FilmOn is an internet-based television streaming service that is based out of the UK. Their platform has access to over 90,000 hours and 600 channels of content that is either paid or subscription based. The company's platform includes Cinebx and Allied Film libraries. Users also have the ability to create their own live and VOD streaming channels. The availability of certain channels depends on the country where the service can be received. FilmOn started getting into mobile media in 2010. They were one of the first streaming services to have mobile apps available for clients. The website has been involved in some legal issues in the United States over copyright issues. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court. Prior to this, FilmOn was considered an excellent streaming option for U.S. Expats traveling abroad to the U.K. and Europe in general as it carried dozens of U.S. cable networks and standard broadcast channels, such as ABC, Fox and CBS. None of the U.S. channels ever returned to the platform due to the lawsuit. FilmOn has also experienced legal complications with a company called Double Verify.
The Good
- Available in Canada, the United States and United Kingdom
- Great selection of UK "Freeview" live channels for UK expats traveling or living abroad
- Parental Controls
- Remote DVR Recording: 1 hour of cloud DVR available for all registered logins, paid subscription not required (programs up to an hour may be recorded and available indefinitely in the Recordings section of "My Profile")
- Platforms: Android (via APK download from third party; website through web-browsers on PC or Android TV devices with browser app)
- Social Media Functionality
- A handful of livestreams are available for free, without a subscription (click here to access our gallery of the free live channels that are available from FilmOn TV)
Available in Canada, the United States and United Kingdom
FilmOn has varying availability in Canada, the U.S. and the UK. FilmOn offers a streaming platform that provides on demand content to their subscribers. In addition to providing on demand productions, FilmOn provides a few other features to their users.
Parental Controls
With FilmOn, it is possible for parents to set parameters on what their children see from within their paid account. However, there is some questionable adult content during the preview when a user signs in.
Mobile App
There is basic app support for FilmOn. Compatibility for both iOS and Android devices are also available. There is also functionality available for the Kindle video platform. There is no support for other platforms such as Roku.
Social Media Functionality
Subscribers can access live video that is posted by users, but overall, the content comes across as spam. Theoretically, it could be possible to post your own documentaries and helpful tips with the broadcast functions. It is also possible to schedule recording with FilmOn.
Remote DVR Recording
While subscribers will not be able to stream full-length series on FilmOn, it is possible to purchase a cloud service to record your favorite series. This can be automated with the TV schedule. There is a "record now" button that lets you record content if you have a paid remote DVR subscription.
The Bad
- Overall Quality: streaming quality will never exceed 480p resolution and streams may buffer
- No Closed-Captions available
- Expensive: US$6.95/week, US$19.95/month, US$199.00/year
- No free trial is available; live streams play from 60 seconds to 2 minutes for free when non-subscribers access FilmOn TV, then takes you to a Subscription page on the website.
- Lack of support on other platforms such as Roku
- Casting to a TV or another device was not working as of this writing, could only view through website
- Support for Android TV is abysmally lacking, only installation of APK through 3rd party download is available; "side-load" of installation of Android app required through a "developer" mode on Android devices
- Only web-streaming is functional as of this writing, accessible through any web-browser on PC, portable devices and web-browsers built-in to Android TV streaming boxes; Roku app no longer available even though the app is still downloadable from the FilmOn website
- Way too many pointless free VOD channels that repeat the same videos in the same ordered playlist every time the channel is accessed
Quality
The most questionable aspect of the FilmOn business model stems from the quality of the content and video. The platform looks and operates a lot like YouTube in terms of format. This means that when viewed through a mobile browser, the video might not always work across mobile devices.
Quality of Paid Service
The paid service is a little bit more expensive than the big streaming providers. Per month, the paid subscription costs $19.95. If you get a one-year subscription, the service is $199.00. Since there is no free trial period, choosing a weekly option which costs $6.95 is helpful to try the service before committing to a more expensive plan. It is also important to note that there are not as many well-known videos on the platform. Subscribers have stated that FilmOn consists of the largest library of B-quality streaming and video-on-demand content on the Internet. There are some documentaries about famous people from Hollywood, but not actually any movies that star some of these individuals.
Cloud DVR service is limited, but functional
The DVR services are a little bit on the expensive side. While this is a great feature, sites like Sling do have a three day video replay (also known as "Look Back" on most streaming services) if you miss your favorite live TV shows. Ten hours of DVR time is $9.99 per month. Additionally, you can also get 300 hours of remote DVR time for $190 per year. Interestingly, a paid subscription to live streams is not required to subscribe to DVR service. An amount of 1 hour cloud DVR is available for anyone with a valid login, enough for an hour-long drama or special event to view after it airs, even if a full paid subscription is unwanted or unnecessary. Furthermore, paid cloud DVR subscriptions may be used without a paid streaming subscription, so programming may be recorded from as little as US$5.00/month and viewed at any time, indefinitely.
Expensive
In some aspects, FilmOn looks like an expensive rip-off of YouTube. Users did not necessarily appreciate the "like/dislike" functionality of the website either. There is a "poop/like" vote, which is a little tacky for a paid service.
The Bottom Line
The platform has a history of lawsuits in the United States where major carriers like ABC and Fox have been dropped over the years. Users have been taken back by the lack of legitimate videos on the website. There doesn't appear to be any actual mainstream movies or television shows on the site. Rather, there are a lot of podcasts and user-generated content that doesn't contribute to a positive viewing experience online. Though it is a place to watch TV and stream shows, and the advantage to record at least one hour of programming for free with the remote DVR service, we recommend selecting a different streaming service, hopefully one that stays out of court and doesn't have spammy content. Subscribers can expect the following with FilmOn:
- Sync with DVR to control remotely
- Limited content library
- High monthly rates for live streaming channels, budget rates for DVR without live TV
- Involved in several lawsuits
- Podcasts available to stream
- Limited availability for mobile apps or streaming boxes and Roku TV
Sources and links of interest:
No comments:
Post a Comment