#netflix and amazon both have ads now

[narumi-gens]

[puts on my business hat]: I can't believe watcher is leaving youtube to create their own streaming service in a market where some of the biggest companies are trying to get out of the streaming business bc they've discovered how unprofitable of a business model it is.

[queerly-autistic]

I've been thinking about potential pick-up of Our Flag Means Death by another streamer, and how it all might be tying in with the current BBC release, and I have some thoughts about what might be happening and what we can do to give the show the best chance of being picked up.

I think it's important to start by saying that all the whisperings that I heard over the past few months (including from some people who work at/with the BBC) pointed firmly towards a scheduled March release for Our Flag Means Death on the BBC. Needless to say, this means I was extremely surprised when they suddenly announced it was dropping at the beginning of February. I think it's also clear from everything I've seen that the BBC's marketing/social media plan for the release was not ready for February (there was no trailer, which was odd), which, again, really supports the idea that the show was initially schedule for a March release, not a February release.

I firmly believe the release was brought forward. The question is: why? Is it because they saw how much noise and press the show (and our campaign) was getting, and decided to try and capitalise on it? Or is there something else going on?

On top of that, we now have specific questions about Our Flag Means Death appearing on YouGov UK, including asking whether respondents would watch another series. This doesn't just happen. The charity I work for has commissioned YouGov polling (including some very recently) which I have been tangentially involved with, and so I know that this sort of polling is not easy work, and it's not cheap. Someone has put time AND money into commissioning this polling. This is significant. Someone is not only watching, but they are specifically watching the UK response to the show, and putting questions to the UK audience about it.

I have strong suspicions that a streamer (or several streamers) are interested in picking up the show, and are using the UK release as a live case study (Apple, Amazon and Netflix also have a presence in the UK, so we are a big target audience for them in a way we never were for Max). This could account for both the potential bringing forward of the BBC release (they didn't want to wait until March), and the YouGov polling that's going on (bear in mind, the YouGov questions were specifically as part of a wider survey about streaming services).

And this isn't just a passing interest: working with the BBC to bring forward the release, and investing time and money into YouGov polling? That's a strong interest. That's so interested they've already invested something into it.

Of course, I don't know anything for certain, so take everything with a pinch of salt (it's just a theory...a gay pirates theory...), but I think it's something to consider as a strong possibility.

So what does this mean for us?

It means we need to keep streaming on iPlayer. Watch it as many times as you can. Share it with your friends and family. If you're outside the UK, get yourself a VPN and join the party. Watch the live broadcasts on Monday nights (if you have iPlayer, you can stream the live broadcast - this is what I do because I don't have a TV). Keep tweeting about it (add the #OurFlagBBC hashtag to the existing hashtags we're using). Tag and email the UK media (including TV guides and radio shows) and ask them to talk about the show/our campaign. If you're tagging/emailing Apple, Amazon or Netflix, make sure you mention you're from the UK (and tag their UK specific social media accounts).

According to Parrot Analytics, the demand in the UK for the show is rising - let's keep adding to that!

You can also sign up to YouGov and rate the show (more instructions in the quote retweets of the tweet I linked to earlier), and keep answering questions about TV shows and streaming (and marking Our Flag Means Death as one of your interests) as a way to try and get them to give you the specific questions about the show (these start as a question about streaming and streaming services, which then turn into questions about OFMD, so if you get a survey like that, take it!).

It's also worth considering that if there's any validity to this, then there's a possibility that they might be waiting until after the show has finished airing in the UK (the finale is airing on 25th March) to crunch all the numbers together. This means that if we don't hear anything in the next few weeks, do not despair! We need to buckle in for a long fight, and to keep pushing the show and making noise over the next few weeks and months, especially around the BBC release.

This show is worth the fight. Let's get our damned men back!

[allywthsr]

WRAPPING HIS PRESENTS | (l.norris)

summary: you wrap Lando’s presents

wordcount: 1.1k words

pairing: landonorris x fem!reader

warnings: like two sexual things, but nothing graphic

notes: what are we thinking?

advent calendar

You sat on the floor in the living room, Lando was currently in the gym, training for the next two hours. It was time to wrap his presents, the rest of the presents, for the other people of your family, were already wrapped and stored away in a closet in the guest room. Now the only things that were missing, were his presents, in front of you laid multiple things you bought for Lando, grabbing the red wrapping paper with little Santa’s and reindeer on it. You took the scissors and cut off a piece of the paper, grabbing the first present, a new hoodie from his favorite brand. You saw him check it out online and you could not not buy it for him, he almost bought it himself, but you could convince him, that you shouldn’t buy yourself things right before Christmas, so he didn’t.

Closing the wrapping paper with a few strips of tape, you took a sticker where you could write his name on it, and wrote ‘Lan’ in your best handwriting, even adding a small bow you bought in a little corner shop.

The next present was a bit more cheesy, it was a keyring for his keychain, made out of glass with his favorite picture of you two put in there, you knew he loved small things like that. It was small, but it meant something to him, and that’s most important.

You grabbed a different wrapping paper, now you had a dark blue one in your hand, and it was covered with golden stars. You didn’t want to go too overboard with his presents, but you knew he would, so you tried to give him something back, even tho you knew you didn’t have to. He was happy if you would give him a kiss on Christmas morning, but you weren’t satisfied with that, you tried to go bigger every year.

The next present was a small silly thing you found on Amazon while checking out, it was a scratch-off movie poster. The two of you could never decide what movie to watch, sometimes the planned movie night ended after one hour because you couldn’t find something to watch, either one of you has seen a film and the other hasn’t, or the genre wasn’t the right one, sometimes you just didn’t find one that fits in the mood and sometimes you couldn’t decide on one, because there are so many movies, you’ve watched together and all the good films have been watched by you two a hundred times. With that scratch-off poster, that problem would be solved and evenings that would be filled with looking through the whole Netflix catalog, while the other was also searching through different movie platforms, would be at least be over for a hundred days. He could just scratch off the material and each movie night, you wouldn’t have this discussion that annoyed both of you.

You, again, cut out a piece of paper and wrapped it around the rolled-up poster, sticking the sticker on it, and writing his name on it.

The next present was a silly present you found in a store, it was a small retro arcade machine, and he loved arcade games. It was a miniature arcade machine that he could take with him wherever he went if he was bored before a race. He would definitely play with it. It had games like Super Mario or Flappy Bird on it, perfect for Lando’s interest, he loved these old games he used to play as a kid. You put the batteries in the slot and wrapped the dark blue wrapping paper around it, closing it off with a few stripes of tape, writing his name on the sticker, and placing a bow on top of it as well, you bought a few bows in a dollar store, that would stick to the present without having to make the bow.

You went all out for presents this year, but you bought most of them on Black Friday, so the hundred and fifty pounds hoodie only cost ninety pounds, what a steal.

The next gift was more a fun gift than an actual useful gift, it was an indoor putting green, the long stripe of fake grass had a slight bend towards the end, so it wasn’t just a straight line that he had to play. He always told you that he hated it, when it rained and he wasn’t able to go golfing, he wanted to buy himself a putting green for the inside for a while now, yet, he never did. Lando could practice his putting skills and his swings, he would love it, it would annoy you for a few weeks, he sure would only do that for some days, but that’s fine. You took another roll of wrapping paper and cut off a piece, wrapping the edges around the box, sealing it with some tape, and sticking the sticker with his name on it.

The main present was a self-made one, a jar filled with three-hundred sixty-five little notes. He can pick one note every day for the next year, on the notes were little compliments, funny sayings, dirty talking, and declarations of love.

You worked on this for multiple days, cutting out three-hundred sixty-five colorful papers, was a task, that took you three days alone. Writing all the notes on the paper took you like a week and a half, it might sound like a lot, but you had to think about three-hundred sixty-five notes and write them on a small piece of paper while Lando does not notice you doing it. And since the winter break started, he was mostly home, so you had to do it when he was training or playing Fortnite or something.

Some examples of the notes are

⁃ thank you for you

⁃ I love you

⁃ I‘m glad my boyfriend has a big cock

⁃ I hope you have a good day

⁃ Thank you for every orgasm

It might be cheesy, but Lando and you are that couple that leaves little sticky notes around the house to make the other happy, the present was basically like the sticky notes but without sticking it somewhere.

You closed the lid from the jar and cut off a big piece of wrapping paper, wrapping it around the glass and closing the paper with tape, and sticking his name on top with it, just like a big bow.

You looked at the presents in front of you, you couldn’t wait for him to open all of them, you were sure he would be happy about every single one.

[fallloverfic]

"Nimona" fandom informational rundown

New to the fandom and a bit confused about things? Hopefully this will help!

Nimona was a webcomic by Nate Diana Stevenson/ND Stevenson that was first shown on tumblr on December 14, 2011, and Nate later launched it as an official webcomic on its own website on June 19, 2012. It was contracted for publication post-completion as a graphic novel sometime before November 1, 2012. The webcomic finished online publication on September 30, 2014. Shortly afterward, most of the webcomic was taken down as part of the contractual agreement for publication as a physical graphic novel, leaving only a short bit of the opening as a preview. The website for the webcomic later went down entirely, and is no longer accessible.

The comic was published in entirety as a single graphic novel on May 12, 2015. The movie adaptation rights were sold to Fox in 2015, as well, and the project was given to Blue Sky Studios. The comic was later adapted into a full cast audiobook on October 4, 2016. The graphic novel is available for purchase in paperback, hardcover, and as an ebook, and the audiobook is also available for purchase. (The link has international seller links). The graphic novel has been translated into 16 languages. It is also available in a special edition English hardcover via Illumicrate. They only ship from the UK, but ship internationally, and you don't need a subscription to buy the book. As the standard graphic novel and audiobook are ~7+ years old now, if you have a local library, you can see if either of them are available that way.

Disney bought 20th Century Fox Animation (later 20th Century Animation, the purchase completed in 2019), but later shut down Blue Sky Studios in 2021, cancelling the still-in-production movie. Crew worked on shopping the movie around for a new home after talks with Disney. The movie was later picked up and completed by Annapurna, DNEG, and Netflix, premiered June 14, 2023 in France, showed in select theaters starting principally on June 23, 2023, and released to general audiences on Netflix for streaming on June 30, 2023. I have more info on this here.

In English, Nimona is voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz, Ballister Boldheart is voiced by Riz Ahmed, and Ambrosius Goldenloin is voiced by Eugene Lee Yang.

If you're looking for official merch, the movie soundtrack is up on multiple platforms, including YouTube, iOS, Spotify, and Amazon, and a vinyl version of the soundtrack was sold by iam8bit. There is an official humanoid Nimona plushie, a whale Nimona plushie, and a shark Nimona plushie, available via Gee and Hot Topic, as well as a variety of official shirts available via Hot Topic and Amazon (just search Brand: Nimona). Nate also still sells "Nimona" comic art on his INPRNT store.

Netflix released a free-to-read digital-only multimedia 358-page artbook for the movie (but took it down in March 2024). (It's also been released at least for crew/friends of crew(?) in physical release, so maybe it'll get mass release as a hardcover). Outside of this, a lot of the crew for the movie from both Blue Sky and DNEG have been releasing a ton of concept art and development stuff, and the cast and crew have been doing a lot of promotional interviews and videos going back through like April 2023, so there's a lot of material to look through on YouTube, tiktok, tumblr, twitter, Instagram, Facebook/Meta, and Vimeo, as well as various news and media sites. Nate is active on tumblr, his personal blog, twitter, and Instagram. Annapurna, DNEG, and Netflix also have multiple accounts on many platforms, including their own websites, YouTube, Facebook/Meta, and Twitter, and have been sharing clips and behind the scenes stuff.

Nimona actually has been added to a video game: Nimona was included as an event companion in SharkBite 2, a Roblox game.

If you're looking for fanworks, the fandom is active on most platforms, and has been ever since Nate started posting early art of the characters. Nate's talked at length in multiple places about how big the fandom was during the webcomic's publication. Mostly back then folks were very active in the Disqus comments on pages, which are a bit harder to find these days. There's a lot of the older comic fanart still circulating in different places (particularly tumblr, where the fandom was most active), some of which Nate reblogged. There is crossover between the comic and movie fandoms, as many fans of the comic love the movie and vice versa, and both fandoms are quite active. There is at least one active subreddit and fanwiki (and many others on assorted fantasy, comic, movie, and non-English language sites), as well as TV Tropes pages for both the comic and movie adaptation and a number of Discord servers.

For fanfiction, there are a ton of fics on Archive of Our Own in the comic tag and in the movie adaptation tag. There are also a number of fics on tumblr, some fics on fanfiction.net, and some on Wattpad. There are fanvids on tiktok, Instagram, and YouTube. There is fanart on tumblr, twitter, deviantart, instagram, and pixiv. There are cosplayers, meta analysts, roleplayers, music makers, and many other fanworkers

Some tags to use/browse for posts on tumblr and other sites:

Nimona

Nimona fanart

Nimona comic

Nimona movie

Ballister Blackheart

Ballister Boldheart

Ambrosius Goldenloin

Gloreth

Meredith Blitzmeyer

Ballister x Ambrosius / Goldenheart / Boldloin / Boldenloin / Blackenloin / Blackloin / Goldheart

Will update this post as I come across new things.

[bopernstien]

NETFLIX HAS ADS?? WHAT- HOW ABD WHY?? I PAY FOR YOU! I PAY TO WATCH AN UNINTERRUPTED SHOW BUT ALL I GET IS ADS?!

AND AMAZON PRIME TOO-?! AGAIN, I DONT PAY FOR THESE NO MORE. I COMPLETELY FORGOT I WAS SUBBED TO BOTH! I Shouldn't HAVE TO SEE ADS WHILST INDULGING IN MEDIA!

We could watch whole shows - but now these fuck off places are leeching every penny off of us! Not everything has to be monetized- advertised! This is so ... Aggravating and infuriating!

[isupposethisisagoodusername]

So I was thinking about LOA

And to me it doesn't make much sense that they're assassin's and up with the trees kinda shit because decomposing human bodies sort of puff puff methane and methane sort of (fire noise) (fire noise) the atmosphere which then sort of drip drip the ice stuff and also sort of (fire noise) (fire noise) the hot places and both sort of (shrinking and rubber noise) (shrinking and rubber noise) animal habitats and may be very beneficial to those who are adding into the murder and making it an endless cycle of needless puff puff methane and (shrinking and rubber noise) (shrinking and rubber noise) animal habitats which leads to more corrupt companies taking those animal habitats and building more industries and shit which sort of (fire noise) (fire noise) the atmosphere even more

Also they should be far more technological than I've seen in the few reposted comic strips (lol I don't read cannon but I watched Arrow on Netflix lol, until the flashbacks started being of the future)

Like how you gonna filter the decaying bodies and their fumes, fucking acid? Yeah sure just burn the fucking Amazon already

They gotta have an elaborate disposal system and a way to get bodies to it and it has to be ecological and very hidden.

Also to me it makes a lot of sense that they have very advanced high tech and it all just looks like normal stuff but blink and it's a radiation neutralizer or its absorbing and restructuring all the bad gas in the ambient into good gas

That or they have magic to pof pof bad gas is gone but how would the chemistry of that work?

Or both?

I am more of a chemistry nerd but I'm willing to explore both possibilities

Also assassins.

Their weapons, how do they make them? Are there air filters if it's a more industrial kinda thing?

Also do they produce their tech industrially??

Do they use older weapons? Did they repay forward the ambiental damage of the past? If so, are there enough weapons for everyone?

How do they kill, who do they kill, how do they choose who to, which weapons do they use, how disposal, many questions. Many.

Also would they really be this mean bunch of people that would just hate heroes? Couldn't they figure out a way to make heroes work in their favour or use the hero work in their favour?

Bruce Wayne, I think they'd adore him because Bruce probably dumped a bunch of money on ecological shit and really, probably donates a ton of money to charities of all kinds.

Talia would try to put a normal person cover up to him even tho he Batman and try to raise Damian normally and not do whatever it is she did in cannon that makes me confused every rume

She could find so many excuses to raise Damian in the league wherever that's located. But no. Instead of a normal-ish relationship she's a fucking sycho

Also idk anything about Mr. Radioactive waste but I think he would be radioactive but not waste

And they would not use Lazarus pit just for reviving people and eystecer

They could do so much research on it and use it to revitalize the plsnet

Plants man

I can see them cleaning up Chernobyl and making a base there to do research

Also if they have magic they can sort of just puff puff resources to fix ecological damage

So if they weren't written as just villains and instead a thing that likes animals and the planet and wants to rebuild a decent society that likes the planet (which I think is sort of their villain reason???? Idk. Not sure) they'd be really fucking cool. Actually very cool. Research facilities? Done. Filtering the air? Done. Repairing the O3 layer? Done. Killing and ecologically disposing of those that cause big pollution? Done. Trash islands? Gone. Oceans? Clean. Underwater research bases? Done. Trash processing? Done.

I will get more into this but right now I do not have the time, resources, privacy, freedom or availability to hyper fixate on this.

But I plan on doing this in about a year or two.

Idk exactly what I'll do but I'm taking suggestions and ideas.

As well as names and numbers of official media containing anything League of Assassins I can use to source, explore and parallel this on. Be it comics, series, movies, anything. Am accepting. Also am accepting corrections made on the things I've said about cannon on this post since my cannon sources are almost negative

But there is my hate on DC's depiction of a marginalized group turned villain

Like they give so much gold to other villains why not the LOA

Oh and Talia would sure be besties with Ivy and maybe Catwoman (who am I kidding, they'd be for sure besties)

[teenytinycoffeebean]

I Am On A Journey to Watch AS MANY Films with Crispin Hellion Glover in Them As Possible

I will do my best to watch the films/shows and give a high-level view of my thoughts on each. 

I will continue to do this until I watch all of the films I have on my list (the list will be added to this post as well as updated throughout). 

I am playing catch-up compared to my other social media accounts but, to be honest, Tumblr is perfect for this kind of thing. 

So... Buckle up because this is going to be a LONG ride. (: 

First, I’d like to personally thank Crispin Glover for all the fantastic performances and artworks he’s created over the years. His approach to acting is beautifully unique, and every single one of his performances are memorable. Though I haven’t had the pleasure of viewing his own films, I’ve at least seen some of his artwork through the books he publishes. Now that I’ve found myself down a rabbit hole of sorts, not just watching these movies but also listening to all kinds of interviews and such, I am a huge admirer of the way he approaches what he does and creates. 

TL;DR: I’ve found boundless inspiration and joy from observing both his craft and his art. So, for that and for a lot more I’m struggling to put into words because they are genuinely such big emotions, thank you! 

Ok, let’s get into it. 

Although this is not the original list from when I started the journey (this project began in early December 2022--today is January 1, 2023), here is the list I am using to track, plus where to watch the films. Note that some of these are me rewatching them--like Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter and Alice in Wonderland--but I will note those as I go.

Crispin Glover's Filmography Watchlist

Note: this is not his full filmography (and does not include his personal films--though I aspire to see those as soon as I can) however it is a list of the films I aim to watch and potentially own.

Watched (in order of coverage):

Friday the 13th The Final Chapter (DVD - owned)

Back to the Future (Peacock)

Bartleby (DVD - owned)

Wizard of Gore (Tubi)

Willard (DVD - owned)

Twister [1989] (Amazon Prime)

We Have Always Lived in the Castle (DVD - owned)

Lucky Day (Amazon Prime)

Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities (Netflix)

Drop Dead Sexy (Tubi)

The Donner Party (Tubi)

Like Mike (Tubi)

Aimy in a Cage (Tubi)

River’s Edge (DVD - owned)

Crime and Punishment (Tubi)

Charlie's Angels (DVD - owned)

Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (DVD - owned)

Rubin & Ed (DVD - owned)

Simon Says (DVD - owned)

Hot Tub Time Machine (HBO Max)

Freaky Deaky (Tubi)

The People vs. Larry Flynt (Hulu)

Mr. Nice (Tubi)

At Close Range (HBO Max)

What's Eating Gilbert Grape (HBO Max)

Epic Movie (Hulu)

Wild at Heart (DVD - owned)

Alice in Wonderland (Disney+)

Watching:

American Gods (DVD - owned)

To watch:

Little Noises (DVD - owned)

Teachers (DVD)

The Doors (DVD)

Fast Sofa (YouTube/DVD)

Beowulf (Pluto)

The Incident at Loch Ness (Amazon Prime)

Smiley Face Killers (Amazon Prime)

The Bag Man (Amazon Prime)

Hotel Room - Episode: "Blackout" (YouTube)

The Orkly Kid (?)

Where the Heart Is (?)

Why am I doing this? Because I want to!

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To kick things off, and in the order in which I cover this journey on other social media platforms, a rewatch of one of my favorite slasher flicks was in order. Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)! 

If you remember this movie at all, which you should because it is the 2nd best film in the franchise, you may recall the awkward kid who kept talking about being horny, obsessed over his friend calling him a "dead fuck," and danced real wacky in that one scene. Ya know, Jimmy “Jimbo” Mortimer. Yes! That one! That was Crispin Glover alright. 

Though the role is small, his performance in this is just exactly what I’ve come to expect from most, if not all, of Crispin’s performances: oh so memorable. 

I love this performance a lot. Even before I was aware of Crispin Glover, I was enamored with just how strange the character was and how that differed from a lot of the other performances in the Friday the 13th franchise. 

A bit of a fun fact: Crispin has talked about that dance he does and mentions that the song that was played on set during filming was not what ended up being used in the final product of that scene. Apparently, the song used for filming was AC/DC’s “Back in Black.” Cool folks on the internet have attempt to show that off so check this shit out: 

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As part of a double feature with Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, I watched Back to the Future (1985) for the first time. Yes, the first time. I know how shameful for a 28-year-old such as myself. 

I genuinely felt that the best descriptor for the film was "cute". It was cute! It’s one of those movies that I felt like I had really already seen due to how references to it have permeated our culture. 

I can understand why the film is a classic. The way Crispin plays George McFly makes him an incredibly endearing character. I loved the “George-isms” that Crispin created, that carry over from old George to young George. It’s excellent work.

I think Back to the Future is talked about too much, in all honesty, and especially with the whole lawsuit and incredibly harmful shit that happened to Crispin with Back to the Future II, a movie which I straight up refuse to see. 

But yeah, all that aside, Back to the Future was cute and a fun time. 

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Shout out to the free streaming service Tubi, which has been incredible kind to me and provided SO many of the films on my list. 

One of those films is Bartleby (2001). Bartleby is a surrealist, sit-com-style office comedy film adaptation of Herman Melville's short story "Bartleby, the Scrivener". Crispin plays Bartleby, and genuinely ends up having few lines except for, of course, “I would prefer not to” or some iteration of that. 

This film ended up being Supremely My Shit in terms of what I look for in a comedy. 

I LOVED this movie, so much so that I now own it on DVD and plan to show it to everyone. I cannot recommend it enough. 

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Next up, Wizard of Gore (2007). A splatter/noir horror film. This is a remake of the 1970 film of the same name. 

I will say that this film, overall, wasn’t that great. It has some highlights though! For instance, Crispin hams it up as a wacko magician who has an outrageously huge codpiece. And, oh hey! Brad Dourif and Jeffrey Combs are in it! 

As I’ve sat with this one, it’s one where I can say the performance that Crispin gives is the real draw here. He’s absolutely perfect for something so strange and unusual as this. 

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Now, I should back up and take some time to talk about Willard (2003). I have a lot of thoughts, as well as some fun facts. 

This remake of a 1971 film of the same name, which in turn was based off of the Stephen Gilbert novel Ratman’s Notebooks, is a standout so far for the films I've seen Crispin Glover in. I knew going into viewing it that it was well regarded in his filmography. I can understand why! It's incredible. 

It is a horror movie but not in the way that is typical. To me, the horror lies in the treatment of Willard, particularly in the workplace. And then, of course, later the horror continues but more in the form of self-inflicted acclimation of choices made by Willard (if only he were nicer to Ben! Oh, things would’ve been different). I do believe reading the rats as a force of nature as an element of horror is pretty accurate.

Though the part that make this film an instant comfort movie for me/a film that immediately went on my "get to know me movies list" is Crispin's performance and the framing of Willard's abuse in the workplace. I have some pretty bad workplace-related trauma from sustained abuse by past and previous employers. I have to admit to feeling some level of catharsis in relating to the Willard character, as well as viewing him as a kind of hero despite serious pitfalls and gruesome mistakes throughout, including a variety of self-inflicted repression of emotion and being (also I'd say the character is neurodivergent-coded, and thats highly relatable to me). I also think that [spoilers] when he kills his boss with a horde of rats--not for himself, entirely, but for Socrates--I felt that in my core like, yes, it's so much harder to stand up for yourself, even if you can't take more abuse, but it's easier when you have something rally behind or protect or avenge, in this situation. Am I thinking too hard about the contents of a 2003 horror movie? Probably. 

Anyway. The rats are awesome in this film too, as is the performance of R. Lee Ermey. I wish New Line Cinemas let the film be rated R. I feel like more gore and Ermey riffing off strings of cursing would've been nice. Apparently, there was an R-rated version but it is lost now. I've been able to view some of the deleted scenes and I can see where an R-rated version could have been. 

A great aspect of promotional materials for Willard was that Crispin Glover recorded a cover of Michael Jackson's "Ben" (yes, it's about the rat). It's my understanding the original song was recorded for the 1973 sequel to Willard, also titled Ben. Anyway, the music video for Glover's take on "Ben" was also directed by him. It's an absolute treat. Check it out: 

While I have you here, I'd like to let you know that the opening credits of Willard feature imagery from Glover's own published book -- Rat Catching. Rat Catching, published in 1988, is a heavily illustrated piece of visual and textural art built from the 1896 book Studies in the Art of Rat Catching.

Crispin has published other works similar to Rat Catching: Oak Mot (1989), Concrete Inspection (1990), What it is, and How it is Done (1992), and Round My House (2016). In each he rearranges text, blacks out certain standing passages (a la blackout poetry), and adds his own prose and occasionally images into the margins and elsewhere, thus creating an entirely new story. Plus, as is my understanding, a visual feast for the eyes. 

GUESS WHAT THE COOLEST PART ABOUT THESE BOOKS ARE?! You can get em directly from the guy himself! Literally. You can chuck $30-ish + shipping at him directly (metaphorically, of course) and you'll get a book. 

I fully intend to get my hands on at least a few of them... or all of them, ya know, casually. If you also think these books sound rad as fuck, here's the website: crispinglover.com. Do it. Go get an awesome book created by an awesome artist. It's cool to do. 

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On my TV back a few weeks ago was Twister (1989). 

From what I had previously read about the film, it billed as a comedy but in actuality it is more drama. It is an adaptation of the the novel Oh by Mary Robison. 

The film features music by Hans Zimmer, a cameo by William S. Burroughs, and, of course, a late 80s Crispin Glover doing his weird lil thing that I love oh so much. It was... bizarre!! 

I can’t really say if it is good or bad--it just is. I can’t even say if the ending is good or bad, it simply is what it is. Having sat with it for a while, I can appreciate Twister for eliciting emotion. I was pretty fed up with some of the character and confused at their motivations but at least it got me thinking about what was happening and asking the question “what are they doing and why?” That’s important in its own right. 

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Let me just say, I was VERY excited to watch We Have Always Lived in the Castle (2018). I am a huge fan of the original novel, which I read when I was much younger. I remember starting to watch this film when it came to Netflix in 2019 but failing to finish it due to life events (I think we were moving), but I can say now that I have finished watching it! 

I am happy to report that We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a fairly faithful adaptation of the novel, give or take, and was really enjoyable to see. I feel like it is a hard novel to adapt since Merricat is an unreliable narrator and it is all told from her perspective, but I think this film does a solid job illustrating that. 

I'm generally very pleased with the framing of the characters in the adaptation and the performances are great. I don't think anyone else could do Charles except for Sebastian Stan. He's so good at playing a total dick.

On that note, I don't think anyone else could've played Julian Blackwood like Crispin Glover. Comparing to the novel, I had no idea how to really imagine Julian in a lot of instances but seeing this character performed in this way makes SO much more sense to me. Incredible work.

I could probably go on, but I highly recommend checking it out for yourself, especially if you're a fan of the novel! 

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Ohhh Lucky Day (2019)! It was AWESOME. Though, I didn’t keep enough detailed thoughts about it so I apologize for a short and sweet overview of some highlights. 

I swear to god this film must've flown under the radar when it came out because I hadn't heard of it until recently (but I distinctly remember seeing showtimes for it back when it came out). 

It was a damn good time. Crispin plays a contract killer of sorts who has the most over-the-top French accent (despite not being French at all) and every scene he's in is golden. His serious demeanor for some of the more ridiculous scenes just works and brought a big stupid grin to my face.  

I’ve seen this film twice now it’s just a masterfully done action/comedy/drama--and yes, it really does blend the genres so well. 

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Before I take a break from letting this live in my drafts, I want to talk about a big one for me: Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, Episode 5: “Pickman's Model”. The one that started this journey. And I know, I'm so utterly late to the party! I live in my own lil horror-themed film bubble most of the time until I find some performances I enjoy and really gnaw on, for lack of a better word. So this kicked it off entirely.

The whole show is a standout for me. I enjoyed every single episode and every story. I think the most technically scary was “Lot 36″ and the most relatable to me in the way it is framed is “The Outside”. Upon my first watch of the show, I just knew I'd be head over heels for the “Pickman’s Model” retelling. It's my favorite Lovecraft story, and I just love that integration of tangible art and eldritch horror. It's just the best. 

I feel that the adaptation is very strong, and a great depiction of a more modern Lovecraft despite the setting and time period. I loved all the lil reference drops to other works in the Cthulhu Mythos throughout as well -- such a nice touch. 

I felt the relationship that Thurber and Pickman have is so utterly bizarre and my own explanation for why there is a draw there is that "the darkness" itself as described and felt by both character acts as an allegory for queerness. I might be um biased, being a queer person and all, but that's just me. I think it's also valid to interpret the whole relationship as like human curiosity--like hell yeah I'd also be fascinated by this guy's art, if not also a bit frightened! So the draw is simply explained that way... if you so choose. Lots of ways to go on that end of things, and that's rad. 

There is such a a genuine level of depth and understanding of character in the way Crispin plays Pickman. I swear there's not even that much depth in the original Lovecraft story! It's just all on this adaptation, the director, and his performance. It's outstanding, and he really steals the show (and my heart) in this one particularly.  

A lot of folks, and I mean A LOT, didn't seem to appreciate the the truly old-timey Bostonian accent. I see ya’ll out there. C'mon, he worked with THE Erik Singer for that accent to sounds as true-to-time-period as possible -- at least respect it but I find it fascinating how that, being as normal for that setting as it is, given an extra level of strangeness to Pickman as a character (namely because nobody else is doing that, give or take. There are some Massachusetts accents here and there from other characters but there's not really the same level of commitment). 

Also, I thought the way they did Pickman's sketchbook up as a multi-media and textural kinda piece in and of itself was a nice touch -- felt like that was purposely laid out specifically with Crispin in mind to play off the works he creates. Not quite, of course, but I think that's neat and how I’m choosing to read into it. 

[gaargoyle]

Honestly, I have no clue what's going to happen with the inevitable newbie boom that will come from the Fa//out show on Amazon or whatever. Like, the depths of the Fa//out fandom as it is now.... the discourse, the arguments, the lore, the retcons, it is massive, it is all-consuming, people that debate and talk about Fa//out are unbelievably obscure and pedantic and on a whole other league from any franchise that I know of. (I've been apart of it so I'm aware)

With the W//itcher show on Netflix, this was different, because the source material is the book, it exists outside the realm of both the show and the game. You could comfortably enjoy any of them on their own and be satisfied.

But if anyone wants to learn about Fa//out, you have to know about the games because that's all there is. I don't think it will really be possible to just enjoy the show and ignore everything else if they truly wanted to get into it all.

The new guys are gonna come in wanting to talk about the show and they will find arguments over gun designs, power armor models, failed loot table generation that causes lore issues, technology retcon discourse, faction retcon discourse, attempts to make sense of fucked up timelines, an Eastern European modding community that has existed as long as the franchise, etc ad infinitum because this has been going on for over 20 years now. I am not at all kidding when I say these people probably won't know what's going on at all. Not newbie friendly, especially not coming from the medium of TV.

Someone's going to ask which game they should start with so they can get more into the franchise. And then they will die.

[crof-fwf]

The future of RWBY... ?

With only 20 years in production, the company "Rooster Teeth" closes its doors on March 6, 2024, being closed by Warner due to the low profitability that Rooster Teeth has generated during these last few months. Failed projects, problems with the culture and work environment of some workers and possibly marketing decisions that did not give the expected results ended up being the cultivation of what would be the imminent fall of the company. Being until the date of March 6 in which made known through various articles.

And given the numerous articles that have been circulating about the news, it is estimated that Warner Bros. Discovery will be in charge of selling the IPs, with RWBY being the most prominent series and even the one with the most concern about its direction within all the IPs of RT. This would not only be a very hard blow not only for the team behind the series (CRWBY) and workers in general but it would also result in a shock to the fandom that has been following the series for the span of 10 years. However, the rwby fandom has been speculating about the possible candidates among which have been mentioned:

A24

Netflix

Amazon

CrunchyRoll

Meanwhile, in addition to questions about the management of the series, this can also give rise to "under conditions" support where different "sectors" of the fandom support some of the candidates as long as they stick to their ideas; either for ideas that the CRWBY did not reach or could not yet fulfill, those interests being from both sides of the coin (Radical Shippers and Haters)

However, on that same day at night a new candidate spoke out: DillonGoo Which has expressed his interest in acquiring the IP of the series, in addition to remembering his professional work where he has come to animate the series since its inception. However, he ended up provoking a fiery debate: Whether to keep the original plot or reboot it. And also that the fandom discovered the association of Shane Newville and "DillonGoo Studios". Remembering, Shane came to prominence for being the creator of the letter: "An Open Letter to All Who Treasured Monty Oum." So now it could be said that the fandom has Dillon as one of the most esteemed candidates, but also in its sights since many fear the changes he could make or the elimination of already established elements, added to the degree in that Shane would be involved. As it would also fall within this category of "Conditioned Support" only that Dillon will have it more complicated given that the minimal changes that he makes would be reason enough for the fandom to go against him. So the fate of RWBY will not only remain ambiguous but also waiting to hear more news about more candidates or the possible confirmation of a new owner of the IP.

[programmatic-marketing-hub]

OTT Advertising vs. CTV Advertising: Which One Is Best for Your Brand?

Image Source: FreeImages

Let's dive into every section to gain a complete know-how of OTT marketing vs. CTV marketing.

1. Understanding OTT Advertising

OTT, which stands for Over-the-Top, refers back to the shipping of video content over the net, bypassing conventional distribution channels including cable or satellite TV for PC carriers. OTT services allow viewers to circulate their favorite TV shows, films, and other video content material on diverse gadgets, including smartphones, capsules, computers, and clever TVs. Examples of popular OTT systems encompass Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.

2. Exploring CTV Advertising

Connected TV, or CTV, refers back to the gadgets on which visitors get admission to and eat OTT content. These gadgets consist of smart TVs, streaming sticks (which include Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV), gaming consoles (like Xbox or PlayStation), and set-top containers with net connectivity. CTV devices enable viewers to circulate OTT content without delay on their TV monitors, providing a more immersive and traditional TV-like reveal.

3. The Evolution of OTT and CTV

The upward thrust of OTT and CTV can be attributed to several factors. With the growing availability of excessive-pace net and the proliferation of net-linked gadgets, viewers have more options and versatility in how they devour video content material. The comfort of on-call for streaming and the potential to customize viewing stories have driven the recognition of OTT and CTV.

4. The Growing Popularity of OTT and CTV

The growth of OTT and CTV has been extremely good in recent years. According to Nielsen, streaming accounted for 34.8% of general TV consumption, surpassing cable and broadcast TV for the first time. This shift in viewership behavior has caught the eye of advertisers, who are now trying to leverage OTT and CTV systems to reach their target audiences.

5. Advantages of OTT Advertising

OTT advertising offers several blessings for entrepreneurs. Firstly, it affords the right of entry to a huge and numerous target market, as OTT systems have a worldwide reach and cater to various demographics. Secondly, OTT lets in for superior targeting abilities, allowing advertisers to supply customized and relevant advertisements to unique audiences. Additionally, OTT advertising and marketing provides a brand-safe environment for ad placements, making sure that commercials are displayed in a top-rate and trustworthy context.

6. Advantages of CTV Advertising

CTV advertising and marketing, however, give unique blessings to entrepreneurs. One of the important blessings of CTV is the capability to reach viewers at the large display, offering an extra immersive and attractive viewing experience. CTV advertisements are normally non-skippable, ensuring excessive completion fees and expanded logo exposure. CTV additionally lets in for more innovative advert formats, inclusive of interactive and dynamic commercials, that may decorate logo messaging and pressure higher engagement.

7. Challenges in OTT and CTV Advertising

While OTT and CTV advertising presents several possibilities, there are also demanding situations that entrepreneurs need to navigate. One of the principal challenges is the fragmented nature of the OTT and CTV ecosystem, with more than one structure, devices, and content material vendors. This fragmentation makes it crucial for advertisers to have a strategic approach to reach their audience successfully. Additionally, measuring the impact and return on funding (ROI) of OTT and CTV advertising and marketing may be hard because of the shortage of standardized measurement metrics.

8. Targeting Capabilities in OTT and CTV

Both OTT and CTV marketing offer superior targeting talents, allowing advertisers to supply greater customized and applicable ads to their audiences. OTT marketing permits concentrate primarily on different factors, which include demographics, pastimes, and viewing conduct. CTV advertising, in particular, offers the opportunity to target audiences on a massive screen, handing over ads directly to viewers' living rooms. This unique concentration guarantees that advertisements are proven to the proper humans at the right time.

9. Effective Ad Formats in OTT and CTV

When it comes to ad formats, both OTT and CTV marketing offer flexibility and creativity. OTT platforms typically aid various ad formats, along with pre-roll, mid-roll, and submit-roll commercials, similar to conventional TV classified ads. CTV, however, provides additional possibilities for interactive and dynamic ad formats, allowing for more engaging and interactive studies. These ad codecs can encompass overlays, interactive factors, and clickable calls to action, improving the viewer's engagement with the content.

10. Measuring Success in OTT and CTV Advertising

Measuring the fulfillment of OTT and CTV advertising campaigns requires a combination of conventional and digital dimension approaches. Advertisers can track metrics along with reach, frequency, completion quotes, click-thru rates, and conversions to evaluate the effectiveness of their campaigns. Additionally, leveraging superior size technologies, together with attribution fashions and pass-tool tracking, can provide deeper insights into the impact of OTT and CTV advertising on client conduct and conversions.

11. Choosing Between OTT and CTV Advertising

When deciding between OTT and CTV advertising and marketing, it's essential to recollect your marketing campaign goals, target audience, and available sources. OTT advertising gives a broader reach and the capability to target visitors across more than one device, making it appropriate for achieving a diverse audience. CTV advertising and marketing, alternatively, presents a greater immersive and engaging enjoyment on the large screen, making it perfect for logo cognizance and effect-driven campaigns. Ultimately, the selection between OTT and CTV will depend upon your unique dreams and target market.

12. Integrating OTT and CTV Advertising into Your Strategy

To efficaciously integrate OTT and CTV advertising into your marketing approach, it is crucial to not forget the subsequent steps:

Identify your target market: Understand your audience's demographics, hobbies, and viewing conduct to create powerful strategies.

Craft compelling advert creatives: Develop enticing and relevant ad creatives that resonate with your audience and align with the precise context of OTT and CTV structures.

Leverage advanced targeting competencies: Use the superior focus on capabilities supplied by OTT and CTV systems to deliver personalized and applicable commercials to your target audience.

Measure and optimize: Continuously display the performance of your OTT and CTV campaigns, examine the facts, and make data-driven optimizations to enhance your campaign effectiveness.

Consider go-channel integration: Integrate OTT and CTV advertising with different digital marketing channels, along with social media and search advertising, to create a cohesive and complete advertising method.

In the end, both OTT and CTV advertising present precise opportunities for entrepreneurs to attain their goal audiences in a greater personalized and engaging way. By knowing the differences between the 2 and leveraging their respective advantages, advertisers can create impactful campaigns that drive brand attention, engagement, and conversions. With the evolving digital landscape, incorporating OTT and CTV marketing into your advertising method is vital to stay ahead of the opposition and connect to your audience in a significant way.

[Additional Information: 9Media Online is one of the best Programmatic Advertising where you will get the best OTT and CTV advertising services]

[shitpostingkats]

Hey Op, question where have you been catching up on Yugioh, what services I mean. I'm just curious, i'd like to rewatch all of the seasons. Also, I'm currently fact-checking to see if one free website I've found has all of the episodes.

God I wish I had a shorter answer to give.

I think so far I've used...... *counts on fingers* five (or more) different sites to watch yugioh?

I started the first series back in February, during a 3am doomscroll of netflix. I watched as much as netflix had (The first season of DM), and transitioned to watching it on the official yugioh site. Now, a couple years back, they put every (dubbed) show up on their site for free. Here's the other thing. The embedded video player is not very good. It randomly mutes itself, if you open another tab the whole thing times out and you have to reload, and most episodes are stuck at a quality of 360p.

But, I watched all of DM that way. After that, I started watching GX on youtube, again, through the official channel. And also again, that only took me up to the start of the second season. I found the rest of the GX dub on Amazon Prime, though even with a subscription, it came with ads.

5Ds is also on prime, this time without ads. Because they're both uncompleted dubs, I had to finish watching both those shows through crunchyroll, which has the official subs.

Unfortunately, just as I was finishing up 5Ds, Crunchyroll pulled all their yugioh library and made it available only on premium. For the last ten or so episodes, I had to search through some,,,, let's say "non-commercial" streaming sites. And I remember it was a pain to even find the unaired episodes, so thank god I even managed to finish that show.

I was watching Zexal through prime until yesterday, when they randomly made it part of a library of kids tv that requires a second subscription fee. Needless to say, that ain't happening. For now! I've pivoted to watching Zexal on youtube.

[diet-poison]

This is mostly already here in the US, shows I've watched two or three times ad-less are now all under "Watch With Ads"

HOWEVER. At least for right now (youtube is real fucked but hopefully ublock will catch up), if you watch Hulu and Amazon "With Ads" with ublock origin and adblock plus both installed in Firefox (I think you only need UbO but I have both cause I dunno what I'm doooiiing) it blocks all the ads!! There might be a stuttering moment of black when they want to run the ad and it can't, and a few months back Hulu got real fucked out when they tried to do some stuff to get around adblockers (long story), but a couple days later it was back to normal.

TLDR: -Firefox (I had some problems with Chrome/Hulu a while back) -Ublock Origin & Adblock Plus -Blocks the ads on Hulu and Amazon confirmed (11/28/2023) -I don't know about Netflix cause I pay their accursed fee

Source

Source

[moviesjoystudio]

Why is MoviesJoy Not Working?

MoviesJoy, once a popular platform for streaming free movies and TV shows, is now frequently inaccessible or malfunctioning. For many users, the question of "Why is MoviesJoy not working?" has become common, as the site has experienced a series of issues that have affected its reliability. Here's an exploration of the key reasons behind the problems with MoviesJoy.

1. Legal Challenges and Shutdowns

One of the main reasons why MoviesJoy is not working anymore is due to legal actions taken against the platform. As a free streaming service offering pirated content, MoviesJoy operated in a legal gray area, constantly facing pressure from copyright holders, production studios, and governments. These legal challenges led to the site being taken down multiple times.

In many cases, MoviesJoy was forced to change its domain and rebrand itself in an attempt to evade authorities. However, these tactics were only temporary solutions. As copyright enforcers and legal authorities cracked down harder on piracy, MoviesJoy could no longer sustain its operations under its original domains.

Thus, if MoviesJoy isn’t working or keeps disappearing, it’s likely due to legal pressure or shutdowns from regulatory bodies aiming to stop illegal streaming activities.

2. Domain Changes and Technical Issues

MoviesJoy often switched to new domains or URLs to circumvent takedown requests, but this tactic made it difficult for users to reliably access the site. With every domain change, users had to track down the new link, and many ended up frustrated by the constant shifts. Even when users found a working domain, the site frequently suffered from technical issues.

These issues included:

Slow Loading Times: The site would often take too long to load, making it difficult for users to stream content smoothly.

Broken Links: Users frequently found that many movie or TV show links no longer worked or redirected to unrelated pages.

Inconsistent User Experience: The interface was not always functional, and movies sometimes failed to load properly, leaving users with a frustrating experience.

Because the infrastructure of MoviesJoy was minimal and unregulated, these technical failures were common.

3. Malware and Pop-Up Ads

Another reason for MoviesJoy’s instability was its reliance on aggressive ads and pop-ups, which often disrupted the user experience. These ads were not only irritating but also potentially harmful. The site frequently displayed pop-up windows that led to malicious software, posing risks to users’ devices and security.

Many users complained about being redirected to suspicious websites or having their devices infected with malware. This problem was a major deterrent for people who simply wanted to watch movies or shows without encountering constant ads or security threats.

Because of these issues, MoviesJoy became increasingly unreliable, and users started seeking safer, more stable alternatives to watch their favorite content.

4. Increased Competition and Declining User Base

As MoviesJoy continued to face legal and technical problems, the overall user experience suffered. With more streaming platforms emerging, both paid and free, users found that there were better, safer options available. Legal streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu offered a far superior experience in terms of quality, security, and content variety.

While MoviesJoy attracted users seeking free content, it couldn’t compete with the reliability of these legitimate platforms. As a result, MoviesJoy’s user base declined, and its ability to stay relevant in the market diminished.

5. Piracy Crackdowns on Streaming Websites

Piracy has become an increasingly serious issue for streaming platforms. As movie studios and content distributors invest more in anti-piracy measures, websites like MoviesJoy have become prime targets. MoviesJoy has been repeatedly taken down due to piracy-related actions, with many copyright holders requesting takedowns of content hosted on the site.

With enforcement on illegal streaming websites growing tighter, it’s highly likely that MoviesJoy’s closure is due to persistent pressure from copyright holders and law enforcement agencies.

6. Shifting to New Platforms or Rebranding

In some cases, MoviesJoy may not be gone entirely but rather rebranded or migrated to different domains under different names. Several similar websites that were once affiliated with MoviesJoy or shared its layout and content have popped up in its place. These sites often operate in much the same way as MoviesJoy, offering free access to pirated content with similar risks and legal issues.

If you're still encountering issues with MoviesJoy, it's possible that the site has either changed its domain again or has been rebranded as something else. Users may find new names popping up, but these sites may face similar operational problems, including legal takedowns and poor service.

7. What Can Users Do?

If you're trying to access MoviesJoy but it's not working, the most straightforward solution is to look for other legal streaming alternatives. Subscription services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video offer vast libraries of movies and TV shows without the risks of using unreliable, pirated sites.

For those looking for free content, there are also legal options available, such as Crackle, Tubi, and Pluto TV, which provide free ad-supported streaming. While the selection may not be as extensive as that of paid platforms, these sites are legal, safe, and offer a good selection of movies and TV shows.

Conclusion

In summary, MoviesJoy is not working primarily due to legal pressures, constant domain changes, technical issues, and competition from legitimate streaming services. Users who continue to seek free streaming should be aware of the risks associated with pirated content and consider turning to legal platforms for a safer and more reliable viewing experience.

[bhavnish]

The Impact of Streaming Services on Traditional Media

In the last decade, streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video have completely transformed the entertainment landscape. These platforms have become go-to sources for everything from TV shows and movies to documentaries and live sports, shaking the foundations of traditional media like cable TV, broadcast networks, and physical media sales. The shift from traditional media to streaming is not just a passing trend—it represents a fundamental change in how we consume content, how it's produced, and the entire business model that powers the media industry.

1. The Shift in Consumer Behavior: On-Demand Content Over Scheduled Programming

One of the most significant changes streaming has brought about is the shift in consumer behavior. In the past, television viewing was dictated by scheduled programming—viewers had to tune in at specific times to watch their favorite shows, often with little flexibility. Cable TV offered hundreds of channels, but you still had to navigate through commercials and follow the program’s timeline.

A. Binge-Watching Culture Streaming services introduced on-demand content, allowing users to watch entire seasons or even entire series at their own pace. This shift gave rise to the "binge-watching" culture, where viewers can watch multiple episodes in one sitting without the interruption of commercials or waiting for next week's episode. Netflix, in particular, is credited with popularizing this trend by releasing entire seasons at once, allowing for seamless and immediate viewing.

B. Convenience and Flexibility Unlike traditional TV, which often requires a cable subscription or satellite dish, streaming services are accessible anywhere with an internet connection, and on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs. Consumers now have the flexibility to watch content when and where they want, without the restrictions of geographic location or rigid broadcast schedules.

2. Changing Business Models: Subscription vs. Advertising

Traditional media has long relied on advertising revenue to sustain its business model, particularly for TV channels. Ad-supported content is ubiquitous on cable networks, where advertisers pay large sums to reach a captive audience. However, the rise of streaming services has introduced new ways of monetizing content, primarily through subscription models.

A. Subscription-Based Services Platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video operate primarily on a subscription-based model, where users pay a monthly fee to access their content. This model allows streaming services to offer ad-free viewing experiences, giving subscribers more control over what they watch and when they watch it. While this model generates substantial revenue for streaming giants, it has also put pressure on traditional media companies to rethink their business strategies.

B. The Advent of Ad-Supported Streaming In response to growing competition and the need to diversify revenue streams, some streaming services are now introducing ad-supported tiers. Platforms like Netflix and Disney+ have launched lower-cost subscription options that include ads, trying to combine the best of both worlds: affordable content for viewers and ad revenue for the companies. This hybrid approach is challenging the traditional notion that subscription services must be ad-free.

3. Impact on Content Creation: A New Era of Original Programming

Streaming services have also dramatically shifted the way content is produced. In the past, traditional media relied on a few major networks and studios to create and distribute content. These networks were often risk-averse, sticking to proven formats and genres that could attract large, broad audiences. Streaming platforms, however, have redefined what content can be and how it’s made.

A. A Surge in Original Content One of the key ways streaming services have disrupted traditional media is by investing heavily in original content. Netflix, for example, has developed a huge library of original series, films, and documentaries, including hits like Stranger Things, The Crown, and The Witcher. This not only attracted new subscribers but also created a shift in how we think about TV and film production. Streaming services are now driving the production of diverse and innovative content, often breaking away from traditional industry norms.

B. Global Reach and Niche Content Unlike traditional media, which is often limited to specific regional markets or broadcast standards, streaming platforms provide global reach. A show produced in one country can be instantly available to viewers around the world. Platforms like Netflix have embraced international content with shows like Money Heist (Spain) and Dark (Germany), which have garnered massive global followings. Furthermore, streaming services are creating room for niche content that might not have had a space on mainstream TV, catering to specialized tastes and interests.

4. Challenges for Traditional Media: Declining Viewership and Ad Revenues

The rise of streaming has caused significant disruptions for traditional media companies. Cable TV subscriptions have been on a steady decline, a phenomenon known as "cord-cutting," as more consumers opt for cheaper and more flexible streaming options.

A. Declining Cable Subscriptions The most noticeable impact of streaming on traditional media is the decline in cable TV subscriptions. As more people cut the cord and switch to streaming services, cable companies have been forced to adjust. Some have launched their own streaming platforms or partnered with existing ones, but the overall trend of declining viewership and lost advertising revenue is undeniable.

B. The End of Traditional TV Networks? For decades, broadcast and cable TV networks were the dominant sources of entertainment. However, streaming services have forced traditional networks to adapt or risk becoming irrelevant. Companies like NBCUniversal, Fox, and CBS have launched their own streaming services—Peacock, Hulu (now partly owned by Disney), and Paramount+—in an effort to keep up with the demand for on-demand, ad-free content. Even legacy networks that once relied heavily on advertising revenue are now facing increased pressure to pivot.

5. The Future of Media: Hybrid Models and Convergence

The future of the media landscape is still evolving, and the battle between streaming services and traditional media is far from over. While streaming services are dominating the content space, traditional media has deep roots and a broad reach that streaming platforms still need to contend with.

A. The Rise of Hybrid Models We are likely to see more hybrid models emerge, where traditional media companies combine their broadcast channels with streaming services to offer more flexible viewing options. This could involve live sports broadcasts, news, and exclusive events being streamed alongside more traditional TV fare. Additionally, the proliferation of streaming services might lead to content bundles, where users subscribe to multiple services at once for a discounted price.

B. Integration of Traditional and Streaming Content There is also a growing trend of traditional media companies and streaming platforms working together. For example, Disney owns both traditional TV networks like ABC and cable channels like ESPN, along with the streaming platform Disney+. Similarly, Amazon has begun broadcasting live sports through Prime Video, a direct challenge to traditional sports broadcasters.

Conclusion

Streaming services have fundamentally reshaped the media landscape, altering how we consume content and how it’s created. Traditional media, from cable TV to physical DVDs, has had to adapt to the rise of on-demand, subscription-based entertainment. As more consumers turn to streaming for its convenience, personalization, and cost-effectiveness, traditional media faces both challenges and opportunities to evolve. Whether through hybrid models or direct partnerships, the future of media will likely see the convergence of traditional broadcast powerhouses and digital streaming giants, creating a diverse and dynamic ecosystem that continues to reshape our entertainment experience.

[hadeedseo]

Exploring the Benefits of DVRs for Home Entertainment

A DVR (Digital Video Recorder) is an essential device for modern home entertainment, allowing users to record TV shows, movies, and sporting events to watch at their convenience. With technological advancements, DVRs have become a staple for cord-cutters and traditional TV viewers alike, providing a versatile and user-friendly experience. This article explores the many benefits of DVRs, how they work, and why they are a great addition to any home entertainment system.

What is a DVR and How Does it Work?

A DVR is a device that records television programs, movies, and other content from broadcast TV signals onto a hard drive. This allows viewers to watch content later, pause live TV, and even fast-forward through commercials. DVRs are often used in conjunction with cable or satellite services, but some models also support over-the-air broadcasts. The recorded content is stored digitally, which eliminates the need for physical media like VHS tapes or DVDs.

Advantages of Using DVRs for TV Recording

DVRs offer a variety of advantages that enhance the viewing experience. The most significant benefit is the ability to record multiple programs simultaneously. Whether you’re recording different channels or programs that overlap in time, a DVR can accommodate these needs. Additionally, many DVRs offer high-definition recording capabilities, ensuring that recorded shows are of the best possible quality.

DVRs and Time-Shifting Technology

One of the most appealing features of DVRs is their time-shifting technology. This allows viewers to watch content on their own schedule, freeing them from the constraints of TV networks’ airing times. Whether it’s skipping through commercials or pausing a show to handle an interruption, DVRs offer ultimate control over when and how content is consumed.

Why DVRs Are Ideal for Sports Fans

For sports enthusiasts, DVRs offer a significant advantage. Fans can record live sporting events and re-watch them later without worrying about missing any action. Many DVRs also allow users to fast-forward through unimportant moments or commercials, ensuring they get straight to the action. This is perfect for catching up on games after a busy day or for watching replays of key moments.

Storage Capacity in DVRs: What to Expect

When purchasing a DVR, one of the most important factors to consider is storage capacity. The storage available determines how much content can be saved. Most DVRs range from 500GB to 2TB of storage, with larger capacities allowing for more recordings. High-storage DVRs can hold hundreds of hours of content, providing ample space for your entire collection of favorite shows and movies.

DVRs with Streaming Capabilities

In addition to traditional recording features, some DVRs now include streaming capabilities. These devices can stream content from services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime directly to your TV. This added functionality makes DVRs a versatile option for users who want both traditional TV recordings and streaming services in one device.

Compatibility with Over-the-Air Antennas

DVRs are also compatible with over-the-air (OTA) antennas, making them an excellent choice for cord-cutters. By connecting a DVR to an OTA antenna, users can record free broadcast channels without the need for cable or satellite subscriptions. This is a cost-effective solution for those who want to enjoy local news, sports, and other programs without paying for a full cable package.

How to Choose the Right DVR for Your Needs

When shopping for a DVR, consider factors such as the number of tuners, storage capacity, and additional features like streaming and connectivity. Some DVRs are designed for single users, while others are equipped with multiple tuners to allow recording of several channels at once. Choose a model that suits your household’s viewing habits and storage requirements.

DVRs and Smart TV Integration

Today’s DVRs are often designed to work seamlessly with smart TVs. This integration allows users to control the DVR using voice commands or remote apps. Many DVRs also allow for remote access, meaning you can schedule recordings, manage content, and watch shows from any internet-connected device, whether you’re at home or on the go.

Setting Up a DVR: A Step-by-Step Guide

Setting up a DVR is usually a simple process. Most models come with detailed instructions, and the setup is as easy as connecting cables, syncing with your TV or antenna, and configuring settings. After the initial setup, you can start recording your favorite shows and managing storage in no time. However, some users may prefer professional installation for more complex setups, such as those involving multiple devices or complex antenna configurations.

Common Issues with DVRs and How to Resolve Them

Like any piece of technology, DVRs can sometimes experience issues. Common problems include recordings that fail to save, storage running out, or difficulty tuning channels. These issues can typically be resolved by checking the settings, ensuring proper connectivity, or performing a software update. Most DVRs also offer troubleshooting guides that can help users fix problems quickly.

Maximizing the Use of Your DVR

To get the most out of your DVR, it’s important to learn about all the available features. Many DVRs offer customizable settings, such as creating a watchlist, setting up series recordings, and prioritizing storage space. By taking advantage of these features, users can streamline their viewing experience and ensure that they never miss an episode of their favorite shows.

Can I watch live TV while recording with a DVR?

Yes, many DVRs allow users to watch live TV while simultaneously recording a different program. This is especially useful when you have multiple shows scheduled at the same time. Some DVRs may limit the number of recordings that can occur simultaneously, so it’s important to check the number of tuners available on the device.

Can I access my DVR recordings from multiple devices?

Yes, most modern DVRs allow remote access. You can watch your recorded content from various devices, including smartphones, tablets, or other smart TVs. This is a great way to access your content when you are away from home.

Do DVRs support HD recording?

Yes, most modern DVRs support HD recording. This means that the content you record will be in high-definition quality, provided the original broadcast is also in HD. If you have a high-definition TV, you can enjoy recorded content with stunning clarity.

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AI-Driven Marketing: The Future of Smart Marketing for Businesses

Welcome to the era of AI-Driven Marketing, where data meets intelligence to revolutionize the way brands connect with audiences. Gone are the days of guessing what customers might like; today, marketers use advanced algorithms to drive targeted campaigns that feel personal and are incredibly effective. If you’re looking to get ahead in digital marketing, understanding how AI can boost your marketing strategy is essential. Let’s dive into the power of AI-Driven Marketing and explore how it’s shaping the future.

What Exactly is AI-Driven Marketing?

At its core, AI-Driven Marketing uses artificial intelligence to make more efficient, precise, and personalized decisions. By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI can predict customer behavior, optimize ad spend, and automate time-consuming tasks like customer segmentation and content creation. This technology allows brands to reach the right person with the right message at the perfect time, improving both engagement and ROI.

Why AI-Driven Marketing Matters for Your Business

Every business, regardless of its size, can benefit from AI in marketing. Here are a few compelling reasons why AI-Driven Marketing is becoming a must-have tool for growth:

Increased Efficiency: AI saves time by handling repetitive tasks, letting your team focus on creativity and strategy.

Enhanced Personalization: By analyzing individual customer data, AI can create highly personalized experiences, making customers feel valued.

Improved Decision Making: AI uses real-time data to help you make better decisions faster, whether it’s deciding which products to promote or which customers to target.

Higher ROI: With better targeting, automation, and insights, AI makes your marketing efforts more effective, boosting return on investment.

Key Trends in AI-Driven Marketing You Should Know

To make the most out of AI-Driven Marketing, staying updated on key trends can make a significant difference. Here are some AI trends in marketing that are shaping the industry:

1. Predictive Analytics

Predictive analytics is a game-changer in marketing, using historical data to predict future outcomes. Whether it’s estimating how customers will respond to an email campaign or forecasting sales, predictive analytics can significantly improve decision-making. With AI, marketers can gain insights into customer lifetime value, churn rate, and even identify cross-selling opportunities.

2. Chatbots and Conversational AI

AI-powered chatbots provide instant responses to customer queries, helping businesses enhance their customer support without expanding their team. Chatbots are becoming more sophisticated and are now able to handle complex queries, making them invaluable for enhancing customer engagement. A chatbot can provide personalized recommendations, answer FAQs, or even assist customers through the purchasing process.

3. Personalized Content Recommendations

Using AI to generate personalized content is one of the most effective ways to engage customers. Platforms like Netflix and Amazon have set the standard by showing customers only the content that’s relevant to them. For marketers, AI-powered content recommendations mean that your website visitors are seeing content, products, or services that resonate with their preferences, increasing the chances of conversion.

4. Image and Voice Recognition

Image and voice recognition have transformed search marketing. Through voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant, consumers can search and shop hands-free. Meanwhile, image recognition helps brands identify product trends and customer preferences based on images. For instance, fashion brands can use visual search tools to allow customers to find similar products simply by uploading an image.

5. Dynamic Pricing

Dynamic pricing is another area where AI is incredibly useful. Based on factors like demand, competitor prices, and user behavior, AI can adjust prices to maximize sales and profits. This is commonly used in the travel and hospitality industries, but businesses across sectors are finding value in real-time pricing optimization.

How to Implement AI-Driven Marketing in Your Strategy

Embracing AI-Driven Marketing doesn’t require you to be a tech expert. Here’s a practical guide on incorporating AI into your marketing strategy:

Step 1: Identify Your Goals

The first step is to outline your marketing goals. Are you looking to increase customer engagement, boost conversions, or improve lead generation? By identifying your goals, you can focus your AI efforts in areas that will yield the highest ROI.

Step 2: Gather and Analyze Data

Data is at the heart of AI-Driven Marketing. Whether it’s customer data from your CRM, social media analytics, or purchase history, the more data you have, the better AI can work for you. Use tools that integrate with your existing systems and provide clean, actionable data.

Step 3: Choose the Right AI Tools

Numerous AI tools cater to different aspects of marketing. Platforms like HubSpot and Salesforce offer AI-driven solutions for customer segmentation, lead scoring, and predictive analytics. Other tools, like Google Analytics 4 and Hotjar, provide insights into user behavior, helping you optimize your content and website.

Step 4: Test and Optimize

AI isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it solution. Continuously monitor and evaluate your AI-driven campaigns. Use A/B testing to refine your approaches, and don’t be afraid to make adjustments based on new data insights.

Step 5: Emphasize Human Oversight

While AI is powerful, human oversight is essential. AI can provide insights and recommendations, but it’s up to your marketing team to add the creative touch and align these strategies with your brand’s unique voice.

Benefits of AI-Driven Marketing for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are often limited by resources, but AI-Driven Marketing can level the playing field by offering sophisticated tools that don’t require a massive budget.

Cost Efficiency: Automating tasks like email marketing and social media scheduling can save money and reduce the need for large teams.

Scalability: AI tools are easily scalable, meaning they grow with your business. You can start small and add more features as your business expands.

Competitive Edge: By leveraging AI, small businesses can stay competitive in a fast-changing market, capturing more market share with targeted, personalized campaigns.

Overcoming Challenges in AI-Driven Marketing

Implementing AI in marketing comes with challenges. Here are some common hurdles and how to overcome them:

Data Privacy: Respecting customer privacy is essential. Use AI responsibly, ensuring compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations.

Complexity: AI tools can be complex, so start with simple applications and gradually expand. Many platforms offer tutorials and customer support to help you get started.

Cost of Implementation: AI tools can be an investment. Begin with affordable or free options, and as you see results, consider investing in advanced tools.

AI-Driven Marketing: The Future is Here

From predictive analytics to conversational AI, the future of marketing is here, and it’s powered by artificial intelligence. As AI continues to evolve, it will further enhance the way businesses connect with their audiences, making marketing more precise, efficient, and effective. Adopting AI-Driven Marketing today is not just a choice but a strategic necessity for any brand that wants to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Start Your Journey with AI-Driven Marketing

The journey to implementing AI-Driven Marketing doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right tools, a clear plan, and an openness to innovation, any business can harness the power of AI to drive growth, boost engagement, and achieve remarkable results. Dive into this exciting field and position your brand for future success.