Netflix & Spotify – Is On Demand Entertainment the New Entertainment? | The Media Leader

7 Years ago, Netflix was known as a DVD rental delivering service, with huge success – delivering over a billion DVDs in the US since its release in 1997. Users were able to apply to monthly subscription offers or once off rentals, that would be delivered to their door. Today, Netflix is available in over 40 countries, but with a slight difference. Netflix now offers on demand Movie & TV show access 24/7 online, for users to watch instantly. Currently – there are over 50 million subscribers to this on demand service worldwide. The use of Netflix allows it’s customers to watch what they want, when they want, at a price that is considerably cheaper than a cable subscription. Personally, I gave up on TV a long time ago, back when I learned I was watching constant reruns and wasting time watching the same advertisements over and over. The Netflix library has something for everyone – from its ‘Netflix Kids’ sections to dramatic, action packed and scandalous storylines for any TV viewer. And the best thing about Netflix – it keeps growing and growing. As I live in Ireland, I’m subscribed to the UK & Irish Netflix, which started off weak (in all honestly) – the only recognisable titles included ‘White Chicks’ or ‘Horrid Henry: The Movie’ – neither of which I watched. However, now I can choose from award winning titles such as ‘Sherlock’, ‘Downton Abbey’, ‘Breaking Bad‘, ‘Dexter’ etc, etc. Also, Netflix has now gained a budget for creating new Emmy winning TV programs that are exclusive to Netflix (i.e. You won’t find them on your normal TV channels) – They include ‘Orange is the New Black’, ‘House of Cards’, and the more recent ‘Marco Polo’ which has just signed its second season. Personally, I believe that in years to come, websites like Netflix (and its competitors) will be the future of Television, and we will no longer have to wait through meaningless ads, or have to miss out on programmes when it no longer suits us. For anyone in the US or UK Netflix regions, we pick out our recommended Netflix programmes and movies of the month each month in our side bar so be sure to check them out!

Spotify was founded more recently, in 2006 in Sweden. However it was not launched for public access until October 2008. The company started off weak, with a $4.4million loss in the US for 2008. During 2010, Spotify paid over €45 million to its licensors. However, this huge figures of loss and expenditure came to a success, as by August 2012, Spotify gained over €20 million per month in income. I believe this was due to the more appropriate time, where services such as Spotify  became easier to access due to an increase in the purchasing of devices such as Smartphones, Tablets and Smart TVs. Spotify caters every user’s needs with a variety of payment packages, including free streaming membership. These days, almost every chart topping song (bar Taylor Swift), is available on Spotify. Spotify also acts as a social network. As a Spotify user, you can follow your friends and share songs and playlists with them, or discover what they’re listening to. Personally, I have stopped purchasing music at expensive prices on CD or iTunes – Spotify is my new go to service for music. For anyone who uses Spotify – we have a monthly playlist available in the side bar, with songs we recommend you listen to this month!

What do you think? Do you agree that On Demand entertainment is the new entertainment? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Movies I’m Watching in 2015 | The Media Leader

I recently gathered a list of movies that are coming to are screens in 2015, and that I will defiantly be watching. Here are just a few (in no particular order)

1. Jurassic World (Expected 12th June 2015)

Twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park (1993), Isla Nublar now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, as originally envisioned by John Hammond. After 10 years of operation and visitor rates declining, in order to fulfill a corporate mandate, a new attraction is created to re-spark visitor’s interest, which backfires horribly.

I will defiantly be watching this movie, as it adds a modern twist on the classic, although, I will be worried to see if they pull it off, as they have given themselves a very challenging task.

(Source: IMDB)

2. Ted 2 (Expected 26th June 2015)

Although the public have been given very little information about this upcoming ‘Ted’ sequel, I am still very much looking forward to it. A list of the all star cast has been published including Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried, and Morgan Freeman. Mark Wahlberg will also be returning as the role of John Bennett.

3. The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay – Part 2 (Expected 20 November 2015)

After being symbolized as the ‘Mockingjay’ Katniss Everdeen and District 13 engage in an all-out revolution against the autocratic Capitol.

I can’t wait to see the big finale of this series. I believe that The Hunger Games’ movies were one of the best book to movie adoptions out there. I have read all the books, and can’t wait to see the ending adapted to the big screen.

4. Inside Out (Expected 19 June 2015)

The reason why I’m so anxiously waiting for this movie is for the alone reason that it’s Pixar – and Pixar never fail to disappoint. This movie has a fresh an interesting concept (Told from the perspective of the emotions inside the mind of a little girl), although I have 100% faith in Pixar that they will pull it off.

5. Minions (Expected 10 July 2015)

Minions Stuart, Kevin and Bob are recruited by Scarlet Overkill, a super-villain who, alongside her inventor husband Herb, hatches a plot to take over the world.

I think this movie will be great. Who doesn’t love minions?! – Hopefully the storyline and animation is as great as these adorable characters,

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Well, what do you think? What movies will you be looking forward to in 2015? Take a look at this complete list and tell us what you think in the comments!