Business

Hub Entertainment Research reports that 72% of all U.S. TV viewing is now ad-supported, with streaming accounting for 42% of that time. Viewers increasingly see streaming as one of the best values in entertainment, ranking just behind vacations. While tolerance…

Roblox launched a new licensing platform that streamlines IP use for creators by introducing a self-serve License Manager and catalog. The platform debuts with Netflix, Lionsgate, Sega, and Kodansha, allowing eligible creators to build games based on franchises like Stranger…

SiriusXM launched SiriusXM Play, a new $7/month ad-supported tier designed to expand its audience and advertising business. The tier includes over 130 channels across music, talk, sports, and comedy, and is available in-car and via the app.

Ask Skip breaks down why the HBO Max and Paramount+ with SHOWTIME rebrands weren’t just marketing blunders, but signs of deeper leadership issues. The HBO Max-to-Max switch erased brand equity without a clear rationale, while Paramount’s naming mess was more…

Nielsen’s June Gauge report showed streaming jumped to 46% of total TV usage, led by Netflix, which accounted for 42% of the category's monthly growth and surged 13.5% on titles like Ginny & Georgia, Animal Kingdom, and Squid Game. Peacock…

Consumers are demanding more comprehensive bundles that go beyond streaming to include lifestyle services like fitness, smart home, and niche subscriptions. New research from Horowitz and Bango reveals frustration with subscription complexity, pointing to growing interest in platforms that centralize…

Basics of Streaming breaks down how Netflix is using AV1-powered Film Grain Synthesis (FGS) to preserve artistic film grain while significantly improving compression efficiency. This technology denoises video, models grain behavior, and reconstructs it in real-time during playback, reducing bitrates…

Luma AI is launching Dream Lab LA, a new creative studio in Los Angeles aimed at integrating its generative video tools into Hollywood production workflows. The lab will serve as both an experimental space and educational hub, helping filmmakers explore…

Disney+ and ITVX have announced a reciprocal streaming initiative, offering curated content rails from each other’s platforms beginning July 16. The partnership leverages their distinct audience demographics — younger for Disney+, older for ITVX — to expand reach and engagement.…

From the Archives revisits how Amazon used Freevee to test and scale its ad-supported streaming ambitions before folding it into Prime Video. Launched in 2019 and rebranded multiple times, Freevee built a solid audience and slate of originals but never…