You are here

Topic: Streaming

But you might have to pay extra to watch March Madness on the platform. News 

Max to provide free live sports streaming for a limited time

Adriana Marais, ,

In the upcoming weeks, Max appears poised to enter the realm of sports streaming. Warner Bros. Discovery is considering enticing users by providing live sports content at no additional expense for a few months, with the intention of eventually introducing an additional charge for such services. When WBD unveiled the new-look Max (formerly HBO Max) in April, it said it would unveil plans for live sports at some point this year. The company broadcasts NBA, MLB and NHL games on its linear networks, and according to Bloomberg, it has been…

Read More
You may also see exactly how long you have to wait until you can skip the remaining ads. News 

YouTube Experiments with Longer Commercial Breaks on TV Apps

Febin Mathew, , , , ,

YouTube is currently conducting trials on smart TVs, Apple TV, and game consoles to explore a new advertising strategy. The platform is testing the concept of reducing the frequency of ad breaks while extending their duration on these devices, collectively known as connected TV or CTV experiences. The idea is to display ads in a way that fits better with each YouTube viewing environment. On mobile, you may be more inclined to watch content like Shorts in smaller chunks, so shorter, quick ad breaks may make more sense. However, YouTube…

Read More
This seems to be another move to attract more paying users. News 

Spotify Tests Restricting Access to Lyrics Behind Premium Paywall

Nitin Misra, , ,

Spotify is currently conducting tests on its Premium service by making changes to its offerings. Recently, a number of Spotify users who were on the free tier observed that they could no longer access in-app lyrics. Instead, they received a notification bubble stating, “Enjoy lyrics on Spotify Premium,” along with a sign-up link. Spotify explains that this move to place in-app lyrics behind a paywall is simply a part of its regular testing process. “At Spotify, we routinely run a number of tests, some of which end up paving the…

Read More
It adds an extra social element to the music-streaming app. News 

YouTube Music’s Now Playing Tab Incorporates YouTube Comments to the Detriment of Listeners

Nitin Misra, , , , ,

The recent update of YouTube Music’s Now Playing page is now available for both iOS and Android devices. A notable addition to the app is a new feature that enhances its social aspect. Users can now read and post comments directly on the Now Playing page, expanding beyond the previous limitation to playlists only. According to screenshots shared by 9to5 Google, some of the comments on the page may be from several years ago. As it is, it seems The updated design is rolling out gradually, so you may not…

Read More
Here’s hoping it fares better than CNN+. News 

Max to Launch Live CNN Streaming Channel in September

Adarsh V.K,

Warner Bros. Discovery decided to cancel CNN+ after just a little over a month due to significantly low viewer numbers. However, the company still believes that there is potential for live news from CNN on a streaming platform. It will bring CNN Max to all Max tiers in the US at no additional cost on September 27. The new 24/7 service “is part of an open beta for news, enabling product features, content offerings and original storytelling experimentation, all with input and feedback from the Max community,” WBD said in…

Read More
A monthly payment option is now available in most states, while student plans are on the way. News 

NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube Now Includes Live Chat and Highlights in Short Videos

Adriana Marais, , ,

YouTube has announced additional features for NFL Sunday Ticket this season, including the ability to engage in live chat and read others’ opinions during football games. These features will be accessible on both mobile devices and televisions. YouTubers can watch live NFL highlights on Shorts. On Sunday afternoons, highlights include a red Live ring around the channel’s Avatar, and clicking on this will direct users to the NFL Channel’s Live tab. That’s where Sunday Ticket subscribers can decide which game (or games thanks to multi-view options) to start watching. Another…

Read More
The anime, which features the cast of 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,' will arrive on November 17th. News 

Netflix Releases Teaser for ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ to Positive Reception

Adarsh V.K, , ,

Netflix has released a teaser for Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, an anime adaptation of the popular Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series. The show, consisting of eight episodes, follows the main character as he competes in a battle of the bands contest and confronts his girlfriend’s seven evil exes. The anime is a sequel to the 2010 film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, based on the graphic novels. The main characters from Edgar Wright’s film will reprise their roles in the series, including Michael Cera (Scott Pilgrim), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Ramona…

Read More
Amid writers and actors strikes, the ceremony couldn't really go ahead next month. News 

Emmys Postponed by Television Academy to January

Febin Mathew, ,

Fans of shows such as Andor and The Last of Us, eagerly awaiting the outcome of the Emmy Awards, will need to exercise some extra patience. The Television Academy and Fox have recently disclosed that the Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony has been rescheduled from September 18th to January 15th, coinciding with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. That marks a four-month delay, and means the ceremony will air a week after the Golden Globes. The Television Academy and its broadcast partner have moved the Creative Arts Emmy Awards to the same…

Read More
The streaming service is also expanding its ad-supported tier to Europe and Canada. News 

Disney+ Increases Prices and Limits Account Sharing

Adarsh V.K, , , ,

In May, Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed that the company’s streaming service would experience a price increase in the near future. During Disney’s quarterly earnings call, Iger announced that the ad-free Disney+ premium tier would be raised to $13.99 on October 12. This marks the second $3 price hike for the streaming service within the past year, as the current subscription price of $10.99 was established in December. Additionally, Hulu’s ad-free plan will also see a $3 increase, bringing the standalone subscription cost to $17.99 per month. That’s a big…

Read More
We don't know what titles will be supported. Gaming 

Netflix Launches Game Controller App for iPhone

Febin Mathew, , ,

Netflix has expanded its foray into the gaming industry by releasing a new app exclusively for iOS devices. Named “Netflix Game Controller,” this app enables users to transform their phones or tablets into game controllers after connecting them to their television sets. Consequently, individuals can now play games offered by Netflix on their TVs and conveniently manage the gameplay using their mobile devices. Although the app is already available for download, there is little further news. For example, we don’t know what games it supports or details about the pairing…

Read More
You can also stream Gal Gadot's new action movie this Friday. Gaming 

Netflix Launches Text Adventure ‘Heart of Stone’ on Discord Bot

Adriana Marais, , , , ,

Netflix has been operating a Discord bot for over a year now, which assists individuals in discovering shared shows and movies according to their geographical accessibility. Today, the company is broadening the functionalities of the “Hey, Netflix” bot by introducing a text-based game. This is the first time Netflix has brought a game like this to Discord. As you might expect, it has to do with something you’ll soon be able to stream on Netflix, the action movie Heart of Stone starring Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan. The film arrives…

Read More
The agency is also working on a consolidated web experience. Space 

NASA Launches Its Own Streaming Platform

Jim Hendler, , ,

NASA is set to introduce its own streaming platform, NASA+, in the upcoming summer. Although NASA currently livestreams launches and other events on its website, NASA+ will offer not only live broadcasts but also a variety of original video series. Some of the initial shows on the platform will be brand new, and the best part is that the service will be free and ad-free. In essence, NASA+ will be the go-to destination for those looking to indulge in NASA and space-related content. The streaming service is available through the…

Read More
The company blames its losses on podcasts and company restructuring. News 

Spotify Sees Unexpectedly High Growth Despite Continuing Losses

Febin Mathew, , ,

Spotify experienced a significant surge in its monthly active users (MAU) during the second quarter of 2023, reaching a record high of 551 million after attracting 36 million new listeners. This represents a 27 percent increase in MAUs and marks a milestone for the streaming giant, as stated in its recently published earnings report. Although not all new users opted for a Premium account, Spotify also achieved a remarkable second quarter in terms of Premium subscribers. It gained 10 million paying users, surpassing expectations by 3 million and achieving a…

Read More
It's the latest in a delightful tradition of musical TV episodes, and looks like a banger. Space 

‘Musical Episode to Feature in ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Season 2′

Febin Mathew, , ,

Paramount has announced that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 will introduce the first official Star Trek musical episode. Titled Subspace Rhapsody, it will be the ninth episode of the season and will premiere on Paramount Plus on August 3rd at 7PM ET. This marks a significant departure from the previous tradition of Star Trek musical parodies, making it a highly anticipated event for fans. The news was announced at San Diego Comic-Con during the Star Trek Universe panel along with a video (below, US only). It features 10…

Read More
Where to find all of the matches being played in Australia and New Zealand. Gadgets 

Learn How to Watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Online

Adarsh V.K, , , ,

The FIFA Women’s World Cup, a highly anticipated sporting event that occurs every four years, is set to begin this week. The United States Women’s National Team aims to make history by securing their third consecutive title. Can they replicate the success they achieved in 2015 and 2019? Meanwhile, the Lionesses of England hope to bring the trophy home. Could an underdog surprise everyone? We have all the details on how and when to stream the entire tournament, starting with the first matches tomorrow morning Eastern Time (Thursday, July 20th).…

Read More
Current subscribers can keep their Basic plan until they change their membership tier. News 

Netflix Removes $10 ‘Basic’ Plan in US and UK

Sanjay Patil, , ,

Netflix has discontinued its $10 Basic tier option, which does not include ads, in the US and the UK. The company has updated its Plans and Pricing page to inform new and returning members that they can no longer sign up for the Basic tier. However, current members can continue with their membership until they decide to cancel or make changes to their subscription. The Basic tier was initially removed in Canada, where users often experience service changes first. This move coincided with Netflix’s efforts to crack down on password-sharing,…

Read More
It launched closed beta testing for the service in Brazil and Indonesia. News 

TikTok Launches Music Streaming Service in Australia, Mexico and Singapore

Adriana Marais, , ,

TechCrunch and CNBC have reported that TikTok is now offering users in Australia, Mexico, and Singapore the opportunity to join a closed beta test for its upcoming music streaming service. This comes after the app initially launched the beta testing phase in Brazil and Indonesia in July. As part of the expansion, invited users in these regions will receive a complimentary three-month trial to experience the service. TikTok Music is a completely separate app that testers can download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. However, it connects…

Read More
The hikes go into effect next month. News 

Peacock increases subscription fees for the first time

Nitin Misra,

Peacock, the streaming service, has announced an increase in its subscription prices for those who enjoy rewatching The Office repeatedly. The ad-supported Premium subscription will now cost $6 per month, up by one dollar, while the ad-free Premium Plus option will be priced at $12 per month, an increase of two dollars. Subscribers opting for an annual Premium subscription will have to pay $60 per year, which is $10 more than before, while the Premium Plus subscription will cost $120 per year, an increase of $20. These changes will come…

Read More
It builds the Elgato Stream Deck rival Loupedeck Live, among other products. News 

Logitech Buys Loupedeck, Manufacturer of Streaming Controllers

Adarsh V.K,

Logitech has acquired Loupdeck, a company that initially launched on Indiegogo with its Lightroom editing console. The financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed, but both companies confirmed that the sum was “non-material.” Logitech G general manager Ujesh Desai stated that this acquisition will enhance Logitech’s current product lineup and expedite their software goals of making keyboards, mice, and other devices more intelligent and contextually aware. After announcing an advanced editing console in 2019 (Loupedeck CT), the company moved into video streaming with Loupedeck Live and Loupedeck Live S.…

Read More
That's one way to deal with the crackdown on password sharing. News 

Transfer Netflix Profile to an Existing Account Now Available

Nitin Misra, ,

Starting today, Netflix users have the option to transfer their profile to an already established account. This new feature aims to simplify the process for users who are sharing an account with roommates or a partner, allowing them to retain their personalized settings and recommendations while dividing the expenses. According to the company, this addition was highly demanded by users. Since October, users have been able to create a new account with their current profile. That way, they can keep their watch history, titles saved to My List, game save…

Read More