On Demand Weekly

Congratulations to SnagFilms, Disney & the Smithsonian Channel. And New York Times, how about showing some love to our coverage of the On Demand industry??? - ODW

On-Demand Options for Hard-to-Find Films

Serious moviegoers may still see on-demand channels as a dumping ground for films that were in theaters six months ago or weren’t good enough to be in theaters at all. But as more and more “small,” serious films fight for screen time, a few distributors are starting to see on-demand television as a first option — which means that the quality of on-demand offerings is beginning to rise... (New York Times)

SnagFilms to Expand Library’s Reach to New Platforms

Documentary distribution outlet SnagFilms—the parent company of indieWIRE—will unveil later today an expansion of the platforms for its nonfiction titles that is timed to its second anniversary, as well as deals with a range of companies for more films. Snag will bring its library of 1,500-plus films to a suite of new sources beyond the original web platform upon which it was launched. New outlets will include the creation of VOD channels with cable network Comcast and Verizon FiOS TV… (IndieWIRE)

'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally' Makes Linear Debut Sept. 7, Flanked By On-Demand, Mobile Presentations

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally is set to make its Disney Channel debut on Sept. 7 at 7 p.m., the same day the program will be available for purchase on DVD from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

The 50-minute special, though, will benefit from a full-length preview on Disney Channel On Demand on Aug. 31... (Multichannel News)

CBS, Comcast Sign 10-Year Contract to Carry TV Shows

The contract also provides Comcast customers with Showtime Networks, the new Smithsonian channel, expanded distribution of CBS College Sports and more on-demand access to CBS and Showtime online and on TV... (Bloomberg)

Previous On Demand & Links - ODW

On Demand Weekly provides new movie reviews of hot movies on demand from the POV of watching from the comfort of your home. Today’s review: AN AMERICAN SPORTS STORY...THE RIVALS.
Email John Werner

Watching AN AMERICAN SPORTS STORY...THE RIVALS, the new truth-trumps-fiction documentary making its premiere on The Smithsonian Channel, I couldn’t get Napoleon Dynamite’s forlorn Uncle Rico out of my head. It was nearly impossible for me not to superimpose Uncle Rico’s unabashed pining for his lost glory days onto some of the high school football stars of THE RIVALS. Their future would be his. No matter how hard I tried, I kept hearing Uncle Rico lament, “Ohhhh, man I wish I could go back in time. I'd take state.”

That doesn’t mean AN AMERICAN SPORTS STORY... THE RIVALS is a bad or goofy movie. In fact that’s where any similarities end. And if you haven’t seen NAPOLEON DYNAMITE,  “Gosh!!!!!”

On Demand Weekly provides new movie reviews of hot movies on demand from the POV of watching from the comfort of your home. Today’s review: "All You Need Is Klaus.”
Email Cynthia Kane

“All You Need Is Klaus” airs on Smithsonian Channel as part of the August series Inside the Music, profiling music and musicians who’ve made great impact on our society and the world.

If you don’t know Klaus Voormann, you are wrong. You just think you don’t know Klaus. Well, you may not know the name, but you do know the music.

Klaus Voormann was on of the most in-demand bass players from the mid-60’s till the ‘80’s. Everyone wanted him. The Beatles, Manfred Mann, Harry Nilsson, the Plastic Ono Band, Carly Simon, Cat Stevens, the BeeGees, the list goes on endlessly. A funky, inventive musician.

To make a hit record, all you needed was Klaus.