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DECISIONS, DECISIONS...
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19 of the Most Popular Video-on-Demand Sites
for Film and TV Addicts
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Netflix, in its campaign to dethrone Blockbuster Video, launched the online video-on-demand revolution...
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But it’s earned some serious competitors in the 16 years it’s been running.
Here’s how it compares with 18 of the most well-known contenders.
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Facts:scored early distribution deals with Epix (Lionsgate, MGM, and Paramount)
has exclusive partnership with Disney and DreamWorks Animation (family-friendly advantage)
offers premium original content (House of Cards, featuring Kevin Spacey)
will exclusively run Arrested Development revival
Pros:large library available for streaming (14,000 TV series and movies)
mobile app available for most devices
Cons:lots of digging to discover good movies (mixed bag)
Launch Year: 1997
Key Person(s): CEO Reed Hastings, Marc Rudolph
Service Type: Subscription DVD-by-mail and online streaming; each service starts at $7.99 (Blu-Ray costs more)
Sources: Netflix logo: http://www.levelonegeek.com/2011/04/cutting-the-cord-is-it-right-for-you/
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/thewraps-streaming-guide-netflix-snagfilms-where-find-movies-you-want-81511
http://mashable.com/category/netflix/
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Facts:a non-profit organization that focuses on the appreciation and preservation of movies (Roger Ebert calls it “a temple to great cinema”)
distributes movies people otherwise wouldn’t find
offers an unaccredited film school
hosts the annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival
offers DVD purchases as well
Pros:larger film library than any streaming service (65,000+)
has rare film selections (in some cases last-existing copies)
Cons:no streaming available (yet -- it’s currently in the works)
a little pricier than Netflix (but definitely worth the money)
Launch Year: 1975
Key Person(s): Co-Founders Milos Stehlik and Nicole Dreiske
Service Type: Monthly subscription DVD-by-mail service; starts at $8.99
Sources: Facets Multimedia logo: http://www.cicff.org/content/for-kids-teens/63
http://www.facetsmovies.com/user/aboutHelp.php
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/21/hbo-go-without-cable_n_2926926.html#slide=311785
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/us/06cncfacets.html?_r=0
http://eigeek.blogspot.com
Facts:rentals stored for 30 days, but only available for 24 hours once viewing starts
easily accessible (available on most devices)
movies available on DVD release day, TV episodes available the day after they air
purchases download to computer or the cloud
uses WideVine DRM for streaming, Windows Media DRM for downloads
now offers disc-to-digital service (in beta) using UltraViolet (even SD disc-to-HD digital download)
Pros:Hollywood movies and popular TV series; new releases
great customer support
easy setup and download
Cons:only user reviews (no other sources)
smaller selection -- about 6,000 titles (movies and TV)
pricey (no subs or deals, purchases as high as $16)
few rare film finds
Launch Year: 1999
Owner: Best Buy
Service Type: A la carte streaming and download
rentals $3.99+; purchases $12+
Sources: CinemaNow logo: http://thecellularguru.com/2012/10/25/a-chat-with-best-buy-director-of-communications-chris-bennett-about-cinemanow/
http://movie-download-review.toptenreviews.com/cinemanow-review.html
http://www.hometheater.com/content/cinemanow-offers-disc-digital-service-your-computer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CinemaNow
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Facts:library has 30k+ films in 250+ genres (includes Criterion Collection)
offers indies, silent films, documentaries, foreign films (including anime), as well as Hollywood films
offers film festival coverage and exclusive interviews with “the world’s best filmmakers”
rental plans up to 8 DVDs at a time ($49.95/month)
per the website, no time or DVD restrictions on any subscription plans
Pros:its massive library and appeal to both indie and commercial film lovers
Cons:a little pricier than most
on-demand is separate cost than monthly sub
lackluster website design (possible customer turnoff)
lackluster customer support
Launch Year: 2003
Key Person(s): President Dennis Woo
Service Type: Subscription DVD-by-mail; on demand streaming
Monthly subs start at $9.99 (for 1 DVD out at a time); on demand streaming $5 for 30 days storage
Sources: Green Cine logo: http://www.next-gotta-have.com/tag/netflix
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/21/hbo-go-without-cable_n_2926926.html#slide=311837
http://mistercomfypants.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/greencine-vs-netflix/
http://www.greencine.com/static/about.jsp
http://dvd-rental-review.toptenreviews.com/greencine-review.html
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Facts:all the latest releases available digitally
current and past TV episodes available for purchase
Pros:great user interface
good variety of new releases
allows upload of old DVDs to the cloud
Cons:easy to blow a lot of money (no subs or deals)
Launch Year: 2004
Owner: Walmart (2010)
Service Type: A la carte streaming
Rentals range $0.99 - $6 (HD most expensive), digital copy purchases $14 - $15
Sources: Vudu logo: http://bgr.com/tag/vudu/
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/thewraps-streaming-guide-netflix-snagfilms-where-find-movies-you-want-81511
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Facts:strictly indie films (features, shorts, and documentaries)
allows indie filmmakers to upload/distribute their projects and get paid via revenue-share model (“Royalty Pool Minutes”), where they get paid for every minute watched by a subscriber
available on any “broadband Internet connected device”
Pros:has content from film festivals around the world (including Sundance, SXSW, and Slamdance) and award-winning indies
Cons:it’s niche, so no Hollywood films
Launch Year: 2004
Key Person(s): Co-Founder Gian-Carlo Scanduzzi, Co-Founder and CEO Scilla Andreen
Service Type: Subscription streaming
$6.99/month or $69/yr; 2-week free trial
Sources: IndieFlix logo: http://www.philabatecola.com/2012/10/20/deceit-distribution/
http://indieflix.com/pages/faq/#all-access
https://indieflix.com/subscription/
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Facts:rentals stored for 30 days, but only available for 24 hours once viewing starts
started as indie and foreign only, but did a major relaunch at 2012 International CES to include commercial films and blockbusters
renewed licenses with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Lionsgate, and Warner Bros.
purchases download to computer or the cloud
Pros:offers mainstream and indie projects
user-friendly interface
offers recommendations in the sidebar
offers Flixster and Rotten Tomatoes reviews
movie store for the Android tablet coming soon
Cons:only available in the U.S.
slightly smaller selection -- 5,000 titles
requires free Widevine plugin for the media player to function
Launch Year: 2005
Owner: RoxioNow
Service Type: A la carte streaming and download
rentals $2.99+; purchases $9.99+
Sources: Film Fresh logo: http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/03/film-fresh-free-movie-download/
http://www.filmfresh.com/support
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120109006181/en/Independent-Online-Movie-Retailer-Film-Fresh-Announces
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Facts:smaller streaming selection than Netflix, but users can make up by renting from Amazon directly
past TV series seasons and episodes available
Pros:has TV shows Netflix doesn’t (e.g. exclusive streaming rights to “The Closer” and “Falling Skies”)
convenient one-stop shop
lower cost for some videos than iTunes
Cons:Instant streaming only applies if you’re an Amazon Prime member, otherwise you have to purchase or rent from Amazon.com
doesn’t offer exciting original content
can’t make orders in the mobile app
Launch Year: 2006
Key Person(s): CEO Jeff Bezos
Service Type: Subscription and a la carte streaming
Annual subs (Amazon Prime): $79 Non-Prime a la carte: rentals $3+, purchases up to $15.99
Sources: Amazon Instant Video logo: http://tabtimes.com/feature/ittech-apps/2012/08/02/best-new-ipad-apps-amazon-instant-video-your-mac-ipad-and-easy-photo
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/thewraps-streaming-guide-netflix-snagfilms-where-find-movies-you-want-81511
http://reviews.cnet.com/software/amazon-instant-video/4505-3513_7-35408687.html
Amazon Instant Video
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Facts:no registration required, but necessary for making a watchlist (a movie “queue”) and avoiding age verifications
consists of 12 channels
Pros:offers original series and eclectic (but limited) movie selection
Cons:limited options -- only 382 titles (Sony content)
limited TV -- not whole seasons available
no HD
all videos expire 4/1/13 (per TheWrap.com)
Launch Year: 2007 (formerly Grouper)
Owner: Sony (2006)
Service Type: Free, ad-supported streaming
Sources: Crackle logo: http://bit.ly/114d73Z
http://www.crunchbase.com/company/crackle
http://reviews.cnet.com/software/crackle-android/4505-3513_7-35509616.html
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/thewraps-streaming-guide-netflix-snagfilms-where-find-movies-you-want-81511
brought to you by E.i. Geek. (cc) April 2, 2013.
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Facts:not streaming; download via iCloud
like Film Fresh, rentals stored for 1 month, but only available for 24 hours once viewing starts
if rental is still running at the 24-hour mark, gives the option to finish or cancel viewing
current and past TV episodes and seasons available
Pros:visually pleasing and user-friendly interface
movies available before or during theatrical release
easily informed decisions (Rotten Tomatoes and user reviews)
trailers available for every selection
Cons:easy to blow a lot of money (no free movies or deals)
Launch Year: 2008 (movie streaming service)
Key Person(s): CEO Tim Cook
Service Type: A la carte digital download
Rentals $2.99+, digital copy purchases $9.99 - $19.99
Sources: iTunes logo: http://www.noopportunitywasted.com/view-the-trailer
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/thewraps-streaming-guide-netflix-snagfilms-where-find-movies-you-want-81511
brought to you by E.i. Geek. (cc) April 2, 2013.
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Facts:plays strictly indie and foreign films and documentaries
sister site to IndieWire and the IndieWire Blog Network
backers include Comcast Ventures
available for Roku and Boxee devices and iOS
voted Best iPad app of 2011 by Gizmodo
Pros:it’s free
quality selection of thought-provoking movies
filmmakers share the site’s ad revenue
Cons:no Hollywood/commercial material
ads
Launch Year: 2008
Key Person(s): Tim Leonsis (owner); CEO Rick Allen
Service Type: Free, ad-supported streaming
Sources: SnagFilms logo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Snagfilmslogo.jpg
http://www.snagfilms.com/films/our-company
http://www.snagfilms.com/films/team
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/thewraps-streaming-guide-netflix-snagfilms-where-find-movies-you-want-81511
brought to you by E.i. Geek. (cc) April 2, 2013.
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Facts:ads are targeted and based on consumers’ choices and interests (you provide basic info)
members can choose to have both services (Store and Earn) or enroll in one exclusively
ads are inescapable (you’re prompted to watch them if you try to click away)
movies available for rent as soon as the DVD’s released; TV episodes available the day after they air
Pros:cost-effective option
Cons:limited library -- only 742 titles
service still in beta, so limited memberships available
Launch Year: 2008
Key Person(s): Founders Sharon Peyer, Andrew Prihodko
Service Type: 2 options:
HitBliss Store: A la carte streaming; rentals $1.99 - $3.99
HitBliss Earn: watch ads and earn credits toward purchases or rentals in the HitBliss store
Sources: HitBliss logo: http://www.gadgetnuz.com/hitbliss-the-pandora-of-ads-will-pay-you-to-watch-commercials/
http://mashable.com/2013/03/01/hitbliss/
http://techcrunch.com/2013/03/01/hitbliss-the-pandora-of-ads-will-pay-you-to-watch-commercials/
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/thewraps-streaming-guide-netflix-snagfilms-where-find-movies-you-want-81511
brought to you by E.i. Geek. (cc) April 2, 2013.
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Facts:growing film selection from Criterion Collection (which includes the Janus Library)
like Hulu, large TV supply
Pros:great library for film buffs/connoisseurs (e.g. movies by John Ford, Akira Kurosawa)
Cons:movie selection lagging behind Netflix and Amazon
Launch Year: 2010
Majority Owners: Fox Broadcasting Company
Service Type: Subscription streaming; $7.99/month
Sources: Hulu Plus logo: http://www.filmdispenser.com/are-you-streaming-video/hulu_plus_stack/#.UVIKfhlAuk0
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/thewraps-streaming-guide-netflix-snagfilms-where-find-movies-you-want-81511
brought to you by E.i. Geek. (cc) April 2, 2013.
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Facts:unlimited access to all HBO series episodes, documentaries, and studio films
available on Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, Roku, Xbox 360, and some Samsung devices
will start streaming live sports events soon, according to HBO Sports President Ken Hershman
Pros:great, compelling content
every episode available (for marathon watching)
Cons:only available in the U.S.
must already have HBO as part of your cable plan (Plepler’s contemplating making a non-sub option as of 3/20/13, according to the Huffington Post and Mashable)
Launch Year: 2010
Key Person(s): Richard Plepler; owned by Time Warner Inc.
Service Type: Premium cable subscription service
$15 - $20/month (depending on your cable provider)
Sources: HBO Go logo: http://busport.blogspot.com/2012/10/lanzan-hbo-para-dispositivos-moviles.html
http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/28/4157726/hbo-go-live-sports-boxing-by-the-end-of-the-year
http://mashable.com/2013/03/22/hbo-mulls-making-hbo-go-available-to-non-cable-subscribers/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/21/hbo-go-without-cable_n_2926926.html#slide=311837
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/thewraps-streaming-guide-netflix-snagfilms-where-find-movies-you-want-81511
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Facts:thousands of film and TV selections
available on proprietary devices (Android, Google TV)
offers alternative channels in addition to the traditional genres (e.g. LGBT, Short Films, Classics, etc.)
Pros:TV episodes cheaper than iTunes
offers free movies (especially on the Classics channel)
rentals available for 48 hours once viewing starts
Cons:TV episodes not available in HD; very little HD movie selections
not easily searchable interface for free movies
search results yield mostly user-generated content
Launch Year: 2011 (major film streaming service)
Key Person(s): CEO Salar Kamangar, CEO Eric Schmidt (Google)
Service Type: A la carte streaming
Rentals $0.99 and up, purchases up to $19.99
Sources: YouTube logo: http://mynintendonews.com/2012/11/22/youtube-and-amazon-instant-video-are-now-available-on-wii-u/
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/thewraps-streaming-guide-netflix-snagfilms-where-find-movies-you-want-81511
brought to you by E.i. Geek. (cc) April 2, 2013.
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Facts:strictly indie features with big stars in lesser roles, documentaries, and foreign movies
available on iOS, Roku, Boxee, Sony Bravia, and other devices
hit 1 million Roku downloads March 2013, according to Yahoo! Finance
offers alternative channels in addition to the traditional genres (including Film School Originals, Bollywood)
offers original web series
Pros:it’s free
its 650-film library surpasses the other free streaming services
Cons:strictly B flicks (no blockbusters)
ads
Launch Year: 2011
Owner: Screen Media Ventures, LLC.
Service Type: Free, ad-supported streaming
Sources: Popcornflix logo: https://www.facebook.com/Popcornflix
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popcornflix
http://popcornflix.com/
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/thewraps-streaming-guide-netflix-snagfilms-where-find-movies-you-want-81511
brought to you by E.i. Geek. (cc) April 2, 2013.
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Facts:how it works:
find the movie you want, Fanhattan shows you which streaming services it’s available on, you click the service you want to stream it from
web browser version in beta February 2013
per website, has 1 million+ movies to choose from
members create a watchlist
iOS app: 16 TV networks and streaming services (including truTV, HBO Go, and Netflix)
web version: 19 TV networks and streaming services (including Comedy Central, Vudu, and Playstation Network)
Pros:major streaming service selection + IMDb-like fanfare (daily magazine, trailers, cast/crew bios), with links to movie soundtracks
offers Rotten Tomatoes reviews
Cons:must already have membership with other paid services (Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, iTunes, etc.) to play a movie through Fanhattan
Launch Year: 2011
Key Person(s): Founder and CEO Gilles BianRosa
Service Type: Free iOS app; streaming service aggregator and guide
Sources: Fanhattan logo: http://www.theiospost.com/latest/2012/4/2/fanhattan-ios-app-goes-universal-retina-display-support-and.html
http://techcrunch.com/2013/02/21/fanhattan-on-the-web/
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http://eigeek.blogspot.com
Facts:joint venture with Verizon
available on Xbox 360, iOS, Android, and on Vizio, LG, Samsung, and Google TVs
Pros:least expensive paid streaming service ($2 cheaper than Netflix)
has distribution deals with Epix (Lionsgate, Viacom, MGM)
Cons:because it’s new, its library is limited (4,600 titles)
Launch Year: 2013
Key Person(s): CEO Shawn Strickland
Service Type: Streaming only or subscription streaming + 4 DVD rentals (Blu-Ray included)
Price range $6 - $9
Sources: Redbox Instant logo: http://www.fastcompany.com/1843506/redbox-instant-streaming-launch-alpha-testing-name-former-verizon-fios-exec-shawn-strickland
http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/14/redbox-instant-launches-to-the-public/
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/thewraps-streaming-guide-netflix-snagfilms-where-find-movies-you-want-81511
brought to you by E.i. Geek. (cc) April 2, 2013.
http://eigeek.blogspot.com
Facts:announced at SXSW 2013
similar to IndieFlix -- indie filmmakers post their productions to the site and direct viewers there
Pros:filmmakers collect 90% of the net revenue from their movies
a great new avenue to exhibit and support the indie film community
Cons:it’s brand new -- only 7 movies available
service only available for Vimeo Pro members
Launch Year: 2013
Key Person(s): CEO Kerry Trainor
Service Type: A la carte streaming; price range $2 - $9
Sources: Vimeo on Demand logo: http://vimeobuzz.tumblr.com/post/45197656402/vimeo-on-demand-to-allow-users-to-charge-those
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/thewraps-streaming-guide-netflix-snagfilms-where-find-movies-you-want-81511
brought to you by E.i. Geek. (cc) April 2, 2013.
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That’s a lot of choices...and there are some more where that came from, but these 19 are the most
well-known.
Which do you use?
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Stop by and share your thoughts on this presentation.