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  • How to Watch the 2026 Grammys Live for Free So You Don’t Miss Music’s Biggest Night

    All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

    The Grammys are back, and this year’s show is stacked. The 68th Annual Grammy Awards airs live tonight, featuring performances by Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, and more. Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations with nine nods, including his fifth consecutive Album of the Year nomination—something no other artist has ever done. Whether you’re here for the medleys, the fashion, or to see if your favorites take home the gold, streaming the Grammys without cable is easier than you think.

    How to Watch the 2026 Grammys at a Glance

    Watch the 2026 Grammy Awards

    Broadcasting live on CBS, the Grammys bring together music’s biggest stars for an evening of celebration, surprises, and unforgettable performances. This year’s ceremony honors outstanding achievements across 95 categories, including two brand-new awards: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover. The addition of these categories reflects the Recording Academy’s ongoing efforts to recognize diverse musical contributions.

    “I don’t know what’s going to happen. So that’s what I love about the Grammys is it’s live; it’s happening; it’s on the fly,” host Trevor Noah told CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King last year about his role. His sixth year at the helm promises to bring the same unpredictable, entertaining energy that has made the Grammys an awards season favorite year after year.

    The ceremony serves as music’s highest peer-voted honor, recognizing both established legends and breakthrough talent. With performances ranging from a special medley segment featuring all eight Best New Artist nominees to Bruno Mars, ROSÉ, and Tyler, The Creator taking the stage, there’s something for every music fan tonight. Whether you’re tuning in to see if Sabrina Carpenter adds to her two Grammy wins from last year, rooting for Kendrick Lamar to make history with his fifth consecutive AOTY nomination for GNX, or want to honor the late Ozzy Osbourne with his tribute featuring Jelly Roll and Post Malone, it’s worth clearing your schedule for tonight’s show.

    Ready to tune in? Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about streaming the Grammys broadcast, including free trial options and affordable packages that carry CBS.

    How to Watch the 2026 Grammys on CBS

    The Grammys air on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. If you’ve cut cable in your household, you can still catch every performance and acceptance speech through streaming services that offer CBS and offer free trials.

    DirecTV Stream delivers CBS across all its packages with a five-day free trial, making it perfect for tonight’s ceremony. Plans start at $89.99 per month after the trial period ends. Fubo offers a seven-day free trial with CBS included in its Pro package for $73.99 monthly. Hulu + Live TV also provides access to CBS at $89.99 per month and includes Disney+, Hulu’s on-demand library, and ESPN+ in one convenient bundle. For viewers who want access to CBS’s entire library alongside live programming, Paramount+ Premium offers the livestream plus thousands of on-demand shows and movies starting at $13.99 per month. Check out the full details on your streaming options for the Grammys below.

    Best Overall & EDITOR’S PICK

    Watch the 2026 Grammys with DirecTV Stream

    Free trial: 5 days
    – Includes local networks and 90+ channels

    DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial and four plans—Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier—all of which include CBS. Entertainment comes with over 90 channels and costs $89.99 per month; Choice, which comes with over 125 channels and costs $112.98 per month (currently $102.98 for your first month); Ultimate, which comes with over 160 channels and costs $142.98 per month (currently $132.98 for your first month); and Premier, which comes with over 185 channels and costs $169.99 per month.

    We tested every streaming service offering a free trial, and DirecTV came out on top as our editor’s pick. With its free trial and massive selection of channels and local networks, it’s a great choice for watching the 68th annual Grammy Awards on CBS.


    Best Flexible Pick

    Watch the 2026 Grammys with Fubo

    Free trial: Up to 5 days
    – Includes local networks and 200+ channels

    Fubo is a more flexible option for watching the Grammys, with CBS included in its Sports, Pro, and Elite plans. The service provides four tiers: Sports + News with 29 channels at $55.99 per month (currently $45.99 for the first month), Pro with 214 channels at $73.99 per month (currently $48.99 for the first month), Elite with 278 channels at $83.99 per month (currently $53.99 for the first month), and Latino with 55 channels at $14.99 per month (currently $9.99 for the first month). New subscribers can take advantage of Fubo’s one-day free trial to watch the broadcast (five days for the Latino plan). With these first-month discounts offering up to $40 in savings, Fubo also delivers plenty of live TV options beyond awards season.

    Best BUDGET Pick

    Watch the 2026 Grammys with Paramount+ Premium

    Free trial: None
    – Live CBS stream plus SHOWTIME library and 40,000+ episodes

    Paramount+ Premium (formerly Paramount+ with Showtime) offers direct access to stream CBS to watch the 2026 Grammys. Priced at $13.99 per month, this plan includes your local CBS station’s livestream, plus the entire SHOWTIME library with acclaimed series and specials. You’ll enjoy most content ad-free (live TV still has ads), can download shows and movies for offline viewing, and stream in 4K UHD with Dolby Vision on select titles. While there’s currently no free trial, Paramount+ Premium makes it easy to catch tonight’s celebration while exploring over 40,000 episodes and movies from CBS, Paramount, and SHOWTIME.

    Best Bundle Pick

    Watch the 2026 Grammys with Hulu + Live TV

    Free trial: 3 days
    – Large library of shows, movies, and Hulu Originals

    Hulu + Live TV offers four plans. The cheapest plan, Live TV Only, costs $88.99 per month and comes with access to Hulu’s live TV content. The next-cheapest plan costs $1 more at $89.99 per month and comes with Hulu’s live TV content, as well as access to Hulu’s streaming library with ads, Disney+ with ads, and ESPN+ with ads. For Disney+ with no ads, users can subscribe for $94.99 per month. And for Hulu and Disney+ with no ads, the price is $99.99 per month. Viewers can stream CBS to watch the 2026 Grammys on all Hulu + Live TV plans.
    Beyonce and Taylor Swift

    Where are the 2026 Grammys held?

    The 68th Annual Grammy Awards take place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The iconic venue has hosted the Grammys for 23 years, making this year its final time as the ceremony’s home. Crypto.com Arena provides the perfect backdrop for Music’s Biggest Night, accommodating thousands of music industry professionals, artists, and special guests. The arena’s state-of-the-art facilities allow for the elaborate staging and production values that have made the Grammys one of television’s most-watched events. Prior to the main ceremony at 8 p.m. ET, the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony takes place at the Peacock Theater starting at 3:30 p.m. ET, where the majority of the 95 Grammy categories are actually awarded. This earlier ceremony streams live for free at live.GRAMMY.com and on YouTube, giving fans comprehensive coverage of the day’s celebrations.

    Who is performing at the 2026 Grammys?

    The 2026 Grammy performance lineup includes:

    • Justin Bieber – His first award show performance since 2022
    • Lady Gaga
    • Sabrina Carpenter
    • Clipse and Pharrell Williams – Performing their Album of the Year-nominated collaboration “Let God Sort Em Out”
    • Bruno Mars
    • ROSÉ
    • Tyler, The Creator
    • Best New Artist Medley – All eight nominees performing together: Addison Rae, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, SOMBR, and The Marías
    • Ozzy Osbourne Tribute – Featuring Jelly Roll, Zakk Wylde, Robert Trujillo, and Post Malone

    The ceremony will also include tributes to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack.

    Who is nominated for the 2026 Grammys?

    Kendrick Lamar leads all nominees with nine nominations, followed by Beyoncé, Charli XCX, Billie Eilish, and Post Malone with seven each. Here are the nominees in the major categories:

    Record of the Year

    • “Now and Then” – The Beatles
    • “Texas Hold ‘Em” – Beyoncé
    • “Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter
    • “360” – Charli XCX
    • “Birds of a Feather” – Billie Eilish
    • “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
    • “Good Luck, Babe!” – Chappell Roan
    • “Fortnight” – Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone

    Album of the Year

    • New Blue Sun – André 3000
    • Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé
    • Short n’ Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter
    • Brat – Charli XCX
    • Djesse Vol. 4 – Jacob Collier
    • Hit Me Hard and Soft – Billie Eilish
    • The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess – Chappell Roan
    • The Tortured Poets DepartmentTaylor Swift

    Song of the Year

    • “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey
    • “Birds of a Feather” – Billie Eilish
    • “Die With a Smile” – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
    • “Fortnight” – Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
    • “Good Luck, Babe!” – Chappell Roan
    • “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
    • “Please Please Please” – Sabrina Carpenter
    • “Texas Hold ‘Em” – Beyoncé

    Best New Artist

    • Benson Boone
    • Sabrina Carpenter
    • Doechii
    • Khruangbin
    • Raye
    • Chappell Roan
    • Shaboozey
    • Teddy Swims

    Jenzia Burgos

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  • How to Watch WWE Royal Rumble Live for Free as the Road to WrestleMania Begins

    All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

    The Royal Rumble is finally here, and this year it’s heading somewhere it’s never been before. For the first time in nearly four decades, WWE is taking one of its biggest events outside North America. The WWE Royal Rumble 2026 takes place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where 30 men and 30 women will battle for a shot at glory at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas later this year.

    How to Watch the WWE Royal Rumble at a Glance

    Watch the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble Live for Free

    The Royal Rumble has long been considered the official kickoff to WWE’s Road to WrestleMania season, and it’s easy to see why wrestling fans circle this date on their calendars every year. Thirty competitors enter the ring at timed intervals, battle royale-style, and can only be eliminated by being thrown over the top rope with both feet touching the floor. The last person standing doesn’t just get bragging rights—they earn a guaranteed championship match at WrestleMania, which heads to Las Vegas this April. Winners also get to choose which title they want to challenge for, whether it’s one of Raw’s championships or SmackDown’s belts.

    This year’s event carries extra significance beyond just the WrestleMania stakes. It’s the first time in the Royal Rumble’s 39-year history that the event is taking place outside of North America, representing WWE’s growing global footprint. The outdoor stadium setting in Saudi Arabia also promises a visually impressive backdrop for what’s already one of wrestling’s most unpredictable spectacles. With only about two-thirds of the participants confirmed as of January 30, 2026, the remaining slots mean plenty of room for surprise returns, shocking debuts, and the kind of moments that become instant shares on social media.

    The main card also features high-stakes championship action and a match with genuine career implications. AJ Styles faces GUNTHER in a bout where Styles must retire if he loses—a stipulation that adds real weight considering Styles has hinted that 2026 might be his final year in the ring anyway. Drew McIntyre defends the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn, who earned his shot by winning a hard-fought tournament.

    Between the Rumble chaos, championship matches, and potential career-ending drama, Saturday’s card offers something for every type of wrestling fan. Keep on reading for how to watch without spending a dime.

    How to Watch the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 on ESPN

    The WWE Royal Rumble 2026 airs on Saturday, January 31, 2026, with preshow coverage beginning at noon ET and the main card starting at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN. If you don’t have cable, you can still catch all the action through streaming services that carry ESPN and offer free trials.

    DirecTV Stream is a solid choice, offering ESPN across all its packages with a five-day free trial. Plans start at $89.99 per month after the trial ends. Fubo is another strong option with a seven-day free trial and ESPN included in its Pro package for $73.99 monthly. Hulu + Live TV provides access to ESPN at $89.99 per month and sweetens the deal by bundling Disney+ and Hulu’s on-demand library together with ESPN+ into one subscription. Lastly, Sling TV’s Orange package costs $45.99 per month with over 30 channels—including ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3—making it the most budget-friendly monthly option for live sports streaming. Keep on reading ahead for a full breakdown of your streaming options.

    Best Overall & EDITOR’S PICK

    Watch the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble with DirecTV Stream

    Free trial: 5 days
    – Includes local networks and 90+ channels

    DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial and four plans—Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier—all of which include ESPN. Entertainment comes with over 90 channels and costs $89.99 per month; Choice, which comes with over 125 channels and costs $112.98 per month (currently $102.98 for your first month); Ultimate, which comes with over 160 channels and costs $142.98 per month (currently $132.98 for your first month); and Premier, which comes with over 185 channels and costs $169.99 per month.

    We tested every streaming service offering a free trial, and DirecTV came out on top as our editor’s pick. With its free trial and massive selection of channels and local networks, it’s a great choice for watching WWE’s Royal Rumble on ESPN.


    Best Flexible Pick

    Watch the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble with Fubo

    Free trial: Up to 5 days
    – Includes local networks and 200+ channels

    Fubo is a more flexible option for watching WWE’s Royal Rumble, with ESPN included in its Sports, Pro, and Elite plans. The service provides four tiers: Sports + News with 29 channels at $55.99 per month (currently $45.99 for the first month), Pro with 214 channels at $73.99 per month (currently $48.99 for the first month), Elite with 278 channels at $83.99 per month (currently $53.99 for the first month), and Latino with 55 channels at $14.99 per month (currently $9.99 for the first month). New subscribers can take advantage of Fubo’s one-day free trial to watch the broadcast (five days for the Latino plan). With these first-month discounts offering up to $40 in savings, Fubo also delivers plenty of live TV options beyond WWE events.

    Best Bundle Pick

    Watch the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble with Hulu + Live TV

    Free trial: 3 days
    – Large library of shows, movies, and Hulu Originals

    Hulu + Live TV offers four plans. The cheapest plan, Live TV Only, costs $88.99 per month and comes with access to Hulu’s live TV content. The next cheapest plan costs $1 more at $89.99 per month and comes with Hulu’s live TV content, as well as access to Hulu’s streaming library with ads, Disney+ with ads, and ESPN+ with ads. For Disney+ with no ads, users can subscribe for $94.99 per month. And for Hulu and Disney+ with no ads, the price is $99.99 per month. Viewers can stream ESPN to watch the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble on all Hulu + Live TV plans.

    Best BUDGET Pick

    Watch the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble with Sling TV

    – Daily, weekend, and weekly passes
    – 30+ channels

    Sling TV offers flexible viewing with multiple plan options that include ESPN. The Sling Orange package costs $45.99 per month with over 30 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, making it the most budget-friendly monthly option for live sports streaming. For viewers who want additional sports coverage, Sling offers a Sports Extra add-on for an additional $11 per month, which also includes channels like SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNU, and ESPNEWS. Additionally, Sling now offers short-term options like a Day Pass for $4.99, a Weekend Pass for $9.99, and a Week Pass for $14.99 for viewers who only want temporary access to watch the WWE Royal Rumble.

    Where is the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 taking place?

    The 2026 WWE Royal Rumble takes place at a temporary outdoor stadium called Riyadh Season Stadium at the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This marks the first time the traditional Royal Rumble has taken place outside of North America in the event’s 39-year history. While WWE held the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia in April 2018, which featured a 50-man Rumble match, the 2026 event marks the first traditional Royal Rumble and the first of WWE’s “Big Five” premium live events to take place in the country. The event also marks the 14th WWE event held in Saudi Arabia as part of the promotion’s 10-year strategic partnership with the Ministry of Sport in support of Saudi Vision 2030, the country’s social and economic reform program. 

    Who are the participants in the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble?

    The Men’s Royal Rumble field includes 21 confirmed entrants as of January 30, with 9 surprise entrants expected to be announced during the event. Confirmed participants include:

    • Cody Rhodes
    • GUNTHER
    • Jey Uso (2025 Royal Rumble winner)
    • Rey Mysterio
    • Dragon Lee
    • Penta
    • Roman Reigns
    • Solo Sikoa
    • Jacob Fatu
    • Bron Breakker
    • Logan Paul
    • Bronson Reed
    • Austin Theory
    • Je’Von Evans
    • Oba Femi
    • Randy Orton
    • Brock Lesnar
    • Damian Priest
    • Trick Williams
    • Ilja Dragunov
    • The Miz

    The Women’s Royal Rumble field includes 17 confirmed entrants as of January 30, with 13 surprise entrants expected. Confirmed participants include:

    • Rhea Ripley (2023 Royal Rumble winner)
    • IYO SKY
    • Roxanne Perez
    • Liv Morgan
    • Raquel Rodriguez
    • Lyra Valkyria
    • Bayley (2024 Royal Rumble winner)
    • Asuka (2018 Royal Rumble winner)
    • Jordynne Grace
    • Alexa Bliss
    • Charlotte Flair (2020 and 2025 Royal Rumble winner)
    • Giulia
    • Lash Legend
    • Nia Jax
    • Chelsea Green
    • Maxxine Dupri
    • Becky Lynch (2019 Royal Rumble winner)

    Who is favored to win the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble?

    Roman Reigns enters the Men’s Royal Rumble as the betting favorite with odds of +150, according to MyBookie. GUNTHER and Bron Breakker are tied as the second favorites at +200, followed by Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes both at +400. The line has been volatile throughout the week, with Breakker briefly reaching odds-on favorite status at 10-11 before money came in on Reigns, according to William Hill. LA Knight sits at +500, Jacob Fatu at +600, and CM Punk at +800. Oba Femi, Jey Uso, and Seth Rollins all carry +1400 odds despite questions about Rollins’ participation status. Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton both sit at +2200.

    On the women’s side, Liv Morgan has emerged as the favorite at -125, representing the first time she’s held that position heading into a Rumble match. Bianca Belair follows closely at +150, while Rhea Ripley sits at +250. Tiffany Stratton carries +500 odds, with Becky Lynch at +600 and Roxanne Perez at +800 rounding out the top tier, according to MyBookie. Charlotte Flair, despite being the only woman to win the Royal Rumble twice (2020 and 2025), sits further down the odds board.

    The unpredictability of the Royal Rumble format makes these odds particularly volatile, as surprise entrants historically play a major role in both matches. Past Rumbles have featured shocking returns from legends like Edge in 2020 and AJ Styles’ WWE debut in 2016, moments that completely shifted the trajectory of the matches. With only 21 of 30 men and 17 of 30 women confirmed as of Friday, the remaining slots leave plenty of room for game-changing appearances that could upend the betting markets entirely.

    Jenzia Burgos

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  • As Streaming Grows Up, Familiar Shows Dominate Viewing, Data Shows

    The dominance of Bluey underscores how children’s programming, not prestige drama, has become streaming’s most reliable engine. Mario Wurzburger/Getty Images

    The 2010s marked the streaming industry’s adolescence. Coupling a creative unshackling with the thrill of unbridled newness left those in the media bubble positively cooing like first-time parents. That would make the streaming boom of 2019-2022 its experimental college years. All that youthful optimism funneled into an unprecedented expansion. Yet since then, streaming has eventfully entered the “real world.” The industry is now a young adult assimilating into the steady nine-to-five routine. Growth is no longer driven by splashy hype. Instead, it is the reliability of habit that wins the day. And the data seems to back that up.

    Nielsen recently released its annual top streaming performance lists, meaning we now have yearly leaders from 2020 to 2025. Last year saw a 19 percent uptick in total U.S. streaming minutes compared to 2024. Yet, while streaming time is up, the variety of hits isn’t exactly following suit. Top 10 lists across original streaming series, acquired (licensed) series, and movies remain dominated by the same intellectual properties making multiple appearances. 

    The overall performances speak loudly to what audiences want in the streaming age and which companies are giving it to them.

    Why the same shows keep winning

    Just as the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Lakers always seem to be in the playoffs, sitcoms, procedurals and animated kids’ fare consistently rank among the best-performing titles year in and year out. Bluey (1st), Grey’s Anatomy (2nd), NCIS (4th), SpongeBob SquarePants (5th), The Big Bang Theory (8th) and Criminal Minds (10th) were not only among the 10 most-streamed shows overall in 2025, but have made multiple appearances across top “Acquired” and “Overall” TV lists in the last half decade. (No wonder there’s a Bluey movie en route). Just one streaming original series (Stranger Things, 2nd) managed to claw its way onto the overall Top 10. 

    Most of these shows, and the majority of the “Acquired” TV lists, consist of libraries with hundreds of episodes. (Nielsen’s minutes-viewed metric rewards longer-running series with many episodes). Yes, new action and thrillers thrive on the small screen. But audiences do gravitate toward laundry-folding comfort shows a bit more than cultural daggers. Returning hits capture the largest share of attention, while new hits are more on the periphery of the highest levels. 

    If your main character is a cop, doctor or cartoon, you just might have an edge. 

    Netflix leads in existing and new originals

    Netflix laid claim to seven of the Top 10 most-streamed originals in 2025 (though 10th place airs on both Netflix and Amazon): Stranger Things (1st), Squid Game (2nd), Wednesday (3rd), Ginny & Georgia (6th), The Night Agent (8th), Love Is Blind (9th), Gabby’s Dollhouse (10th). All of those shows have made multiple appearances in the yearly top 10s. 

    Even amid the regurgitation of familiarity, Netflix has managed to effectively launch new hits. First seasons (and/or one-season limited series) of Tiger King, Squid Game, Bridgerton, Maid, Wednesday, Dahmer, Inventing Anna, The Night Agent and Fool Me Once all made a Top 10 annual streaming original list in recent years.

    Launching new shows proved more difficult last year, and all streamers struggle with original comedy. But even with the issues, Netflix was still responsible for the second most-watched new original drama (The Residence, which was admittedly cancelled), the two most-watched new comedies (Running Point and The Four Seasons) and the two most-watched new unscripted series (Sean Combs: The Reckoning and Million Dollar Secret). (Paramount+’s Landman and Peacock’s Love Island USA are the only Top 10 streaming originals making their first appearances this year). 

    Netflix is far less dominant in the “Acquired” and “Overall” lists. Its scale typically enables it to debut new shows fairly successfully, but sustaining them for the long term is trickier today. 

    Prestige doesn’t translate to the top 10 scale

    Premium programming may be my bag, but the rest of the country apparently doesn’t agree. 

    Nielsen began tracking HBO Max in April 2022. Since then, not a single HBO title has made a top annual “Acquired Series” list. Granted, this is a post-Game of Thrones world, and making the “Acquired” list is far more competitive than the others. But still—surprising! HBO Max original The Pitt was the most-watched new original streaming drama in 2025. Appointment viewing furnishes a quality brand and drives regular weekly tune-in. But it’s a different model from the endless drawl of sitcoms and procedurals. It doesn’t automatically boast the same library value. 

    Then there’s the lack of Warner Bros. film representation. Due to the dominant rewatchability of kids’ films, Nielsen broke out a separate 2025 “General Audience Movie” list for the first time (Seven out of ten films were released between 2024-25). Despite WB’s stellar box office year, the studio’s only films among the Top 10 were the first two Harry Potter films, which were non-exclusive with Peacock. The data shows that fantasy is actually a high-upside genre across both film and TV if made accessible and not bogged down in intricate mythology.

    On the flip side of this equation, Amazon Prime Video reaches an impressive 54 percent of U.S. households, according to Greenlight Analytics, where I work as Director of Insights & Content Strategy. The streamer has delivered select breakout shows such as The BoysReacherFallout, and Red One. But its quiet overall presence suggests viewers enjoy the service but have not yet added it to their regular entertainment routines. 

    Kids’ entertainment is beyond dominant

    As the brilliant kids media analyst Emily Horgan often notes, children’s entertainment remains undervalued relative to its practical contributions. “While many think of the streaming wars as a battle for the buzziest new awards drama or star-studded blockbuster, the real SVOD clashes are fought in the trenches of regular daily usage,” Horgan wrote. “That’s where animated kids’ movies truly shine.”

    Bluey has been the top overall title in back-to-back years, while Cocomelon was a mainstay on the charts in the early 2020s. Family-friendly movies and legacy IP have proven to be the algorithm-proof gift that keeps on giving. 

    Disney has firmly established squatter’s rights in this lane. Of the 70 top annual film slots from 2020-2025 (including Nielsen’s new bifurcated movie lists this year), 34 belong to Disney+. The company manages to land the same films—Moana, Zootopia, Frozen I and II and Encanto—onto multiple lists as does Universal’s Dreamworks and Illumination across Peacock and Netflix to a lesser extent.

    Consistent box office returns plus guaranteed streaming viewership anoint kids’ entertainment as the king of all genres today. 

    Headlines for Hollywood

    It’s important to remember that just because a given title doesn’t appear among the 10 most-streamed shows every year doesn’t mean it’s unsuccessful. There are plenty of hits to be found beyond this narrow snapshot. 

    Prestige, novelty and event programming are helpful brand builders with temporary pop. But familiar recyclability and consistency appear to yield the best results. Comfort viewing and long runways for early breakout hits serve as streaming’s foundation and pillars, respectively, while “new” events struggle with sustainability. In that way, the upper echelons of streaming viewership confirm the industry’s shift into more mundane, expected territory. Welcome to the workforce. 

    As Streaming Grows Up, Familiar Shows Dominate Viewing, Data Shows

    Brandon Katz

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  • How to Watch 2026 Winter X Games: Aspen Live Online Without Cable for Free

    If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.

    Ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, the best of the best athletes from all around the world — like Scotty James, Chloe Kim, Mikaela Shiffrin and others — to Colorado to compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals during the 2026 Winter X Games: Aspen.

    Starting on Friday, Jan. 23, the 25th annual extreme winter sports competition features skiing, snowboarding, snowmobile and other events. Check out a complete Winter X Games schedule here.

    If you want to watch events online, there are a number of ways to watch — especially for free.

    When Is 2026 Winter X Games: Aspen?

    The Winter X Games: Aspen takes place starting on Friday, Jan. 23 and goes until Sunday, Jan. 25 at Buttermilk Mountain (Buttermilk Ski Resort) in Aspen, Colorado. The winter sports competition begins at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT and broadcasts on ESPN and ABC all weekend long.

    However, even without cable, you don’t have to miss any of the winter action. The Winter X Games: Aspen is also available to stream online on a variety of platforms, such as DirecTV, Fubo, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV and ESPN Unlimited.

    How to Watch 2026 Winter X Games: Aspen Online: Livestream Without Cable

    Scroll down and check out the best ways to stream the Winter X Games: Aspen, below:

    DirecTV

    DirecTV

    DirecTV is one of the best ways for cable-cutters to access live sports and TV from home.

    Starting at $69.99/month, you get access to the streamer’s “MySports” package for Winter X Games: Aspen on ESPN and ABC, as well as more than 20 other sports channels, like FOX, CBS, NBC, FOX Sports, TNT and others.

    ESPN

    ESPN Unlimited

    ESPN Unlimited includes everything ESPN has to offer, such as ESPN, ESPN on ABC, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPNEWS and much more.

    It also includes access to the Winter X Games: Aspen, as part of its service. You’ll also get access to other sports leagues, like UFC, F1, MLB, NHL, La Liga and others. ESPN Unlimited goes for $29.99/month.

    Hulu

    Hulu + Live TV

    Plans start at $89.99/month.

    Hulu + Live TV is a great option for live channel streaming Winter X Games: Aspen with access to ESPN and ABC, along with more than 95 other channels, as well as access to hit originals on Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited.

    Fubo

    Fubo

    Fubo is one of the best options for streaming Winter X Games: Aspen online, while the service features ESPN and ABC.

    It even has more than 200 live TV channels for cable-free streaming. The streamer offers a 7-day free trial to try out the service before you commit.

    Sling TV

    Sling TV

    Sling is one of the best options for affordable live streaming with the Sling Orange + Blue package going for $45.99 per month.

    The package includes ESPN and ABC. Please note: Pricing and channel availability are subject to your local TV market.

    With a start time of 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT on Friday, Jan. 23, the 2026 Winter X Games: Aspen broadcasts live on ESPN and ABC via DirecTV and ESPN Unlimited.

    Rudie Obias

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  • Netflix’s 2025 Sensation Is Now Streamer’s Most Popular Movie Ever

    Netflix‘s biggest movie of 2025 just got even bigger, gaining the status of officially becoming the most popular movie on the entire platform.

    According to a new announcement from Netflix, 2025’s KPop Demon Hunters has not only become the platform’s most-watched animated film, but is now the most popular film on Netflix of all time. In a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, the staggering popularity of the movie is put into context.

    According to THR, the view total for KPop Demon Hunters from July-December 2025 beats the entire combined view count of the past three movies that was at the top of Netflix’s semiannual charts, including Back in Action (164.7 million views) for the first half of 2025, Carry-On (137.3 million) for the second half of 2024, and Damsel (143.8 million) for the first half of 2024.

    The total of those three films, 445.8 million views, would still come up about 35 million views short of what KPop Demon Hunters did in the back half of 2025 alone. THR’s report notes that, dating back to its premiere in June, the movie has been watched more than 540 million times, and has spent 31 weeks on Netflix’s top 10 movie charts.

    Alongside the popularity of the film on Netflix, KPop Demon Hunters has also been extremely popular in theaters. Last year, Netflix released a special sing-along version of the film in theaters, which also topped the North American weekend box office for its days.

    Originally released in 2025, KPop Demon Hunters was directed by Kang and Appelhans, and starred Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, and Lee Byung-hun. The film followed the story of a K-pop girl group, Huntr/x, that double as demon hunters who use their music to face off against their foes.

    The film was a massive success upon its release. Since its release in June, KPop Demon Hunters has become the most-watched original title in Netflix history, and its soundtrack has also received Platinum certification from the RIAA. To date, the soundtrack continues to be massively successful, and is the first soundtrack with four simultaneous Top 10 songs on the Billboard Hot 100.

    The movie has also garnered tons of awards, with the film winning Best Motion Picture – Animated at the Golden Globes, and the song “Golden” also winning Best Original Song at the Golden Globes.

    Anthony Nash

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  • Hit Taylor Sheridan TV Show Coming to Netflix

    Netflix is adding several big shows to its streaming catalog, including a hit Taylor Sheridan TV shows set to arrive on the platform.

    What Taylor Sheridan TV show is coming to Netflix?

    According to the streamer in a recent fourth-quarter letter to shareholders (via Deadline), Netflix is getting ready to add around 20 new Paramount shows to its platform this year. These include some big shows, including SEAL Team, the Sherlock-inspired procedural Watson, and Taylor Sheridan’s Mayor of Kingstown.

    The series, which recently got renewed for a fifth and final season, currently has released four seasons. The show stars Jeremy Renner as Michael “Mike” McLusky, the right-hand man for his older brother, Mitch, who takes over as “Mayor” of Kingstown, Michigan, with his family acting as a mediator of sorts between the various groups found in the town.

    Mayor of Kingstown is created and executive-produced by Academy Award nominee Taylor Sheridan and Hugh Dillon, who previously collaborated on the Yellowstone series. Alongside Renner, the series also stars Dianne Wiest (Seasons 1-2), Hugh Dillon, Tobi Bamtefa, Taylor Handley, Emma Laird (Seasons 1-3), Derek Webster, Hamish Allan-Headley, Pha’rez Lass, and more.

    The series is executive produced by Sheridan, Dillon, Renner, Antoine Fuqua, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Michael Friedman, Dave Erickson, Christoph Schrewe, Wendy Riss, Evan Perazzo, and Keith Cox, with Erickson set as the showrunner.

    “In season four, Mike’s control over Kingstown is threatened as new players compete to fill the power vacuum left in the Russians’ wake, compelling him to confront the resulting gang war and stop them from swallowing the town,” reads the logline for the show’s fourth season. “Meanwhile, with those he loves in more danger than ever before, Mike must contend with a headstrong new Warden to protect his own while grappling with demons from his past.”

    (Source: Deadline)

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  • I Tested Every Free Trial Streaming Service—Here Are the Best Ones in 2026

    Rounding out the list is Sling Freestream, where you don’t have to pay anything to get access to around 100 channels focused on news programming, including ABC News Live, CBS News, BBC News, and local affiliates, depending on your area. That’s right: No trial period that you’ll forget to cancel and no credit card required—just free live TV streaming.

    The trade-off? It’s ad-supported, and the selection focuses primarily on news and limited on-demand content, along with some movies and TV episodes thrown in. For background news or casual viewing without spending money, it’s a solid option. I keep it bookmarked for mornings when I want to listen to the news while getting ready. If you want more channel options beyond news, Sling TV offers paid plans starting at $40 per month with entertainment, sports, and lifestyle networks like ESPN, CNN, HGTV, AMC, and more.

    Jenzia Burgos

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  • Netflix Shows David Zaslav the Money

    Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos and Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, as spotted at this month’s Golden Globes.
    Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

    Netflix is taking its Warner Bros. Discovery fight to Paramount. On the heels of a splashy Times interview last week meant to reassure skeptics of its theatrical intentions, the streaming giant has amended its bid for Warner Bros.’s streaming and studios business into an all-cash offer — one meant to counter Paramount’s hostile push to take over the company. Netflix’s ticket price that won the original bidding war for WBD still stands unchanged at $82.7 billion (or $27.75 per share), but the tweaked offer “provides enhanced certainty around the value WBD stockholders will receive at closing, eliminating market-based variability,” Netflix and WBD said in a joint statement.

    One of the risks of Netflix’s earlier cash-and-stock offer was that a remainder of the final payout to shareholders could fluctuate when WBD was ultimately sold. Netflix’s change eliminates that concern and brings its bid more in line with Paramount’s $108.4 billion bid (or $30 per share), which seeks to buy not just Warner’s streaming and studios business but its declining cable assets known as Discovery Global. Netflix tweaked its offer in one other way, according to a proxy statement filed to the SEC this morning by WBD: It will reduce the debt load on Discovery Global by about $260 million, “in light of the stronger than previously anticipated 2025 cash flow performance of Discovery Global.”

    Netflix is putting its money where its mouth is, in other words. The adjustment was expected after Paramount CEO David Ellison launched a hostile-takeover bid and proxy fight, suing WBD for info about how it valued the cable assets. Netflix’s amended bid landed in inboxes the morning ahead of its latest quarterly earnings report, covering the tail end of 2025, and its timing feels strategic in another way: Though any victor in this war will have to pass regulatory hurdles, WBD and Netflix’s joint statement touts a “faster path to a stockholder vote” expected by April 2026. Is it an acknowledgment that everyone’s tired of talking about this?

    Eric Vilas-Boas

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  • How to Watch the National Championship Game Live for Free to See Indiana vs. Miami Make History

    All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

    The college football season comes down to one final game on Monday night, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most compelling championship matchups in recent memory. The No. 1 seed Indiana Hoosiers face the No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Indiana enters undefeated at 15-0 and seeking its first-ever national title, while Miami looks to win its sixth championship and first since 2001 in front of a home crowd.

    Watch the 2026 National Championship Game Live for Free

    This championship game marks a historic moment for Indiana football, as the Hoosiers have never won a national title in program history. Led by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, Indiana has dominated opponents all season long, outscoring teams by an average margin of over 30 points per game. The Hoosiers’ defense ranks second in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just over 11 points per game, while the offense has been equally impressive, ranking second in scoring offense. Indiana’s path to the championship included a dominant 38-3 victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl and a 56-22 demolition of Oregon in the Peach Bowl.

    Miami’s journey has been equally compelling. The Hurricanes started the season 5-0 before facing adversity with losses to Louisville and SMU that dropped them to No. 18 in the polls. However, Miami rallied to close the regular season with four straight wins and earned the final at-large spot in the College Football Playoff as the No. 10 seed. The Hurricanes then upset No. 7 Texas A&M and No. 6 Ole Miss to reach the championship game. This marks the first time in College Football Playoff history that a team will play for the national title in its home stadium, giving Miami a unique home-field advantage despite being designated as the visiting team.

    The storylines are rich beyond the teams themselves. Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has orchestrated one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football history, taking a program that had never won 10 games in a season before his arrival in 2024 to the brink of a national championship. Meanwhile, Miami coach Mario Cristobal could become the first coach in the AP poll era to win a national title as both a player and coach of his alma mater. Mendoza’s homecoming adds another layer, as the Miami native and Christopher Columbus High School graduate returns to South Florida with a chance to spoil the party for his hometown team.

    The College Football Playoff National Championship 2026 airs on Monday, January 19, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. If you don’t have cable, you can still catch the game through streaming services that carry ESPN and offer free trials.

    DirecTV Stream is our top choice, offering ESPN across all its packages with a five-day free trial. Plans start at $89.99 per month after the trial ends. Fubo is another great option for sports fans, offering a seven-day free trial with ESPN included in its Pro package for $79.99 monthly. Hulu + Live TV offers access to ESPN for $89.99 per month and sweetens the deal by bundling Disney+, Hulu’s on-demand library, and ESPN+ together. Sling TV offers ESPN in its Orange package at $45.99 per month, making it the most budget-friendly option for live sports streaming. For the full breakdown of your streaming options, keep on reading ahead.

    Best Overall & EDITOR’S PICK

    Watch the 2026 National Championship Game with DirecTV Stream

    Free trial: 5 days
    – Includes local networks and 90+ channels

    DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial and four plans—Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier—all of which include ESPN. Entertainment comes with over 90 channels and costs $89.99 per month; Choice, which comes with over 125 channels and costs $94.99 per month (currently $84.99 for your first month); Ultimate, which comes with over 160 channels and costs $124.99 per month (currently $114.99 for your first month); and Premier, which comes with over 185 channels and costs $169.99 per month.

    We tested every streaming service offering a free trial in 2025, and DirecTV came out on top as our editor’s pick. With its free trial and massive selection of channels and local networks, it’s a great choice for watching the 2026 National Championship Game on ESPN.


    Best Flexible Pick

    Watch the 2026 National Championship Game with Fubo

    Free trial: Up to 5 days
    – Includes local networks and 200+ channels

    Fubo is a more flexible option for watching the 2026 National Championship Game, with ESPN included in its Sports, Pro, and Elite plans. The service provides four tiers: Sports + News with 29 channels at $55.99 per month (currently $45.99 for the first month), Pro with 214 channels at $73.99 per month (currently $48.99 for the first month), Elite with 278 channels at $83.99 per month (currently $53.99 for the first month), and Latino with 55 channels at $14.99 per month (currently $9.99 for the first month). New subscribers can take advantage of Fubo’s one-day free trial to watch the broadcast (five days for the Latino plan). With these first-month discounts offering up to $40 in savings, Fubo also delivers plenty of live TV options beyond the college football championship game.

    Best Bundle Pick

    Watch the 2026 National Championship Game with Hulu + Live TV

    Free trial: 3 days
    – Large library of shows, movies, and Hulu Originals

    Hulu + Live TV offers four plans. The cheapest plan, Live TV Only, costs $88.99 per month and comes with access to Hulu’s live TV content. The next cheapest plan costs $1 more at $89.99 per month and comes with Hulu’s live TV content, as well as access to Hulu’s streaming library with ads, Disney+ with ads, and ESPN+ with ads. For Disney+ with no ads, users can subscribe for $94.99 per month. And for Hulu and Disney+ with no ads, the price is $99.99 per month. Viewers can stream ESPN to watch the 2026 National Championship Game on all Hulu + Live TV plans.

    Best BUDGET Pick

    Watch the 2026 National Championship Game with Sling TV

    – Daily, weekend, and weekly passes
    – 30+ channels

    Sling TV offers flexible viewing with multiple plan options that include ESPN. The Sling Orange package costs $45.99 per month with over 30 channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, making it the most budget-friendly monthly option for live sports streaming. For viewers who want additional sports coverage, Sling offers a Sports Extra add-on for an additional $11 per month, which also includes channels like SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNU, and ESPNEWS. Additionally, Sling now offers short-term options like a Day Pass for $4.99, a Weekend Pass for $9.99, and a Week Pass for $14.99 for viewers who only want temporary access to watch the National Championship Game.
    The College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy on display during media day activities prior to the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Indiana Hoosiers at Miami Beach Convention Center on January 17, 2026 in Miami Beach, Florida.

    The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship takes place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The venue, which opened in 1987, seats over 65,000 fans and serves as the home of the Miami Dolphins and the Miami Hurricanes football team. Hard Rock Stadium has hosted numerous prestigious events, including six Super Bowls, the 2021 CFP National Championship, and matches during the 2024 Copa América and 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The stadium has also been selected to host seven matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the third-place match. This marks the second time Hard Rock Stadium has hosted a CFP National Championship, having previously hosted the 2021 game when Alabama defeated Ohio State 52-24.

    The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship features No. 1 seed Indiana Hoosiers facing No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes. Indiana enters the game with a perfect 15-0 record after winning the Big Ten Championship for the first time since 1967 and capturing the program’s first outright conference title since 1945. The Hoosiers dominated their playoff opponents, defeating Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl and Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the 2025 Heisman Trophy, becoming Indiana’s first Heisman winner in program history. Miami advanced to the championship with a 13-2 record following victories over Texas A&M (10-3) and Ole Miss (31-27) in the playoffs. Led by quarterback Carson Beck, a transfer from Georgia, the Hurricanes seek their sixth national championship and first since 2001. This matchup marks a historic occasion as Miami becomes the first team in the modern College Football Playoff era to play for the national championship in its home stadium.

    Indiana enters the College Football Playoff National Championship as a 7.5-point favorite over Miami, according to VegasInsider. The line has moved throughout the week, spending most of the past 10 days at Hoosiers -8.5 before dropping to -7.5 as sharp money came in on Miami. The Hoosiers hold -319 to -320 moneyline odds at most sportsbooks, while Miami sits at +260 odds. Despite Indiana being the clear favorite on paper, the betting splits reveal interesting patterns. On the spread, 74 percent of early tickets and 82 percent of early money backed Indiana at most sportsbooks. However, moneyline action shows more confidence in a Miami upset, with 68 percent of early tickets on Indiana but only 56 percent of the money, according to DraftKings. The total opened at 48.5 and has settled at 47.5, with 75 percent of early bets and 54 percent of early money on the Over. Computer models project Indiana to win, with FOX Sports’ Data Skrive model giving the Hoosiers a 76.1 percent chance to claim victory and an implied score of Indiana 27, Miami 20.

    Jenzia Burgos

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  • ‘Landman’ season 3: what we know about Taylor Sheridan’s plans

    Billy Bob Thornton says he remains completely in the dark about what comes next for Landman.

    Speaking in December 2025, he explained that creator Taylor Sheridan shares very little about upcoming storylines, even with the cast.

    Thornton said he doesn’t “know anything” about Season 3 yet in a recent interview with Men’s Journal.

    “Taylor plays it very close to the vest,” he said. “He doesn’t tell any of us what he’s up to. He’ll probably tell me, maybe after I get the first script. Then he’ll tell me a few things that are going to happen.”

    That lack of insight reflects the wider picture around the recently confirmed third season of the hit Paramount+ series. While the studio officially renewed the show in December 2025, it has not released any plot details, cast lists or timelines for when production will begin and what fans can expect.

    Still, the series’ recent performance and its consistent release pattern can provide early indications of what could follow. Here is everything that we know about Landman Season 3, so far.

    What Is ‘Landman’ About?

    Landman, created by Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace and inspired by Wallace’s podcast Boomtown, focuses on the oil industry in Texas.

    At its center is Tommy Norris, played by Thornton, a petroleum landman and company fixer who becomes president of M‑Tex Oil in the series. The show explores the political, financial and personal pressures tied to the region’s boom‑and‑bust energy economy, alongside Tommy’s attempts to balance the demands of the job with his responsibilities at home.

    The series premiered on Paramount+ on November 17, 2024. It was renewed in March 2025, with Season 2 debuting almost exactly a year later, on November 16, 2025.

    Its strong viewership helped secure the Season 3 renewal soon afterward.

    Paramount+ said the Season 2 premiere became the most‑watched debut for any original series on its streaming service, drawing 9.2 million streaming views in its first two days.

    That reportedly represented a 262 percent increase from the show’s Season 1 opener.

    What Do We Know About ‘Landman’ Season 3?

    Showrunner Wallace has said the series has a lot of runway but that nothing is changing about its direction for now.

    Still, Paramount+ has not yet confirmed which actors will return for Season 3, which it officially announced on December 5, 2025.

    Most of the Season 2 cast is expected to come back, including Thornton (Tommy), Demi Moore (Cami), Ali Larter (Angela), Michelle Randolph (Ainsley), Jacob Lofland (Cooper), Paulina Chávez (Ariana), Colm Feore (Nate/Nathan), James Jordan (Dale), Kayla Wallace (Rebecca) and Sam Elliott (T.L.).

    Paramount+ has not given a release date for Season 3, and an update is unlikely before late summer.

    The streamer announced Season 2’s premiere date in August 2025, suggesting a similar schedule for the next reveal. Based on previous timing, Season 3 would likely arrive in November 2026 or sometime in the fourth quarter of this year.

    Sadly, for fans there is no official synopsis out yet, and even the cast appears to be waiting for details.

    For now, viewers can continue watching Landman Season 2 on Paramount+. All episodes of Season 1 are also available on the streaming platform.

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  • One Battle After Another Director’s Most Underrated Movie Streams on Netflix Today

    An underrated Paul Thomas Anderson movie is officially out on Netflix today, bringing one of the One Battle After Another director’s movies to the platform.

    What Paul Thomas Anderson movie is out on Netflix?

    2021’s Licorice Pizza, the coming-of-age comedy drama, is officially on Netflix beginning today. The movie follows the story of a relationship between a teen actor and a young woman. The movie was critically acclaimed upon its release and earned three Oscar nominations, including ones for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.

    Licorice Pizza stars Cooper Hoffman and Alana Haim in the lead roles, and also stars Sean Penn, Tom Waits, Bradley Cooper, and Benny Safdie. The film also features a number of high-profile appearances, including Bradley Cooper, Skyler Gisondo, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, John Michael Higgins, Christine Ebersole, Harriet Sansom Harris, and more.

    “San Fernando Valley, 1973. Disarmed by his fearless confidence and surprising maturity, bored 25-year-old photographer’s assistant Alana Kane reluctantly accepts to go out for a drink with sunny 15-year-old child actor Gary Valentine, her unexpected admirer,” reads the film’s official synopsis. “As one thing leads to another, the platonic soulmates embark on ambitious business ventures, trying to find their feet and purpose in a crazy world. But can Gary and Alana remain friends against the backdrop of life’s ups and downs?”

    Anthony Nash

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  • ‘Slow Horses’ Season 6 faces major change as head writer exits

    “Slow Horses” Season 6 could feel very different from its predecessors. 

    That’s because, for the first time in the show’s history, it will be without its head writer. That man is Will Smith, who departed after Season 5.

    “I don’t want to leave,” Smith tells /Film, “but it was also like, I couldn’t get the scripts ready, they couldn’t meet the schedule, so it was with great sadness on both sides.”

    Smith was a key writer on Apple TV’s award-winning spy drama across all five seasons, which first aired April 1st, 2022. Now, he’s making “a practical decision” to move on after citing “the looming need for scripts for series 6.”  

    Smith continues, “I was doing so much work on series 5 that there was no way I was going to be able to do that.”

    In Smith’s defense, “Slow Horses” has an intensive shooting schedule. Apple TV films two seasons back-to-back in order to release one season per year. That means creatives must shoot and edit one season while working on the next.

    While the reason for Smith’s reluctant exit boils down to a workload clash, the writer says he’s leaving at a good time.

    “In terms of my contribution, I feel it does conclude certain arcs that were started in series one. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but it feels like a nice place to exit. The show is in a good position, I hope, creatively.”

    ‘Slow Horses’ Season 5 Ending

    In the finale of “Slow Horses” Season 5, Taverner takes up a position at First Desk after Jackson Lamb forces Claude Wheelen’s resignation. Meanwhile, River Cartwright saves Taverner from a terrorist plot. 

    Lastly, it’s confirmed via a bombshell twist that Lamb was previously captured and tortured while on a spy mission, largely explaining his prickly demeanor.

    Will There Be a Season 7 of ‘Slow Horses’?

    Yes, there will be a Season 7 of “Slow Horses.” In fact, Apple TV’s flagship drama doesn’t stop there, with many more seasons expected.

    According to former head writer Will Smith, “The show is going to go on to even bigger and better things, and Mick [Herron] has just released the ninth book, and I’m sure there’ll be a 10th, 11th, 12th.”

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  • ‘The Pitt’ returns for a second season on HBO



    Noah Wyle as Dr. Robby in HBO’s The Pitt Credit: courtesy HBO Max

    Premieres Wednesday: 

    Beast Games — His recent video that attempted to pit male competitors against female ones was rocked by allegations of malfeasance, including Russian bots posing as legitimate players. So of course Mr. Beast is upping the ante for the second season of his wildly successful streaming show, promising $5 million to the winner of a contest that’s being advertised as “smart versus strong.” I wonder which one he identifies with. (Prime Video)

    Marcello Hernández: American Boy — The SNL breakout star takes to the stage in his native Miami for his first stand-up special, which sees him recounting his experiences as a first-generation Cuban American. I don’t want to wish the curse of Pete Davidson on anybody, but I give it two more specials until he’s part of a couple you can actually believe are together. (Netflix)

    Unlocked: A Jail Experiment — The docuseries that takes us into an Arizona prison where leniency and trust are the guiding principles returns for an eye-opening second season. If you want to know how it’s going, all of the cast members from Season 1 are back, but now we’re looking in on them at their hideout shack outside a Nevada silver mine. (Netflix)

    Premieres Thursday: 

    Girl Taken — Hollie Overton’s novel Baby Doll is the source material for a six-part miniseries in which a British girl is kidnapped by a highly respected local teacher. This just in: He’s now moved up to eighth in the line of royal succession. (Paramount+) 

    His & Hers — Tessa Thompson plays a news anchor who tries to solve a murder in her hometown, with Jon Bernthal as a detective who doubts her motives. Well, of course he’s suspicious: Since when did broadcast news people develop an interest in justice all of a sudden? (Netflix) 

    The Pitt — The hit medical drama is back for a sophomore season that reportedly takes place over the course of an intense 24-hour shift during Fourth of July weekend. “Our job is not to outdo ourselves. Our job is to do ourselves,” series creator R. Scott Gemmill told Deadline. So how long until they move over to Onlyfans? (HBO Max)

    The Traitors — Season 4 of the Alan Cumming–hosted competition augments its cast of reality veterans with a diverse group of celebrities from other walks of life, including comic Ron Funches, Olympian Tara Lipinski and NFL mom Donna Kelce. Oh, and also Michael Rapaport, because he thought they were looking for actual traitors. (Peacock) 

    Premieres Friday: 

    Coldwater — Andrew Lincoln plays a Londoner who moves to a small town in Scotland for his family’s safety, only to discover the place has perils all its own. For one thing, their lakes are crawling with big eels. (Paramount+)

    People We Meet on Vacation — This adaptation of the novel by Emily Henry casts Tom Blyth and Emily Bader as polar opposites who begin to wonder if they might be the perfect mates. Which is the way it always goes in fiction, but if you want to know what happens in real life when opposites find each other, there are always Alex Murdaugh documentaries. (Netflix)

    A Thousand Blows Season 2 — One year later, our cast of 1880s East Enders have to pick themselves up out of alcoholism and despair to regain their mastery of the London underworld. As opposed to the London Underground, which you can master just by remembering to get off before Cockfosters. (Netflix) 

    Premieres Sunday:

    The Night Manager — Season 2 finds Tom Hiddleston’s Jonathan Pine on a new mission: to take down a Colombian arms dealer. But if he finds out they’re trafficking weed too, he’ll have to cede authority to the United States Defense Department. (Prime Video)

    Premieres Tuesday:

    Tell Me Lies — As Season 3 begins, coeds Lucy and Stephen have reignited their tumultuous relationship, but the missteps of the past may prove impossible to overcome. Seriously, how much of a past can you have when you’re only in college? At that point, the biggest mistake you’ve made is majoring in English literature instead of marketing. (Hulu)


    Orlando’s daily dose of what matters. Subscribe to The Daily Weekly.


    Plus a Kate Winslet Christmas tearjerker and a new Ricky Gervais stand-up special

    Plus Season 5 of ‘Emily in Paris,’ ‘Breakdown: 1975’ and everything else debuting on streaming

    Everything debuting this week for your winter binge-watch





    Steve Schneider
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  • HBO Max’s Most Influential TV Show Returns for Season 2 Today

    One of HBO’s biggest shows is back beginning today, with one of the most anticipated Season 2’s of television premiering today on HBO Max.

    What show is back for its second season on HBO?

    The Pitt, the hit medical drama created by R. Scott Gemmill and starring Noah Wyle, is back for its second season. Season 2 of the show premieres on HBO Max tonight, at 9:00 p.m. EST on the streamer. The new season of the show will pick up ten months after the Season 1 finale, and is set on a chaotic Fourth of July shift at the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center.

    The Pitt was created by showrunner R. Scott Gemmill, who also wrote for the past hit medical drama ER. Alongside Wyle as Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, The Pitt also stars Tracy Ifeachor, Patrick Ball, Katherine LaNasa, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Birones, Gerran Howell, Shabana Azeez, and Sepideh Moafi in starring roles.

    Season 2 of the show will also introduce new recurring characters, portrayed by Lawrence Robinson, Charles Baker, Irene Choi, Laëtitia Hollard, Lucas Iverson, Zack Morris, Brittany Allen, Bonita Friedericy, Taylor Handley, Jeff Kober, Meta Golding, Luke Tennie, Christopher Thornton, and Travis Van Winkle.

    Originally premiering in 2025, The Pitt was an immediate smash hit for HBO. The series won five awards at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, Casting, and acting wins for Wyle, LaNasa, and recurring guest star Shawn Hatosy. The series has already been renewed for a third season as well.

    Anthony Nash

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  • Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 9 Theories Debunked

    The finale of Stranger Things Season 5 aired last week, but fans still believe that a secret, bonus episode is coming. A recent report, though, has thrown water on those thoughts.

    According to a new report from THR, Stranger Things Season 5 ended with its eighth episode, “Chapter 8: The Rightside Up,” which aired on Netflix on New Year’s Eve. The report notes that there is no secret, ninth episode of the show, and in a previous interview with THR, creators Matt and Ross Duffer expressed their view of this era of the cast definitively ending with it.

    “Mike’s [Finn Wolfhard] closing the basement door. We’re closing the door on the story. That’s one reason we had the closing credits the way we did, because it was a way of saying: ‘This is finite. This is the end of their story. It’s the end of the story of Mike and Eleven and Joyce [Winona Ryder] and Hopper,’” said Matt Duffer. “So, no, there’s no plan or intention to [revisit] the story because it’s a coming-of age story. Ultimately, that’s what it’s supposed to be. That’s what the show always was. When he closes the door to the basement, he’s closing the door on his childhood and he’s moving onto adulthood.”

    Why do fans believe a Stranger Things Season 5 Episode 9 is coming?

    Stranger Things is no stranger (no pun intended) to the world of fan conspiracies. However, things went even further this past week, when fans began theorizing that Stranger Things hadn’t actually ended with the eighth episode of Season 5. According to the theory, dubbed “Conformity Gate” by fans online, the series finale was actually a red herring of an ending, which is theorized to be Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) tricking the children with a fake world.

    The “real” ending, according to the theory, was set to be released in surprise fashion on January 7, a week from the fake finale’s release. However, no such episode has released, and it doesn’t seem likely that one will, either. The main cause for the theory, largely, seems to be that fans were unhappy with some of the ways the show wrapped up in its final season.

    Anthony Nash

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  • The 20 Best TV Shows on Apple TV Right Now

    Down Cemetery Road.
    Photo: Apple TV+

    This article is updated frequently as titles leave and enter Apple TV. *New additions are indicated with an asterisk.

    Apple TV has become known as a home for lavish, expensive miniseries, dramas, and original comedies. It has had massive success with award winners like Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, and Severance, and the streamer’s made some interesting choices along the way, like releasing lots of shows that start with the letter S. It also seems as if it has a new offering every week, trying to catch the attention of the streaming zeitgeist. But it’s getting harder to filter through Apple TV’s massive catalogue to find the best stuff — which is where we come in. These are the best shows currently on Apple TV, a list we’ll update regularly as it releases new programs worth your time.

    Don’t have Apple TV yet?

    Year: 2025
    Length: 1 season, 8 episodes
    Creator: Morwenna Banks

    Mick Herron’s Slow Horses books have already been a hit for Apple TV, so it makes sense to try and adapt another one of the British writers hit novels. In this case, it’s the story of an explosion in a quiet neighborhood that rocks the life of an ordinary woman (Ruth Wilson) and sends her into the spiral of a private investigator (Emma Thompson). It’s imperfect but the leads keep it humming, and a second season is already being planned.

    Year: 2022–present
    Length: 1 season, 8 episodes
    Creator: Christopher Miller

    One of the geniuses behind The LEGO Movie and 21 Jump Street, and a producer on Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse, Christopher Miller is one of the smartest content creators currently in Hollywood. His hysterical murder mystery is like nothing else on television, taking an Agatha Christie plot and filtering it through some of the funniest voices in comedy. Tiffany Haddish plays a detective investigating a murder that is then seen through the eyes of the people attending the party at which it happened, including characters played by Sam Richardson, Ben Schwartz, Ilana Glazer, Dave Franco, Zoe Chao, and Ike Barinholtz.

    Year: 2022
    Length: 1 season, 6 episodes
    Creator: Dennis Lehane

    Developed by the writer of Shutter Island and Mystic River, Black Bird is the true story of a criminal named Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton) who was behind bars when he was asked by the authorities to inform on someone significantly worse. Keene was in a facility with a monster named Larry Hall (a chilling Paul Walter Hauser), a killer who the cops suspected of committing multiple murders. They told Keene that he could get an early release if he could get the monster to talk. Chilling and moving, this is a phenomenal miniseries.

    Year: 2019-2021
    Length: 3 seasons, 30 episodes
    Creator: Alena Smith

    When the story of Apple TV+ is written, this show will be one of the founding fathers, a program that debuted back in 2019 and helped define the company’s early brand. Hailee Steinfeld is phenomenal as the title character, who happens to the legendary Emily Dickinson. A coming-of-age variation on a legendary author shouldn’t be this effective, but the writing and performances are sharp and funny through its entire three-season run.

    Year: 2024
    Length: 1 season, 7 episodes
    Creator: Alfonso Cuarón

    The director of Roma and Gravity comes to television with this high-budget thriller based on the hit book by Renée Knight, starring Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, and Sacha Baron Cohen. The Blue Jasmine star plays a documentarian whose life is turned upside down when she gets sent a book that’s clearly about her, including secrets she’s tried to bury for years. Shot by two of the best cinematographers alive, Disclaimer is one of the best-looking things on any streaming service, not just Apple. It doesn’t hurt that everyone in it is at the top of their game too.

    Year: 2019–present
    Length: 4 seasons, 40 episodes
    Creators: Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, Ben Nedivi

    One of the geniuses behind the reboot of Battlestar Galactica collaborated on a very different kind of science fiction, a character-driven drama that imagines life in the United States in an alternate reality in which the Soviet Union landed on the moon before the United States. That’s just the setup for a show that has gone so many unexpected places since, incorporating figures from history like Neil Armstrong, Sally Ride, and even Wernher von Braun into a show that defies expectations. History is going to be very kind to this drama.

    Year: 2023
    Length: 1 season, 7 episodes
    Creators: George Kay, Jim Field Smith

    One of the biggest hits of the year for Apple TV+ owe a debt to old-fashioned thriller series like 24 in its realtime telling of a plane hijacking. Idris Elba steals the show as Sam Nelson, an average (as average as Elba can be) business negotiator who happens to be on a commuter plane that’s hijacked by a crew led by Neil Maskell. Over seven hours, Hijack details both the battle of wills on the plane and the political games played on the ground below.

    Year: 2020–present
    Length: 2 seasons, 16 episodes
    Creators: Lee Eisenberg, Emily V. Gordon, Kumail Nanjiani

    The anthology format is largely reserved for horror storytelling, so it’s nice to see it employed for drama and comedy in this excellent compendium of stories about what it means to be an immigrant in America in the 2020s. The scope of the dramedy is what’s so impressive, telling so many different kinds of stories so one can get a greater appreciation of the tapestry that (in ideal circumstances) makes up this country.

    Year: 2024
    Length: 1 season, 7 episodes
    Creator: Monica Beletsky

    Emmy winner Tobias Menzies does the best acting work of his career as Edwin Stanton, the man who led the hunt for John Wilkes Booth after the murder of President Abraham Lincoln. The team behind Manhunt deftly convey how much this was a turning point for history that still resonates today, a time in which everything Lincoln fought for could have disappeared, and a time when justice was essential. It’s incredibly well-made, a history lesson brought to vivid life.

    Year: 2019–present
    Length: 4 seasons, 40 episodes
    Creator: Jay Carson

    This show was the first sign that Apple was very willing to open its wallet, attracting multiple award winners to one of its launching-day dramas about a morning news show shaken not only by Me Too allegations against one of its anchors but the infighting that goes with this kind of operation in the 2020s. It mostly paid off. The Morning Show hasn’t quite found a big place in the culture, but everyone agrees that Billy Crudup’s Emmy-winning work is phenomenal, and it undeniably helped Apple develop its brand as a home for big names and big budgets.

    Year: 2025
    Length: 1 season, 5 episodes
    Creator: Rebecca Miller

    One of the best American filmmakers of all time finally gets his mini-series in this thoughtful, engaging series of conversations between the director Rebecca Miller and one Mr. Martin Scorsese. The Oscar-winning director details his upbringing, influences, and highs & lows of his incredible career. It’s a must-see for anyone who calls themselves a movie fan.

    Year: 2022–present
    Length: 2 season, 16 episodes
    Creator: Soo Hugh

    This might be the most visually striking show you’re not watching. The masterful Kogonada (After Yang) and Justin Chon (Blue Bayou) direct a generation-spanning epic about a Korean woman (played by Oscar winner Youn Yuh-jung of Minari in the present-day material) who had to fight to start a life during the Japanese occupation of her youth. It’s a moving, unpredictable drama that looks like nothing else on TV.

    Year: 2025-present
    Length: 1 season, 9 episodes
    Creator: Vince Gilligan

    The tagline for one of 2025’s best shows is a beauty: “The most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness.” Sure, that’s part of what’s going on in this incredible story of a woman (Rhea Seehorn) who discovers that she’s one of the only people on Earth who hasn’t been impacted by a hive-mind invasion. Everyone around her acts as one, eager to convert her into one of their own. It’s funny, terrifying, and unforgettable.

    Year: 2021–2023
    Length: 2 seasons, 12 episodes
    Creators: Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio

    Keegan-Michael Key and Cecily Strong star in this clever comedy about a couple who travel to a magical land inspired by hit musicals. The first season focused on the era of The Music Man, Carousel, and Brigadoon, but the second has shifted to the ’70s and ’80s to satirize Chicago, Cabaret, Hair, and Sweeney Todd. All in all, it’s a smart, funny show with great musical performances from Broadway legends like Alan Cumming, Kristen Chenoweth, and many more.

    Year: 2019–2023
    Length: 4 seasons, 40 episodes
    Creator: Tony Basgallop

    M. Night Shyamalan produced and sometimes directed the four seasons of this deeply underrated thriller, one of the most stylish and fascinating shows of its era. Lauren Ambrose stars as a Philadelphia reporter who has been treating a baby doll like her actual child. When she hires a nanny to take care of the toy, her husband (Toby Kebbell) is startled when the doll comes to life. And that’s just the beginning of the chaos in a show that looks filmic in ways that most television never bothers to attempt.

    Year: 2022–present
    Length: 2 seasons, 19 episodes
    Creator: Dan Erickson

    One of the most acclaimed new shows of the 2020sSeverance takes a clever concept and runs full speed with it into unexpected places. Adam Scott stars as an employee at a company that uses a revolutionary process that literally divides the work-life dynamic in a new way. What if your work self and home self had different lives, memories, and concerns? Britt LowerPatricia Arquette, and Christopher Walken co-star in this incredibly smart and witty sci-fi drama.

    Year: 2023–present
    Length: 2 seasons, 22 episodes
    Creators: Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, Brett Goldstein

    Some of the team behind Ted Lasso created a different kind of dramedy for another comedy actor. This time it’s Jason Segel as a therapist who decides to start getting a little too honest with his patients, much to the shock of his colleagues, played by Jessica Williams and Harrison Ford — who is doing some of the best work of his recent career.

    Year: 2023-present
    Length: 2 seasons, ongoing
    Creator: Graham Yost

    The creator of Justified has delivered the best sci-fi show yet for Apple, an adaptation of a series of books called Wool by Hugh Howey. Set in the future in which we’ve destroyed this planet, Silo refers to the large underground bunker that houses around 10k citizens deep underground. Asking questions about history, authority, and power embedded in a murder mystery investigation spearheaded by the phenomenal Rebecca Ferguson, this is one of the best shows of the 2020s. It becomes even more ambitious in season two with the addition of Steve Zahn as the lone survivor of another silo.

    Year: 2022–present
    Length: 5 seasons, 30 episodes
    Creators: Morwenna Banks, Will Smith, Jonny Stockwood, Mark Denton 

    Apple was so confident in what it had with this spy thriller that it ordered four seasons from the jump and had two shot and aired in the same year (2022). A fifth just dropped in September 2025, and some fans probably hope Slow Horses could run forever (they’ll be happy to know that a sixth season has already been filmed and a seventh is on the way too). Gary Oldman is phenomenal as the head of Slough House, a sort of halfway house for British spies who made mistakes in more prominent positions. Of course, they’re usually the ones who save the day.

    Year: 2024
    Length: 1 season, 2 episodes
    Creator: Morgan Neville

    How do you unpack the life of a performer who was creative and unpredictable as Steve Martin? In two distinct halves. Morgan Neville pulls a fun trick with this Apple series that’s really more like two feature-length documentaries. The first uses archival footage to chart Martin’s rise to the top of the stand-up comedy food chain, which he left behind when he was arguably at his most popular. The second is a more intimate piece about Martin’s life since, including his films, art, and writing. It’s a must-see for fans of one of the best to ever do what he does.

    STEVE! (martin): A Documentary in Two Pieces

    Year: 2025
    Length: 1 season, 10 episodes
    Creator: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, and Frida Perez

    One of the best shows of 2025 is this sharp dissection of the Hollywood machine and the people who keep it oiled. Co-creator Seth Rogen plays Matt Remick, the new head of a major studio behind imaginary projects like The Kool-Aid Movie! With too many cameos to count, it’s actually a love letter to Hollywood, and a reminder that the people who make blockbusters are often stumbling through their jobs as much as anyone.

    Year: 2020–2023
    Length: 3 seasons, 34 episodes
    Creators: Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly

    Shows based on ad campaigns shouldn’t be this successful. And yet here we are with Apple claiming ownership of arguably the biggest streaming comedy ever, a program that has won the Emmy for Best Comedy, Best Actor (Jason Sudeikis), and Best Supporting Actor (Brett Goldstein) two years in a row. Ted Lasso is massive. Every streamer wishes they had it.

    Brian Tallerico

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  • Warner Bros rejects takeover offer from Paramount, tells shareholders to stick with Netflix bid

    Warner Bros. again rejected Paramount’s latest takeover bid and told shareholders Wednesday to stick with a rival offer from Netflix.Warner’s leadership has repeatedly rebuffed Skydance-owned Paramount’s overtures — and urged shareholders just weeks ago to back the sale of its streaming and studio business to Netflix for $72 billion. Paramount, meanwhile, has sweetened its $77.9 billion offer for the entire company and gone straight to shareholders with a hostile bid.Warner Bros. Discovery said Wednesday that its board determined Paramount’s offer is not in the best interests of the company or its shareholders. It again recommended shareholders support the Netflix deal.Late last month Paramount announced an “irrevocable personal guarantee” from Oracle founder Larry Ellison — who is the father of Paramount CEO David Ellison — to back $40.4 billion in equity financing for the company’s offer. Paramount also increased its promised payout to shareholders to $5.8 billion if the deal is blocked by regulators, matching what Netflix already put on the table.The battle for Warner and the value of each offer grows complicated because Netflix and Paramount want different things. Netflix’s proposed acquisition includes only Warner’s studio and streaming business, including its legacy TV and movie production arms and platforms like HBO Max. But Paramount wants the entire company — which, beyond studio and streaming, includes networks like CNN and Discovery.If Netflix is successful, Warner’s news and cable operations would be spun off into their own company, under a previously-announced separation.A merger with either company will attract tremendous antitrust scrutiny. Due to its size and potential impact, it will almost certainly trigger a review by the U.S. Justice Department, which could sue to block the transaction or request changes. Other countries and regulators overseas may also challenge the merger.

    Warner Bros. again rejected Paramount’s latest takeover bid and told shareholders Wednesday to stick with a rival offer from Netflix.

    Warner’s leadership has repeatedly rebuffed Skydance-owned Paramount’s overtures — and urged shareholders just weeks ago to back the sale of its streaming and studio business to Netflix for $72 billion. Paramount, meanwhile, has sweetened its $77.9 billion offer for the entire company and gone straight to shareholders with a hostile bid.

    Warner Bros. Discovery said Wednesday that its board determined Paramount’s offer is not in the best interests of the company or its shareholders. It again recommended shareholders support the Netflix deal.

    Late last month Paramount announced an “irrevocable personal guarantee” from Oracle founder Larry Ellison — who is the father of Paramount CEO David Ellison — to back $40.4 billion in equity financing for the company’s offer. Paramount also increased its promised payout to shareholders to $5.8 billion if the deal is blocked by regulators, matching what Netflix already put on the table.

    The battle for Warner and the value of each offer grows complicated because Netflix and Paramount want different things. Netflix’s proposed acquisition includes only Warner’s studio and streaming business, including its legacy TV and movie production arms and platforms like HBO Max. But Paramount wants the entire company — which, beyond studio and streaming, includes networks like CNN and Discovery.

    If Netflix is successful, Warner’s news and cable operations would be spun off into their own company, under a previously-announced separation.

    A merger with either company will attract tremendous antitrust scrutiny. Due to its size and potential impact, it will almost certainly trigger a review by the U.S. Justice Department, which could sue to block the transaction or request changes. Other countries and regulators overseas may also challenge the merger.

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  • Netflix May Have Small Theatrical Window Plans for Warner Bros. Movies — Report

    Netflix‘s plans for movies after its projected acquisition of Warner Bros. still remains up in the air, but a new report suggests that the streamer has plans for some very small theatrical windows.

    What are Netflix’s reported plans for WB movies’ theatrical windows?

    In a new report from Deadline on the theatrical return for the Stranger Things finale, it’s noted that those in Hollywood remain wary of Netflix’s plans for WB movies once they acquire the company. Deadline notes that, although Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has said nothing will change, sources note that Netflix have been “proponents of a 17-day” theatrical window for films.

    The move, should it come to fruition, is one that Deadline notes would “steamroll the theatrical business,” with the report mentioning that companies like AMC believe a 45-day window is a line that cannot be crossed. While no confirmation of any theatrical window exists, Deadline has reported multiple times through December that Sarandos is a big fan of the 17-day window structure.

    Although rumors suggest Netflix will be shrinking the theatrical windows for films if and when it acquires WB, Sarandos himself has said otherwise. Following backlash on the idea of a shorter window and concerns about Netflix’s proposed acquisition of WB, Sarandos has said that it’ll be business as usual when it comes to how WB works.

    “There’s been a lot of talk about theatrical distribution, so we want to set the record straight: we are 100% committed to releasing Warner Bros. films in theaters with industry-standard windows,” said Sarandos when Netflix announced the acquisition.

    (Source: Deadline)

    Anthony Nash

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  • How to Watch the Sugar Bowl 2026 Live for Free to See the Georgia vs. Ole Miss Showdown

    All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

    Revenge games hit different, especially when there’s a trip to the playoff semifinals at stake. On New Year’s Day 2026, Ole Miss gets a second crack at Georgia in the Sugar Bowl—the only team that handed the Rebels a loss this season. The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans sets the stage for this College Football Playoff Quarterfinal showdown between SEC rivals, and streaming it without cable is easier—and cheaper—than you think. Whether you’re watching solo with leftover pizza or hosting a proper college football watch party, here’s how to catch every play of the Sugar Bowl 2026 for free.

    How to Watch the Sugar Bowl 2026 at a Glance

    Watch the 2026 Sugar Bowl Live for Free

    This matchup marks the first time in 62 years that two SEC teams will face each other in the Sugar Bowl, with the last all-conference showdown occurring in 1964 when Ole Miss faced Alabama. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Georgia and Ole Miss battle for a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals, scheduled for January 9 at either the Peach Bowl or Fiesta Bowl. This game serves as a rematch of their October 18, 2025, regular-season meeting in Athens, where Georgia prevailed 43-35 after scoring 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.

    The Sugar Bowl brings more than just playoff football to New Orleans. The Allstate Sugar Bowl New Year’s Parade rolls through the French Quarter on New Year’s Eve, featuring elaborate floats, marching bands, and Southern hospitality at its finest. For Ole Miss, this represents the program’s 11th Sugar Bowl appearance and first since the 2022 game, while Georgia makes its 13th trip to the game and second consecutive appearance after last year’s loss to Notre Dame. Adding extra pressure to this matchup is the recent departure of Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin to LSU, with defensive coordinator Pete Golding stepping up to lead the Rebels through the playoffs after their dominant 41-10 first-round victory over Tulane.

    Want in on the action? We’ve got you covered up ahead with a complete guide to free streaming options and services carrying ESPN—because you shouldn’t have to pay to watch great football.

    How to Watch the Sugar Bowl 2026 on ESPN

    The Sugar Bowl 2026 airs on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. If you’ve cut the cord or never had cable to begin with, streaming services that carry ESPN make it easy to watch with free trial options.

    DirecTV Stream delivers ESPN across all its packages and offers a five-day free trial to get you through game day. Plans start at $89.99 per month once the trial period ends. Fubo provides a seven-day free trial with ESPN included in its Pro package for $79.99 monthly. Hulu + Live TV bundles ESPN access at $89.99 per month alongside Disney Plus, Hulu’s entire on-demand library, and ESPN Plus for maximum entertainment value. Sling TV offers the most wallet-friendly option with ESPN through its Orange package at $45.99 per month, perfect for sports fans on a budget. Keep reading for a complete breakdown of your streaming choices.

    Best Overall & EDITOR’S PICK

    Watch the 2026 Sugar Bowl with DirecTV Stream

    Free trial: 5 days
    – Includes local networks and 90+ channels

    DirecTV Stream kicks things off with a five-day free trial—plenty of time to catch the Sugar Bowl—and every single one of its four plans includes ESPN. Starting at the bottom, Entertainment gets you access to over 90 channels for $89.99 a month ($49.99 for your first month). Step up to Choice for over 125 channels at $94.99 monthly ($59.99 first month) or Ultimate, which expands your options to over 160 channels for $124.99 per month ($89.99 first month). At the top tier, Premier brings over 185 channels for $169.99 monthly ($124.99 first month).

    After putting every streaming service with a free trial to the test in 2025, our editors crowned DirecTV Stream the winner. The combination of that five-day trial, comprehensive channel selection, and solid local network access makes it a top-tier choice for watching Georgia and Ole Miss battle it out on ESPN.


    Best Flexible Pick

    Watch the 2026 Sugar Bowl with Fubo

    Free trial: Up to 5 days
    – Includes local networks and 200+ channels

    Fubo is built for sports fans, which means ESPN comes standard on most of its plans. You’ve got four options here: Sports + News is the budget pick with 29 channels at $55 a month, though you’ll pay just $45.99 to start. Pro is where most people land—214 channels for $77.99 monthly, but first-timers get it for $48.99. If you want everything, Elite packs in 278 channels at $93.99 per month (or $53.99 initially). There’s also a Latino plan with 55 channels for $14.99 a month, currently $9.99 for newcomers. The free trial situation is a bit different here: you get one day to test it out, except for the Latino plan which gives you five. That first-month discount can save you up to $40, and honestly, Fubo shines if you’re planning to keep watching sports after the Sugar Bowl wraps up.

    Best Bundle Pick

    Watch the 2026 Sugar Bowl with Hulu + Live TV

    Free trial: 3 days
    – Large library of shows, movies, and Hulu Originals

    Hulu + Live TV keeps things straightforward with four plans to choose from. If you just want the live TV channels (including ESPN for the Sugar Bowl), that’s $81.99 a month with the Live TV Only plan. For one dollar more at $82.99 monthly, you get the live channels plus Hulu’s full streaming library, Disney+ with ads, and ESPN+ with ads—a pretty solid bundle. Want to ditch ads on Disney+? That bumps you to $87.99 per month. And if you’d rather skip ads on both Hulu and Disney+, you’re looking at $95.99 monthly.

    The good news? ESPN is available on every single plan, so no matter which tier you pick, you’re covered for watching Georgia and Ole Miss face off. The real value here is in that bundle—you’re essentially getting three streaming services in one, which makes Hulu + Live TV worth considering even after the game ends.


    Best BUDGET Pick

    Watch the 2026 Sugar Bowl with Sling TV

    – Daily, weekend, and weekly passes
    – 30+ channels

    Sling TV wins on price if you’re just here for the game. The Sling Orange package runs $45.99 a month and includes over 30 channels—ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3 are all in there, which is everything you need for the Sugar Bowl. It’s genuinely the cheapest way to get live sports streaming on a monthly basis. If you’re a serious sports fan who wants even more coverage, tack on the Sports Extra add-on for an extra $11 monthly. That gets you SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPNU, and ESPNEWS—pretty useful for following Georgia and Ole Miss all season. Sling TV also offers short-term passes if you just want to watch this one game. Pay $4.99 for a Day Pass, $9.99 for a Weekend Pass, or $14.99 for a Week Pass, and you’re done—no commitment, no subscription to remember to cancel.

    Where does the Sugar Bowl take place?

    The 2026 Sugar Bowl takes place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The iconic indoor stadium, which opened in 1975, seats over 73,000 fans and has hosted seven Super Bowls, multiple NCAA Final Fours, and 91 previous Sugar Bowl games since the tradition began in 1935. Located in the heart of New Orleans’ Central Business District, the Superdome sits just blocks from the French Quarter, making it one of the most accessible and exciting bowl game destinations in the country. The climate-controlled environment ensures perfect playing conditions regardless of Louisiana’s unpredictable January weather, while the city’s legendary hospitality and vibrant culture create an unforgettable atmosphere for fans and players alike.

    Who is playing in the Sugar Bowl 2026?

    The 2026 Sugar Bowl features No. 3 seed Georgia Bulldogs facing No. 6 seed Ole Miss Rebels in a College Football Playoff Quarterfinal. Georgia enters at 12-1 after winning the SEC Championship and receiving a first-round bye as one of the top four seeds in the playoff. Ole Miss arrives with a 12-1 record following a dominant 41-10 first-round playoff victory over Tulane, with the team’s only loss coming against Georgia during their October 18 regular-season meeting. This matchup marks just the second time in the Sugar Bowl’s 92-year history that two SEC teams will face each other, with interim head coach Pete Golding leading the Rebels after Lane Kiffin’s departure to LSU, while Kirby Smart guides the Bulldogs in their quest for another national championship.

    Who is favored to win the 2026 Sugar Bowl?

    Georgia enters the Sugar Bowl as a seven-point favorite over Ole Miss, according to major sportsbooks. The Bulldogs hold -245 moneyline odds, while Ole Miss sits at 200+ odds, giving Georgia approximately a 60 percent probability to win the game outright, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. The over-under total is set at 55.5 to 56.5 points across different books, significantly lower than the 78 combined points these teams scored in their October regular-season battle. The Bulldogs’ defense has been exceptional down the stretch, allowing just 10 points or fewer in their last four games, which could prove decisive in this SEC rematch.

    Jenzia Burgos

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