Topic: Streaming
ESPN, NBC, and Amazon secure NBA TV rights as TNT bid is turned down
The NBA and WNBA have signed agreements for the broadcasting and streaming of games for the next eleven years. The NBA deal will be in effect from the 2025-2026 season to the 2035-2036 season, while the WNBA agreement will cover the seasons from 2026 to 2036. Pro basketball has been a mainstay of ESPN for years and continues to be, and the Disney-owned network remains the primary media rights owner for both leagues. ESPN will be the exclusive home of the NBA Finals for eleven years of the new deal,…
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Prime Video receives a long-awaited update with improved user interface, including a new content bar and AI-powered recommendations.
Amazon Prime Video, known for its wide range of original content such as Fallout, The Boys, and Rings of Power, has previously been criticized for its cluttered and confusing layout compared to competitors like Netflix. However, the company is now introducing a new UI that aims to provide a more intuitive and streamlined streaming experience. Prime Video’s redesign starts with a streamlined navigation bar that should make it easier to navigate. The bar on the left contains the general categories Home, Movies, TV Shows, Sports and Live TV. Immediately to…
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Twitch reinstates ex-President Trump’s Twitch account
Twitch has announced that the three-year ban of former president and current Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on the gaming stream platform has been lifted. A statement from Twitch confirmed the reversal of Trump’s ban from the platform. “We have reinstated former President Trump’s Twitch channel,” the statement read. “We believe it is valuable to hear directly from the presidential candidates whenever possible. Trump is now the official Republican nominee for President of the United States. The Amazon-owned platform temporarily suspended President Trump’s account in 2020 for violating its hateful…
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Max to provide free live sports streaming for a limited time
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…
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YouTube Experiments with Longer Commercial Breaks on TV Apps
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…
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Spotify Tests Restricting Access to Lyrics Behind Premium Paywall
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…
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YouTube Music’s Now Playing Tab Incorporates YouTube Comments to the Detriment of Listeners
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…
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Max to Launch Live CNN Streaming Channel in September
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…
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NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube Now Includes Live Chat and Highlights in Short Videos
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…
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Netflix Releases Teaser for ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off’ to Positive Reception
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…
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Emmys Postponed by Television Academy to January
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…
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Disney+ Increases Prices and Limits Account Sharing
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…
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Netflix Launches Game Controller App for iPhone
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…
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Netflix Launches Text Adventure ‘Heart of Stone’ on Discord Bot
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…
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NASA Launches Its Own Streaming Platform
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…
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Spotify Sees Unexpectedly High Growth Despite Continuing Losses
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…
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‘Musical Episode to Feature in ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Season 2′
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…
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Learn How to Watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Online
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).…
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Netflix Removes $10 ‘Basic’ Plan in US and UK
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,…
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