Tag: Streaming services

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Streaming in Canada on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Crave, Disney+ and Netflix [Jan. 31-Feb. 6]

Every week, MobileSyrup outlines some of the most notable movies and TV shows that recently hit Canadian streaming platforms.

Our ‘Streaming in Canada’ column typically focuses on new content from Amazon Prime Video, Crave and Netflix, but other services like Apple TV+ and Disney+ will be mentioned when relevant. Premium video on demand (PVOD) platforms are also fair game as movies continue to come to digital early amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Finally, we’ll highlight shows or movies that are made by Canadian companies, involve notable Canadian cast or crew and/or are filmed in Canada.

Amazon Prime Video

Reacher [Amazon Original]

Former military police officer Jack Reacher gets caught up in a conspiracy after being framed for a crime he didn’t commit.

Based on Lee Child’s 1997 novel Killing Floor, Reacher was developed by Nick Santora (The Sopranos) and stars Alan Ritchson (Titans), Malcolm Goodwin (iZombie), Willa Fitzgerald (Royal Pains) and Chris Webster (Most Dangerous Game).

It’s worth noting that the series was filmed in and around Toronto.

Amazon Prime Video Canada premiere date: February 4th, 2022
Genre: Crime thriller
Runtime: Eight episodes (42 to 54 minutes each)

Stream Reacher here.

An Amazon Prime Video subscription is included at no additional cost with an Amazon Prime membership, which costs $79/year.

The full list of movies and shows that hit Amazon Prime Video Canada last month can be found here. Click here for February’s content lineup.

Apple TV+

Suspicion [Apple Original]

Five people in London are named as suspects in the kidnapping of an American media mogul’s son.

Based on the Israeli series False Flag, Suspicion stars Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory), Georgina Campbell (Krypton), Elyes Gabel (Scorpion), Elizabeth Henstridge (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Angely Coulby (Merlin) and Uma Thurman (Pulp Fiction).

Apple TV+ Canada premiere date: February 4th, 2022 (first two episodes, new episodes every Friday)
Genre: Thriller
Runtime: Eight episodes (around 45 minutes each)

Stream Suspicion here.

Apple TV+ costs $5.99/month in Canada.

The full list of what’s coming to Apple TV+ in February can be found here.

Crave

Power Book IV: Force

After leaving New York, Tommy winds up in Chicago, where he works to become the biggest drug dealer in the city.

Created by Robert Munic (Empire), this Power spin-off features Joseph Sikora reprising his role of Tommy, while Gabrielle Ryan (Bonding), Kris D. Lofton (Ballers) and Anthony Fleming (Prison Break) join the Power universe.

Crave premiere date: February 6th, 2022 (first episode at 9pm ET, new episodes every Sunday at 9pm ET)
Genre: Drama
Runtime: Ten episodes (around one hour each)

Stream Power Book IV: Force here. Note that a Crave + Starz subscription is required.

Raised by Wolves (Season 2)

With their six human children, Android partners Mother and Father join a newly formed atheistic colony as the human race faces extinction.

Raised by Wolves was created by Aaron Guzikowski (Prisoners) and stars Amanda Collin (Splitting Up Together), Abubakar Salim (Assassin’s Creed: Origins), Travis Fimmel (Vikings), Jordan Loughran (Dixi) and Winta McGrath (Doctor Doctor).

Crave release date: February 3rd, 2022 (first two episodes, new episodes every Thursday)
Genre: Sci-fi, drama
Runtime: Eight episodes (around 45 minutes each)

Stream Raised by Wolves here.

RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK Versus the World

Nine veteran drag queens who appeared in international versions of RuPaul’s Drag Race compete in this spin-off.

Singer Michelle Visage, presenter Graham Norton and comedian Alan Carr return as judges alongside RuPaul from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. It’s worth noting that two Canadians — Victoria’s Jimbo and Toronto’s Lemon — return from Canada’s Drag Race.

Crave release date: February 1st (first episode, new episodes every Tuesday)
Genre: Reality
Runtime: Six episodes (around one hour each)

Stream RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs the World here.

The full list of movies and shows that hit Crave last month can be found here. Click here for February’s content lineup.

Disney+

Pam & Tommy [Star Original]

This drama series is based on the true story of Ladysmith, B.C.-born model-actress Pamela Anderson (Baywatch) and Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, during the period of their lives in which their sex tape was released to the public without their consent.

Pam & Tommy was created by Robert Siegel (The Wrestler) and stars Lily James (Downton Abbey) as Anderson, Sebastian Stan (I, Tonya) as Lee, Nick Offerman (Parks & Recreation) as porn star/director Uncle Miltie, Vancouver’s own Seth Rogen (Superbad) as Rand Gauthier (who leaked the sex tape) and Taylor Schilling (Orange is the New Black) as Rand’s estranged wife Erica.

Disney+ Canada/Hulu release date: February 2nd, 2022 (first three episodes, new episodes every Wednesday)
Genre: Biographical drama
Runtime: Eight episodes (around 45 minutes each)

Stream Pam & Tommy here.

Torn [Disney+ Original]

First-time feature director Max Lowe tells the story of how he’s tried to understand with his father, world-renowned mountain climber Alex Lowe, who died in an avalanche. Notably, Alex’s close friend and fellow climber, Conrad Anker, survived the incident, stepped in to raise Max and his siblings, and ultimately married Max’s mother.

Disney+ Canada release date: February 4th, 2022
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 1 hour, 32 minutes

Stream Torn here.

A Disney+ subscription costs $11.99/month or $119.99/year in Canada.

The full list of movies and shows that hit Disney+ last month can be found here. Click here for February’s content lineup.

Netflix

Murderville [Netflix Original]

Toronto’s own Will Arnett (Arrested Development) plays a detective investigating a series of murders with celebrity guests in various improv sketches. Some of Arnett’s co-stars include Conan O’Brien (Conan), Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley), Sharon Stone (Casino) and Ottawa’s own Annie Murphy (Schitt’s Creek).

Netflix Canada release date: February 3rd, 2022
Genre: Improvisational comedy
Runtime: Six episodes (30 to 36 minutes each)

Stream Murderville here.

Raising Dion [Netlfix Original]

Dion’s superpowers grow stronger, bringing danger to him and Nicole.

Raising Dion was created by Carol Barbee (Jericho) and stars Alisha Wainwright (Shadowhunters), Ja’Siah Young (Rough Night), Jazmyn Simon (Baggage Claim), Sammi Haney (7 Little Johnstons), Jason Ritter (Parenthood) and Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther).

Netflix Canada release date: February 1st, 2022
Genre: Superhero drama
Runtime: Eight episodes (37 to 45 minutes each)

Stream Raising Dion here.

The Tinder Swindler [Netflix Original]

After conning women out of millions of dollars online, the victims plan for payback.

Netflix Canada release date: February 2nd, 2022
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 1 hour, 54 minutes

Stream The Tinder Swindler here.

Following a recent price increase, a ‘Basic’ Netflix subscription costs $9.99/month, a ‘Standard’ subscription (HD-supported) costs $16.49/month and a ‘Premium’ membership is priced at $20.99/month (4K-supported).

The full list of movies and shows that hit Netflix Canada last month can be found here. Click here for February’s content lineup.

Premium video on demand (PVOD)

Clerk.

Toronto director Malcolm Ingram (Out to Win) takes a look at the life and career of popular indie filmmaker Kevin Smith (Clerks).

It’s worth noting that Smith briefly attended the Vancouver Film School, which is touched upon in the doc.

Original PVOD release date: November 23rd, 2021 (U.S.)
Canadian PVOD release date: February 1st, 2022
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 1 hour, 55 minutes

Clerk. can be rented for $3.99 on the Cineplex Store, $4.99 on Google Play and Amazon Prime Video and $5.99 on iTunes.

What are you planning on streaming this week? Let us know in the comments.

For more suggestions, check out last week’s Streaming in Canada column.

Image credit: Hulu

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Canadians want streaming services to promote music made in Canada: study

Producer, Audio Engineer Uses Control Desk for Recording New Album Track in Music Record Studio, in the Soundproof Room Musician, Artist, Performer Sings a Song from New Album. Back View

A recent survey from rights management organization SOCAN shows Canadians want foreign social media companies to promote and invest in Canadian creations, including music, TV shows, and movies.

The advocate for musicians, artists, and publishers surveyed 1,510 Canadians 18 and older. While there was a strong consensus across Canada, a statement from the company shows residents of Quebec expressed the strongest sentiment.

While streaming services have been in Canada for the last decade, support has never been equitable.

For every dollar spent on music licenses from Canadian TV and radio broadcasters, 34 cents go towards Canadian songwriters and composers. In comparison, only 10 cents go towards artists for every dollar spent on licenses from online streaming services.

SOCAN says the situation worsens when looking at francophone musicians. They receive an average of seven percent royalties on traditional media but only 1.8 percent royalties on digital media.

“Canadian creators need support to continue to develop Canadian music in the world of streaming, and Canada must be a place for emerging music creators, where songwriters and composers can create, grow and thrive,” Jennifer Brown, SOCAN CEO, said in a statement.

The report also revealed younger Canadians showed the most support on the matter. While labelled as “surprising,” the report didn’t clarify what age groups were considered ‘younger.’

SOCAN says the recently introduced Online Streaming Act is a step in the right direction. Also known as Bill C-11, it looks to have streaming services follow similar rules to Canadian broadcasters.

The bill will “make it easier for Canadian audiences to find and engage with Canadian creators, giving our music a place in the world of streaming,” the organization said.

Image credit: ShutterStock

Source: SOCAN

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Netflix sizzle reel teases 2022 film slate with Knives Out 2, The Gray Man and more

Netflix has released a three-minute video offering the first looks at its 2022 film slate.

Altogether, the streamer is set to premiere 86 original movies this year, with at least one dropping every week. These include:

  • The Adam Project (directed by Montreal’s Shawn Levy) — a family sci-fi adventure starring Vancouver’s Ryan Reynolds and Mark Ruffalo
  • Enola Holmes 2 (directed by Harry Bradbeer) — a mystery starring Millie Bobbie Brown and Henry Cavill
  • The Gray Man (directed by Avengers: Endgame’s The Russo Brothers) — an action-thriller starring London, Ontario’s Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans
  • Hustle (directed by Jeremiah Zagar) — a sports-comedy starring Adam Sandler and Queen Latifah
  • Knives Out 2 (directed by Rian Johnson) — a new murder mystery starring Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc
  • Spiderhead (directed by Joseph Kosinski) — a sci-fi action movie starring Chris Hemsworth, Miles Teller and Jurnee Smollett

You can check out the full video below:

Release dates for individual titles weren’t mentioned in the video, although Knives Out 2 — arguably Netflix’s most anticipated 2022 film — is expected to drop in the fourth quarter. The Adam Project has also been confirmed to premiere in March.

Netflix reached nearly 222 million total paid subscribers globally in January, slightly below its projections. The company’s stock has also been down, leading co-CEO Reed Hastings to buy $20 million additional Netflix shares last month. It remains to be seen how this film slate might help drive growth.

In related news, Netflix recently raised its price in Canada to $21/month for the 4K tier — a second hike in under two years.

Source: Netflix

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Feds introduce new Online Streaming Act, but critics say problems still exist

In an attempt to reintroduce legislation focused on online streaming, the Government of Canada has announced what it calls the Online Streaming Act or Bill C-11.

The Liberal’s first introduced a similar bill months ago, but it died on the bench when the 2021 federal election was called.

Like its former counterpart, Bill C-11 focuses on subjecting streaming companies to the same rules as Canadian broadcasters and being governed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

The bill has only just been reintroduced and has a long way to go before coming law. But if passed, it means streaming companies will be required to create Canadian programming that reflects the diversity in Canada.

The bill’s previous version saw any content uploaded to the internet subject to CRTC regulation. The aspect had many concerned it would sensor free speech as a government watchdog would govern user-generated content.

Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez said the new rules would only apply to large corporations, not individual content creators.

“So let me be extremely clear, no users, no online creators will be regulated, no digital-first creators, no influencers, no cat videos — only the companies themselves will have new responsibilities,” Rodriguez said at a press conference on February 2nd.

But critics say problems still exist.

OpenMedia, a non-profit that works to protect free expression and privacy online, says the act wrongly focuses on fitting rules from the broadcast era to regulate internet streaming.

It’s not clear what kind of user-generated CanCon, or Canadian content, will be spared from the watchful eyes of the CRTC, OpenMedia’s campaign director, Matt Hatfield, said in a statement.

The government is basing its separation of professional and amateur content on a foundation “that simply doesn’t exist,” Hatfield said.

“Major Canadian internet productions like podcasts could find themselves in the worst of all worlds — subject to CRTC regulation, while not able to seek CanCon funding. We believe any measures that are funded by internet streaming revenue should be fully available to all Canadian internet creators. And that won’t happen without a comprehensive update of CanCon definitions to include them.”

Image credit: Pablo Rodriguez/ Twitter

Source: Canadian Heritage

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Feds introduce new Online Streaming Act, but critics say problems still exist

In an attempt to reintroduce legislation focused on online streaming, the Government of Canada has announced what it calls the Online Streaming Act or Bill C-11.

The Liberal’s first introduced a similar bill months ago, but it died on the bench when the 2021 federal election was called.

Like its former counterpart, Bill C-11 focuses on subjecting streaming companies to the same rules as Canadian broadcasters and being governed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

The bill has only just been reintroduced and has a long way to go before coming law. But if passed, it means streaming companies will be required to create Canadian programming that reflects the diversity in Canada.

The bill’s previous version saw any content uploaded to the internet subject to CRTC regulation. The aspect had many concerned it would sensor free speech as a government watchdog would govern user-generated content.

Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez said the new rules would only apply to large corporations, not individual content creators.

“So let me be extremely clear, no users, no online creators will be regulated, no digital-first creators, no influencers, no cat videos — only the companies themselves will have new responsibilities,” Rodriguez said at a press conference on February 2nd.

But critics say problems still exist.

OpenMedia, a non-profit that works to protect free expression and privacy online, says the act wrongly focuses on fitting rules from the broadcast era to regulate internet streaming.

It’s not clear what kind of user-generated CanCon, or Canadian content, will be spared from the watchful eyes of the CRTC, OpenMedia’s campaign director, Matt Hatfield, said in a statement.

The government is basing its separation of professional and amateur content on a foundation “that simply doesn’t exist,” Hatfield said.

“Major Canadian internet productions like podcasts could find themselves in the worst of all worlds — subject to CRTC regulation, while not able to seek CanCon funding. We believe any measures that are funded by internet streaming revenue should be fully available to all Canadian internet creators. And that won’t happen without a comprehensive update of CanCon definitions to include them.”

Image credit: Pablo Rodriguez/ Twitter

Source: Canadian Heritage

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Streaming in Canada on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Crave, Disney+ and Netflix [Jan. 24-30]

Every week, MobileSyrup outlines some of the most notable movies and TV shows that recently hit Canadian streaming platforms.

Our ‘Streaming in Canada’ column typically focuses on new content from Amazon Prime Video, Crave and Netflix, but other services like Apple TV+ and Disney+ will be mentioned when relevant. Premium video on demand (PVOD) platforms are also fair game as movies continue to come to digital early amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Finally, we’ll highlight shows or movies that are made by Canadian companies, involve notable Canadian cast or crew and/or are filmed in Canada.

Amazon Prime Video

The Legend of Vox Machina [Amazon Original]

The Legend of Vox Machina is based on the popular Dungeons & Dragons webseries Critical Role and features Matthew Mercer, Ashley Johnson, Travis Willingham, Laura Bailey, Liam O’Brien, Taliesin Jaffe, Marisha Ray and Sam Riegel reprising their respective roles.

Amazon Prime Video Canada premiere date: January 28th, 2022 (first three episodes, three new episodes every Friday)
Genre: Animated fantasy
Runtime: 12 episodes (around 30 minutes each)

Stream The Legend of Vox Machina here.

An Amazon Prime Video subscription is included at no additional cost with an Amazon Prime membership, which costs $79/year.

The full list of movies and shows hitting Amazon Prime Video Canada this month can be found here.

Apple TV+

The Afterparty [Apple Original]

After a high school reunion leads to someone’s death, a detective grills each partygoer to discover the culprit.

The Afterparty was created by Christopher Miller (The Lego Movie) and features an ensemble cast that includes Tiffany Haddish (Girls Trip), Sam Richardson (Veep), Ike Barinholtz (MADtv), Ben Schwartz (Parks & Recreation) and Illana Glazer (Broad City).

Apple TV+ Canada premiere date: January 28th, 2022 (first three episodes, new episodes every Friday)
Genre: Comedy, mystery
Runtime: Eight episodes (around 30 minutes to one hour each)

Stream The Afterparty here. It’s worth noting that the entire first episode of the series is available for free on YouTube.

Apple TV+ costs $5.99/month in Canada.

Crave

The Gilded Age

After the death of her father, a young woman in 1882 moves from rural Pennsylvania to New York City to live with her rich aunts, getting caught up in a social war between the upper class.

The Gilded Age was created by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey) and stars Christine Baranski (The Good Wife), Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City), Carrie Coon (The Leftovers), Louisa Jacobson (Native Son) and Morgan Spector (The Plot Against America).

Crave premiere date: January 24th, 2022 (first episode, new episodes every Monday at 9pm ET)
Genre: Historical drama
Runtime: Nine episodes (around one hour each)

Stream The Gilded Age here.

Reminiscence

In the climate change-ravaged near future, a man uses a machine that can access people’s memories to search for his missing love.

Reminiscence was written and directed by Lisa Joy (Westworld) and stars Hugh Jackman (Logan), Rebecca Ferguson (Dune), Thandiwe Newton (Westworld) and Cliff Curtis (Fear The Walking Dead).

Original theatrical release date: August 20th, 2021
Crave premiere date: January 28th, 2022
Genre: Neo-noir, sci-fi, thriller
Runtime: 1 hour, 56 minutes

Stream Reminiscence here.

A standard Crave subscription is priced at $19.99/month, with Starz costing an additional $5.99/month. A mobile-only subscription is also available for $9.99/month.

The full list of movies and shows hitting Crave this month can be found here.

Disney+

The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild [Disney+ Original]

Buck embarks on an adventure in the Dinosaur World with Crash and Eddie.

The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild was directed by John C. Donkin (Ice Age franchise) and features Simon Pegg returning to voice Buck, while Utkarsh Ambudkar (The Mindy Project), Justina Machado (One Day at a Time) and Vancouver’s Vincent Tong (My Little Pony franchise) join the cast.

It’s worth noting that the film was animated by Vancouver-based Bardel Entertainment (Rick & Morty).

Disney+ Canada premiere date: January 28th, 2022
Genre: Animated comedy
Runtime: 1 hour, 22 minutes

Stream The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild here.

Marvel’s Hit-Monkey [Star Original]

A wronged Japanese macaque is mentored by the ghost of an American assassin as he wages war against Tokyo’s criminal underworld.

Based on Daniel Way and Dalibor Talajić’s Marvel Comics character of the same name, Hit-Monkey was created by Will Speck and Josh Gordon (Blades of Glory) and features the voices of Ally Maki (Wrecked), Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso), Olivia Munn (The Newsroom), George Takei (Star Trek) and Fred Tatasciore (the Hulk in various Marvel animated titles).

Original TV premiere date: November 17th, 2021
Disney+ Canada premiere date: January 26th, 2022
Genre: Animated, adult
Runtime: 10 episodes (24 to 30 minutes each)

Stream Marvel’s Hit-Monkey here.

A Disney+ subscription costs $11.99/month or $119.99/year in Canada.

The full list of movies and shows hitting Disney+ this month can be found here.

Netflix

Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness [Netflix Original]

In this podcast spin-off, Queer Eye‘s Jonathan Van Ness explores various topics, including snacks, hair and bugs.

Netflix Canada premiere date: January 28th, 2022
Genre: Reality
Runtime: Six episodes (25 to 27 minutes each)

Stream Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness here.

Snowpiercer (Season 3)

Six months after the events of Season 2, Layton continues to search the globe for livable conditions while Wilford seeks vengeance.

Based on Bong Joon-Ho’s 2013 film of the same name and the 1982 French graphic novel Le Transperceneige (which the film also adapts), Snowpiercer stars Daveed Diggs (Hamilton), Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind), Mickey Summer (Frances Ha), Sean Bean (Game of Thrones) and Edmonton’s own Steven Ogg (The Walking Dead).

It’s worth noting that the show is filmed in Vancouver and Langley, B.C.

Original TV broadcast: January 24th, 2022 on TNT (first episode)
Netflix Canada premiere date: January 25th, 2021 (first episode, new episodes every Tuesday)
Genre: Dystopian thriller
Runtime: TBA

Stream Snowpiercer here.

The Woman in the House Across the Street From the Girl in the Window [Netflix Original]

A heartbroken woman questions whether she witnessed a murder.

The Woman in the House Across the Street From the Girl in the Window was created by Mike Tyson Mysteries‘ Rachel Ramras, Hugh Davidson and Larry Dorf and stars Kristen Bell (The Good Place), Michael Ealy (Barbershop), Tom Riley (The Nevers) and Mary Holland (Happiest Season).

Netflix Canada premiere date: January 28th, 2022
Genre: Black comedy, mystery
Runtime: Eight episodes (22 to 30 minutes each)

Stream The Woman in the House Across the Street From the Girl in the Window here.

Following a recent price increase, a ‘Basic’ Netflix subscription costs $9.99/month, a ‘Standard’ subscription (HD-supported) costs $16.49/month and a ‘Premium’ membership is priced at $20.99/month (4K-supported).

The full list of movies and shows hitting Netflix Canada this month can be found here.

What are you planning on streaming this week? Let us know in the comments.

For more viewing suggestions, check out last week’s Streaming in Canada column.

Image credit: Apple

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Here’s what’s coming to Crave in February 2022

Bell has revealed everything that’s hitting its Crave streaming service in February.

Highlights include the Steven Soderbergh thriller KIMI (hitting Crave the same day as HBO Max in the U.S.), Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Wan’s horror film Malignant and the second season of Raised by Wolves.

See below for February’s full list of new movies and shows:

February 1st

  • Black History Month Collections — #ForTheCulture TV series Collection (BMF, Sister, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and more); Black Movies Matter Collection (42, Soul Food, Space Jam and more); Docs & Historical Drama Collection (Tina, Between The World and Me, Whitney “Can I Be Me” and more); and Strong Female Leads Collection (Euphoria, Insecure, I May Destroy You and more)
  • Kids TV and Preschool Fun Collection — new kids content added throughout the month, including Abby Hatcher, Rainbow Ruby (Season 1), Bob the Builder (Season 3) and Thomas & Friends (Season 20)
  • RuPaul’s Drag Race: U.K. vs. the World at 9pm ET

February 3rd

  • Raised by Wolves (Season 2) — first two episodes

February 4th

  • A Cinderella Story: Starstruck
  • American Sniper — Starz
  • Bridget Everett: Gynecological Wonder
  • Despicable Me — Starz
  • Drunken Master II — Starz
  • Free Guy
  • The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2
  • Lovely and Amazing — Starz
  • MTV’s Messyness (Season 1B)
  • Notting Hill — Starz
  • The Panthers — all episodes
  • Pride — Starz
  • Project Runway (Season 19)
  • Scarface — Starz
  • Straight Outta Compton — Starz
  • Waves

February 5th

  • Abby Hatcher (Season 2)
  • Arpo
  • Kid E-Cat (Season 1, Episodes 1-20)
  • Percy Tiger Tales (Season 1, Episodes 1-20)
  • Rainbow Ruby (Season 1, Episodes 1-13)
  • Team Hot Wheels: Build the Epic Race
  • Team Hot Wheels: Search for the 5th Driver
  • Team Hot Wheels: The Skills to Thrill
  • That’s Joey (Episodes 1-20)
  • Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum

February 6th

  • Mo’Nique & Friends: Live in Atlanta — Starz
  • Power Book IV: Force at 9pm ET

February 7th

  • Triumph: Rock & Roll Machine [Crave Original]

February 10th

  • The Girl Before — all episodes
  • KIMI
  • Pillow Talk [Crave Original]

February 11th

  • August Rush — Starz
  • Baby Mama — Starz
  • Bad Boys (1983) — Starz
  • The Best Man Holiday — Starz
  • The Bridges of Madison County — Starz
  • Casino — Starz
  • Children of Men — Starz
  • Dave Chapelle’s Block Party — Starz
  • Dollface (Season 2) — all episodes
  • Everything’s Gonna Be All White (Season 1)
  • Fifty Shades of Grey — Starz
  • The Informant — Starz
  • Inside Man — Starz
  • Kicking and Screaming (1995) — Starz
  • Malignant
  • My Life as a Zucchini — Starz
  • Next Friday — Starz
  • Rambling Rose — Starz
  • Ran (1985) — Starz
  • Red Heat — Starz
  • Rodeo and Juliet
  • Shaft (1971) — Starz
  • Tape Heads — Starz
  • Trainwreck — Starz
  • Vagrant *Canadian film*

February 12th

  • Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood
  • Miss Moon (Episodes 1-26)
  • Monchichi (Season 2, Episodes 1-26)
  • Polly Pocket (Season 1, Episodes 14-26)
  • Zerby Derby (Season 3, Episodes 1-20)

February 15th

  • Deadwood (Seasons 2-3)
  • Ichahn: The Restless Billionaire at 9pm ET

February 18th

  • Dream Horse
  • The Hating Game
  • How It Ends
  • Miseducation of Bindu
  • MTV’s Wipeout (Season 1B)
  • Painting with John (Season 2) at 11pm ET

February 19th

  • Bob the Builder (Season 3, Episodes 1-13)
  • Denver the Last Dinosaur (Season 1, Episodes 21-40)
  • Sam Sam (Season 2, Episodes 1-15)
  • Thomas & Friends (Season 20)
  • Thomas & Friends: The Great Race
  • Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor
  • Thomas & Friends: Sodors Legends of the Lost Treasure
  • Thomas & Friends: Tale of the Brave

February 20th

  • Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (Season 9) at 11pm ET

February 21st

  • Ailey

February 23rd

  • Frederick Douglas at 9pm ET
  • The Newsroom (Seasons 1-2)
  • Nova Vita (Season 1)

February 25th

  • Cry Macho

February 26th

  • The Jungle Bunch 1 (Episodes 21-40)
  • Tall Tales (Episodes 1-20)

February 27th

  • Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber

February 28th

  • My Brilliant Friend (Season 3) at 10pm ET

We’ve separated the different shows and movies by which tier of Crave they fall within. Crave has three tiers: Crave Mobile for $9.99 (only mobile devices), a basic Crave for all devices (includes HBO content) and a $5.99 Starz add-on for both.

Further, Crave is available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4/5 and more.

The full list of what hit Crave in January can be found here.

Image credit: Showtime

Categories
Mobile Syrup

‘How I Met Your Father’ to premiere on Disney+ Canada on March 9

Disney has confirmed that How I Met Your Father will premiere exclusively on Disney+ Canada on March 9th under the service’s ‘Star’ banner.

The first two episodes of the series will be available on that date, with new episodes rolling out every subsequent Wednesday. It’s worth noting that the series premiered on Hulu on January 18th, continuing a trend of Disney-owned programs like Reservation Dogs and Solar Opposites Season 2 coming to Disney+ Canada weeks after they debuted in the U.S.

A spin-off of the popular sitcom How I Met Your Mother, How I Met Your Father is about a mother named Sophie who, as the title suggests, tells her son the story of how she met his father. To do that, the series follows Sophie and her close-knit group in the past as they navigate love and life.

How I Met Your Father was created by Isaac Aptaker & Elizabeth Berger and stars Hilary Duff, Christopher Lowell, Francia Raisa, Tom Ainsley, Tien Tran and Suraj Sharma.

In Canada, a Disney+ subscription costs $11.99/month or $119.99/year.

Image credit: Hulu

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Streaming in Canada on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Crave and Netflix [Jan. 17-23]

Every week, MobileSyrup outlines some of the most notable movies and TV shows that recently hit Canadian streaming platforms.

Our ‘Streaming in Canada’ column typically focuses on new content from Amazon Prime Video, Crave and Netflix, but other services like Apple TV+ and Disney+ will be mentioned when relevant. Premium video on demand (PVOD) platforms are also fair game as movies continue to come to digital early amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Finally, we’ll highlight shows or movies that are made by Canadian companies, involve notable Canadian cast or crew and/or are filmed in Canada.

Amazon Prime Video

A Hero [Amazon Original]

After being imprisoned for failing to repay a debt, a father is given two days to get his creditor to drop the charges.

A Hero was directed by Asghar Farhadi (The Salesman) and stars Amir Jadidi (Cold Sweat), Sahar Goldoost (debut role) and Mohsen Tanabandeh (Capital).

Amazon Prime Video Canada premiere date: January 21st, 2022
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 2 hours, 8 minutes

Stream A Hero here.

An Amazon Prime Video subscription is included at no additional cost with an Amazon Prime membership, which costs $79/year.

The full list of movies and shows hitting Amazon Prime Video Canada this month can be found here.

Apple TV+

Servant (Season 3) [Apple Original]

The Turners desperately try to return to a normal life as a new darkness looms.

Servant was created by Tony Basgallop (What Remains) and stars Toby Kebbell (Black Mirror), Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under), Nell Tiger Free (Game of Thrones) and Rupert Grint (the Harry Potter franchise).

Apple TV+ Canada premiere date: January 21st, 2022 (first episode, new episodes every Friday)
Genre: Psychological horror
Runtime: 10 episodes (around 30 minutes each)

Stream Servant here.

Apple TV+ costs $5.99/month in Canada.

Crave

Billions (Season 6)

With Axe gone, Chuck must develop a more sophisticated strategy than before.

Billions was created by The Illusionist producers Brian Koppelman and David Levien and New York Times journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin and stars Paul Giamatti (Cinderella Man), Corey Stoll (House of Cards) and Maggie Siff (Sons of Anarchy).

Crave premiere date: January 21st, 2022 at 9pm ET (first episode, new episodes every Sunday at 9pm ET)
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 12 episodes (around one hour each)

Stream Billions here.

Fanny: The Right to Rock [Crave Original]

Montreal filmmaker Bobbi Jo Hart (Rebels on Pointe) tells the story of two Filipina-American sisters who formed the rock group Fanny, which nearly became the female version of The Beatles.

Crave premiere date: January 17th, 2022
Genre: Music documentary
Runtime: 1 hour, 36 minutes

Stream Fanny: The Right to Rock here.

A standard Crave subscription is priced at $19.99/month, with Starz costing an additional $5.99/month. A mobile-only subscription is also available for $9.99/month.

The full list of movies and shows hitting Crave this month can be found here.

Netflix

Ozark (Season 4 — Part 1) [Netflix Original]

As the Byrdes get closer to freedom from the cartel, family tensions threaten to upend everything.

Ozark was created by Bill Debuque and Mark Williams (The Accountant) and stars Jason Bateman (Arrested Development) and Laura Linney (The Savages).

Note: this is the final season of the series, with the second batch of episodes (“Part 2”) set to drop sometime later in 2022.

Netflix Canada release date: January 21st, 2022
Genre: Drama
Runtime: Seven episodes (51 to 67 minutes each)

Stream Ozark here.

The Royal Treatment [Netflix Original]

Sparks fly when a New York hairdresser takes a gig at a prince’s wedding.

The Royal Treatment was directed by Rick Jacobson (Ash vs. Evil Dead) and stars Laura Marano (Austin & Ally), Toronto’s own Mena Massoud (Aladdin) and Chelsie Preston Crayford (The Cult).

Netflix Canada release date: January 20th, 2022
Genre: Romantic comedy
Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Stream The Royal Treatment here.

Too Hot to Handle (Season 3) [Netflix Original]

A new group of singles heads to an island and attempts to remain celibate for a chance to win $100,000.

It’s worth noting that one of the contestants, 22-year-old personal trainer Obi Nnadi, is from Toronto.

Netflix Canada release date: January 20th, 2022
Genre: Reality
Runtime: Ten episodes (33 to 49 minutes each)

Stream Too Hot to Handle here.

Following a recent price increase, a ‘Basic’ Netflix subscription costs $9.99/month, a ‘Standard’ subscription (HD-supported) costs $16.49/month and a ‘Premium’ membership is priced at $20.99/month (4K-supported).

The full list of movies and shows hitting Netflix Canada this month can be found here.

What are you planning on streaming this week? Let us know in the comments.

For more viewing suggestions, check out last week’s Streaming in Canada column.

Image credit: Netflix

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Netflix admits competition is heating up, could impact company growth

In what many are seeing as a first, Netflix has admitted competition in the streaming platform industry has intensified over the past 24 months as entertainment companies develop their own services.

The streaming giant’s Q4 2021 letter to shareholders notes “added competition may be affecting our marginal growth some.”

Netflix globally added 8.3 million subscribers in the fourth quarter. In comparison, the company saw the addition of 8.5 million subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2020.

The diminished figures come despite the release of a number of “big hits” like The Witcher season 2, viewed for a total of 484 million hours, and You, viewed for 468 million hours. The quarter also featured the final chapter of La Casa de Papel, also known as Money Heist. The series has been viewed for 6.7 billion hours over its lifetime. Netflix also had six of its series show up in the top 10 list of most searched TV shows on Google.

Looking to the future, the streaming giant plans to release season 2 of Bridgerton and the original movie The Adam Project during this quarter.

Despite the popular releases, Netflix’s outlook has plummeted, as it expects to only add 2.5 million global subscribers in the first quarter of 2022, a decline from the 4 million subscribers seen in Q1, 2021.

The company admits growth does not match the levels seen before the pandemic began, and believes the ongoing spread of COVID-19 and other economic hardships around the world may be the reason for this.

Netflix also recently raised its prices in the U.S. and Canada for subscribers that want to view HD and 4K content, which likely won’t help its subscriber growth.

Netflix’s Standard plan now costs $16.50 a month in Canada, a $1.50 increase from its previous $15 price tag. This option lets people watch content in high-definition

The Premium plan, which features 4K conent, now costs $21, up from the previous listing price of $19.

Source: Netflix