• Let the Buzz Begin: Kathy Griffin Joins E’s Fashion Police Squad in Arresting First Promo
• Funny Business: Paul Rudd to Return in Parks and Rec’s Upcoming Final Season.
• Must See TV: John Oliver teaches you how to escape that terrible New Year’s party.
• We Love Lists! 40 Most Shocking TV Moments of 2014.
• Watch: First Teaser for ‘Penny Dreadful’ Season 2 Hints at More Horror.
• We Love Lists! The 9 Netflix Original Series to be Excited About in 2015
• Introducing the Newest Member of Lost Girl’s Faemily… Luke Bilyk!
• Chromecast vs Roku vs Fire TV: Which streaming stick should you buy?
• Watch: ‘Cosby Show’ Skewered In Best Holiday Card Of The Year
• TV Year In Review: Our Top 10 Scenes from 2014
Search Results for: netflix
Morning Static: HOMELAND, DOWNTON ABBEY, ONCE UPON A TIME & More!
• Woo-Hoo: Charlie Sheen’s Anger Management Is Ending—for Good
• Finally: New Better Call Saul Teaser Has Tons of Actual Footage
• Casting Coup: Mike Colter tapped to play Luke Cage on Marvel’s Netflix series ‘Jessica Jones’
• Must Read TV: Showtime boss explains quiet ‘Homeland’ finale
• Must See TV: It’s a Wonderful ‘Downton Abbey’ with George Clooney.
• Behind-the-Scenes: ‘Mike & Molly’ Last-Minute Holiday Episode Is a Christmas Miracle
• Controversy: For Black Twitter, the rage over VH1’s ‘Sorority Sisters’ is personal
• The Other Wonder Woman: Michelle MacLaren Is the Best Director on TV
• Post-mortem: ‘The Affair’ Creator on the Finale’s Big Reveal
• Storybrook Scoop: ‘Once Upon a Time’ casts Sebastian Roche
• Holiday Cheer: Jimmy Fallon, One Direction put classroom instrument spin on ‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town’
CraveTV Review
If you’re wondering why it has taken this TV Addict slightly longer than expected to post our review of CraveTV, Bell Media’s Netflix competitor that launched earlier this month, look no further than the service itself.
Billed as “a video streaming service offering full seasons and series of the most loved and celebrated shows ever,” CraveTV is — simply put — a TV Addict’s dream. No really. Any grammar, spelling and/or syntax errors from here on in should be solely attributed to the fact that even as we type this, we’re half-watching INSIDE AMY SCHUMER in a little window at the top left of our desktop! That’s how good CraveTV is, we cannot stop watching it. It’s a problem, a big one. But before we get into why, let’s start off with the glowingly positive shall we.
CraveTV isn’t messing around when it comes to selection. From genre-defining series that we’re embarrassed to admit we still haven’t found the time to watch (See: HBO classics such as THE SOPRANOS, THE WIRE and DEADWOOD) and half-hour sketch shows we’ve only seen bits and pieces of on YouTube (See: KEY AND PEELE, INSIDE AMY SCHUMER and KROLL SHOW) to exclusives that we’ve already started binge-watching (Hello WGN’s MANHATTAN) and classics that we can’t get enough of (See: MONTY PYTHON, SEINFELD, and FRASIER), CraveTV isn’t messing around when it comes to feeding our seemingly insatiable appetite for all things television. Suffice it to say, if you are eligible to subscribe to CraveTV — particularly at the launch price of $4 per month — it’s an absolute no brainer. No really. There’s absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t stop what you’re doing right now, call your local cable provider and spend this holiday season holed up in your living room watching the glory that is STAR TREK’s most underrated and under-appreciated gem DEEP SPACE NINE!
Oh wait there is a reason… which brings me to that dark side of the service that I teased earlier in this post.
Related: “How Bell Media Bumbled the Launch of CraveTV”
First and foremost. As a long time Rogers customer, myself — not to mention millions of others across Canada — are shut out from this service due to the unholy war between Bell Media and Rogers that does little but infuriate customers on both sides (See: Rogers equally childish treatment of NHL fans who aren’t paying a pretty penny to Rogers each and every month). But even more troubling than Bell Media’s exclusionary policies* is that CraveTV’s new business model effectively sidesteps any regulatory issues put in place by the astoundingly ineffective CRTC in terms of their recent purchase of Astral Media. Which is to say. non-Bell subscribers to HBO Canada should all but assume that any new and exciting content will no longer be built around the traditional over-the-air model that many of us have been subscribing to for all these years but rather reserved for CraveTV’s catalogue. Case in point, Bell Media’s recent announcement** that will see a remastered, 16×9, full-frame, high definition version of THE WIRE be exclusively released to CraveTV subscribers this January rather than where it belongs on HBO Canada.
shomi Review: Why We’re Not Buying What Rogers and Shaw are Selling (At Least Not Yet!)
And finally, any review of CraveTV wouldn’t be complete without the mention of their advertising strategy. You know those posters and billboards that have been plastered across the city? Well, they’re sort of missing a giant asterisk when it comes to that $4 per month price tag. Just to be clear: CraveTV is only $4 per month if you already subscribe to Bell or one of their partner’s cable packages. Packages, which after a quick scan online appear to range between $39.99 and $111.95 per month. (Current cable partners include: TELUS Optik TV, Bell Fibe TV, and Bell Aliant FibreOP TV subscribers)
All that being said, if you are one of the shrinking number of Canadians who, like us, fork over one hundred plus dollars a month to prop up an antiquated cable model, CraveTV is completely worth it. One can only hope that (a) Bell Media sees the error of their ways and opens up this package to all of Canada as soon as possible. Or at the very least, (b), allows me to a finish binge-watching the fantastic first season of MANHATTAN before they pull my media credentials in response to this review!
* Correction from Scott Henderson, Vice-President Communications Bell Media: We have no exclusionary policy. We have been very clear from the beginning that CraveTV is “available to every TV provider in Canada” (see release) and Kevin Crull has been clear he wants to get it into as many hands as possible. We have had meetings with all distributors, including Rogers, and we hope they come on board soon. Already Telus, Eastlink and other small cable providers have signed up and made the product available to their providers.
The TV Addict’s Response: While it’s all well and good that Bell Media doesn’t have an official exclusionary policy, I’ll believe it when I see it. Case in point, I’ve been waiting over a year, possibly two for CTV to meet with Rogers and allow me access to streaming content on CTV.ca and CTV’s mobile apps. (Photo Below)
** Correction from Scott Henderson, Vice-President Communications Bell Media: We also announced in this fall a deal for the entire HBO back catalogue for CraveTV (see release). This is separate than current HBO programming. All back catalogue programming will be available on CraveTV, including the Sopranos, Sex and the City and, as you note, The Wire. HBO Canada features current programming – so The Wire won’t air on HBO Canada. But to be clear, this is the same situation as in the U.S. – To our understanding The Wire will not be broadcast on HBO there.
The TV Addict’s Response: According to an official HBO (US) Press Release, the new high-definition re-mastering of THE WIRE will be available to all HBO subscribers across the US on HBO GO, as well over the air. From the release, “Now, new and old fans of the series can watch the show like never before thanks to a brand new High-Definition upgrade of all 60 episodes, which will debut in December on HBO Signature® and HBO GO®”
Midseason TV Preview: Reality Blunders, Musical Mishaps and Final Seasons
The fall TV season might be winding down, but midseason is just a few short weeks away. Today, we’ll take a look at what to expect this winter, from probable hits to probable misses, and everything in between.
A cornucopia of final seasons are coming sooner than you think
Final seasons of acclaimed comedies “Cougar Town” (Tuesday, January 6 on TBS, Click here for preview) and “Parks and Recreation” (Tuesday, January 13 on NBC) are coming up, as well as the abbreviated final season of former mega hit, “Glee” (Friday, January 9 on Fox). Over at NBC, “Parenthood” will return for its final four installments beginning January 8, and the last episodes of “Mad Men” will air on AMC later this spring.
CBS staple “Two and a Half Men” will conclude with an hour-long series finale on February 19. It will exit prime time as the second longest-running live-action comedy of all-time, only behind “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet,” which ran for 14 seasons between 1952 and 1966. Charlie Sheen and Ashton Kutcher’s tenures amassed a combined total of 12 seasons and 262 episodes, outliving the likes of “Mash,” “The Jeffersons,” “Cheers,” “Frasier” and “Married… with Children,” all of which were on the air for 11 seasons.
Other notable sendoffs include the current run of CBS’ “The Mentalist,” and the upcoming return of FX’s “Justified” (premiering January 20).
“Community” is coming to Yahoo
After a creatively resurgent fifth season, the low-rated “Community” was canceled by NBC one season short of fulfilling its #SixSeasonsAndaMovie mantra. Luckily, internet giant Yahoo, eager to join the ranks of Netflix and Amazon in the original programming game, picked the show up for an additional 13 episodes. Though a premiere date hasn’t been confirmed by Yahoo, showrunner Dan Harmon touted a presumed January 27 start date on a recent episode of The Nerdist podcast.
The college-set comedy will also have the chance to celebrate its 100th episode, becoming one of only 11 single-camera comedies to ever reach that milestone.
The once almighty “American Idol” is likely to see further ratings declines on an already struggling Fox
Ratings for former reality juggernaut, “American Idol,” were down over 30% in 2014, often coming in second or third place behind fellow Wednesday staples “Survivor” and”Modern Family,” and “The Big Bang Theory” on Thursdays. Assuming the declines are a result of viewer fatigue, Fox will only air the show one hour per night, instead of its usual two hours on Wednesdays and one hour on Thursdays. If that doesn’t work, the network is already courting Simon Cowell. If “Idol” declines grow more troublesome in 2015, they can promise the mogul the revival of his passion project, a fourth season of “The X Factor,” in exchange for his return to the aging singing competition in 2016.
Former “Friends” are here to make us laugh again
As Courteney Cox starrer “Cougar Town” winds down after an impressive six-season run, Matt LeBlanc’s “Episodes” returns for a fourth season on Showtime on January 11. Meanwhile, a remake of “The Odd Couple” starring Matthew Perry will premiere ahead of the “Two and a Half Men” finale on CBS, getting the cushiest possible time slot behind TV’s number one comedy, “The Big Bang Theory.” It debuts February 19.
More changes are upon us in late night
Next Thursday, Stephen Colbert will leave “The Colbert Report” behind to takeover as host of CBS’ “The Late Show” in late 2015; David Letterman officially steps down on May 20. “The Daily Show” correspondent, and executive producer of “black-ish,” Larry Wilmore, will take over Colbert’s 11:30 time slot on Comedy Central with “The Nightly Show” beginning January 19. On March 23, “Into the Woods” star James Corden will become host of CBS’ “The Late Late Show” following the exit of longtime host, Craig Ferguson, whose final episode airs December 19. A bevy of guest hosts will fill the time between Ferguson’s exit and Corden’s debut.
A promising night of comedy is coming to HBO…
Sunday, January 11 will see the fourth season premiere of “Girls” at 9, and the second season premiere of “Looking” at 10. Sandwiched between them is the new Duplass Brothers comedy, “Togetherness,” starring Amanda Peet (“Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”) and Melanie Lynskey (“Two and a Half Men”). A second season of “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” premieres February 8 at 11.
… while there’s a less promising future ahead for ABC’s newest half-hours
Over at the Alphabet Network, the four-week musical extravaganza, “Galavant,” will fill the void left by a midseason hiatus for the popular “Once Upon a Time.” Its eight-episode run is being deemed a “limited event,” indicating the network has little to no faith that the show will live beyond those eight episodes. Another new ABC comedy, “Fresh Off the Boat” (pictured above) will air Tuesdays at 8 beginning February 10 after a one-time sneak preview Wednesday, February 4 behind “The Middle” and “Modern Family.” The show will be left to fend for itself against CBS’ “NCIS,” NBC’s “The Voice,” and The CW’s “The Flash.” Its chance of survival is bleak.
Morning Static: SURVIVOR, GIRLS, THE GOLDBERGS & More!
• ‘Survivor: Worlds Apart’: Jeff Probst gives exclusive intel on NEXT season
• ‘Girls’ Season 4: Ana Gasteyer & Anthony Edwards to Play Shoshanna’s Parents
• Trend Watch: HBO to Stop Issuing Overnight TV Ratings in Favor of Live Plus 7
• Scoop: Manu Bennett joins cast of MTV’s ‘Shannara’
• Funny Business: Fox’s ADHD Cartoons Find New Home on FXX
• Winning: Charlie Sheen to Reprise His Iconic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Role on The Goldbergs.
• Must Read TV: What Netflix, HBO, Amazon, Showtime and the rest of TV need to resolve to do in 2015
• An up and down year for broadcast: Grading the Big Five networks, plus Univision and Telemundo
• Goodbye, Nation. Goodbye, Blowhard Self. Stephen Colbert Prepares Final ‘Colbert Report’
• ‘Game of Thrones’: See Arya’s radical new costume design.
• The 100 Post Mortem: Star Eliza Taylor Defends ‘Brilliant,’ Heartbreaking Twist
• ‘The 100’ Fall Finale Twist: Insider Details On What’s Next For The Shocked Survivors
The Top 10 TV Shows of 2014
Though each year presents itself with more misses than hits, television seems to get better and better. Narrowing down a list of 10 shows that represent the best a year had to offer is damn near impossible, not just because there are far more than 10 fantastic television shows, but because it’s absurd to think it’s possible for any one person to watch everything. Alas, here are my top 10 picks for 2014. [Read more…]
Morning Static: THE COLBERT REPORT, GOLDEN GLOBES, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE & More!
• ‘Colbert Report’ final lineup: Seth Rogen, Kendrick Lamar… and Death?
• Mary Murphy Eyes ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Exit, Will Paula Abdul Replace Her?
• Let the Buzz Begin: Fox markets ‘Backstrom’ with ‘total dick’ ad
• Analysis: Golden Globe voters’ love of the new leads to noms for ‘Jane the Virgin,’ ‘Transparent’ & more
• Spoiler Alert: ‘Gracepoint’ Finale Highlights ‘Broadchurch’ Remake’s Shortcomings.
• Question of the Day: Does it matter that reviewers don’t like Netflix’s Marco Polo?
• Must Read TV: The Liberating Joy of Quitting a TV Show
• Interesting: True Detective, Fargo, and the problem with TV endings
• Ashton Kutcher Is “Terrified” by Two and a Half Men Series Finale… Because It Involves Charlie Sheen?
• The Business of Show: CBS extends Les Moonves contract thru 2019.
On TV Tonight: Friday December 12, 2014
LOST GIRL Season 5: Anna Silk Reflects on a Remarkable Run, Previews Tonight’s Premiere
Tonight marks the beginning of the end of LOST GIRL. Premering four seasons ago, this Canadian, nay, international success story helped define its network (Showcase) as the place to go for butt-kicking protagonists and genre television (RIP CONTINUUM). In anticipation of tonight’s fifth season premiere (9PM, Showcase), the TV Addict was afforded the opportunity to talk one-on-one with titular star Anna Silk. See what she had to say about her amazing journey, what’s in store for Bo and what momento she kept as a memento, after the jump. [Read more…]
How Bell Media Bumbled the Launch of CraveTV
After months of hype teasing the imminent arrival of “Project Latte,” a new streaming service that promised television Addicts such as ourselves with an amazing catalogue of new and old shows, yesterday saw Bell Media unwrap the details of their answer to Netflix named CraveTV.
And while Bell Media bigwigs spent much of yesterday patting themselves on the back for offering Canadians what Mike Cosentino (Senior VP, Programming, Bell Media) characterized as, “an incredible offering of some of TV’s most-watched and most-loved shows,” our reaction is somewhat less that effusive. But before we get into the massively missed opportunity by Bell Media to… I don’t know… put Canadians customers first and actually acknowledge that the ways in which our country consumes media has changed since 1975, let’s start with the good. [Read more…]