Movies on the move – how business travellers can bring their blockbusters along for the ride
Curling up with your favourite film or TV show is a fantastic way to wind down. And with the rise of streaming services, any phone, tablet or laptop is now transformed into a portable cinema. Great news for those of us who spend lots of time on the road.
Here, we round up an ensemble of the best suppliers you can rely on for both live and on-demand entertainment.
Netflix
So prevalent is this giant that it barely needs an introduction. Netflix’s catalogue, while not in the premier league for the very latest releases, does include a good selection of new and new-ish titles though.
Where it scores big points – and where the company is increasingly concentrating – is in producing its own content. Seen Stranger Things? Orange is the New Black? The US version of House of Cards? Then you’ve seen a Netflix Original. And you can expect much more in the future.
Behind the scenes, Netflix is intelligent: based on what you watch, it gets to know your tastes and will offer scarily accurate recommendations.
Check out Netflix here
Amazon Prime Instant Video
As you’d expect, an impressive selection of films and programmes are watchable across your devices. Selected content can also be downloaded and viewed offline. For the business traveller, that’s very handy when negotiating those WI-FI-free zones.
Offered via a regular monthly subscription deal, the service is also included with Amazon’s flagship Prime bundle – an annually-subscribed jumble of benefits including next-day Amazon delivery, music streaming, photo storage and access to e-books, magazines and comics.
Another big player that’s offering original content, Amazon is responsible for bringing you shows like American Gods, Sneaky Pete and The Man in the High Castle. The giant even persuaded Woody Allen to write, direct and appear in the six-part series Crisis in Six Scenes. “I’ve regretted every second since I said OK” commented Woody Allen, in a very Woody Allen way.
See what’s on offer here
NOW TV
Sky without a subscription, NOW TV’s users buy into a selection of monthly passes.
For films, you can expect the kind of extensive range Sky has made its name with. A separate Entertainment pass handles TV and box sets, although separating out movies and programmes – requiring two pass purchases for both offerings – will grate with some.
In keeping with rival services, NOW’s catalogue works across all of the popular devices. Sports fans are also well served with a pass for Sky’s extensive channels.
Discover more about NOW TV here
Free-as-a-bird options
Well, sort of. TV Licence-payers can of course access the BBC’s excellent iPlayer.
As well as enabling catch-up of BBC’s TV and radio shows, films recently shown on its channels are also accessible.
iPlayer keeps evolving, and although offerings like BBC Store – through which shows could be purchased and kept – is being shelved, you can expect iPlayer to continue innovating. Right now, with the need for users to sign-in being rolled out, a more personalised experience – tuned into your likes and interests – is on the horizon.
Visit iPlayer here
For Sky subscribers, you’re served by Sky GO. From this service, both live and on-demand content can be watched.
Check out Sky Go here
For fans of…
Complementing the household names, a host of smaller players continue emerging.
Often these services specialise in genres. Shudder, for example, is the place for horror fans, whilst PictureBox offers a shifting range of films and shows handpicked by film and TV critics.
For classic, cult, arthouse and foreign-language fans, you should bring your popcorn along to MUBI.
Occasional traveller? Or maybe you just don’t want to be tied into a subscription. Remember iTunes, Amazon and Google all offer one-off hires.
Settle down and relax
Whatever you’re watching, watch it in your Dreamhouse apartment. Every one of our properties is designed to be a super-comfortable home-away-from-home.
Find your perfect setting here
Follow us on