The day we’ve been waiting years for has finally arrived: Videotron customers can finally stream TSN and RDS online and on mobile apps.
The news was just announced via text message. Not only can people watch both Bell Media services through the Videotron website and Illico app, but Videotron customers can also login through TSN.ca and watch the network there. And it’s available through the RDS Go app.
Both of these systems are authenticated, which means you need to be a subscriber to the channels you want to watch, and whether you’re watching through a Videotron platform or a TSN/RDS one, you need to login with your Videotron username and password when prompted. But otherwise there’s no additional fee for watching them online or on mobile (except mobile data charges if you’re using mobile networks).
But it means if you want to watch the Canadiens this season (and what a coincidence, their season starts tonight), you can finally do so on the go legally as a Videotron subscriber.
(For whatever reason, Videotron is offering livestreaming of only TSN2 and TSN5 through its platforms, but all TSN’s Canadiens games are on TSN2.)
Unfortunately, the deal doesn’t include Sportsnet, which still isn’t available this way. Maybe someday…
Options for watching TSN and RDS live
- TSN.ca: TSN1, TSN2, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5
- RDS.ca (RDS, RDS2, RDS Info)
- Videotron website: TSN2, TSN5, RDS, RDS2, RDS Info
- Illico app (TSN2, TSN5, RDS, RDS2 and RDS Info only)
- TSN Go: Apple, Android, Microsoft (TSN1, TSN2, TSN3, TSN4, TSN5, plus bonus streams)
- RDS Go: Apple, Android, Microsoft (RDS, RDS2, RDS Info)
WIll illico do the same for other Bell properties like CTV, HBO and TMN?
Illico already offers HBO and TMN on demand online, and TMN Go works for Videotron subscribers. No word yet for CTV and other channels though, this new deal appears to relate only to the sports channels.
I can’t wait for the day when Bell Sympatico users will be able to stream online content that is strictly reserved to Bell Fibe users. It’s kind of strange to deny to those who pay for internet service with Bell access to content on the internet.
Sympatico isn’t a television distribution service, so I wouldn’t hold my breath.