26 Flemish and Brussels libraries start streaming films and series today

Members of 26 libraries in Flanders and Brussels can watch films and series with their own film streaming service, Cinébib, as from today. The Belgian digital support center for libraries, Cultuurconnect, announced it this Thursday 6 October. The project will be evaluated over the next two years. Afterwards, other libraries can join if they wish. 

People are streaming more and more movies, and watching them less and less on DVD. To meet this changing viewing behaviour, the Belgian libraries are starting their own streaming service called Cinébib. The service will be an addition to the existing DVD collection of libraries.

Cinébib should also be an alternative to the major streaming services, which often offer mostly commercial content. The libraries can offer films from three possible Belgian streaming platforms: Dalton Distribution, Avila or Sooner.

Each library chooses which platform, or combination of platforms, it will use. Members of a participating library can log in to Cinébib with their "My Library" profile and watch all selected films, series or documentaries from any digital device. Most of the selection is free for library members, some films are paid.

Platforms selection

Sooner has the largest and most accessible selection, with 1,400 films. Avila brings a curated selection of 10 thematically delineated films, which are renewed every 3 months.

"It's a nice offer of Belgian author cinema," says Cultuurconnect in their website.

With the slogan "Bring a film festival into your home", Dalton focuses on world cinema, short films and documentaries, but also has a range of youth and feature films. The "My Library" profile gives access to the basic range of 300 films on the Dalton platform.

(VIV)

#FlandersNewsService

BELGA PHOTO (YORICK JANSENS)