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Netflix Alternatives to Online Streaming

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 03:11:43 PDT

Netflix recently shocked its customers by announcing that it would split its streaming and DVD rental company in half, essentially forcing customers to deal with two separate subscriptions - Netflix for streaming, and newly founded company Quickster for DVDs.

Netflix's recent price bump may have angered customers, but this move has sent loyal movie watchers over the edge. GeekSugar Twitter users have said that they're ready to cancel both subscriptions completely, relying on other forms of streaming to get their entertainment fix. If you're cutting ties with Netflix (and Quickster), here are some alternatives to try.

Hulu Plus - The $8 monthly subscription fee for Hulu Plus allows access to the most current episodes of TV shows and has an even larger catalog of movies available than its free Hulu counterpart. Available via iOS, Android, select gaming consoles, Samsung TVs, and computer systems.
Blockbuster Total Access - Pricing models give customers the option to rent DVDs for home delivery with a subscription plan for $10 or $15, choose to rent DVDs without subscriptions, or stream films online on demand.
Epix - A joint venture between movie studios Viacom, Paramount, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Lionsgate, Epix offers 150 movies; though, it can only be accessed through an existing cable subscription.
Amazon - The online retailer recently signed an agreement with CBS making shows like Star Trek and The Tudors available instantly on the site. Over 8,000 video titles are available instantly via Amazon for a fee.
Walmart VUDU - Walmart's own streaming media service, VUDU, is accessible online or through VUDU-enabled devices like certain HDTVs, Blu-ray players, or PlayStation 3. Customers do not sign up for a subscription, but rather pay per film viewing. Rentals begin at $3, with new releases starting at $4 and higher for HD-quality streams; many movies can be purchased for unlimited viewing for $15.
Facebook - Though currently limited to select options like Doctor Who episodes and The Dark Knight, we'll stay tuned for more streaming developments from the social network in the future.

CBS Has Its Eye on Hulu

GeekSugar — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:30:38 PDT

The list of reasons to love Hulu grows longer by the day - free TV shows online, Hulu Plus on my PS3 (just to name a few) - and now the only network that doesn't have a presence on Hulu may be making a move. In an interview conducted earlier this week, CBS Chief Executive Les Moonves said that the network is in talks with Hulu to create a subscription service that brings CBS shows online "without hurting the mother ship." Meaning, it's likely going to cost you a few bucks.

Hulu Plus costs $10 a month, and gives you access to content via your phone and gaming console, but honestly, I'd love to cancel my outrageously-priced cable service in favor of streaming my favorite shows from anywhere online for a nominal fee, and I think that's the consensus from most of my peers. Do you agree, or do you prefer to watch your shows chained to your TV?

Do You Choose the One Long Ad or Numerous Ad Breaks?

GeekSugar — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:00:03 PST

There's a new statistic floating around that says 84 percent of online video viewers watch the entire 30-second ad that typically comes before a video without clicking away. Impressive! I'd have to say I'm half and half - if I think the video clip is worth it, I'll stick around, otherwise I'll click away with a groan.

This got me thinking about the ads that play while you're streaming TV shows on sites like Hulu. Sometimes, you'll get the option to choose one long ad to watch before your show starts, or stick with the usual ad breaks during the program. I usually choose to go with the longer ad, just to get it over and done with, but I know people that like to have their breaks in the show to chat about what's going on. What about you - do you prefer a one-time longer ad, or numerous, shorter breaks during the show?

You Can Now Watch TV Shows on YouTube

GeekSugar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:05:05 PDT

Hulu isn't gonna know what hit them now that YouTube has launched a new television show section on its website, which includes categories like family, sports, comedy, romance, and even movies! What's great is that there's already a wide selection of shows, including classics like Alf, MacGyver, and 90210 - I know, ALF! Word has it that YouTube has signed agreements to distribute content from Sony, Lions Gate, CBS, MGM, and more, so hopefully the selection of shows keeps growing.

First Look: Rockville, CA

BuzzSugar — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 13:30:32 PST

From The OC to Gossip Girl, every Josh Schwartz project has always used great music - usually thanks to the handiwork of superstar music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas. Now, the two are teaming up for a new online series called Rockville, CA, an online soap for theWB.com set in a fictional rock club.

From the look of this trailer, all the standard Schwartz components are present: hipsters, snappy (if occasionally cheesy) dialogue, possible bar fights, and lots of making out. According to the official description, the club in question "is a place where a group of twentysomethings from diverse backgrounds gather regularly to hear their favorite up-and-coming bands, blow off steam, fall in love with the wrong people, and then talk about how they've fallen in love with the wrong people." What's really impressive, though, is the lineup of bands that will be performing for the show: Lykke Li, Phantom Planet, Kaiser Chiefs, and Eagles of Death Metal are just a few (full list here).

When I talked to Schwartz in January, he said he'd enjoyed experimenting with a web format for the first time: "Each episode isn't like, somebody had a twin brother and somebody drove off a cliff in the car," he said. "It's smaller. But the cumulative effect, I think, of all those 20 episodes is, 'Wow, I really went on a journey with those characters.' Smaller moments just take on a bigger reverberation." Hey, I'm in. Rockville, CA premieres online March 17, and to check out the trailer, just

The Hills Is Making Its Way to Sling.com

GeekSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:00:27 PST

I'm a big advocate of the video site Hulu, which streams movies and TV shows for free (they are commercial-supported). But there's still a huge list of shows, like The Hills, that aren't available on Hulu. The website Sling - brought to you by the masterminds of the SlingPlayer - is adding Viacom Shows (like The Hills) to its full streaming lineup. Viacom shows that were exclusively on Hulu like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report will also be available on Sling too. I know I know, The Hills is available online via MTV, but the Sling video player is so much prettier.

Website of the Day: Ustream.TV

GeekSugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:00:44 PST

Gearing up for Tuesday's big inauguration day? If you've got all of the festivities scheduled to tape on your DVR while you're at work, but you don't want to miss any of the action as it happens, a site called Ustream.TV will broadcast everything live and for free! And not only that, but if you have an iPhone, Ustream has created an iPhone viewing application so you can watch the inauguration live - directly from your cell phone. Oh, and for Hulu fans, don't worry, you can catch all the action on Hulu as well!

To learn how to post your favorite websites to our Website of the Day group,

read more.
I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Website of the Day group.
Click the pink "Share" menu on the top left side of the page.
Choose "Blog" and "Regular Post."
Give your story a "Title."
Fill in the "Body" with a link to your favorite website and the reasons why you love it.
Click "Next."
Choose the audience for your story to "Website of the Day" in the dropdown menu.
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Website of the Day").
Change channel to "Technology and Gadgets."
Fill in tag field with relevant tags.
Click "I’m done" to submit content.

So join the Website of the Day group and share information about all your favorite sites! Yours just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!

Website of the Day: CastTV

GeekSugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:30:52 PST

If you can't find the video you're looking for on Hulu, give CastTV a whirl. CastTV is a new video aggregator, but has high hopes to become the top video source on the web by indexing every video that hits the Internet - from YouTube to iTunes - and be your one-stop shop for TV show and specialty program viewing.

I found episodes of Supernanny (a guilty pleasure of mine), plus insider clips from some of my favorite shows like Dexter, Mad Men, and Saturday Night Live. Plus, you can see news clips from hundreds of different stations to keep you up on current events. And really, what's better than watching your favorite shows from anywhere in the world on your laptop? Exactly.

Want to see your favorite site featured on geeksugar? I'll tell you how to post to our Website of the Day group when you

read more. I know that this long list looks scary, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, it'll be a snap the second time around.

First of all, join the Website of the Day group.
Click the pink "Share" menu on the top left side of the page.
Choose "Blog" and "Regular Post."
Give your story a "Title."
Fill in the "Body" with a link to your favorite website and the reasons why you love it.
Click "Next."
Choose the audience for your story to "Website of the Day" in the dropdown menu.
Add keyword(s) (for example mine for this photo was "Website of the Day").
Change channel to "Technology and Gadgets."
Fill in tag field with relevant tags.
Click "I’m done" to submit content.

So join the Website of the Day group and share information about all your favorite sites! Yours just might end up on the geeksugar homepage!

Jimmy Fallon Starts His Hosting Duties Online Tonight

BuzzSugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:31:13 PST

It'll be a few months before Jimmy Fallon officially slides into Conan O'Brien's chair as the host of NBC's Late Night, but starting tonight, he'll be doing some practice runs - and we can all watch online. At 12:30 a.m. each day, NBC will post a new video of Fallon on this new website.

The idea is that people will get used to seeing Fallon at 12:30 - and that he'll be able to test out material without having to see how it goes over in front of a live TV audience. Variety says the five-minute webisodes will be "lo-fi, freeform-style looks at what Fallon is up to on the eve of his hosting gig."

NBC's supposed to be announcing an official premiere date for Fallon's show this week, but March 2 is the latest rumor. That would give Conan O'Brien a few months off the air while he prepares to fill Jay Leno's Tonight Show shoes starting in June. Most of you thought Fallon would make a good Late Night host before, but now that the transition is getting closer, do you still feel the same?

Source

Mindy Kaling, Kristen Wiig, and More Launch Strike.tv

BuzzSugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:32:02 PDT

Well, at least one good thing came out of last Winter's writers' strike. This week brought the launch of Strike.tv, a venture for comedy writers to put their own content on the Web without the interference of networks. (Think Dr. Horrible, but with even more people involved.)

Several of the web series are up now, including one called House Poor starring The Office's Mindy Kaling as a new homeowner who will stop at nothing (er, not even faking a pregnancy) to set up her dream house. Kaling also pops up in Global Warming, a series starring Kristen Wiig and The Daily Show's Aasif Mandvi as two coworkers and possible lovers connected only by their online tech support chats. There's lots more to come; check out the whole list.

Not only is it good content, but it also has a good cause: Its ad revenue benefits the Actors Fund's Entertainment Assistance Program, which distributes money to Hollywood workers (camera crews, set decorators, carpenters, etc.) hurt by the writers' strike and the threat of an actors' strike. This year, the fund has already given $1.3 million dollars in aid. So, get clicking!

The shows will also appear on YouTube and other video sites. To check out the first episode of House Poor, just