Broadcasters on both sides of the border have unveiled several new plans for streaming their programming.

In the U.S., The N is offering special episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation on its website for free. Downloadable to PCs and designed to fit between the storylines of the regular Degrassi programs, the eight short Degrassi Minis feature actors from the hit series and debuted in early February.

‘The Internet is a medium that teens have adopted as their own, so putting Degrassi Minis on the web allows us to reach our audience with original content on multiple screens,’ says Kenny Miller, vice-president of programming and production for the youth-focused channel.

Miller says the shorts have ‘huge’ viewership on www.the-n.com, but would not provide numbers.

He plans to make mobile episodes, too. ‘I can see a point five years from now when every TV series is produced with its own minis for both the web and mobile platforms,’ says Miller.

The N will continue releasing Degrassi Minis once per week until March 17. No word yet if the Epitome Pictures-produced series will get a similar streaming spinoff on CTV.

CHUM’s online search

CHUM is also pushing the multi-platform envelope by offering complete episodes of its reality series VJ Search: The Series via www.muchmusic.com and iTunes – boasting it is the first station in Canada to offer a downloadable version of one of its programs.

Users can also take part in show-related polls on their cellphones, and can sign up to receive ‘private confessionals’ from the aspiring VJs. Finally, at 15 cents a message, CHUM will send fans text message alerts every time a new video segment is made available online.

CBC eyeing mobile

CBC is looking to make its content mobile, and is in talks with iTunes, Google, myTELUS, and Sympatico/MSN.

‘We are looking into all possible distribution platforms for all of our content,’ says Claude Galipeau, the network’s executive director of digital programming and business development. ‘We are talking with all of our program producers about making content available on as many venues as possible.’

Unlike CTV and Global, CBC owns the rights to much of its programming, giving it the ability to resell the content any way it can. ‘It’s no longer about TV,’ declares Galipeau. ‘Now it’s about screens and ease of access and extending our programming to multiple platforms.’

NFB goes 360

The National Film Board is taking Canadian mobile content producers to MIPTV as part of the TV market’s Content 360 project.

Organized by MIPTV and the digital media conference MILIA, Content 360 will screen pitches for mobile animation projects when both events get underway in Cannes in April. The BBC and the Korean Broadcasting Commission are also taking part.

Winners will receive funding to turn their pitches into actual web and mobile programming.

Besides offering a new venue for content makers, mobile phones offer a chance for them to make real money, notes Tom Perlmutter, director general of the NFB’s English Program.

‘People are accustomed to the idea of paying for content on their cellphones,’ he says. ‘For mobile content creators, this means that they’ve got access to an audience that is accustomed to paying.’