imdb.com/tv
A relatively newer free streaming service from 2 trusted and recognizable brands, which I will be discussing in this article, is now available to stream without having to pay a monthly fee.
The first trusted brand name behind today's free movie and TV streaming site is, of course, IMDb. For years now, IMDb has become one of the primary authorities when it comes to movie and TV ratings. In fact, a movie or show's IMDb rating is frequently used to signal whether a movie or show is even worth watching at all.
Having become one of the most prominent authorities on film and television, IMDb naturally desires to have a share in the rapidly growing streaming service market. When your company has been successful for two decades as IMDb has, why would you stop at simply offering movie reviews and trailers? Why not begin producing your own content and licensing some of the movies and TV shows you already have in your extensive database? IMDb TV feels almost inevitable, given how well it performs compared to many other free streaming sites. I am happy to say that it is one of the best sites available online.
The other key player behind IMDb TV is Amazon. Amazon is no stranger to the media game either, with its massive and critically acclaimed Prime Video service catering both to premium streaming fans and Amazon users who prefer to rent and purchase titles individually. Amazon, too, has become renowned for its original content creation - a skill that is has begun feeding into IMDb TV, expanding Amazon's grip over the film and TV industry.
IMDb TV, although still young, is a quality streaming service with a few original IMDb shows. Although it has room to grow, this site is excellent and everybody should know about it- I have a feeling that it will become much more popular in the streaming space in the next few years.
History
As I just said, IMDb TV is an almost-brand-new streaming imprint that was launched in January of 2019. When it first dropped, it was known as IMDb Freedive. Not only could users access this Video On Demand service via IMDb's official website, but the channel also became available for Amazon Prime Video subscribers as well (at no additional cost). It also became available on Amazon Fire devices immediately upon launch.
It wasn't until June 17th, 2019 that IMDb announced that it would be rebranding its Freedive service to the much more simplified moniker, IMDb TV. Along with this pivotal rebrand, however, the streaming service also announced that it would be tripling its library. Upon signing impressive content licensing deals with Warner Brothers, MGM Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, viewers would have access to hundreds of new classic and popular movie choices.
In February of 2020, Amazon made an announcement that signaled its intent to invest in IMDb TV's original content. The IMDb TV content team was officially integrated into Amazon Studios, with the goal of developing new content alongside new leadership. Critics of IMDb TV's lack of original content should start to see this concern lifted soon.
Design
I think that IMDb TV's website could use a redesign. It isn't unusable, but it doesn't come across as a streaming service that is backed by the richest man in the history of the world (Jeff Bezos).
The layout of the IMDb TV website is simple. It emulates the classic Netflix and Hulu design, sections that are separated by genre or category, each with its own side-scrolling browsing mechanism. I have issue with the design of IMDb TV because I do not feel as if I am browsing movies and TV shows on a legitimate streaming site. It feels more as if the streaming site is something of a popup on the IMDb site. This could be due to its highly centralized layout. The website does not take advantage of the full page, instead of consolidating everything into a centered box - which I certainly do not understand.
I would have preferred for there to have been more streamlined integration between IMDb and IMDb TV. Sure, you can see the IMDb ratings of each title and some basic credit info. However, why not utilize Amazon's own patented X-Ray feature, which can be viewed while you watch a free movie or TV show? This seems like a missed opportunity to me.
If you want to see the full page of IMDb information, you will need to basically redirect to the IMDb website's usual page. IMDb TV feels too separate from the main IMDb website and doesn't take advantage of the site's other strengths, I don't think. I would like to see more streamlining and integration as IMDb TV grows and evolves over the coming years.
Content and Features
In addition to its original content, IMDb TV offers a wide selection of syndicated shows and movies. Although the site has not had as much success with its original programming as it has with licensed content, much of its focus seems to be on providing some hard-to-find and highly sought after licensed shows and movies.
In 2008, IMDb TV made its first original series, Leverage. In 2020, the service announced that it would be releasing the popular Canadian cartoon Corner Gas Animated as its own branded series. In 2021, there is a rumored successor to Judge Judy from Amazon Studios and IMDb TV.
Fans of NBC's Chicago Fire will be happy to know that IMDb TV has begun streaming the show. In addition, all 5 seasons of Friday Night Lights are available to stream for free. In February of 2020, IMDb TV also announced that it would be gaining the rights to 20+ Disney movies.
Some of the larger titles that you can stream for free on IMDb TV include several Star Trek movies and the entirety of the wildly popular AMC series Mad Men. There are, of course, hundreds of other free movies and television shows streaming here as well. I recommend visiting IMDbtv.com to view the full list for yourself!
Mobile and Desktop Experience
Unfortunately, IMDb TV does not have its own mobile app at this time. You can, of course, access all content via the Prime Video apps, which exist for just about every device there is. As long as you don't mind accessing IMDb TV's content as a Prime Video channel, you won't have any mobile issues with this free streaming site. However, it's a bit of a letdown that there isn't a dedicated IMDb TV app of its own (or an IMDb TV component to the original IMDb app).
Suggestions that I have for IMDb TV
I would like to see IMDb TV leave the nest of its parent company, so to speak. I would like to see IMDb TV become more independent, offering its own app for example. Secondly, IMDb TV should seriously consider ways in which it can become more integrated with the IMDb database. I expect a streamlined and unprecedentedly information-driven viewing experience from a streaming site that is run by IMDb.
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