The world of online content for films and TV is exploding with providers like Netflix and LOVEFiLM dominating the marketplace, without always putting deaf customers first. Andy Palmer caught up with Shaun Sadlier recently to find out about his plans to launch Films14, an online TV service with 100% subtitled and lots of signed content, especially for deaf people.
Hi Shaun. What inspired you to start Films14?
A few years ago, I used to hire LOVEFiLM DVDs and discovered something exciting called LOVEFiLM Instant but unfortunately there were no subtitles available. I checked Netflix out too during that time and they had no subtitles. So, I continued with LOVEFiLM DVD until I received three DVDs in a row without subtitles available, which I paid for.
It make me feel so frustrated but a little bit glad about Netflix when they started showing some content with subtitles. Then I joined Netflix and cancelled LOVEFiLM. Video Streaming started to grow rapidly. BlinkBox, LOVEFiLM, Netflix and many smaller ones all video streaming. None of them showing 100% subtitles in the UK. They don’t think about deaf, deafened or hard of hearing access.
Also, I recall ‘Jericho’ a show on Netflix and one episode had no subtitles when the rest did. I asked them so many times and for many weeks to fix this issue. They failed.
One night, we were all exciting to watch movies on Netflix but couldn’t find any movies with subtitles which made me feel so stressful to the extent it spoiled the enjoyment, I lashed out ‘Flaming useless!’ I said. “I can do better than that.” Then, suddenly, I thought this is a great opportunity to start out my own video streaming business to provide 100% subtitles and eventually an in-vision signer.
Films14 is an ambitious project, how much work is involved for you?
The work is just like a mountain and I am a climber. One step a time to reach the top. Whatever it takes, there is no going back down and I will achieve on every step.
You’ll be competing against big names like Netflix who offer lots of subtitled content – what’s you edge over the competition?
Netflix is already a giant and been in business since 1997. But Films14 is unique as we will provide 100% subtitles and they don’t have in-vision signers and never will. Also, our company policy is that we WILL NOT provide movies without subtitles. One day, we will be as big as Netflix and that’s our aim.
What’s your background? – you must be a pretty smart guy!
Thank you for your kind comment. I am a thinker, good at problem solving, love extreme sports, love to share, reading books, having fun, love watching movies with my wife and kids. I am so passionate about Films14 and want it to succeed, then we can all enjoy watching movies with 100% subtitles on any device with a screen.
How much investment will you need and how confident are you that you’ll get there and how do we know you won’t just move to Brazil!?
We need £100,000 for Films14 Limited to start up and I will do everything to reach the target because it is a unique business. It is in a niche market and I love this company.
I am confident it will be successful because I am getting lots of positive feedback about this company. If we fail we will try again and again until we succeed.
Brazil? Hahaha! I work so hard to achieve many things with Films14 Limited and I want to have the world’s best access in the video streaming market. When it goes well in the UK and then we will go into the international market. Why should I throw that fantastic once in the lifetime opportunity away? It is my dream and I love it!
If Films14 has inspired you – Shaun has set up a page where you can invest in the business. Find out more here
The Limping Chicken is supported by a range of charities and organisations linked to deafness, all of whom offer services that enhance deaf lives. Click on the images on the right-hand side of this site or go to our Supporters page to find out all about them!
Liz
September 16, 2013
Great what she is doing, for those who use the service, and I hope it goes well, as it is something that is needed. But for someone like me who pays just tv license, as this is all I can afford, and I would not be the only one, I would like to see this accessibility for all deaf on all tv channels.
Shaun Sadlier
September 17, 2013
Hi Liz,
Did you know? We don’t need TV License if your TV NOT receive or record live broadcast television programmes. They used scare tactic to make us buy TV License if we got a TV which it is not true.
http://tv-licensing.blogspot.co.uk/2008/08/no-tv-licence-required.html
Our plan is to have the world best Deaf access for millions Deaf, Deafened and Hard of Hearing.
Thank you.
Shaun Sadlier
September 16, 2013
Thank you 🙂
Lorna
September 16, 2013
God for you Shaun. Bit confused though.. why does a donation of £10 and £50 get you a special subscription rate for life but £30 only gets you a baseball cap?
Shaun Sadlier
September 17, 2013
Hi Lorna, I been thinking what you have said. So, I change reward – Baseball Cap including Bronze reward. Do you like it? So, something different?
Thank you.
bluebudgietrills
September 17, 2013
Hi Shaun. That’s great, it’s not that wouldn’t have been happy with the baseball cap, it just seemed a bit out of kilter with ascending scale of rewards on offer! Good luck, this is a fab idea.
Deepa
September 16, 2013
If this gets off the ground, then there work for deaf translators!!! Good luck Shaun!
Shaun Sadlier
September 17, 2013
Hi Deepa, Thank you and I hope I can create thousands jobs because when our company business model are doing well in the UK then we will franchise Films14 around the world.
Liz
September 17, 2013
Yes I am aware about not needing a tv license when not receiving live tv broadcasts as there was a time I did not have a tv for a few years. I have one now though. So license needed. Just wish all channels give the options for me switching subtitles on, like movie channels for example on free view.
Shaun Sadlier
December 11, 2013
Hi all, I looked this article and I realise how much I have achieved which it blow my mind. We are getting closer to the reality of online movie and TV series with 100% subtitles available, in-vision signer and audio description.
We got eight people in our team and working so hard to make it possible and we can be bigger than Netflix and LOVEFiLM, all movies and TV series with 100% access.
Watch this space!
katherine
June 10, 2014
Good luck!!!!! I am so happy that you are doing this. I struggle so much without my subtitle friends and am often left disappointed with large companies lack of them.
Thankyou…just thankyou xx I will promote this service wherever I can xx
Shaun Sadlier
June 11, 2014
Thank you, Our company is FilmSense now and we are working on this to launch this year.