Do you need another streaming service? If you’re a lover of the performing arts you might do, because Marquee TV is a streaming service specializing in ballet, contemporary dance, music, opera, theater, and related documentaries.
These aren’t just any performances, either. Marquee TV aims for content of the highest quality, thanks to relationships with institutions such as La Scala, the Bolshoi, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The obvious next questions are: Is there enough material to justify a subscription? And how do the features compare with those of other streaming services? Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about Marquee TV.
What Content Does Marquee TV Offer?
Marquee TV’s content is limited by design to the performing arts. You won’t find regular movies or TV shows in its library. What you will find are recordings of ballets, symphonies, operas, plays, and the like, as well as behind-the-scenes features and other extras.
Dance fans can enjoy productions by the likes of BalletBoyz, Sadler’s Wells, and the Washington Ballet. Opera lovers can choose from classic and contemporary operas staged in cities and by companies around Europe.
If your interest lies in theater, there are numerous RSC Shakespeare productions, along with plays by Oscar Wilde and modern writers. Classical music devotees are obviously a key demographic, as they have access to perhaps the widest variety of material—it's no wonder Apple is launching a classic music service of its own.
To be clear, the Marquee TV library is dwarfed by the enormous back catalogs of the mainstream streaming services. However, it’s also the type of content you savor rather than binge—and more is being added all the time. So even the hungriest culture vultures shouldn’t run out of entertainment.
Lest we give you the impression that Marquee TV is entirely predictable, note that you will find the odd surprise inclusion; author talks from a literary festival or a documentary about the history of synthesizers, for instance.
Videos can be displayed in 270p, 360p, 540p, 720p HD, or 1080p HD, depending on your internet connection and whether you are at home or on the move.
How Much Does Marquee TV Cost?
Marquee TV costs $8.99 per month, or there’s a better value annual fee of $89.99. Keep your eye out for two-for-one deals and free trials, too.
It’s such a specialized service that purchasing a subscription will likely be a no-brainer for aficionados of the performing arts, while those considering it as just another option may balk at increasing an already excessive streaming spend.
As part of its effort to support the performing arts, Marquee TV does offer a discount to teachers and those working in the industry. Some institutions are also eligible for a reduced rate; you will need to provide proof of your credentials.
What Platforms Does Marquee TV Support?
The short answer is: most.
You can watch Marquee TV on the web, iOS and Android devices, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and more. In other words, it should be compatible with many smart TVs and the majority of smartphones.
Where Is Marquee TV Available?
The good news for lovers of the performing arts is that Marquee TV is technically available worldwide. However, should you experience any difficulty in accessing the service in your country, they ask that you contact them so they can investigate.
If you’re wondering where the streaming service is based, it has offices in London and New York City, which certainly puts it in close contact with several famous performing-arts venues and organizations.
What Other Features Does Marquee TV Offer?
Like any streaming service worth its bandwidth, Marquee TV has a Watchlist section where you can bookmark things you want to watch. There’s also a handy History section in case you want to revisit a video you’ve watched previously.
When you can’t decide what to watch, there are themed playlists. And, as is also fairly standard these days, content can be downloaded to mobile devices for watching in transit.
Parents of young children will be glad to learn of the presence of both parental controls (in the Account Settings) and a dedicated kids’ area. There’s plenty of family-friendly content outside this area, but think of it as a shortcut to productions based on fairy tales and other kid-pleasing fare.
Where a performance includes dialogue, captions are generally available in multiple languages.
Does Marquee TV Have Any Additional Costs?
Not unless you want it to. For example, it’s possible to purchase a gift subscription for a friend directly through the app, which is neat.
More relevant to most users, though, will be the ticketed events. These are special new performances or festivals that come with an additional fee. They tend to be time-limited and may only be valid for certain regions.
You will also notice some videos displaying the date on which they will be made available, while giving users the option to rent them now. This isn’t necessary and probably should be avoided unless you’re desperate to catch that performance.
Should You Get Marquee TV?
The answer to whether you should subscribe to the Marquee TV streaming service will depend on two things. The first is the level of your passion for the performing arts. Will Marquee TV become one of your primary sources of entertainment, as you tune in for your fix of dance, music, opera, and theater? Or will it only see occasional use, when you’re in an arty mood?
The second thing to consider is how much of this content you already have access to via other sources. Cable/satellite TV packages often come with an arts channel—have you investigated yours? There’s also a significant amount of authorized free material on YouTube, released by orchestras and performing companies around the globe.
Even with all of the performing-arts viewing available elsewhere, there’s a lot to be said for Marquee TV’s high-quality, expertly curated library. No cable arts channel could compare. Maybe you do need another streaming service.