The technology which provides us with entertainment in the home has evolved as much in the last twenty years as it had since John Logie Baird’s first demonstration of televised moving images in 1926. Pauseable live TV, high definition images, TV on demand services and pay-as-you-go and pay-per-view satellite options have dramatically changed the way we watch sport, movies and TV programmes. The even more recent addition of online streaming sites, such as Netflix means that you don’t even have to be sitting in front of your TV to catch up with the latest programmes from around the world. Most channels also provide online access to their programmes for a week after they’ve been aired on line. All this means that we no longer have to wait months, or even years, for the release of Australian and US programmes in Britain.
With so many ways to be entertained, here’s the rundown of some of the best products available:
Netflix
Netflix is the leading online subscription provider of films and TV episode streaming in the world, with more than 36 million members. For a monthly flat fee, users can access unlimited streaming, via the internet, to a TV, Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, laptop, iPad, or PC, among others.
Now TVs Virtual Cinema
Now TV, part of the Sky and Sky Plus empire, may be considered by some to be the rich man’s (or woman’s) Netflix, but with the added option of live Sky Sports, its cross-platform nature and its focus on steaming of Sky content including Hollywood movies, it is set to become a popular option, particularly among sports and film lovers. Now TVs virtual cinema has the added advantage of showing Hollywood movies up to 12 months before Netflix and LoveFilm.
BBC iPlayer
As its marketing slogan suggests, the BBC iPlayer makes ‘the unmissable, unmissable’. British licence holders can catch up with TV and radio programmes for a week after they have been aired live on TV via the service. The service, which is free, also provides links to catch-up services for other channels. iPlayer also airs live TV, particularly of sports events and in 2013 will broadcast around 100 hours of iPlayer exclusive content.
You Tube
This social media and video sharing site, You Tube, is one of the most popular forms of online entertainment available. Music videos, sporting events, funny mishaps, educational videos and movie clips are all available online through the service. You Tube is the platform of choice for those wishing to share their home videos and while some copyrighted material illegally makes its way onto the site, many entertainers use the platform to create publicity and help promote and sell their products.
LoveFilm Instant
Love Film is Netflix’s closest subscription online streaming service and like latter, can stream to a host of computer, handheld and TV devices. It has the additional add-on of postal film for the latest Hollywood releases and a peerless selection of Blu-ray and DVD discs.Merry Sokil
