Streaming Services
Ongoing coverage on Streaming Services.
Latest coverage
Crunchyroll being removed from Nintendo Switch in October
The streaming service Crunchyroll will be removed from the Nintendo Switch in October. The company has not provided a reason for discontinuing the service, which will impact users who rely on the app for watching anime. YouTube will remain available on the platform.
GTA 6's Netflix trailer premiere was so popular it temporarily crashed the streaming service
The premiere of Grand Theft Auto 6's extended trailer on Netflix was so popular that it temporarily crashed the streaming service. Millions of fans attempting to watch the trailer simultaneously overwhelmed Netflix's servers, causing an error message for some users. The issue was resolved within the hour, indicating significant demand for the upcoming game.
Netflix reportedly explored letting Peacock and Fox One live inside its app
Netflix has reportedly explored integrating competitors Peacock and Fox One within its own app, a significant departure from its long-standing closed ecosystem. Discussions involve either selling subscriptions to these services or blending their content into Netflix's library. This move follows a successful pilot program in France where Netflix integrated local broadcaster TF1's content.
Peacock’s Dungeon Crawler Carl Adaptation Hands the Reins to Chris Yost and Eric Heisserer
Chris Yost and Eric Heisserer have been named co-showrunners for Peacock's adaptation of Matt Dinniman's LitRPG series, Dungeon Crawler Carl. Jeff Hays will reprise his role as the voice of Princess Donut, and Seth MacFarlane's Fuzzy Door is producing. The announcement comes as Peacock confirms its fourth price increase in four years.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 Finally Has A Release Date, And Netflix Has More Anime On The Way
Netflix has announced an October 20 release date for the second season of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, a popular anime spin-off of CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077. The streaming service also revealed release windows for other upcoming anime series, including Blue Eye Samurai Season 2, Lego One Piece, Bass X Machina, Sakamoto Days Season 2, Fool Night, and The One Piece.
You can soon stream Crunchyroll on your car's infotainment system
The anime streaming service Crunchyroll is becoming available on car infotainment systems through the Appning app store. This expansion allows users to access Crunchyroll content while in their vehicles.
You can now watch classic movies like The Martian, E.T. and Zodiac on Apple TV
Apple has made approximately 20 classic movies, including The Martian, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and Zodiac, available for streaming to its subscribers on Apple TV. This addition expands the content library for users of the platform.
Spotify’s AI Persona Labels Arrive in September — And They Cut Off the Algorithm
Spotify will begin labeling artist profiles that are AI-generated with an "AI Persona" tag starting in mid-September. Profiles with this label will be removed from algorithmic recommendations unless the listener already follows the account. This policy aims to provide transparency to listeners who prefer human artists and penalizes AI personas by cutting off their primary stream of discovery.
Netflix’s GTA 6 Exclusive Seems Doomed
Netflix will exclusively stream a new trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 on August 27th, marking the first new look at the game in over a year. The article discusses concerns about Netflix's servers handling the traffic and the likelihood of the trailer being quickly leaked and re-uploaded to other platforms like YouTube and X. This exclusive release is seen as a potential shift in video game marketing strategies, moving away from traditional YouTube premieres.
The first GTA 6 gameplay reveal will debut on Netflix later this month, as the streaming service tries yet again to get…
Netflix will debut the first gameplay reveal for Grand Theft Auto 6 on August 27, securing a six-hour exclusivity window before it becomes available on YouTube. This partnership represents Netflix's latest attempt to engage with the video game market, contrasting with previous ventures like closing its AAA development studio.
Streaming’s next experiment: after two rounds of price hikes, Disney and Netflix are weighing free tiers
Disney and Netflix are exploring the possibility of introducing free tiers for their streaming services following multiple price increases. Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro stated a free product could attract price-sensitive customers and increase ad revenue, while Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters acknowledged the potential but emphasized caution regarding cannibalization of paid subscribers and the need for scaled ad businesses.
HBO Max Adds a Swipeable Shorts Feed and an AI Assistant That Takes Requests
HBO Max is introducing two new mobile features: HBO Max Shorts, a vertical feed of clips and trailers, and Ask HBO Max, an experimental AI-powered search assistant. These features aim to improve content discovery by offering a more intuitive and personalized user experience, addressing the challenge of navigating large streaming libraries.
The HBO Max app now has shorts, because why not
The HBO Max streaming application has introduced a new 'shorts' feature. This addition expands the content options available within the app, though the specific purpose or benefit of this new feature is not detailed.
Midday Metaverse
Peacock will be included with YouTube Premium subscriptions as part of a new deal. Separately, a high-quality bootleg of the game 'The Odyssey' has been leaked and seen by millions on X.
How to get YouTube Music's best audio quality
This guide explains how to adjust settings within the YouTube Music app to achieve the best possible audio quality. Users can enhance their listening experience by modifying specific options, though this may result in increased data usage.
Evening Audio Files
Spotify is reportedly developing a song identification tool that could rival Apple Music and Shazam. This rumored feature aims to address user pain points related to saving and identifying music.
Tomb Raider Catalyst Quietly Gets Delayed To 2028
Amazon Game Studios has announced that Tomb Raider: Catalyst, developed by Crystal Dynamics, has been delayed to 2028. This decision appears to be aimed at strengthening the identity of Amazon's Luna streaming service by associating it with major franchises like Tomb Raider and James Bond. The delay follows a similar postponement for another Tomb Raider title, Legacy of Atlantis, which is now slated for a 2027 release.
Amazon Prime adds free streaming video games for no extra charge
Amazon has integrated its cloud gaming service Luna into Prime Video, making it a free addition for Prime subscribers. This move aims to increase user engagement with Luna, which has struggled to gain traction as a standalone service. The company believes this integration will help reach a broader audience that may not own traditional gaming consoles or PCs.
Peacock is finally profitable, thanks to the World Cup and Love Island
Peacock has achieved profitability, driven by strong viewership for the World Cup and the reality show Love Island. This financial milestone marks a significant success for the streaming service.
Sony-Owned Crunchyroll Is Now Kneecapping Physical Anime Sales
Sony-owned Crunchyroll is significantly scaling back its physical anime sales, transitioning its online store to focus on collectibles and limited-release products exclusively for higher-tier subscribers. This move, which follows the acquisition and integration of The Right Stuf International, has angered fans who relied on the service for physical discs of anime and other media. The decision is seen by some as a continuation of Sony's perceived hostility towards physical media, similar to its plans for PlayStation game discs.
