How Online Video Can Save You Over $1000 a Year

Here’s an actual copy of my November 2008 Comcast Bill.

Yikes! I watch TV online but also have roommates and so unfortunately can’t make the executive decision to cancel our cable television package.  But one day, when I have my own place, I definitely won’t be paying Comcast $100/month. Internet is a necessity, cable television is not. These are tough times and watching TV online is a fantastic alternative. This is a relatively easy way to save yourself some money!

Here are 5 tips to enjoying TV online if you’re considering ditching cable altogether.

1. TV Shows - All the major networks (CBS, ABC, FOX, NBC, CW) have free full episodes of their shows online. Check out our show pages and catch up on Family Guy, CSI, Gossip Girl and more!

2. More TV Shows - In addition to the big guys, cable channels like MTV and FX have put their shows online. Watch The Hills and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Not sure if your favorite show is online? Check our Online TV Guide.

3. NFL - Monday Night Football more your thing? Search for a favorite team like the Dallas Cowboys to find all the latest news, highlights and analysis.

4. Music Videos - Rihanna fan? Who isn’t! All the best music videos debut online faster than they premiere on MTV or VH1.  Get the latest news, music videos and interviews from superstars like Rihanna, Britney and Lil Wayne.

5. Free Movies - You can even find free, full-length movies online these days, from blockbusters like Master and Commander to indie darlings like Sideways.

Updated @ February 6, 2009 12:30 PM - Here’s a great article from CNN this morning about saving money with online video: “More Turning to Web to Watch TV, Movies.“

 

How to Watch Online Video at Work (Without Getting Caught)

“When I discovered YouTube, I didn’t work for 5 days.”
-Michael Scott, The Office

I love online video. I watch news and movie trailers in the morning, viral videos during the day and my favorite TV shows at night. Sometimes when hanging out with friends, I’ll casually refer to a video I emailed them only to be greeted by a blank stare and a sigh, “Marie, I’m not lucky like you, I don’t work in online video and can’t sit at my desk and watch the videos you email me every day. As much as I want to.” So, to all my friends and anyone else who has this dreadful problem, here is my foolproof plan for watching online video at work.

1. Use online video as a tool to see what’s going on in your company. - This is great way to stay informed, especially if you work for a large corporation like Ebay where you might not always know what’s going on outside your division.

2. Pitching a new client? Show an online video or two that gives them an idea of how you’re going to sell their brand. - Online video is exploding on the web right now, and you’re likely to find a very relevant video. Ex: “We want to do something revolutionary along the lines of this thought-provoking Dove commercial.”

3. Manage the boss relationship. - Let’s say you work for a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan. Come Monday morning, grab coffee with your boss, “Did you see Tony Romo’s play?” and then change the subject to that project you’re dying to be on.

4. Looking for a way to blow off steam and get to know your colleagues? Organize a Friday online video lunch - Order some pizza, check out Top Videos, talk weekend plans, have fun.

5. Use online video for work and you won’t get suspicious looks when you’re enjoying it during your own downtime. - And finally, no porn. Keep it light. Watch porn at home (unless you want to be like this guy).

 

YouTube? Meh. Upload Your Video to These 5 Sites.

Don’t get me wrong, YouTube is awesome. But here are 5 sites you may not know about with slick players and more cool features. Try them out, and let me know what you think!

1. Vimeo - “Share your videos in glorious High Definition.”

2. Veoh - Upload your video to a social network like The Surfing Group: “Calling all surfers… Add your own surf videos or favorites. It can be hard to find the gems of surf footage from around the web, this group can make it a little easier. Do your part, ADD VIDEOS.”

3. blip.tv - Looking to make some money off your video? “You deserve to make money from your hard work. That’s why blip.tv works with as many video ad networks as possible to make you money. If you have a hit show we’ll use our own sales force to sell a sponsorship. We share everything we make for you 50/50. And if you have your own sales force you can sell a sponsorship — and we’ll traffic it for you.”

4. Dailymotion - Want to keep a video private? “When you upload a video to Dailymotion, you can set it to private or public status. If you set your video to private status, other members will not be able to see it unless they are in one of your private contact lists (“friends”, “family”, etc).”

5. Google Video - Google: “You can upload as many videos to Google Video as you like, without any size or length limitations.” YouTube: “Your videos can be up to 1GB in size and 10 minutes long.”