I subscribe to several streaming services (Netflix, BritBox, Acorn, etc.). When I read about a film on IMDB how can I find out which streaming services I can download it from without having to search each one?
Posted 2 years ago
Peter, Champion
GMJ, Champion
Disclaimer: I'm a long-time contributor, not an employee.
Although IMDb is a searchable database of over 4 million movies, TV programs, and entertainment shows, it may be impossible to identify all of the titles available for streaming on various sites, including the ones you posted.
I would assume going to each streaming service would be the way to go if the site has a searchable catalog for customers.
Although IMDb is a searchable database of over 4 million movies, TV programs, and entertainment shows, it may be impossible to identify all of the titles available for streaming on various sites, including the ones you posted.
I would assume going to each streaming service would be the way to go if the site has a searchable catalog for customers.
(Edited)
Thank you, GMJ. This is what I've been doing, which was ok when I used only a couple of streaming services. Now that I subscribe to more than a half dozen and the number of services continues to grow, this is becoming a tedious and time-consuming task.
bderoes, Champion
I just googled "where is this film streaming", and got several sites that claim to answer the question.
Thank you, bderoes. I was happy to learn this .... until I tried them out. For the most part they provide no or inaccurate info and do not search some of the services I subscribe to.
bderoes, Champion
That doesn't surprise me a bit. I don't think streaming services make their sites crawlable by data-gathering bots, and their offerings change frequently (both adding and removing titles), so I can't imagine how an outside service could track what's offered where.
Sometimes a Google search for the title with "watch online" appended can be productive, but probably not exhaustive.
Sometimes a Google search for the title with "watch online" appended can be productive, but probably not exhaustive.
It seems as though IMDb would have the info to provide this service.
bderoes, Champion
Dorlene,
What is your source for thinking IMDb has streaming information?
They don't hold copyrights for films; they don't negotiate deals for which service can stream what title for how long. They don't act as a clearinghouse for such things.
IMDb is a database built from Contributors like you and me. Some in the profession, some just fans. They have not solicited information about where someone has viewed a title. And they don't have very accurate records about which titles can be viewed/purchased on their parent company's site, Amazon. To expect them to keep records on all streaming services is an interesting idea. But the fact that such things aren't publicly available (e.g., queries on Google don't reveal what's on Netflix) would make collecting and maintaining such info a monstrous undertaking.
What is your source for thinking IMDb has streaming information?
They don't hold copyrights for films; they don't negotiate deals for which service can stream what title for how long. They don't act as a clearinghouse for such things.
IMDb is a database built from Contributors like you and me. Some in the profession, some just fans. They have not solicited information about where someone has viewed a title. And they don't have very accurate records about which titles can be viewed/purchased on their parent company's site, Amazon. To expect them to keep records on all streaming services is an interesting idea. But the fact that such things aren't publicly available (e.g., queries on Google don't reveal what's on Netflix) would make collecting and maintaining such info a monstrous undertaking.
Peter, Champion
Also, titles don't always remain on streaming services indefinitely, so any information gathered is at risk of becoming obsolete.
bderoes: As Peter noted in his first post, IMDb does provide streaming information in the distributor list under the company data, but not consistently so.
Peter: Everything is at risk of becoming obsolete.
Peter: Everything is at risk of becoming obsolete.
bderoes, Champion
Distributor information on IMDb is historical, as in xxx company had the rights to distribute the title at some point. When those rights expire or transfer elsewhere, the record in the distributor list will not be deleted, nor have I seen any with end dates on them (but I haven't been looking). Keeping historical info is a completely different task than keeping a list of currently streaming titles+sites.
I'm impressed with gromit82's suggested site too. Strange that it doesn't show up in my attempted searches until "streaming guide app" (it's on the 3rd page of a search for "streaming guide"). The results lead with an article titled "8 Alternatives to Reelgood Streaming Guide - Product Hunt" and the site itself is 4th. Perhaps reelgood needs to do something to increase their visibility.
I'm impressed with gromit82's suggested site too. Strange that it doesn't show up in my attempted searches until "streaming guide app" (it's on the 3rd page of a search for "streaming guide"). The results lead with an article titled "8 Alternatives to Reelgood Streaming Guide - Product Hunt" and the site itself is 4th. Perhaps reelgood needs to do something to increase their visibility.
So IMDb may not be in the best position to gather this info. What about obtaining it directly from the streaming services. I'm bombarded daily with emails from them touting new and popular offerings. They should be eager to make this info accessible to a wider audience, keep it accurate and current, and even become advertisers.
bderoes, Champion
Dorlene said:
Is having so many small streaming services here to stay? Or is Amazon's approach of adding-on access what will satisfy viewers? Or will cable companies wake up, slash their prices, and provide wide-access services that more people want? Direct TV isn't just cable/satellite anymore; you can also get it via internet.
While that beta vs. vhs, hd-dvd vs. blu-ray battle plays out, big players like Amazon often wait for startup companies to master the techniques and ride the trends (to provide streaming guides), and then maybe buy the winner to absorb it into their organization.
Or maybe IMDb is going to pop out with a streaming guide next week and surprise me.
Meanwhile, it currently takes massive effort to report a bad video link from IMDb to Amazon (it got better last week with the new Contact system, but it's still not a "Report This" click by any stretch of the imagination.) Maybe they haven't made it easy yet because they've got a terrific new system coming. Or maybe Amazon figures when someone wants to watch video, they go to Amazon, and then come to IMDb to find out more about the title, seldom the reverse.
They [IMDb] should be eager to make this info accessible to a wider audience, keep it accurate and current, and even become advertisers.Maybe. IF the following things weren't true:
- Amazon has a streaming service where they provide titles themselves and/or through subscription add-ons to providers like HBO, Starz, etc.
- Amazon owns IMDb
Is having so many small streaming services here to stay? Or is Amazon's approach of adding-on access what will satisfy viewers? Or will cable companies wake up, slash their prices, and provide wide-access services that more people want? Direct TV isn't just cable/satellite anymore; you can also get it via internet.
While that beta vs. vhs, hd-dvd vs. blu-ray battle plays out, big players like Amazon often wait for startup companies to master the techniques and ride the trends (to provide streaming guides), and then maybe buy the winner to absorb it into their organization.
Or maybe IMDb is going to pop out with a streaming guide next week and surprise me.
Meanwhile, it currently takes massive effort to report a bad video link from IMDb to Amazon (it got better last week with the new Contact system, but it's still not a "Report This" click by any stretch of the imagination.) Maybe they haven't made it easy yet because they've got a terrific new system coming. Or maybe Amazon figures when someone wants to watch video, they go to Amazon, and then come to IMDb to find out more about the title, seldom the reverse.
Thank you for your thoughtful explanation, bderoes. The time from concept to completion keeps getting shorter so start-ups must be nimble to capitalize on a new trend. Perhaps the number of subscribers who use more than a few streaming services hasn't reached the tipping point yet.
gromit82, Champion
Dorlene