Disney’s fiscal third-quarter revenue rose 7% to $25.25 billion as streaming operating income more than doubled to $712 million and Experiences operating income climbed 20% to $3.02 billion. Disney+ is…
Spotify’s planned paid AI covers and remixes add-on creates a new revenue stream from Premium subscribers while leaving artists without key details on royalty formulas, ownership, payment triggers, deductions, training rights, and opt-out controls. Merlin’s participation gives Spotify access to…
Sony Pictures is building a premium, in-person entertainment portfolio through the Cinerama Dome, Alamo Drafthouse, Cosm, live touring events, and franchise-based fan experiences. The strategy creates recurring ticketing, merchandise, sponsorship, and licensing revenue while extending the commercial life of Sony’s…
TSW sees Amazon and Walmart turning streaming ads into a commerce land grab. By controlling identity, buying, attribution, and transactions, both retailers could reduce streaming services to inventory suppliers while keeping the advertiser relationship and more of the margin.
Netflix’s licensed series have generated more than half of its global series-driven sign-ups since Q1 2025, showing that licensed programming is outperforming originals as an acquisition engine. Kirby examines how media companies should reserve exclusivity for titles that materially drive…
Kirby argues that cumulative media time is a weak measure because overlapping sessions carry very different levels of attention, intent, and commercial value. Streaming services have an advantage in high-intent viewing, but they’ll create more value by improving the handoff…
Streaming economics increasingly depend on who controls the interfaces, infrastructure, billing relationships, and discovery tools connecting audiences with premium content. YouTube, Amazon, HBO Max, Netflix, and DAZN are gaining leverage by owning customer setup, search, packaging, data, and the next…
YES Network and MSG Networks are shutting down the Gotham Sports app and moving their direct-to-consumer services to DAZN beginning with the 2026-27 NBA and NHL seasons. The partnership lets the networks retain their valuable local sports rights while outsourcing…
Netflix’s reported $500 million deal with AMC Global Media gives it global co-exclusive rights to all 371 episodes in The Walking Dead universe beginning in 2027. The agreement gives Netflix a proven engagement driver while helping AMC monetize its biggest…
AMC Global Media raised its full-year outlook after securing a roughly $500 million Netflix licensing deal for The Walking Dead universe. The agreement gives AMC predictable revenue to offset declining affiliate fees while keeping the franchise on AMC+ and expanding…
Starz and Crunchyroll are using their new $16.99 Prime Video bundle to test whether Power fans and anime viewers overlap enough to improve acquisition, engagement and retention. Success depends on customers crossing between both catalogs and staying long enough to…
Documentary+ is turning its new vertical feed into a sampling engine for long-form viewing, using short clips and direct links to test which moments drive full-documentary starts and deeper catalog engagement. The broader opportunity for streamers is to convert familiar…
HBO Max's testing Shorts and Ask HBO Max to help mobile viewers discover programming through personalized video clips and natural-language searches. The features could reduce time-to-play, increase title starts and saves, and give WBD stronger data on viewer intent.
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”…
