If you have been envious of the selection of tv shows and movies available to US Netflix subscribers, you may want to check out shomi, the new subscription video on demand service available to Canadians.
Shomi was created for entertainment lovers by entertainment lovers. It features prior seasons of the most popular shows on TV today, iconic series from the past, cult-classic and fan-favourite films, as well as a library of family-friendly kids programming. With exclusive past-season streaming rights to titles – such as Modern Family, Sons of Anarchy, Sleepy Hollow, Shameless, 2 Broke Girls, Vikings, New Girl, 24: Live Another Day, Chicago Fire, The Strain, and American Horror Story – along with first-window premieres, it’s more bang, less blah. shomi combines a team of programming experts with algorithmic technology to help you pick what you actually want to watch – whether it’s finding hidden gems, rediscovering old favourites, or remembering why you fell in love with a title in the first place.
Shomi is currently available only to Rogers or Shaw subscribers while it is in beta mode, but will soon be available to everyone and you can sign up for reminders on their website. Since it is mostly prior seasons, it is not perfect for cord-cutters but great for binge watching.
You can sign up for $8.99/month and both Rogers and Shaw will have special offers for their customers, so check for an email from them or information with your bill. There is no contract so you can cancel anytime. Click here to check out shomi or sign up for a reminder for when it is available to non Rogers/Shaw subscribers.
There is no way to cut the cord with services like this. No matter how you slice it, you require a fast internet connection to make this function properly and that’ll cost you. The cable co’s and telco’s have all the bases covered.
Lots of people cut the cord for TV but have high speed internet
You’re missing the point. What you think you save on TV, you end up giving right back to your service provider for upgraded internet service, mobile data etc. The days when you could have everything for a minimal cost are long gone.
You just need to go with a provider who isn’t Bell or Rogers. Teksavvy’s internet is just as fast as any other I’ve used, but much much cheaper. I cut the cord 2 years ago and it’s fabulous!
Looked at Teksaavy not that long ago and prices were essentially the same once the final bill was tallied up. For what I want to use internet for I need 50MB+ service and that is gonna cost you regardless of who you go with. Like many I am not OK with watching tv in SD on a single laptop or pc monitor. If you’ve got a couple of HD flat screens, a pc and maybe a couple of tablets in your household, I’d argue that 50MB barely scratches the service. The industry players have done a fabulous job at roping everyone in by selling us all these sophisticated devices. Now that we are fully invested, it is pretty hard to live with them unplugged. The big guys have also put paywalls and other restrictions in place, so that their content can’t be viewed unless your a subscriber. Shaw also offers free wifi to their subscribers (and those that have access to the pass codes). Going forward it is looking more and more like you’ll have to pay a considerable fee to watch all your favorite programming regardless of which platform you use.
As I said, most people already have the internet connection, so they are not paying more for for it – especially people who do have an internet connection to read SC
Like Maureen, I have internet from Teksavvy, even streaming I don’t go over my bandwidth, but as mentioned in the blog, it is more of an alternative to Netflix than a replacement for TV
You do not need a “50MB+” plan to stream. Someone would likely need a connection speed of around 15 Mbps to stream. I agree that the bandwidth can add up which can give companies more money, but with companies like Teksavvy that have basic 300GB/month bandwidth, you won’t go over with just streaming. I don’t have cable at home, I share my internet with 2 other people who also just watch streams and downloads.
In response your statement that the price of Teksavvy vs. Bell/Rogers is the same, well the pricing is not the same after the bill has been tallied up. Currently there is a $32 dollar difference between Rogers’ 30Mbps 270GB internet package ($76.99) and Teksavvy’s Cable 30Mbps 300GB package ($44.95). The overage fees for Teksavvy is 50 cents/GB vs Roger at $2/GB.
I’d like to point out that it is free for Rogers customers with FIBER 60 internet plan or higher. 30 day free trial otherwise.
I’ve just added Shomi. Here’s my review.
Inventory: There are many overlaps with Netflix, at least the ones I watch most such as Doctor Who.There are cable shows such as Louie and American Horror Stories not available on Netflix. And also those envious US Netflix inventory such as 30 Rock. But if you get Hola extension on Chrome with Netflix subscription, you can get selections from US, UK, France, Switzerland, Austria… Besides, Netflix has its original programming such as “House of Cards”. Children’s programming seems to be more or less the same but they don’t have Pokemon. In fact, I don’t see any Japanese anime.
Delivery: You can use your computer, smartphone, tablet… but as per gaming console, it is only supported by XBOX. I’m a Playstation 4 and Wii U owner, Netflix stream so well on these devices. It’s also very easy to use if you use PS3 with the TV remote. So this is a minus for me. I suppose I can try casting it with Chromecast but it is already choppy on my computer.
Speed: It is definitely slower than Netflix and choppy in the beginning. I am using the lowest quality video with FIBER 60 and this is still happening.
Interface: I was surprised to find that they also have Doctor Who, but the Specials are put under season “0” and to be played first. So when I click it, the doctor is already dying and transformed into David tennant, which should happen after end of first series. This would be like showing the Christmas special of Downton Abbey where Sybil was running off with chauffeur as the first in the lineup.
Conclusion: I appreciate it as a free bonus, I recommend everyone who has FIBER 60 or up to sign up. I wouldn’t pay for it. I don’t prefer it over Netflix because “House of Cards” is important to me and I don’t have an XBOX.
I don’t know why you guys are complaining about exceeding bandwidth. My problem is always time. I have finite time on this earth, stop tempting me with on demand programming and encourage sedentary lifestyle!
Actually, I find that on-demand TV is pulling the country apart. People don’t talk about last night’s TV shows anymore. My friends have like a 2 year time zone difference than me. (Those who’ve only binged Sherlock this year. Ugh.) Many Chinese people have iTalkBB thing and they only watch The Voice China 24/7 without socialize with non-Chinese. I actually enjoy good old days with paid TV! My friends would come to my place with pizza to watch South Park on Wednesdays. We are now watching the same things alone apart while posting comments on Facebook. Sad.
Why can’t it stream off of WII? 🙂