MPAA combats piracy with revamped search site

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At WheretoWatch.com, consumers can find where to watch movies and TV shows legally online.

Annlee Ellingson

Staff Writer- L.A. Biz

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Well, this is handy. Say I want to rewatch "The Long Goodbye" — my favorite movie of all time, which I inexplicably don't own a copy of. Sure, I could open a bunch of tabs to search Netflix and Hulu and Amazon and Vudu individually. Or I could just go to WheretoWatch.com and find all my viewing options with just one search.

The newly launched site isn't the only place that provides such a service. You can do the same thing on CanIStream.it and Flixster. But WheretoWatch was created by the Motion Picture Association of America and its six member studios, and it's ad-free.

Of course, the MPAA doesn't just want to make our lives easier. One of the organization's biggest priorities is its fight against piracy, and maybe the thinking is an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: Make it easier to find legal ways to buy, rent and stream movies and TV shows — or find showtimes at theaters nearby — and consumers will be less tempted to steal them.

"It gives you the high-quality, easy viewing experience you deserve while supporting the hard work and creativity that go into making films and shows," the MPAA said.

Citing a KPMG study, the MPAA pointed out that as of December 2013, 94 percent of the biggest box-office and critical hits were available to watch online legally. In addition, more than 100 online services deliver movie and TV content legally. The MPAA is working with both major providers including Netflix, iTunes, Amazon and Hulu to smaller sites such as SnagFilms and WolfeOnDemand and aims to continue to add partners.

"Our industry is delivering more content via more platforms today than anyone could have even imagined just a few years ago," said Steve Mosko, president of Sony Pictures Television. "Over-the-top video on desktop, mobile, connected TVs — we are constantly innovating to meet consumers wherever they want to be. WheretoWatch.com is another great step toward facilitating a terrific viewing experience for everyone who loves TV shows and movies."

WheretoWatch.com, a revamp of WheretoWatch.org that the MPAA launched last year, doesn't include TV listings, but you can set alerts powered by GoWatchIt. And the site offers additional content including trailers and behind-the-scenes features produced by the MPAA's online magazine "The Credits."