ReportWire

Tag: streaming

  • The 30 Best Halloween Movies on Netflix to Stream This October

    The 30 Best Halloween Movies on Netflix to Stream This October

    And now we reach the vibe subcategory of Halloween movies. Crimson Peak isn’t all that scary (unless you are the wuss of all wusses) but director Guillermo Del Toro is very much in his element in an amped-up Edwardian-era English manor. This is a love story as much as it is anything else, but with ghosts, penniless gentry, deteriorating buildings, lots of eyeballs, and some of cinema’s most eerily shot falling snow. Of films released in the last 10 years, this is essential stuff for anyone interested in design (perhaps even more so than Del Toro’s Oscar-winner The Shape of Water), and the performances by Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, and Charlie Hunnam (underrated!) are all top-notch, too.

    Deliverance (1972)

    From the Everett Collection.

    This box office sensation that garnered three Academy Award nominations (best picture, best editing, and best director for John Boorman) is not regularly associated with Halloween. If anything, it seems like a summer movie, what with a group of people taking a canoeing trip. But it is a survival horror picture, with some still-shocking acts of violence throughout. Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight, Ronny Cox, and Ned Beatty are four Atlanta businessmen who find themselves grossly out of their element among the locals, whose landscape is about to be severely changed due to a coming dam. If only the gang split after their nice banjo encounter!

    Eerie (2018)

    This often-overlooked movie is just one of the many foreign language gems tucked away deep on Netflix’s servers. Filipino director Mikhail Red leans in to the title with a chilling tale of a Catholic girls’ school haunted by a past suicide. The location mixes modernist architecture with classic religious iconography, and while there isn’t too much gore (though there are plenty of jump-scares), it’s the tone that does wonders here. Flickering candles, shadows, lots of eyeballs (what’s creepier than eyeballs?), and disorienting nightmares add up to an unusual sensation of dread.

    The Fear Street Trilogy (2021)

    From Netflix/Everett Collection.

    Vanity Fair

    Source link

  • Netflix Wants You to Pay for Your Freeloading Friends

    Netflix Wants You to Pay for Your Freeloading Friends

    Time to call your ex-boyfriend’s cousin’s mother to let her know that her free access to your Netflix account is coming to an end. The streaming giant is going to start cracking down on password sharing early next year.

    Netflix did warn you this was coming. In April, as the company was losing subscribers and its stock plummeted, executives revealed that, by their own estimate, around 30 million households in the US and Canada were accessing Netflix through shared passwords. Now, after testing a handful of approaches to curb account sharing, they’ve announced new features that they hope will encourage people to start paying up.

    “We’re trying to come up with a range of options that supports customer choice,” Netflix chief product officer Greg Peters said Tuesday during the company’s quarterly business update for investors. 

    Netflix’s first solution is for moochers who are ready to take the plunge and pay for their own subscription—perhaps even the just-announced cheaper, ad-supported membership plan that’s coming soon. Anyone who has been watching Netflix programming through a personalized profile on someone else’s account can now transfer that profile to their own account. The feature, which began rolling out to users on Monday, helps preserve a person’s data, like their settings and viewing history, so the Netflix algorithm will know to continue serving up, say, new episodes of Selling Sunset or the latest teen rom-com.

    The streamer will also give its subscribers the opportunity to be charitable with their freeloading friends and family. Beginning next year, members will have the option to pay a little bit more money to add an “extra member” to their plans. The company hasn’t said how much it will cost for subscribers in the US to add these sub-accounts to their existing plans, but in the countries where it tested the feature earlier this year, it cost less than $3 per month to add two additional people.

    Netflix essentially wants an account to only be available for people who live together in a single household. Each account supports up to five profiles, so every member of the family can personalize their viewing experience. But family or friends who live outside the household will either need to sign up for their own account or be added as an “extra member.” How exactly Netflix will crack down on subscribers who share accounts outside of their households remains to be seen, but Rest of World reported this spring that in Peru, where Netflix tested the “extra member” feature, users were asked to validate their accounts. 

    Netflix co-CEO Reed Hastings once embraced password sharing as a sign that the streaming service was popular and its content was in demand. “We love people sharing Netflix, whether they’re two people on a couch or 10 people on a couch,” he said in 2016, back when streaming was still considered a relatively novel way to watch film and TV programming. Times have changed: Now, Netflix competes for subscribers with nearly a dozen rival streaming platforms. Though Netflix remains the largest subscription streaming service with 223 million global members, it has shown signs of faltering. During the first six months of the year, it lost 1.17 million subscribers.

    “Over the last 15 years, we’ve worked hard to build a streaming service that’s easy to use, including for people who travel or live together,” reads a blog post published over the summer that explained why Netflix was testing “paid sharing” features. “It’s great that our members love Netflix movies and TV shows so much they want to share them more broadly. But today’s widespread account sharing between households undermines our long term ability to invest in and improve our service.”

    Netflix has bounced back, adding 2.41 million subscribers during the three months from July to September, thanks in large part to a strong release schedule that included Ryan Murphy serial killer drama Dahmer—Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, action movie The Gray Man, and new episodes of Stranger Things—all of which have become some of the service’s most popular titles of all time. Releasing must-watch programming remains the most reliable way to attract new subscribers, but if Netflix can get even a small percentage of freeloaders to start paying up, that’ll help, too.

    Natalie Jarvey

    Source link

  • Kidoodle.TV on Family Co-Viewing: The Key to Safe Media Consumption for Children

    Kidoodle.TV on Family Co-Viewing: The Key to Safe Media Consumption for Children

    With children’s media consumption increasing ~30% during summertime, co-viewing with Kidoodle.TV® offers families the chance to actively engage and learn alongside each other.

    Press Release
    –

    Aug 11, 2022


    CALGARY, Alberta, August 11, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    As warm summer months bring children out of the classrooms and in front of the television, children’s media consumption increases ~30%. This makes it more important than ever to know what they are watching. Co-viewing with Kidoodle.TV® offers families the chance to actively engage and learn alongside each other.

    According to MediaSmarts, co-viewing creates media-savvy kids and encourages critical thinking during media consumption. “Co-viewing is so important as it helps parents see and hear what their children are engaging in and provides an opportunity for families to talk about the stories and situations that appear in their favorite shows,” said Neil Gruninger, President and Chief Product Officer at A Parent Media Co. Inc. (APMC).

    Kidoodle.TV® (owned by A Parent Media Co. Inc.) encourages safe co-viewing habits for families. The practice helps improve communication, keeps children engaged and encourages critical thinking. Parents can feel confident knowing the content their kids are watching on Kidoodle.TV is age-appropriate, educational, and most importantly, that its top content is always vetted by real human beings.

    Co-viewing is more than simply turning on a movie together — it’s the chance for parents to ask questions, quiz on educational concepts and encourage deeper engagement with the content.  

    Co-viewing can support early literacy skills, boost empathy, and help children learn how to regulate emotions. Similar to reading to children, co-viewing gives kids and parents the chance to learn together. In a study where parents applied active reading techniques to watching television, children scored higher on reading comprehension and vocabulary tests than kids who didn’t experience co-viewing. 

    “As parents and caregivers ourselves, we know kids get bored quickly in the summer, and we have built Kidoodle.TV as a go-to solution for when it’s too hot outside or families need a break. When we watch TV or movies with them, we can ask questions to help them think about what they see and learn,” added Gruninger.

    Watch family favorites like “Paw Patrol: Pup Tales,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and “The Dodo” this summer on Kidoodle.TV.

    Join the Kidoodle.TV Safe Streaming™ family on https://www.kidoodle.tv, watch from a connected TV, or download the app on a mobile device or tablet.

    About APMC and Kidoodle.TV
    A Parent Media Co. Inc. is a family-based media and technology company focused on providing innovative solutions to consumers and brands, including Kidoodle.TV®, Glitch+, and Safe Exchange Inc. Kidoodle.TV is a Safe Streaming™ service committed to providing children with a safe alternative to stream their favorite TV shows and movies. Available in over 160 countries and territories on thousands of connected devices, Kidoodle.TV provides peace of mind with every show* vetted by caring people committed to Safe and Free Streaming for Kids™. Kidoodle.TV is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Fire TV, LG, Samsung, VIDAA-enabled Hisense TVs, Chromecast, Roku, Vizio SmartCast Amazon, Jio, Xfinity X1, Connected TVs, HTML5 Web, and many other streaming media devices, including Miko 3. Kidoodle.TV is certified by the kidSAFE® Seal Program and is the proud recipient of the Mom’s Choice Award®, a Stevie® Award, platinum winner of the Best Mobile App Award, and Parents’ Picks Award – Best Elementary Products. Visit www.kidoodle.tv to learn more.

    *Content availability varies by location.

    Facebook:        https://www.facebook.com/KidoodleTV
    Twitter:             twitter.com/kidoodleTV
    Instagram:       instagram.com/kidoodletv/
    LinkedIn:          linkedin.com/company/kidoodletv 

    Media Contact: 

    Contact | media@kidoodle.tv  

    Source: Kidoodle.TV

    Source link

  • A Parent Media Co. Inc. Closes Strategic Investment Round With TriWest Capital Partners With Valuation at Over CDN $600 Million

    A Parent Media Co. Inc. Closes Strategic Investment Round With TriWest Capital Partners With Valuation at Over CDN $600 Million

    Press Release
    –

    Jun 22, 2022


    CALGARY, Alberta, June 22, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    A Parent Media Co. Inc. (“APMC” or the “Company“), owner of kids’ Safe Streaming™ services, Kidoodle.TV®, Glitch+, and Safe Exchange Inc., has announced the successful closing of an equity financing (“Financing“) with TriWest Capital Partners (“TriWest“), one of Canada’s leading private equity firms. APMC has raised over CDN $80 million of investment capital and is now worth over CDN $600 million.

    In conjunction with the financing, TriWest’s Managing Director, Jon Spencer, joined APMC’s Board of Directors. “We are very pleased to welcome Jon Spencer to the Board and look forward to his insight and contributions to the Board’s deliberations,” said Michael Lowe, Dad, founder, and Chief Executive Officer of APMC. “We feel that this alignment validates the achievements we have made to date and our commitment to families globally in a time when protections for children are needed the most.“

    “Management’s vision has allowed APMC to build industry-leading ad technology to provide solutions to open media platform problems, all while prioritizing the protection of children in a rapidly growing and changing industry. TriWest is excited to be part of the Company’s next phase of growth and is proud to partner with a team committed to the family values APMC represents,” noted Jon Spencer. 

    APMC’s growth in recent years has been closely followed by Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation, Doug Schweitzer. “I’ve previously noted that this Calgary-based entertainment company could be the next “Unicorn” in Alberta. I continue to be impressed by the success we have witnessed from this company and its role in diversifying the economy, employing highly trained personnel in tech and creative industries, and expanding economic opportunities. This is exactly what we hoped to achieve as we work to rebuild and diversify the Alberta economy.“

    The TriWest financing was initiated by Fred Mannix Jr., “This is a business for positive impact. As a father, it was important to me to stand behind the strong work ethic and commitment to safety for children that this company represents.” 

    “As we face a period of time where child safety should be the most important conversation, we are committed to shifting the narrative,” said Uncle, founder and APMC President, Neil Gruninger. “We are thrilled to have TriWest join the Kidoodle.TV family and worked hard to align with a finance partner that understands not only the opportunity but that families should come first. That’s part of our DNA. Our family ‘title’ is deliberate because what we do for the future of our children matters in this world.”

    About APMC and Kidoodle.TV®

    A Parent Media Co. Inc. is a family-based media and technology company focused on providing innovative solutions to consumers and brands, including Kidoodle.TV®, Glitch+, and Safe Exchange Inc. Kidoodle.TV is a Safe Streaming™ service committed to providing children with a safe alternative to stream their favorite TV shows and movies. Available in over 160 countries and territories on thousands of connected devices, Kidoodle.TV provides peace of mind, with every show* vetted by caring people who are committed to Safe and Free Streaming for Kids™. Kidoodle.TV is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Fire TV, LG, Samsung, VIDAA-enabled Hisense TVs, Chromecast, Roku, Vizio SmartCast Amazon, Jio, Xfinity X1, Connected TVs, HTML5 Web, and many other streaming media devices, including Miko 3. Kidoodle.TV is certified by the kidSAFE® Seal Program and is the proud recipient of the Mom’s Choice Award®, a Stevie® Award, platinum winner of the Best Mobile App Award, and Parents’ Picks Award – Best Elementary Products. Visit www.kidoodle.tv to learn more. 

    *Content availability varies by location.

    Facebook: facebook.com/KidoodleTV 

    Twitter: twitter.com/kidoodleTV

    Instagram: instagram.com/kidoodletv/

    Media Contact: media@kidoodle.tv   

    About TriWest Capital Partners

    Founded in 1998 and based in Calgary, Alberta, TriWest is one of Canada’s leading private equity firms, having raised over C $1.4 billion in committed capital through six funds. TriWest has successfully invested in 44 companies across a broad cross-section of the economy in partnership with their management teams. We work closely with our management partners, together proactively putting in place a strategy that maximizes growth potential and value creation by emphasizing operational excellence, prudent governance and an efficient capital structure. The principals of TriWest have significant operational and financial expertise, making us effective partners in creating shareholder value. For more information: www.triwest.ca
     

    Source: A Parent Media Co. Inc.

    Source link

  • El American Raises $1.776M to Accelerate Growth

    El American Raises $1.776M to Accelerate Growth

    Press Release
    –

    Dec 15, 2021


    MIAMI, December 15, 2021 (Newswire.com)
    –
    El American Inc., the leading Hispanic conservative news platform that promotes free markets and America’s Founding Principles, announced today the close of its seed funding round of $1.776M.

    This equity financing raise done “by US Hispanics, for US Hispanics”, comes to accelerate growth as El American scales to meet strong demand for conservative news from the U.S. Hispanic market. A recent Wall Street Journal poll shows that 62 million Hispanics, the fastest-growing demographic in the U.S., are evenly divided between the Republican and the Democratic parties.

    “El American’s objective is to win the hearts and minds of Hispanics with a pro-freedom message in both English and Spanish,” said Jorge Granier, El American’s CEO, Publisher and co-founder. “With this funding, we will scale our podcast and video operations, launch our app and expand our social media footprint to reach even more Hispanics in the U.S. and around the world.”

    Founded in late 2020, after the contentious election season, El American has assembled a team of award-winning journalists, writers, and influencers, and has reached over 250 million interactions across its social media accounts during its first year of operation. Through its site elamerican.com and with an active presence on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, GETTR, and TikTok, El American reaches across the key 18-55 demographic within the Hispanic audience.

    “Given our team’s deep experience in media, having launched multiple cable networks and streaming platforms, we are excited to announce our plans to launch the first conservative news network focused exclusively on Hispanics in 2022,” added Carlos Penzini, co-founder and chairman of the board.

    El American is planning to go on to a Series A raise in 2022 to launch its streaming platform, cable channel and expand its content offering, to continue capitalizing on the growing Hispanic opportunity.

    ###

    For more information on El American, visit: 

    https://elamerican.com

    https://elamerican.com/aboutus/

    https://elamerican.com/we-are-el-american/

    ABOUT EL AMERICAN

    El American is the bilingual digital media platform focused on providing information, opinion, analysis and real journalism to the fastest growing audience in the United States: Hispanics. Founded by two Hispanics and proud American citizens, El American targets conservative and libertarian Hispanics across the U.S.

    Contact:

    press@elamerican.com

    Twitter: @ElAmerican_ 

    Instagram: @elamerican_

    TikTok: @elamerican_

    Facebook: @ElAmerican1

    ###

    Source: El American Inc.

    Source link

  • College of DuPage Becomes First NJCAA Program to Adopt PlaySight’s Smart Sports AI Technology

    College of DuPage Becomes First NJCAA Program to Adopt PlaySight’s Smart Sports AI Technology

    Press Release
    –


    updated: May 20, 2019


    GLEN ELLYN, ILLINOIS, May 20, 2019 (Newswire.com)
    –
    ​​​​​​​Today, the College of DuPage and PlaySight are excited to announce a new technology partnership – PlaySight’s SmartCourt sports AI technology will be coming to the Chaparrals coaches and student-athletes. The Chaparrals will have access to live streaming and automated production technology, as well as video and performance analysis tools. PlaySight officially partnered with the NJCAA in November of last year, and College of DuPage is the first member-school to adopt the technology for its athletic department.

    Top athletes and teams across the sporting world have been training and playing with PlaySight for several years now, including the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons, several leading NCAA basketball programs, including the University of North Carolina and Wake Forest University, and over 70 other NCAA programs across tennis and other varsity sports. PlaySight also works with leading high schools, prep schools and academies throughout the country and around the world.

    PlaySight was the first company to develop advanced artificial intelligence (AI) software for sports that has enabled a pro-level platform to be brought to all levels of athletics. PlaySight makes courts, gyms, fields and rinks ‘Smart’ by installing its software and connected camera technology. Once set up, SmartCourts provide several benefits to athletes, coaches, teams and fans, from automated HD broadcast live streaming and advanced coaching tools to instant replay video, VAR, and a content platform to store, manage and share video quickly and seamlessly.

    Greg McVey, the director of Athletics and Recreational Programs at College of DuPage expects PlaySight to help his program engage with both its student-athletes and community in new ways. “Technology allows athletic departments to reach out in new and creative ways all of the time.  By partnering with PlaySight and its Smart technology and becoming its first community college client, this will enhance College of DuPage and its student-athletes and programs in ways that we haven’t achieved before. We’re excited about delivering our message to our athletes and community with this new platform.”

    “As a company, we are focused on bringing technology to all teams and levels, and that is why we were so excited last year to officially partner with the NJCAA,” said PlaySight Director Erik Gormley. “DuPage has established itself as a sports technology leader within the community college level and we’re excited to see the impact that our Smart platform will have on the school, alumni, community, coaches and athletes. We’re leveling the playing field with our affordable platform and our goal is to give every team the same experience with our video technology.”

    Both PlaySight and the NJCAA expect DuPage to be the first of many community colleges to add this technology heading into next season. “It is exciting to see the innovative technology from PlaySight starting to grow with our member colleges,” said Brian Luckett, Chief External Affairs and Development Officer of the NJCAA. “​The autonomous video production and SmartCourt technology has a significant impact for NJCAA programs when they are expected to do more with less. This technology helps to do just that.”

    Source: PlaySight

    Source link