This week, Roku and Google finally reached an agreement that keeps YouTube and YouTube TV on Roku’s platform. Paramount+ also launched some very Pluto TV-like live channels on the paid streaming service. We also have a new free streaming platform to discuss and new Fire TV features to explore.
Here’s what happened in the world of cord cutting and streaming.
Breaking News
Here are some of the top streaming stories from the past week.
Roku and Google Have Agreed to Keep YouTube and YouTube TV on Roku
With a deadline looming, Roku and Google have agreed to a new multi-year deal that keeps YouTube and YouTube TV on Roku’s platform.
Read more about Roku’s new deal with Google here.
Fire TV Launches New Features and Experiences
Amazon started rolling out new features and capabilities to select Fire TV devices this week. New options include more smart home controls and an Alexa panel for quicker access to various menus.
Check out the latest Fire TV features here.
10 Houston Stations Launch NextGen TV
In ATSC 3.0 news, several stations in the Houston area have completed the transition to the new standard, otherwise known as NextGen TV. In all, 10 local stations in the area now support the new over-the-air tech.
Learn more about the latest NextGen TV stations here.
Paramount+ Launches Paramount+ Live Channels
Taking inspiration from free streaming service Pluto TV, ViacomCBS has launched new live channel options on its paid streaming service, Paramount+.
Check out the new live channel options here.
Hardware Spotlight
A look at the latest streaming and cord-cutting gear
Toshiba Launches A New Flagship Fire TV
Toshiba announced a new series of high-end Fire TVs in 55-, 65-, and 75-inch models. The M550 series offers 120Hz panels and Auto Low Latency Mode for gamers. The new TVs are starting to roll out this week.
Read more about Toshiba’s latest Fire TV models here.
Picking The Right Fire TV: 5 Current Models Compared
This week, we took a look at the current Fire TV lineup, from budget models on up to the top-of-the-line Fire TV Cube. If you’re trying to make some purchasing decisions during the holidays, hopefully our guide helps!
Learn more about the current Fire TV lineup here.
Industry Report
What’s the latest on the industry?
New Free Streaming Service Globi Launches
Free streaming service Globi launched this week with a selection of foreign films and TV shows. In all, the new service offers more than 500 hours of content, sourced from more than 20 countries.
Check out more about the new free streaming service Globi here.
Disney is Reportedly Phasing Out ‘FX on Hulu’ Name, 2 Years After Introducing It
This week, we learned that Disney is reportedly interested in phasing out its “FX on Hulu” branding just a few years after its introduction. Some view the naming as redundant and/or confusing, so Disney is apparently looking to add a bit more clarity to its streaming lineup.
Check out the latest on Disney’s streaming strategies here.
Deal Alert
Save some cash with these current and upcoming deals.
Frontier Customers Can Save $10 Per Month on YouTube TV
If you’re looking for some discounts on live TV streaming, Frontier is offering a deal on subscriptions to YouTube TV. Frontier Internet customers can save $10 per month for 12 months, which comes out to $54.99 per month.