Frontier Communications’ over-the-top streaming service TumTiki is offering free online episodes of Showtime’s Californication, Shameless and House of Lies. And as if free isn’t a good enough deal, this promotional initiative is also offering unlockable badges and a sweepstakes.
These episodes are offered alongside more than 700,000 other free TV episodes, movies, original web series, professionally-produced clips and local programming, which TumTiki asserts is more than any other destination site.
Additional premium movies and episodes are available for rental through TumTiki’s partnership with Amazon.com. At this early stage – TumTiki launched on Nov. 7, 2011 – that is the site’s only source of revenue, although advertising will be added to the mix in the near future.
The badges are part of the social networking features built into the service, which viewers can log in to using Facebook or by creating their own profile on TumTiki.
Content is available directly at TumTiki.com without redirecting to another site, thanks to deals with other services like Hulu and Amazon.com. Its library includes videos from major networks, including ABC, NBC, Fox, Bravo, FX, Syfy, AMC, National Geographic, Oxygen, Comedy Central and TBS; and, in some markets, news and content from local TV affiliate stations
“TumTiki is committed to continually growing our library of content through partnerships and distribution agreements with premium content producers. Showtime is an established leader in premium television and we’re excited to promote these shows with our viewers,” said Melinda White, executive vice president, Revenue Development at Frontier Communications. “Our partnership with Showtime demonstrates our commitment to having not only the most free online videos of any single destination site, but also the highest caliber of original programming.”
The sweepstakes runs until Jan. 23, 2012. Three viewers who have watched the Showtime shows will be chosen at random to receive a suitcase filled with DVD sets and related premium items, one suitcase for each series.
“TV and movie watchers are very resourceful in searching multiple sites and services to find the content they want, but they are tired of constant searching. Consumers told us they would prefer an all-in-one browsing, searching and viewing experience,” White said. “Giving viewers more control and personalization over their entertainment options is our focus at Frontier Communications.”
Related links:
http://www.sho.com/site/californication
http://www.sho.com/site/houseoflies
http://www.sho.com/site/shameless
