Don't Touch That Dial er... Mouse, or The Internet TV Revolution

Hey,

Has it already been a month since my last post? Shit, that's way too long. Oh well, with all the finals and stuff I had, I guess you faceless readers could forgive me. Although I don't really care, but if it makes you think it makes me feel better... OK, that's just weird, lets move on.

I would have posted the first day of summer, but the Saturday after school was over, I FINALLY got my Xbox 360. I've been toying around with it over the last week, but now I'm finally ready to start posting again. I've recently been exploring the different broadband offerings on TV station websites. These digital channels offer a wide range of material, from small clips from popular shows, to full blown streaming episodes, all at no cost to you. What I have compiled here is a TV Guide for the Internet, a list of every Broadband TV offering I can find. I will update this list if I find any more, but this is the stuff I have found so far.

TurboNick
http://www.nick.com/turbonick/index.jhtml
TurboNick is an interesting offering. It shows 1-2 streaming episodes of most of the current teen dramas and cartoons airing on Nickolodeon, as well as much better episodes from such classics as AHHH Real Monsters!, Ren and Stimpy, and even Invader ZIM. I highly recommend this relatively new service, as there are sure to be more shows added in the future, and if you haven't seen some of the old Nick stuff in a while, it's most certainly worth it.

VSpot from VH1
www.vh1.com
This website is impressive. The VSpot service gives you access to original programming, interaction with VH1, as well as movie trailers and music videos. They are also running an expansive Internet Radio service, and a Flash Games site with such arcade classics as Rampage and Defender represented in official Midway versions. The VSpot isn't that great onto itself, but with the extra radio and game content, it is surly worth checking out.
BTW, if you enjoy Best Week Ever (and if you read this blog, you should) they also run a Best Week Ever Video Podcast out of ITunes. This podcast gives you reviews of everything worth watching on TV and full episodes of Best Week Ever. Good stuff.

Adult Swim Fix
http://www.adultswim.com/adultswimfix/index.jsp
This small site offers streaming downloads of old Adult Swim shows that are rerunning in the block, as well as past failures (the latest being Paranoia Agent). They also offer the premiere episodes for that weekend all week long, meaning you could check out the new episodes whenever you want. Another really good site if you're looking for real good content, as there is always a good ATHF or Sealab episode up.

SciFi Pulse
http://www.scifi.com/pulse/
This site was being blocked by my pop-up blocker, so yeah I feel stupid. Anyway, it's mostly cast interviews and other stuff that's not very intersting. However, there is one clip worth seeing. The Amazing Screw On Head. From the creator of Hellboy comes a great pilot that could become a show, so be sure to vote for it!

Toonami Jetstream
http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/toonami/jetstream/index.html
This site is now officially active and has full length episodes from shows such as Prince of Tennis, Naruto, MAR, Megas XLR, and Samurai Jack. Any person who calls themselves an action cartoon fan should check this site out.

MTVOverdrive
www.mtvoverdrive.com
I can't believe I would say this, but MTV's broadband offering is one of the best I have discovered so far. Overdrive streams a wide range of video content, from a wide range of exclusive broadband shows, to full video streams of MTV Awards Shows and Headbangers Ball, to the easy stuff like exclusive interviews from current MTV program. The content is showcased with first a list of new content, and then an option to browse through an impressive archive of content organized by show title. I'm sure if I didn't hate MTV, I would love this service, but I am very impressed with the effort.

To Be Continued when I give a Damn...