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Plex adds Crackle movies and TV shows to its free streaming service
That’s still the main draw, though the company has also been experimenting with a free, ad-supported streaming service that doesn’t require you to download or rip a single file.
How to get the most out of Netflix, Hulu and other streaming services
A Netflix or Hulu subscription alone won't cut it anymore. The streaming landscape is fracturing as bastions of old media rise up with their own services, offering a blend of originals and library material. Over the coming months, the streaming video options will multiply like Gremlins, as the likes of Disney, Apple, WarnerMedia, NBCUniversal and mobile platform Quibi hop into the game.
Sony will reboot its Crackle streaming service by taking a back seat
Sony found the partner it was looking for to give Crackle, its ad-supported streaming service, a much-needed boost: Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (CSS Entertainment). The partners are relaunching the service as a joint venture called Crackle Plus, with CSS Entertainment being the majority owner. According to Variety, Sony will provide the back-end technology and will continue licensing movies and TV shows from Sony Pictures to the service, but it's taking a backseat to its new partner. It's getting 4 million five-year warrants to purchase Class A shares of CSS Entertainment in return.
![From the premiere of Crackle's 'The Oath' [Michael Tullberg/Getty Images]](https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/1CFAAToNE0lL7XxJ1tRvog--~B/Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTQ2ODtweW9mZj0wO3c9ODMyO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?crop=3000%2C1870%2C0%2C12&quality=85&format=jpg&resize=1600%2C998&image_uri=http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/midas/eb90b05e657517cae129a28bdda79c14/206548119/actors-arlen-escarpeta-and-ryan-kwanten-executive-producers-joe-and-picture-id929060844&client=a1acac3e1b3290917d92&signature=1a74282f8de4ef551fecb0141967c0be3269758c.cf.jpg)
Sony exec wants a partner to help expand Crackle's streaming
Few people would probably speak of Crackle in the same breath as Netflix or Hulu, but Sony continues to fight for its ad-supported streaming service's place in people's devices. According to multiple sources, Sony Pictures TV chairman Mike Hopkins wants to expand Crackle -- with the help of a partner, that is. In a memo sent to employees, the former Hulu chief said Sony has "begun the process of exploring potential partnerships for... Crackle" to widen its reach and increase its revenues. He didn't quite delve into the specifics, but it's clearly an attempt at boosting its offerings to better compete against the companies at the top of the streaming totem pole.
Dave Chappelle’s third Netflix special will premiere December 31st
Dave Chappelle's third Netflix special, Dave Chappelle: Equanimity, will debut on the streaming service December 31st, Variety reports. It's the first comedy special Chappelle has made exclusively for Netflix. Last year, the service announced that three specials from the performer were on the way and the first two -- previously unreleased material from shows performed at Austin City Limits and the Hollywood Palladium -- were released in March.
Seinfeld’s first Netflix stand-up special premieres September 19th
Earlier this year, Netflix announced that Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee series would be moving to it over from Crackle and that Seinfeld would have two stand-up specials appear on the streaming service as well. The first of those specials is now slated to premiere September 19th.
Sean Bean cast as lead in Crackle’s 50 Cent series ‘The Oath’
In April, Sony Pictures Television announced a new slate of original programming for its streaming service Crackle, two shows of which are being produced by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's G-Unit Film and Television Inc. The first of those shows is now being cast and is scheduled to premiere in 2018.
Crackle signs up 50 Cent for two original series
Perennial Engadget CES interview Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson has found new pastures for his foray into movies. Instead of just making direct-to-video projects with Val Kilmer and Bruce Willis, his G-Unit Film and Television is working on a few shows with Sony's ad-supported streaming service Crackle. The Oath (no, not the Verizon/Yahoo amalgam) is a scripted series focusing on gang subcultures while RPM is about a used-car salesman who's a getaway driver by night. Variety reports that those are working titles, but there's little else to share at this point.
Targeted, interactive ads are coming to the Roku platform
Roku and advertising firm Innovid have joined forces to make advertisements on the company's streaming set-top boxes both more accurate and more entertaining. The new ad format will reportedly allow viewers to do things like play games (using the Roku remote), browse a retailer's stock and current sales, or even watch extended videos should they wish. Unfortunately, skipping the ads entirely doesn't appear to be an available option just yet. CBS, VEVO and Crackle have already signed on for the new service. Roku and Innovid actually began implementing this new system just over a month ago, however, it's only now going live. This news follows a pair of recent announcements from Roku that both Showtime and Nickelodeon are being made available to its users as well. What's more, the Innovid pairing will also allow advertisers to better target their desired audiences based on the user's location.
Using Netflix on your hotel TV sounds pretty painless
Surprise! Netflix built into hotel-room TVs doesn't seem awful. When Mariott announced that it'd add streaming apps including the House of Cards outfit, Crackle, Hulu Plus, and YouTube into its in-room entertainment options, there was reason for concern. Would it require any separate fees? What about account security? As Cord Cutters News reports, you need to use your personal logins for 'flix and Hulu and you can either clear your credentials manually, or the hotel will do it for you automatically at the time of check out. The apps apparently run without a hitch and are the most up to date versions like you'd use on Amazon's Fire TV and the Roku 3. Oh, and the remotes have built-in Netflix buttons like you'd find at home and abroad. Now I'm curious when RIchard Branson will implement something similar into his Virgin Hotels. [Image credit: Manybits/Flickr]
Take a bite out of this Dead Rising film trailer
Already preparing your popcorn for Dead Rising: Watchtower? Well don't do that; the video game-inspired film will first hit Crackle on March 27, your snack certainly won't last that long. We suppose you can still eat it while watching the film's trailer right here.
Dead Rising: Watchtower takes a bite out of Crackle in March
Dead Rising: Watchtower, the Crackle-exclusive adaptation of Capcom's over-the-top zombie survival franchise Dead Rising, now has a release date: March 27. Scant plot information on Watchtower is available, though comedian Rob Riggle has been cast as photojournalist Frank West, suggesting that the film could be linked to either of the two games that feature West as protagonist. Beyond Riggle, the cast includes Meghan Ory (Once Upon A Time), Jesse Metcalfe (Dallas, Desperate Housewives) and Virginia Madsen (Candyman, Sideways). According to Crackle parent company Sony, following its initial debut on the streaming video platform, Dead Rising: Watchtower will also appear on DVD, TV and video on demand services. [Image: Crackle]
Sony's Crackle takes aim at Netflix with a 'Joe Dirt' sequel
Netflix may soon be adding four new Adam Sandler flicks to its coffers, but that doesn't mean it's got a monopoly on the ol' Waterboy's creative endeavors. Variety reports that Sandler's producing a sequel for the one and only Joe Dirt exclusively for Sony-owned streaming service (and Netflix competitor) Crackle. Seriously. SNL alum David Spade will once again don the mullet and those acid wash jeans to, well, no one knows quite yet - the first movie saw the eponymous Dirt abandoned by his parents at the Grand Canyon only to learn the true meaning of family 90 minutes later. It's probably safe to assume this new production's budget won't reach the $17 million bar the original did, but hey -- it's still a sign that Crackle won't let Netflix rule the original content roost without a fight. Kudos to them for trying to stick it to a streaming media titan, but really? That's the franchise they thought needed a second chance? Really?
Report: Dead Rising movie digs up a director
Zach Lipovsky has been tapped to direct the straight-to-Crackle Dead Rising movie adaptation we mentioned a few months back, according to The Wrap. If the name doesn't ring any bells for you, don't worry, it shouldn't. Lipovsky began his Hollywood career as a child actor before moving into visual effects. It's only recently that Lipovsky has segued into the director's chair and the vast majority of his work to date has been in TV movies. His most notable credit is Leprechaun: Origins, a recent reboot of the cult-classic Leprechaun horror franchise starring Dylan Postl, a diminutive professional wrestler better known to fans of the WWE as "Hornswoggle." While Lipovsky's IMDB listing doesn't offer much hope for the Dead Rising adaptation, the film is being produced by Contradiction Films, the same people responsible for the surprisingly good Mortal Kombat: Legacy web series. Hopefully, the positive karma from that project carries over to Capcom's timeless tale of survival among hordes of the hungry dead. [Image: Capcom]
Amazon Fire TV's voice search expands to cover Hulu Plus and Showtime, but not Netflix
Fire TV came out of the gate with an impressive initial effort, however one of its rough edges is that the voice search is actually quite limited. At launch it could only provide results from Amazon's own movie and TV selections or music videos from Vevo, but the company is already adding new services to the mix. Hulu Plus, Showtime Anytime and Crackle are first up, which is a good list, but it's still missing Netflix. The new services will start popping up later this summer, which gives Amazon more than enough time to make sure a query for House of Cards pulls it up on both Netflix and Amazon video on-demand. This also makes it more competitive with similar features on competitors like Roku and Xbox, once it's filled out. Amazon is also working on new features, including one that we hadn't noticed before called "Prime Browse." Joning FreeTime parental controls and MP3 music access on the "coming soon" list, it appears that Prime browse will solve one of our other initial frustrations, and filter a view for only the content that's included with the Prime subscription service. More games and services are also on the way of course, but if you have a specific request for Amazon's developers, feel free to leave it here.
Crackle scores exclusive streaming rights to NBCUniversal movies
If you were hoping to catch the big-screen reboot of Miami Vice on Netflix, think again. NBCUniversal Television and New Media Distribution, which owns the rights to the film, signed a three-year deal, giving Crackle exclusive ad-supported streaming rights. Of course, some of its streaming competitors either aren't ad-supported at all (Netflix, Amazon) or are a combination of fee and ad-supported (Hulu Plus). In addition to Jamie Foxx's latest, the arrangement will bring 140 movies including Jarhead and the remake of King Kong. Don't schedule a marathon just yet, though: Films will roll out gradually over the course of the deal. Movie buffs can, however, go ahead and start popping the popcorn -- some of the first flicks from the partnership arrive on Crackle today.
Rdio and Crackle can now send music and free videos to your Chromecast
The Chromecast's media universe just got a little bit larger today. You can now stream Rdio's music service through the Google TV adapter using Android, iOS and web apps; you'll get both album art and track details when you send tunes to the big screen. Meanwhile, Crackle has updated its own Android and iOS apps to let you watch its free movies and short videos through Chromecast. Whether you're itching to play Chvrches' album or Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, you'll find the relevant app updates at the source links.
Crackle's free video service comes to the PlayStation Vita
PlayStation Vita owners looking for a free video fix no longer have to dig through YouTube -- after a long wait, Crackle has launched its service on Sony's handheld. Much like on other devices, Vita owners can now stream no-cost movies, TV shows and shorts, whether they come from Crackle itself or major studios. You don't need an account unless you're keen to sync your viewing list across multiple platforms. If you're the sort of gamer who'd watch Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee after a round of Tearaway, you can visit the new content portal today.
Apple TV adds Watch ABC, Crackle and Bloomberg apps
Not to be outshined by Google's announcement that more apps were joining the Chromecast revolution, Apple TV today made its entertainment repertoire a bit richer. As 9to5Mac points out, Cupertino's tiny box is now giving viewers access to applications including Bloomberg (which will be streaming news 24/7 as well as offer on-demand content), Watch ABC, Crackle (in HD for the first time) and, for Korean speakers, KORTV. These new additions show that Apple is getting increasingly passionate about its hobby, as over the past months we've seen more and more apps and features become available. It's worth mentioning that being able to enjoy some of these in full depends on the country you're in and whether you have the proper cable subscription. So, power on your Apple TV and let us know in the comments how you're liking the fresh content thus far.
Sony's Crackle arrives on BlackBerry 10, reminds us to not watch Bad Boys II
Slowly, but steadily, BlackBerry's building its BB10 app catalog with some major gets. Today, that burgeoning list grows by a very important one with the addition of Sony's Crackle. The free, ad-based streaming video service, which culls together content from Sony's various TV and film studios, is available to download now from BlackBerry World. It's also compatible with the Q10's teeny, 3.1-inch screen, so if you hate your good eyesight, you can devote an hour or two to reliving the opus that is Bad Boys II. Sure, popular apps like Instagram, Hulu Plus and Netflix have yet to make their way over to BB10, but you can't fault the Waterloo-based outfit for getting users what it can. Even if that means bringing them Bad Boys II.
