Streaming
News articles and original analysis on the topics of streaming media; connected television (CTV); free, ad-supported streaming TV (FAST), ad-supported video on-demand (AVOD), subscription video on-demand (SVOD), virtual multi-video programming distributors (vMVPD), streaming audio services, social video platforms, smart TV platforms and streaming hardware manufacturers.

Netflix taps Dani Dudeck as Chief Communications Officer
Her appointment comes as Netflix navigates a potentially transformative period tied to its proposed acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery.
EXECUTIVE MOVES

Ampere: Holidays shoppers flock to streaming deals, but churn remains a problem
Ampere found most holiday-acquired subscribers cancel a service quickly, with few retaining customers long-term.
DATA

Peacock’s Annie Luo hired by AMC Networks to lead streaming growth
Her appointment follows an assertion by executives in October that AMC was transitioning from a cable networks business into a streaming-first company.
EXECUTIVE MOVES

Nielsen: Sports dominates on TV in early December; Hallmark pulls strong viewership with holiday films
Sports programming continued to boost traditional linear television networks during Nielsen's most-recent measurement week.

IAB Tech Lab releases CTV Ad Portfolio, updates programmatic guidance
IAB Tech Lab on Thursday released a new Connected TV Ad Portfolio and an updated Guide to Programmatic CTV as the industry moves to standardize emerging ad formats across streaming platforms.

Comcast moves into gaming, brings Luna to X1, Xumo Stream Box
Comcast is making a push into gaming by partnering with Amazon to bring that company's gaming platform Luna to its X1 set-top boxes and Xumo Stream Box.

WARC: Midterm election, World Cup to boost ad spending in U.S. during 2026
WARC Media forecasts global ad spend will rise 8.9 percent to $1.19 trillion this year, with the U.S. contributing more than one third of total investment.

Pinterest acquires connected TV advertising firm tvScientific
Pinterest will acquire CTV ad platform tvScientific to extend its intent-driven advertising products into streaming video and strengthen outcome-based measurement.

Disney pulls plug on ESPN 3, shifts content to ESPN Unlimited
Disney has shut down ESPN 3 as it shifts its distribution strategy toward ESPN Unlimited, which carries all programming from ESPN’s cable networks and ESPN Plus.

YouTube TV to introduce lower-price, genre-based packages in 2026
YouTube TV will introduce new genre-based packages, including a sports plan, priced lower than its core programming tier.

Viewpoint: Netflix’s acquisition of WBD rooted into “Big 3” playbook
When it comes to major U.S. industries, three tends to be the magic number.
By:
David R. King
OPINION

Priya Dogra leaving Sky Group to become CEO of Channel 4
Channel 4 has named Sky advertising chief Priya Dogra as the public service broadcaster's new CEO, starting in March.