BuzzSugar

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.

Buzz News Roundup, 12/31

BuzzSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:15:38 PST

The Terminator will be added to the Library of Congress' National Film Registry. - Zap2It
Unless a deal is struck today, Time Warner Cable subscribers will lose Viacom channels (MTV, Comedy Central, etc.) just after midnight tonight. - Variety
Fox is looking to delay the release of Watchmen. - Reuters
Funny Games star Michael Pitt has been cast in Martin Scorsese's HBO pilot, Boardwalk Empire. - The Hollywood Reporter
Duffy topped the British album charts in 2008 with Rockferry. - Reuters
Meanwhile, Lil Wayne finished atop the US year-end charts. - Billboard
Brothers and Sisters may be going down one brother. - Entertainment Weekly

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YouTube Ordered to Shell Out Viewer Info

GeekSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:30:53 PDT

If you've ever checked out YouTube clips from The Daily Show and The Colbert Report (among many others), your information may soon be released to Viacom - they've been granted access to private user data to find out how many people are watching!

Part of a copyright infringement lawsuit, Google was ordered to release the deets about how many times copyrighted clips are played, and who's watching to determine if damages are owed to Viacom.

Viacom claims that Google knew about the infringements and could do more to stop it. Although the Goog was opposed to handing over the 12 terabytes of data (that's a lot), saying that info should be kept private, Viacom assures us that they will proceed with caution. Here's more:

Any data provided will be used exclusively for the purpose of proving our case against YouTube and Google (and) will be handled subject to a court protective order and in a highly confidential manner.

Thoughts of anonymity and identity theft come to my paranoid mind when companies are forced to hand over user information, but does this case make you think twice before using YouTube if your info and viewing history (no matter how delicately handled) are available for others to see? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below.

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Do You Watch Premium Channels For the Movies or the Series?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:30:49 PDT

There was news this week that Viacom, which owns Showtime (as well as CBS, the CW, Paramount Pictures, and approximately a billion other things), will be launching a new pay-cable channel in 2009. Unlike Showtime and HBO, which carry both movies and TV series, this new channel will have movies only.

I'm a relatively new subscriber to premium channels, but it was the TV series, not the movies, that convinced me I needed HBO and Showtime. What about you? If you have premium channels, do you watch them more for the TV shows or the movies?

The Daily Show Presents Professional Important News

GiggleSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 04:00:00 PDT

The Daily Show's Demetri Martin reports on the current legal dispute between Viacom and Google. Yadda, yawn, yadda. But the paper dolls and t-shirt backdrop set it all up nicely, which is why this is the best reporting I've encountered in a while. So sit back and let DJ Demetri breaka-break this shizzle down for you.

Viacom vs YouTube

PopSugar — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 12:17:25 PDT

Viacom (my old fabulous employers) are suing one of my new favorite companies, YouTube. We all know YouTube is worth billions now that they are part of Google's family and Viacom owner Sumner Redstone is not taking it lightly that they are making money off many of his network's programs. In fact, today Viacom announced they are suing the video site for more than $1 billion!!! Hopefully they can all figure out this mess since we need a place to find all TV's best moments along with all the cute home videos. Finally, in case you missed it - watch Tom Cruise trapped in the closet on South Park one last time before it's removed!

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.

Miramax Adds More Streaming Video Options to Facebook

Kelly Schwarze — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:23:57 PDT

Good news for those wishing to stream movies online: Hollywood movie studio Miramax joins the streaming media crowd with the launch of a Facebook app called Miramax eXperience. For $3, rent any of the available movies, like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill (in addition to previously mentioned Doctor Who episodes) for commercial free viewing on Facebook, iPad, and GoogleTV.

Miramax's foray into Facebook video streaming is just one addition to the many streaming options consumers can choose from for their entertainment needs, including the following:

Netflix - With access via gaming consoles, TVs, iPhones, and Android smartphones in addition to computers, the popular classic doesn't seem to be going anywhere despite the competition and controversial new pricing structure.
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.
VUDU by Walmart - The service is accessible through the VUDU page on Walmart's website or from 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.
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 DVD without subscriptions, or stream films online on demand.

For those who love the freedom of choice, check out more streaming options after the break.

Recently Cut Cable or Satellite? Here's How to Stream Your Favorite Shows Online

GeekSugar — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:16:54 PDT

Nearly 200,000 Americans canceled their cable or satellite subscription this quarter. This loss comes as no surprise (since cable and satellite subscriptions have been heading downward all year), and while some folks are cutting back on monthly bills due to the down economy, some are moving to online streaming options.

If you're toying with the idea of canceling your outrageously priced cable subscription, check out these online streaming options that are just a mouse click away.

Netflix - With access via gaming consoles, TVs, iPhones, and Android smartphones in addition to computers, the popular classic doesn't look to be going anywhere despite the competition and controversial new pricing structure.
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.

For those who love the freedom of choice, check out more streaming options after the break.

A Streaming Media Customer's Guide

GeekSugar — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 14:36:23 PDT

Walmart announced today its streaming media service, VUDU. The company bought VUDU in 2010 and has finally integrated the HD digital media rental company into the Walmart website.

The service is accessible through the VUDU page on Walmart's website or from 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.

With companies like Walmart racing to produce popular streaming video service, customers have a wide range of products and pricing plans to choose from, including the following:

Netflix - With access via gaming consoles, TVs, iPhones, and Android smartphones in addition to computers, the popular classic doesn't look to be going anywhere despite the competition and controversial new pricing structure.
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 DVD without subscriptions, or stream films online on demand.

For those who love the freedom of choice, check out more streaming options after the break.