After many years of insisting that its platform would remain ad-free, Netflix’s ad tier launched a year ago. At the same time, Netflix also put significant efforts into its password-sharing crackdown, another long-time facet of the platform. And it seems like, in combination and alongside strategic price shifts, Netflix’s ad tier has found success.

In May, Netflix revealed that its ad tier had 5 million monthly active users. It now shares that number has tripled in its latest report. In a blog post, Netflix notes that its ad-supported plan “[reaches] 15 million global monthly active users.” That is indeed a huge jump. In that span of time, Netflix became increasingly strict about account-sharing. And it also moved to increase the price of its ad-free offerings. Deadline notes that “Instead of paying the new fee to share their passwords, evidence suggests that many subscribers simply enrolled in the ad-supported plan.” Since Netflix’s ad-free plans cost nearly double its current ad-supported tier, it’s not surprising that users would be drawn to the cheapest option when faced with needing to change their mechanism of viewing.

Unfortunately for the consumer, it seems like what’s always been true for the television and movie business remains true for streaming. Ads generate money. Across the board, streaming platforms that once sought to disrupt the traditional ecosystem are returning to their roots. And for those trying to watch their favorite shows, that means more ads, more price hikes, and more password-sharing crackdowns are on the horizon.

Netflix’s update does have some good news for users, though. In an effort to enhance the member experience, Netflix has “upgraded the feature set of our ads plan to include 1080p versus 720p video quality, two concurrent streams, and downloads to become available by the end of this week. All members of the ad-supported plan will be able to download their favorite series and movies, making Netflix the only ad-supported streamer to offer downloads.” Downloads are a convenient facet of Netflix’s offerings, so it’s nice that ad-tier users will get that ability back.

Additionally, Netflix notes that it has developed a new “binge ad (wt) format.” Essentially this means that “after watching three consecutive episodes, members will be presented with a fourth episode ad-free.” Netflix has always based itself partially on a model of continuous viewing. We suppose this is good news if you were intending to watch a whole series in one sitting already.

As streaming shenanigans continue to occur, it will be interesting to see if these new developments are actually sustainable.

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In the lead-up to the Doctor Who 60th anniversary, along with a trio of David Tennant-starring specials, the BBC has announced a very cool thing for long-time fans. Tales of the TARDIS will see in-canon reunions between various classic-era Doctors and their companions. Fifth Doctor and Tegan, Sixth Doctor and Peri, and Seventh Doctor and Ace will all have scenes together again. For Doctor actors who’ve passed, companions will get back together. These include First Doctor companions Vicki and Steven and Second Doctor companions Jamie and Zoe. Third Doctor companion Jo Grant will meet up with Clyde from The Sarah Jane Adventures.

The interstitials—written by showrunner Russell T Davies and Who writers Phil Ford and Pete McTighe—will weave between episodes of classic Doctor Who to create 90-minute omnibus versions. It sounds like so much fun! But people outside of the UK, and more than that people who don’t pay for a television license fee, can’t watch them. You see, these are only available on the BBC iPlayer, the public broadcaster’s on-demand service. Only people who pay for a license fee and live in the UK can legally watch programming on this service.

In an Instagram post, Davies explained that he’s not sure when, or if, the Tales of the TARDIS episodes will ever make their way elsewhere.

This is the latest in a series of programming and distribution choices which have left many a bit confused. There, all of Doctor Who is on some BBC service. In North America, it’s a different story. So here’s a quick rundown of what episodes you can see on what service.

Brand New Doctor Who Will Be on Disney+

As we reported a year ago, starting with the three David Tennant specials, all subsequent Doctor Who episodes, and presumably specials, will stream on Disney+. This is a massive deal that will bring the show to the streamer day-and-date as it airs on BBC One in the UK. It’ll be on Disney+ everywhere else in the whole wide world (that has Disney+).

Classic Doctor Who Is Still on BritBox

BritBox, the global streamer the BBC and ITV went in on together, has been the home of classic series Doctor Who—a catalogue of nearly 700 episodes, including missing episode animation and reconstruction—since 2017. This also has a number of specials and ancillary material for your viewing pleasure. If you want to catch up on the first 26 seasons of the show, BritBox is the place to do it.

Where Is the Rest of Modern Doctor Who?

This is a little bit trickier. In the United States, Doctor Who from 2005 through 2022 is on Max. This is not the case for Canada, which has been without a streaming home of modern Doctor Who since January. The Max deal came from back in the halcyon HBO Max days when the WB-owned service wanted people to come to them for quality programming. Presumably, this is a deal that’s in place for the foreseeable future, but given how ephemeral Max programming is, we wouldn’t hold our breath that everything from the Ninth through Thirteenth Doctors will remain there forever. Where will it go after that? No idea.

That means, come November 25, you’ll need three separate streaming services to watch the whole of Doctor Who in the US. This is why I advocate for physical media, folks.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.

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Is it a day in the week that ends with a “y”? That must mean a streaming service is increasing its price. Disney+ and Hulu have increased their subscription costs, Netflix has increased its subscription cost, Prime Video is planning an increase and cost, and now Apple TV+ has joined in on the trend. I mean, why not right? Apple TV+ has officially set its second price increase since its launch. Originally, users paid $4.99 per month to subscribe. Then, that number increased to $6.99 per month. And now, Apple TV+ has officially raised its subscription price to more or less double where it began. Apple TV+ users will have to pay an increased price of $9.99 per month to continue using the service.

CNBC reports that Apple TV+’s annual package has also increased in price, rising from $69 to $99. Additionally, the Apple One bundle package will also see an increase in cost, as will Apple’s Arcade and News+. They will cost $37.95, $6.99, and $12.99 respectively.

Apple TV+ saw its first price increase in October 2022, making this the second price increase in the span of a year. For consumers, the trend of rising prices continues to be alarming. For many streaming platforms, increasing subscription costs also appears to be designed to drive users to more moderately priced ad-tiers. Apple TV+, of course, doesn’t have an ad-supported tier yet, but we’d bet one is coming. Of course, the promise of streaming was initially low-cost and ad-free programming, but that is definitely not the conceit any longer. As subscriber numbers reach plateaus, it seems like streamers are abandoning the quality of life platform they originally espoused, and high costs, ads, password-sharing crackdowns, and more are coming into the picture.

We guess we can only wait and see how the landscape will shift. But for now, all we can say for certain is that Apple TV+ has inceased its price, and basically every other streaming service has as well.

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The canary in the coal mine is singing loudly today. Recently, Netflix removed its “Basic” tier from its line-up of offerings in Canada. And now, Netflix has also axed the cheapest ad-free plan in the US and UK. The “Basic” plan was Netflix’s $10/month offering, allowing users to retain an ad-free experience relatively cheaply. But now, new Netflix users have a choice between ads or a sharp cost increase when they subscribe to the platform. This move widens the gulf between Netflix’s ad-free and ad-supported tiers, pushing users to decide where their priorities lie.

Not only that but, officially, Netflix’s Premium plans and its grandfathered-in Basic plans have officially increased in price. Those still using the Basic plan will pay $11.99 instead of $9.99. And those subscribed to Netflix’s Premium Plan will see that the plan has increased in price from $19.99 to $22.99.

Netflix’s Current Subscription Options Make an Ad-Free Experience Expensive

So which options are left for users who want to stream their favorite shows and movies on Netflix? After the removal of the Basic plan, Netflix US features three tiers. First up, the Standard with Ads plan costs $6.99/month. This is less than Netflix’s Basic plan used to cost; however, now ads are involved. Netflix’s “Standard” plan costs $15.49/month, a sharp jump. The streamer’s “Premium” plan costs which previously cost $20/month, will now see an increase in price. Netflix’s Premium plan will cost $22/month, double the cost of the defunct Basic tier.

Netflix’s Standard and Premium options are both ad-free but, among other things, support different amounts of devices. These tiers also differ in how many “extra members” you can add to your account as part of Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown.

Is Netflix’s Basic Ad-Free Plan Fully Gone?

As mentioned, Netflix’s Basic ad-free plan is no longer an option for any new subscribers. However, users already subscribed to Netflix can retain their Basic plan until they “change plans or cancel [their] account.” But that means, if ever a user decides to leave Netflix or needs to make changes for any other reasons, they’ll lose out on this legacy plan.

Netflix has raised the price of the ad-free basic plan, though. It will now cost $11.99 instead of $9.99.

The Streaming Landscape Sees Cost Increases, and Ads Everywhere

Netflix shared with Variety, “Our starting prices of $6.99 in the US and £4.99 in the U.K. [for Standard With Ads] are lower than the competition and provide great value to consumers given the breadth and quality of our catalog.”

Value is a hard measure to define with accuracy. Ultimately, beyond Netflix, the world of streaming as a whole is currently rife with price increases, ads, and other changes that complicate things for consumers. Of course, it doesn’t help that there are so many streamers to choose from out there—and that everyone is competing for more or less the same users. More than ever, it seems like the streaming world is moving closer to the previous cable experience it once tried to disrupt. We guess we’ll just have to see what comes in to disrupt this disruption.

Originally published on July 19, 2023.

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Netflix is taking yet another odd route in an attempt to gain new revenue sources. The streaming service recently removed its cheapest ad-free tier to push users towards an ad-supported tier or a more expensive ad-free plan. And, of course, you cannot share your login information with the masses anymore. There’s also its online shop that sells items tied to properties like Stranger Things and the occasional pop-up store. Now, Netflix will stake a more permanent claim in the brick-and-mortar world with several retail destinations in 2025. As Bloomberg reports, the new retail stores will be known as Netflix House.

They will offer food items, merchandise, and experiences tied to Netflix’s shows and films. Many of the details are still in the air at this moment. We don’t know which cities will have a Netflix House. But we can assume Los Angeles, New York City, and maybe another city like Atlanta will be on the list. Right now, it seems Netflix will open stores in the US and, if they are successful, expand locations to other countries.

It is quite the choice to make considering that retail stores are typically more expensive to maintain versus online-only/pop-up options. In our 2023 world, many retailers are minimizing or altogether closing their physical locations to further shift their focus online. The days of the mall rat are pretty much a thing of the past, sadly. But Josh Simon, Netflix’s VP of consumer products, is very confident in this new move. 

He tells Bloomberg, “We’ve seen how much fans love to immerse themselves in the world of our movies and TV shows, and we’ve been thinking a lot about how we take that to the next level.”

A Netflix retail store isn’t something that we saw coming but we are curious about how it will all shake out.

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A few months ago, the cancellation of Star Trek: Prodigy made fans righteously angry. Despite having a mostly complete season two, Paramount+ pulled the plug on the popular series anyway. To make things worse, the streaming service took the show off of its platform entirely. So, what did fans do? They took to the skies, literally flying a “Save Star Trek: Prodigy” banner over the offices of other streaming services, including Netflix. It’s a wild gesture but apparently one that resonated with the hearts of Netflix’s decision makers. Star Trek: Prodigy has found a new streaming home with Netflix and will move forward with a second season in 2024. 

In a world with a lot of annoying streaming updates, this is some pretty refreshing and welcome news. Season one of Star Trek: Prodigy will hit Netflix before the end of this year. Season two will make its debut sometime in 2024. The crew of Protostar and Kathryn Janeway are getting the second shot that they so richly deserve with more Star Trek: Prodigy at Netflix. Speaking of Janeway, actress Kate Mulgrew released a brief statement about the fandom’s awesomeness. 

“I’ve always held that the Star Trek fan base is among the strongest and most intelligent in the world.  They have shown their collective passion, and we’re happy to be able to celebrate Prodigy once again,” said Mulgrew. 

Star Trek: Prodigy executive producer Alex Kurtzman and co-showrunners Dan and Kevin Hageman also had a few words to add. “Thank you to our incredible Star Trek: Prodigy fans, who championed not just a show, but a community that’s always been connected by the belief that we build a better future together. We set out to inspire you, but you inspired us. The team is still hard at work on the second season, and we can’t wait to share it with the amazing fans around the world.”

We love to hear it! Fandom is at its best when everyone works together for the greater good.

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Whatever promise streaming services once offered is not just dead, it has been replaced by existential dread. Viewers no longer have to only worry their favorite films and TV shows will get pulled from sites at month’s end. They now have to worry new, finished films and TV shows will never see the light of day. Warner Bros. shelving the completed Batgirl film was not an isolated incident. It was a harbinger of things to come. Disney+ canceled its The Spiderwick Chronicles series before it could debut, despite the fact it was already completed.

The only good news was another studio or platform could ultimately bring it to the small screen. And happily, in this increasingly rare case, that has come to pass. The Roku Channel has “landed the exclusive, premiere U.S. rights to The Spiderwick Chronicles.” Roku will release the now-saved The Spiderwick Chronicles series in early 2024.

We first learned about Disney+’s decision not to release its live-action The Spiderwick Chronicles show in August. It’s based on the children’s fantasy novel series from Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. All eight episodes—starring Christian Slater, Jack Dylan Grazer, Lyon Daniels, Noah Cottrell, Joy Bryant, and Mychala Lee—are totally finished. But in 2023, that simply doesn’t matter much of the time. In this case, Disney+ treated The Spiderwick Chronicles as a write-off, as it continues to service investors at the sad cost of creatives and fans.

The good news is that, unlike Batgirl, this show had a chance to live again. It was developed at Disney but comes from Paramount Television Studios and 20th Television. And these studios worked to find a new streaming home for The Spiderwick Chronicles. We’re glad it will appear on The Roku Channel. In 2008, we saw a movie version of The Spiderwick Chronicles, but a series will allow us to journey even deeper into the magical world. As mentioned, The Spiderwick Chronicles series will release on The Roku Channel in early 2024.

Of course, despite this saving, The Spiderwick Chronicles series might not be available for good. Even shows and movies that do make it to streaming don’t always stay there very long. That’s the complete opposite of what streaming seemed to be offering not too long ago. But, at least for the previously canceled The Spiderwick Chronicles series, there’s a happy ending for now.

Originally published on August 28, 2023.

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We are so happy to report that The Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced an end to its strike on Wednesday 27 at 12:01 a.m. PT. Yes, the writers’ strike is now officially over. This WGA strike lasted 148 days, marking the second-longest strike in the history of the union. But although difficult for all WGA members involved, the writers’ strike was well worth it. The WGA released the details of the deal it struck with the AMPTP, and the gains and protections for writers, as promised, are exceptional. Happily, as of October 9, the WGA membership voted to ratify this deal, and it will last until 2026.

From issues of AI to streaming data to health insurance, the WGA negotiating committee truly held its ground to receive a deal that meets the needs of its members. The WGA achieved agreement on many points that at one time seemed like an impossibility. But through the mechanism of its strike, the WGA managed to win these necessary evolutions, which will benefit writers today and in the future.

✅Minimum room size.
✅Pay increases.
✅AI can't write.
✅Disclosure of streaming numbers w/ residuals to match.
✅Guaranteed 2nd step for screenwriters.
✅Script fees for staff writers.
✅Writing teams get full payment into pension (this is huge for me specifically)

Hell. Yes. https://t.co/j7HPdCe41r

— Jackson Lanzing (@JacksonLanzing) September 27, 2023

For those interested in reviewing the full agreement between the AMPTP and the WGA, the WGA MBA summary has been released here. Here a few parts of note.

The Strike-Ending WGA Agreement on AI, Writers, and Hollywood

The topic of AI has occupied the mind of many a creative in recent history. Although it seems obvious to creators that AI could never replace the mind and passion of thinking humans, this truth appears less obvious to studios and executives. But happily, the WGA was able to successfully curb AI use in Hollywood, at least where writers are concerned.

The WGA agreement summary notes:

We have established regulations for the use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) on MBA-covered projects in the following ways:

• AI can’t write or rewrite literary material, and AI-generated material will not be considered source material under the MBA, meaning that AI-generated material can’t be used to undermine a writer’s credit or separated rights. 
• A writer can choose to use AI when performing writing services, if the company consents and provided that the writer follows applicable company policies, but the company can’t require the writer to use AI software (e.g., ChatGPT) when performing writing services. 
• The Company must disclose to the writer if any materials given to the writer have been generated by AI or incorporate AI-generated material.
• The WGA reserves the right to assert that exploitation of writers’ material to train AI is prohibited by MBA or other law.

Basically, AI is out and writers are in. We love to see it.

The WGA Agreement on Streaming Data Transparency

Writers, and many parts of the industry, have felt great frustration over not knowing exactly how their work performs on streaming channels. Of course, not knowing and not getting paid correlate heavily. When it comes to streaming numbers and performance, the WGA’s strike-ending agreement reveals:

The Companies agree to provide the Guild, subject to a confidentiality agreement, the total number of hours streamed, both domestically and internationally, of self-produced high budget streaming programs (e.g., a Netflix original series). The Guild may share information with the membership in aggregated form.

In addition, viewership hours on streaming will factor into bonuses for writers in work created for a High Budget Subscription Video on Demand channels.

The WGA Agreement on Health and Pension Contributions for Writing Teams

It seems wild, but it’s true, that since writing teams were paid together they had to split pension and health contributions. Now, “each writer on a writing team employed for a script will receive pension and health contributions up to the relevant cap as though they were a single writer, rather than splitting the applicable cap.” That, we imagine, is a truly meaningful evolution to those that it affects.

The Writers’ Strike Is Over, What’s Next?

In addition to all of this, many other gains were made in terms of script fees, room sizes, time writers get to spend on a production, and more. When the WGA announced the strike was over on September 27, writers could officially return to work. At the time, the agreement still needed to be ratified.

Happily, as of October 9, 2023, the WGA membership officially voted to ratify the strike-ending contract. Variety shares, “The membership voted 99% in favor of ratification, with 8,435 voting in favor and 90 members opposed.” This new contract will run from September 25, 2023 through May 1, 2026. We commend the writers on all of their hard work and continual efforts to ensure a fair deal for current and future scribes in Hollywood.

While this is great news for writers, the work for unions is not over. SAG-AFTRA remains on strike and has not yet received meaningful acknowledgment from the studios. In fact, a second SAG-AFTRA strike aimed at achieving fair compensation and protections for video game work has been authorized. Members of all unions and non-union members alike should continue to show solidarity and help fight for the good of all. Here are some ideas on how you can help!

Originally published on September 27, 2023.

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There’s a lot happening in the entertainment world. The first season of Ahsoka came to a close, the second season of Loki is just beginning, and all kinds of cool creations have made their way into the world. But amidst all of that, there are some other fun (and some not-so-fun) things you should probably know about.

Here are some of our favorite pop-culture news odds & ends from this week.

This Week’s Odds & Ends in News:

• Animal Crossing and LEGO Announce Collaboration
• James Gunn Confirms Peacemaker Season Two Is in His DCU, Currently Writing Season
• Hayao Miyazaki Is Already Working on his Next “Final Movie”
• The Barbie Movie Releases on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD on October 17
• Discovery+ Announces First Price Hike, Raises Cost of Ad-Free Tier
• $400 Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic Collection Comes with Foil Original Starters
• The Boys‘ Spinoff Gen V Creates Its Own In-World Social Network, “V”
• One Piece‘s Monkey D. Luffy Will Become a Float in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
• Dunkin’ Donuts Releases Inflatable Spider Donut Decoration

Animal Crossing and LEGO Announce Collaboration

Get ready to tend to your LEGO garden! Nintendo has officially teased a collaboration between Animal Crossing and LEGO. Both playing Animal Crossing and building LEGO masterpieces are two extremely calming activities, so we can only imagine how much fun they’ll be when they combine. Rumors of a collaboration have been floating for some time, and we can’t wait to see which official sets we’ll receive.

For more soothing LEGO builds, check out the latest LEGO Ideas set.

James Gunn Confirms Peacemaker Season Two Is in His DCU, Currently Writing Season

Rejoice, Peacemaker fans, Peacemaker season two is not only in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe, but it is actively being written. A little while ago, Gunn noted Peacemaker season two would be his next project after Superman: Legacy. This news, of course, heavily implied that Peacemaker season two would be in the new DC Universe, but it’s always nice to hear some confirmation. In response to a fan question on Threads that read, “Will season 2 of Peacemaker take place in the new DCU/ new continuity?” Gunn replied, “Yes and Yes.” We saw this news via IGN.

Additionally, James Gunn revealed he is currently writing season two of Peacemaker and he’s “having so much fun.” We can’t wait to hear more about the future of the series.

To see what else is in store for James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe, check out our article, here:

Hayao Miyazaki Is Already Working on his Next Movie Despite “Final Movie” Buzz

Soon, Hayao Miyazaki’s latest “final movie,” The Boy and the Heron, will release in the United States. This movie was greatly touted as the last work by the animation genius. However, Hayao Miyazaki has announced many “final movies” before. So we were not very surprised to read that The Boy and the Heron would most likely not hold the title of the last Miyazaki movie.

French publication Libération recently spoke to Studio Ghibli President Toshio Suzuki. And Suzuki said, “He’s constantly thinking about his next project. I can’t stop him, in fact, I’ve given up. Suzuki adds, “He started talking about a new project, so I’m not stopping him. As long as he’s working, I won’t be able to retire.”

This fits in with news that came from the Toronto International Film Festival. Studio Ghibli executive Junichi Nishioka noted to the CBC, “Other people say that this might be his last film, but he doesn’t feel that way at all… He is currently working on ideas for a new film. He comes into his office every day and does that. This time, he’s not going to announce his retirement at all. He’s continuing working just as he has always done.”

To this, we say, bring on the next Miyazaki movie.

You can watch the trailer for Studio Ghibli’s latest movie, The Boy and the Heron, here:

The Barbie Movie Releases on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD on October 17

It is time to say “Hi, Barbie!” once again. After an incredible theatrical run this summer, Barbie headed over to streaming to continue her reign of excellence. But now, she’s driving on back to the physical world. Life in plastic is fantastic! And also life in Blue-ray and DVD. The Barbie movie will release for purchase on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on October 17. Alongside the movie, purchases of Barbie on physical media will see some special features, six featurettes to be exact. Plus, the 4K UHD, Blu-ray case is so pink and sparkly; how could anyone resist?

To learn more about we thought of the Barbie movie, check out our review, here:

Discovery+ Announces First Price Hike and Raises Cost of Ad-Free Tier, Netflix Rumored to Also See Price Increase

No streaming service is safe right now. From price hikes to ad-tiers to password-sharing crackdowns, streaming is becoming more costly and less welcoming than it used to be. The latest to throw their hat into the fray is Discovery+. Discovery+ recently announced its first price increase ever, focusing on its ad-free tier. In a change that became immediately effective, Discovery+ announced that in the United States, “the price of a new Discovery+ ad-free monthly subscription in the U.S. will increase from $6.99 to $8.99 plus applicable taxes. The ad-lite subscription will not change and remains $4.99/month.” Meanwhile, “Existing subscribers will see their monthly rate increase on their next billing cycle on or after November 2.” As always, the streamer frames the price increase as necessary for continued quality programming.

Elsewhere, The Wall Street Journal reports Netflix is also considering a price hike for its ad-free tier. Seems like basically every streamer wants to push subscribers to ads… Or have them pay the price. Good luck to all subscribers out there.

For more on the latest streamer shenanigans, check out what Disney+ is doing.

$400 Pokemon Trading Card Game Classic Collection Comes with Foil Original Starters

Pokémon Trainers of a certain age will soon be able to get a second chance at owning certain cards they coveted as a child. A brand new Pokémon set titled the Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic collection is on sale, and for $400, it will bring all your Pokémon dreams to life. This collector’s item, which we first saw on GameSpot, includes three 60-card Pokémon decks, comes in snazzy packaging, and promises the three original Pokémon starter cards in foil form. You may not get all the hours you spent hunting for a shiny Charizard back, but you will get the satisfaction of finally having the creature in hand. The Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic collection also features a two-player game board, toolbox case with randomizer, and more.

For even more Pokémon adventures, learn more about the upcoming Pokémon live-action series:

The Boys‘ Spinoff Gen V Creates Its Own In-World Social Network, “V”

Can’t get enough of The Boys‘ spinoff, Gen V? Well, you’re in luck because Gen V and Prime Video have teamed up with gaming browser Opera GX to create a Gen V in-universe social network called V. Obviously, this is a bit of a play on Twitter’s new name—and that’s The Boys‘ universe for you.

A release shares:

Super-powered by Opera GX, V is the new social media arm of the fictional Vought International. V allows users to get to know the supes featured in Gen V, and interact with in-world profiles of their favorite members of The Seven, including characters from The Boys such as Homelander, A-Train, and dozens of other official characters from Gen V and The Boys.

V users can also explore the official in-world  Godolkin University, and catch up with some of its most popular students. Users will be able to keep up with Godolkin University’s latest student rankings as students battle for the top position and the opportunity to join The Seven, as well as access an array of exclusive Gen V content.

V will be continuously updated with new content throughout the season, echoing the hum of a real-world social network.

Sounds like a super fun way to get the most of your Gen V viewing experience. You can learn how to log-on to V, here.

Gen V is now available to watch. Check out our guide to all the new Supes and their powers, here:

One Piece‘s Monkey D. Luffy Will Become a Float in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

You know him, you love him, and now you’ll see him float in a parade. One Piece‘s Monkey D. Luffy is the latest nerdy character to become a balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. On November 23, Luffy will set sail on his latest, biggest adventure yet, down the streets of New York City. The One Piece Monkey D. Luffy balloon will be 43-feet long, 39-feet wide and 50-feet tall. We bet this balloon Luffy eats A LOT. And while he won’t have his typical crew with him, we’re told “he will be led the entire way by his own pirate crew of skilled marchers—all honorary Straw Hats for the day.” We bet they’ll wear straw hats, too, and that’s honestly delightful. It’s truly what Luffy deserves.

It’s been a big year for One Piece as the series made the leap into live-action. Check out why we thought the series was truly successful.

Dunkin’ Donuts Releases Inflatable Spider Donut Decoration

 It’s October, the best month. There are many ways to decorate for the season, but Dunkin’ Donuts wants you to consider a new unique piece of Halloween fun. The coffee chain recently released an inflatable version of their iconic spider donut. No, you can’t eat it, but if this is your favorite Halloween treat, why not take it home?

As the description for the Dunkin’ inflatable spider donut aptly shares, “For everyone that’s ever said “Man, my yard could really use a 6-foot-tall, lit up Inflatable Spider Donut to turn my Halloween decor game up a notch,” this is for you*. 

*It’s also for everyone that’s never said that, too.”

Cheers to that! This fun inflatable is available at the Dunkin’ Shop for $99. Happy pumpkin spice season!

Dunkin’ recently released a line of hard iced coffees and teas. Check out what we know about Dunkin’ Spiked, here.

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Ads are the newest trend in streaming services. We now have Netflix’s ad-supported tier, Disney+’s ad-supported tier, Max Ad-Free, and coming soon, AMC+ with ads will arrive on our screens. As with other streamers’ ad-tiers, this AMC+ option will serve as a lower-cost offering designed to bolster subscriptions. Here’s what we know about the plans for this new ad-supported offering.

This new ad tier comes at a lower cost than the standard AMC+ service. AMC+ with ads will cost $4.99 per month. Currently, the ad-free version of AMC+ costs $8.99 per month. That is a fairly significant difference. Additionally, those interested in adding ads to their AMC+ can officially do so now. The AMC+ ad tier launched on September 28 and has begun its rollout. AMC notes that its ad tier will have “initial availability on its direct-to-consumer platform and apps, expanding to third-party platforms and channels providers in the coming weeks.”

Kim Kelleher, the company’s chief commercial officer, shares more about how AMC+ intends to incorporate ads into its platform. She notes:

We will place ads in ways that are not disruptive, that are really thoughtful. Some movies will have no ads. Some movies may have a mid-roll, or some will have a pre-roll. It’s not one-size-fits-all, and we get to be very careful in how we place commercials in viewers’ streaming choices. AMC+ subscribers will get access to all content, no matter their choice. It will be the same product on both tiers. We are not going to take series and movies people expect to watch and say that you only get them if you pay more. We want this to be a great viewer experience.

AMC‘s release further shares that “the ad-supported version includes a light ad load of less than five minutes per hour and all of the same series and film titles that are offered on the ad-free version.”

Well, it sounds like a promising start for AMC+ with ads. At one time, the beauty of streaming was that there were minimal ads at play. However, with so many streaming options, the lowest-cost services could win the day.

Originally published on April 17, 2023.

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What a shock. After Netflix’s extended password-sharing crackdowns proved to be unfortunately successful, Disney+ has decided this is a good time to start a password-sharing crackdown of its own. Actually, we aren’t surprised. It seems like the new streaming playbook includes password-sharing limitations right alongside price increases and ad-supported tiers. Disney+ had previously indicated such a password-sharing crackdown was on the horizon earlier in the year. And now it looks like it’s here, and it will start in Canada. Here’s what we know about Disney+’s password-sharing crackdown efforts so far.

Disney+ Notifies Users of Password Sharing Crackdown

According to The Verge, Disney+ sent an email to subscribers in Canada alerting them that password-sharing was on notice. The email noted, “We’re implementing restrictions on your ability to share your account or login credentials outside of your household.” Although Disney+ did not go too deeply into detail about what its password-sharing crackdown would look like, it feels like the streamer is emulating Netflix’s version. In fact, Disney+ even references the idea of “households,” a term Netflix created so it could enforce who could and could not use one Netflix account.

Changes to Disney+’s User Agreement in Canada

In the case of Disney+, an updated Help Center page notes, “You may not share your subscription outside of your household.” Additionally, a new “account sharing” heading now appears in Candian subscribers’ user agreements. As shared by MobileSyrup, the section includes the following information:

Unless otherwise permitted by your Service Tier, you may not share your subscription outside of your household. “Household” means the collection of devices associated with your primary personal residence that are used by the individuals who reside therein. Additional usage rules may apply for certain Service Tiers.

We may, in our sole discretion, analyze the use of your account to determine compliance with this Agreement. If we determine that you have violated this Agreement, we may limit or terminate access to the Service and/or take any other steps as permitted by this Agreement (including those set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement).

You will be responsible for any use of your account by your household, including compliance with this section.

It doesn’t seem all that likely that Disney+ would actually terminate a user for password-sharing, but now it can’t say it didn’t warn you.

When Will Disney+’s Password Sharing Crackdown Begin?

For most Canadian users, these changes in password-sharing policies will come into effect on November 1. This will correspond with the launch of Disney+’s ad-supported tiers in Canada. While its not clear if Disney will immediately enforce the password policy, it is clearly making sure users know it intends to at some point. For now, Disney+ has not shared any options to add other users to an account or to easily separate profiles from one account into a new account. We guess we’ll see how seriously Disney+ will take this new initiative.

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Guess what? It’s another week and another price increase/ad break increase from a streamer. This time Amazon’s Prime Video is getting into the streaming shenanigans. Amazon plans to bring ads into its previously ad-free Prime Video movies and television series. This follows in the footsteps of many streamers who have recently added ads into their content strategies such as Netflix, Disney+, Max, and more. Prime Video has long remained ad-free, but it seems like the siren song of ad revenue is too strong to resist. For those who continue to desire an ad-less and commercial-free existence, Prime Video will offer an ad-free tier, but it will come at a price increase. Here’s what we know.

When and Where Will Ads Hit Prime Video

There is no specific date yet for when ads will arrive to Prime Video, however, they are expected in early 2024. Variety reports that ads will first arrive in the US, UK, Germany, and Canada and then will come to Prime Video in France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Australia at a later date in 2024.

How Much Will the Ad-Free Prime Video Tier Cost?

If commercials in your Prime Video movies and TV shows doesn’t sound like a fun time, you can pay to keep your experience ad-free. In the US, an ad-Free Prime Video will cost $2.99 more a month on top of the annual Prime fee of $139.

More About This Upcoming Change

According to Variety, Amazon “plans to run fewer ads on Amazon Prime Video than traditional broadcasters or broadband rivals.” And, of course, Amazon shares that the addition of ads into the Prime Video ecosystem will allow the company to “continue investing in compelling content and keep increasing that investment over a long period of time.”

More than ever, streaming is moving toward becoming exactly like its cable predecessor. We guess we’ll have to wait and see how consumers continue to react.

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Since the AMPTP isn’t meaningfully negotiating with either the WGA or SAG, the Hollywood strikes continue. The longer the strikes go on—the WGA strike has lasted for over 130 days—the less TV series and other content networks and streaming services have. This could be why Disney+ and ESPN+ have come up with Toy Story Funday Football. The event is a real-time alternative presentation of an NFL game featuring the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars. It will follow the action of a live football game, played at London’s Wembley Stadium, but turn the NFL gameplay into Toy Story-themed animation. It’s a lot to process, but this video spells it out.

Both NFL teams will transform into animated Toy Story-style characters and play in the setting of Andy’s room. The players’ moves in Andy’s room will replicate on-the-field gameplay from the stadium in real-time. The tracking technology uses the NFL’s Next Gen Stats player tracking data and Beyond Sports. On one hand, it’s an extension of existing technology NFL uses, and we see its appeal for bringing in younger viewers. On the other hand, this Toy Story football game is making animated versions of actual people, and in a world where AI-generated everything seems geared towards favoring AI to avoid spending as much money on humans, we’re not sure about this concept.

Toy Story characters may not be playing the NFL game itself, but some of them will be cheering on the sidelines. You’ll see Woody, Buzz, Bo Peep, Bullseye, Bunny, Ducky, Forky, Green Aliens, Jesse, Rex, and Slinky Dog. A special halftime show will even feature Toy Story‘s Duke Caboom attempting a motorcycle jump. Who would dare to miss that?

Toy Story Funday Football streams on October 1 at 9:30 a.m. ET on Disney+ and ESPN+.

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If you want to keep not seeing commercials, it’s going to cost you even more. Disney, the company that commands 28% of the media landscape, has announced it will raise its prices for ad-free tiers of both Disney+ and Hulu. Disney+ Plus Premium (ad-free) will go from $10.99 per month to $13.99 per month, an increase of just over 27%. Hulu’s ad-free offering will also raise its price $3, from $14.99 to $17.99, an increase of 20% per month. There will also be a bundle of Disney+ Premium and Hulu (No Ads) for $19.99. The yearly subscription model will also go up accordingly.

Additionally, Hulu’s Live TV packages will see increases as well, both the ad-free and ad-supported plans will increase by $7.00. Hulu’s Live TV with ads plan will go from costing $69.99/month to $76.99/month, and Hulu’s Live TV ad-free plan will increase from $82.99/month to $89.99/month. The Hulu and Disney+ subscription cost increases will come into play on October 12.

This all comes in addition to even more ad-supported tier options for international subscribers, including folks in Canada and Europe. The ad-supported tiers in the United States are currently $7.99 per month for each Disney+ and Hulu. A statement in the press release reads:

The strong momentum of our ad-supported plans in the U.S. demonstrates the importance of providing consumers with choice, flexibility and value,” said Joe Earley, President, Direct-to-Consumer, Disney Entertainment. “We are excited to expand that offering in more markets across the globe, including in Europe and Canada, and to launch a new premium duo bundle of ad-free Disney+ and Hulu this Fall, as we take steps toward making extensive Hulu content available via Disney+ later this year for Bundle subscribers.

As The Hollywood Reporter points out, this move is a bid by Disney to “bring its direct-to-consumer business to profitability.” This move comes at a particularly interesting time for big media corporations and their streaming services with regards to the striking WGA and SAG-AFTRA members. The lack of profit sharing and residuals from streaming content are at the forefront of the guilds’ complaints against the AMPTP, of which Disney is a member.

With its estimated 150 million subscribers as of September 2022, a $3 per month increase for premium subscribers could net as much as $450 million more per month. In 2022, Disney+ had a revenue of $7.4 billion, which contributed to Disney’s total revenue of $84.7 billion that year. And lest you fear, Disney has been losing money in 2023: Q1 2023 was the company’s largest on record, with $23.51 billion. Q2 tied for the second-highest ever, along with Q1 2022, at $21.82 billion. According to Reuters, Disney CEO Bob Iger’s new contract, which he signed in July, could net him five times his base salary in annual incentive bonus. His previous contract gave him $27 million per year in total compensation.

Why am I sharing all of these revenue and salary numbers? Well, it’s interesting to see just what “weak” box office means to a company like Disney. Disney, who still managed to bring in $55 billion in 2022 from media and entertainment. It may only be $3 extra dollars a month out of your pocket for Disney+ and Hulu each, but look where it’s going and know who is actually benefitting.

As mentioned, the new tiers and prices will take effect on October 12. The new Disney+ and Hulu ad-free bundle meanwhile arrived on September 6. Remember, both apps will merge in the fall as well, while the services will still remain separate.

Originally published on August 9, 2023.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.

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Loki season two will soon arrive on Disney+. It promises us a romp through time as glitches and resets send our main characters in many different directions. But Loki isn’t the only Disney+ series dealing with shifting timelines. Disney+’s upcoming slate of MCU series is seeing a serious calendar shuffle. The result is that only Loki season two will arrive in the fall of 2023. All the other Disney+ MCU shows we planned on seeing soon are heading further down the line. And some of these series seem to have been removed from the calendar altogether.

The Hollywood Reporter shared this news about the shift in release date plans for Disney+ MCU shows. Here’s what was revealed.

Firstly, What If…? season two has shifted from its original early 2023 release to a Christmas 2023 release. Echo, which had a release date of November 29, 2023, appears to have moved to January 2024. All episodes will still drop at once, an unusual move for Disney+. X-Men ’97, meanwhile, originally planned to release in the fall of 2023, will arrive in early 2024. The Agatha series, which The Hollywood Reporter notes has yet another new name, Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, will shift to the fall of 2024. In unfortunate news, Disney+ appears to have removed Ironheart from the schedule for now. The Disney+ series will focus on Riri Williams, a delightful inventor introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Daredevil: Born Again and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Wonder Man also do not have clear release windows at this time.

The latest Disney+ MCU series release date calendar shift is unsurprising, given that the studios continue to refuse to pay their actors and writers, forcing the WGA and SAG strikes to continue. In addition, although Disney+ shows seemed to be a highlight of Marvel Studios’ strategy for a while, it feels like they are now less in vogue. Still, some of these shows have been in the works for several years now. So, hopefully, they can come to light just as soon as those who made them receive the respect they deserve.

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Every day, the streaming industry seems to get weirder and weirder. Many days, it also gets worse. Completed projects are getting canceled before they ever air, while others are getting pulled before audiences even have a chance to watch. But the latest news out of the world of streaming actually sounds like a win for viewers everywhere. Warner Bros. Discovery and AMC+ have announced that some of the latter’s shows, including Fear the Walking Dead and Anne Rice’s Interview With The Vampire, are getting a two-month guest stint at Max. We can’t wait to see how this “programming pop-up” between AMC+ and Max will go.

Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that, starting on September 1, Max will feature a special library of shows under the banner “AMC+ Picks on Max.” The streaming site crossover will see seven AMC+ series available on their seeming rival for 60 days. The “AMC+ Picks on Max” lineup includes the following AMC shows:

• Fear The Walking Dead (Seasons 1-7)
• Anne Rice’s Interview With The Vampire (Season 1)
• Dark Winds (Season 1)
• Gangs of London (Seasons 1-2)
• Ride With Norman Reedus (Seasons 1-5)
• A Discovery Of Witches (Seasons 1-3)
• Killing Eve (Seasons 1-4).

In a press release, Warner Bros. Discovery also said, “AMC+ Picks on Max will be featured in a branded rail, available on both the ad-free and ad-lite subscription tiers of Max.” So, no matter what Max tier you subscribe to, you won’t have to watch any of the AMC+ shows with ads.

That sounds like a pretty good deal. But what’s the purpose of this AMC+ pop-up on Max? On the surface, it seems like a way to keep people tuning into Max while AMC+ gets to promote itself on a competitor’s platform. But with streaming not proving to be the boon Hollywood expected when roughly 37,000 sites opened up, this also feels like it could be a precursor to a Max/AMC+ bundle. Or maybe even a straight merge.

Whatever the real reason, so long as it means more shows are available to stream, we support it. That’s much better than seeing them pulled.

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On an earnings call Wednesday afternoon, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced price increases for Disney+ and Hulu. The ad-free plans for each service will go up over 25% per month. And that’s not the only measure the company is planning to take to drive profit for Disney+. In news we first saw at IGN, the streamer will follow in Netflix’s footsteps. Disney will start cracking down on password sharing in 2024. Netflix’s own efforts from earlier this year brought the streaming service six million new subscribers, so it’s not a surprise to see Disney+ copying the move.

Iger said on the earnings call, “We are actively exploring ways to address account sharing and the best options for paying subscribers to share their accounts with friends and family. Later this year, we will begin to update our subscriber agreements with additional terms and our sharing policies. And we will roll out tactics to drive monetization sometime in 2024.”

The CEO called it a priority while also stating he doesn’t know that it will meaningfully contribute to growth. To that point, Netflix has been established as a streaming service since 2007. Disney+, however, launched in 2019. The Disney service doesn’t have close to the same number of subscribers as Netflix. It doesn’t have as much to gain. But hey, maybe Disney+ is applying this tactic in order to gain more profit that they will then use to pay striking writers and actors fair residuals. After all, the streaming service wouldn’t exist without the content writers and actors create.

Netflix’s advance against password sharing started with notifications to existing customers. Eventually if a user outside of the household tried to log-in into a shared account, Netflix forced the option of creating a new account. Iger’s comments mentions Disney looking at the best options for paying subscribers to share that accounts, but we have a hunch the best one will be no sharing outside of a household.

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Everyone has a streaming service these days. From Max to Peacock, there are a zillion services to sign up for and just as many things to watch. And streaming services are almost constantly in the news for price hikes and new restrictions, like ad-supported tiers. But we never thought we’d see the day where there is a NASA streaming service. Readers, that day is coming really soon. NASA announced that it will launch a streaming service called NASA+. Unlike many other streaming services, NASA+ will be free of cost and ads, which is awesome because we love to not spend money!

What Kind of Content Will Be on NASA+?

That’s a great question. NASA+ will offer live event coverage (think rocket launches) as well as original video series. No, there will not be alien talk shows nor a continuous loop of Beyoncé’s “Alien Superstar” playing. (Although we would love both of those things.) We don’t know any specifics about its upcoming content but the government agency is pretty stoked about this new offering. “We’re putting space on demand and at your fingertips with NASA’s new streaming platform,” said Marc Etkind, associate administrator at NASA. “Transforming our digital presence will help us better tell the stories of how NASA explores the unknown in air and space, inspires through discovery, and innovates for the benefit of humanity.”

It is all a part of NASA’s revamping strategy, which will include a fresh look to its website as well as the official app. There’s even a beta version of its website that you can browse right now.

How Can I Get NASA+ and What Is Its Release Date? 

NASA+ will be available in the NASA app (on iOS and Android) as well as Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, and on the internet. NASA’s new streaming service is set to arrive sometime in late 2023.

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In the age of streaming, Netflix has largely remained steadfast in two things: no ads and full season drops. But the time has come for Netflix to make some serious changes. In a Q1 shareholder letter, the streaming platform acknowledged it lost subscribers for the first time in a decade. It lost 200,000 in Q1 and is on track to lose up to two million by the end of Q2. But in the company’s Q1 2022 Earnings Interview, which is on YouTube, executives announced the subscription shake-up. Netflix is officially adding an ad-supported tier, and it has now arrived. And most shocking of all, it seems like the addition of the ad tier has had a positive impact on Netflix’s subscriptions. In fact, Netflix’s ad-tier has finally made some gains. But consumer take note, Netflix is moving to widen the gulf in price between its ad-free and ad-supported offerings.

Check out the “Subscription Plan” heading for the full details on what’s happening.

Jump to: Timeline // Features // Cost // Subscription Plans // Password Sharing

Netflix’s Ad-Supported Plan Gets Early Arrival

This is a stark change of pace, considering co-founder and co-CEO Reed Hastings—a long holdout on ad-support plans—indicated the new subscription would arrive in a year or two. During Netflix’s Earnings Interview in April 2022, Hastings admitted the company needed to embrace ads in one way or another in order to make money.

Hastings said:

One way to increase the price spread is advertising on low-end plans and to have lower prices with advertising. Those who have followed Netflix know that I’ve been against the complexity of advertising and a big fan of the simplicity of subscription. But as much as I’m a fan of that, I’m a bigger fan of consumer choice. Allowing consumers who would like to have a lower price and are advertising-tolerant get what they want makes a lot of sense. So, that’s something we’re looking at now, we’re trying to figure out over the next year or two. Think of us as quite open to offering even lower prices with advertising as a consumer choice.

And now, the ad-supported tier, called Netflix Basic, has rolled out, as of November 3, 2022. Netflix’s new ad tier debuted in eight countries. According to The Hollywood Reporter, in the first quarter since the addition of the ad-tier, Netflix saw its subscribers increase by 7.66 million users. And most recently, it was reported by Bloomberg that Netflix’s ad-tier had reached one million subscribers. And these subscribers are not users who have downgraded their accounts, but lapsed or new Netflix users. In addition, according to Gizmodo, Netflix’s ad-tier sign-ups rose from 9% to 19% in January. This means it has more subscribers than Netflix’s Basic option.

It looks like the ad-tier, and Netflix’s other cost-impact solutions, such as exploratory paid account sharing, are here to stay.

What Does Netflix’s Ad-Tier Include?

In an October press conference, Netflix confirmed a small number of shows and movies aren’t available on Basic with Ads. Netflix is working on addressing that. As far as other limitations for Basic subscribers: the maximum video quality will be 720p / HD, and subscribers will not be able to download content.

According to reports from Deadline and Variety, some notable TV shows and movies are not available on Netflix’s ad tier. Among other pieces of content, House of Cards, Arrested Development, Peaky Blinders, New Girl, Gray’s Anatomy, The Crown, Cobra Kai, How to Get Away with Murder, The Magicians, 28 Days, and Skyfall cannot be watched on Netflix Basic with Ads.

What Does Netflix’s Ad-Tier Cost?

The same press conference shared the cost of the ad-supported tier: for the US, it’s $6.99/month. Anyone signing up for Basic with Ads will have to consume four to five ads per hour. They’ll last anywhere from 15-30 seconds. This is not terribly different than a service like Hulu. However, Netflix hinted the price may go up after launch.

Netflix’s Current Subscription Plans

Currently, Netflix’s subscription model offers three different rates: basic, standard, and premium. Here’s how the tiers break down and how they might evolve:

The Basic Plan Is No Longer Available

Recenly, the cheapest model, the basic subscription, cost $9.99 per month. Subscribers could only watch content on one device—TV, computer, phone, or tablet—at a time. Netflix calls its video quality “good” with 480p resolution.

However, Netflix has now removed the Basic plan option for subscribers in the US and UK after testing its removal in Canada. Netflix has confirmed the option to subscribe to the Basic tier, as mentioned, the cheapest ad-free offering, is no longer available for new subscribers. However, this change will not affect those already subscribed to the Basic Netflix ad-free tier. Existing subscribers will be able to hang on to the lower-priced ad-free tier.

A page from Netflix support shares, “The Basic plan is no longer available for new or rejoining members. If you are currently on the Basic plan, you can remain on this plan until you change plans or cancel your account.” This change means subscribers must either select a more expensive ad-free plan or choose the ad-supported option instead. In effect, Netflix has increased the difference in cost between the ad-supported and ad-free plans.

Standard

The middle price point, standard costs $15.49 per month. As the middle child the video quality is better than in the basic plan, with 1080p resolution. (But it pales in comparison to the premium plan.) Plus, subscribers can watch content on two devices—TV, computer, phone, or tablet—at a time.

Premium

Currently, Netflix’s top subscription package, this tier costs $19.99 per month. And with a 4K and HDR resolution, it features the best video quality the streaming platform offers. And with its heftier price, more people can watch at once. Subscribers can watch content on four devices—TV, computer, phone, or tablet—at a time.

Basic with Ads

The streamer notes that its existing tiers will remain ad-free, and an ad-supported tier will act as a complement to these options. Basic with Ads is $6.99/month. Basic with ads can also now be accessed through an Apple TV.

How Netflix’s Password Sharing Crackdown Factors in

Talk of an ad-supported tier comes as Netflix continues to test a plan to crack down on password sharing in Costa Rica, Peru, and Chile. The streaming service is rolling out ways to cut off sharing passwords between households. In doing so, Netflix is testing ways to offload extra users accessing an account in a home they don’t live in. According to The New York Times, this crackdown strategy will go into effect globally around the same time the new subscription tier launches.

In the Earnings Interview, Peters made it quite clear that this strategy will eventually go global in the next year or so. It certainly would make sense to have an even cheaper model design underway as Netflix looks to finally offload the person using their neighbor’s sister’s ex-boyfriend’s account. And by adding another model–one hopefully in a shiny, feasible price range—the streaming platform could retain users but actually, bring in the revenue. Still, there’s a lot for the platform to work out in the meantime. But as long as Netflix’s ads aren’t overwhelmingly loud, people may just accept them and an ad-supported tier.

Originally published on April 20, 2022.

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In a move likely very frustrating for subscribers, Netflix is cracking down on password sharing, specifically sharing passwords with those not living under one roof. This isn’t the streaming company’s first attempt to curb password sharing on the Netflix platform. But this time, it sounds like the streaming platform means business. In Q1 of 2022, Netflix lost 200,000 subscribers. It was the first subscriber loss for the streaming platform in a decade.

If there was ever any doubt that Netflix would follow through with its plans to cut down on inter-household password sharing, that is over. But how will Netflix stop password sharing? This time, the streaming platform is getting money involved. Netflix isn’t going to boot the infringing profiles off the main account right away if it catches someone password sharing. Instead, it’ll just make the account holder pay up. As of May 23, Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown has officially arrived in the US. And, likely to the dismay of consumers, it’s seeing some success. Here are the latest updates in Netflix’s attempts to stop users from sharing their passwords and accounts.

Jump to: Netflix Password Sharing Crackdown Is Successful // Netflix’s Paid Password Sharing Crackdown Has Arrived in the US // Netflix’s New Account Sharing Rules // Netflix Profile Transfers // Device Log Out // Netflix Password Sharing Is Widespread // Consumer Reaction

Netflix’s Password-Sharing Crackdown Is Successful

Password sharing used to be a common part of having a streaming account. But Netflix’s novel efforts to curb the practice appear to have paid off. In Q2 of 2023, Netflix added 5.89 million new paid subscribers, which it attributes to its password-sharing crackdown. The lion’s share of Netflix’s efforts occurred during this time period. Netflix shared in a Q2 letter:

The cancel reaction [to the password sharing crackdown] was low and while we’re still in the early stages of monetization, we’re seeing healthy conversion of borrower households into full paying Netflix memberships as well as the uptake of our extra member feature. We are revenue and paid membership positive vs. prior to the launch of paid sharing across every region in our latest launch.

Netflix promises to expand its paid-sharing plan to almost all countries that use Netflix. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix now has 238.4 million global paid memberships. Netflix reported $8.2 billion, in revenue and a net income of $1.5 billion.

Netflix’s Paid Password Sharing Crackdown Has Arrived in the US

Netflix recently expanded more serious efforts at ending password sharing to Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain. And now, the password-sharing crackdown has arrived in the United States. In a blog post shared on May 23, Netflix noted:

Starting today, we will be sending this email to members who are sharing Netflix outside their household in the United States. 

A Netflix account is for use by one household. Everyone living in that household can use Netflix wherever they are — at home, on the go, on holiday — and take advantage of new features like Transfer Profile and Manage Access and Devices.

Among other things, Netflix plans to begin blocking devices that it feels are using a Netflix account but not paying for it. The blog post further notes, “If you want to share Netflix with someone outside your household, you can use these features.

Transfer a profile. Anyone on your account can transfer a profile to a new membership they pay for.

Buy an extra member. You can share your Netflix account with somone who doesn’t live with you for $7.99/month more.

Another blog post from Netflix Canada notes more about you can “share Netflix” without breaking its rules under its paid password-sharing plan:

Set primary location: We’ll help members set this up, ensuring that anyone who lives in their household can use their Netflix account. 

Manage account access and devices: Members can now easily manage who has access to their account from our new Manage Access and Devices page. 

Transfer profile: People using an account can now easily transfer a profile to a new account, which they pay for — keeping their personalized recommendations, viewing history, My List, saved games and more. 

Watch while you travel: Members can still easily watch Netflix on their personal devices or log into a new TV, like at a hotel or holiday rental. 

Buy an extra member: Members on our Standard or Premium plan in many countries (including Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain) can add an extra member sub account for up to two people they don’t live with — each with a profile, personalized recommendations, login and password — for an extra CAD$7.99 a month per person in Canada, NZD$7.99 in New Zealand, Euro 3.99 in Portugal, and Euro 5.99 in Spain. 

All of these aspects of password sharing have been a part of Netflix’s tests up till now. But, of course, the price point continues to evolve. Below we detail more about each one of them.

Netflix’s New Rules and Restrictions for Password and Account Sharing

Netflix recently revealed a new Help Center page that’s all about “Sharing Your Netflix Account.” On this page, Netflix makes it clear that password sharing and Netflix accounts are “for people who live together in a single household.” The exact definition of a Netflix Household is “people who live in the same location with the account owner.” According to Netflix, “people who are not in your household will need to sign up for their own account to watch Netflix.”

Based on the other information on the Help Center page, it also feels like a Netflix Household is defined by the use of one WiFi connection. Netflix notes it determines devices in a household “us[ing] information such as IP addresses, device IDs, and account activity from devices signed into the Netflix account.”

Extra Members

Netflix now notes, “People who are not in your household will need to sign up for their own account to watch; or in many countries you can buy an extra member slot to add an extra member to your account.” The platform adds, “An extra member will have their own profile, account, and password, but their membership will be paid for by the person who invited them to join.”

Extra members differ from regular account holders in these ways:

Extra members can watch Netflix on any device, but only on 1 device at a time.

Extra members can also download titles, but only on 1 phone or tablet at a time.

Extra members can only have 1 profile and cannot create additional profiles.

This profile can be a new profile or an eligible profile transferred from the account owner who invited the extra member.

This profile can have different maturity ratings, but cannot be a Kids profile.

Extra members must activate their account in the same country associated with the account owner’s.

Example: If the account owner signed up in Costa Rica, the extra member must create and activate the extra member account in Costa Rica.

Verified Netflix Devices

The new page about account and password sharing also introduces the idea of Netflix “verified devices.” Netflix notes that if a device not associated with your household tries to sign into your account, then it may need to be verified. Verification involves the main account user approving a device account use within the space of fifteen minutes. And Netflix may ask for new device verification periodically, ostensibly to prevent verification of devices out of the household.

If you are the primary account holder, or if you are using the primary internet connection in the primary account user’s household, you shouldn’t need to worry about verifying your device, according to Netflix. Regardless of your location, if you are the primary holder of your account, you should be able to use it anywhere. Of course, how Netflix can know who exactly is holding the device or belongs to a device household at any time seems murky.

Interestingly, this new page doesn’t reference the kind of paid account sharing that has seemed top of mind for Netflix.

Netflix Profile Transfers

To ready users for the upcoming crackdown, Netflix has added the option of an easy profile transfer. Very simply, this lets each profile on an account easily become its own account. As Netflix shares in a release:

We’re launching Profile Transfer, a feature that lets people using your account transfer a profile — keeping the personalized recommendations, viewing history, My List, saved games, and other settings — when they start their own membership.  

Netflix also notes, “To transfer a profile, go to the “Transfer Profile” option when you hover over your profile icon in the dropdown menu on the homepage — then simply follow the instruction.” Ostensibly, this feature is nicely asking for those sharing accounts to create their own with ease… Before there are repercussions.

In addition to transferring your profile to a new account, you can now transfer it into an already existing one. This feature is now widely available.

Netflix Lets You Log Out of Individual Devices

In addition to Profile Transfers, Netflix has rolled out a new feature that lets users log out of individual devices. This feature, called “Managing Access and Devices” is “a new feature in Account Settings that allows you to view all the recent devices that have streamed from your account and to log out of specific devices with just one click.”

Ostensibly, it’s there in case you forget to log out of a device that you were just using in passing. However, this new update also serves as a further measure by Netflix to cut down on password sharing.

Netflix is not messing around when it comes to password and account sharing.

100 Million Households Are Netflix Password Sharing

This is quite a move from a company that reportedly spent $400 million for the Knives Out sequels. And is dropping something like 86 original movies this year. But according to a company blog post, Netflix claims the password sharing is preventing them from investing in top-tier content.

Chengyi Long, director of product innovation at Netflix, said, “We’ve always made it easy for people who live together to share their Netflix account, with features like separate profiles and multiple streams in our Standard and Premium plans. While these have been hugely popular, they have also created some confusion about when and how Netflix can be shared. As a result, accounts are being shared between households—impacting our ability to invest in great new TV and films for our members.”

Furthermore, the Netflix shareholder letter, indicated more than 100 million households are sharing passwords. More specifically, 30 million households in the US and Canada share passwords. This is a problem for the streaming platform.

How Will Consumers Respond to These Netflix Attempts to Stop Password Sharing?

So this is all to say password sharing on Netflix is responsible for The Baby-Sitters Club‘s premature demise. We can’t imagine that’s specifically true. The announcement comes at a pretty overwhelming moment for streaming platforms in general. Pretty much every major studio with a distribution wing has one. Disney—which snatched its Defenders Saga back from Netflix has three. That company has made serious moves with Disney+ over the next several months. Disney+ has added parental controls and ad-supported pricing in a relatively short space of time. And then there’s Paramount with its two wings. And haven’t even mentioned Prime Video, HBO Max, Apple TV+, and so, so many more.

It’s reaching a point where subscribers are already shelling out a lot monthly to keep up. Password sharing, and trading off, has historically made things a little bit easier. Netflix notes it knows this move might not be initially popular. The company shares, “From our experience in Latin America, we expect some cancel reaction in each market when we roll out paid sharing, which impacts near-term member growth. But as borrower households begin to activate their own standalone accounts and extra member accounts are added, we expect to see improved overall revenue, which is our goal with all plan and pricing changes”

But however unpopular these changes are in theory, they seem to be doing exactly what the company hopes. So we’d better see some truly incredible content manifest. (And we expect Netflix to be able to pay their creators, writers, and actors what they deserve and more.)

Originally published on March 16, 2022.

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Sooner or later, it will inevitably happen… A streamer will raise its prices. We’ve seen Netflix price hikes, Max price hikes, Disney+ price hikes, and even YouTube TV recently increased its already pricey cost. And now, NBCUniversal’s streaming platform will join these ranks. This summer, Peacock will see its first increase in subscription prices. Peacock has only been around since 2020, so this is the first time its price has gone up in its short history—but unfortunately, this increase in subscription cost will impact all of Peacock’s tiers. The Peacock price hike will hit users in August—so let’s find out just what’s in store.

How Much Will Users Pay After Peacock’s Price Increase? Which Tiers Are Affected?

Currently, Peacock has two tiers available to subscribers, Premium (with ads) and Premium Plus (no ads, with a few exceptions). Both (or all) of Peacock’s subscription tiers will be affected by the upcoming price increase. Peacock Premium will see an increase in cost of one dollar per month, bringing it up to $5.99. Meanwhile, Peacock Premium Plus’ price will increase by two dollars per month, bringing it up to $11.99. For those who have annual Peacock subscriptions, there is no word yet on whether annual costs will also rise.

Per Variety, NBCUniversal notes that the Peacock price increase will allow it to “invest in content and the user experience while remaining competitive in the marketplace.” Of course, the question is, as more streamers increase their prices, will consumers be able to continue to afford subscriptions to all of them? Only time will tell.

When Will Peacock’s Price Hike Start?

The Peacock price increase will become effective on August 17 for those who are already subscribed to Peacock and will hit at the start of their next billing cycle after that date. For new users, the new cost is effective immediately.

Does Peacock Have a Free Option Any Longer?

Those reading about the increases in Peacock’s price might recall that at one point Peacock had a free option. At its launch, Peacock did offer users the option to watch its contents for free. However, the free ad-supported version of Peacock ended in January of 2023. Now, users must choose between Peacock’s two paid tiers and hope prices don’t rise once more.

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Around and around we go. Netflix, of course, began life only hosting content from other networks. However, since that time, streaming platforms have begun an arms race for the best original content. But now things are once again changing. Warner Bros. Discovery is negotiating licensing rights to HBO originals with Netflix. HBO, notoriously protective of its properties, created HBO Max as a streaming platform to house its work as a direct Netflix competitor. But now HBO Max has lost the HBO, and now we can turn to Netflix to stream at least one HBO original series, with more to come. What a wild world we live in.

First up, Issa Rae’s comedy Insecure has officially arrived on Netflix. Per Deadline, other HBO properties Band of Brothers, The Pacific, Six Feet Under and Ballers will also soon arrive on the Netflix platform as part of the co-exclusive agreement between Max and Netflix. Additionally, outside of the United States, True Blood will begin to stream on Netflix. It remains to be seen if other properties will follow as well, or if Max will look to other streamers for similar deals.

Things in the streaming world have been taking turns of late. Recently, Max removed some HBO originals from its platform and housed them on FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) channels such as Roku and Tubi. At the time that seemed like a shocking play, but FAST channels are an entity different to Max. Netflix and Max, however, are both SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) platforms. And that makes this Netflix deal for HBO’s content a horse of a different color.

Netflix also recently collaborated with Paramount+ on a bundle offering for Verizon subscribers. It looks like streamers are more open to working together than they were just recently. But does this mark good or bad news for the consumer? We and, most importantly, our wallets will have to simply wait and see.

Originally published on June 21, 2023.

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Another day means more streaming news. We learned in early May that Disney+, which will combine with Hulu into a single app, would be removing certain streaming content from its platform. Disney’s Chief Financial Officer Christine McCarthy announced this on an earnings call saying that the company is revising its costs and strategy. Removing streaming content is a move we recently saw Max (formerly HBO Max) make as a cost-cutting measure.

 “We are in the process of reviewing the content on our DTC [direct-to-consumer] services to align with the strategic changes in our approach to content curation,” said McCarthy. “As a result, we will be removing certain content from our streaming platforms, and currently expect to take an impairment charge of approximately $1.5 to $1.8 billion. The charge, which will not be recorded in our segment results will primarily be recognized in the third quarter as we complete our review and remove the content.”

McCarthy also said the streaming service will produce lower volumes of content in the future.

As for what Disney is removing from Disney+ and Hulu, reference the list below.

9/11: One Day in America
America the Beautiful
Among the Stars
Artemis Fowl
Be Our Chef
Best in Dough
Best in Snow
Better Nate Than Ever
Big Shot
Bin Laden’s Hard Drive
Black Beauty
Buried Secrets of WWII
Cheaper by the Dozen remake
Clouds
Croc That Ate Jaws
Darby and the Dead
Diary of a Future President
Disney Fairy Tale Weddings
Dollface
Drug Lords: The Next Generation
Earth to Ned
Encore!
Everything’s Trash
Extreme Rescues
Flora & Ulysses
Foodtastic
Harmonious Live!
Hollywood Stargirl
It’s a Dog’s Life with Bill Farmer
Just Beyond
Keep This Between Us
Life Below Zero: Next Generation
Little Demon
Locked Up Abroad
Love in the Time of Corona
Maggie
Magic Camp
Marvel’s Project Hero
More Than Robots
Most Wanted Sharks
National Geographic Investigates: LSD and Psychedelics
North Korea: Inside the Mind of a Dictator
Own the Room
Pentatonix: Around the World for the Holidays
Pick the Litter
Pistol
Rogue Trip
Rosaline
Shop Class
Stargirl
Stuntman
The Armstrong Tapes
The Big Fib
The Come Up
The Deep End
The Hot Zone
The Making Of Willow
The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers
The Mysterious Benedict Society
The One and Only Ivan
The Premise
The Princess
The Quest
The Real Right Stuff
The Right Stuff
The World According to Jeff Goldblum
Timmy Failure
To Catch A Smuggler Rome
Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller
Turner & Hooch
Ultimate Survival WWII
Weird But True!
Willow
Wolfgang
Y: The Last Man

This content left Disney+ and Hulu on May 26. As of June 30, Disney+ removed even more content from its platform. Although the streamer did not indicate specific reasons for this latest removal. Among the titles included in this purge was a Mckenna Grace-starring sci-fi film, Crater. Crater, a Disney+ original movie, released on May 12. Disney+ removed it from the platform after only seven weeks.

Originally published on May 11, 2023.

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Paramount+ has canceled a number of shows, including the animated series Star Trek: Prodigy. The show, which brought Kate Mulgrew back as Captain Kathryn Janeway, is the only Star Trek show in the current slate to target a younger audience. Besides canceling the Star Trek series, Paramount+ has also canceled The Game, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, and Queen of the Universe. Furthermore, the company will soon be removing the four series from the streaming service entirely.

The news comes right before Paramount+ and Showtime launch as a single service. A spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter the following:

As we prepare to combine Paramount+ and Showtime later this month in the U.S., we are refining our content offering to deliver the best streaming experience for subscribers. This is consistent with our content strategy since launch and across our business, which ensures we make smart, efficient choices, informed by audience data and insights. We are removing select programming as we look to optimize Showtime’s robust slate of premium originals.

Star Trek: Prodigy was renewed for a second season in November 2021. The good news is the series will still complete post-production for that season and maybe find life elsewhere. CBS Studios will shop both seasons around. Still, it could be a while before we see Prodigy continue. This trend of streamers dropping content as if it never existed is troubling, but unfortunately, as long as it continues to offer a cost savings, we don’t anticipate it changing.

Dan Hageman and Kevin Hageman, who write on the show, shared the above hopeful message on Twitter. They make a great point about how Prodigy serves younger fans. It introduces a whole new generation to the wonderful Star Trek universe.

Additionally, Aaron J. Waltke, an executive producer on the show, shared an in-depth thread about what fans can do to help the canceled Star Trek: Prodigy. You can check out his Twitter for a complete list of ideas, but among them, Waltke suggested streaming the show while it’s available, using viral hashtags, and purchasing Prodigy digitally and in physical form.

We will keep our fingers crossed for this Star Trek series!

Originally published on June 23, 2023.

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Reports indicate that, unfortunately for consumers, Netflix’s long-anticipated password-sharing crackdown is working. According to data from research company Antenna, which we saw via Variety, sign-ups for new Netflix accounts are at a four-year high. And this comes directly as a consequence of the company’s efforts to curb password sharing. The increase in subscriptions has an even higher spike than the subscription increase Netflix saw during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic. We guess many people sharing accounts still want to access Netflix.

According to Antenna, since Netflix began its US password-sharing crackdown in earnest on May 23, subscriptions have skyrocketed. Netflix’s average daily sign-ups increased 102% (over the last 60-day days) from May 25 to May 28. And average daily sign-ups hit 73,000. That is indeed astronomical. Antenna reveals that Netflix hasn’t seen numbers this high since January 2019.

Of course, cancellations also increased as a result of Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown. However, the rate of cancellations was less than the rate of new subscriptions, leaving Netflix the winner. Although, there is a natural cap to this increase as well. At some point, all the Netflix sign-ups that will happen as a result of the password-sharing crackdown will happen. And then growth may cease. However, Netflix previously estimated that 30 million households in the US and Canada share passwords. Perhaps some households even share with multiple people. So, there are many new subscriptions to come.

In the event you are sharing passwords, Netflix will let you know you had better pay up or expect not to be able to use the account any longer. Subscribers who have been sharing Netflix accounts can either transfer their accounts to a whole new Netflix subscription or add an extra member for $7.99/month. We’re just crossing our fingers that other streamers aren’t inspired by Netflix to have their own password-sharing crackdowns.

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It’s happening… Everything old is new again. Predictions of streaming platforms bundling their services, as cable first did, bubbled up in the landscape for a long time. And although we have seen certain kinds of streaming bundles emerge, primarily between streamers owned by the same companies, we haven’t yet seen that kind of prophesied bundling… At least, until now. Verizon has introduced a streaming bundle between rival streamers Netflix and Paramount+. Of course, this offer is exclusive to customers of Version Wireless in the US. This bundle will allow users to purchase Netflix Premium and Paramount+ With Showtime at a lower price than subscribing individually to both streamers.

According to Variety, those Verizon customers who subscribe to the bundle will pay $25.99/month for Netflix Premium and Paramount+ With Showtime. On its own, Netflix Premium is $19.99/month, an incredibly expensive option. Meanwhile, Paramount+ With Showtime costs $11.99/month. All told, the new Netflix and Paramount+ bundle will save subscribers $5.99/month, which works out to be nearly 20% savings. When we look on the scale of years, that’s a lot of money saved.

The Paramount+ and Netflix combo is good deal, but it definitely flips a page in the streaming landscape. We wonder how many bundles we’ll soon see forming and whether their existence will ultimately help or hurt the consumer. After all, cable bundles seemed to become hugely unpopular after a time. And, essentially, we’re seeing that happen again here with streamer bundles. Still, it must be said that the amount of streamers and subscriptions one needs to keep up with all the media releasing is immense. Perhaps bundles done right could offer a relief from that. If you’re a Verizon customer who watches both Netflix and Paramount+, you’ll welcome this option and its lower price point.

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It’s here. The big change we’ve all been waiting for has arrived. Last year, Warner Bros. Discovery announced it would merge HBO Max and Discovery+ content to create a new streaming product. And that streaming platform has finally launched on May 23 under the name Max. For many, this decision seems like a strange one. But despite what the masses think, they have no choice but to crown a new streamer. R.I.P. HBO Max, long live Max.

But what is Max? How is Max a different platform than HBO Max? And, most importantly, what will you have to pay for it? Well, those are all great questions. And Warner Bros. Discovery has some answers.

What Is Warner Bros. Discovery’s Max, How Do You Get It, and What Content Will It Have?

In the simplest terms, Max is a service that combines the offerings of HBO Max and Discovery+. However, while Max will replace HBO Max, it won’t replace Discovery+. Users can continue to subscribe to Discovery+ on a standalone basis, but HBO Max will transform into Max on May 23. This was likely done in an effort to allow users of Discovery+ to continue to subscribe at a lower cost.

According to Max’s website, all HBO Max users will get Max on May 23. And if you sign up for HBO Max now, Warner Bros. Discovery will “transfer your account information to Max when it arrives.” On certain devices, you will also need to download a new “Max” version of the app. On other devices, the Max app will appear automatically.

Max shares:

Amazon, Cox, Roku, VIZIO TV, Xfinity: Find the Max app and open it.

Android, Apple, DIRECTV, LG TV, PlayStation, Samsung TV, Xbox: Open HBO Max and choose Download.

Additionally, the platform notes:

Your HBO Max profiles, watch history, and your settings (including parental controls) are available in Max.

There are two things that don’t transfer to Max:

HBO Max downloads: You’ll need to download your shows and movies again with Max.

Custom profile pictures: If you had a custom profile picture in HBO Max, you’ll see a generic profile icon in Max (Max doesn’t support custom profile photos). If you’d like to choose a different profile avatar, go to Add and manage Max profiles.

As far as content goes, Max will contain HBO Max’s entire library plus “Discovery favorites,” defined as “the best real-life shows from your favorite TV brands: HGTV, the Food Network, TLC, ID, Magnolia, Discovery, and more.”

The Cost of a Max Subscription

Happily, or however you choose to feel about it, this move to Max will not include a price increase for most HBO Max users. HBO Max raised its price in January to $15.99/month for ad-free viewing, and that remains the Max pricing as well. Max with ads will cost $9.99/month. Meanwhile, “Ultimate Ad-Free” Max will cost $19.99/month. The difference between Max Ad-Free and Ultimate Ad-Free is down to quality, device usage and downloads. Ad-Free Max allows you to “stream in Full HD on 2 devices at once, up to 30 offline downloads.” Ultimate Ad-Free Max meanwhile allows you to “Stream in 4K UHD on 4 devices at once, up to 100 offline downloads.”

Max Promises Max with Ads will Really Be “Max Ad-Lite”

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav recently noted that Max will have one of the “lightest ad loads in streaming.” In fact, he referred to Max with Ads as Max Ad-Lite, an interesting branding choice. Zaslav noted, “Max Ad-Lite subscribers get all the same content as ad-free subscribers. See only three or four minutes of ads per hour and pay just $9.99 a month.” Is that a good deal? It’s hard to say at this point.

The Verge reveals that viewers will see 15-second pre-roll ads that play before your content, 30-60 second mid-roll ads that arrive in the middle of viewing, and additional static ads that pop up when a program has paused. Additionally, there could be instances where brands pay more to offer fewer ads to viewers.

When Will Max Replace HBO Max?

As mentioned, HBO Max evolved into Max on May 23.

Why Did HBO Max Lose the HBO to Become Max?

Give that HBO Max has some pretty significant brand awareness, the rebrand seems strange for fans of the platform. It seems like the Warner Bros. Discovery’s perspective, however, is that if the HBO stayed, users wouldn’t understand that the platform now also contained a different kind of content. In an effort to appeal to as many subscribers as possible, HBO was removed from the title of the streamer. Of course, to many HBO symbolizes a kind of prestige and quality. So we will have to wait and see how users respond to the rebrand, and, ultimately, whether it was a good idea.

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We continue unbidden into the age of digital streaming dominance in the entertainment industry. CEOs and studio heads, therefore, feel the need to clamp down even more on their beloved bottom lines. To that end, many of the majors have focused on combining their various streaming services into one. Take WBD, for example, which recently (and without anyone else wanting it) merged their HBO Max and Discovery+ services into Max. Not to be outdone (never to be outdone), Disney CEO Bob Iger announced something new during its investors call on Wednesday. Hulu—which Disney acquired in the Fox deal—will find its content combining with Disney+.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Iger says the new app will roll out by the end of the year. He hastened to add, however, that the services will still be separate. Essentially, it seems, it’ll be like how Showtime content is now on the Paramount+ app but you still need to pay for Showtime to see it. Tiers and whatnot. Iger said on the earnings call:

While we continue to offer Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ as standalone options, this is a logical progression of our DTC offerings that will provide greater opportunities for advertisers, while giving bundle subscribers access to more robust and streamlined content, resulting in greater audience engagement and ultimately leading to a more unified streaming experience.

Iger later said, ““The advertising potential of this combined platform is incredibly exciting.”

We should note, in countries, such as the United Kingdom, where Hulu never existed, the content of both platforms was always on Disney+.

At a time when the future of art as entertainment, and the viability of working in the entertainment industry, remains uncertain, one of the few things we can count on is enormous companies looking to make it easier for them to make billions of dollars. Consolidating Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ under one app won’t change too much for you, the consumer. But potentially making everything like old terrestrial cable packages might.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd.

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There’s a lot happening on our screens these days. And let’s be honest; not all sound mixing leaves us feeling like we can actually hear what’s happening on our favorite shows and movies. Sometimes, important moments feel lost in the shuffle. We end up with our ears glued to our speakers. Or we have to replay a scene over and over again to make out its meaning. Of course, there are subtitles, and we appreciate those, but that option doesn’t always work for everyone. But now, Prime Video has introduced a new accessibility feature called Dialogue Boost to help make sure we don’t miss a sentence of what we stream. Here’s how this new feature helps you hear whatever you’re watching.

A release shares:

Dialogue Boost lets you increase the volume of dialogue relative to background music and effects, creating a more comfortable and accessible viewing experience that cannot be found on any other global streaming service.

Amazon notes, “While Dialogue Boost was built with the needs of customers who are hard of hearing in mind, anyone can use the feature to suit their personal listening preferences.” And that is much appreciated. With Dialogue Boost, viewers can select their preferred dialogue volume.

How Does Dialogue Boost Let You Hear Speech Audio Better?

Here’s how it works:

Dialogue Boost analyzes the original audio in a movie or series and intelligently identifies points where dialogue may be hard to hear above background music and effects. Then, speech patterns are isolated and audio is enhanced to make the dialogue clearer. This AI-based approach delivers a targeted enhancement to portions of spoken dialogue, instead of a general amplification at the center channel in a home theater system. As a result, Dialogue Boost can be enjoyed anywhere the Prime Video experience is available.

To turn on this feature, simply go to your audio and subtitles drop-down menu on Prime Video and select the level of boost you’d like. And hopefully now you can better (or actually) hear what’s happening on whatever you’re watching.

Happy listening!

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Streaming disruption seemed ideal at first. Cheap and quick access to everyone’s favorite shows… What could be better? But as the number of streamers in the landscape grows and their costs continue to increase, the naysayers’ warnings seem to be coming to pass. Basically, streaming and cable are just not that different anymore, at least cost-wise. Easily, one of the most expensive digital options out there is YouTube TV, and now the price has increased even more. YouTube TV has raised its subscription cost by $8 (from $64.99/month) to approximately $73/month. That’s around a 12% increase in cost.

To offset this price increase, YouTube TV will decrease its 4K Plus add-on cost from $19.99/month to $9.99/month. But the add-on is not available for all channels. According to The Verge, when YouTube TV first launched in 2017, it cost $35/month. And now that price has more than doubled. YouTube TV has added more channels over time to balance the increases, but it is still a hefty price to pay.

Meanwhile, Hulu’s ad-supported offering with Live TV (and Disney+ and ESPN+) comes in at $69.99/month. It’s not much cheaper. But these days, you may as well save where you can.

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HBO Max lives… for now. But the streamer isn’t long for this life in its current form. During a Warner Bros. Discovery earnings call, where we also learned more about Batgirl‘s cancellation and DC’s future, the company shared the news many saw coming, but not many are happy about. HBO Max and Discovery+ plus will combine into a brand-new offering, and now we have a timeline for when this will all take place. Say whatever sentimental goodbyes you have to HBO Max starting now because it will be replaced with an all-new product earlier than expected in the spring of 2023. And the process of this merging has already resulted in some changes, including a price increase and some content sacrifices… Including the letters HBO. According to CNBC, Warner Bros. Discovery is eying the name “Max” for its new platform.

Warner Bros. Discovery didn’t reveal much about this product so far, though. We didn’t get to see a new official HBO Max plus Discovery+ name, logo, or interface or anything like that. What the company did share was that this would be a single, global brand that put customer experience and quality first. The new platform will combine the “best of both” platforms and have capabilities such as on-demand and have live TV, ad-free, ad-lite, and ad-only options.

Content Loss on HBO Max

During the call, executives mentioned that HBO Max often had difficulty supporting a certain scale of audience. Discovery+, meanwhile, had much better technological infrastructure behind it. Although Warner Bros. Discovery’s executives noted they supported HBO Max’s content, fans of the current shows streaming on the platforms feel nervous. And rightfully so, already Warner Bros. Discovery has canceled movies including Batgirl, Wonder Twins, and Scoob!: Holiday Haunt. Other Warner Bros. streaming exclusive movies were also removed from HBO Max without warning. Shockingly, HBO Max also lost some high-profile originals. Shows like Westworld were removed suddenly from the platform.

The latest shows cut include Looney Tunes and Flintstones. Specifically, hundreds of episodes of Looney Tunes shorts vanished from the platform. Seasons 16-31 of Looney Tunes are no longer available on HBO Max, that’s 256 episodes that were released from 1950 to 2004. Although there seemed to be unclear narratives around this removal, HBO Max appears to have confirmed the episodes will not return. The culprit appears to be a licensing agreement that was not renewed. This development keeps in the theme of losses in the realm of animated and unscripted content.

Although it’s unclear if everything removed from HBO Max will become viewable again, some content will find a new home. According to Deadline, Roku and Tubi will become the free, ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels of choice for Warner Bros. Discovery and its cut content. Beginning around spring 2023 on Roku and as early as February 1 on Tubi, shows like Westworld and The Nevers will once again be available to watch.

Potentially, this may become more and more the norm for HBO. Content CEO Casey Bloys notes to Variety, “does every single library show that we have on HBO Max need to be exclusive to HBO Max? I would say no,” Bloys says. “People kind of forget the history of television was windows, DVDs. These are expensive shows to make. The idea that they’re going to sit in a library forever and ever for $15 a month, that’s never how TV has operated.” And this idea thus leads to HBO “syndicating” its content on FAST channels.

Although sudden content culling is a worrying trend that calls into question the safety of finished works on streaming, it is a relief to hear at least some content will find a new home.

HBO Max Subscription Cost Increase

On top of everything else, the subscription cost of HBO Max also increased without warning. Effective, January 12, 2023, HBO Max will now cost $15.99 instead of $14.99. It might seem like a small increase, but HBO Max is already one of the more costly subscription services. For those already subscribed, the new cost will come into play during their next billing cycle on or after February 11, 2023.

A release notes, “This price increase of one dollar will allow us to continue to invest in providing even more culture-defining programming and improving our customer experience for all users.”

Project Popcorn and the Potential Scope of the HBO Max/Discovery+ Product

Additionally, much to the chagrin of HBO Max’s audiences, it seems like the platform will be doing away with its 45-day theatrical window to streaming initiative for Warner Bros. movies. Per Decider, the company will be moving away from “Project Popcorn.” This project meant that after being in theaters for 45 days, Warner Bros. movies would come to stream on HBO Max. It was an especially welcome initiative during the pandemic. Now, it sounds like the company will decide when theatrical movies will stream on a “case-by-case basis.”

It’s presently unclear when the company will stop honoring the 45-day window. Warner Bros. Discovery also shared an interesting view of both HBO Max and Discovery+ and what they bring to the table, adding to the disquiet. We will have to wait and see what this means for the shows, primarily on HBO Max, that don’t fit into the purview of this very narrow outline. And what it means for viewers, as well.

After the platform launches in the United States during the spring of 2023, the HBO Max and Discovery+ product will roll out in Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Warner Bros. Discovery aims to complete the roll-out by fall of 2024. Fingers crossed it goes… well.

Originally published on August 18, 2022.

The post HBO Max Will Merge Into a Single Platform with Discovery+ appeared first on Nerdist.

Sometimes you seize the weekend and make every minute of freedom from work an opportunity for fun and adventure. Those are great days, for sure, but they’re also exhausting. It’s why sometimes when Friday rolls around you just want to be lazy. But we know how to lounge around while still being “productive.” Just watch an entire TV show! If you don’t want to put any energy into figuring out which one, though, we’ve put together a list of shows you can marathon in a single weekend. (All while still getting some sleep!) And no matter what kind of series you want to stream this weekend this list has something for everyone.

Drama: The Knick

This period medical drama set in a New York City hospital in 1900 stars Clive Owen as Dr. John W. “Thack” Thackery. His desire to discover surgical advancements and gain fame among his peers is undermined by his cocaine and opium addictions. Directed by Stephen Soderberg, the show ran for two seasons and 20 episodes running anywhere from 42 minutes to an hour. You can easily knock The Knick out in a couple of days, but sleeping won’t be easy with the adrenaline rush this high-paced entertaining drama will give you.

Where to Watch: HBO Max

Comedy: Love

Coming in just under 17 hours total, the rom-com series Love from Judd Apatow, Lesley Arfin, and Paul Rust offers the different perspectives of two people building a relationship together. Starring opposite Rust’s Gus is Gillian Jacobs as Mickey. They’re both very different, especially in all the ways they’re not anyone’s idea of the perfect mate. For a show both named for and about “love,” this makes the list because it’s incredibly funny in the way relationship problems are when they don’t involve you.

Where to Watch: Netflix

Action: The Adventures Of Brisco Country Jr.

For one glorious season on Fox, Bruce Campbell starred as the titular hero of The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. Set in 1893, the Western was one of the strangest to ever appear on TV. Running from 1993 to 1994, it was also one of the most entertaining. Part comedy, part steampunk, and part science-fiction, the show followed the Harvard lawyer-turned-bounty hunter and his unlikely cadre of friends for 27 episodes, which you’ll gladly knock out quickly. (Sorry for how upset you’ll be to learn there’s not a second season to enjoy.)

Where to Watch: Tubi (For Free!)

Horror: Scream: The TV Series

The Scream franchise is back on the big screen, but some fans might not remember it’s run on the small one and that’s a shame. Scream: The TV Series ran on MTV for two years before its shortened third and final season debuted at VH1. (With a Halloween special in-between.) The anthology series managed to take inspiration from its movie counterpart with its comedy and self-awareness, all while still delivering something fun and scary of its own. It’s 30 episodes are a killer way to spend your Saturday and Sunday.

Where to Watch: Netflix

Sci-Fi: Dark

For three seasons and 26 episodes, Dark took viewers on a journey through time and multiple generations in the fictional German village of Winden. It’s hard to talk about plot specifics without giving away too much, but trust us when we say you won’t have any trouble finishing this mysterious, atmospheric, mind-bending show in one weekend. It’s so engrossing you might even wrap it up in one long sitting. Well, that is unless you watch it with someone else. Then you’ll need time between episodes to discuss your best theories as to what’s happening.

Where to Watch: Netflix

Superhero: Legion

What’s real and what’s imagined? How can a mutant with incredible powers know the difference when he can’t even trust his own fractured mind? And how can you defeat your enemies when it’s not clear if someone is friend, foe, or both? For three seasons, Noah Hawley and Legion turned those questions into one of the most bizarre—and best—superhero shows on TV. Starring Dan Stevens, Aubrey Plaza, Jean Smart, and an all-star cast, the FX Marvel series is unlike any other superhero story put on screen. We wish we could forget about it so we could watch it again for the first time.

Where to Watch: Hulu

Fantasy: The Good Place

Mike Schur turned his success as co-creator of Parks and Recreation into one of the most unlikely television shows to ever air on network television. The Good Place is a wildly original, highly entertaining, absolutely hilarious Trojan horse for legitimate philosophical discussion about morality and ethics. If you know nothing else about the fantasy sitcom, do yourself a favor and just start watching its 53 episodes the minute you finish work this week. You’ll thank us on Monday. (We know because you’ll feel bad not using manners after watching this series.)

Where to Watch: Netflix

Animated Series for Adults: Cowboy Bebop

Cowboy Bebop remains one of the seminal anime series of all time. For 26 episodes the show brought viewers into a sci-fi neo-noir world of 2071, where a group of bounty hunters roam the galaxy after Earth was left nearly uninhabitable. While the series take inspiration from many genres, it has stood the test of time thanks to its universal themes of loneliness and boredom, as well as its exploration of how we can never escape our past. Not only is it a perfect way to spend a weekend, there’s a bonus 2001 movie you can enjoy as well.

Where to Watch: Crunchyroll / Netflix

Animated Series for Kids (and Adults): X-Men: The Animated Series

Without Fox’s X-Men: The Animated Series we might never have seen Marvel’s mutants make it to the big screen. And without those films we probably wouldn’t have the MCU, either. The animated show really was that influential on the superhero genre. So yeah, it was pretty fantastic. In fact, it was so good and so important Disney+ will soon revive it with X-Men ’97. Before it does watch all 76 episodes of one of the most important cartoons in television—and movie—history.

Where to Watch: Disney+

The post 9 TV Shows You Can Marathon in One Weekend appeared first on Nerdist.

Whodunnit? One of the best and most exciting questions to ever be posed on the page or screen. Agatha Christie has long been one of (if not the) master(s) of murder mystery. Since movies like Knives Out became smash hits, other studios have been making many murder mysteries. But where to start with the Mistress of Murder? Luckily there are a ton of brilliant Christie adaptations that you can stream right now! So if more murder and mystery is what you’re looking for, we’ve curated 16 of the best Agatha Christie adaptations for you to enjoy! 

Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Watch: For free on Tubi, Pluto, and Amazon Prime

Murder, She Said (1961)

Margaret Rutherford is a part of an elite club of old ladies: actors who have played Agatha Christie’s aging sleuth Miss Marple in a live-action adaptation. This black and white gem centers on the famed detective as she witnesses a murder on a train, only to be dismissed and ignored by all the men around her as she tries to solve the crime. But we all know who’ll come out on top eventually!

Watch: Available for rent on YouTube

Gumnaam (1965)

This psychedelic ’60s Bollywood take on And Then There Were None has a killer soundtrack and a completely unique vision for Christie’s beloved tale. After winning a trip to a foreign country, a group of strangers are left stranded on an island where they begin to be picked off one by one. You might recognize the opening song, as it was featured in Ghost World!

Watch: Available for rent on Amazon Prime

Endless Night (1972)

A rare supernatural entry in Christie’s catalog, this film focuses on a young couple who decide to build their dream home on cursed land. Of course, this is at heart a murder mystery with a twist that is notoriously hard to guess. Come for the curse, stay for the devious whodunnit.

Watch: For free on Kanopy

Dhund (1973)

Based on Christie’s play The Unexpected Guest, this flick follows a man who is thrown into the midst of a murder after having a traffic accident. Directed by Bollywood legend B. R. Chopra Dhund, it’s stacked to the brim with twists, turns, and a vibrant yet noir-tinged atmosphere. An underseen Christie gem.

Watch: Available for rent on Amazon Prime

Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

Possibly the most star-studded Christie movie ever! Albert Finney stars as Hercule Poirot alongside Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, and Sean Connery in this brilliant thriller. If you haven’t read the book or watched an adaptation, then you’ll never guess the twist in Murder on the Orient Express And even if you do know, it’s still incredibly fun to watch Poirot try to work out just who on the snow-trapped train murdered an unfortunate billionaire passenger.

Watch: For free on Amazon Prime

The Mirror Crack’d (1980)

Did you know that Angela Lansbury played Miss Marple in a series of movies? Well, she did, and this super fun ’50s-set film sees her try and find a murder on a Golden Age Hollywood movie set. Did we mention that The Mirror Crack’d also stars Hollywood royalty Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, Tony Curtis, and Kim Novak? Well, now you know! So add this one to the top of your watch list today!

Watch: On Britbox with subscription

Evil Under the Sun (1982)

Peter Ustinov’s second cinematic turn as Poirot put him directly in the sights of a Machiavellian murderer at a high-end resort in the Adriatic Islands. A meditation on celebrity, fame, and friendship, Evil Under the Sun is also an exceedingly fun film and a great escape into the slightly grimy glitz and glamour of a dying idea of Hollywood. It also happens to be one of Johnson’s biggest influences on the Glass Onion.

Watch: On Britbox with subscription

Miss Marple (1984-1992)

Unless you grew up in the UK in the ’90s, you probably haven’t seen these perfect specials that ran for eight years on British network TV. The series adapts a whole bunch of the OAP sleuth’s most beloved cases; if you love yourself a good murder and some beautiful pastoral scenery, then you’re in for a treat!

Watch: On Britbox with subscription

Poirot (1989-2013)

Probably the most famous representation of Hercule Poirot. David Suchet played the character for over 20 years on this series, which is the definition of a cozy murder mystery. Enjoy multiple adaptations of Christie’s most famous tales as Hercule travels around the globe solving mysteries and catching crimes.

Watch: On Britbox with subscription or for free on Hoopla

Agatha Christie’s Marple (2004-2013)

The most recent take on Miss Marple is this British series of made-for-TV movies. These flicks feature surprisingly great production value, plenty of hard-to-guess mysteries, and a roster of UK stars like Mark Gatiss, Sean Pertwee, Tom Baker, Rik Mayall, and many, many more.

Watch: On Britbox with subscription or for free on Hoopla

Crooked House (2017)

Gillian Anderson and Glenn Close taking the screen together in an Agatha Christie adaptation. What more do you need to know? Well, this impeccably dark period piece follows a private investigator who is pulled into the twisted web of a rich family when their patriarch is murdered in a shocking fashion. Not for the light-hearted, Crooked House features one of Christie’s most heart wrenching twists.

Watch: On Amazon Prime with subscription

And Then There Were None (2015)

Sarah Phelps’ three-episode miniseries is one of the best Christie adaptations of all time, and is chock full of true horror. A cast of unmentionably awful people are invited to a party only to have their darkest secrets revealed and their lives cut short. The all-star cast includes Charles Dance, Aiden Turner, and Sam Neill, who are all delectably terrible and infinitely watchable.

Watch: On Acorn TV with subscription, for free on Hoopla, or rent on Amazon Prime

Ordeal by Innocence (2018)

When Rachel Argyll is found bludgeoned to death, her adoptive son is quickly convicted, and is murdered in prison before justice can truly be served. But nearly two years later, a man appears and gives Jack an alibi that throws the Argyll family into disarray as they realize the real killer may still be among them. Phelps is my favorite director of Christie and this distressingly good adaptation is a perfect example of why.

Watch: On Amazon Prime with subscription

The ABC Murders (2018)

Sarah Phelps continues her killer run of turning Christie novels into terrifying poison-drenched televisual masterpieces with this John Malkovich-starring adaptation. The Oscar-nominated thespian stars as a beleaguered Hercule Poriot, well past his heyday. But when a series of letters foreshadows a spate of terrible murders, he takes matters into his own hands.

Watch: On Amazon Prime with subscription

The Pale Horse (2020)

Phelps’ newest addition to the Christie canon is a folk-horror take on one of the author’s spookiest novels. Following the death of a woman and the discovery of a list of names she left behind, a small town is thrown into chaos, and horrific secret is gradually uncovered. Unlike any Christie you’ve ever seen.

Watch: On Amazon Prime with subscription.

So get your magnifying glasses out and get ready to solve some mysteries with these great Agatha Christie adaptations!

This piece was originally published on February 13, 2022.

Featured Image: Lifetime

The post Which Agatha Christie Books Have Movie Adaptations? (And Where to Stream Them) appeared first on Nerdist.

Ever since we first met Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) in the original Karate Kid movie, the rivalry with the notorious Cobra Kai dojo has defined his story. The vicious American karate school founded by John Kreese (Martin Kove) housed privileged bullies led by Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). It was Daniel’s struggles at the hands of Cobra Kai that led him to meet and train with his mentor, Mr. Miyagi. Decades later that battle is still burning strong in Netflix’s smash hit show Cobra Kai. But while the two dojos exist in the show, the allegiances, morals, and membership have all shifted throughout the four seasons we’ve seen so far. As we head into season five, we’re keeping you abreast of all the major players in each dojo and who could heel turn when the season hits. 

Which Characters Are a Part of Miyagi-Do?

Keeping the legacy of Mr. Miyagi, Daniel’s peaceful dojo has seen many kids walk through its doors. In an unexpected turn of events in season four, Daniel allowed Johnny’s new dojo Eagle Fang to merge with Miyagi-Do in order to beat the new more brutal Cobra Kai. We’re including those students and their sensei in our roundup of current Miyagi-Do pupils. 

Daniel LaRusso

The original Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso has come a long way since those movies. After Johnny Lawrence resurrected Cobra Kai, Daniel had no choice but to open his Miyagi-Do dojo. But after losing to Cobra Kai in the All Valley Tournament, it’s unclear whether or not the dojo has a future… though, seeing as we’re getting a season five, we can assume Miyagi-Do survives! 

Chozen Toguchi 

Though he began life as Daniel’s rival in Karate Kid II, Chozen (Yuji Okumoto) has reconnected with Daniel throughout the events of Cobra Kai. But no one was expecting the shocking twist as season four came to end that saw Chozen join Daniel in his quest to defeat Cobra Kai once and for all.

Miguel Diaz 

The original contemporary Cobra Kai student, Miguel (Xolo Maridueña), sought out Johnny after getting bullied. Soon the pair became inseparable, but throughout the seasons Miguel has trained in both Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai karate. As a part of Eagle Fang, he is now an honorary Miyagi-Do member. But seeing as the last time we saw him he was on a journey of self-discovery in Mexico, it’s yet to be seen how karate is going to shape his life in season five. 

Johnny Lawrence 

Daniel’s old foe became an ally at the end of last season and it’s uncertain where he’ll go this season. Though he’s loyal to the kids he taught, his biggest focus right now is finding Miguel. Since the series began, fans have wanted to see a true Daniel and Johnny teamup. While the show has teased it so far, we think season five could make it happen for real. 

Sam LaRusso 

She’s the heir to the Miyagi-Do legacy but Sam LaRusso (Mary Mouser) is still struggling after her loss to Tory Nichols last season. While we’re pretty sure that she’s not going to join Cobra Kai, last season we saw her take lessons with Johnny and Eagle Fang against her fathers wishes… so who knows. The biggest thing we want to see, though, is her to make amends with Tory. It’s overdue. 

Demetri Alexopoulos

Though he began his karate career with Cobra Kai—to help him overcome bullying—Demetri (​​Gianni Decenzo) soon joined Miyagi-Do. His moral compass is far stronger than most of the crew and it aligns much closer with Daniel’s balanced teaching than the violence of Cobra Kai. 

Eli Moskowitz (Hawk) 

Demitri’s best friend and recent male All Valley champ, Hawk (Jacob Bertrand), had gone all in on Cobra Kai until last season. Under Johnny’s tutelage he beat his bullies, his insecurities, grew a sick mohawk. But when Cobra Kai became too brutal and Johnny broke off into Eagle Fang, Hawk followed. It was ultimately under the Miyagi-Do banner that he took his championship home. 

Devon Lee

A new student Johnny’s Eagle Fang recruited, Devon (Oona O’Brien) is a talented martial artist who was apparently cheated out of a win against eventual champion Tory Nichols thanks to a crooked ref. We’re sure she’ll look for vengeance this season so we expect to see her keep training with the resurrected Miyagi-Do.  

Chris 

Another former Cobra Kai student, Chris (Khalil Everage) was one of the earliest students to switch his alliance to Miyagi-Do. His passion for Daniel’s teachings are clear, and as a high ranking student and supportive rock of the dojo we can expect him to keep rising up the ranks. 

Nathaniel

Nathaniel (Nathaniel Oh) is impressionable and loyal to a fault. His journey began at Cobra Kai along with Chris and other kids who joined after their success at the All Valley Tournament in season one. Eventually he switched sides, though struggled to fit in. Now he’s Miyagi-Do but he often struggles to have compassion for those in his position who have changed teams.  

Abe

One of the first kids to join Cobra Kai after Miguel, Abe (Jayden Rivers) became a member of Miyagi-Do alongside Nathaniel and Chris. He’s often seen at the side of Sam LaRusso and in the background, though this season we hope to see him get to have a journey of his own. 

Which Characters Are a Part of Cobra Kai?

With Miyagi-Do and—former Cobra Kai students—Eagle Fang teaming up at the end of season four, the Cobra Kai pool has definitely gotten smaller, but it’s no less brutal. Also, with Terry Silver on a mission for valley domination, we’re sure Cobra Kai will only grow in season five. 

Terry Silver

John Kreese’s old Vietnam buddy came back with a bang last season, taking over Cobra Kai and eventually winning the All Valley Karate Tournament. Now, as the dojo’s sensei, Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) is planning to expand Cobra Kai’s reach and his own power. As we know from both Cobra Kai and the original Karate Kid movies, Terry is a brutal man who doesn’t care about hurting kids. 

Tory Nichols

If there’s any justice in the world this season will center on Tory Nichols (Peyton List). The working class martial arts star has had a rough go of it, and pretty much every adult around her has exploited that wherever they can. Now that she knows Terry Silver paid off the ref in the All Valley Karate Tournament we think she might finally see the truth about Cobra Kai. 

Kenny Payne

Season four began by introducing Kenny (Dallas Dupree Young), a hopeful new student at the local Reseda middle school. Soon he was being terrorized by Anthony LaRusso (Griffin Santopietro), who took much joy in bullying the new kid. This ended up with Robby taking Kenny under his wing and introducing him to Cobra Kai. Kenny soon became a loyal student there but that could all change this season depending on where Robby decides to pledge his allegiance. 

Kyler Park

First introduced as Sam LaRusso’s boyfriend and Miguel’s bully, Kyler (Joe Seo) is now a long time member of Cobra Kai. His allegiance has never slipped and he enjoys the prestige and fear that come with membership to the dojo. Kyler will surely be riding high on their win. Now, with Kenny under his wing, he’ll likely take great joy in the coming battle with Miyagi-Do. 

Stingray

As an adult man trying to join a dojo for kids, Stingray (Paul Walter Hauser) has always been an outlier. But after his shocking hospitalization at the hands of Terry Silver last season and the fact he took that beating so he could become a part of Silver’s inner circle, we’re guessing Stingray is Cobra Kai ’till he dies. But as he accused a (for once) innocent John Kreese of the assault that hospitalized him in order to rise up the ranks of the dojo alongside the man who actually beat him half to death, that could be sooner rather than later! 

Robby Keane 

Robby (Tanner Buchanan) has long been torn between Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai. He was Daniel’s first proper student, but both Daniel and his father Johnny abandoned him when he needed them most. That led to him being sucked in by John Kreese and further manipulated by Terry Silver. Luckily, after injuring Kenny at the All Valley, Robby seems to be considering where his allegiances lie. 

Who Might Make the Switch in Season 5?

The clearest choices here are Tory and Robby. Now that Tory knows Silver was paying off the ref during the All Valley finals, she’s going to have to come to terms with the fact her big win against Sam might not have been a fair one. Tory is one of the best and most complex characters in the show, her valid anger and trauma driving her passion for Cobra Kai. But she’s a good person at heart, so the fact Silver cheated likely won’t sit well with her. 

As for Robby, he’s constantly been torn between Cobra Kai and Miyagi-Do. The only reason he currently fights at the former is because he was abandoned by Daniel LaRusso and his father Johnny, leaving him susceptible to Kreese’s manipulations. But after the All Valley Tournament and his brutal fight with Kenny, he’s reconsidering his place at the dojo. We can’t wait to see him go back to Miyagi-Do and hopefully get much deserved apologies from Daniel and Johnny. Speaking of Kenny, he’s another character we’re hoping will leave Cobra Kai this season. The young victim of Anthony LaRusso’s bullying has found strength at the dojo, but deserves so much better than Silver’s exploitation and the cruel camaraderie of Cobra Kai. 

Featured Image: Netflix 

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Cobra Kai continues the story that began in the Karate Kid franchise. And the smash hit show’s audience has only grown since it was picked up by Netflix. The series tells the story of the warring dojos from the classic films: the titular Cobra Kai and their rivals at Miyagi-Do. Much of the series centers on the rivalries created by the two factions, building tension and teen drama against a martial arts backdrop. With season five of the action-dramedy on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to check back in on our favorite karate obsessed valley kids. These are all the rivalries that are going to shape season five of Cobra Kai.  

Daniel LaRusso vs. Terry Silver

The first four seasons of Cobra Kai focused on the decades-long rivalry between Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) and Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Maccio). But the end of last season saw the pair team up, sparked by the return of Karate Kid III villain Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith). Teaming up with Johnny’s old mentor, John Kreese (Martin Cove), Silver did a stealth takeover of Cobra Kai—more on that later—becoming the reigning dojo in the valley. Since Silver took Daniel under his wing only to physically abuse him in the third Karate Kid movie, Daniel has always surveyed the elder with distrust. Silver is now in charge of Cobra Kai and back to his crooked ways, and Daniel is dedicated to taking him down. Miyagi-Do and Daniel’s journey this season will likely be defined by this rivalry, especially as Daniel has enlisted his old Karate Kid II rival, Chozen (Yuji Okumoto). 

Tory Nichols vs. Sam LaRusso

In the original Karate Kid film, Daniel LaRusso was the working class kid facing down the rich, privileged kids at his new school in Reseda. Since its first season, Cobra Kai has switched that up. LaRusso is now a wealthy businessman. His eldest daughter, Sam (Mary Mouser), is the one carrying on the traditions of Miyagi-Do, but her competitive nature and lack of self-awareness make her one of the show’s most complicated characters. Her rivalry with Tory Nichols (Peyton List) is something we hope to see resolved this season, as Sam has never considered the reality of Tory’s life as a poverty stricken caregiver. Sam is desperate to fight after losing the All Valley Tournament last season. 

Tory is always trying her best to be a good person. And after seeing Terry Silver doing some dodgy dealings, she may have realized her win wasn’t about her talent. We’d love to see Tory finally join Miyagi-Do this season, but it won’t happen until she’s finally worked things out with Sam. 

Miguel Diaz vs. Robby Keene

One of the original Cobra Kai rivalries, this began as so many teen rivalries do with a love triangle. The real reason this got to the point that it did though is due to the tragic high school fight that saw Miguel get severely injured by Robby. Though that was an accident, both their terrible father figures—Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence—just made things worse. Both boys have essentially been abandoned throughout the show, with season four seeing Robby become a vital member of the ever-more brutal Cobra Kai and Miguel head off to Mexico. The latter’s search for his father must end quickly as a recent trailer showed the two battling again. We hope that season five will see them overcome their differences, but we wouldn’t bet on it. 

Kenny Payne vs. Anthony LaRusso

A key player in season four, Kenny continues the series tradition of subverting our expectations of who is the “good guy.” While Kenny is currently in Cobra Kai 2.0, he only joined due to brutal bullying at the hands of Daniel’s son, Anthony LaRusso, and his friends. Kenny is a sweet kid who just wanted to make friends at school, but instead Anthony mercilessly picked on him, even catfishing him by pretending to be a girl from school. Kenny’s journey to Cobra Kai is one that came from self-preservation and from Robby’s hope to make a positive difference. Alas despite Robby’s prison friendship with Kenny’s brother, he was unable to keep Kenny out of Silver’s grasp. With Kenny now a diehard member of Cobra Kai, his rivalry with Anthony will only get bigger this season. The real question, though, is when will Kenny realize Silver’s the bad guy?

John Kreese vs. Terry Silver

This is going to be a big one. John Kreese long seemed like the main antagonist of Cobra Kai, but season four changed that. Reintroducing Terry Silver was a dynamite move that upped the stakes. Now that Terry has stolen Cobra Kai from under his friend’s nose, the old Vietnam buddies are going to be out for blood. Kreese has struggled to make a life without Cobra Kai so he’s going to take this slight extra personally, especially as he was the one who reached out to Silver to help him recreate the dojo’s glory days. Now Silver is planning to franchise Cobra Kai dojos and manipulate young people into his dangerous and violent vision for karate. 

Johnny Lawrence vs. John Kreese 

With the Terry Silver of it all, it’s easy to forget that John Kreese was the original one who took over the newly opened Cobra Kai. It was Johnny who resurrected it—for better or worse—and reignited the valley’s most dangerous karate rivalry. Now with Terry in charge and Johnny and Daniel teaming up, it seems likely that the former will have to face down his old mentor. The show has been hinting at a Kreese redemption arc for a while, but before that happens we’re sure that his and Johnny’s rivalry will get more heated than ever. 

Cobra Kai 2.0 vs. Everyone

This is the big one for season five. Now that Cobra Kai is under the control of Terry Silver, a man who we know has no qualms about hurting kids, things are about to get heavy. But the good news is we last left Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang teaming up in the wake of Cobra Kai’s victory. This means that we’re basically going to see both of the original teams go up against Silver’s new streamlined badasses. Those teams and alliances have changed throughout the series and we can expect to see the same this season. With Tory and Robbie potentially embracing redemption this season it’ll be interesting to see where the fate of Cobra Kai lands once the truth about Terry Silver comes out. 

Cobra Kai season five will hit Netflix on September 9.

Featured Image: Netflix

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Right now, streaming services are being handed out like Oprah used to hand out cars to her audience on her show. “You get a streamer! And YOU get a streamer! Everybody gets a streamer!” Well, this piece of news isn’t quite that. Although it may seem to be on the surface. According to a report coming from The New York Times (via Slashfilm) big box store giant Walmart is looking to get in on the streaming world too. But not with a new streaming service of their own exactly. Instead, they’re looking to partner with an existing streamer, via their app, Walmart+. And it seems that streamer might be Paramount+. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Walmart+ subscribers will gain access to Paramount+. Interesting.

Walmart+ offers customers perks like free shipping, product discounts, and even free grocery delivery. But to enhance the deal for their customer base, Walmart is trying to find a major streaming service to partner with, in order to sweeten the stew, so to speak. This is similar to how Prime Video comes with an Amazon Prime subscription. But the question now is, which streaming service will land the gig? Now, with this deal with Paramount+, it wouldn’t make much sense to go with someone else.

At first, the obvious choice for a bundle like this was perhaps Disney+. However, a streamer like Paramount+ can really use the boost that something like a Walmart partnership will provide. Not to mention access to millions more homes. And, it would keep their stock prices high. But for all we know, there could be some weird curveball and they partner with Netflix, which is going through rough financial times at the moment. Nevertheless, a streamer you probably use right now might soon become part of the place you go to buy your common household items.

Originally published on August 9, 2022.

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Our favorite adopted family of superpowered children are back! No silly, not the X-Men—though Charles and his kids were a big inspiration—we’re talking about Umbrella Academy. The third season of The Umbrella Academy is here! Fans of both the show and the comics have highly-anticipated this. Why? Well, not only do we return to the world of the Hargreeves but we learn a lot more about the mysterious Sparrow Academy. It’s something the comics have teased but never expanded on, so this is one of those magical moments where the comics and adaptations align to surprise and delight. 

If you need a refresher on The Umbrella Academy season two’s finale, we’ll start with that so beware of spoilers.

What Happened at the End of The Umbrella Academy Season Two?

After a predominantly ’60s-set second season, The Umbrella Academy ended back in the modern day. It seemed like the plan had worked and the crew had averted the apocalypse. Alas, as they headed back to Hargreeves’ mansion they realized something was amiss. Not only was Reginald Hargreeves alive in this timeline’s version of 2019, but he called their old home Sparrow Academy and then a series of shadowy figures appeared. It was a shocking reveal that suggested our dysfunctional heroes either changed time or ended up in a different version of their reality. But to Umbrella Academy fans it also hinted at the arrival of a series of new characters that were teased in the 2018 return to the comic, “Hotel Oblivion.” The Umbrella Academy‘s Sparrows have arrived.

Who Are the Sparrows in The Umbrella Academy Comics?

We first meet a Sparrow in the pages of issue #5 of Hotel Oblivion. The long-awaited third volume of The Umbrella Academy series came out in 2018, nine years after the end of volume two. As Mom and Vanya go on a tour of the latter’s childhood misadventures, a young woman in a red domino mask and jacket approaches them. It’s a very similar look to the Hargreeves children’s old uniform, but instead of an Umbrella logo on her collar, she wears a Sparrow. Her arrival allows Vanya to walk again, and they begin a journey across the world. In issue six of the Umbrella Academy comic we find the pair in Norway, where the Sparrow claims Vanya will find home and family. Eventually, they end up at a secret hideout where they find Mom, who introduces the woman as Clara.

Clara isn’t the only named member that we get as the final page sees the mysterious group head to help out the Umbrella Academy. On the final page, we see them arrive with Luther, a.k.a. Number One, asking who they are. In return, the red-suited leader—who shares more than a passing resemblance to him—states, “I’m Number One.” It’s a shocking moment that hints at another group of superpowered heroes that echo the Umbrella Academy. While in the comics we didn’t learn the rest of the Sparrow team’s names, we do get a glimpse of them. There’s a tall blonde woman, a member of the team who wears blue and shoots a black power beam out of their face, a black-haired woman in dark sunglasses who can levitate, someone who can turn into a murder of crows, a disfigured character who can psychically inflict pain, and a green cube.

Are the Sparrows in the New Umbrella Academy Series?

Yes! That’s why we’ve been diving deep into their comic book history. When Netflix announced the team’s arrival, the comic book fans were extremely excited. While co-creator Gerard Way had announced that “Sparrow Academy” would be the fourth volume of The Umbrella Academy series, readers had been left with an epic cliffhanger and no sign of the next volume. So it looks like The Umbrella Academy season three will continue where Hotel Oblivion left off and bring us the Sparrows. It takes the Sparrows and expands their story. And also plays with some other key plotlines from the third volume of the comics.

How Are the Sparrows Different? What Is Sparrow Academy?

In the comics Sparrow Academy is in a strange mountain hideaway in Norway. We quickly learn that in the world of the Netflix show they live as famous heroes in what seems to be New York. Their academy works more like when Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters moved to Central Park. Fans and New Yorkers know about the presence of the Sparrows. In fact, Sparrow fans often head to their fancy city base to watch them train. It’s miles away from the secretive adulthood of the failed superheroes of the Umbrella Academy. Another thing that we know about the organization from the comics is that Mom is involved and has known about the team for a while. That appears to be the case here too, though this Mom doesn’t recognize her children. 

Another interesting diversion—though it’s more of an extension of the story—is the Sparrows themselves. In the comics we never knew most of their names and definitely didn’t learn their strange backstory like we do here. As Klaus quickly finds out, after the Umbrella Academy went to him for help in the ’60s during season two, Reginald Hargreeves decided his children were failures. So on that fateful night when the superpowered children were born… he adopted different ones.

No. 1: Marcus

This is the character we meet in the final pages of Hotel Oblivion #7. As No. 1, he’s the de facto leader of the crew. In the first episode we see that he’s immensely strong and easily defeats Luther, his powers are super strength, speed, and also levitation. He’s also a peacemaker. We get to see that in play when he meets Viktor to try to solve things. Sadly for Marcus, his time on this Earth is not long and in one of the few really disappointing choices this season he doesn’t survive past the first episode. Hopefully he’ll get to live longer in the comics.

No. 2: Ben

In one of the most shocking reveals, Ben is also a member of the Sparrows. This is extremely unsettling as the Umbrella Academy’s Ben died before the show ever started. Though he has played a vital part in the series as a ghost, this is a nice way to bring him back into the fold. It’s a shame that this Ben is a jerk! With his higher number ranking, up four places from No. 6 to No. 2, it’s clear Reginald realized his past mistakes. But here Ben is an aggressive, forceful type, using his eldritch powers to subjugate others. It’s not the Ben we know and love. But the Umbrella Academy still seem really happy to see him anyway.

No. 3: Fei

The third member of the Sparrows is Fei. With her cool sunglasses and epic fighting skills, she appeared to be the member from the comics who can levitate. But as we soon learn she seems to be an amalgam of that Sparrow and the one who can turn into a murder of crows. Fei sees through her crows and can control them, using them to spy on her enemies. She also seems to be one of the leaders of the group despite her third place ranking. 

No. 4: Alphonso

The disfigured character from the comics comes to life here as Alphonso. His powers mean that his body mass is incredibly dense, causing massive pain when people attack or hit him. He’s close to Jayme and seems to be one of the more antagonistic of the Sparrows. His relationship with Reginald Hargreeves is near to non-existent and his No. 4 ranking seems appropriate to where he stands on the power rankings. Saying that, he’s definitely not happy with the arrival of the Umbrella Academy and wants them gone sooner rather than later.

No. 5: Sloane

One of the most interesting Sparrow powers belongs to Sloane, who can control gravity. Her powers allow her to manipulate gravity, enabling her to float, crush things, and lift things up easily. All of that absolutely undersells her powers, but she’s really mighty. Sloane also happens to be the most kind and open of the Sparrows, and would rather befriend the Umbrellas than battle.

No. 6: Jayme

Before the show came out, we had a theory that Jayme could be the character from the comics who we see shoot a large black beam out of their face. While that is not entirely the case, she does shoot some pretty nasty dark matter out of her mouth. Yep, Jayme’s powers are not unlike the Dilophosaurus from Jurassic Park. She spits a black acidic liquid, but rather than kill its victim, it makes them hallucinate. We got to see this in very fun fashion when Diego gets hit and imagines the two teams having a dance off to Footloose. Thanks for the musical number, Jayme.

No. 7: Existential Dread Inducing Psykronium Cube/Christopher

The one other character we definitely met in the comics aside from No. 1 is Christopher. And who doesn’t love an “Existential Dread Inducing Psykronium Cube”? While not much was known about him in the comics, the first two episodes set Christopher up as a beloved member of the Sparrows. He communicates with his family through a strange language and they obviously respect him. He’s also pretty useful in a fight as the Umbrella Academy quickly discovers. 

What Can We Expect From the Sparrows in the Rest of Season Three of The Umbrella Academy?

Lots of the show’s trademark family drama for one thing. The heart of The Umbrella Academy is the dysfunctional collection of siblings at its core. And season two set up a whole new group of kids fighting for Hargreeves’ love and attention. Speaking of which, we now have an alive Hargreeves in the present who apparently expected his other family to come and find him. So we can expect things to get messy, especially as Ben is a key member of both groups but only lives in the 2019 timeline, which will likely cause some serious heartbreak for the Umbrella Academy. So basically the Sparrows are going to probably end up as allies and antagonists in season three of The Umbrella Academy.

Originally published on April 13, 2022.

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Episode Three of The Umbrella Academy season three establishes two key things: 1) The Sparrows are disposable. It’s a disappointing—though not wholly unexpected—turn of events for the new Hargreaves family. Ever since Marcus’ death at the end of episode one, we’d been wondering if the rest of the team would meet the same fate; the deaths of Jayme and Alphonso begins to confirm that. 2) Harlan returns to The Umbrella Academy, he’s all grown up with very strong powers, and he’s come to find Viktor.

Speaking of those immense powers, they’re what help the Umbrella Academy survive their superpowered siblings’ attack. It’s a huge moment for both teams, but for Viktor it’s a paradigm shift, as he thought he’d lost Harlan and Sissy forever. So let’s dig into who Harlan is, why his return to The Umbrella Academy matters, and what it all means. 

Who Is Harlan?

If you’ve watched season two of The Umbrella Academy, you’ll remember Harlan as Sissy’s non-verbal autistic son. When Viktor was taken in by the family, the pair soon grew close. After Harlan drowned in a lake, a devastated Viktor brought him back to life using his powers. Soon afterwards, Harlan began to display his own special skills. But they were far too much for the child and eventually Viktor had to take them away. As Harlan’s last scenes in season two hinted, that didn’t stick. And in modern day, those powers are more dangerous and terrifying than ever.

What Does Harlan Want From Viktor?

In an upsetting turn of events, we learn that the plan to keep Harlan safe by removing Viktor from his life backfired. Instead, it left Sissy alone with her overpowered son. Through a series of flashbacks we see that as he grew up the pair had to move around constantly so he wouldn’t be discovered. In what’s only been a few days for Viktor, Harlan has lived an entire life and even lost Sissy. Sadly, the woman Viktor loves died of cancer in Oakland during the ’80s. Harlan moves on with his life and eventually starts to go by Lester Pocket. And, of course, Harlan is the old man that we see very early in the season who is listening to music.

Through his ever-growing powers, Harlan learned to sense other powered people. It’s how he located Viktor, and what leads to one of this season’s biggest and most shocking twists. Understandably, Harlan is there seeking Viktor’s help to get rid of his powers. But there’s another far darker truth that only comes out after Harlan stumbles on to Klaus’ newspaper clippings about the Academy’s murdered mothers. It turns out that Harlan losing him mom is what sparked the Umbrella Academy mom killings. 

How Does Harlan’s Return Affect Season Three of The Umbrella Academy? 

Well, that’s the biggest question and it’s answered in episode four. After the death of his mother, Harlan’s powers went into overdrive and he managed to psychically connect with and kill the mothers of the Umbrella Academy. It’s the inciting incident that sparked the Grandfather Paradox and the Kugelblitz. Basically, Viktor’s right when he says “you caused all of this.” 

So why did Harlan do what he did? And how did it cause the Kugelblitz? After years of waiting for Viktor to return, on the day his mother died, Harlan felt Viktor’s presence again. But what he was actually feeling was the mothers of the Academy kids and their quickly growing powered children. In that moment of connection, the women all died. It was, as Harlan explained to Viktor, an accident. Without Viktor alive in that timeline to give Harlan his powers, Harlan created the Grandfather Paradox.

But despite the whole end of the universe thing, the most damaging impact Harlan has is arguably the one his past—and Viktor’s choice to protect it—has on the Hargreeves siblings.

Does Harlan Die in The Umbrella Academy Season Three? 

The Umbrellas want to give Harlan over to the Sparrows in order to speed up their fight against the Kugelblitz. But Allison helps Viktor sneak him out of the Hotel Obsidian and to safety. Once there, Viktor and Harlan work together to transfer the latter’s power back where they belong, and they achieve their goal. But as Viktor recovers, Harlan reveals the truth of what he did to Allison, assuming she already knew. In her anger and pain Allison kills Harlan and then turns his body over to the Sparrows. Allison’s journey this season has been a tragic one and this act sends her on an even lonelier path. Harlan’s murder does help the Umbrellas and the Sparrows join forces to end the Kugelblitz. But Allison’s actions create a rift between her and her brother that seems insurmountable. 

Why Did Allison Kill Harlan and Give Him to the Sparrows?

After years of being the kind, caring, and forgiving sibling, Allison finally loses her patience. The loss of her daughter Claire in this timeline is too overwhelming. And while we cannot condone her use of powers against Luther—or you know, murder—Allison’s anger against Viktor isn’t unfounded. Throughout the three seasons we’ve seen Allison put her own sadness, emotion, and happiness aside time and time again for the sake of the universe and/or Viktor. And in this moment though she’s acting on hurt, she’s also doing what she believes is right for the family, allowing them to align with the Sparrows.

It feels like there’s a version of events here where if Viktor had told Allison the truth, Harlan could have survived and they could have worked together to end the Kugelblitz. But Viktor put his love for Sissy and Harlan’s safety above his relationship with Allison and the other Hargreeves’ kids.

Will Allison and Viktor Reconcile in The Umbrella Academy? 

While the ninth episode seemed to hint at a happy ending for the two, Allison had her own ulterior motivations that saw her making a deal with the devil. That terrible choice created a bodycount that Allison will likely not be able to outrun. Despite a last minute change of heart, this will surely make it harder than ever for Allison and Viktor to reconcile. But the team has been through worse, so we’re hopeful. 

The return (and death) of Harlan alongside the fallout between Allison and Viktor has been one of the most heartbreaking arcs we’ve seen yet in The Umbrella Academy. Now we’ll have to wait and hope that The Umbrella Academy gets a season four renewal to see what happens to the estranged Hargreaves siblings.  

Featured Image: Netflix

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The third season of The Umbrella Academy is here! We’ve been awaiting the return of our favorite dysfunctional family for what feels like forever. The new season brings all the drama, trauma, love, hate, and time-traveling action you could want. It also introduces a key new location that may or may not be an infamous and dangerous landmark from the comics. So we’re here to break it all down, talk about Hotel Obsidian and Hotel Oblivion, and what the pair mean for the sassy and sometimes world-saving siblings of The Umbrella Academy.

What Is Hotel Obsidian?

We enter the hallowed halls of the Hotel Obsidian in the first episode of the new Umbrella Academy season. After realizing their father has replaced them with more vicious and obviously superheroic children—meaning they can no longer call Hargreeves Manor their home—Klaus has an idea. Unsurprisingly, the most chaotic member of the family knows a place. Sure, it’s a divey timeless hotel that has weird electronic Xs covering its pillars, but hey it’s cheap! 

The hotel’s ominous vibes and recognizable name had many fans of The Umbrella Academy comics wondering if it could possibly be the strange cosmic trap from the comics known as the Hotel Oblivion… 

What Is Hotel Oblivion From The Umbrella Academy Comics?

Firstly, Hotel Oblivion is the title of the third volume of the Umbrella Academy comics by Gerald Way and Gabriel Ba. But, more importantly in this case, it’s also the name of an actual location. From the very first issue, its terrible purpose is clear. Hotel Oblivion is a cosmic prison that Reginald Hargreeves created in order to contain the villains defeated by his children. The hotel sits at the edge of space and time and seems like another terrible idea courtesy of Hargreeves Sr. And it was. He incarcerated hundreds of powerful villains without any semblance of due process and they’re understandably very, very angry. So when they all team up and inevitably escape, things begin to go wrong. Not least because Hotel Oblivion wasn’t just a prison. 

In fact, in a somehow even worse idea, Hargreeves had used the prisoners as bait for his cosmic trap known as an Abraxan. While it was home to the villains, they were just there to lure an immense tentacled monster. And when the bait left so did the creature. We never get to find out what happened to the hotel’s captive alien in the comics, seeing as the big twist at the end of the seven issue series is the arrival of the Sparrows. And just like the way it treats and expands on the new team, the show shifts some key facts about the Hotel Oblivion. 

Are Hotel Obsidian and Hotel Oblivion the Same Thing in The Umbrella Academy TV Show?

In a shocking twist… Yes, the sleuths out there were absolutely right. By the middle of the season, the true nature of Hotel Obsidian has been revealed: it is in fact Hotel Oblivion. But what does that mean for the UA? And how is it different from the comic book version? Well, as we mentioned, in the world of the TV series it becomes a homestead for the team. It’s something that never happened in the comics, giving it greater resonance and connection to the family. But the bigger differences are when we look at the origins and purpose of Hotel Oblivion in the show. 

The Umbrella Academy and Project Oblivion, Explained

As explained to Five by the alt-timeline version of Pogo, Project Oblivion was the pet project of the Sparrows’ Reginald Hargreeves. In this timeline he wasn’t training his children to be heros but instead to be test subjects. His plan was to send them on a kamikaze mission to “The Other Side.” While that never materialized, with his alt-universe children in his timeline he wants to put his plan back into action. So what is Hotel Oblivion in The Umbrella Academy TV show? Instead of a cosmic prison, Hargreeves created a portal to another universe. It’s guarded by a terrible creature that the children must defeat in order to get to “The Other Side.” Thanks to the power of democracy, the kids—rightfully—decide not to trust their father. But he’s not one to give up.

In one of the most horrific moments in The Umbrella Academy, Reginald kills his own son Luther—with a creepy alien arm—to manipulate his other children to do his bidding and go through to the Hotel Oblivion. Tricking them into thinking it was an attack from The Other Side, they go through. But Reginald only needs seven of them, so he kills Klaus too. Father of the year! And it only gets worse when the true purpose of Hotel Oblivion is revealed. The hotel was just a façade for a machine that would allow Hargreeves to change the universe. But to power it, he needed seven super powered children to sacrifice. He promised Allison that if she helped him he’d get her back to her daughter. Ultimately she got what she wanted, and while she saved her sibling’s lives—including Luther—they paid a price that absolutely no one expected. 

The Fallout From Hotel Oblivion

Yep, once the universes “reset” all of the Umbrella Academy lost their powers. There was another cost too as Sloane was nowhere to be seen, despite the fact Ben was with them. Just like his sometime siblings Ben is now powerless. And there’s something even worse afoot. It looks like Reginald Hargreeves did all of this so he could recreate the universe in his own image.

Everywhere we look there’s Hargreeves name. He’s in charge of financial institutions, skyscrapers, helipads, and he has a woman by his side. Could it be that the reason he wanted to change things was so that he could grow old with the real Grace? We leave the Umbrella Academy powerless, splitting up, and with Hargreeves wielding more power than ever before.

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Forty years ago, movie lovers got the gift of the best summer ever. Picture it: the United States of America, 1982. School’s out for summer. Modern day social media and cell phones do not exist. “I Love Rock and Roll” by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts is a jam. There’s boomboxes on shoulders, Walkmans in ears, and loads of hairspray in very teased hair. People are ready to slip into their colorful Jams shorts and head out to the movies for some entertainment. And while the citizens of 1982 probably didn’t realize it then, they were in for arguably the most iconic slate of summer movies ever.

In fact, its become such an ubiquitous part of pop culture that people are still saying there will never be another lineup like it. That’s exactly why we, the humans of Nerdist (and major movie fans) are doing an entire theme week about Summer of 1982. We want to celebrate this stacked slate of film goodness, which includes Poltergiest, E.T., Friday the 13th Part III, Tron, and many more. While we obviously cannot name and go into a deep discussion of every single movie that came out from May-August 1982, we are singling out a few faves.

Are you ready to take a dive back in time with us? Not yet? We understand. It’s probably been years since you’ve seen some of these films. Or maybe you’re ready to experience them for the first time. There’s no way to capture the magic of seeing them in theaters at the time of release. But you can still nab some of the chills, thrills, and pure joy from the comfort of your own home. Here’s where you can stream our Summer of ’82 picks

Conan the Barbarian – Available with Starz Subscription/Prime Video Rental

Conan the Barbarian stars a young Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular character, a gladiator who seeks vengeance for his parents’ deaths. Long before comic, graphic novel, and magazine strip adaptations were a nearly-guaranteed avenue for success, this film saw decent success. Sadly, it is only available with a Starz subscription or you can rent it via Prime Video.

Annie – Available via Netflix

We all know and love this classic tale. An orphan gets the break of a lifetime, finding familial love with a rich dude. But first she must warm up his cold, wealthy heart. There are countless adaptations of Annie but nothing quite like this film. Fans can relieve Annie’s hard knock life days on Netflix.

Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior – Available via HBO Max

Chaotic dusty apocalypse energy intensifies in this classic sequel. We continue to follow Max as a literal road warrior who gets caught up in mess before heading off to be alone once again. The entire Mad Max franchise is available on HBO Max.

Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid – Available for Rent Via Apple TV+ and Prime Video

We love an unorthodox choice. Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid is a comedy gem starring Steve Martin as a private investigator. The parodies and references to noir and pulp detective films of the 1940s abound in this goofy ride. It is not streaming now but viewers can rent or purchase via Apple TV+ and Prime Video.

Rocky III – Available for Rent/Purchase Via Apple TV+

The quintessential underdog story about a boxer who rises to fame despite all odds takes its hero full circle in this third installment. He gets hit (literally and physically) by life’s toughest opponents and goes on a journey to rediscover the passion and drive that made him the champ. Ya know, the eye of the tiger. Rocky III available for rent or purchase through Apple TV+ in all its ’80s bromance glory.

Poltergeist – Available via HBO Max 

This classic film is woven into our public consciousness, upping the stakes for horror. It taps into a common fear: the idea of evil spirits encroaching on our safe space. (Also, it being based on a true story doesn’t help.) The images of a ghostly white hand reaching from a TV is still ever-so chilling forty years later. It truly knows what scares you. Poltergeist is currently available via HBO Max.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan – Available via Paramount+

The second Star Trek film shows the Enterprise crew coming against Khan, who is a fresh escapee from a lengthy exile. He’s thirsty for revenge with a dangerous tool at his disposal but Kirk and company have their defenses on the ready. Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan is, as all Trek things are, over on Paramount+.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial – Available for Rent on Prime or Apple TV+

Ahh a story about a wrinkled, large-eyed alien who simply wants to phone home. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a classic in every sense of the word, from its imagery (that bicycle flying high in the sky) to its swelling score by the legendary John Williams. The magic and wonder of this film will never, ever get old. It’s not streaming anywhere right now but can be rented or purchased via Prime Video or Apple TV+.

Grease 2 – Available with Starz Subscription

Grease 2 is the sequel that everyone loves with a great twist. The “bad” girl from the Pink Ladies meets the “clean cut” new guy who tries to be more like her. Love ensues and being yourself wins. Grease 2 is available with a Starz subscription, which can unlock it for viewers in Hulu and Prime Video.

Blade Runner – Available via Netflix and HBO Max

Deckard (played by a young and ambitious Harrison Ford) continues to hunt Replicants under the thumb of the police boss. It’s usual business for him… until he meets Rachel, a Replicant, and falls in love. We love an enemies-to-friends kinda plot with a (then) futuristic outlook on the world. Blade Runner is on Netflix and HBO Max for everyone’s streaming pleasure.

The Thing – Rent or Purchase via Apple TV+ and Prime Video

The Thing is the stuff of remote nightmares. An unknown alien force creeps its way into a research group, causing discord among the crew. Paranoia and infighting abound as they eyeball each other, wondering who is real and who is… the thing. This nihilistic film didn’t get a lot of love back in 1982 but now it boasts a cult following and gets its respect. Check out The Thing by renting or purchasing it via Apple TV or Prime Video.

The Secret of NIMH – Available via Roku Channel, Pluto TV, and Tubi

The Secret of NIMH may be an animated film but there’s some darkness behind its premise. A mouse’s home is threatened by a farmer’s plowing; however, she cannot leave because her son is ill. She seeks out rats who have gone through science experiments to use their smarts to help her. But things go awry and her mission is in jeopardy… until her son Timmy shows his bravery. The film is available via several platforms including The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, and Tubi.

TRON – Available via Disney+

A computer engineer finds out an executive is stealing his work, so he hacks the system and gets far more than he bargained for. BOOM, he’s into a digital world where he rises as a fighter for oppression. Tron is a legendary film, paving the way for CGI, inspiring a franchise, and still holding its weight as an all-around action spectacle. TRON is available on Disney+.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High – Available via Peacock

Who doesn’t love a quintessential coming-of-age story? The life and times of a slew of Ridgemont High students navigating sex, drugs, and partying during this rad era. It’s a perfect time capsule with a ton of familiar faces, comedy, and heart. Fast Times at Ridgemont High is streaming on Peacock.

Friday the 13th Part III – Available for Rent/Purchase on Apple TV+ or Prime Video

You can’t keep a good camp killer down. Part III is a pivotal installment in the long (and at times exhausting) Friday the 13th franchise. This is the film where Jason Voorhees cements himself among the horror villain elite. He discovers his infamous hockey mask and gets really, really violent. Rent or purchase this film on Apple TV+ or Prime Video. Or, if you have AMC+, you can watch it there!

The Beastmaster – Available via Prime Video

It is quite mind boggling that Conan the Barbarian and The Beastmaster came out in the same summer. You’d think one of them was copying the other’s paper but that’s not the case. It’s just a double dose of ancient warrior weirdness as a hero goes against an evil, powerful dude. This time, though, the hero’s telepathic connection to animals is helpful. Good times. The Beastmaster is currently available on Prime Video.

Halloween III: Season of the Witch – Available via Peacock or Tubi

If ever there were a Halloween film that evokes a strong visceral reaction, this one is it. The fans who like it stand ten toes behind it. And those that don’t… well, they have some choice words for sure. Halloween III is quite the odd addition to relatively new (at the time) franchise, leaving Mike Myers behinds completely for a witchy theme. Honestly, it is easier to digest (and perhaps enjoy) if you just pretend that it is its own thing. It is available through Peacock and Tubi.

So catch up and relive all the 1982 summer movie glory! We can’t wait for you to see what we have in store for our Summer of 1982 celebration. 

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Disney+ certainly kicked off 2022 with quite a bang. In March, within the span of a week, the streaming company announced a few major updates. First, Disney+ launched parental controls, which coincided with its grislier Marvel slate of TV shows arriving from their previous streaming home at Netflix. (These shows include Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and The Punisher.) And then it revealed plans to launch an ad-supported subscription tier, which arrives in the US later in 2022 and globally in 2023. While there are still a lot of details under wraps—including price point—it sounds as though Disney is already setting some stark parameters on the kinds of ads they’ll accept on their platform.

How Disney+ Plans to Use Ads

According to Variety, the Disney+ ad-supported tier won’t feature a deluge of 30-second spots throughout an episode. The company is allegedly aiming to limit ads to four minutes for its hour-long or less content. This is actually a pretty contained model and would likely break down to something reasonable enough. It’s also a stark contrast to Hulu’s ad-supported model which has historically featured a whole lot of (very loud) ads.

Additionally, it seems the company plans to forgo ads altogether on profiles suggesting a kid is watching. Considering Disney+ does have a separate base profile setting for kids, it makes sense to scrap ads for kids while their parents’ profile still features ad breaks. Limiting ads to the adult—or at least not young child—profiles would also limit the headache of having to specifically cater age-appropriate ads to young eyes.

However, for all profiles, Disney+ will not accept ads featuring politics or alcohol. Variety cites this as keeping the platform more family-friendly, but the company is probably trying to avoid controversy by completely rejecting political ads. Additionally, ads from rival studios and platforms are also barred from airing on Disney+. This means we won’t be seeing a sweeping Star Trek: Strange New Worlds TV spot while watching The Mandalorian season three. It makes sense that the company is limiting the competition from its ads, of course. Plus, Disney owns so many properties, there’s an endless amount of in-house content to promote.

Disney+’s Ad-Supported Tier’s Cost

In its March 2022 press release, Disney didn’t share how much the new ad-supported tier will cost. But it noted the price is lower. Disney+ currently costs $7.99 per month or $80 for an annual subscription. The specific timing of release and the cost will likely be forthcoming in the next several months. In the press release, Kareem Daniel, Chairman, Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution, called the new tier a “win for everyone.” Specifically, he mentions the Disney+ ad-supported tier’s ability to help the platform reach a broader audience.

He said, “Expanding access to Disney+ to a broader audience at a lower price point is a win for everyone – consumers, advertisers, and our storytellers. More consumers will be able to access our amazing content. Advertisers will be able to reach a wider audience, and our storytellers will be able to share their incredible work with more fans and families.”

It’s also part of the company’s ambitious growth plan. The press release also notes that Disney sees the new tier as a way to reach its next Disney+ subscriber benchmark. It’s a lofty 230-260 million subscribers by the end of the 2024 fiscal year. (The fiscal year ends on June 30, 2024.) Disney+ ended 2021 with 130 million subscribers worldwide. So they’re about halfway there. 

It certainly makes sense that Disney+ would eventually launch an ad-supported tier. But does this mean we’re also in for a price increase on the ad-free front? 

Disney+ as the Flagship Streaming Platform

Disney currently owns and operates a trio of streaming platforms: Hulu, ESPN+, and Disney+. While the youngest in the mix, it certainly looks like the company sees Disney+ as their flagship platform. 

Between the parental controls and this new tier, I can’t help but wonder if this is a giant push for Disney+ to become more central and self-sufficient. Or at least market it as a more specific kind of content hub. Of course, Disney+ didn’t need parental controls at launch as it boasted largely family-friendly content. But as license agreements with other streaming platforms expire, its own library, especially its titles with more mature content, are arriving in full force. At one point, it seemed like it’s grittier or more risqué material—or whatever the company deems so—would’ve shifted to Hulu. (That’s what happened with Love, Victor. Not to mention the curious cancellation of the Lizzie McGuire reboot over mature content.) But now everything can remain in the Disney+ ecosystem.

As Disney+ makes moves, we’ll be on the lookout for new pricing and an ad-supported Disney+ tier launch date.

Originally published on March 4, 2022.

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WarnerMedia and Discovery’s merger is officially a done deal. But as Q1 marked WarnerMedia and AT&T’s final months together, the earnings report included WarnerMedia’s portfolio. (This includes HBO Max and the ill-fated CNN+.) Stankey noted that WarnerMedia deeply thought about how to manage password sharing when developing HBO Max. Specifically, it wanted to give users “flexibility” without it sinking into abuse territory.

“We were thoughtful about how we built the product and that we gave customers enough flexibility but we don’t want to see rampant abuse,” Stankey said, according to Deadline. He added that HBO Max states its terms and conditions in the user agreement and the company is enforcing those standards. “We actively in any given month are looking at how many users are using the product… I think that’s the right way for the industry to be managed and I think maybe some are going to adjust practices over time.”

The words are particularly pointed given their timing. Just this week, Netflix shared that 100 million users are streaming programming without paying for it. The company has already launched a pilot program to crack down on password sharing in Costa Rica, Peru, and Chile. And the program in one form or another will likely go global in the next year or so. 

Starkey certainly has reason to feel pretty good about HBO Max, given he’s no longer responsible for the streaming service. The AT&T Q1 report saw HBO and HBO Max climb to nearly 77 million subscribers globally, an increase of 12.8 million, year over year. AT&T exits the fray as HBO Max looks to expand in other global territories.

But that’s not to say the former WarnerMedia is exclusively thriving in the streaming space. HBO and HBO Max is home to a whole lot of prestige content—and some highly-anticipated shows still on the way. But the HBO Max app is famously glitchy. It has crashed during at least a few high-profile season finales. The interface also doesn’t feel very user-friendly. And that’s to say nothing about CNN+. On April 21, Warner Bros. Discovery announced that CNN+ will shutter on April 30—just one month after its launch. (For reference, Quibi folded after seven months.) The news arrived just a week after reports indicated the streaming service boasted just 10,000 daily users.

Still, Warner Bros. Discovery will have to iron out its streaming strategy in the near future. In addition to Warner’s HBO Max and CNN+ (RIP), Discovery entered the fold with Discovery+. The company has indicated plans to eventually merge its streaming platforms into one larger content library. Who knows, maybe one day Warner Bros. Discovery will face the same password-sharing woes as Netflix, but Stankey will certainly not be answering for it. 

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Netflix is making a whole lot of moves as of late. First, the streaming platform revealed it would release a staggering 86 or so movies in 2021. Then, it introduced firmer plans to crack down on password sharing. And that’s not to mention a movie category inspired by Saturday Night Live. Now, to better curate our streaming needs, Netflix is adding a new button to better demonstrate viewers’ responses to content. Introducing the Double Thumbs Up button.

Currently, you can respond to Netflix content with two reactions. You can either give content a Thumbs Up to indicate a positive response or a Thumbs Down to suggest a negative reaction. Netflix uses these reactions to better curate a user’s profile. But the streaming platform is hoping to get more specific. Netflix unveiled the new Double Thumbs Up button, which is available now, in a blog post. (We first saw it at The Verge.)

As Christine Doig-Cardet, Netflix’s Director of Product Innovation, explains it:

Our current Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down buttons are a good way for you to tell us how you feel about a series or film, and in return, you get a profile that’s better personalized to your taste. However, we’ve learned over time that these feelings can go beyond a simple like or dislike. Providing an additional way to tell us when you’re really into something means a profile with recommendations that better reflect what you enjoy.

Doig-Cardet adds, for example, that with Bridgerton, if a viewer gives it a Double Thumbs Up, Netflix is more likely to recommend Shondaland shows—and content with actors in Shondaland shows. For instance, we’d imagine telling Netflix we loved Bridgerton will probably mean shows like Scandal, Inventing Anna will show up in the For You queue, as well as Sex Education starring Simone Ashley and Crashing with Jonathan Bailey.

Over the years, Netflix has employed a few different methods to gauge users’ interest in a show. Before the Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down system, which launched in 2017, viewers could rank content out of five stars. (Additionally, an old feature allowed viewers to leave reviews. I miss it if only for the chaotic reviews.)

This certainly sounds like a worthwhile system. But still, while the trio of options is excellent and all, I do wonder when—or if—we’ll get some sort of “Just Okay” or “Shrug” button. Content that’s just okay is a valuable part of the viewing experience. While I await my Shrug button, I am excited to test Double Thumbs Up and see where my queue takes me.

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How Many TV Shows Are Available to Watch Across Streaming and Traditional Television Platforms?

According to Neilsen’s State of Play report, between February 2021 and February 2022, 817,000 individual TV programs became available to choose from. Yes, well over three-quarters of a million TV shows can now be watched on streaming and traditional television platforms. It’s a staggering enough number on its own, but it’s also a gigantic increase from just a few years ago. In December 2019, Nielsen says there were only 646,000 TV shows to choose from. So it’s no wonder we’re overwhelmed. But it’s certainly not stopping viewers from wanting even more.

The Future of Television

Earlier this year, Nielsen reported that Americans watched almost 15 million years–yes you read that right, years—worth of streaming content. And as of February 2022, 65% of people who use streaming services subscribe to 2-4 different platforms. (And 17% subscribe to even more.) But while the conversation around streaming platforms raising prices always raises eyebrows, Nielsen’s report indicates that most American subscribers won’t necessarily change their places because of it. In fact, in a recent survey, 93% of respondents suggested they plan to make no changes or even will increase their streaming service options.

Streaming Television vs. TV Shows on Traditional Platforms

Those of us with iPhones are haunted weekly by our usage notification every Sunday. It’s, quite frankly, a number most of us don’t want to know. Nielsen’s State of Play report is picking up the slack on the TV front. The report says the average adult watches just under five hours of TV every day. (The specific number is four hours and 49 minutes.) And viewers are starting to turn to streaming services over linear programming to get their TV fix.

However, there is one classic pastime driving up linear TV viewership. And shockingly, to me at least, it’s not Jeopardy! With sports back after the COVID-related season cancellations in 2020, live sporting broadcasts made up most of the most-viewed TV shows in the traditional TV format between January and September 2021.

How Do We Handle This Many TV Shows?

It’s wild to see the numbers laid out so plainly. But they make a lot of sense when looking at how many ways we can now access TV. At Nerdist, we spend a lot of time recommending our favorite TV shows to one another, and the number of new streaming services that accompany those recommendations is ever-growing. So it makes sense that across the board, feeling overwhelmed by choosing a TV show isn’t an outlier sentiment. And even more so, that 64% of Nielsen survey respondents would love to see more streaming bundles offered. It’s not only slightly more cost-effective, but it helps on an organizational level as well.

Given the astronomical increase over the last few years, I’m very curious to see how these streaming trends and title numbers continue looking forward—especially as companies merge and shift strategies.

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Grifters. Scammers. Con artists. We call them a variety of things but it usually means one thing: bilking people—good or bad—out of some money. From planning to execution, scamming someone requires a certain calculation. It takes a certain kind of person to pull off a scam. And that’s why we can’t stop watching shows about them. Movies about scams, series about scams, documentaries about scams, scams have taken the streaming world by storm. There’s so much scam content, in fact, people might be wondering, where can you stream all of it?

The Best Scam Series You Can Stream // The Best Scam Documentaries You Can Stream // The Best Scam Movies You Can Stream

From the shows about scam artists to stories where ambition descends into murky territory or actual fraud, every network wants in. These series are only the latest additions to the greater canon of scam content. Here’s a smattering of TV shows, films, and documentaries to fully immerse yourself in all things scam.

The Best Scam Series and Where You Can Stream Them

Inventing Anna (2022)—Available to Watch on Netflix 

When the Anna Delvey story first broke in a 2018 article in New York Magazine, it absolutely exploded, all but guaranteeing we’d one day see Delvey’s—a.k.a. Anna Sorokin—story played out on-screen. In the end, Shondaland scooped up the rights to this scam series and launched it over at Netflix. Over the course of nine episodes, we see Anna—Russian-born but posing as a German heiress—finagle her way through the New York elite, racking up bills for others to pay for. And, of course, soliciting donations and investors for a non-existent arthouse club. Inventing Anna boasts a star-studded cast, with Ozark’s Julia Garner as Delvey, Anna Chlumsky, Arian Moayed, Laverne Cox, and a slew of Shondaland regulars. Watch Inventing Anna on Netflix. 

The Dropout (2022)—Available to Watch on Hulu

Elizabeth Holmes is a name few knew a decade ago. Now she’s infamous. The Dropout, based on the podcast of the same name, stars Amanda Seyfried as Holmes, a one-time Silicon Valley wunderkind whose blood-testing kits were purported to change the world. Except they never worked. This scam-oriented series follows Holmes’ rise and fall—from her dropping out of Stanford at 19 to start Theranos to her and company president Sunny Balwani’s arrests for fraud. Watch The Dropout on Hulu.

WeCrashed (2022)—Available to Watch on Apple TV+

The story of embattled WeWork founder Adam Neumann isn’t exactly a scam story in the traditional sense. (But don’t worry, there are still some dubious financial shenanigans.) But it’s part of the greater pantheon of high-profile start-up leaders whose antics almost bring the whole thing crashing down. And usually find themselves out of a job. Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway star in WeCrashed. The former is the eccentric co-founder of the famed co-working space, while the latter is Rebekah, Adam’s wife—and Gwyneth Paltrow’s cousin—who played a major role in the company. The scam-adjacent series follows WeWork’s founding and meteoric rise to a $47 billion valuation to how the Neumanns nearly brought it all crashing down. Watch WeCrashed on Apple TV+.

Super Pumped (2022)—Available to Watch on ShowTime

The first season in this anthology series is The Battle for Uber. This story, again, isn’t focused on a financial scam as much as it is one of an entrepreneur whose ambitions nearly imploded his company. However, there were reports that Uber engaged in some dubious tax schemes. Based on the book by Mike Isaac, Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber follows the rise and fall of Uber co-founder and CEO Travis Kalanick, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The series follows Kalanick’s rise and fall at Uber—including its tangles with Apple, toxic work environment, allegations of exploiting drivers, and a falling out with a major investor (who later sued the co-founder for fraud.) Watch Super Pumped on Showtime.

The Best Scam Documentaries and Where You Can Stream Them

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)—Available to Watch on Tubi

This scam-related documentary delves into Enron Corporation and a whole lot of financial crimes. Based on the 2001 book of the same name by Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind, the documentary delves into the energy company, which went down in flames the same year after its baffling accounting fraud was exposed. The documentary features interviews with McLean and Elkind, several former Enron employees, and even former governor Gray Davis. It even delves into Enron’s role in the California electricity crisis as a crucial player in creating the energy-supply gap that led to the crisis. It remains one of the most complex white collar crime cases in US history. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room is currently available on Tubi.

The Inventor (2019)—Available to Watch on HBO Max

Since 2018, Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos have been at the center of a book (from the Wall Street Journal reporter who broke the story), a podcast, a TV show based on the podcast, and a documentary. The 2019 documentary about the scam—the second on the list from Alex Gibney after Enron—details the rise and fall of Holmes and her allegedly groundbreaking biotechnology company. It features interviews with everyone from investors to journalists to the company’s whistleblowers, one of whom was the grandson of a prolific major donor. The Inventor is currently streaming on HBO Max.

Fyre and Fyre Fraud (2019)—Available to Watch on Netflix/Hulu

What do Ja Rule, Kendall Jenner, and the Bahamas have in common? Fyre Festival, of course. The ill-fated music festival was so infamous, it was the subject of dueling 2019 documentaries, released within days of one another. Fyre Festival was supposed to be a luxurious music festival—Coachella on a dazzling Bahamian island. However, during its inaugural weekend, the festival more or less collapsed with all allegedly confirmed artists baking out, accommodations reduced to FEMA tents, and the now-iconic boxed cheese sandwich. As these documentaries point out, the scam of a festival was a disaster from the jump, despite its hit rapper as a co-founder and the promotions from the likes of Jenner and Bella Hadid. Co-founder Billy McFarland was later convicted of wire fraud and sentenced to prison.

While co-founder Ja Rule never faced criminal charges, he and McFarland were sued for defrauding ticket holders. Fyre is streaming on Netflix while Fyre Fraud is streaming on Hulu.

Tinder Swindler (2022)—Available to Watch on Netflix

As one of the biggest streaming companies on the globe, Netflix is forever churning out new content. It does so at an incredibly rapid rate, often looking for the next big thing to take social media by storm. Taking viewers’ love of true crime and scams, the streaming platform is full of documentaries of those up to no good. Most recently, there’s Tinder Swindler, in which an alleged con man scammed women he met on a dating app out of millions. The swindler himself, Simon Leviev a.k.a. Shimon Hayut has previously been convicted twice of fraud and is being sued by the actual Levievs, but maintains he is legit and not a known scammer. Tinder Swindler is currently streaming on Netflix.

The Best Scam Movies and Where You Can Stream Them

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)—Available to Watch on HBO Max

The odd couple con man scheme is a popular one in film but Dirty Rotten Scoundrel did it best. (The film, itself a remake of the 1964 film Bedtime Story, was remade into the gender-swapped 2019 film called The Hustle.) Steve Martin and Michael Caine star as a pair of con men, with very different grifter styles, competing to swindle wealthy women out of their money in the French Riviera. The two pull their cons while a mysterious grifter, called The Jackal, looms in the background. This scam-oriented movie is obviously a whole lot of fun and in addition to Martin and Caine, the late Glenne Headly is simply brilliant in it. Watch Dirty Rotten Scoundrels on HBO Max.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)—Available to Watch on Paramount+

A cat and mouse game between con artist Leonardo DiCaprio and federal agent Tom Hanks, this movie is early 2000s perfection. DiCaprio stars as Frank Abagnale Jr. a con artist in his late teens who allegedly pulls off posing as everything from a doctor to Pan Am pilot. All the while, Hanks’ FBI agent is on the case. Whether Frank Abagnale Jr. actually pulled off the schemes he purports to in the autobiography the movie is based on is up for debate. But still, this movie is so much fun and boasts an excellent supporting cast that it doesn’t even matter. (Although, lying about your cons to secure a book deal counts as a con, right?)  Watch Catch Me If You Can on Paramount+.

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)—Available to Watch on ShowTime

Another Leonardo DiCaprio joint, this time with Kyle Chandler on the case. Based on Jordan Belfort’s memoir, the Martin Scorsese movie follows DiCaprio’s Belfort and his brokerage firm as the company committed a litany of scams and financial crimes, including securities fraud and money laundering. The movie is audacious, brash, and features a truly bonkers Jonah Hill as Belfort’s partner, Donnie Azoff. Watch The Wolf of Wall Street on ShowTime.

The Wizard of Lies (2017)—Available to Watch on HBO Max

In the world of modern scammers and grifters, Bernie Madoff is still one of the most notorious names. The financier ran one of the largest Ponzi schemes in US history, worth  a staggering $64.8 billion. He operated it for at least sixteen years before his 2008 arrest. Robert De Niro plays Madoff in Wizard of Lies, with Michelle Pfeiffer as his wife, Ruth. The movie follows Madoff through the mid-2000s until the scandal breaks, when his sons turn him into the FBI, and the fallout of his scams that comes afterwards. Watch it on HBO Max.

I Care a Lot (2020)—Available to Watch on Netflix 

Thanks to the Britney Spears case, more people than ever are vaguely aware of court-appointed guardianships—when they’re necessary and how often they’re abused. I Care a Lot stars Rosamund Pike as a con artist who uses her role as a court-appointed guardian to steal from the elderly people in her care. That is, until she steals from the mom of a gangster, and all hell breaks loose. The black comedy boasts a pretty stacked supporting cast, including Peter Dinklage, Eiza Gonzalez, Chris Messina, and Dianne Wiest. Watch this scam movie on Netflix.

Stream the Scams

It seems like streaming scam content exploded onto the scene in early 2022. Like other trends, we’re sure the glut of scam-related series, movies, and documentaries may die down a little going forward. But it seems like there’s something universally interesting about the scam that keeps viewers captivated. In fact, it seems like almost every streaming platform became involved with the idea of the scam. Whether we’ll see more scam shows, movies, and documentaries on the horizon, it’s hard to say. But for now, we definitely have enough scams to keep us watching for a while.

The Best Scam Series You Can Stream // The Best Scam Documentaries You Can Stream // The Best Scam Movies You Can Stream

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Apple TV+ officially flew past Netflix and Prime Video and walked away with a best picture Oscar for CODA. It is, notably, the first film released by a streaming platform to pick up the Academy Awards’ top prize. And the streaming platform is already seeing a post-Oscars boost. According to Variety, in just the first few days since the 94th Academy Awards ceremony, Apple TV+ viewership has increased by a sizable 25%. As for the film itself, Variety indicates the film’s viewership has increased by a staggering 300%. (We first saw this at IGN.)

While the number is undoubtedly giant, it’s not exactly surprising. The film picked up the award in every category for which it had been nominated. In addition to best picture, writer/director Siân Heder scooped up the best-adapted screenplay. Additionally, Troy Kotsur picked up best supporting actor. Kotsur, who is the second Deaf actor to win an acting Oscar, gave a lovely, truly moving speech which was one of the night’s highlights. Given the acclaim surrounding the movie—including picking up several other major prizes throughout awards season—it’s not surprising that people want to see what the fuss is all about.

Set in coastal Massachusetts, the film follows Ruby, the child of deaf adults (CODA) and the only hearing person in her family, as she chooses between her family’s fishing business and pursuing her passion for music in college. The film stars Emilia Jones, Marlee Matlin, Kotsur, Daniel Durant, Eugenio Derbez, and Ferdia Walsh-Peelo.

Now, it’s hard to say exactly what that means in terms of numbers. Apple TV+ doesn’t release specific data. But still, these percentage increases are pretty sizable. And if the viewers stick around, it could bode very well for the streaming platform. As Variety points out, however, this spike is very soon after the Oscar win. And given that Apple TV+ has a seven-day free trial, the viewers could opt out after checking out the Oscar-winning film. But given its frankly impressive ever-growing catalog, I’m definitely curious to see how the numbers hold. On the TV front alone, Ted Lasso was one of the platform’s first smashing successes. Plus, shows like Severance and The Afterparty continue to drum up acclaim.

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Now, 33% of accounts used in some sort of password sharing scheme—sharing the password, using the shared password, or splitting costs—is no small slouch. But it’s certainly a lot smaller than the 64% of accounts that don’t share their passwords outside of the home. (The remaining 3% accounts for those Netflix plans tied up in bundles.)

These findings arrive just a few weeks after Netflix’s latest bit of password sharing news. The company announced plans to test a price increase for accounts that have users in multiple households. As part of its crackdown, Netflix will offer a way to securely share accounts with multiple households for an added $2.99 fee (A subscriber can add up to two extra members to their accounts.) Alternatively, Netflix will invite users to safely transfer their profiles to a new account as to not mess with their perfectly curated queues. While Netflix is first testing the increase in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru, the price increase could eventually take effect globally.

The streaming platform’s made waves the last few years, announcing plans to cut down on password sharing. In early 2021, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings indicated the company was exploring options that would curb password sharing on accounts with users in multiple households. It was a giant shift from the previous approach, which more or less looked at password sharing as a fact of life. 

As stated above, a third of accounts sharing passwords between multiple households is a sizable enough number. But given the ever-growing slate of must-have streaming platforms—and their ever-rising costs—it’s not necessarily surprising. Most people have a combination of Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max. Plus, the other very popular Apple TV+, Paramount+, and AMC+. And their various bundle options. (Not to mention ShowTime, Starz, ESPN+ and the even more niche Acorn TV and BritBox.) 

This is all to say, streaming costs add up—and fast. Even when subscribing to the lowest tiers and their often astoundingly loud ads. So it doesn’t quite come as a surprise that so many Netflix accounts boast users from multiple households. It’s the most expensive and has well-configured profile settings. I’ll certainly be curious to see how the numbers in consumer studies like this adjust should the password-sharing fee eventually take effect.

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In Moonshot, the age-old tale of boy meets girl gets a sci-fi twist when the girl, Ginny (Emily Rudd), leaves for Mars and the boy, barista Walt (Cole Sprouse), stows away on a spaceship to follow her. It’s a choice that’ll change his life forever but not in the way he expects. See, this isn’t their love story. And that’s where Moonshot really delivers. Although Walt might think that following a girl he’s just met into space is romantic, it’s actually just unhinged. And his one-time customer turned space-crime-accomplice, Sophie (Lana Condor), isn’t afraid to tell him that. But before we get there, the pair will have to go on a charming enemies to lovers journey through deep space. While it might be a little predictable, the brilliant production design, delightful Condor, and goofy Sprouse make it the kind of adventure you’ll want to go on again and again.

Set in a near future world where an Elon Musk style billionaire, Leon Kovi (Zach Braff), has colonized Mars, Moonshot follows Walt. He’s always dreamed of going into space. His job as a barista doesn’t fulfill him and his only friend is his (hilarious) managerial robot boss, Gary. Exploring the inevitable mundanity of the future is always interesting but can focus too much on beige aesthetics and stark sci-fi tropes. Moonshot belies those expectations. It creates a tactile, neon world, joyfully colorful and bright.

After an unexpected night with a stranger, Ginny, Walt concocts a scheme to join her on Mars and uses Sophie to help him do it. Soon, the pair is in space and Sophie must help Walt, lest she catch the blame for his stow-awaying.

Director Chris Winterbauer brings a shimmering magic to the space exploration. Magic that fills us with the childlike wonder that both Walt and Sophie experience. Writer Max Taxe has fun introducing us to two couldn’t-be-less-alike leads. Sprouse’s Walt is goofy to the point of being a himbo, though his classic rom-com lack of integrity means he just misses the himbo mark.

On the other hand, Condor’s Sophie is intelligent, kind, funny, and self-possessed. If you’ve seen To All the Boys I Loved Before then you’ll know Condor is a born leading woman, and she proves that again here. Sophie is the heart of the film, which means Condor’s performance is the most important thing in Moonshot. She carries it throughout with a smile, quip, and infinite charm. It helps that the supporting cast are almost as charming. Michelle Buteau as Captain Tartar gives a performance so good that she demands a spin-off.

Moonshot also feels like a rom-com with a realistic central conflict hidden inside the high concept setup. Sophie has a loving if not overly effusive longterm boyfriend, Calvin (the lovely Mason Gooding), who lives on Mars already and is the reason she’s leaving her beloved home planet, Earth. Her conflicting feelings about embracing security and sticking with the familiar versus wanting to follow her own path are infinitely relatable. And Condor makes them even more so.

It’s also a rather kind movie in that Gooding is never a villain, which makes Sophie’s quest for happiness even harder. Instead, he’s thoughtful, supportive, and charming. But like so many young couples growing into adulthood, their paths have diverged. Honestly the characterizations and setup are so good it almost feels like a shame this wasn’t a miniseries.

Something else Moonshot excels at is making low stakes slice-of-life storytelling engaging. This is a tale about friendship, self-discovery, and family in all its forms, but it’s also about a chill slacker and a straight-A student hanging out on a pretty spaceship! And sometimes that’s all we need. If you’re not a lover of rom-coms this is unlikely to change that, but there are some truly breathtaking moments. Taxe also does a great job subtly challenging some of Walt’s behavior. It’s hardly radical but it’s nice to see the “stalking equals love” trope be called out here. As the film comes to its close, the burgeoning new relationship feels organic and real. In the end, Moonshot wants you to remember the real adventure was the friends you made along the way.

Moonshot lands on HBO Max on March 31.

4/5

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According to Variety, where we first saw the news, a shuffle feature was a much-requested feature. So really, HBO Max is giving the people what they want. Netflix added its own shuffle feature, called Play Something, last year and it is a nice way to get something on the TV without going down the content rabbit hole. A spokesperson told the trade, “With an added element of serendipity, selecting the shuffle button lets you kick your feet up and start watching faster.”

HBO Max has added the shuffle component to 45 shows across its catalog. And it’s a pretty sweet selection. One that spans pretty much every major interest and genre—from animated offerings for kids and adults to reality shows to a good old-fashioned sitcom. But it sounds like there are plans to expand further soon. And with the Discovery merger finalized soon, hopefully, we’ll see some Food Network goods added to the list.

Here’s a full list of the shows with the new shuffle feature, listed in alphabetical order:

A World of Calm; Adventure Time; Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown; Apple & Onion; Chappelle’s Show; Courage the Cowardly Dog; Craig of the Creek; Curb Your Enthusiasm; Ed, Ed and Eddy; ER; Flight of the Conchords; Fresh Prince; Friends; Full House; Great Pottery Throwdown; Hot Ones; How It Really Happened; Impractical Jokers; Key & Peele; Looney Tunes; Martin; Mike & Molly; Regular Show; Reno 911!; Rick & Morty; Robot Chicken; Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!; Selena + Chef; Sesame Street; South Park; Teen Titans Go!; The Amazing World of Gumball; The Big Bang Theory; The Boondocks; The Mentalist; The Middle; The Nanny; The Office (UK); The Shot: Uninterrupted; Tom and Jerry; Total Dramarama; Two and a Half Men; We Bare Bears; Whose Line is it Anyway; Young Sheldon.

There really is a little something for everyone! It appears the shuffle feature is currently available on the HBO Max desktop site. But here’s hoping it expands to the TV apps soon.

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YouTube already hosts many of our favorite viral videos and talk show clips—not to mention bootleg uploads of extremely niche TV shows. (The older the better.) But one of the video platform’s other major perks is its secret cache of free movies available to watch with ads. With so many streaming platforms moving and shaking out there, it’s easy to forget YouTube also has a pretty sweet selection. And now YouTube will add free TV episodes.

YouTube just announced in a blog post that they now have nearly 4,000 episodes of TV to watch for free with ads. (We first saw this at The Verge.) This includes full seasons of several shows. And let me tell you it is a delightfully eclectic catalog. The catalog features classic TV shows, recent cult favorites, and two Gordon Ramsay shows. Plus, a whole lot of other niche programming. Among the noteworthy titles are Scream Queens, the first two seasons of Unsolved Mysteries, and the cult sci-fi series Lexx. YouTube also has Wired, a 2008 limited series starring Jodie Whittaker and Sacha Dhawan. The series sees the Thirteenth Doctor and the Master on-screen together more than decade before Doctor Who.

But YouTube isn’t stopping at its 4,000 TV episodes and 1,500 films. According to the blog post, it’s adding up to 100 titles every week. And viewers can watch via “web browsers, mobile devices, and most connected TVs via the YouTube on TV app.” To go along with its expanded content catalog, YouTube is making some major upgrades.

From the platform:

To enhance the viewing experience, we’re unveiling brand new streamlined navigation and immersive banner art. The rich visuals and new menus will help you more easily find your favorite TV shows from the comfort of the couch, whether you choose to rent, purchase, or watch for free with ads. Many of these titles are also now available in high definition 1080p with 5.1 surround sound audio on supported devices.

The full catalog of free shows is available here.

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