Streaming Video

Using video resources in the classroom, including descriptions of available resources, copyright information, and FAQ about finding and requesting films.

Library Research Guide

Welcome

film flowing across mobile devices

This guide explains all the ins and outs of finding and correctly using streaming video and DVD movies for classroom and events at K-State. If you have any questions, you can contact any librarian shown on each page or use any of our Ask A Librarian services. 

FAQ

Submit a Video Request Form to see if K-State Libraries can purchase a streaming license. If the Libraries are not able to secure an institutional digital site license, you may need to consider an alternative film or ask students to purchase the film via a commercial subscription service such as Netflix or Amazon.

Swank Motion Pictures Inc. manages the rights to feature films and documentaries released by most major movie studios, some Disney films included. Our contract with Swank for Digital Campus allows us to stream a limited number of titles each year. In selecting titles, priority is given to films needed for large classes, multiple sections and courses, and online only courses.

Please submit requests via our Video Request Form.

Streaming films are among the most difficult online course materials for the Libraries to procure. Securing streaming rights is sometimes not possible: a significant percentage of moving image content – feature films, television programming, and documentaries – do not and may never have streaming access. Increasingly, streaming services are producing original content only available through individually licensed subscription plans.

  • An alternative is to explore the Libraries DVD and Blu-ray collection. The collection is discoverable through Search It and videos can be viewed in the library or checked out for 30 days.
  • Check JustWatch or Reelgood to determine online availability for students. It may be freely available on YouTube or Vimeo or elsewhere. Note that these videos, especially on YouTube, may not be legal copies and may be removed from the platform at any time, or may only be available for limited periods of time.
  • Students can use commercial streaming services - their own accounts or trial subscriptions.
    • Popular home streaming platforms are not available for institutional/educational access; K-State Libraries cannot subscribe to or otherwise provide access to these platforms. (Example platforms include, but are not limited to Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Hulu, YouTube.) These providers only sell to individuals, not institutions.

No. The end use license agreement (EULA) to which you agreed when creating an account with these services is almost always only for personal use. These services (i.e., Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, YouTube., etc.) do not offer educational or institutional licensing options. If you choose to assign content from these services to students, be aware that offerings on these platforms are dynamic and a film may not be available later in the semester, or even the next month. This is especially true of YouTube videos, which are often not legally uploaded and when reported, must be removed.

No. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act codified in part in 17 U.S.C. § 1201 "makes it unlawful to circumvent technological measures used to prevent unauthorized access to copyright works, including copyrighted books, movies, video games, and computer software." This current copyright ruling prevents DVD to streaming if the DVD has a technological protection measure (TPM) on it. Breaking or circumventing the TPM is a violation of copyright. For additional information, see Section 1201 Exemptions to Prohibition Against Circumvention of Technological Measures Protecting Copyrighted Works and a related listing of Frequently Asked Questions. The Libraries do not provide reformatting services.