Hoopla is a cloud-based streaming service that can be an excellent alternative to cable TV or subscription-based streaming services like Netflix or Hulu.
Its digital library includes a wide variety of content, from movies, TV shows, audiobooks, comics, and more.
However, before signing up, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the streaming service’s details.
Here are five things you should know about Hoopla if you plan on using its services.
1. Midwest Tape Owns Hoopla
Hoopla streaming service is operated by Hoopla Digital, a subsidiary of The Midwest Tape.
The Midwest Tape is an Ohio-based company famous for selling physical media content such as DVDs/Blu-ray, CDs, and audiobooks to public libraries.
Hoopla was founded in 2010 with a business model similar to Midwest Tape but focusing on digital rather than physical content.
It is a revolutionary service, as it allows users to instantly access materials from libraries without physical limitations, such as waiting for availability, or other hassles, such as expensive shipping costs.
2. It Has Over 1.5 Million Titles of Digital Content
Hoopla has a vast digital catalog with over 1.5 million digital media titles. New content is added periodically. Below is a snippet of content you can enjoy if you sign up.
Movies
Hoopla partners with studio distributors like Nickelodeon, Magnolia Pictures, Universal, MGM, LEGO, Hallmark Movies, A24, and others to provide a variety of movies.
Its library has a large catalog of movie titles in various genres, from action to romance, comedy, horror, animations, and more. Some of the most popular films offered include:
- White Chicks
- Daddy Day Care
- The Spy Next Door
- A Thousand Words
- The Hating Game
- Red Right Hand
- Agent Recon
- Oppenheimer: The Real Story
- Sweet Home Alabama
- Blood Moon
TV shows
Hoopla partners with several content providers to offer users TV shows from major networks, such as BBC, Sky, AMC, Acorn TV, ITV, Nickelodeon, Lifetime, and more.
Some of the top TV shows you can find in Hoopla’s library include:
- A Discovery of Witches
- Dark Winds
- Interview With the Vampire
- My Life is Murder
- Mayfair Witches
- Harry Wild
- Call the Midwife
- Chelsea Detective
- Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
- Silent Witness
- Digging for Britain
- London Kills
Music
The streaming service has partnerships with music distributors, such as Alligator Records, Twin Sisters, Universal Music, Warner Music, Smith Music Group, INgroooves, oOne, and iMusti.
As such, you can find a large collection of music tracks and albums, including from popular artists like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Imagine Dragons, Charli XCX, Megan The Stallion, and more.
In addition to movies, TV shows, and music, Hoopla offers several audiobooks, eBooks, and comics titles.
You can also find a decent collection of anime series, such as Pokémon BingePass, One Piece, and Yo-Kai Watch.
3. Hoopla is Free to Use but With a Public Library
Hoopla is a free streaming service; you can access content without incurring fees. However, unlike traditional free streaming services, you can only access Hoopla if you are a patron of a participating public library.
The site uses your location to find participating libraries in your area. If you have a library card from one of these partner libraries, you can sign up and access the available content.
If you don’t have a library card, you must first join a partner library in your local area before you can use Hoopla’s services.
Unfortunately, if your local library is not partnered with Hoopla, you will have to wait until it joins the program before you can be able to use its services.
NOTE: While Hoopla is free, the libraries that adopt the program are charged between $0.99 and $2.99 for every title borrowed or rented by their patrons. As a result, most libraries have a limit, usually five to ten titles per month per patron.
Fortunately, in addition to the titles allowed by partner libraries, Hoopla also offers users bonus borrows and binge passes. These can allow you to access hundreds of more titles without affecting your monthly limit.
4. You Can Use the Service on Multiple Devices and Platforms
You can access Hoopla on several platforms like:
- PCs (web browsers on www.hoopladigital.com)
- Amazon Fire TV
- Amazon Fire Tablet
- Android mobile devices (via the Hoopla app on Google Play Store)
- iOS mobile devices (via the Hoopla app on the Apple App Store
- Android TV
- Apple TV
- Roku
- Samsung TV
- Chromecast
- Chromebooks
To start using Hoopla:
- Go to www.hoopladigital.com or download and install the Hoopla app or channel (Roku) on one of the supported devices.
- Use the register option to find a local partner library where you are a partner.
- Provide your library card number, pin, and email address to create your account.
- After creating an account, log into the Hoopla website or app, browse the available content, and check out your desired title.
- Go to the My Hoopla section on your website or app to view and enjoy your current titles.
You can learn more by checking our post about activating Hoopla on different devices.
NOTE: All of Hoopla’s digital titles are rented or borrowed, with the period varying from media to media as follows:
- Movies and TV shows – 72 hours
- Music – 7 days
- eBooks – 21 days
- Comics – 21 days
- Audiobooks – 21 days
You can extend your title after the borrowing period ends, but the extension will be counted as an additional title and deducted from the limit provided by your local library.
5. Hoopla Is Now Available in Several Countries
When Hoopla was first launched, it was only available in public libraries in the United States and Canada. However, in 2021, the streaming service expanded internationally to include Australia and New Zealand.
Hoopla is available in four countries and constantly adds new partner libraries to increase its coverage.