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Five for Friday: Lesser known streaming services

Five streaming services that provide an alternative to choices like Netflix or Disney Plus
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As winter sets in, it is the ideal time to sit back, relax, and binge your favourite TV shows and films. As cord cutting becomes more popular with Canadians, there are more streaming services available (although keeping track of which shows are available on which platform can be tricky). While the heavy hitters like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime all have plenty of viewing options, there are lots of other streaming services to keep you occupied.

This week, we take a look at five lesser known streaming services.

Britbox

This is a great option for anyone who loves British television. Britbox has popular comedies like Are You Being Served? and Fawlty Towers, along with classic episodes of Dr. Who and mysteries featuring famous sleuths like Poirot and Miss Marple. There is a ton of content to explore. You can enjoy a free seven day trial to get started. The service costs $8.99/month.

You can watch Britbox on the web, via smartphones/tablets, through Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, or Samsung smart TVs. An official app is available.

Kanopy/Hoopla

Both of these services are available for free from the Moose Jaw Public Library.

Hoopla gives you access to movies, TV shows, music, audio books, ebooks, and even graphic novels. You can borrow up to five items per month. The length of the loan period will depend on the type of material borrowed. 

Kanopy offers movies, documentaries, and plenty of educational content. It also has a separate area for kids.

Both are available through your smartphone or tablet, your computer, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, or Apple TV. Official apps are available. All you need to gain access to either service is your library card.

(Note: Kanopy is available to Moose Jaw Public Library patrons, but not to other patrons within the Palliser Regional Library. Hoopla is available to both.)

Mubi

Looking for something a bit more sophisticated? Try Mubi. The great thing about this service is a new film is added daily (another is removed daily, ensuring there are always 30 films to watch). All selections are curated and hand picked by a group of experts, so you are only going to get the best. Films encompass a variety of genres, including award winners, cult classics, and plenty of foreign films. A subscription costs just $9.99/month and you can even try it for seven days for free. This is a great service for true cinephiles.

Watch through your computer, tablet/smartphone, smart TV, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, or Chromecast. An official app is available.

Shudder

Horror fans rejoice! Shudder is quickly becoming a must-have subscription for fans of the macabre. Shudder features plenty of classic and lesser-known but critically acclaimed horror films. You will find everything from John Carpenter’s Halloween to WolfCop. Shudder even has its own exclusives and originals. This includes Creepshow, an anthology series from Greg Nicotero (of The Walking Dead) that follows the original films from the 1908s. The cost is just $5.99/month. 

Shudder can be streamed via your computer, tablet/smartphone, smart TV, Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, or Xbox. You can download Shudder’s app to your smart device.

Tubi TV

Tubi TV is a free service that is supported by ads. Ads cannot be skipped. There are lots of options, including both classics and modern choices. Indeed, you will find everything from Cat Women of the Moon (1953) to The Italian Job (2003). TV offerings include shows like Alf, Third Rock from the Sun, and The Beverly Hillbillies. You can even find realty shows and there is a preschool section.

You can watch Tubi TV via your computer, tablet/smartphone, LG or Samsung TVs, Roku, PS3/PS4, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, or Chromecast.

Sit back and relax this weekend and catch up on your favourite shows!

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