CBC has started streaming free, ad-supported news and entertainment content on seven websites run by HandHeld Entertainment, following a deal with the San Francisco company announced earlier this week.

The CBC will provide segments from shows including The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos, The National and Fashion File, plus celebrity interviews with the likes of Russell Crowe, Shania Twain, and the Dixie Chicks.

The videos are viewable via the web and HandHeld’s branded ZVUE personal media players, which are sold online and in 2,200 Wal-Mart stores in the U.S. HandHeld’s network in the United States and Europe currently boasts 525,000 premium and free videos and other media. The network of sites includes ZVUE.com, YourDailyMedia.com and Dorks.com.

CBC director of business and platform development Bob Kerr says the agreement is part of the Ceeb’s strategy to ‘get our shows and video segments to Canadians and non-Canadians alike around the world.’

CBC announced a deal in March with San Diego-based DivX to provide shows for its video-sharing site Stage 6 — including footage from The Hour and other programs, updated weekly.

From Media in Canada