Friday 25 November 2011

US Shows now available to stream on Sony's PlayStation Network

Got a Playstation 3? And £1.50? Then you can stream a US TV show this evening, as reported by Gizmodo. Add another quid and you can watch that content in High-Def. Available content on the PlayStation Network includes 24, Arrested Development, South Park and Two and a Half Men, but Gizmodo reports that all not seasons of those shows are available.

I have to say, those prices are a bit high, but if you're willing to pay and have Sony hardware near your telly, the choice is yours. Maybe a tenner a month for an 'all you can watch' package would be better, but then, I don't run Sony (for better or worse).

Thursday 24 November 2011

Lovefilm and Filmflex preparing for the Netflix threat

I think its safe to say that the gloves have come off in the battle for UK Streaming Services domination.

First, Lovefilm have brought Google keyword search terms for "Netflix", following on from their deal with Warner Brothers, as the Amazon-owned business prepares for the arrival of Netflix to the UK.

As for Filmflex (who supply movies for Virgin Media's VoD service), they've done a deal to supply movies for HMVs new movie site and they have a message for Netflix: "Bring it On!"

Monday 21 November 2011

Netflix buys; Lovefilm responds

Netflix is coming to the UK, and they've been on a content buying spree before their launch next year.

First, they signed an exclusive deal with MGM to stream first run feature films. That was followed by another deal with Lionsgate. A hat-trick of deals was completed by Miramax signing up for the Netflix bandwagon.

Lovefilm's response? An exclusive streaming deal with Warner Brothers. Let's hope they can deliver that content in HD.

Saturday 19 November 2011

Welcome!

Welcome!

These are exciting times for people who wish to stream films and programmes into their homes.

Virgin Media's cable network enabled them to become the UK's leading provider of VOD content, and their TiVo box has the potential to provide even more content via a dedicated broadband connection.

BT Vision can lay claim to the title of the UK's fastest growing pay-TV service, and they also offer a substantial amount of VOD content for a low cost. Meanwhile, the content kings known as Sky have rolled out their Anytime VOD service, not only to those Satellite customers who can get it, but also to owners of portal devices.

Waiting in the wings is the often delayed YouView, promising PVR functionality with Freeview HD and support for streaming services.

But its not all about services offered by Pay-TV (or even free-TV) platforms. Far from it.

Lovefilm have been offering a movie streaming service for ages now, alongside their DVD rental service. Lovefilm, now backed by the might of Amazon, will face fierce competition soon from the long-awaited UK arrival of Netflix, who have been on a content buying spree before their launch in 2012. Meanwhile, the Google-backed YouTube recently started offering movies to stream.

Did I mention those fabulous games consoles? They just don't play games you know! Both Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3 allow you to stream content as well, with the 360 getting a major update soon which will add additional content from the likes of YouTube, Channel 4 and Five.

There's also the elephant in the room known Apple TV. Add the impending arrival of Roku to the UK and it all adds up to all out, streaming warfare which will hopefully provide UK consumers with plenty of choice. Did I mention the increasing number of Internet-connected TVs and Blu Ray players from the likes of LG, Sony and Samsung?

On this blog, I'll be posting the odd news story about these streaming services and the platforms their on. I'll probably be focusing more on the services since I don't own or subscribe to all the platforms.