03 Jan 06 2006: Year of Subscriptions?

Podcasts rely on subscriptions that automatically download to your iPod. People like this model. I have wanted to sign up for a few subscription based services, but being mainly on a mac, it makes it difficult. I still have a PC that is hooked up to my 55″ HDTV.

I am already signed up with some subscription services, like Netflix, but online seems to be where it’s at. Let’s name a few that I want to sign up for:

Not completly a subscription service, but a movie download network. I forgot about this for the longest time, but they offer a different 99 cent or less movie Monday thru Thursday. Today’s happens to be The Game with Michael Douglas for 60 CENTS! I am going to start downloading movies on that service.

Benefits: College & Military Discount, plays in WMP, no late fee, no membership fee, storage up to 30 days, some 99 cent movies.

Downfall: only 24 hour viewing period, pc only.

They have a subscription serivce, but it doesn’t include new movies. They are $3.99 a download. Their movie selection under the subscription model contains: independant, music concerts, Adult content, news content, select Hollywood movies. It is $29.95/month or $99.95/year. I don’t think I will do this service. They also have a 49 cent section of crap you would never watch.

Benefits: one flat fee for the year, adult content, 7 day free trial, 49 cent selections

Downfalls: no major movies on subscription, 24 hour viewing period, pc only

 It’s the new one on the block. It is $9.99 a month and you can download unlimited movies, and watch as many times as you want. They seems to have very new Hollywood movies. Once a movie leaves the theatre, but before DVD you can download it via their PPV. OH YEAH! You can put the movies on a portable player (not the iPod video though). You ALSO get a live feed of the Starz! channel. The price is right and they offer tons of features.

Benefits: Hit movies in a timely manor, $9.99 subscription fee, view on portable player, play on up to 3 computers, PPV feature available, live stream of Startz! channel.

Downfalls: 24 hour viewing period on PPV only, no iPod video or mac support, brand new.

I think the clear choice is Vongo, and I will be signing up tonight after I check out all the different movies they have.

So are you switching to an online subscription movie service? If vongo is good enough, I think I am going to cancel Netflix. Stay tuned for details about some online music services, and maybe even dating serivces…now I won’t be going to one of those unless iTunes goes subscription…which PLEASE ALLOW TO HAPPEN MR. JOBS!