheung!

Kaili is a regular contributor to RedBoard

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year

Have yourself a merry Rogers christmasWith less than 3 days to go until the big day, I’m getting more and more into the holiday spirit. I got all my holiday shopping done early this year thanks to Connected Magazine’s “Holiday Gift Guide,” which included a U.S.S. enterprise Lego kit for my dad (big Trekkie!), and the POP phone for my sister.

Personally, I’m looking forward to relaxing and hosting a few gatherings with close friends and family now that shopping’s out of the way. In the spirit of sharing, here are some ways I’m bringing holiday cheer into my home this season.

  • Rogers On Demand’s Holiday Channel: Here you’ll find the best this holiday season has to offer, including kid’s favourite’s, editor’s picks, and of course classic movies and TV specials for the whole family to enjoy. For more ideas, check out Andrew’s “HoHoHo It’s the Holiday Channel” Redboard post.
  • The Fireplace Channel: Those of us not lucky enough to have a fireplace thrive on this channel this time of year. Now I know, it’s not the real thing – but you still get the warm glow and crackle from the fire. Tune in on channels 204 for SD and 574 for HD.
  • Galaxie Channels on Rogers On Demand: This is another great one to have going in the background if you already have a fireplace. Right now on Galaxie we’ve got 9 holiday stations to suit everyone’s needs! Listen online and through select tablets and smartphones – free for all Rogers digital customers!
  • RogersurMusic: If you’re conflicted between the Fireplace Channel or Galaxie holiday music channels, fear not – you can have both! I like to entertain with the Fireplace channel going on my TV, and my special holiday mix playing in the background. urMusic has TONS of holiday tracks to download this season – everything from The Muppets to Bing Crosby!

As I type this post in front of the Fireplace Channel with eggnog in hand, and Nat King Cole’s “Merry Christmas to You” in the background, I’d like to wish all our readers a happy holiday on behalf of Rogers!

Kelly is a regular contributor to RedBoard

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Take TV into your own hands with Rogers Live TV beta app

Rogers Live TV appIf you’ve ever wished you could have a TV in every room of your house, you’re in luck. Introducing the Rogers Live TV app, currently in beta, that lets you stream live TV on your iPad. The latest in TV innovations, and a first in Canada, this new app gives you the freedom to watch  shows from anywhere in the home.

At launch, customers will be able to stream 20  channels through their iPad, with more channels coming soon. And there is no additional cost to Rogers Live TV.

We’re anticipating a full launch of Rogers Live TV app in early 2012.  A version for Android tablets will be available soon.

How it works:

Step 1: Check eligibility – The Rogers Live TV app is available via WiFi to Rogers digital television customers in Ontario who subscribe to Rogers Hi-Speed Internet with a MyRogers account.

Step 2: Set up your MyRogers profile – If you’re already registered for a MyRogers profile, move on to Step 3. If not, just go here to create your profile. Next, associate your Rogers digital television and Hi-Speed Internet accounts to your MyRogers ID. (You will need the account number found on your invoice).

Step 3: Download the app –Just download the free app from the iTunes app store, log in using your MyRogers profile and start streaming.

Step 4: Start streaming! – You’ll now have a selection of great content to watch on your iPad. Not all channels you subscribe to will be available on the app, but we’ll be expanding the list of channels in the future. Like any WiFi usage, Internet datawill count towards your monthly internet bandwidth allotment.

For more info on Rogers Live TV go to www.rogers.com/livetv or check out the FAQ.

Which rooms in your house will you start streaming in?

UPDATE (December 20, 2011, 11:46 am): The Rogers Live TV app is now available for Samsung Galaxy 10.1 tablets. Download it for free here.

Sharon is a regular contributor to RedBoard

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Coming to an Xbox near you: Rogers on Demand

I’m a huge Xbox fan, and have been for a very long time; I was at one of the launch parties for the first console way back in 2001! It’s the most important part of my home entertainment experience: from blockbuster releases and independent games to custom portals and behind the scenes videos, the console is the centerpiece of my home video experience. As such, I am really thrilled to be involved in one of our most anticipated new projects.

Here at Rogers, we’re always exploring opportunities to bring you the content you love in new and exciting ways. With that in mind, we are excited to announce that Rogers On Demand will be coming to the Xbox 360 in time for the holidays!

Features and Programming

Our application will be a great way to enjoy Rogers On Demand content from anywhere via your Xbox 360, and will integrate seamlessly with the new Xbox dashboard experience. Features will include:

  • A diverse assortment of TV shows like Mad Men, movies, trailers and curated channels such as the Kids & Family Collection
  • Kinect integration including voice and gesture based commands to browse and load content
  • Predictive search to quickly locate the content you’re looking for

Rogers postpaid wireless, home phone and Internet customers can catch-up on shows from Citytv, CBC and CBC News Network, watch movie trailers and more. Rogers cable TV customers have access to premium channel programming that they subscribe to through their existing cable package.

We are constantly working to add new features and content!  Stay tuned as we add more shows and movies to our ever growing library. Let us know in the comments below if there are features that you would like to see on the Rogers On Demand on Xbox 360 experience.

Availability

The application will be available to all Rogers customers who have an Xbox LIVE Gold membership and a Rogers On Demand Online account. If you are already registered at Rogersondemand.com, you will be good to go! If you haven’t registered yet, be sure to set up a free account for access to a selection of great content on the Xbox 360, select Android devices, iPhone and iPad as well as on your computer.

At Rogers, we’re always working hard to provide new experiences on new platforms. Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments section below. You can also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

To see the Rogers on Demand application on Xbox in action, check out this short video:

Are you excited about the Rogers On Demand experience on Xbox 360?

Edward is a regular contributor to RedBoard

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Rogers On Demand Online – Ho Ho Ho! It’s The Holiday Channel

Rogers on Demand Online Holiday channelCan you smell it in the air – fruit cake, pine trees, apple cider? I know I can. I can’t wait for the holidays to begin – it’s my favourite time of year. Spending time with the family and friends, eating too much turkey and oh yeah, the presents. I admit it, I love giving and getting presents. I’m still a kid at heart, I suppose. Over the next month I know I’ll be spending a lot of my free time checking out The Holiday Channel on Rogers On Demand Online. We’ve gone through and collected the best  tv shows, free movies, and holiday rentals for you to watch to get yourself in the festive spirit.

Holiday Movies and TV Shows - There are lots of great holiday tv shows and films that you can watch right now on Rogers On Demand Online. You can catch free prime time holiday episodes of hits like 2 Broke Girls and Mad Men. We’ll also be adding in lots of free holiday themed films throughout the month of December, including A Christmas Story and the original Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory!  Rogers Customers can also check out free classic Holiday themed retro tv including episodes of Cagney and Lacey and The Addams Family. Yes, even the Addams Family had Christmas episodes.

Free Holiday Shorts – Don’t have time to commit to a tv show or film? No problem! On The Holiday Channel, we’ve got a solid collection of free holiday shorts that will give you a quick hit of yuletide joy. Check out the latest music video from Justin Bieber, hilarious Saturday Night Live shorts and lots of classic retro minisodes of The Facts of Life, Silver Spoons and Newsradio. Get your laughs or tunes in just 5 minutes!

More great primetime shows from Citytv and FX Canada will be added throughout the month of December so make sure you check back often!

Holiday Rentals – The Holiday Channel also features lots of great movies that you can rent from the comfort of your laptop and watch wherever you want in your home.  If you’re looking for brand new releases, you’ll find Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas, Becoming Christmas and Holiday Engagement ready to be rented. For more recent films that have become a holiday favourite, you can check out Vince Vaughn and Resse Witherspoon in Four Christmases, or Will Farrell in Elf, which is a favourite amongst all the folks I work with at Rogers On Demand Online.  If you’ve got little ones in your family, there are also lots of Thomas & Friends and Bob The Builder movies to choose from in The Holiday Channel. And be sure to check back regularly, as we’ll be adding more holiday rentals all through December.

There’s already lots of great content to choose from in The Holiday Channel, with even more on the way. So really, there’s no reason anybody should be saying “bah hum-bug” throughout December.

On that note, I’m going to go rent Four Christmases, one of my favourite holiday films. What’s one of yours?

Andrew is a regular contributor to RedBoard

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Got a sec? Here’s 3 quick TV and wireless tips from Connected Rogers Magazine

Tips on Rogers Products and servicesYou’re busy. We get it. So our friends at Connected Magazine are always putting together what they call “10 second tips:” quick and easy tips to help you get the most out of your Rogers TV and wireless experience. Here are 3 quick ones:

Create a Rogers on Demand Online Playlist

Want to set up a movie marathon? Why not add 15 minute musical interludes to the mix so you can take bathroom or snack breaks? Just set up a Rogers on Demand Online Playlist so you can play TV shows, video clips, music videos and movies without having to return to the main menu. Here’s how:

  1. Register for Rogers on Demand Online. It’s free at http://rogersondemand.com
  2. Sign in and find the shows, movies or clips you like. Click on the + symbol under the item to add it to your playlist
  3. Click My Playlist when you’re done. To watch your items, just click on one and your playlist will start.
  4. After your video is done, you can continue to select other videos from your playlist which will be located down the right side of your screen

Check your monthly wireless usage

Are you going to go over your monthly data? How many minutes do you have left? Here’s three ways to find out:

  1. Go to rogers.com and log into your My Rogers account (or create an account for free). In the wireless section, click Load Wireless Usage and presto! There’s your usage for the month
  2. Download the free My Account app from your device’s app store. Open it and select Check Wireless Usage. Done.
  3. You can also find out your usage on your phone. Select Internet from the main menu or just text HOME to 4836 and select the My Account link from your home page. Click More under My Account.

Create a Rogers on Demand PIN Code

New release movies or sporting events on Rogers on Demand can incur rental charges. To rent anything, you must enter your own code. You probably already know that the default code is set to 0000 but if you want to change your PIN, here’s how:

  1. Press settings twice on your Rogers remote
  2. Scroll down the list and select Purchase: PIN, Press OK.
  3. Scroll through and select Enable to activate your PIN code. Follow the prompts and when complete, press Exit.

Did you find these tips helpful? You can download and print this How-To here which includes the above 3 tips and more. You can also find more handy how-to’s here.

Miranda is a regular contributor to RedBoard

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Choose the TV YOU want: Rogers trials new flexible TV package

Rogers TVYou asked us for more choices and told us you want to build your own TV packages and pay for the channels you like to watch.  So today, we’re launching the trial of a new TV offering that is designed to do just that.

From now until the end of March 2012, Rogers customers in London, Ontario will be the first to try the Rogers Digital Starter Pack, a pilot program designed to give you the flexibility to customize your TV package, while enjoying all the benefits of a digital cable service with features like Rogers On Demand.

Here’s how it works:

The Digital Starter pack comes with a set of core TV channels, which includes channels that we as a cable company must carry.  You get 86 standard channels for $20.29/month.

You can order the Digital Starter Pack and then choose any additional 15, 20 or 30 channels from a list of more than 100 options, starting at $26.38/month.

These prices include all monthly fees such as the Local Programming Improvement Fund fee, which the government requires us to charge. Prices do not include applicable taxes.

This is one way we’re moving toward giving you the most flexible TV choices.  And, while it’s only available right now to our customers in London, Ontario, we want to hear from you.  Would you sign up for the Digital Starter Pack and Mix Pack options if it was available in your area?

UPDATE: (December 5, 2011, 5:02 pm): We know some of you have been looking online for details about the Digital Starter Pack and the channels that  are part of the offer.  Click here for the full package details. Remember, this trial is only currently available to customers in London, Ontario.

Carly is a regular contributor to RedBoard

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