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Plex's Ad-Supported Free Video on Demand Feature Gains Content From Crackle

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Plex today announced that it is adding to its lineup of ad-supported free video content, introducing TV shows and movies from video entertainment service Crackle.

plexcrackle1.jpg

Crackle brings thousands of free movies and TV shows to Plex, which also includes content from additional partners such as Legendary, MGM, Lionsgate, Warner Bros., and more. Plex users will be able to watch TV shows like Hell's Kitchen, Snatch, and Roseanne, along with movies that include Captain Phillips, Patriot Games, The Illusionist, and Failure to Launch.

For those who are unfamiliar with Plex, it's an all-in-one media hub that organizes your entire library of content, from TV shows and movies to music, photos, and more. Plex also offers free access to news, web shows, podcasts, movies, and TV, plus it can even be used to stream live TV with a TV antenna.

plexcrackle2.jpg

Plex's free media can be played on almost all platforms, including Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad, along with Roku, smart TVs, Android devices, and consoles. All that's needed is the Plex app. More information on Plex can be found on the Plex website.

Article Link: Plex's Ad-Supported Free Video on Demand Feature Gains Content From Crackle
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/05/01/plex-adds-free-crackle-content/
My opinion here: This pandemic is likely going to force Apple's hand to acquire a significant amount of content sooner than later. Otherwise this experiment is going to go the way of iTunes Ping.

I've enjoyed a few of the shows that the service offers, but it's going to be in trouble once the free one year subscriptions run out. It's hard to justify renewing the service(with real money) and only a small handful of shows that are available.
 
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peteullo said:
My opinion here: This pandemic is likely going to force Apple's hand to acquire a significant amount of content sooner than later. Otherwise this experiment is going to go the way of iTunes Ping.

I've enjoyed a few of the shows that the service offers, but it's going to be in trouble once the free one year subscriptions run out. It's hard to justify renewing the service(with real money) and only a small handful of shows that are available.
Click to expand...

Not to mention their model of not releasing the whole season of a show right away is unacceptable to me. You can do this when it is free, but once people have to start paying they are going to be much more critical.
 
Westside guy said:
Does anyone use Plex for anything other than streaming their own ripped movies and TV shows?
Click to expand...

Nope not at all. Plex users have Plex for a very specific reason and streaming content from other servers is not it. I have mine because it’s best to have all my movies available even when the internet goes out and licenses from major brands expire.
 
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peteullo said:
My opinion here: This pandemic is likely going to force Apple's hand to acquire a significant amount of content sooner than later. Otherwise this experiment is going to go the way of iTunes Ping.

I've enjoyed a few of the shows that the service offers, but it's going to be in trouble once the free one year subscriptions run out. It's hard to justify renewing the service(with real money) and only a small handful of shows that are available.
Click to expand...

I don’t know how much TV you have to watch to run out of content but for me, it went from falling behind a few shows I want to watch to a flood of new shows that I wont be able to get to, with even more coming.

Apple was wise to offer it for free to Apple hardware buyers while they build up the library. We’re only 5 months in and the library is already growing large with dozens of shows in the works and news of deals in sports. AppleTV+ will easily justify its price. Heck, I’d pay $4.99/month for the second season of For All Mankind alone.
 
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Bolanders said:
Not to mention their model of not releasing the whole season of a show right away is unacceptable to me. You can do this when it is free, but once people have to start paying they are going to be much more critical.
Click to expand...

HBO seems to be doing fine with $15/mo subscriptions for content that trickles.

That said, it will be interesting to see how ATV+ pans out. I can’t say I’ve been compelled to leverage much of my free 1-yr subscription. ‘See’ was unexpectedly good. But I’ve not yet found any aspect of the experience that I anticipate subscribing when my free year is up. Maybe that will change, but it’s not looking likely.
 
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peteullo said:
My opinion here: This pandemic is likely going to force Apple's hand to acquire a significant amount of content sooner than later. Otherwise this experiment is going to go the way of iTunes Ping.

I've enjoyed a few of the shows that the service offers, but it's going to be in trouble once the free one year subscriptions run out. It's hard to justify renewing the service(with real money) and only a small handful of shows that are available.
Click to expand...
Ping was DOA. I don’t think there’s ever been an Apple product that failed as early as Ping. Maybe Apple Music Connect, but comparing ATV+‘s possible trajectory to Ping is a stretch.
 
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lazyrighteye said:
HBO seems to be doing fine with $15/mo subscriptions for content that trickles.

That said, it will be interesting to see how ATV+ pans out. I can’t say I’ve been compelled to leverage much of my free 1-yr subscription. ‘See’ was unexpectedly good. But I’ve not yet found any aspect of the experience that I anticipate subscribing when my free year is up. Maybe that will change, but it’s not looking likely.
Click to expand...

HBO is a network and also had offerings that were ground breaking. Apple TV is more like Amazon and Netflix. That is who IMO they are competing with.
 
Got rid of Plex a year or so ago and have never looked back. Tired of every other update breaking the connection between my TV and server.

Edit: Plex on the Firestick

Edit 2: Check out Jellyfin, it rocks!
 
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Westside guy said:
Does anyone use Plex for anything other than streaming their own ripped movies and TV shows?
Click to expand...
Less and less. Plex has too many issues with high bitrate BD rips. For all practical purposes Plex is useless for 4K rips. It’s a platform for those that should have simply remained with Comcast.
 
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