The Film Detective

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The Film Detective
The Film Detective logo.png
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaWorldwide
HeadquartersRockport, Massachusetts
Programming
Language(s)English
Ownership
OwnerCinedigm
Key peoplePhilip Hopkins[1]
(President, Founder)
History
Launched2014; 8 years ago (2014)[2]
Links
Websitethefilmdetective.com
Availability
Streaming media
Online streamthefilmdetective.tv
Sling Free24/7 channel (with on demand)
Stirr, , Plex, Local Now, Rakuten TV24/7 streaming service
Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Apple TVService app

The Film Detective is an internet television service and vintage film archive based in Rockport, Massachusetts. Programming for the service consists of classic feature films as well as some classic television programs. Many of the titles shown are public domain and have been restored by The Film Detective.

History[]

The company was founded in December 2013[3] by veteran film archivist and collector Philip Hopkins, previously a co-founder of Marengo Films[4] and a co-founder at Film Chest, where he oversaw the first Blu-ray restoration of the Orson Welles film The Stranger and was instrumental in recovering the library of noted film collector Elvin Feltner.[5]

Cinedigm acquired The Film Detective in 2020. Hopkins remains with The Film Detective as president.[6]

Programming[]

The service has over 3,000 titles which include classic Westerns, Mystery, Family, Horror, Mystery, Family, Film Noir, Cult Classics, Silents, Shorts and Documentaries. Many are seldom-seen titles. This includes B movie titles. Titles are made available by the Film Detective for broadcast, theatrical, Blu-ray and streaming.[7][8]

Services[]

The Film Detective offers various ways to watch their services. The online streaming option can be viewed for free with ads or commercial free with a subscription.

On May 31, 2018, The Film Detective launched an ad-free 24/7 channel on the Sling TV streaming service. Included as part of Sling TV's “Sling Free" offerings, the service also includes on-demand programming from The Film Detective.[8][9] The Film Detective's linear channel is also available on multiple free, ad-supported platforms, including DistroTV, Local Now, Rakuten TV, Plex and Stirr. The 24/7 channel is similar in format and programming to 1980's Nostalgia Channel.

Currently, the service is supported on various platforms such as web, iOS and streaming devices Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV.[10]

The Film Detective was recently named #4 on the Make Use Of list of The 11 Best Streaming Services for Fans of Independent Films

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Streaming out of Rockport: Local film company to show classic movies online". The Salem News. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  2. ^ "Iconic, Classic Films To Be Restored By The Film Detective And Distributed By Allied Vaughn". Irish Film Critic. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  3. ^ "Interview With Philip Hopkins of The Film Detective". Out of The Past. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  4. ^ "Double Vision - Entrepreneurs Take Their Love of Classic Movies to Double Feature DVD". Boston Business Journal. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  5. ^ "He's on the Hunt for Lost Movie Treasures". Boston.com. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  6. ^ McNary, Dave (October 19, 2020). "Cinedigm Buys Vintage Network The Film Detective". Variety. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  7. ^ "Restoring the Classics: Phil Hopkins on Blu-ray Restoration Label the Film Detective". rogerebert.com. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Sling TV Adds 3,000 Classic Movies to Their On-Demand Lineup". Cord Cutters News. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  9. ^ "The Film Detective Expands Sling's Movie Library". whatsonsling.com. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  10. ^ "Our Apps". thefilmdetective.tv. Retrieved June 2, 2018.

External links[]

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