The following entertainment article was written for Spreety TV Online by professional journalist Carolyn Giardina.

Sony’s Crackle Makes Noise with Online Network

By Carolyn Giardina

Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Crackle online video network recently aired the finale of its latest comedy web series “Held Up.” And as the site continues to extend its content–a combination of movies (currently 250 and counting), TV series and original content–Spreety talked with Eric Berger, Senior Vice President, Digital Networks for Sony Pictures Television.

“Crackle is like a digital version of a cable network, for people who are looking at unplugging or looking for content when TV is not available,” Berger explained as the heart of the Crackle strategy. “We believe we have the best free movie service available online, and we are creating a brand and a programming experience so people can find the movies that they love –but also to provide an editorial context. So it is not just another aggregation service. It is editorialized and has context.”

Crackle primarily targets young males, and currently produces about four original series annually, aimed at this demographic and ranging from action to comedy.

An example is the upcoming original series, “Back Wash,” a buddy comedy set during a road trip, starring Joshua Malina, Michael Ian Black and Michael Panes. Viewers of the series–set to debut on Nov. 15–can expect guest appearances from actors such as Jon Hamm and Sarah Silverman.

“We believe brands will still matter in this space–that people like to be programmed to. They like connections among programming,” Berger said of Crackle’s direction. “Over time it is safe to say that you could see other brands. We have several brands in the TV space that we use to target different demographics (in the international market). Crackle is our first digital network.

“We think there is a very strong role for advertising in the marketplace. If look at services like Netflix and the deals that they have done, we look at that as validation that streaming rights have value.”

As the audience for this content expands, Berger noted that a remaining challenge is to help consumers to reach these destinations. Speaking of services such as Spreety, he said: “We are thrilled that there are companies out that are making it easier for consumers to sift through content on the web and find what they are looking for. There is a real need for that.”

What do you think when you hear the phrase “free movies online“? Is it suspicion of copyright infringement, shadowy looking download sites, or excitement over the tremendous viewing possibilities?

While the checkered past of free movies online has some people cautious, Spreety TV Online at http://Spreety.com has created a video to set the record straight about the right places to watch free movies online.

Some of the new players are Crackle, EPIX, Fancast, and SlashControl. Crackle is backed by Sony Pictures and has hundreds of free movies such as Ghostbusters, Godzilla, and St. Elmo’s Fire. EPIX is the new movie site from Paramount, MGM, and Lionsgate, and is the perfect place to watch Ironman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and many more popular movies. Fancast is backed by the cable giant Comcast and has hundreds more movies, such as Chaplin, Captain America, and Naked Gun 2.5. SlashControl was started by AOL TimeWarner, and has many more movies such as Sparticus, Ronin, and the classic western Hang ‘em High.

Those sites join the other mainstays of free movies, including Hulu, Veoh, and Joost. Even YouTube has jumped on the bandwagon and legally hosts free movies online, such as classic Shirley Temple films like The Little Princess and Heidi.

Several TV sites also have films online, including American Movie Classics (AMC), Syfy, ABC Family, and TNT.

If you have a Netflix subscription, the Watch Instantly feature comes free for the Owner account. Top films to watch online include Wall-E, Bolt, The Nightmare Before Christmas, as well as the extensive list of STARZ play.

So, if you are going to watch a movie on a computer, here are a few quick tips:

1. Turn the screen saver and power save features to longer than the length of the movie.

2. If watching via an inexpensive wireless router, like the ones AT&T U-Verse hands out for free, make certain the router is well ventilated, as extended viewing could cause some minor over-heating, causing the router to reset, thus causing the movie to take an unexpected intermission.

3. Otherwise, sit back and enjoy.

All of the links to the above are available on the “Movies Online” tab of Spreety TV Online at http://Spreety.com .

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Written by Spreety co-founder, Ron Laughton. Spreety TV Online is a fun and free television guide for the Internet.

Accessing and Viewing Entertainment Content on Nontraditional Devices

By Carolyn Giardina

The interest in accessing and viewing entertainment content on nontraditional devices was growing this year at Electronic Entertainment Expo, the annual computer and video games convention better known as E3, which occurred in June at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

An estimated 41,000 attendees previewed upcoming titles such as James Cameron’s 3D “Avatar,” “The Beatles: Rock Band” and a new version of Wii Fit. More than 40 million subscribers use the entertainment networks of Xbox Live and Sony’s PlayStation Network, said Michael Gallagher, CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, which puts on E3.

Gallagher also reported that during the first three months that Netflix was available through Xbox Live, over 25 million hours of movies and TV programming was viewed.

And now content availability it poised to grow. Sony Computer Entertainment America confirmed that its PSP portable system would offer direct access to PlayStation Network’s video delivery service, where users can download movies and television programs to the mobile device.

Also at E3, Sony’s video delivery service announced content from 16 new partners in Hollywood, anime and sports. With these partners, Sony expects its service to offer nearly 1,900 movies and 9,400 TV episodes.

Hollywood content partners include Showtime Networks, Starz Media, Summit Entertainment, The Weinstein Company, HDnet and Magnolia Pictures. Among the sports partners are HDNet Fights, UFC, Wrestling from TNA and Video Action Sports.

PlayStation Store will feature TV shows such as Showtime’s “Dexter” and E!’s “The Soup.” A new anime channel will be added to the lineup.

Meanwhile, Microsoft revealed that Xbox would deliver 1080p movies and TV with 5.1 surround sound, instantly on demand and direct to consoles connected to compatible HD TVs through the Xbox LIVE social entertainment network.

3D: Coming Soon to a Computer Screen Near You?
By Carolyn Giardina

A brilliant cockroach, giant woman and blob of goo are among the out-of-this-world creatures that will soon jump off movie screens, as Dreamworks Animation opens its first digital 3D movie “Monsters versus Aliens” on March 27.

Digital Technology—if used properly–has enabled 3D movies to be made and shown with more precision than in the past. Many in Hollywood believe that by removing elements that have created discomfort and eye fatigue, this new medium will bring audiences back to theaters in record numbers.

Stakeholders also believe 3D will come to the audiences’ home—and hand.

On the way are a range of consumer electronics that support 3D, including computer monitors and TVs, video game displays, smart phones and other handheld devices. Some promising technologies can be viewed without special glasses.
Others gadgets coming to market include a 3D webcam, as well as a head-mounted 3D display that when hooked up to a portable content player such as an iPod allows 3D viewing on the go.

The technology can work—the author of this article has seen and tried many of these devices—but more needs to be done.
There are a lot of moving parts in the effort to bring 3D to the home. Business models and technical standards are for instance still being developed, and naturally content is key for consumers.
In Hollywood, the release of “Monsters versus Aliens” is a benchmark in the digital 3D movement, as DreamWorks Animation made a commitment that with this movie, all of its titles going forward will be made in 3D.

Disney has made the same commitment for its animated slate, which includes Pixar Animation Studios’ titles such as this year’s “Up” and a rerelease in 3D of its classic “Toy Story.”
And arguably the most anticipated movie of the year is James Carmeron’s 3D title “Avatar”—his first major motion picture since “Titanic”—which opens on Dec. 9.

• Spreety’s Holiday Entertainment

In answer to popular demand, and new Movies page has been added to the Spreety site.

The page links you to places to watch over 10,000 movies online, some free, most otherwise.

The Spreety research team would appreciate any additional site suggestions from you, either by posting your comments below, or by e-mail to spreety@spreety.com