19 of the Most Popular VOD Sites for Film and TV Addicts

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19 of the Most Popular Video-on-Demand Sites

for Film and TV Addicts

brought to you by E.i. Geek. (cc) April 2, 2013.




Netflix, in its campaign to dethrone Blockbuster Video, launched the online video-on-demand revolution...





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.





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/




http://www.levelonegeek.com/2011/04/cutting-the-cord-is-it-right-for-you/

http://www.levelonegeek.com/2011/04/cutting-the-cord-is-it-right-for-you/







brought to you by E.i. Geek. (cc) April 2, 2013. http://eigeek.blogspot.com

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://www.cicff.org/content/for-kids-teens/63

http://www.cicff.org/content/for-kids-teens/63










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




http://thecellularguru.com/2012/10/25/a-chat-with-best-buy-director-of-communications-chris-bennett-about-cinemanow/













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://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




http://www.next-gotta-have.com/tag/netflix

http://www.next-gotta-have.com/tag/netflix












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://bgr.com/tag/vudu/

http://bgr.com/tag/vudu/






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/




http://www.philabatecola.com/2012/10/20/deceit-distribution/

http://www.philabatecola.com/2012/10/20/deceit-distribution/






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




http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/03/film-fresh-free-movie-download/











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://reviews.cnet.com/software/amazon-instant-video/4505-3513_7-35408687.html

Amazon Instant Video




http://tabtimes.com/feature/ittech-apps/2012/08/02/best-new-ipad-apps-amazon-instant-video-your-mac-ipad-and-easy-photo











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://bit.ly/114d73Z

http://bit.ly/114d73Z










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.noopportunitywasted.com/view-the-trailer

http://www.noopportunitywasted.com/view-the-trailer






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


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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Snagfilmslogo.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Snagfilmslogo.jpg










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.gadgetnuz.com/hitbliss-the-pandora-of-ads-will-pay-you-to-watch-commercials/















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.filmdispenser.com/are-you-streaming-video/hulu_plus_stack/#









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://busport.blogspot.com/2012/10/lanzan-hbo-para-dispositivos-moviles.html












http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/21/hbo-go-without-cable_n_2926926.html#









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://mynintendonews.com/2012/11/22/youtube-and-amazon-instant-video-are-now-available-on-wii-u/









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.


Sources: Popcornflix logo: https://www.facebook.com/Popcornflix

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popcornflix

http://popcornflix.com/





https://www.facebook.com/Popcornflix

https://www.facebook.com/Popcornflix



http://popcornflix.com

http://popcornflix.com






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/




http://www.theiospost.com/latest/2012/4/2/fanhattan-ios-app-goes-universal-retina-display-support-and.html







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.fastcompany.com/1843506/redbox-instant-streaming-launch-alpha-testing-name-former-verizon-fios-exec-shawn-strickland











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://vimeobuzz.tumblr.com/post/45197656402/vimeo-on-demand-to-allow-users-to-charge-those








http://eigeek.blogspot.combrought to you by E.i. Geek. (cc) April 2, 2013.

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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19 of the Most Popular VOD Sites for Film and TV Addicts

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