In November 2009, Rogers released a very beta, sparse version of their future Rogers on Demand Online service. A Hulu for Canada, this would eventually turn into the only Canadian-allowed consolidator for online video media. Sure, separately the networks provide their shows on demand on their respective websites, but there has never been an enterprise to bring it all together.

Rogers endeavors to go one step further than being merely a consolidator: they have partnered with several US cable and broadcast networks to bring previously-unavailable content to Canadians through their computers. They have deals with MGM, Sony and Warner Brothers for movies; CBC, Global and other Canuck networks for Canadian content. There is a lot of potential in this enterprise, and, though at the moment the content is sparse, and due to licensing issues there are only a few episodes of each TV show, the future is bright for Canadian online media.

But what about the mobile market? Obviously TheCellularGuru.com took that approach when we spoke to Jeremy Butteriss of the Broadband Entertainment Divison of Rogers Communication, and while he couldn’t give us anything definitive in terms of product launches or dates, he assured us that there will be a mobile version of the site as soon as possible. Now, Rogers, when you say that, don’t take two years to make it happen, K?

Mr. Butteriss explained some very interesting, and potentially unique, aspects of the service. First of all, Rogers will offer some content to everyone in Canada, regardless of whether you’re a customer. However, if you have a Rogers account, you are able to access premium services and content. For example, if you subscribe to a certain channel with your cable subscription, that content will be available for you for free on RODO, provided it is licensed from the network.

The whole thing reeks of untapped potential, and Rogers seems to be on its way to an innovative product. I have used it quite a bit since its launch last week, and I am impressed with the smooth playback and video quality. However, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of HD programming as yet.

On a mobile front, and something I didn’t ask Jeremy, was whether or not there are any plans for an HTML5 version of RODO. I doubt this is going to happen in the near future, but it would be nice to know that mobile devices such as the iPad will support the service in the future.

For more information about Rogers On Demand Online, head over to their website.