A new web-based video on demand service called iWatchNow debuted yesterday which offers over 3,000 hours of television programming, feature films and music videos. This service is compatible with PCs, Macs and Linux based computers.
iWatchNow’s programming, which is accessible with a fifth generation iPod with video capability, includes classic series as “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” “Bonanza,” “Dragnet,” “Dick Tracy,” “Groucho Marx’s You Bet Your Life,” “The Jack Benny Show,” “Roy Rogers,” “The Lone Ranger” and original cartoons, including “Felix,” “Superman,” “Casper” and “Popeye,” among them.
Feature film offerings, iWatchNow said, include debut movies of such superstars as Dustin Hoffman (“Madigan’s Millions”), Kevin Costner (“Sizzle Beach USA”) and Robert DeNiro (“The Wedding Party”), as well as such cult favorites as the original “Night of the Living Dead”; the classic comedy film “Comedy’s Dirtiest Dozen,” starring Chris Rock; a documentary titled “Answering the Call: Ground Zero’s Volunteers,” which includes never-before-seen footage of the 9/11 tragedy in New York; and “The Original Chronicles of Narnia” from the BBC/1979.
iWatchNow users are able to watch individual shows free of charge when those shows are commercial-laden as in the traditional TV universe, or they can pay a one-time player download fee of $3.99, and be entitled to six programs commercial free, with an additional $0.99 fee charged per commercial-free show thereafter.