PC Magazine: We Must Save Streaming Video Before It’s Too Late. “The core problem, of course, is capitalism’s inherent antagonism toward art. Companies commission movies primarily for their ability to make money. Preserving them is also largely about profit, making more money by selling them again.”
The Register: Taiwan turfs out video streamers run by China’s web giants. “Taiwan has moved to turf out Chinese video-streamers operated by Tencent and Baidu. A [August 18] notice from Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs makes it an offence for local businesses to facilitate Tencent’s WeTV and Baidu’s iQIYI in the nation. Neither operates in Taiwan, but both have found local proxies that bring their services into the island nation.”
Indian Express: Google tests ‘Kaleidoscope’ hub to bring all streaming services in one place: Report. “Google is working on a unified one-stop hub to collate all of your video streaming services in Chrome, called Kaleidoscope, according to a report by ChromeStory. The new feature is currently accessible to select users running the Canary build of Google Chrome.”
Rolling Stone: Entire ‘Ed Sullivan Show’ Catalogue Hits Streaming Platforms. “Nearly 50 years after it aired its final episode in 1971, the legendary Ed Sullivan Show is officially headed to all streaming platforms. From the Beatles’ debut to Elvis Presley to the Rolling Stones, iconic clips and low-resolution bootlegs of the variety show have been available for years, but this marks the first time the entire catalogue will be available digitally — thanks to a deal between UMe and SOFA Entertainment Inc.”
ZDNet: Best free video streaming services in 2020: Crackle, IMDb TV, Pluto TV, and more. “There are currently 11 good free services to try, and good old-fashioned over-the-air (OTA) antenna TV. Yes, you do have to put up with commercials on all of these — and there’s not a DVR features to be seen — but they are free. With so many selections to choose from, I can guarantee you’ll find something to watch that won’t hurt your pocketbook by even a single penny.”
Wired: Locally Grown Is PBS for the Streaming Age. “This is what channel-surfing used to be, what it ought to be. Tune in and the first station is airing Pressure, Horace Ové’s tough-minded 1976 movie about London youth and racial disillusionment. It’s a somewhat obscure release, but also a pioneering one: Ové’s was the first feature by a black filmmaker made in the UK. Switch the channel and there’s an episode of the sci-fi anime Cowboy Bebop on; a few clicks past that, Janet Jackson’s 1998 Velvet Rope Tour performance at Madison Square Garden is playing. Keep flipping and it’s one rare and poignant find after another. That is the essence of Locally Grown, a streaming website with the vintage gloss of public access programming.”
SlashGear: IMDb’s free streaming service is adding major TV shows. “IMDb TV, Amazon’s free streaming video service, is adding a large number of television shows, including a number of popular offerings. More than 20 of the shows are scripted titles owned by Disney, including hits like Desperate Housewives, Ally McBeal, Lost, and Malcolm in the Middle. Some of these shows will only be available to stream through IMDb TV.”
Engadget: Watch dozens of free movies in IMDb’s app. “If you’ve already seen everything new on the streaming, IMDb’s free selection of ad-supported films and tv shows may prove enticing. The film industry site today announced that viewers can now stream IMDb TV’s titles through the IMDb mobile app. Prior to this, the service was only available on the IMDb website, Prime Video or Amazon Fire devices.”
TorrentFreak: Police: Scam Streaming Sites Are Exploiting Internet Users. “Police in Germany have issued another warning after scam streaming sites trapped users into paying useless subscriptions of more than 350 euros. The sites, which closely resemble pirate streaming portals but claim to be legitimate, number more than 220 according to police. Some believe that the players involved are linked to an earlier piracy settlement scam.”
EurekAlert: Research sheds light on UK’s new unsustainable viewing habits. “A new study looks behind closed doors to reveal how UK viewing habits are shifting away from traditional broadcasting with more data-intensive streaming options now the default for many.”
BBC: Google reveals gaming platform Stadia. “Google has unveiled a new digital gaming platform called Stadia which will stream better-than-console-quality games that have traditionally had to be either downloaded or purchased on disc.”
Quartz: How To Stream All This Year’s Best Picture Oscar Nominees. “The nominees for the 91st annual Academy Awards were announced this morning (Tuesday, Jan. 22), which gives you a month to catch up on all eight of the films nominated for best picture before the big night on Feb. 24. Netflix’s Roma tied with The Favourite for the most nominations. Some of the best picture candidates are still in their theatrical runs, but there are also plenty of nominated films that you can enjoy from the comfort of your couch.”
BusinessWire: IMDb Launches Freedive – A Free Streaming Video Channel Featuring Hit Movies and TV Shows (PRESS RELEASE). “IMDb (www.imdb.com), the #1 movie website in the world, today announced the launch of IMDb Freedive (www.imdb.com/freedive), a free streaming video channel available in the United States on the IMDb website via laptop or personal computer and on all Amazon Fire TV devices. IMDb Freedive, an ad-supported channel, enables customers to watch hit TV shows including Fringe, Heroes, The Bachelor and Without a Trace as well as top Hollywood hits like Awakenings, Foxcatcher, Memento, Monster, Run Lola Run, The Illusionist, The Last Samurai, True Romance and more without purchasing a subscription.”
Make Tech Easier: Best Free Services to Legally Stream TV Shows. “With cable companies charging exorbitant prices for television packages that include slews of channels you’ll never even watch, more and more folks are looking to cut the cord. Tons of streaming services are now available, making it seem like it would be relatively easy to say goodbye to your cable provider. Unfortunately, subscriptions to streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime can add up quickly. Luckily, there are a number of services that can scratch your television itch, that are free of charge and 100% legal.”
Mashable: I miss the days before everyone was addicted to streaming services . “Think about it: Today we’ve got streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Now. And those are just some of the most popular. I can’t even think about Sling TV, and all the other cable alternatives out there right now, so for the purpose of this article let’s concentrate on those first four. Each costs money and each creates its own original content, so if you don’t have subscriptions to all of them, you’re definitely missing out on something.”
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