As new options are delivered on close to a weekly basis, streaming content is quickly becoming the new cable television for many families.  However, there is one area that the streamers haven’t caught up to broadcast or cable television yet: the advertising of new content.  Most advertising seems to be done either in-house, through the service itself or on their social media pages.  Perhaps that is part of the model – there isn’t as much of an immediate need to advertise when a show is available until the end of the time; word-of-mouth can help obtain new viewers.  However, that doesn’t help the person researching for new options.  This monthly post aims to help those that are looking for what is coming next.

Master of None

Streaming Provider: Netflix

Release Date: November 6th, 2015

The stand-up comedian working their act into a half-hour television program has been a sub-genre for quite a long time now.  Seinfeld is probably still the most famous incantation of the formula; still living on in syndication and quoted daily.  It has become even more en vogue recently, with the arrival of the critically acclaimed Louie, by comedian Louis C.K.  What puts Louie on a separate playing field is how it is able to show the humorous day-to-day relations of its comedian, yet doesn’t shy away from becoming emotional or downright philosophical.  This rise in popularity has given other stand-ups the opportunity to try their own hand at a Louie.  Master of None is Aziz Ansari’s (Parks and Recreation) chance.  Released for stream on November 6, the show looks to bring his brand of humor to a story about the struggles of non-Caucasian actors to be cast in rewarding parts.

With Bob and David

Streaming Provider: Netflix

Release Date: November 13, 2015

A sketch-comedy show from the minds of Bob Odenkirk and David Cross – the two that created the cult HBO show, Mr. Show.  I’m not sure how sketch comedy will work with today’s binge-watching culture (my biggest complaint of a binge is that episodes bleed together, and that’s even when there’s an overarching narrative).  But the trailer is funny; and this seems rather low-budget, making it an extremely low-risk move for Netflix to tap into a different cult audience.

The Art of More

Streaming Platform: Crackle

Release Date: November 19, 2015

Crackle looks to get involved with the high-stakes dramas.  The free-streaming provider was able to get a cast of movie regulars, such as Dennis Quaid, Kate Bosworth, and Cary Elwes for this one.  It looks like it might fall into a “bad guys doing bad things” trap as many other shows that doesn’t provide very likeable characters, but if it allows Quaid to ham it up then there can definitely be fun to be had here.

The Man in the High Castle

Streaming Provider: Amazon Prime

Release Date: November 20, 2015

Based off of a novel by Phillip K. Dick, Amazon’s high-concept parallel world strikes this month, after having a pilot that debuted some time ago.  The show takes place in an alternate timeline, where the Allied Forces lost World War 2, and the United States of America is now under rule by the Axis powers (based off the imagery, mostly by Nazi rule).  Though it doesn’t seem to have many recognizable stars, the show is executive produced by Ridley Scott (The Martian), and creator/writer Frank Spotnitz, who was one of the brains behind much of the The X-Files.  It looks like a promising release into Amazon’s growing catalog.

Marvel’s Jessica Jones

Streaming Provider: Netflix

Release Date: November 20, 2015

Marvel’s Jessica Jones is the next in a line of inter-related stories within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  Releasing a few months after the popular Daredevil, it has some large shoes to fill, this time with a character that is only familiar to the most hardcore fans of the genre.  As far as I’m concerned, this is what Marvel should be doing with the renewed interest: bringing niche characters to the forefront.  It obviously worked well in 2014 with the smash hit Guardians of the Galaxy.  However, I wonder if Marvel is a little nervous here – they have attached their name to the title of the series; a move that surely is an effort to help create awareness.  The trailer continues the dark tone that the previous series did, only this time looks to add some horror elements.  Netflix has what is likely the “must-watch” show of November with this one.