A Review of Web-Based Television Services: Online Television Programming

It can be a daunting task to find the best place to watch your favorite television program online. Whether you missed last night's episode of Lost, or just want to watch an old episode of Doogie Howser, there is a place for you to watch online! Most shows are now posted almost immediately after its initial broadcast, giving millions of people who missed the show a chance to see it. With so many different services, which one provides the best viewing experience? Here, we will review a few of the main web-based television services.

1. The Network Website: Most shows become available on their networks' website immediately after broadcast (in some cases, it is posted about a week after broadcast). Every major television network has its own web-based television service: ABC, NBC, FOX, Comedy Central, and others.

The good: The quality of the video is usually unparalleled. Some of the sites even stream the content to you in 720p HD video.

The bad: In some cases, these sites use too much flash, the navigation is not always obvious to a new user, and in some cases the video is not capable of being shown in true full screen.

The Gist: Do not use these sites unless the content cannot be found elsewhere.

2. South Park Studios: This was an interesting story that caused much celebration on the Internet when it was first announced. In March 2008 South Park Studios opened its website. It contains every episode of South Park that has been created. This site made history because Comedy Central is the first network to post the complete series of a long-running, money-making program on the Internet for free.

The Good: The navigation of the content is second-to-none. A new viewer can easily log on and begin watching full episodes right away. Also, the site features extra content for South Park fans such as games, a sound mixer, and a complete episode guide.

The Bad: There is no way to view the video in full screen. Many people will visit this site on their Media Center PCs and want to watch the program just as they would on traditional television. It takes quality away from the program when the user has to see the browser window while watching.

The Gist: If you are a South Park fan and can tolerate not viewing in true full screen, then this is the site for you!

3. TheWB.com: When UPN and The WB merged in 2006 to create The CW, many fans believed that TheWB brand would be retired forever. However, Warner Bros. have brought back TheWB as an online television network. The site is currently in beta and will allow users to watch many of the classic WB programming such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Everwood, and Gilmore Girls. Furthermore, Warner Bros. plans to post new, original, serialized content to the online television network. These new programs will be targeted toward teenage girls, and will be similar to shows like The O.C., and One Tree Hill.

The Good: The shows. Who doesn't love the classic WB television shows from the 90s and early 2000s? With titles such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville, The O.C., and Friends, this is sure to be a hit. The quality of the video is excellent, the navigation is superb, and the site includes many extras such as games and celebrity interviews.

The Bad: Although the site is still in beta, before it goes live, more content should be added. As of this writing there are only a few episodes of each show posted. It is suspected that before the final launch, more titles and more episodes will be added.

The Gist: If you enjoyed watching programs on TheWB, you will love this site. However, it is in a very exclusive beta and the network must invite you to join.

4. Hulu: A joint venture between NBC and Fox. The site provides many movies and television programs. The user can watch full episodes of many of the shows, but some only contain clips of the program. In addition to the content provided by NBC and Fox, Hulu also hosts content from Bravo, CNET TV, Fuel TV, FX, G4, Oxygen, The Sci Fi Channel, Style Network, Sundance, USA Networks, and many more.

The Good: The selection is second-to-none: the site offers full episodes and clips of over 400 different programs: both shows currently on the air, and shows in syndication. Also offered are over 100 movies that can be watched for free. If the user signs up for a free account, he can then build a playlist and play the programs and movies back-to-back. This feature alone makes boosts Hulu ahead of many of the other services listed here.

The Bad: When switching from one item to the next on the users' playlist, the content will not stay in full screen mode, forcing the user to manually adjust the video. Also, when watching the movies, ads appear every so often and interrupt the movie. Advertizing is necessary to monetize online television and movie viewing, however, a better method, such as a single pre-roll ad should be implemented so that the user is not distracted from the movie.

The Gist: If you want a huge selection of titles and the ability to create a playlist, this site is for you!

5. Fancast: A Comcast-owned online television service. The site is very similar to Hulu.com in that it hosts most of the same content. What separate this website are the extra services it provides to its users.

The Good: Great selection, great navigation, and great extras. The extras include a daily "Top 10 Episodes" list, a TV Guide in which users can enter their location and find out when a program will be broadcast. Fancast also provides entertainment industry news, and celebrity gossip.

The Bad: Each page contains a flash presentation of some of the content. This can be annoying at times depending on what the animation is.

The Gist: This website is Hulu.com on steroids. It is a one-stop place for entertainment news, TV listings, and online television programming. If you want everything in one place, this is the site for you!

In the end, each of the services are different enough that they provide something unique for the user. Most content that users want to watch will be found on Hulu and Fancast, but each of the other choices provides something unique that the user may want to check out.

The Gist: Take each website for a test drive, and use the one you like best.