Basics of Streaming explains how TV operating systems like Roku OS, Fire TV, LG webOS, Samsung Tizen, Vizio SmartCast, and Android TV shape discovery, advertising, subscription billing, and data collection,…
Omdia’s latest data shows ReelShort and other microdrama apps are driving more daily mobile watch time per active user in the U.S. than Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+, with ReelShort averaging 35.7 minutes per day compared to Netflix’s 24.8. While…
Skip explores what would happen to Max if Netflix or Paramount Global acquires Warner Bros. Discovery, and whether the app and studio assets would operate independently or be folded into a larger platform. He breaks down how identity systems, billing…
Disney’s January surge to 11.9% of total TV share was driven almost entirely by ESPN’s College Football Playoff coverage, highlighting how live sports can materially shift parent-level market position. But YouTube’s 12.5% lead underscores that structural, daily engagement now rivals…
Amazon Web Services is moving deeper into live sports production with Elemental Inference, an AI system that automatically reframes live and on-demand broadcasts into vertical video and generates highlight clips within six to 10 seconds of latency. Fox Sports and…
Antenna’s latest data shows U.S. SVOD growth slowing sharply, with new subscriptions falling 33% in 2025 to 18 million from 27 million in 2024, while Q4 growth cooled to 7%. The market isn’t adding households anymore, it’s reallocating them, with…
Warner Bros. Discovery is reviewing an increased takeover offer from Paramount Skydance, with analysts expecting a revised bid in the $32 to $35 per share range, up from the prior $30 proposal. David Ellison’s willingness to raise the offer, clarify…
The U.K. government will bring major video on demand platforms with more than 500,000 users under enhanced oversight from Ofcom through new legislation tied to the Media Act 2024. Tier 1 services including Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ must comply…
The NFL is rumored to benegotiating a one-year, four-game regular-season package with YouTube. The short-term deal would give the league real-time data on pricing, ad demand, reach, and technical performance while preserving leverage across multiple bidders including Netflix and Amazon…
Utah approved a $2 million industrial assistance grant for Nuovo Film Festival Incorporated to build an AI-enabled, vertically integrated production ecosystem designed to compress timelines and cut costs. The state’s betting that AI infrastructure, workforce certification, and integrated capital networks…
OpenAI partnered with Reliance to integrate AI powered conversational search into JioHotstar, enabling multilingual text and voice discovery across live and on demand content. The deal also brings JioHotstar recommendations directly into ChatGPT, creating a two way discovery layer. The…
James Cameron warned Sen. Mike Lee that a proposed Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery would accelerate the decline of theatrical exhibition, cost jobs, and weaken America’s global film leadership. He questioned Netflix’s commitment to a 17 day theatrical window…
Roku appointed Patrick Harris as SVP of Global Media Revenue, hiring the former Snap and Meta executive to lead global advertising growth and media innovation. The move follows stronger than expected quarterly results and a positive 2026 outlook, signaling deeper…
HBO Max has launched in Germany, Italy, and five other European markets, expanding through new carriage deals with Amazon Prime Video and local bundling partners. The move ends legacy Sky restrictions and sets the stage for a U.K./Ireland launch in…
Spotify has opened a new video-first podcast studio in Hollywood’s Sycamore media district, marking its second LA location and expanding its investment in video podcasting. The 11,000-square-foot facility will support creators in the Spotify Partner Program, including The Ringer and…
Netflix is facing a lawsuit from an HBO Max subscriber seeking to block its proposed $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery’s entertainment assets, alleging the merger would harm competition and lead to higher subscription prices. The plaintiff argues the…
FIFA has named TikTok its official "Preferred Platform" for the 2026 World Cup, marking the first time a social media platform has received such a designation. The deal includes live match footage, press conferences, training updates, and creator-led content, aiming…
NBCUniversal is expanding Peacock’s interactive sports streaming features for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics and NBA All-Star Weekend. New mobile-optimized experiences—Rinkside Live for hockey and figure skating, and Courtside Live for basketball—will let users toggle between curated camera angles…
Disney+ is planning to launch a vertical, TikTok-style video feed later this year, aiming to increase daily user engagement through short-form content. The feed may include episode clips, social content, and AI-generated videos, possibly integrating elements from its ESPN “Verts”…
