AMC Beta-Tests Streaming Service for Horror Fans

Be prepared to be scared: AMC Networks has begun an invite-only beta test of their horror-centric OTT video service Shudder. The service offers streaming access to full-length ad-free horror movies, and wants to eventually launch on a number of TV streaming devices. Its technology is being powered by and Softbank-owned online video platform Dramafever.

Consumers who previously signed up on Shudder’s public pre-launch website have started to get invites over the last 24 hours, and can now join the service for two free months. After that, Shudder is charging $4.99 a month, or $49.99 for a full year. An AMC Networks spokesperson confirmed the beta test Tuesday, but said that there’s no firm date yet for Shudder coming out of beta.

Shudder currently offers access to more than 200 movies, including titles like the Korean horror movie “A Tale of Two Sisters,” cult classic “Nosferatu” and Swedish cult vampire movie “Let the Right One In.” The site also features curated collections for topics like “urban decay” or “romantic bloodsuckers.”

Interestingly, there also is a pre-programmed feed called Shudder.tv that airs horror movies non-stop in a TV network-like fashion — something that bodes well for Google’s recent move to turn apps into linear TV networks on its Android TV platform. At the moment, Shudder is only streaming in the browser, but the website promises apps for iOS, Android and Roku for the near future.

FULL ARTICLE - http://variety.com/2015/digital/news...ve-1201515550/

Horror-centric Streaming Service Shudder now available in Open Beta

While Netflix has served as a gamechanger in terms of content in general, the world of video streaming has truly been a boon to horror fans as it has opened an instantaneous availability to foreign, indie and forgotten fright flicks that might not even be on home video. However, while buzz has built around the service in Beta status, the horror-centric streaming service Shudder is now looking to provide horror hounds with a treasure trove of terror streaming at their fingertips!

That’s right: Shudder, a streaming service that is solely focus on genre flicks from around the world, is now available for anyone, anywhere in the U.S. to sign up. Members can access Shudder on desktops via www.shudder.com, iOS from the Apple App Store, Android from the Google Play Store, and the channel store for Roku and RokuTV, with the service expanding to Chromecast and beyond in the coming months. During this phase, members can expect Shudder to develop new features and enhancements, all the while providing tons of fright films for $4.99 a month or $49.99 annual memberships following a 14-day free trial.

So, is Shudder worth the extra coin per month? While the streaming system is still glitchy at times (at least on the mobile version for this writer, while the desktop version works A-OK), the content alone offers a magnificent mix between classic chillers and cult creepers. While casual horror fans will be able to stream the likes of AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, CHILDREN OF THE CORN, DAY OF THE DEAD, DEEP RED and HELLRAISER, horror hounds will lap up the abundance of Bava, Troma, Henenlotter, Glass Eye Pix, Lustig and more. The service even features hard-to-stream titles such as HABIT, FATHER’S DAY, DARK STAR, FACES OF DEATH, HOME MOVIE, MAGIC, MURDER PARTY and even newer titles such as LOST SOUL and FEAR CLINIC.

Furthermore, the design and outline of the site is pretty damn cool, categorizing the titles in “Collections” sorted by thematic similarities and content, and with new titles and collections coming every month, you can be sure to find something for every fright fan. Better yet, the lead curator for Shudder is Colin Geddes, the genre programmer for Toronto International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness and Vanguard selections, and from the selection provided, he definitely is paying as much consideration to quality as much as he is to quantity.

And for those who prefer their content delivered on a blood-stained silver platter, Shudder also offers Shudder TV, the service’s 24/7 constant stream of horror, which is available for free to all users. The preprogrammed feed acts as a non-stop horror channel, offering Shudder users a frightening lean-back experience. Now, eyes will turn to just how big Shudder can become, and if we might expect television series and original content to join the plethora of petrifying programming currently offered by the service. So if you’ve got $5 to spare and an insatiable hunger for horror, you can sign up for Shudder today and find out what the screaming is all about.

http://www.fangoria.com/new/horror-c...-in-open-beta/