News and Updates about Cord Cutters

When Google’s YouTube TV and Disney’s negotiators sat down to hash out their latest contract renewal, nobody expected one of the most bitter streaming disputes of 2025. Yet here we are, more than two weeks into a complete blackout that started on October 30th, and more than 10 million YouTube TV subscribers are stuck without ESPN, ABC, and a stack of Disney-owned channels.

Spotify's integration of playlist transfer capabilities directly into its mobile app marks a strategic shift in the streaming giant's approach to user acquisition. The company has partnered with TuneMyMusic to create what might be the most seamless playlist importing experience we've seen from a major platform, according to 9to5Google. But here's what makes this move particularly intriguing—it comes at a time when Spotify is navigating some serious challenges, including user boycotts and artist...

The beloved film community platform is making a bold move into digital distribution, and it's about to change how we discover and rent movies. Letterboxd's upcoming Video Store represents more than just another streaming service—it's a data-driven approach to film curation that leverages insights from 20 million dedicated film enthusiasts. The platform, which launched in 2011 with modest beginnings, has evolved from a niche social network to a mainstream cultural force that's often called the...

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...

It's been a whirlwind two weeks for sports fans, and the streaming saga is finally over. YouTube TV subscribers have their favorite channels back. Better yet, the deal comes with perks that might make the blackout feel almost worth it.

The streaming landscape seemed relatively stable until October 31st rolled around, and suddenly, millions of YouTube TV subscribers found themselves staring at blank screens where ESPN and ABC used to be. This wasn't just another minor hiccup in the cord-cutting revolution. It was a full-scale blackout, the kind that shows how the business side of streaming can crash right into your weekend plans.

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.

Reviewed by: Jame Jimenez

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 Billboard Latin Music Week in Miami on 2025-10-22. The headline is not just size, it is shape. YouTube's position against Spotify, and the muscle of its dual revenue...

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...

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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...