From the Archives revisits Netflix's $1 million Netflix Prize competition, which challenged researchers to improve its recommendation algorithm and helped accelerate breakthroughs in machine learning and personalization. The contest reinforced…
Antenna's latest data shows ad-supported streaming has become the industry's primary growth engine, but subscriber growth alone isn't enough to build a successful advertising business. As audiences fragment across services and plans, the next challenge for streamers is creating the…
The U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority has launched a formal review of Paramount Skydance's proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, examining whether the combined company could reduce competition across U.K. television, streaming, advertising, sports rights, and content licensing…
Apple's new App Store subscription bundling framework gives developers the ability to partner with other developers and offer discounted subscription packages, extending a strategy that's long been used across streaming to improve retention and increase customer lifetime value. The addition…
Streaming TV’s ad premium exists because the open web made advertisers paranoid. Bots, junk impressions, murky supply paths, and volume-first incentives turned digital measurement into a trust problem, and premium streaming gave buyers a cleaner place to put brand dollars.…
Netflix is doubling down on its streaming-first film strategy, with Dan Lin saying the company won't work with filmmakers who require traditional theatrical releases. Netflix is instead prioritizing mid-budget comedies, rom-coms, and literary adaptations that fit subscription-driven economics. While select…
Streaming leverage is shifting toward companies that control discovery, identity, billing, ad infrastructure, measurement, and the customer relationship. Content still matters, but it’s becoming less powerful without demand control, especially as ad-supported plans, bundles, AI, creator platforms, and cross-platform IP…
Amazon MGM Studios and AWS have launched a GenAI Creators’ Fund alongside Project Nara, an internal AI production platform that supports video generation, editing, workflow management, and collaboration across productions. The move positions Amazon as one of the first major…
Spotify is adding more than 650 narrated magazine articles from publishers including Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, and Variety as part of its push to expand beyond music and podcasts into a broader spoken-word ecosystem. The move strengthens Spotify’s engagement strategy…
Scripted streaming hits aren't doing the same job they used to. With season gaps stretching from 12 months in 2020 to 21 months in 2025, returning originals are becoming customer win-back campaigns instead of retention engines. That’s great for premiere-month…
Roku's redesign turns its TV operating system into a more aggressive discovery and advertising platform, using personalized recommendations and subscription prompts to influence viewing behavior before users enter streaming apps. As streaming fragmentation grows, Roku’s betting control over discovery and…
Spotify signed a licensing deal with Universal Music Group that lets Premium subscribers create AI-generated remixes and covers using UMG’s catalog through a paid add-on tier. The agreement gives artists revenue shares while positioning Spotify as a licensed AI music…
Sony Pictures Television’s acquisition of 32 Flavors gives the studio control of one of reality TV’s most durable franchise producers, including “Vanderpump Rules” and multiple “Real Housewives” series. The deal reflects how valuable unscripted programming has become because it delivers…
HBO Max has launched in Germany, Italy, and five other European markets, expanding through new carriage deals with Amazon Prime Video and local bundling partners. The move ends legacy Sky restrictions and sets the stage for a U.K./Ireland launch in…
Spotify has opened a new video-first podcast studio in Hollywood’s Sycamore media district, marking its second LA location and expanding its investment in video podcasting. The 11,000-square-foot facility will support creators in the Spotify Partner Program, including The Ringer and…
Netflix is facing a lawsuit from an HBO Max subscriber seeking to block its proposed $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery’s entertainment assets, alleging the merger would harm competition and lead to higher subscription prices. The plaintiff argues the…
FIFA has named TikTok its official "Preferred Platform" for the 2026 World Cup, marking the first time a social media platform has received such a designation. The deal includes live match footage, press conferences, training updates, and creator-led content, aiming…
NBCUniversal is expanding Peacock’s interactive sports streaming features for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics and NBA All-Star Weekend. New mobile-optimized experiences—Rinkside Live for hockey and figure skating, and Courtside Live for basketball—will let users toggle between curated camera angles…
Disney+ is planning to launch a vertical, TikTok-style video feed later this year, aiming to increase daily user engagement through short-form content. The feed may include episode clips, social content, and AI-generated videos, possibly integrating elements from its ESPN “Verts”…
