Video site Crackle has expanded its video line up, with over one hundred movies now available for free on-demand…. if you live in the United States.

Georetardation isn’t a new concept, and Crackle isn’t alone in restricting access to viewers in the United States. The excuse is always the same: international rights mean that sites are unable to offer access in other countries. Hulu, YouTube and other services are bound by supply agreements from content providers, and although we complain, ultimately these restrictions are imposed from above. Crackle though is different, because Crackle is owned by the rights holder/ content owner, Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Ultimately Sony has the call on where the content can be played. Movie content is sold internationally on a similar basis to television programs, but unlike TV programs, movies don’t face the same competition argument with third parties. That is, movies are primarily provided in main international markets by the same company that owns the rights. In Australia for example, Sony movie content is distributed by Sony Pictures Australia, who handles the theatrical release, DVD sales and rental market.

Some of these movies do find their way on to television eventually (primarily cable TV), but usually years after their initial release. Sony as the master rights holder could offer its own content online in addition to TV rights by delaying the release after “first run” rights are exhausted, if they are in existing contracts. But here’s the catch: the same “first run” rights issues don’t apply exclusively outside the United States, because the same deals are in place within the United States as well. If Sony can show its own content online in the United States and comply with local distribution agreements, they most definitely can outside the United States.

That they’re not offering access outside the United States has nothing to do with rights agreements; it’s georetardation for no other reason than Sony deciding that they’re not interested in non US based viewers. Is it little wonder that BitTorrent usage remains significantly higher in places like the United Kingdom and Australia vs the United States?

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Faustino will lead a Crackle series entitled “Star-ving,” set to premiere on January 16, 2009. He’ll play an “exaggerated version of himself” — an out-of-work actor begging for jobs but left to ultimately run a struggling porn shop. Al Bundy himself, Ed O’Neil, will also appear in an episode, as will former Bundy family members Katey Sagal and Christina Applegate.

Here’s the official preview:

“Star-ving” and the other Crackle online shows will start popping up on the site December 1st and will also be made available on YouTube, Hulu, MySpace, AOL, Verizon V CAST, and other online networks. Each show runs on a 13-week season, with episodes debuting on the same day each week and lasting 3 to 5 minutes a piece.

A full listing of the Crackle programs and their official descriptions follow.

The Jace Hall Show

(Mondays) Beginning on December 1st, 2008, Crackle will air four brand new episodes of the “The Jace Hall Show,” an original short-form lifestyle series created and hosted by film, television and videogame producer Jason “Jace” Hall. Mixing Hollywood glitz with gamer geekdom, “The Jace Hall Show,” which is produced by HDFILMS, features exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from the hottest game developers as well as rare interviews with actors, musicians and athletes, who discuss their lives and experiences.

The Hustler

(Mondays) Beginning January 12, 2008, Crackle launches “The Hustler,” starring Mark Fuerstein (”Defiance,” “Law & Order”) as a mysterious man hustling vulnerable opponents (children, the elderly, the physically challenged, etc.) in order to make a quick buck. But is he only after their money, or is something more elusive going on? Supdawg Productions produces the web series for which Mark Fuerstein and director Sam Friedlander serve as executive producers.

The Groundlings

(Tuesdays) “The Groundlings” kicks off its second 13-week season on Tuesday, December 16th. For more than 30 years, the Groundlings have been an institution on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, serving up steaming piles of laughter to live audiences. The world-renowned improv/sketch troupe continues to bring their signature humor to the web via sketches and short series. The web series is produced by Groundlings Films and is distributed by Sony Pictures Television.

Owen Benjamin Presents

(Wednesdays) “Owen Benjamin Presents” will begin its new season on Wednesday, December 17th. The series encompasses a combination of how-to-segments, music videos, and online vignettes by actor/comedian/Internet video genius Owen Benjamin (”The House Bunny”). Benjamin offers his own unique take on everyday situations, and also makes his parents proud by putting his musical talents (and real-life training as a classical pianist) to good use in hilarious music videos that showcase his original songs and cover the gamut of uncomfortable and inappropriate topics. Owen Benjamin created and executive produces the web series.

Anytime with Bob Kushell

(Thursdays) Emmy(r)-nominated television writer/producer Bob Kushell hosts the new web talk show, “Anytime with Bob Kushell,” which will premiere Thursdays beginning December 18th. Filmed in a garage in Van Nuys, CA, the series brings everything you expect from a late-night talk show: short monologue, comedy bit, full in-studio band, and of course, celebrity interviews, all in a comically compact five minute package. Guests appearing in the first season include Christina Applegate, Jennifer Esposito, Neil Patrick Harris, Zach Levi, John Stamos, and Jeff Garlin, among several others. The web series is executive produced by Bob Kushell and Russell Arch, and is a Killer Custard Production.

Star-ving

(Fridays) “Star-ving,” starring David Faustino and Corin Nemec (”Parker Lewis Can’t Lose”) will premiere on Friday, January 16th. In the series, Faustino plays an exaggerated version of himself — he’s broke, can’t find a job and his wife has left him for a rap star. Faustino is reduced to begging from his rich Hollywood pals when he realizes that the only thing remaining in his life is his struggling porn shop, left to him by a late fan. The series reunites Faustino’s “Married … With Children” castmates, including: Ed O’Neil, Katey Sagal, Christina Applegate, in an episode, and also features guest appearances by Seth Green (”Entourage,” “Robot Chicken”), Ed Asner (”The Closer,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”), rap star Coolio, Alan Thicke (”Growing Pains”), comedian Gilbert Gottfried (”The Aristocrats”), and others. “Star-ving” was created and written by Faustino and Nemec along with Todd Bringewatt (”Rules of the Game”) and Sam Kass (”Seinfeld”), who also directs the series. “Star-ving” is a production of FNB Entertainment LLC in association with Sony Pictures Television.

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