Author: Jess Barnes

  • ViacomCBS and Cox Sign Distribution Deal Including Networks and Streaming

    ViacomCBS and Cox Sign Distribution Deal Including Networks and Streaming

    ViacomCBS announced this morning a multi-year distribution deal with Cox Communication that will bring ViacomCBS channels and streaming services to Cox customers. The deal includes ViacomCBS’ linear networks including BET, CBS Sports Network, CMT, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, Pop TV, SHOWTIME, Smithsonian Channel, Telefe, TV Land and VH1. Cox customers will also…

  • AT&T Completes DirecTV Spinoff, Will Launch DirecTV Stream

    AT&T Completes DirecTV Spinoff, Will Launch DirecTV Stream

    AT&T has completed the spinoff of DirecTV after announcing a deal with TPG in February that gave the private equity firm 30% of the company, with AT&T holding onto 70%. AT&T will get $7.8 billion in the deal, with $1.8 billion coming from TPG and $5.8 billion from the new DirecTV. Financials of the new…

  • YouTube is Testing a ‘Premium Lite’ Subscription for Ad-Free Viewing

    YouTube is Testing a ‘Premium Lite’ Subscription for Ad-Free Viewing

    Google is testing a new subscription plan that allows users to watch videos without ads, without paying for additional YouTube Premium features. YouTube Premium Lite is being tested in Europe with a price of €6.99/month. The new tier does not include background playback or offline downloads. YouTube Premium with all the bells and whistles costs…

  • What’s Coming to Plex’s Free Streaming Service in August 2021

    What’s Coming to Plex’s Free Streaming Service in August 2021

    Plex is adding to its free streaming lineup in August with 18 new movies, plus a list of titles still available and some you won’t want to miss before they leave Pex. If you’re looking for a laugh, Plex is adding The Naked Gun movies. Musical fans will want to check out Kinky Boots, still…

  • Charter Lost 63,000 Cable Customers in Q2 2021

    Charter Lost 63,000 Cable Customers in Q2 2021

    In its second quarter results for 2021, Charter reported that its residential video customers decreased by 63,000 in the second quarter of 2021, compared to an increase of 102,000 in the second quarter of 2020. Charter currently has 15.4 million residential video customers. The release noted that revenue for video was slightly up due to…

  • Pluto TV is Adding Over 80 Movies in August: Here’s the Full List

    Pluto TV is Adding Over 80 Movies in August: Here’s the Full List

    Pluto TV is wrapping up its Popcorn Summer Movies Marathon with a full slate of new titles being added in August. The free streaming service will be adding over 80 movies later this week, including some repeat titles from last month that will be moved to different channels. Here’s the full list of titles coming…

  • Locast Brings Free, Live Local Channels to Milwaukee

    Locast Brings Free, Live Local Channels to Milwaukee

    Locast expanded to its 36th market today, with its launch in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, TV market, which includes cities from Sheboygan to Kenosha.  The channels available in Milwaukee include WTMJ NBC 4, WISN ABC 12, WDJT CBS 58, WITI FOX 6, PBS, PBS Kids, as well as Telemundo, Antenna, CourtTV, Movies, Azteca, Defy, Mystery, Grit, MeTV,…

  • Amazon Two-Way Video Calling on Fire TV Cube Now Includes Zoom

    Amazon Two-Way Video Calling on Fire TV Cube Now Includes Zoom

    In December, Amazon introduced two way video calling for the Fire TV Cube to any other Alexa-enabled device with a screen. Now, the company has updated the feature and will now allow users to video call with the Zoom app. To access two-way video calling using Zoom, you will need to connect a webcam that…

  • Frndly TV Adds FETV to Its Live TV Streaming Lineup

    Frndly TV Adds FETV to Its Live TV Streaming Lineup

    Frndly TV announced today that FETV (Family Entertainment Television) is joining the streaming service’s channel lineup. Frndly TV now has 20 channels of family friendly content available to subscribers. FETV features classic and inspirational programming made up of sitcoms and dramas including television series from the 1950s through the 1990s. Titles include Perry Mason, Matlock,…

  • Scarlett Johansson Sues Disney Over Disney+ Release of ‘Black Widow’

    Scarlett Johansson Sues Disney Over Disney+ Release of ‘Black Widow’

    Scarlett Johansson has filed a lawsuit against Disney, alleging a breach of contract. The ‘Black Widow’ star claims that her contract guaranteed that the Marvel movie would be released exclusively in theaters, but Disney opted to premiere the film on Disney+ at the same time as the theatrical release. The Wall Street Journal first reported…