Behind the Rankings: DC Universe

In this week's rankings, I give DC Universe the #10 slot despite it not existing. It's coming this fall, though, and it generated some chatter at last week's San Diego Comic Con. I'm not thrilled about the price point--7.99 a month, but to be fair it includes some kind of access to digital comic books--and the early glimpses of originals like Titans doesn't impress me, but as a longtime (if lapsed) DC Comics reader, I just want this to be cool.

A while back, I made some suggestions for classic TV shows that should stream on this new streaming video service. Well, we now know some of--hopefully not all--the content DC will give us at launch. It's more than I would have feared but not as much as I hoped.

Perhaps the big showcase effort as far as classic TV is concerned is the 1970s Wonder Woman series. If this is remastered and uncut, hey, I'm there for Lynda Carter in HD. In that earlier post, I wrote:

I already suggested Batman (1966) for Netflix and Wonder Woman (1977) for Amazon. Wouldn't it be fantastic if DC, which is reportedly "securing rights" to old shows and movies, is going to announce each will be on DCU instead? I may even shell out for this thing if it gets both of those.

I think Batman streaming in high-def would be a real game changer for a new service like this, and maybe it's still in the works (or maybe even--I can dream--a surprise announcement being held back for launch), but for now, hey, one out of two ain't bad.

The other shows I picked:
The Adventures of Superman: No sign of that here yet, which is a shame.
Lois and Clark: It's not being touted in the publicity for this service, but the released promo pics indicate the entire series will be on the service. Thumbs up, DC!
The Flash (1990): This is included as well!
Filmation cartoons: I don't see anything about these...yet. I still think it's a natural fit considering many of these
Justice League: Also included!

That's 3 out of 5 I wished for, plus, according to that promo pic, "9 seasons" of Super Friends. You can parse that show many different ways--The New Gods know Warner sure confused things with its endless DVD releases--but I think that means the entire run will be there.

All this plus Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series (though I read it may just be some and not all of the episodes) makes a decent package. Is it worth 8 bucks a month? Well, with the originals, it's worth a look-see, I think. However, at 8 bucks a month, I don't think I would have this an automatic purchase every 30 days. Now, the comic book component could blow me away, and with access to a huge back catalog of comics, I might see it a little differently.

Classic Shows That Should Be Streaming: 5 for Brown Sugar

I think this series identifying classic TV shows that would make good fits for streaming video services is coming to a close. It's time to dig deep this week with a look at Brown Sugar, billed as "Like Netflix, only blacker," and not an outlet that focuses on television. I tried it out last summer and wrote about it here.

It does have Get Christie Love, though, last I checked, so it's not like it doesn't have any vintage television. In fact, Brown Sugar could really distinguish itself by scooping up some TV that isn't currently available everywhere else. The backbone of the channel is its extensive Blaxploitaiton library, but much of that (like the MGM films) is non-exclusive and frequently available elsewhere. These 5 shows are not!

1) Frank's Place: I'll be honest--I didn't watch enough of this back in the day to testify as to whether it is really as brilliant as everyone said it was. I'd love to find out. It had a short run on BET years ago, but I don't think anyone has bothered airing reruns since then, even with the rise of cable nets like Aspire and TV One and diginets like Bounce. One season, 22 episodes--a nice, tidy package for a streamer and a solid bit of prestige for Brown Sugar to go alongside the likes of Disco Godfather and Hell Up in Harlem.

2) Room 222: Speaking of prestige, how about a spot for one of my favorite series of all time, one that tragically tanked on DVD (perhaps in part due to subpar-looking source material) but which won several Emmys in its 1969-1974 run? Aspire shows reruns, but let's face it, who gets Aspire?

3) The Flip Wilson Show: This early 1970s variety show was a huge hit its first two seasons but has been largely forgotten. It's dated, yes, but so what? Laugh-In is also dated, and it's streaming on Prime Video. I'd love to see full hourlong versions of the series on Brown Sugar, but I'd settle for the half-hour cutdowns that circulated on the original TV Land and Aspire.

4) Shaft: These 7 TV movies that aired on CBS in the 1970s are an obvious fit with Brown Sugar's aesthetic, Warner Archive Instant streamed them before that cat split, man, and Warner already licenses some of its movies to this service. So, come on, Brown Sugar, make this happen...SUCKA!

5) Amos and Andy: Well, you have to admit, this would give Brown Sugar some publicity.

In all seriousness, this show is not quite what its toxic reputation indicates, but then again I'm a white dude, so I can't judge how offensive it is for everyone. I do wonder, though, if people knew nothing about the show's history and just sat down and watched the TV episodes, what would the reaction be?

The series' legal status is in doubt, and CBS wants nothing to do with it, anyway, so...you know, maybe this is a non-starter. Maybe we should replace it with...

5) That's My Mama: An amusing Clifton Davis sitcom that has been seen in reruns over the years and is complete on DVD but would still be a nice addition for a streaming video service looking to add something that doesn't suffer from rerun fatigue. Crackle streamed this for a while but isn't doing anything with it right now. It certainly wouldn't be as controversial as Amos and Andy.

Streaming Video Power Rankings #120

I didn't run a few posts I planed to this week, and I wish I had a good excuse, like I was watching TV all week, but no, it was boring, old real-life stuff. Fortunately, the weekly power rankings are here, they're clear, and we're used to it!

1) Netflix: Back on top despite Captain Underpants bombing with one of my kids (the other was enjoying it until she turned it off). It looked decent from the 45 seconds I saw and 10 minutes I sort of heard.

Netflix gave us an odd grab bag of original series this week, like Dark Tourism, but I am making an effort to really take advantage of my membership--why should the kids have all the fun--and got into shows like Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. And Netflix wants me to watch Lost in Space (the reboot), and I almost started, but then I thought, hey, I can get back into season 2 of the original Star Trek and watched that instead.

2) YouTube: The highlight for me this week is this vintage CBS special about comic strips:

However, I also enjoyed some great old commercials and a vintage news report on the death of Natalie Wood. I should mention, too, that my kids watched a ton of wacky "eating gross foods" videos on here. Overall, YT got a lot of streaming time at Cultureshark Tower this week.

3) Hulu: Speaking of the kids for the third consecutive entry, they enjoyed them some Teen Titans Go! and after I saw the new trailer for Titans (see #10), I got a new appreciation for the cartoon. I would like to see a little more classic TV added, though, since new TV is a bit is a little slower going in the summer.

4) PIX11: It didn't add much, but I got a kick out of catching up on some of the archival content it did add in recent weeks. The reopening ceremony for the Statue of Liberty is a highlight and comes complete with a newscast including Jerry Girard's sports.

5) WWE Network: This week's hidden gem is a fun one: A non-televised tryout match pitting The Rock (billed as Dwayne Johnson) against Chris Candido, but the real treat for me was rewatching Starrcade '85. I may or may not renew this new week; we'll see what the next big catalog drop is.

6) The Roku Channel: This free channel is gaining momentum and solely gearing up to be a real contender. It has added live news feeds to its assortment of movies and TV shows, and while it will have to add content more often to be a frequent stop for me, it's worth a regular look-in.

7) Pluto TV: This other free channel (free is great!) announced a deal with Sony to add "more than 200 movie and classic TV titles." The news is light on specifics, but this is welcome news that bolsters Pluto's growing on-demand library. Bewitched is one show mentioned, and this reminds me that I would rather watch it on Roku Channel or on Pluto than on Sony's own free streamer, Sony Crackle. That's not a good thing for Sony Crackle. This news is fantastic for Pluto.

8) Amazon Prime: I didn't get to see much on here except Dojo Pro, an intriguing take on pro wrestling with a fresh format. I'm grateful that the Jaws movies are here, though, considering I just started listening to the Inside Jaws podcast.

9) Shout! Factory TV: I said it before, and I will say it again: One of the more underrated TV shows of the 1990s is 1997's The Weird Al Show. Only thing is I think when I said it before I got mixed up and said it was one of the more underrated shows of the 1980s. Anyway, in 2018 the goofy comedy is streaming here on Shout!

10) DC Universe: OK, OK, so this technically doesn't exist yet, but it's on the way, and it finally has a pricepoint, some original footage (that Titans trailer), and, yes, BUZZ! I don't like the pricepoint, I don't care for the original footage, and I want more programming detail and less buzz, but I still give DC a spot this week.

LAST WEEK on Battle of the Network Shows and TODAY on Battle of the Network Shows!

From the home office in Duluth, Minnesota...

 

Yes, it's Late Night with David Letterman! And the episode we focus on is Camping with Barry White. Music, comedy, and camping tips all in one package. It's more fun than any one podcast should be allowed to have, and it's right here on Battle of the Network Shows. Don't you dare miss it!

 

 

Yes, I somehow didn't publish this last week, and now it's time for another episode of the podcast. Popeye Meets the Man Who Hated Laughter in this season's animation spotlight. Learn about The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie  and listen to us try to figure out this bizarre but enjoyable rarity.

 

 



Streaming Showcase: Sling TV and DirectTv Now

I signed up for a month of Sling to watch the World Cup via Fox in the Orange package. Or is it the Blue package? I don't remember which, and the fact there are two packages is part of what makes Sling kind of wacky.

I was going to go with the 7-day free trial and see where it went, but I saw a deal: Free Roku Express when you pay for a full month. Sign me up for a free month! I now have a backup/portable Roku, and to Sling's credit, it shipped that sucker out right away. I received it in less than a week, even with the holiday.

I just parted ways with DirectTV Now after the fantastic intro deal ($10 /month for 3 months) expired. The service had just added a DVR for Roku and was improving, but I didn't want to pay full price. I wanted to try something else. So how do Sling and DirectTV Now compare?

Well, bear in mind things change quickly in streaming. DirectTV Now has already announced a price increase to its base package--35 to 40 a month--and Sling ALSO announced it is raising the price of its Orange--or is it Blue--package. Plus the first day I had Sling, a carriage dispute removed several channels I was looking forward to getting--Univision, UniMas, El Rey.

So these are just my thoughts based on my experiences:

DirectTV Now:

Pros:
Good selection of channels in the base package. TCM is included, which I love.
Generally good video quality
HBO is only $5/month with DirectTV Now. If you are a hardcore HBO fan, this alone might save you $10 a month.
Works well with other apps--though oddly, considering the merger with Warner, the Turner networks like Cartoon and TBS did not accept it a provider for authentication purposes while I had it.

Cons:
No DVR on Roku for 2+ of the 3 months I had it.
DVR was buggy and awkward when it launched
Buffering--big time.
Slow to load and navigate
User interface wasn't always clear

I had PlayStation Vue in the fall, and it had some similar issues, but DirectTV Now was in my head as I transitioned to...

Sling:

Pros:
Much, much easier to use and navigate.
Loads faster--both in general, and switching channels works better
Much less buffering--Not sure if the video quality is better, but it is far more consistent than DirectTV Now.
At least it gives the semblance of "choice." However, that comes at a cost...

Cons:
Nickel and diming on everything. DVR costs $5 extra, and it should be standard.
Inane division of channels into Blue and Orange packages--I have Fox and Fox Sports but not ESPN nor any of the Disney channels. To get those, I would have to pay 50 bucks a month (once the increase takes effect) and get BOTH Blue and Orange. You can get stuff like TCM as part of add-on packages.
Losing several Univision channels right as I signed up and getting nothing in return leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Stingier with app support. I think many less networks accept Sling as a provider for authentication.

Let's be clear about one thing: Even as these skinny bundle packages start to boost their prices and become more like cable, we are still in a great time. Month-to-month deals mean we aren't tied down to these providers and can take off if we don't like something. It's a hassle to have to switch to get one certain channel, but it's good to have the freedom.

Right now, the thing that jumps out at me is how much faster and easier to use Sling TV is than DirectTV Now. I realize many will not agree, but after several months of DTVN, Sling felt smooth and enjoyable. Give me a DVR feature and a few more channels, and I could see myself sticking with Sling for more than a month. As it is, the weak channel assortment and the lack of extras like DVR and app support mean I will likely walk after this month. I may well return soon, though.

As for DTVN, it is clearly positioning itself well as its parent company moves away from satellite. However, the DVR is clearly not ready for prime time. The entire service feels like it needs a makeover and a technical upgrade or two. As far as overall channel assortment, though, it's my favorite so far, and the great deal on HBO will make it a winner if/when it gets its act together.

Streaming Video Power Rankings Week #119

I love summer--the long days, the warm temperatures, the sunshine. It all makes you feel like you could go inside and stream TV forever.

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.