Way back when (Nov 16, 2009) I posted an article about the new clicker.tv web site.  The original article (posted below) highlighted some of the great features of this TV, movie and music aggregate web site.  Since that first post, clicker has gone and made some significant changes to its interface.  We’ve got the skinny on the changes and new functionality available at the click of a button (now on your mouse or remote control).

The original article is posted below and the additions/changes are highlighted in green.

“The web site Clicker aggregates streaming television from all corners of the internet into one clean, simple-to-search interface designed to help you find any show you want to watch online, no matter who’s hosting it.”**  This single site gives you a one-stop shop for finding a program you want to watch.  Until now, you had to do the hunting yourself and it wasn’t difficult to get lost in the sea of options available on the internet.   A recent article from mashable.com indicates that Clicker will “connect you to a database of 650,000 online TV episodes.”

Whether you are focused on finding a particular episode of a show or you are just bored and looking for a new program, Clicker seems to have it all.  Search by title, keyword or even category to find a show you are interested in.  Browse the results and let the links guide you to the site(s) containing the viewable program, even if they are only available on a paid site, like Amazon.com, Netflix or iTunes.  This TV Guide for the internet is exactly what the television watchers of today needed and I plan on bookmarking it immediately.

Interface on 11-16-09

The example above shows a typical show page.  A quick description and some direct links to the location of the hosted episodes are accompanied by other titles that might be of interest.   The recommendations for shows related to Alf were spot on, giving me options to watch another “alien show” 3rd Rock From the Sun or some of my 80’s favorites like Family Ties or Growing Pains. The site is easy to use and the interface is quick and simple.

Windows PC Remote

The new interface (show below) now works with a remote control (if you have one attached to your PC) and includes just a few simple buttons.  Even a search for a particular show can be entered using only the remote, via an iPhone-esque on-screen keyboard.

The chosen episodes are viewed directly within the portal or linked to an outside source.  This can sometimes be confusing, but you are always a Backspace away from the clicker web site.  CEO Jim Lazone indicated that a toolbar will one day accompany you to the external site, which should make navigation a little more consistent.

The New and Improved Interface (05-10)

There were a few issues I noticed while testing out the clicker.tv site.  Keep in mind that this is a BETA site and the bugs are still being flushed out.

• After clicking on an episode of Lost then returning to the home screen, all future clicks to other shows still took me to episodes of Lost.
• The Lost episode guide indicated that I could only view the show via iTunes (indicating a paid option).  A quick trip over to the ABC web site shows otherwise.
  
• The recommendations that made the original interface so interesting are now gone.

So, next time your DVR acts up, don’t forget that you have Clicker.com to turn to. While every show is not available, you won’t have to search through 10 sites to find the answer. Clicker.com will tell you in just a couple of clicks.

** quote taken from the LifeHacker.com article titled Clicker Is a One-Stop Shop for Streaming Television

Tags: aggregate, BETA, clicker, clicker.tv, episodes, Glee, Lost, Movies, Music, remote control, Television, TV

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 20th, 2010 at 10:10 am and is filed under Free Programs, Tips and Tricks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.