This week's rankings are heavily influenced by the Emmys. I saw a lot of TV critic angst about a lack of surprises, followed by comments on the surprising elements of the nominations. I will say this: It doesn't seem like that long ago that I actually expected "regular" networks (and HBO) to dominate these awards. Now all of a sudden it feels like streaming is on top, led by...
1) Netflix: I'm looking forward to checking out Captain Underpants with my kids (yep, looks as wrong in print as it sounded in my head), but the real reason Netflix is strutting like a young Travolta is because it is this year's leader in Emmy nominations. It could underperform at the actual ceremony, but for now, it enjoys a lot of good press. Maybe spending 18 trillion bucks on content isn't such a bad idea. Why make money when you can get Emmy nominations and good press?
2) HBO: It's embarrassing to be edged by Netflix and have to endure all those stories about being edged by Netflix (and references in nonsensical lists like this), but don't worry about HBO just because it ONLY got a ton of Emmy noms and not a ton and a half. I still think Game of Thrones, regardless of conventional metrics, is the most popular show on TV. Why? Because people actually pay money or steal to see it. How many would pay money to see This Is Us?
No, the reason to worry about HBO is the speech that corporate dope from AT&T gave employees, a troubling message that indicated it was time to sacrifice brand identity in favor of cranking out mediocre content to fill hours, much like you know who (if you don't, please see #1). I'd give him the benefit of the doubt, but...uh, why? There's no reason to give the benefit of the doubt.
3) Hulu: A respectable Emmy showing. It's not Netflix nor HBO right now, but it garnered more nominations than Fuse, RFD-TV, Reelz, and Hallmark Movies and Mysteries combined.
4) PIX 11: It continued it's hot streak of archival content addition with an upload of a special on the infamous Yankees-Royals Pine Tar Game from 1983.
5) WWE Network: This week's Hidden Gem is the infamous (lot of infamy this week in the rankings_ Black Saturday cablecast, when the WWF took over the 6;05 Georgia Championship Wrestling timeslot on WTBS and angered thousands of Georgians (lot of anger in the rankings, too--angry George to angry Georgians).
6) Amazon Prime: It's nice to see The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel get some recognition from the Emmys. Elsewhere, the "high-profile" pickings are pretty slim, but Amazon is doing a good job of adding oddball stuff each week. I'm always adding items to my watchlist, like Pin-Down Girl: The Love Life of a Lady Wrestler.
6) YouTube: I'm just going to plug this week's playlist for our Battle of the Network Shows episode on Late Night with David Letterman. There is some great stuff in here.
7) Hoopla: I just watched The Perfect Bid, a documentary about that time a guy won both showcases by getting the exact dollar amount of his prize package. The crowd freaked out and a depressed Drew Carey, who said later he thought the show was gonna get taken off the air because someone had done something nefarious, just said, "You got it on the nose" in a monotone voice.
I haven't seen this anywhere except as a rental for 4 bucks, but you can stream it free with a Hoopla membership!
8) TubiTV: Deserves a spot if only for adding this classic TV movie:
9) Shout! Factory TV: Al Green really tore it up on the episode of Soul! I saw this week.
10) Starz: Well, I didn't buy it after my free trial ended, and it didn't set the Emmy nominations on fire, but it DID add 5 Kickboxer films.
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