Is Your Local Video Store Closing?- Consider Using an Online Video on Demand Service

Let's face it- Change is an inevitable part of life. Hopefully, the changes we as a society ultimately endure are for the better. One of the biggest changes in technology relates to the way we entertain ourselves in our off time. Traditional television viewing we enjoy from typical cable company providers is slowly being replaced by online content.

With the continued success of YouTube, content providers have sought new ways to bring popular television shows and movies to prospective customers, once only available through your living room's clunky set top box.

Over the last couple of years, online video streaming providers such as Hulu, Netflix, Vudu and Amazon VOD have ramped up efforts to change the way you watch television. Thanks to broadband Internet connections and advanced computer technology, watching your favorite episode of Desperate Housewives or ALF became more simple and less expensive.

Hulu

Being one of the pioneers when it comes to On-Demand video entertainment, Hulu offers a vast selection of old sitcoms and movies, free of charge when using their online web interface or standalone desktop computer application. Hulu also features current programing from major television networks.

The Hulu Plus platform brings regular programing to your television with using compatible hardware such as the PlayStation 3, Apple iPhone, iPad, Roku streaming media player and several flat screen televisions. As Hulu Plus becomes more popular, more compatible devices will be added to the list.

As of this writing, Hulu Plus costs $7.99 a month.

Thus far, the biggest complaint among Hulu Plus users is the reduction of available content when compared to their standard web interface offerings. Hulu acknowledges the issue regarding the reduction of content and is actively working on expanding the Hulu Plus content selection.

Netflix

Netflix is one of the most widely used and recognized online video content providers on the Internet today. Not only does Netflix offer an extremely large video library, the platform has the ability to suggest relevant programing you may like, based off your viewing history and preferences.

Searching for a good movie or television show is a breeze, thanks to a relatively easy to navigate interface.

What makes Netflix so popular among users is cross-platform compatibility. Realizing that customers would prefer to watch content on their televisions, Netflix has made its way into popular gaming consoles such as the Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Netflix costs $7.99 a month and offers a free one month trial for new customers. For an additional $2 a month, you can add DVD rental service as well.