News and Updates about Cord Cutters

Spotify's momentum in 2025 tells a compelling story about how streaming platforms are evolving beyond simple music delivery. The company recently announced remarkable third-quarter results, surpassing 700 million Monthly Active Users while achieving double-digit subscriber growth. This expansion is not just about numbers, it marks a fundamental shift in how Spotify is positioning itself as a comprehensive audio ecosystem. Premium subscribers climbed 12% year over year to 281 million, while...

When Netflix announced that its ads reached 190 million viewers in October, it was not just throwing out another impressive number. It was signaling a fundamental shift in how the streaming giant measures and communicates the true reach of its advertising platform. The milestone arrived with a new measurement metric focused on actual ad exposure rather than subscriber counts. A strategic evolution, and a sign of Netflix's growing sophistication in advertising and its commitment to the...

You know what's wild? Spotify now hosts half a million video podcasts, and nearly 400 million users have already watched them. Put that in perspective for a second. That is more than the entire population of the United States consuming video podcast content on a single platform. The fascinating part is not just the size of the numbers, it is the shape of the change. Podcasting itself is getting rewritten, and it is happening faster than anyone predicted.

Here's the thing about streaming services — just when you think you've got your monthly budget figured out, another price hike lands in your inbox. Warner Bros. Discovery has just announced that HBO Max is bumping up its subscription costs for the third consecutive year, marking another milestone in the streaming industry's relentless march toward higher prices. The platform's price adjustments take effect immediately for new subscribers, according to Reuters, while existing monthly users will...

The toy industry just got a serious shake-up, and I'm genuinely excited about what Netflix has cooking. The streaming giant recently announced something that caught my attention in a big way. Partnerships with both Hasbro and Mattel to create merchandise based on their breakout animated hit "KPop Demon Hunters." Before you roll your eyes at what might seem like another licensing cash grab, hear me out. This feels different, and it could reshape Netflix's entire business model.

When streaming services suddenly lose major channels, subscribers often find themselves caught in the middle of corporate disputes. Blink, and a favorite channel vanishes. YouTube TV users felt that whiplash when Disney pulled over 20 popular channels from the platform on October 30, 2025, according to Android Central. ESPN, ABC, FX, and National Geographic disappeared, leaving millions without the programming they rely on.

The streaming landscape just experienced a major earthquake. When Disney pulled its entire content portfolio from YouTube TV after Thursday's midnight deadline, it was not just another corporate disagreement; it was a seismic shift that is leaving millions scrambling for alternatives and revealing deep fractures in how we watch TV right now.

Video podcasts are having a serious moment, and Netflix just made a move that is reshaping the entire streaming landscape. The streaming giant announced they are partnering with Spotify to bring a selection of video podcasts to their platform. Not just another content deal. More like a swing at YouTube’s growing dominance in video consumption.

Smart TVs have quietly moved from simple streaming boxes to entertainment powerhouses, and now they are taking another leap. LG says the motion-controlled dance game Just Dance Now is coming to its smart TV platform, according to LG Newsroom. That pushes smart TVs beyond passive streaming into interactive play.

Twitch is making some bold moves that could fundamentally change how we experience live streaming. The platform recently launched three major innovations that signal a significant shift in its strategy: dual-format streaming capabilities, AI-powered clip generation, and enhanced sponsorship tools for creators. The company started testing dual-format streaming back in August, showing they've been quietly working on this technology for months.

Sports fans, let's talk numbers. Cable packages keep creeping north of the $100 mark, and that bill hits hard when it lands in your inbox. Streaming was supposed to be the cheaper fix, but recent analysis shows the reality is messier than the sales pitch. Sitting in the middle of that debate is the eye-catcher reshaping strategies on both sides: ESPN's new direct-to-consumer service at $39.99 monthly.

The streaming world just got a major shake-up that's sending ripples through the sci-fi community. Disney has officially pulled out of its high-profile collaboration with the BBC on Doctor Who, marking the end of what many hoped would be a game-changing partnership for the beloved time-traveling series. The media giant's departure comes after supporting just two seasons and will conclude with the upcoming spinoff, leaving fans wondering what this means for the future of their favorite Time...

YouTube's announcement of paying out more than $8 billion to the music industry marks a watershed moment in digital streaming. This record-breaking figure represents a significant leap from their previous payouts, according to Music Business Worldwide. The platform's Global Head of Music, Lyor Cohen, revealed these numbers at the Billboard Latin Music Week conference in Miami. The headline is not just size, it is shape. YouTube's position against Spotify, and the muscle of its dual revenue...

Twitch is making another run at live commerce, and this time they've got Amazon's full advertising arsenal backing the play. The gaming-focused streaming platform has rolled out fresh live-shopping capabilities powered by Amazon Ads, marking a significant shift in how streamers might monetize their content. This isn't Twitch's first rodeo with shopping features, they experimented with similar functionality back in 2017 before pulling the plug, according to StreamsCharts. With live commerce...

When a life-changing moment meets live streaming technology, the result can be both extraordinary and controversial. The streaming world witnessed something unprecedented when a content creator decided to share one of life's most intimate moments with thousands of viewers in real time. We are talking about a Twitch streamer who gave birth live on stream, a moment that shows how far platforms have moved beyond pure entertainment into places where creators share their most personal experiences....

We've all been there, you're settling into your favorite show at a reasonable volume when suddenly a streaming ad explodes through your speakers like an air horn at 2 AM. Your neighbors probably think you're hosting a midnight infomercial convention. Really, you're just another victim of streaming's most annoying problem: commercials that blast way louder than the show you were just watching. California decided to do something about it, and the fix could help viewers across the country.

The streaming wars just got a lot more interesting, and potentially a lot cheaper for your wallet. Apple and NBCUniversal have joined forces to create something that could fundamentally change how we think about streaming subscriptions. The new partnership brings together two distinctly different platforms with complementary programming approaches, combining Apple's premium original content with Peacock's extensive live sports and entertainment library. This collaboration marks a significant...

You know that jarring moment when you're peacefully binge-watching your favorite show, and suddenly a commercial blasts at full volume, making you scramble for the remote? Well, California just said "enough is enough." The Golden State has implemented groundbreaking legislation that requires major streaming platforms to keep their advertisement volumes in check, marking a significant shift in how we experience digital entertainment.

Reviewed by Jame Jimenez

The streaming wars have morphed into something unexpected: a collaboration race. For years, services fought for your attention and your wallet. Now they have discovered a twist: team up, keep you subscribed longer, and help you spend less.

Reviewed by Jame Jimenez

When someone offers you a "free" TV, your first instinct should be to check for the catch, because there's always one. I've covered the streaming industry for years, and the shift I've watched up close now shows up in the numbers: 81% of viewers consider ads a fair trade for free or cheaper content. That acceptance has unleashed a sophisticated business model that is reshaping how we watch.

Ad, skip, another ad. Sound familiar? YouTube Premium Lite aims to break that loop without blowing up your budget. YouTube Premium Lite costs $7.99 a month, positioning itself as a more affordable alternative to the full Premium experience. The service removes ads on most YouTube videos, wherever you are watching them, while YouTube doesn’t charge a cent for hosting all of your uploaded videos or showing them to the world. With interruptions getting longer and more frequent, the question is...

Disney's latest price hike announcement couldn't have come at a worse time. While Disney has raised prices every October for three years running, this round lands with a thud. The company is hiking prices across almost all streaming plans starting October 21, 2025, with increases ranging from $2 to $3 per month. What makes this especially problematic? The timing collides with ongoing subscriber cancellations after recent controversies, with subscriptions reportedly "hemorrhaging" after the...

Breaking: The era of Daniel Ek's leadership at Spotify looks like it might be approaching a hinge point. Big claim, so let’s slow down. Rumors are flying about a shake-up, but here’s the only firm ground right now: there are no verified reports confirming that Ek is leaving the company he co-founded in 2006.

When Netflix's $320 million sci-fi epic The Electric State underperformed critically with a 30 Metacritic score and 14% on Rotten Tomatoes, it was not just another streaming flop, it was a wake-up call about a distribution strategy problem. The film's dismal reception sparked industry confusion about Netflix's filmmaking efforts, and the confusion is justified. Here is a streaming giant that can make genuinely great films like The Irishman, Roma, and All Quiet on the Western Front, yet the...

The late-night television landscape just saw something rare, maybe unprecedented: affiliate stations essentially forcing a network to yank one of its flagship shows. When Sinclair and Nexstar refused to carry Jimmy Kimmel Live!, they did more than flex corporate muscle; they exposed the structural cracks in a broadcasting model that has been melting like an ice cube for years. The numbers are blunt: roughly 23% of U.S. households (about a quarter) were reached by stations that preempted the...

You know how sometimes a single partnership can shift an entire industry? That is exactly what is happening with YouTube’s NFL deal, and it is wild to watch in real time. When the platform secured the NFL Sunday Ticket contract valued at about $2 billion per year under a seven-year deal, they were not just buying rights, they were buying the future of how we watch football.

Reviewed by: Jame Jimenez

Reviewed by: Jame Jimenez

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir

Reviewed by Corey Noles

Reviewed by Julianne Ngirngir