tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47326780402220618142023-06-21T05:19:07.015+01:00The UK TV Streaming Services BlogReporting news about UK streaming services: Netflix, Lovefilm, Sky Anytime, Virgin Media TiVo, BT Vision, YouView, YouTube, Apple TV, RokuUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732678040222061814.post-47731880601843712992012-01-09T20:01:00.000+00:002012-01-09T20:01:15.522+00:00Netflix now available in UK!The Netflix site is <a href="http://movies.netflix.com/WiHome">now online</a> and waiting for you to sign up for a 1 month free trial. As reported yesterday, the price (beyond the free trial) is £5.99 per month.<br />
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I've had no luck so far finding the related apps on my WDTV Live Player, or my Sammy TV, but I've signed up on my laptop and the content range isn't bad, especially for TV shows, for example, Seasons 1 to 4 for Prison Break and the first 4 days of 24 are available to watch.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732678040222061814.post-53990062074078358542012-01-08T22:50:00.001+00:002012-01-08T23:23:22.861+00:00£5.99 for unlimited Netflix streaming; News of latest streaming deals for Lovefilm & Netflix;Lovefilm and Netflix continue to prepare for the forthcoming UK Streaming War:<br />
<ul>
<li>Lovefilm's latest deals (both non-exclusive) will <a href="http://paidcontent.co.uk/article/419-lovefilm-adding-more-itv-bbc-worldwide-archive-tv/">bring content from ITV and BBC Worldwide</a>.</li>
<li>An Netflix app <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/netflix-app-shows-up-on-uk-playstation-3-consoles-1052344">has appeared for Sony PlayStation 3</a>. It doesn't do much.....yet.</li>
<li>Netflix's advert campaign <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/jan/08/film-industry-netflix">is reported as starting this week</a>, with deals expected to be completed with Sony, Disney, Paramount, Channel 4 and ITV.</li>
<li>Looks like its <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/08/netflix-close-to-signing-deals-with-sony-disney-paramount-and/">£5.99 per month for unlimited streaming from Netflix</a>. Lovefilm's streaming package is currently £4.99 but that's a special offer <a href="http://www.lovefilm.com/welcome/home.html">according to their website</a>.</li>
</ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732678040222061814.post-86272573095008983052011-12-21T20:03:00.000+00:002011-12-21T20:04:48.572+00:00Lovefilm and Netflix continue to buy content to streamLovefilm have continued their pre-Netflix content buying spree by completing an<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/dec/21/lovefilm-streaming-sony-pictures-television"> exclusive, second window deal with Sony Pictures Television</a>. <br />
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This comes after Netflix completed their <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/dec/20/netflix-bbc-deal-doctor-who-top-gear?INTCMP=SRCH">latest content deal with BBC WorldWide</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732678040222061814.post-21566467087591772462011-12-05T14:21:00.001+00:002011-12-05T14:24:55.425+00:00TechRadar compares UK streaming and VOD servicesTechRadar have a<a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/television/16-best-tv-streaming-services-1044010"> great article online</a>, comparing several streaming and VOD services from the likes of BBC iPlayer, YouTube, BT Vision, Sky and Virgin.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732678040222061814.post-58857874893135856452011-12-05T14:07:00.001+00:002011-12-05T15:57:22.369+00:00More streaming services coming to Xbox 360 from tomorrowTomorrow sees the <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/05/xbox-360-dashboard-update-fall-2011-review/">latest software update for the Xbox 360 being released</a>, and along with the new Metro user interface and Kinect Integration, comes the first in several UK streaming services for that console.<br />
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The ability to stream content from Lovefilm will be first, followed by access to 4oD, Demand 5, Blinkbox and Crackle. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16029825">BBC iPlayer should follow next year as an app</a>. Hopefully ITV Player will show up in due course.<br />
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More details can be located <a href="http://majornelson.com/2011/12/04/the-future-of-tv-begins-this-week-on-xbox-360/">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732678040222061814.post-56291067626080570992011-12-01T19:08:00.001+00:002011-12-01T22:42:42.668+00:00Lovefilm dumps Flash and switches to Sliverlight for streamingFrom next year, Lovefilm are <a href="http://blog.lovefilm.com/uncategorized/why-were-switching-from-flash-to-silverlight.html">switching from Flash to Sliverlight for their streaming service</a>. Why? Because the Movie Studios demanded it:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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We’ve been asked to make this change by the Studios who provide us
with the films in the first place, because they’re insisting –
understandably – that we use robust security to protect their films from
piracy, and they see the Silverlight software as more secure than
Flash.<br />
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Simply put: without meeting their requirements, we’d suddenly have next-to-no films to stream online.</blockquote>
While this news won't be greeted with applause by everyone (especially users Linux/UNIX systems, who are <i>not</i> happy with Lovefilm right now), there is one plus: The possiblity of quality improvements for Lovefilm's streams: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Silverlight contains a technology called Smooth Streaming, which
automatically adjusts the quality of the video stream to the best level
for your internet connection. This reduces buffering for customers on a
low broadband speed, but then improves the streaming quality when
broadband speed increases.</blockquote>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732678040222061814.post-54626552781638546032011-11-25T19:12:00.001+00:002011-11-25T19:24:29.647+00:00US Shows now available to stream on Sony's PlayStation NetworkGot a Playstation 3? And £1.50? Then you can stream a US TV show this evening, <a href="http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2011/11/uk-ps3-owners-can-now-download-us-tv-shows-from-1-49-a-pop/">as reported by Gizmodo.</a> 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.<br />
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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).<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732678040222061814.post-79368493633009605212011-11-24T18:39:00.001+00:002011-11-24T20:38:35.961+00:00Lovefilm and Filmflex preparing for the Netflix threatI think its safe to say that the gloves have come off in the battle for UK Streaming Services domination.<br />
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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.<br />
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As for Filmflex (who supply movies for Virgin Media's VoD service), they've done a deal to supply movies for <a href="http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/news/a352655/hmv-bets-on-digital-with-movies-on-demand-service.html">HMVs new movie site</a> and <a href="http://paidcontent.org/article/419-interview-filmflex-ceo-to-netflix-bring-it-on/">they have a message for Netflix</a>: "Bring it On!"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732678040222061814.post-58852059997122336022011-11-21T18:45:00.001+00:002011-11-21T19:05:07.222+00:00Netflix buys; Lovefilm respondsNetflix is coming to the UK, and they've been on a content buying spree before their launch next year.<br />
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First, they signed an <a href="http://www.c21media.net/resources/detail.asp?area=89&article=63763">exclusive deal with MGM</a> to stream first run feature films. That was followed by another deal with Lionsgate. A hat-trick of deals was completed by <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/nov/16/netflix-miramax-pulp-fiction?newsfeed=true">Miramax</a> signing up for the Netflix bandwagon.<br />
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Lovefilm's response? An <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/nov/17/lovefilm-warner-brothers-rights-deal?newsfeed=true">exclusive streaming deal with Warner Brothers</a>. Let's hope they can deliver that content in HD.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4732678040222061814.post-15576610234695307692011-11-19T14:28:00.001+00:002011-11-24T20:27:42.145+00:00Welcome!Welcome!<br />
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These are exciting times for people who wish to stream films and programmes into their homes.<br />
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<b>Virgin Media</b>'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.<br />
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<b>BT Vision</b> 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 <b>Sky</b> have rolled out their Anytime VOD service, not only to those Satellite customers who can get it, but also to owners of portal devices.<br />
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Waiting in the wings is the often delayed <b>YouView</b>, promising PVR functionality with Freeview HD and support for streaming services.<br />
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But its not all about services offered by Pay-TV (or even free-TV) platforms. Far from it.<br />
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<b>Lovefilm</b> 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 <b>Netflix</b>, who have been on a content buying spree before their launch in 2012. Meanwhile, the Google-backed <b>YouTube</b> recently started offering movies to stream.<br />
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Did I mention those fabulous games consoles? They just don't play games you know! Both Microsoft's <b>Xbox 360</b> and Sony's <b>PlayStation 3</b> 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.<br />
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There's also the elephant in the room known <b>Apple TV</b>. Add the impending arrival of <b>Roku</b> 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?<br />
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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.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0