Library Guides: Streaming Video: Public Streaming Services

What is a third party streaming service?

Third party streaming services are independent, often for-profit companies that allows users to stream media from their catalogs of movies and television shows. They pay to license streaming rights through either user subscription fees or with advertisements (sometimes a combination of the two). If there is a title you'd like to stream that is well-known and widely accessible, it might be necessary to use a third party vendor.

Can I Stream It ?
If you're searching for a popular title to stream, this is a great place to start. This is not a streaming service but rather a search tool that allows you to search the rotating inventories of multiple streaming services at once. Results will show not only the streaming availability of titles but also online rental and digital purchase options.

Subscription-based Third Party Streaming Services

Amazon Prime Instant Video
Amazon makes an inventory of films and television shows available for digital rental as well as giving Amazon Prime subscribers access to a large selection of streaming titles. There is usually a free trial for new subscribers. A yearly fee is required to access the service.
Fandor
Fandor is a streaming services that provides a curated collection of independent cinema, foreign films, documentaries and other hard to find films. Using Fandor requires a subscriptions fee and free trials are available for new subscribers.
Netflix
Netflix has a large, rotating selection of films and television shows that include mainstream new releases as well as back catalog titles. The selection ranges from last summer's blockbuster hits to less known independent and documentary films. A monthly subscription fee allows for unlimited viewings without advertisements. There is usually a free trial period for new subscribers. Requires Microsoft Silverlight to stream films from the web.
The Warner Archive
Stream classic TV and hard-to-find movies from the Warner Brother's Archive. A free trial is available, followed by a monthly subscription fee.

Public Library Supported Streaming Service

Hoopla
"Hoopla is an innovative new service that partners with your local public library to bring you thousands of movies, television, music, and audiobook titles for free. All you need is a library card and a web browser, phone, or tablet." - Hoopla

If you are a public library user from Timberland Regional Library, Tacoma Public Library, Pierce Country Library, or Seattle Public Library, you can use Hoopla.

Ad-based Third Party Streaming Services

Crackle
Crackle's catalog includes popular movies and television shows, cult favorites, documentaries and usually a large anime selection. Their selection of older but usually well known titles is small and rotates regularly. Titles are available to stream online for free with advertisements. Requires Flash Player to be installed.
SnagFilms
SnagFilms streams independent, foreign, documentary and cults films and television shows. The service is free but films are ad supported.

Ad and Subscription Based Third Party Streaming Servies

Hulu
Hulu streams movies and television shows. Their television show selection is broad and exhaustive while their film selection is not as large as other streaming services. Of particular note however, Hulu stream films from the Criterion Collection.

A small selection of classic shows as well as select episodes of the current season of popular shows are available to stream for free with advertisements. These are only available to stream through a browser on your computer.

They also have a subscription service, HuluPlus, that opens up a larger selection of films and older episodes of shows. HuluPlus also allows users to stream media through mobile devices such as phones and tablets. Many television shows are still ad supported to HuluPlus subscribers. HuluPlus requires a monthly fee. Free trials are usually available.