ReportWire

Tag: streaming service

  • Hulu, Peacock, Prime: Full List of Black Friday Deals 2025 for Streaming Services

    As Black Friday approaches, consumers are looking for the best deals on a wide range of products and services, including their favorite streaming subscriptions.

    Streaming platforms routinely offer major deals during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday time frame, and this year is no different.

    Why It Matters

    Shoppers can save a significant amount of money by timing their subscription purchases around Black Friday.

    In previous Black Fridays, Hulu offered subscriptions as low as 99 cents, while Max offered 6 months of streaming for just $2.99 per month.

    Amazon Prime

    Amazon Prime has historically offered up to 50 percent off movies and TV shows. There’s also typically a 75 percent discount on a two-month subscription for channels like Paramount+ and MGM+.

    Apple TV+ 

    Apple TV+ is charging $5.99 for six months as part of a Black Friday deal with Prime Video added on. That’s a total savings of $42.

    AMC+

    AMC+ is offering several Black Friday deals this year.

    If you prefer AMC+ with ads, you can pay $1.75 per month for two months. That’s a significant savings compared to the usual $6.99 monthly price.

    Meanwhile, AMC+ Premium is available for $2.50 monthly for two months, down from $9.99 monthly.

    BET+

    BET+ will give viewers unlimited access to BET programs for just $1.50 a month during its Black Friday sale. 

    Some of the top shows to watch on the platform include All the Queen’s Men, Tyler Perry’s Ruthless, Love & Hip-Hop and Basketball Wives.

    Starz

    Viewers can pay just $2.75 for a Starz subscription. That’s a 75 percent discount from the typical $10.99 monthly price.

    The deal is available temporarily for two months before the price goes back up.

    Hulu

    New Hulu subscribers can get the streaming service for just 99 cents monthly for an entire year if they sign up during Black Friday. The regular cost is $9.99, meaning shoppers will save more than $100 over the course of a year.

    Peacock

    Last year, Peacock offered new subscribers access to the Premium plan for $1.99 monthly for six months or $19.99 for the first year.

    Paramount

    Roku announced that on November 25, the Paramount Plus Essential and Premium plans will be available for $2.99 per month for two months. 

    What People Are Saying

    Kevin Thompson, finance expert and founder/CEO of 9i Capital Group, previously told Newsweek: “As cord-cutting continues, streaming has become the dominant choice for entertainment, but many are finding it just as costly—if not more—than traditional cable…To save money, consumers should review their streaming subscriptions and compare their total monthly costs to traditional cable. If expenses are higher, it may be time to cut back or consolidate.”

    What Happens Next

    Most Black Friday deals disappear after the holiday, so shoppers should act fast to secure the first few months of their subscription at a lower price.

    Source link

  • Use this hack to get one year of Peacock access for $49 for Black Friday

    If you’ve wanted to check out The Paper or any other new NBC show on Peacock, you can do so now while spending less thanks to this hack. Walmart, believe it or not, comes into play here: the retailer is offering Walmart+ subscriptions for half off right now, bringing the cost down to $49 for your first year. Thanks to a streaming benefit for subscribers, you can then sign up for Peacock at no extra cost.

    Walmart+ subscribers are able to choose between a Peacock Premium or a Paramount+ Essential subscription. Considering Peacock premium would run you $110 for the year on its own, signing up for Walmart+ while this discount is available gets you access to the streaming service for less than half the normal cost.

    Walmart

    A Walmart+ subscription is 50 percent off for new subscribers.

    $49 at Walmart

    Just about every major streaming service has raised its prices in the last year, including HBO Max, Disney+, Netflix, Apple TV and YouTube TV, so saving some money on one of them just might be worth the effort. Cord cutting is not nearly as affordable as it used to be, so finding a deal like this is pretty helpful.

    Walmart+ itself offers myriad additional benefits like early access to Black Friday deals, free shipping on orders over $35, discounts on gas, free online veterinary care and more. Earlier this year, Walmart+ subscribers got first dibs on the Nintendo Switch 2 at the retailer. You can also use that free shipping to take advantage of Walmart’s drone delivery program in a handful of select cities.

    Andre Revilla

    Source link

  • Use this hack to get a year of Peacock for $49 ahead of Black Friday

    If you’ve wanted to check out The Paper or any other new NBC show on Peacock, you can do so now while spending less thanks to this hack. Walmart, believe it or not, comes into play here: the retailer is offering Walmart+ subscriptions for half off right now, bringing the cost down to $49 for your first year. Thanks to a streaming benefit for subscribers, you can then sign up for Peacock at no extra cost.

    Walmart+ subscribers are able to choose between a Peacock Premium or a Paramount+ Essential subscription. Considering Peacock premium would run you $110 for the year on its own, signing up for Walmart+ while this discount is available gets you access to the streaming service for less than half the normal cost.

    Walmart

    A Walmart+ subscription is 50 percent off for new subscribers.

    $49 at Walmart

    Just about every major streaming service has raised its prices in the last year, including HBO Max, Disney+, Netflix, Apple TV and YouTube TV, so saving some money on one of them just might be worth the effort. Cord cutting is not nearly as affordable as it used to be, so finding a deal like this is pretty helpful.

    Walmart+ itself offers myriad additional benefits like early access to Black Friday deals, free shipping on orders over $35, discounts on gas, free online veterinary care and more. Earlier this year, Walmart+ subscribers got first dibs on the Nintendo Switch 2 at the retailer. You can also use that free shipping to take advantage of Walmart’s drone delivery program in a handful of select cities.

    Andre Revilla

    Source link

  • DAZN is available through Amazon Prime Video in the US and UK

    DAZN, a sports streaming service that covers everything from MMA to golf, is now available as an add-on subscription through Amazon Prime Video in the US and UK. The streaming service was previously available in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan and Canada.

    Subscribing to DAZN requires an additional $30 a month subscription on top of what users already pay for Prime Video ($9 a month for a standalone plan or the cost of an Amazon Prime subscription). The service includes access to a mixture of live sports coverage including “more than 185 fight nights per year” and “over 300 live soccer games from Italy’s Lega Series A,” according to Amazon.

    While it costs extra, the service makes for a nice complement to the sports content that’s already available through Prime Video for no additional fee, like Thursday Night Football, select NBA games, the NASCAR Cup Series and the Masters golf tournament in 2026.

    Access to live games is increasingly the defining feature of most video streaming platforms. Amazon has its carveouts, YouTube TV has NFL Sunday Ticket and Apple continues to hold down MLS and now, F1 racing.

    Source link

  • Disney warns that YouTube TV could lose its channels amid fee negotations

    Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: YouTube TV may lose a provider’s content because a deadline is approaching without a deal in place. This time, the media company is Disney. It’s warning (via Variety) that its networks could soon go dark on Google’s streaming service.

    The two sides are negotiating ahead of an October 30 midnight ET deadline. If they can’t agree by then, all Disney content will disappear from YouTube TV. That includes (among others) all ESPN channels, local ABC stations, ABC News, FX, NatGeo, Disney Channel and Freeform. A YouTube spokesperson told Variety that if that should happen for “an extended period of time,” subscribers will receive a $20 credit.

    One aspect of these battles is finger-pointing as each side tries to leverage public perception. Disney says YouTube is trying to muscle the mouse into paying below market value. Meanwhile, YouTube claims Disney is “proposing costly economic terms” that could lead to even higher subscription fees. YouTube TV launched at $35 per month in 2017 and now costs a whopping $83 monthly.

    If recent history is any indication, you can expect the dire warnings of content removal to continue until they strike a deal at the last second. That already happened several times this year.

    In February, YouTube TV and Paramount had that dance. Google’s streaming network and Fox came to a renewal deal in August after repeated content-removal warnings. YouTube TV and NBCUniversal did the thing earlier this month. However, in that case, the streaming service dropped Univision and other TelevisaUnivision networks, so tidy deals aren’t inevitable. Time will tell how this one plays out, but it’s hard to imagine either side here wanting to play chicken past the October 30 deadline.

    Will Shanklin

    Source link

  • The new Apple TV and Peacock streaming bundle is officially available

    There’s yet another streaming bundle in town, and it will be ideal for fans of Ted Lasso and The Office. Apple and Peacock have teamed up to provide both of their streaming services together in a bundle starting at $15 per month. The new Apple TV + Peacock bundle is officially available now for $15 monthly for the ad-supported tier.

    This is a mighty fine deal, given that Apple TV recently changed both its name and price. The platform costs $13 per month now on its own. Peacock starts at $11 per month. In other words, this is a discount of around $9 each month. In this economy, we’ll take any savings we can get.

    As mentioned previously, the only caveat is that the base tier includes ads. The subscription shoots up to $20 per month for an ad-free version. However, a standalone subscription to ad-free Peacock is $17 on its own. Additionally, Apple One subscribers will get a 35 percent discount on Peacock Premium Plus plans. It’s always nice when two lonely corporations find friendship, isn’t it?

    For the uninitiated, Apple TV is the company’s big-wig streaming platform. It’s primarily known for sci-fi like Severance, For All Mankind and the upcoming Pluribus. The platform is also host to plenty of comedy, like The Studio, Shrinking and Ted Lasso.

    Peacock is NBC’s streaming service. It streams old-school network programming like The Office, Grimm and Superstore. The service features a stable of original programming like Poker Face, Twisted Metal and the underrated Mrs. Davis. The platform also recently premiered a little show called The Paper, which is a spinoff of The Office. Against all odds, this is actually a great little sitcom and a worthy successor to the original.

    Lawrence Bonk

    Source link

  • One year of Starz is on sale for just $24

    Right now, you can get one year of Starz streaming service for just $24 when you prepay for the entire year. That’s $46 less than the usual annual cost. There’s also a month-to-month option, which is offering the first three months for $4 per month instead of the usual $11; that’s a 64 percent discount.

    Starz

    Save 64 percent when you pay for one year of Starz upfront.

    $24 at Starz

    Starz may not be one of the most prominent streamers, but it still makes our list of best streaming deals when it’s offered at such a great value. The service offers a deep catalog of recognizable titles as well as original series like Outlander, Spartacus and Ash vs. Evil Dead. The TV shows are almost exclusively Starz originals, with some old western shows mixed in.

    A Starz subscription supports streaming on up to three devices simultaneously and offers a live stream of its cable channels for subscribers via the website. The Starz app and streaming service do not offer a 4K streaming option.

    There are a ton of great streaming services to choose from these days, though many of them have been repeatedly raising prices. For would-be cord-cutters, subscribing to enough streamers isn’t that much cheaper, if at all, than a cable bill. That’s where more value-minded offerings like Starz fit in.

    Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

    Andre Revilla

    Source link

  • Spotify’s new ‘smart filters’ let you screen library content by activity, genre or mood | TechCrunch

    Spotify is giving users more ways to personalize what they hear. The company is launching a new feature that allows users to filter their library by specific activities, moods, or genres. These filters can also be used to find playlists, or, to some extent, audio books and podcasts, and can even kick off a new session on Spotify’s AI DJ.

    The smart filters, which began rolling out on Friday, will first be made available to Premium subscribers on mobile devices and tablets in select markets, including the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa. Spotify estimates the rollout will be completed over the next few weeks.

    The feature arrives as the company has been focused on adding more personalization tools and features to its app in recent months. These types of tools, while seemingly small additions, can help differentiate Spotify further from competitors while also making it harder for existing users to leave.

    In April, for example, Spotify began offering tools to create personalized playlists using AI prompts, and in May, it added new playlist management tools as well as a way to create your own custom cover art. You can also now talk to its AI DJ to personalize your music selection, and take advantage of a revamped version of Spotify’s flagship personalized playlist, Discover Weekly.

    Despite these changes, some users are finding Spotify’s interface is becoming too crowded, especially as the company wades into social networking territory by adding messages, comments on podcasts, polls, Q&As, stories, and a design that feels more like TikTok or YouTube following the introduction of music videos and video podcasts within the app.

    The company has often faced complaints about an overly busy user interface, and the continual addition of new features has left some users feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. That, combined with the company’s heavy focus on algorithmic suggestions, has even pushed some users to abandon Spotify entirely.

    However, Spotify continues to report more users and subscribers — its user base swelled 11% to 696 million in the last quarter from a year earlier, and subscribers reached 276 million, up 12%.

    Techcrunch event

    San Francisco
    |
    October 27-29, 2025

    Sarah Perez

    Source link

  • The best streaming deals: Save on YouTube TV, Disney+, Spotify and others

    Streaming services keep raising prices. At this point, if you subscribe to all the major services out there, you’re basically paying the same price as cable — those antiquated local monopolies that streaming was supposed to save us from. But streaming still has one big advantage over the old ways: no contracts. That means you can grab a good streaming deal and then cancel without penalty.

    Our advice is to sign up for a service when you see a good streaming deal (or the latest season of, say, Doctor Who, Severance, Andor and/or The Last of Us). Then, when the deal ends or you’ve binged whatever it is you want to watch, cancel as needed. But streaming deals don’t come around all that often and, when they do, it’s easy to miss them thanks to…everything. So we’re keeping eyes out for the best streaming deals out there and we update this guide often — so check it out the next time you have a hankering to watch something new.

    Best streaming deals

    True streaming deals can be hard to come by. Most often, they’ll pop up during the Black Friday shopping period. On occasion, we’ll see them sparingly throughout the year and they usually take the form of a discounted monthly or annual rate for a limited period of time. Also, true streaming deals are typically on the ad-supported versions of a service, but once in a while you’ll find a unicorn of a deal on a tier that has ad-free viewing.

    If you’re able to wait for a deal before subscribing to a streaming service, we recommend doing so. You’ll save money upfront and in the long run, and you also have the option to cancel your subscription before the price goes back up to the normal rate. Maybe you find you like the service so much that you’re fine paying full price for it — that’s the ideal situation. But if you’re not compelled to keep that app on rotation in your smart TV, most streaming services make it easy for you to cancel at any time. With that said, these are the best streaming deals you can snag right now.

    ESPN

    Paid for by ESPN

    ESPN’s new streaming service is officially available now, and new subscribers can get Disney+ and Hulu included for one year when they sign up. The regular price of the new ESPN Unlimited plan is $30 per month, but this bundle offer throws in Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) for one year at no extra cost. If you want to break it down, you’re essentially getting each of the three services for $10 monthly with this offer.

    For the uninitiated, the new ESPN streaming service has two plans. The base level is ESPN Select, which is essentially just ESPN+ under a new name. It includes more than 32,000 live sports events, a library of studio shows, on-demand replays and more for $12 per month.

    The premium tier, ESPN Unlimited, ups the ante by providing access to all of ESPN’s linear networks including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes and others, plus programming on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+ and ACCNX. It includes 47,000 live sports events throughout the year, on-demand replays, original programming and more. You can think of it as everything you’d want from cable ESPN, just via streaming now.

    $30/month at ESPN

    DirecTV starting at $50/month for one month ($35 off): All of DirecTV’s signature packages are $35 off right now for your first month when you sign up. If you opt for the base “Entertainment” package, you’ll spend $50 for the first month and get access to over 90 channels, including many local stations as well as ESPN, ESPN 2 and Fox Sports 1. You’ll also be able to watch on the go with the DirecTV mobile app.

    DashPass Annual + HBO Max (with ads) for $96/year ($144 off): This offer includes access to HBO Max with ads for no extra cost when you sign up for a DashPass Annual plan. You can then decide to upgrade to Max Standard, which removes ads, for a discounted rate of $11 monthly if you want. Aside from the obvious streaming benefits, this deal gives you $0 deliver fees and lower service fees on some restaurant DoorDash orders, five percent DoorDash credits on pickup orders, on-demand grocery delivery and other members-only exclusives.

    Spotify Premium Individual (3 month) for $0 ($36 off): This is our favorite music streaming service for podcasts and social features. Right now, users who have not signed up for Spotify’s Premium service before are eligible to get three months for free. The Premium Individual plan lets you listen ad-free and skip songs at will. You can also organize your listening queue and download content for offline listening. Just be aware, your subscription will auto-renew at the end of the trial period. So if you don’t want to be on the hook for the $12 monthly fee, set a reminder to cancel and go back to the free version.

    Fubo Pro for $55/month for the first month ($30 off): Fubo has introductory discounts on most of its packages, and the Pro package is the least expensive plan currently listed. It offers access to 224 channels, unlimited cloud DVR and up to 10 simultaneous streams. It even includes regional sports content from the NHL, MLB and NBA.

    YouTube TV (three months) for $150 ($99 off): You can get three months of our favorite live TV streaming service for $50 per month. That should give you a decent chunk of time to see if the service is right for you while saving some cash. The discount and trial are only open to new subscribers to YouTube TV’s base plan, which includes access to over 100 channels, unlimited DVR space and six household accounts with the ability to stream on three devices at once.

    Sling Orange for $23/month for the first month (50 percent off): New customers can get Sling Orange or Sling Blue for half off the usual price for the first month, bringing the final prices to $23/month and $25.50/month, respectively. Orange is likely best for sports fans, with eight exclusive sports and family channels, while Blue includes 19 exclusive news and entertainment channels. You can get both Orange and Blue access also for half off for one month, or $33 total.

    Peacock first responders discount — one year for $48 (50 percent off): Medical professionals and first responders can save 50 percent each year of Peacock. The deal requires annual verification and is open to those who work for either private or public institutions. Peacock has some great stuff to watch, including Poker Face and Killing It and more.

    Student discounts on streaming services

    HBO Max student discount — subscribe for $5/month (50 percent off): HBO Max offers their ad-supported tier to students for half off the usual rate. You’ll just have to verify that you’re a student through Unidays, and make note that this offer is only good for up to 12 months of service.

    Hulu student discount — subscribe for $2/month (75 percent off): Those with a valid student ID can get Hulu’s ad-supported tier for 75 percent off the typical rate. They’ll keep the same sale price for as long as they’re a student as well.

    Spotify student discount — Premium + Hulu with ads for $6/month (72 percent off): Spotify’s student offer continues to be one of the best around, giving you access to the Premium tier of the music streamer and Hulu’s ad-supported plan for only $6 monthly. Purchased separately, you’d pay $22 per month for both of the services. Plus, the first month is free when you sign up.

    NBA League Pass student discount — one year for $120 (40 percent off): Students can get one year of League Pass for only $10 per month, which includes access to NBA TV and the ability to watch classic and archive games on-demand. On the NBA League Pass website, look for the student discount banner at the top and follow the instructions to verify your student status.

    Streaming bundle discounts

    There’s more consolidation happening now than ever before in the streaming space, and that means there are more streaming bundle options. These bundles offer you access to more content with one subscription price, but those prices are typically higher than paying for a single service by itself (obviously). It may be tempting to just get the bundle, but if only one of those services in the bundle speaks to you, you’ll spend less overall by just paying for the single service.

    Speaking of a deep love for a single streaming service: if all of your favorite shows are on Peacock or the latest releases on HBO Max consistently bring you joy, consider paying for one year upfront. Subscribing with an annual plan usually saves you money in the long term over paying on a monthly basis. Unfortunately, not all streaming services (looking at you, Netflix) have an annual subscription option. Here are some of the best streaming bundles you can get right now.

    Image for the small product module

    Max

    HBO Max may not technically be under the Disney-Hulu mega-umbrella, but this bundle gives you ad-free viewing across most content in all three services. Download support for offline watching is included, too. Compared to the $52/month you’d pay for these tiers separately, you’ll save 42 percent with this combination.

    $30/month at Disney+

    Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max bundle with ads for $17/month: Ad-supported HBO Max is included here, along with full, ad-supported access to Disney+ and Hulu. You’ll save 43 percent with this bundle, as opposed to paying for all three services individually.

    Disney+ and Hulu Bundle Premium for $20/month: Disney and Hulu offer a few different bundles, which you can view in the drop-down lists under Choose Your Plan. This bundle removes the ads from both Disney+ and Hulu (with the exception of select live and linear content) and allows you to download content for offline viewing. You’ll save 42 percent with this bundle, as opposed to paying for both ad-free tiers individually.

    Hulu + Live TV with Disney+ and ESPN+ for $96/month: This streaming bundle amalgamation is a bit confusing but it does offer a lot: you get live TV streaming via Hulu’s service plus access to the following VOD services: Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+. Out of those three, only ESPN+ will have ads.

    Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Basic for $17/month: You get full access to Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ content with this package, albeit with ads across the board. This bundle price is 46 percent off the total price of all three separate subscriptions.

    Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle Premium for $27/month: Similarly to the Duo bundles, the Premium version of the Trio removes ads from most content in Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+, and you can download content for offline viewing. This price represents a 43-percent savings when compared to paying for all three ad-free tiers separately.

    Sling TV + HBO Max starting at $53/month: Sling TV and HBO Max have partnered on a discount that gives new subscribers 50 percent off their first month of Sling TV, plus $5 off monthly when you subscribe to the Sling TV + HBO Max bundle. The standard price for the Sling Blue + HBO Max duo is roughly $58/month, so you’ll get a monthly discount of $5 off that. In addition, for the first month only, you’ll get half off the price of the bundle. The promotion also applies to the Sling Orange & Blue + HBO Max package, which has a standard price of $73/month.

    Paramount+ with Showtime for $13/month or $120/year: This includes everything in Paramount+’s Essential plan, except the ads, and also provides access to Showtime content, live CBS streams and download features.

    Read more streaming coverage

    Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

    Valentina Palladino

    Source link

  • Apple TV+ subscriptions just rose to $13 a month

    Apple is once again raising the price of its streaming service. Apple TV+ is shooting up to $13 per month, from $10 per month. This is effective immediately.

    Current subscribers will see the price change 30 days after the next renewal date. There’s one spot of good news here. The pricing for the yearly subscription remains unchanged, as does the cost of an Apple One bundle.

    Many platforms start cheap before slowly turning the heat up, using the drug dealer method of salesmanship. However, Apple really . The platform isn’t very old and cost $7 per month as recently as 2023. Now it’s nearly twice that amount. In a recent earnings call, that overall Apple TV+ viewership rose “strong double digits year over year.”

    The platform has been generating mainstream buzz. Severance has proven to be a gigantic hit and The Studio scooped up plenty of Emmy nominations this year. The platform’s also a sci-fi powerhouse, releasing shows like For All Mankind, Invasion, Foundation, Murderbot, Silo and Dark Matter, among others.

    Lawrence Bonk

    Source link

  • Tell Me Lies Season 2 Is Here To Remind Me Why I Hate TV

    Tell Me Lies Season 2 Is Here To Remind Me Why I Hate TV

    I know I say this often, so you probably think I’m a miserable person…but I promise I’m actually quite happy most of the time. There are a few things that anger me to my core — most of them revolving around television series — and I must speak up when it’s right.

    So while I’ve harped on
    Emily in Paris and My Life With The Walter Boys, I actually have a Mortal Enemy #1: Tell Me Lies. And it’s not that the show’s writing is weak, per se. It’s a much bigger issue because there is not one likable character.

    But I’m getting ahead of myself here. No need to hate too early on, we have the entire article for that.
    Tell Me Lies Season 2 just released on September 4, and with a weekly rollout on Hulu, fans can anticipate regular episodes.

    The show is based on the novel by Carol Lovering, and to be fair, I have not read it. So I cannot attest to whether or not Lovering is behind the atrocities that occur in the show.

    In case you completely forgot what happened in
    Tell Me Lies Season 1, let’s recap why I’m angry and believe every character in the show should be imprisoned.

    Tell Me Lies Season 1 Recap

    I meditated before writing this article so I could level my emotions. It starts with Lucy (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen (Jackson White), who meet while at Baird College and embark on an eight-year-long, on-and-off, emotionally abusive, toxic relationship.

    Lucy is a freshman when she meets Stephen — a junior — who asks her on a date. But before that can happen, Lucy’s roommate Macy is killed in a car accident. I wish the story ended there, but sadly, I’m forced to continue.

    Turns out, Stephen and most of his friends are directly involved in the accident that killed Macy. Even worse? Lucy’s best friend, Pippa, knows about it. But this isn’t fully revealed until the end of season 1, so as you can imagine it only gets worse.

    As the season progresses, we’re caught up in a web of will-they-won’t-they with Lucy and Stephen…who truly traumatize everyone in their path.

    If you are entering your freshman year of college, heed my advice: do
    not put yourself through emotional hell for a junior boy with no aspirations and multiple potential felonies. It’s not worth it. It’s rare that the boy you meet freshman year is “The One.”

    But anyways, Lucy and Stephen can’t get it together over the course of season 1. Finally, Lucy finally discovers that Stephen was involved with Macy’s murder. Stephen was with Macy in the car and he got away with it by pushing her body into the driver’s seat and deleting all their messages. Here’s the freaking insane part: Lucy stays with him.

    They go on a weekend trip to Stephen’s roommate Evan’s lake house for his birthday…where just about everyone is disrespectful to Evan’s parent’s mansion. This aggravates me simply because (at this point in the narrative) Evan is relatively harmless, but even he ends up disappointing me.

    So Lucy writes an anonymous letter to Baird’s Dean of Students blaming Macy’s death on Drew. The school then launches an investigation and Lucy provides Stephen with an alibi.

    But how does Stephen repay Lucy for all this? By cheating on Lucy at a party with his ex so he can get an internship with her lawyer father. And how does Lucy react? By hooking up with Evan, who is dating
    her best friend, Bree.

    Tell Me Lies Season 2 So Far

    The show flashes forward 8 years later where a different picture is painted. Evan and Bree are getting married, so the gang is forced to reunite for the first time since college.

    It also looks like Stephen’s now engaged to Lucy’s best friend from home — Lydia — which feels like another manipulation tactic. Throughout the wedding rehearsal dinner and festivities, there’s clear tension between Lydia and Lucy.

    While the show flashes back and forth between college and the wedding, we discover that Lydia’s younger brother Chris went to college with Lucy. At a party, Diana finds Pippa unconscious in a room with Chris, who claims he was only using the bathroom.

    Pippa comes to and is confused and embarrassed while Diana and Lucy take care of her. Pippa admits she doesn’t remember anything beyond kissing Chris. This could be the start of the rift between Lydia and Lucy, but that’s all on the case for now.

    The entire show is dedicated to Stephen manipulating different people. For example, he knows that Wrigley hooked up with Stephen’s ex Diana when they were freshmen…but rather than telling Wrigley he’s upset, he enacts a plot of psychological revenge.

    Oh, Lucy. I
    want to feel bad for you, but I don’t. Because you committed multiple crimes for a boy who is an awful person. It’s one thing to be a doormat, but this just hurts to watch.

    Tell Me Lies continues to build the tension between every character. We watch Lucy continue to break under the pressure of her affair with Evan…who confessed to Bree that he cheated, but didn’t reveal who it was with.

    Bree then turns around and starts having an affair with Oliver, a professor at the college who is married. Again, we all know this is such a bad idea. At the end of the day, no one is a hero in this story.

    In the meantime, Stephen’s tormenting Lucy for having feelings for him in the first place. So, Lucy threatens to tell everyone the truth if he keeps harassing her. I’m sure this will go well.

    The episodes end in present time, when everyone goes home to their significant others. Pippa, now in a clandestine relationship, finally reveals her lover is none other than Stephen’s ex, Diana.

    Now that we’ve recapped the entirety of the show, can you understand why it’s so hateable?

    Jai Phillips

    Source link

  • Netflix to take on Google and Amazon by building its own ad server | TechCrunch

    Netflix to take on Google and Amazon by building its own ad server | TechCrunch

    Netflix announced during its Upfronts presentation on Wednesday that it’s launching its own advertising technology platform only a year and a half after entering the ads business. This move pits it against other industry heavyweights with ad servers, like Google, Amazon and Comcast. 

    The announcement signifies a significant shake-up in the streaming giant’s advertising approach. The company originally partnered with Microsoft to develop its ad tech, letting Netflix enter the ad space quickly and catch up with rivals like Hulu, which has had its own ad server for over a decade. 

    With the launch of its in-house ad tech, Netflix is poised to take full control of its advertising future. This strategic move will empower the company to create targeted and personalized ad experiences that resonate with its massive user base of 270 million subscribers. 

    “Bringing our ad tech in-house will allow us to power the ads plan with the same level of excellence that’s made Netflix the leader in streaming technology today,” said Amy Reinhard, Netflix’s president of advertising. “We’re being incredibly strategic about how we present ads because we want our members to have a phenomenal experience. We conduct deep consumer research to make sure we stay ahead of the competition, bringing opportunities that are better for members and better for brands.”

    Netflix didn’t say exactly how its in-house solution will change the way ads are delivered, but it’s likely it’ll move away from generic advertisements. According to the Financial Times, Netflix wants to experiment with “episodic” campaigns, which involve a series of ads that tell a story rather than delivering repetitive ads. 

    During the presentation, Netflix also noted that it’ll expand its buying capabilities this summer, which will now include The Trade Desk, Google’s Display & Video 360 and Magnite as partners. Notably, competitor Disney+ also has an advertising agreement with The Trade Desk. 

    Netflix also touted the success of its ad-supported tier, reporting that 40 million global monthly active users opt for the plan. The ad tier had around 5 million users within six months of launching. 

    Lauren Forristal

    Source link

  • Video Game Influencer Allegedly Incited Violent New York Mob Scene

    Video Game Influencer Allegedly Incited Violent New York Mob Scene

    As it turns out, there may be such thing as being too popular, even dangerously popular. With 5.6 million Instagram followers, 7.1 million fans on Tik Tok, and a reputation as the most-watched streamer in the world, it’s no surprise that Kai Cenat draws a crowd wherever he goes. But the multitudes that gathered at his command at a Manhattan park Friday appeared to arrive with more than adulation on their minds, leading to violent confrontations, mass arrests, and charges against Cenat for allegedly inciting a riot.

    It all began on Wednesday, when Cenat used his massive platform to promote an in-person event at Union Square Park, a 170-year-old burial ground for the poor turned historic New York tourist attraction. In his announcement, CNN reported, Cenat promised to pass out free “computers, Play Station 5s, microphones, keyboards, webcams, gaming chairs, headphones, and gift cards” from a truck parked at the landmark at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4. “I feel like New York really deserves it,” he said.

    People gather for a “giveaway” event announced by popular Twitch live streamer Kai Cenat in Union Square and the surrounding area on August 4, 2023 in New York City. Photo by Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images

    Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images

    But according to NYPD Chief of Department Jeff Maddrey, no permits for the event had been filed. In a press conference held Friday, Maddrey said that police weren’t aware that the likely popular event was in the cards until someone at the department spied a social media post around midday Friday. By then, thousands of people were already thronging to the area, and “the event grew exponentially, rapidly, vast,” Maddrey said.

    Twitter content

    This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

    Things turned ugly soon after that, Maddrey said. When the scheduled giveaway time arrived, members of the crowd allegedly began to attack one another as well as arriving police officers. “You had people walking around with shovels, axes, and other tools of the construction trade,” Maddrey said. According to Variety, others were “throwing rocks, bottles, paint cans and other debris and lighting fireworks and aiming them at officers and others.” 

    As the chaos increased, officials called for a Level 4 police mobilization, which the NYPD characterizes as its highest level of disaster response. According to broadcast station 4 New York, an estimated 1,000 officers ended up responding to the scene, many in riot gear.

    Members of the NYPD respond to thousands of people gathered for a “giveaway” event announced by popular Twitch live streamer Kai Cenat in Union Square and the surrounding area on August 4, 2023 in New York City. Photo by Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images

    Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images

    Eve Batey

    Source link

  • Reed Hastings Steps Down as Netflix Co-CEO

    Reed Hastings Steps Down as Netflix Co-CEO

    Reed Hastings, the Netflix cofounder who led the company for more than two decades as it pivoted from a DVD-by-mail business into a streaming juggernaut, is stepping down from his role as co-CEO. He will become Netflix’s executive chairman, leaving day-to-day management of the company to two of his lieutenants, Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters. 

    Hastings said that the decision to step away from the CEO role was part of a yearslong succession plan, likening the move to those made by famous founders Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates. In 2020, he promoted Sarandos—the company’s longtime content chief and architect of its push into original programming—to the role of co-CEO and product chief Peters to the role of chief operating officer and increasingly delegated the management of the company to them. “It was a baptism by fire, given COVID and recent challenges within our business,” Hastings said in a statement. “But they’ve both managed incredibly well, ensuring Netflix continues to improve and developing a clear path to reaccelerate our revenue and earnings growth. So the board and I believe it’s the right time to complete my succession.” Hastings added that he plans to spend more time on philanthropy, though he will “remain very focused on Netflix stock doing well.” 

    As part of the leadership reshuffle, global head of television Bela Bajaria will succeed Sarandos as chief content officer. Film head Scott Stuber will take on a new role as chairman of Netflix’s film business. In a statement, Sarandos thanks Hastings for his leadership, mentorship, and friendship. “We’ve all learned so much from his intellectual rigor, honesty and willingness to take big bets—and we look forward to working with him for many more years to come,” he said, adding that Bajaria and Stuber are “outstanding creative executives with proven track records at Netflix.” 

    Close Netflix watchers won’t exactly be surprised by the news that Hastings, 62, is passing the baton. Though he told investors in 2020 that he was “in for a decade,” the decision to name Sarandos as co-CEO and promote Peters to COO indicated that he was ready to take a step back from day-to-day management. That same year, he published a book of management advice based on his years running Netflix. It shed light on his unconventional leadership style and its role in birthing a corporate culture that allowed Netflix to adapt and grow during its first two decades. 

    But like many corporate leaders, Hastings has faced a roller coaster few years. Netflix saw an early boom in its business as people found themselves stuck at home with little to do, adding a record 36.6 million global subscribers in 2020. But it hit a rough patch in 2022 as it faced new competition in streaming and as COVID restrictions lifted, and it reported its first loss in subscribers since 2011. Netflix responded to the challenges by announcing plans to crack down on password sharing and launching an ad-supported streaming product, something that Hastings previously swore he would never do. Its business improved in the second half of 2022, and the company added 8.9 million members for the full year, its lowest rate of growth in more than a decade.

    Hastings has a reputation for being a touch eccentric. He likes to wear Netflix-branded merchandise during the company’s earnings calls and made headlines in 2017 when he declared that the company’s biggest competition was sleep. When Netflix passed 200 million subscribers, the billionaire—whom Forbes estimates is worth $3.3 billion—celebrated with a steak from Denny’s. He is a passionate supporter of charter schools and advocate for children’s education.

    Natalie Jarvey

    Source link

  • VIZIO AND KIDOODLE.TV® UNVEIL “KIDS CORNER”

    VIZIO AND KIDOODLE.TV® UNVEIL “KIDS CORNER”

    Brought to you by Kidoodle.TV, A Dedicated Entertainment Destination with Safe Entertainment Designed Specifically for Kids and Families.
    Celebrate Mother’s Day with Popular Titles Like PAW Patrol, Peppa Pig, Baby Shark, PJ Masks, Blippi, and more! Free Ad-supported Streaming All Month to Smartcast™ Families

    Press Release
    –


    updated: May 7, 2021


    IRVINE, Calif., May 7, 2021 (Newswire.com)
    –
    A Parent Media Co. Inc. (APMC) and VIZIO today announced the launch of a first-to-market Kids & Family “Kids Corner” entertainment experience created to support their commitment to families. 

    Now, SmartCast families have 24/7 access to free ad-supported entertainment, all month long in the “Kids Corner” sponsored by Kidoodle.TV (owned by APMC). SmartCast is VIZIO’s operating system that comes equipped with every new VIZIO Smart TV and powers an array of entertainment options for millions of households right out of the box. VIZIO is dedicated to building personalized experiences for the modern consumer, where viewers have on-demand, instant access to the entertainment they love. VIZIO is continuously enhancing the platform with new features and content that automatically updates, so users have countless entertainment options, all while staying healthy and safe in their home.

    The co-branded “Kids Corner” is curated to do just that. The content destination offers entertainment for children 10 and under, including popular short-form television from the Kidoodle.TV service like PAW Patrol: Pup Tales, Peppa Pig Minis, PJ Masks, and Ricky Zoom, along with a selection of feature film family favorites offered by VIZIO like Scoob! (2020) and Dolittle (2020). 

    Kidoodle.TV® is a free ad-supported video on-demand Safe Streaming™ service that prides itself on offering a selection of hand-picked entertainment, previewed by real parents to prevent inappropriate content from reaching its young viewers. With over 25,000 episodes of education-based, skills-building, and entertaining themes, Kidoodle.TV can be accessed on over 1000 devices.

    “Today’s announcement furthers APMC’s commitment to providing families with entertainment they love, without cost or compromise to safety. We are proud to partner with VIZIO SmartCast to deliver peace-of-mind to families at this time, ensuring their kids are safe while streaming Kidoodle.TV,” said Neil Gruninger, President and Chief Product Officer of APMC.

    “We are pleased to offer VIZIO SmartCast families the Kids Corner destination with hundreds of hours of kid-safe programming from Kidoodle.TV,” said Adam Bergman, VP of National Ad Sales for VIZIO. “This sponsored hub is a great example of the unique ways VIZIO can work with brands and media companies to deliver curated content carousels and customized themed programming that delights consumer audiences of all ages.”

    For more information, visit VIZIO.com and follow VIZIO on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

    About VIZIO

    Founded and headquartered in Orange County, California, VIZIO’s mission is to deliver immersive entertainment and compelling lifestyle enhancements that make our products the center of the connected home. VIZIO is driving the future of televisions through its integrated platform of cutting-edge Smart TVs and powerful SmartCast operating system. VIZIO also offers a portfolio of innovative sound bars that deliver consumers an elevated audio experience. VIZIO’s platform gives content providers more ways to distribute their content and advertisers more tools to target and dynamically serve ads to a growing audience that is increasingly transitioning away from linear TV.

    About APMC and Kidoodle.TV®

    Kidoodle.TV® is a family-focused Safe Streaming™ service committed to ensuring children have a safe alternative to stream their favorite TV shows and movies. Available in over 160 countries and territories on thousands of connected devices, Kidoodle.TV is the place where parents and caregivers can trust that their children will be safe and not exposed to something harmful or inappropriate. Every piece of content available on Kidoodle.TV is strictly vetted by caring people committed to Safe and Free Streaming for Kids™. Kidoodle.TV is available on iOS, Android, Roku, Amazon Fire TV,  Vizio SmartCast, Android TV, Xfinity X1, Apple TV, LG, Samsung Smart TV, VIDAA-enabled Hisense TVs, Chromecast, Jio, Connected TVs, and many other streaming media devices. Kidoodle.TV is owned and operated by A Parent Media Co. Inc., a family-based company. Kidoodle.TV is certified by the kidSAFE® Seal Program and is the proud recipient of the Mom’s Choice Award®, a Stevie® Award, and platinum winner of the Best Mobile App Award. 

    Visit www.kidoodle.tv to learn more. *Content availability varies by location.

    Facebook:       facebook.com/kidoodletv
    Twitter:            twitter.com/kidoodletv
    Instagram:      instagram.com/kidoodletv

    Kidoodle.TV Media Contact: 
    Contact | media@kidoodle.tv 

    VIZIO Media Contact:
    Melissa Hourigan
    Fabric Media
    melissa@fabricmedia.net

    Source: Kidoodle.TV

    Source link