Streaming Video Comparison

Alexander Street Multimedia Platform, Ambrose Video, Films on Demand, Kanopy, Swank, Docuseek, New Day Films

Introduction

The last streaming video comparison review from CCL-EAR was published in April 2017, and the proliferation of options has grown more complicated. The shifting landscape includes several additional vendors since the last review. The interest in media content for libraries has grown, even more sharply during the pandemic. Libraries may obtain large, annual subscription packages, purchase individual licenses for short-term and perpetual content, engage different pricing models, all in an effort to meet the long tail needs of our students.

It did not feel possible to compare the streaming services one-to-one due to the number of variables to consider. A single vendor can offer overlapping options (including subscriptions, packaged collections, life of file licenses, etc.). Pricing can be modest, or quite steep (such as a video six minutes in length licensed at the same price as a two hour documentary on one vendor’s platform). Few vendors seemed to consider the size of the institution (such as through FTE bands) when pricing their content, even though a smaller school would potentially have fewer viewers. It could be helpful if vendors would make options more simple and transparent, and consider the small staff sizes and enrollment changes California community colleges have been reckoning with.

Most subscription packages continue to include outdated content. While this may improve the number of titles offered, it brings down the quality of content. Additionally, many streaming vendors have made strides with respect to disclosing accessibility information in fairly current VPATs (Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates), but there is always room for improvement. In particular, this committee would like to see improvements with respect to audio descriptions, considering how heartily libraries engaged new streaming services in the last few years. We have attempted to give brief notes with respect to accessibility for all platforms, but we recommend reading the VPATs to understand accessibility issues more deeply.

The review looks at the following areas for each product:

• Content/Coverage
• Cost/Affordability
• Usability
• Support
• Interoperability
• Accessibility
• Privacy
• Usage tracking

 

Alexander Street Multimedia Platform

Content/Coverage

Alexander Street Multimedia Platform is a learning and research platform for audio, text, image, and videos. A selection of about 90,000 streaming video titles are available individually and/or as part of a collection.nMany video collections are available, and content includes the Academic Video Online (AVON) collections, as well as content from PBS, CNN, BBC, etc. There may be overlap in content, particularly among AVON and the curated collections.

Relevance to CCCs

The collections cover subject areas such as Ethnic Studies, LGBT Studies, Anthropology, Behavioral & Mental Health, Humanities, Music & Dance, Theatre & Drama, Science & Medicine, Social Sciences, among others.

Cost/Affordability

Most video collections are available as a one-time purchase or as an annual subscription. Libraries may license individual titles for 1 year, 3 years, and/or perpetually depending on the publisher. Pricing seemed similar to that of other vendors offering the same types of licenses.

Usability

The main search on the Alexander Street Multimedia Platform displays all content available on the platform, whether a license has been purchased or not (identified with a “sample” label), with no option to filter or limit to licensed content only. The platform uses the terms collections and channels interchangeably (such as in the search bar and within other parts of the navigation). These inconsistencies are challenging for users.

Facet options can be overwhelming, and search result lists lack detailed descriptors for decision making. An advanced search option, such as "exact title search" would offer more precise searching. The video player has intuitive controls, similar to many streaming platforms. An automatic captioning option that is available for auto generating captions in other languages, which ProQuest describes as “ ‘on-the-fly’ captions … generated by a speech-recognition algorithm … provided solely for user convenience and is in no way intended to replace human translation.” A convenient picture-in-picture mode automatically toggles on when a user scrolls beyond the video player (such as to view a list of recommended titles) farther down the page.

In addition to captions, full transcripts appear in a side panel, and provide useful methods of scanning through text or keyword-searching the full text transcript of each video.

Faculty may use films and clips in an online playlist, and share them by link, through social media, or embedded into a syllabus or LMS. A user profile must be created in order to make and share customized clips of videos. Clips can be made private (viewable only to your user account), public (currently only findable on the Clips navigational tab on https://search.alexanderstreet.com/), or institutional (available under the Clips section for titles the clip was created from). Additionally, custom clips made available publicly for other users of this platform come with the caveat that if the user is from another institution, in order to use a custom clip of a title, the library the user is accessing content through must also have licensed access to the title.

Support

An Alexander Street Multimedia Platform LibGuide is openly available with links to asynchronous training videos, upcoming live training, content information, interface highlights, and search syntax details.

Similar to Infobase’s Films on Demand, some subscriptions include space for a library to host their own content. Additional Media Hosting Services can be purchased for uploading institutionally owned content for students and faculty to access through the Alexander Street platform.

Interoperability

Canvas LTI is available to enable faculty to embed and play videos directly in Canvas without the need for students to authenticate separately into the resource. Alternatively, a link in Canvas that opens a new window to the video on the Alexander Street platform can also play without further authentication.

Films are available for activation in Alma via the Community Zone for surfacing content on Primo VE.

Accessibility

According to the Video Platform Accessibility Statement, 95% of the videos are captioned. There are times when text embedded within an image will not have an accessible alternative.

Privacy

According to ProQuest’s “Basics of Privacy” on their Privacy page, the vendor does not sell data, but their data is processed by outside entities for ProQuest purposes. ProQuest will ask users to approve the collection and use of their data before doing so. Users can request what data has been collected, that information be deleted, and can download data through a Data Subject Request link on the vendor’s privacy page. Details regarding what data is collected, purposes, and processed and used can be found on the Ex Libris privacy statement.

Usage

Usage statistics include COUNTER-compliant reports and SUSHI-enabled reports. Additional reports enable libraries to export data at the title, subject, and collection level. In addition, this platform includes impact metrics to identify why users watch the content and what value they place on it (provided the user engages the surveys), as well as user engagement metrics such as playlist adds, content shares, devices used, self-reported use cases (such as whether an item is shown in class, or used in an assignment), video ratings, and referring URLs.

 

Ambrose Video

Content/Coverage

This streaming platform has approximately 700 videos covering health science, history, and the BBC Shakespeare plays. Some current items exist on the platform, such as “21st Century Turning Points in U.S. History (2000 - 2020).” However, some content is outdated, such as a video on California climate impacts from 2009. The platform includes supplemental files like teachers guides, timelines, potential quizzes, which may be of interest for instructors looking for support with teaching content.

Relevance to CCCs

Some films available on the platform may help demonstrate concepts important to introductory community college classes. However, due to the focus on current “hot topics” in many classes (such as English Composition), a platform with more updated content may be more appropriate.

Cost/Affordability

Ambrose is a very affordable service for smaller budgets. It is possible to license single titles and full collections for one year.

Usability

Navigating the site is fairly user friendly, though getting to films from the initial splash page is a little less intuitive. The media player has many of the features standard across streaming video services. This makes it easy to use, but the interface design feels a little dated (with respect to look and feel).

Support

Product/customer support responded quickly to questions submitted via email.

Interoperability

While embed codes are available, availability of LTI integration was not obvious. Upon investigation, it appeared there were no electronic collections for the content on this vendor’s platform available in Alma to display in Primo - just a database level portfolio. The vendor provides MARC records on their website which can be loaded into Alma for Primo at the library’s discretion.

Accessibility

The VPAT and an accessibility overview is easily accessible on the Ambrose website. Alternate text, skip links, color contrast, navigation options, and more are all openly addressed. There are few “remarks and explanations” on the actual VPAT. Audio description is being added to the platform “as time allows,” and some AAA criteria are not supported at this time.

Privacy

The privacy policy is openly available on the Ambrose website, with language that is clear and easy to understand, but it has a date stamp of March 2007. This raises questions about the statement “We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with Federal regulations to guard your non-public personal information.” Without an update in over a decade, it makes us concerned about the currency of their safeguards and regulation compliance.

Usage

Usage stats are available within the Account Tools. Said stats are not COUNTER 5 compliant, rather, the vendor describes them as “COUNTER compatible.”

 

Films on Demand

Content/Coverage

The Films on Demand platform from Infobase offers various packages enabling access to over 38,000 titles in a wide variety of subjects and categories.The films are from over 800 international producers including BBC, PBS, A&E, National Geographic, Nova, Bill Moyers, ABC, NBC and TED.

Relevance to the CCCs

Films on Demand provides  relevant content to California community colleges with films that support many subjects, such as Education, Engineering, Philosophy, Business, and more. As is common in large subscription packages, older content is present.

Cost/Affordability

Pricing varies depending on which package is chosen and includes unlimited simultaneous access (such as a focused ‘Careers & Job Search’ collection, and a broader ‘Master Academic’ package). Subscriptions and PDA plans are available, as well as hosting slots for the library to upload their own films. Single license pricing varies widely.

Usability

The interface is simple and usability has improved in the past couple of years, such as with the addition of more filters in the Advanced Search (which now includes filters for types of video and audio). Citations can be easily generated for EasyBib, NoodleTools, and RefWorks.

Support

There is a Contact Us section at the bottom of their page where you can contact them by telephone during business hours. There is also an administrative portal contact support page where subscribers can email and call the vendor. This page also includes a Support Center that houses guides, video tutorials, and articles regarding the use of Films on Demand. MARC records are provided by the vendor, but the quality of records is poor.

Interoperability

The Master Academic Package is available for discovery in the Primo system, however, there are concerns about the completeness. At times, it appears there have been less portfolios available for activation in Alma than the number of films on the platform. The films can be embedded in Canvas by using the Canvas LTI tool, or by providing direct links to the films or video clips. Films on Demand is responsive on different browsers and mobile devices.

Accessibility

According to the VPAT, most films have captions and interactive transcripts, and the vendor is currently working on adding audio descriptions for a small number of films. 85% of the films and video clips are closed captioned.

Privacy

The Films on Demand Privacy Policy is listed at the bottom of the page. It states how and why personal information is collected and how it is secured. It also states the vendor abides by privacy laws such FERPA and California Consumer Privacy Act.

Usage

COUNTER 5 usage reports can be generated in the administrative portal. The usage reports can be customized to obtain the desired data.

 

Kanopy

Content/Coverage

Kanopy includes a selection of over 30,0000 films available for academic and public libraries. Content includes “12,000+ Filmmaker and Supplier Partners” including A24, PBS, Paramount, The Criterion Collection, HBO Documentary Films, and more.

Relevance to CCCs

The films on the platform are relevant to the varied topics discussed and studied in community college curriculum, such as Film Studies, Race & Class Studies, Gender Studies, and more.

Cost/Affordability

Kanopy has a few licensing models, including firm orders for individual films or curated packages, patron driven acquisition (triggered by a number of plays, or a budget threshold). The KBASE (Kanopy Bundled Academic Subscription for Education) subscription bundle is also available, and includes a collection of 10,000 titles curated for higher education institutions (which constitutes about ⅓ of Kanopy’s catalog). Cost is the main issue for adopting Kanopy titles through a patron driven acquisition model (PDA), as demand could outpace the funding to support this purchase model. It is worth noting that there are multiple PDA options available and one may work better based on individual library needs. The acquisition of Kanopy by Overdrive has created shifts in pricing, and there appears to be recognition of needs of community college libraries, such as the new KBASE collection offering and availability of perpetual title licenses.

Usability

Kanopy is available via an array of apps on the TV, phone, tablet, and computer, although, it should be noted that video playback is not supported in mobile device browsers. The Kanopy app is recommended for use on mobile devices, and is available for smart TVs. Content with Public Performance Rights (PPR) can be found using a search filter. The Administrative Dashboard provides a method of fielding and tracking content requests and following up with requesters, and tracking financials. This makes it easy  to track who requested what title, whether they are faculty or a student, and when licenses expire.

Support

A Help Portal is available, as well as a contact form for questions or reporting problems. Additional tech support is available via Kanopy’s support email. Generally, support for troubleshooting and purchasing are responsive. In terms of support on pricing, negotiations for collections or purchase model options can be cumbersome as it’s not always clear how these models work, or the cost from year to year. 

Interoperability

Kanopy does not have an LTI for Canvas. They provide an embed code from the standard user interface. Kanopy is available as a database through the Community Zone on Alma. MARC records are available in the administrative portal of Kanopy.

Accessibility

According to Kanopy, the apps and the website support screen readers, keyboard navigation, voice control, and other assistive technologies. Kanopy maintains that they work to expressively label, describe, logically arrange, and provide a large enough tap (or click) area for interactive elements. On their website, Kanopy states that their goal is to comply with the applicable Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA Success Criteria across their website and apps. They maintain that they collaborated with Level Access to strengthen the accessibility features and will continue to make improvements to the Kanopy platform to improve accessibility for all users and increase compliance. Kanopy’s Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) notes that alternative text and caption timing could be improved.

Privacy

The Kanopy Privacy Policy notes “Non-PII [personally identifiable information] is treated by Kanopy as PII when it's collected on an individual level and linked to any PII that you have chosen to submit to Kanopy or that Kanopy may have collected from your interactions with the Services.” Since users often make users accounts for the Kanopy platform, this feels important to note.

Usage

COUNTER compliant reports on usage are not available. Other metrics available include usage breakdowns by video, subjects, and suppliers, time and days of use, operating systems, devices (mobile, tablet, television, desktop), and search keywords.

 

Swank

Content/Coverage

Swank contains approximately 30,000+ award-winning feature films that range across many genres, including drama, mystery, comedy, thriller, romance, and animated, from a variety of studios such as A24, CBS, Disney Pixar, IFC, LucasFilm, Paramount, and more. Libraries can subscribe to customized collections or purchase a pre-set collection of titles based on institution/discipline needs.

Relevance to CCCs

Although Swank supports K-12 education, it is also relevant to community college libraries providing films that support many disciplines, such as in the Arts, History, Sociology, and Psychology.

Cost/Affordability

Single year licenses tend to run a little higher than other vendors. Costs reduce significantly when libraries are able to license a batch of titles each year.

Usability

The interface provides access to films through thumbnail images of films and is similar to many streaming service interfaces.There is no Advanced Search. The Filter option narrows result sets by categories, as well as choosing Audio Language and Subtitles in many popular languages, such as Spanish, Italian, German, and Chinese. Users can browse by titles held in the library collection, as well as filter them by category.

Support

Swank provides a Contact Us form in their website as well as a help site in their FAQs. Several CCC libraries noted slow response times. Swank Digital Campus’ license requires access via IP authentication or any password-protected environment, such as an LMS like Canvas.

Interoperability

Swank is available as an electronic collection from ExLibris to be made discoverable in the Primo system. Records are spare. Swank is not available via LTI, but a LMS Link is available to be used in Canvas.

Accessibility

After using the WebAIM accessibility tool, Swank showed very few errors on its interface. Swank works to align with web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) requirements such as closed captioning, keyboard shortcuts, and screen reader compatibility, though the vendor admits a small number of films are still not captioned. More information is provided on their Accessibility page.

Privacy

Swank has a Data Privacy Policy where it states that the Swank streaming platform is hosted in the Microsoft Azure Cloud using Azure App Services, which provides 24-hour threat management and protects the infrastructure and platform against malware, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS), man-in-the-middle attacks (MITM), and other threats. This policy also states the type of data Swank collects and its purpose for it, as well as following the FERPA, PPRA, and COPPA laws requirements.

Usage

Usage reports can be generated by the library admin assigned to access Swank. These include monthly usage and title request reports. These are not COUNTER compliant.

 

Docuseek

Content/Coverage

Docuseek provides streaming access to a number of independent films, including entities like Bullfrog Films, Collective Eye, Icarus, Good Docs, and Women Make Movies. At the time of this review, there were 2500 films available for streaming across topics ranging from indigenous studies, pollution, voting rights, parenting, and more. An interesting aspect of Docuseek is that their video platform is used as an alternate method for hosting Good Docs content for libraries that do not have the ability to host Good Docs’ content on a server supported by their own colleges.

Relevance to CCCs

The films on the Docuseek platform are highly relevant to the varied topics discussed and studied in community college classes. The films would have broad applicability to a number of classes,  especially for Composition, Sociology, History, and Cultural Studies.

Cost/Affordability

Institutions can subscribe to collections, the full platform, or purchase “tokens” to license films over time. It is unclear how pricing may vary college to college. For Good Doc films on the Docuseek platform, pricing is transparent on the Good Doc’s website. The entire Good Docs collection can be subscribed to with an FTE based cost.

Usability

The entry page for this platform is a list of film results, which are the videos the institution subscribes to. On the right side of the page, the user can limit the results by year, subject, keyword, and the “source” (distributors). Users can see content that is not licensed by your institution. For example, licensed Good Docs content is interwoven with unlicensed Docuseek content, and there is no clear distinction for users. A custom prefiltered splash page for Good Docs content can be requested, but it isn’t a solid solution for most users.

Support

The support at Docuseek is excellent, in understanding the content, the technical capabilities of the platform, and in willingness to brainstorm solutions for the institutional needs.

Interoperability

Docuseek has an Ex Libris managed electronic collection in the Community Zone from which to activate portfolios. MARC records are available from Docuseek. Some LTI functionality is available.

Accessibility

The VPAT is openly available on the “Help” page and was updated in March 2022. On the Help page, there is an open disclaimer related to closed captioning - that Docuseek does not produce the content, and that items are in varying states of caption completeness, but that they are working to improve this, and that this functionality can be filtered in the Advanced Search.

Privacy

The privacy statement is available on the Help webpage. It is written plainly and with specific details. For example, visit information is “never shared with any other party, including the participating distributors.” Being transparent in this way (by giving an example of a stakeholder who might be interested) is helpful. While library users can create accounts on the platform, “Administrators cannot see what a registered user has previewed, viewed, or what searches that user has done.” Unlike other providers, Docuseek helpfully identifies their data retention period.

Usage

Docuseek provides a variety of reports, but COUNTER 5 reports are still under development.  

 

New Day Films

Content/Coverage

New Day is a cooperative involving more than 140 filmmakers. Primarily educational documentaries, the films span topics such as mental health, political science, criminal justice, ethnic studies, and gender and sexuality.

Relevance to CCCs

The topic areas of the documentaries are closely aligned with the curriculum of many CCC programs.

Cost/Affordability

License types vary per film. Pricing for licenses are listed per video on the website. Pricing per license is comparable to many other platforms that offer single film licenses.

Usability

Films available on the platform can be browsed, viewed by category, and keyword searched by name, subject, and filmmaker. The viewing platform includes both an informational page about the film, including a trailer, synopsis, reviews, awards and screening, director commentary, and promotional material, and options to purchase (various license types when available), or a link to view on Kanopy (as films may exist there as well). The viewer page is very spare - a simple header, the player, and a simple footer. Films can be accessed via proxy authentication, or links limited to the institutional email domain.

Support

Support is provided via email, and several support pages are offered related to logging in, purchasing and license options, and streaming help. No MARC records are available. It may be possible to communicate through email via New Day directly to filmmakers.

Interoperability

Embed codes for the films are not available on this platform, nor is LTI integration for learning management systems. Records for New Day films were not available on the Community Zone for activation at the time of writing. Colleges would need to create their own records for their Institution Zone.

Accessibility

This vendor does not have a VPAT or an accessibility statement. Many films have captioning, and some have audio description. This may be a reason folks may feel more comfortable obtaining New Day cooperative films on the Kanopy platform.

Privacy

The privacy policy details user data collection at a very granular level. Perhaps many vendors collect this level of data - New Day identifies that they may collect all data related to the function of ordering films, information from third parties (such as if a user authenticates with Google), information such as time of visit, pages visited, IP address, cookies, web beacons, device identifiers, etc.

Usage

An “analytics” area is available with “views” that list that can be separated per film. The views are listed by date and time of access. No COUNTER style report is available.