Streaming services in the Czech Republic have long since ceased to be solely about offering films or TV series. Players operating in our market have realised that sport is also key. The number of free film channels has also increased.
The world of streaming services is a living organism that is well worth following with interest. It has long since ceased to be merely a bare-bones selection of films, perhaps supplemented by a few TV series or documentaries. Streaming channels have also played a very important role in recent months. Their numbers have recently expanded significantly thanks to services such as SkyShowtime, which has ventured into genre-based categories, and Sweet.tv, which is the leader in this category with currently almost ninety programmes.
Although these categories give the impression of live-streamed content, in reality they are not live broadcasts. They simply involve playing programmes from the cloud – i.e. remote storage – where the subscriber (the viewer) has access to timeshift functions. And the viewer may not really care, because the result is practically the same. However, Apple is also strengthening its position in the Live content category, focusing on integrating exclusive music experiences from Apple Music.
Sweet launches free Premium film channels
The internet TV platform Sweet.tv is expanding its programming offering and launching new free film channels labelled Premium. Viewers can now watch specialised streaming channels such as Premium Megahit, Premium Worldwide Hits, Premium Action, Premium Comedy, Premium Thriller, Premium Drama and Premium Premiere. With this move, the total number of channels on the platform has risen to nearly ninety, with stations offering diverse thematic content focused on different genres.
The programming structure of the new channels features a selection of well-known film titles categorised by specific themes. Throughout the day, viewers can watch Oscar-winning films, action thrillers and light-hearted comedies, including, for example, A Beautiful Mind, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, The Aviator, Gangs of New York, Traffic, Rocketman and Dirty Dancing. The selection is complemented by other well-known films such as The Dictator, Rambo: Last Blood, 16 Blocks, Train to Yuma, Snow White, Sahara and the action sci-fi film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
SkyShowtime: More genre categories
The SkyShowtime streaming platform is expanding its programme offering in its Channels section, where viewers will now find presets such as Comedy Films, Supernatural, Gourmet Club, Family Films, Comedy Series, Watch Now, Unsolved Cases, Blockbusters, On the Edge, and Killers. These specific sections offer a continuous stream of content organised by genre and theme, making it easier for users to choose without having to spend time searching for individual titles.
Within each channel, viewers can watch series marathons and film hits, such as the animated series Tlapková patrola, Kung Fu Panda and SpongeBob SquarePants, or feature films like Madagascar and Jak vycvičit draka. For adult audiences, there is sci-fi represented by titles such as Star Trek and Hrdinové, comedy series such as Kancl and Frasier, and dramas including Kravaťáci, Dexter, Dr. House, Městečko Twin Peaks and Yellowstone.
More exclusive music on Apple TV
Apple is planning to integrate its Apple TV streaming service more closely with the Apple Music app, giving users easier access to premium audio and video content on the big screen. This integration will focus primarily on exclusive concert recordings, live performances as part of the established Apple Music Live series, and music documentaries. However, this content will not be available to Canal+ customers, whose service includes Apple TV.
The tech giant is thus responding to the growing interest in watching music productions at home, placing great emphasis on Dolby Atmos surround sound and UHD high-definition video. One such example is the current exclusive release of Lady Gaga’s concert special, entitled Mayhem Requiem.