SideReel is a television show tracking website.[2] The site, while not a production or publishing entity, gives users access to various discussions, reviews, and news articles related to shows; it acts as a medium for users to access content centered around shows of their liking.
History
SideReel launched in April 2007 and was featured in CNET's Webware "beta watch" that same month.[3]
In 2011, SideReel was acquired by Rovi Corporation,[4] and the Allrovi.com site was launched.[2] The company also announced it had surpassed 1 million unique visitors in one day.[2]
In July 2013, Rovi spun off SideReel, along with AllGame, AllMovie, AllMusic, and Celebified, as All Media Network; the company's owners includes the original founders of SideReel and Ackrell Capital investor Mike Ackrell.[5][6][citation needed]
In 2014, a free SideReel app was launched, allowing fans to find, track and watch their favorite TV series on iOS devices.[7] The site's Android and iOS apps were later withdrawn as they were too unprofitable.[8]
In 2020, the site was purchased by Netaktion LLC.[9]
Business model
SideReel compiles a comprehensive list of television shows and aggregates content for them. The site provides links to view full episodes online, as well as a forum to discuss and review TV shows.[10]
This site allows users to actively collaborate on updating site content, and uses Facebook Connect to foster user participation and a sense of community. Users of Connect can see what shows friends like, and share their favorites.[citation needed]
Criticism
In 2010, an LA Times article was published using interviews with unnamed anti-piracy experts who accused SideReel of being a way for viewers to watch shows that are not available online by linking to pirated streaming sites. The company denied the charges, stating that it was merely a specialized search engine that points to legitimate sites and removes infringing links when notified of them.[10]
