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

DECISIONS, DECISIONS...
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. http://eigeek.blogspot.com

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)
Launch Year: 1997
will exclusively run Arrested Development
Key Person(s): revival
CEO Reed Hastings, Marc Rudolph
Pros:
Service Type: large library available for streaming (14,000 TV
series and movies)
Subscription DVD-by-mail and online streaming;
each service starts at $7.99 (Blu-Ray costs
mobile app available for most devices
more)
Cons:
lots of digging to discover good movies (mixed
Sources:
Netflix logo: http://www.levelonegeek.com/2011/04/cutting-the-cord-is-it-right-for-you/ bag)
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/thewraps-streaming-guide-netflix-snagfilms-
where-find-movies-you-want-81511

http://mashable.com/category/netflix/

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
Launch Year: 1975
offers DVD purchases as well
Key Person(s):
Pros:
Co-Founders Milos Stehlik and Nicole Dreiske larger film library than any streaming service
(65,000+)
Service Type:
Monthly subscription DVD-by-mail service; has rare film selections (in some cases last-
starts at $8.99 existing copies)

Cons:
no streaming available (yet -- it’s currently in the
Sources:
works)
Facets Multimedia logo: http://www.cicff.org/content/for-kids-teens/63

http://www.facetsmovies.com/user/aboutHelp.php a little pricier than Netflix (but definitely worth the
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/21/hbo-go-without- money)
cable_n_2926926.html#slide=311785

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/us/06cncfacets.html?_r=0

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
Launch Year: 1999
now offers disc-to-digital service (in beta) using UltraViolet
(even SD disc-to-HD digital download)
Owner:
Best Buy Pros:
Hollywood movies and popular TV series; new releases

Service Type: great customer support
A la carte streaming and download
easy setup and download

rentals $3.99+; purchases $12+ Cons:
only user reviews (no other sources)
Sources:
CinemaNow logo: http://thecellularguru.com/2012/10/25/a-chat-with-best-buy- smaller selection -- about 6,000 titles (movies and TV)
director-of-communications-chris-bennett-about-cinemanow/

http://movie-download-review.toptenreviews.com/cinemanow-review.html pricey (no subs or deals, purchases as high as $16)
http://www.hometheater.com/content/cinemanow-offers-disc-digital-service-your-
computer few rare ﬁlm ﬁnds
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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

Launch Year: 2003 offers film festival coverage and exclusive interviews
with “the world’s best filmmakers”
Key Person(s):
President Dennis Woo rental plans up to 8 DVDs at a time ($49.95/month)

per the website, no time or DVD restrictions on any
Service Type: subscription plans
Subscription DVD-by-mail; on demand
streaming Pros:
its massive library and appeal to both indie and
commercial film lovers
Monthly subs start at $9.99 (for 1 DVD out at a
time); on demand streaming $5 for 30 days Cons:
storage a little pricier than most

Sources: on-demand is separate cost than monthly sub
Green Cine logo: http://www.next-gotta-have.com/tag/netflix

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/21/hbo-go-without- lackluster website design (possible customer turnoff)

http://mistercomfypants.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/greencine-vs-netflix/ lackluster customer support
http://www.greencine.com/static/about.jsp

http://dvd-rental-review.toptenreviews.com/greencine-review.html

Facts:
all the latest releases available digitally

current and past TV episodes available for
purchase

Launch Year: 2004 Pros:
great user interface
Owner:
Walmart (2010) good variety of new releases

Service Type: allows upload of old DVDs to the cloud
A la carte streaming
Cons:
easy to blow a lot of money (no subs or deals)
Rentals range $0.99 - $6 (HD most expensive),
digital copy purchases $14 - $15

Sources:
Vudu logo: 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
Launch Year: 2004
available on any “broadband Internet
Key Person(s): connected device”
Co-Founder Gian-Carlo Scanduzzi, Co-Founder
and CEO Scilla Andreen Pros:
has content from film festivals around the world
Service Type: (including Sundance, SXSW, and Slamdance)
and award-winning indies
Subscription streaming
Cons:
$6.99/month or $69/yr; 2-week free trial it’s niche, so no Hollywood films

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

http://indieflix.com/pages/faq/#all-access

https://indieflix.com/subscription/

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
Launch Year: 2005
user-friendly interface
Owner:
offers recommendations in the sidebar
RoxioNow
offers Flixster and Rotten Tomatoes reviews
Service Type:
A la carte streaming and download movie store for the Android tablet coming soon

Cons:
rentals $2.99+; purchases $9.99+ only available in the U.S.
Sources:
Film Fresh logo: http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/03/film-fresh-free-movie- slightly smaller selection -- 5,000 titles
download/

http://www.filmfresh.com/support requires free Widevine plugin for the media player to
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20120109006181/en/Independent-Online- function
Movie-Retailer-Film-Fresh-Announces


Facts:
smaller streaming selection than Netﬂix, but
Amazon users can make up by renting from Amazon
Instant directly
Video
past TV series seasons and episodes available

Pros:
has TV shows Netﬂix doesn’t (e.g. exclusive
Launch Year: 2006 streaming rights to “The Closer” and “Falling
Skies”)
Key Person(s):
CEO Jeff Bezos convenient one-stop shop

Service Type: lower cost for some videos than iTunes
Subscription and a la carte streaming
Cons:
Annual subs (Amazon Prime): $79 Instant streaming only applies if you’re an
Non-Prime a la carte: rentals $3+, purchases up Amazon Prime member, otherwise you have to
purchase or rent from Amazon.com
to $15.99
doesn’t offer exciting original content
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
can’t make orders in the mobile app

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


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)
Launch Year: 2007 (formerly Grouper)
movie selection

Owner: Cons:
Sony (2006) limited options -- only 382 titles (Sony content)

Service Type: limited TV -- not whole seasons available
Free, ad-supported streaming
no HD

all videos expire 4/1/13 (per TheWrap.com)
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



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
Launch Year: 2008 (movie streaming service)
Pros:
Key Person(s): visually pleasing and user-friendly interface
CEO Tim Cook
movies available before or during theatrical
Service Type: release
A la carte digital download
easily informed decisions (Rotten Tomatoes
and user reviews)
Rentals $2.99+, digital copy purchases $9.99 -
$19.99
trailers available for every selection

Cons:
Sources:
iTunes logo: http://www.noopportunitywasted.com/view-the-trailer
easy to blow a lot of money (no free movies or
deals)


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

Launch Year: 2008 voted Best iPad app of 2011 by Gizmodo

Key Person(s): Pros:
Tim Leonsis (owner); CEO Rick Allen it’s free

Service Type: quality selection of thought-provoking movies
Free, ad-supported streaming
filmmakers share the site’s ad revenue

Cons:
Sources:
SnagFilms logo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Snagfilmslogo.jpg no Hollywood/commercial material
http://www.snagfilms.com/films/our-company

http://www.snagfilms.com/films/team
ads


Facts:
ads are targeted and based on consumers’
choices and interests (you provide basic info)

Launch Year: 2008 members can choose to have both services
(Store and Earn) or enroll in one exclusively
Key Person(s):
Founders Sharon Peyer, Andrew Prihodko ads are inescapable (you’re prompted to watch
them if you try to click away)
Service Type:
movies available for rent as soon as the DVD’s
2 options: released; TV episodes available the day after
they air
HitBliss Store: A la carte streaming; rentals
$1.99 - $3.99 Pros:
cost-effective option
HitBliss Earn: watch ads and earn credits
toward purchases or rentals in the HitBliss store Cons:
limited library -- only 742 titles
Sources:
HitBliss logo: http://www.gadgetnuz.com/hitbliss-the-pandora-of-ads-will-pay-you-to-
watch-commercials/
service still in beta, so limited memberships
http://mashable.com/2013/03/01/hitbliss/
available
http://techcrunch.com/2013/03/01/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)
Launch Year: 2010
Cons:
Majority Owners: movie selection lagging behind Netflix and
Fox Broadcasting Company Amazon

Service Type:
Subscription streaming; $7.99/month

Sources:
Hulu Plus logo: http://www.filmdispenser.com/are-you-streaming-video/
hulu_plus_stack/#.UVIKfhlAuk0



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

Launch Year: 2010 will start streaming live sports events soon,
according to HBO Sports President Ken
Key Person(s): Hershman
Richard Plepler; owned by Time Warner Inc.
Pros:
Service Type: great, compelling content
Premium cable subscription service
every episode available (for marathon watching)
$15 - $20/month (depending on your cable
provider) Cons:
only available in the U.S.
Sources:
HBO Go logo: http://busport.blogspot.com/2012/10/lanzan-hbo-para-dispositivos-
moviles.html must already have HBO as part of your cable
http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/28/4157726/hbo-go-live-sports-boxing-by-the- plan (Plepler’s contemplating making a non-sub
end-of-the-year
option as of 3/20/13, according to the
http://mashable.com/2013/03/22/hbo-mulls-making-hbo-go-available-to-non-cable-
subscribers/ Huffington Post and Mashable)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/21/hbo-go-without-



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.)

Launch Year: 2011 (major film streaming Pros:
service) TV episodes cheaper than iTunes

Key Person(s): offers free movies (especially on the Classics
CEO Salar Kamangar, CEO Eric Schmidt channel)
(Google)
rentals available for 48 hours once viewing
starts
Service Type:
A la carte streaming
Cons:
TV episodes not available in HD; very little HD
Rentals $0.99 and up, purchases up to $19.99 movie selections

not easily searchable interface for free movies
Sources:
YouTube logo: http://mynintendonews.com/2012/11/22/youtube-and-amazon-instant-
video-are-now-available-on-wii-u/ search results yield mostly user-generated
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/thewraps-streaming-guide-netflix-snagfilms- content


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)
Launch Year: 2011
offers original web series
Owner:
Screen Media Ventures, LLC. Pros:
it’s free
Service Type:
Free, ad-supported streaming its 650-film library surpasses the other free
streaming services

Sources:
Popcornflix logo: https://www.facebook.com/Popcornflix
Cons:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popcornflix
strictly B flicks (no blockbusters)
http://popcornflix.com/
ads


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
Launch Year: 2011 (including Comedy Central, Vudu, and Playstation
Network)
Key Person(s):
Founder and CEO Gilles BianRosa Pros:
major streaming service selection + IMDb-like fanfare
(daily magazine, trailers, cast/crew bios), with links to
Service Type: movie soundtracks
Free iOS app; streaming service aggregator and
guide offers Rotten Tomatoes reviews

Cons:
Sources:
must already have membership with other paid
Fanhattan logo: http://www.theiospost.com/latest/2012/4/2/fanhattan-ios-app-goes- services (Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, iTunes,
universal-retina-display-support-and.html
etc.) to play a movie through Fanhattan
http://techcrunch.com/2013/02/21/fanhattan-on-the-web/


Facts:
joint venture with Verizon

available on Xbox 360, iOS, Android, and on
Vizio, LG, Samsung, and Google TVs

Launch Year: 2013 Pros:
least expensive paid streaming service ($2
Key Person(s): cheaper than Netﬂix)
CEO Shawn Strickland
has distribution deals with Epix (Lionsgate,
Service Type: Viacom, MGM)
Streaming only or subscription streaming + 4
Cons:
DVD rentals (Blu-Ray included)
because it’s new, its library is limited (4,600
titles)
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/



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
Launch Year: 2013 a great new avenue to exhibit and
support the indie film community
Key Person(s):
CEO Kerry Trainor Cons:
it’s brand new -- only 7 movies available
Service Type:
A la carte streaming; price range $2 - $9 service only available for Vimeo Pro members

Sources:
Vimeo on Demand logo: http://vimeobuzz.tumblr.com/post/45197656402/vimeo-on-
demand-to-allow-users-to-charge-those



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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http://eigeek.blogspot.com
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19 of the Most Popular VOD Sites for Film and TV Addicts