Weekend Wrap-Up: Roku’s Big News, Content Deals for Pluto TV and Netflix, and More


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This week, we learned about Roku’s newest software and hardware releases, including a new Streaming Stick. Meanwhile, Disney announced an online event to celebrate Disney+’s second birthday. Also, the Paramount+ bundle with Showtime went live this week, as did Apple’s tvOS 15 software. We also learned about significant content deals for Netflix and Pluto TV.

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 OS 10.5 Highlights Voice Commands, Surround Sound Settings, Live TV on The Roku Channel & More

This week, Roku shared news about its latest updates on both the software and hardware fronts. On the software side, Roku OS 10.5 looks to improve upon last spring’s version 10. This new update includes improved voice support, surround sound options, and the ability to pin The Roku Channel’s live TV guide to your home screen.

Check out Roku’s big software announcements here.

November 12 is Officially ‘Disney+ Day’ in Honor of the Streamer’s Second Birthday

Disney will mark the second birthday of its streaming service with a special event it’s calling Disney+ Day. The streaming event will feature sneak peeks and premieres when it kicks off on Nov. 12th.

Learn more about Disney+ Day here.

The Paramount+ and Showtime Bundle Launches Today (With a Limited Time Deal)

We expected to see a new Paramount+ bundle with Showtime this month, and that’s just what happened. This week, ViacomCBS launched a new bundle pairing two of its paid streaming services with plans starting at $9.99 per month.

Read more about the new bundle offers here.

Netflix Sweeps the Emmys With ‘The Crown’ and ‘Queen’s Gambit’ – Where to Stream all the Winners

Streaming services had a strong showing during the Emmy awards, including Netflix’s record-tying haul. Services like HBO Max and Apple TV+ also came away with trophies this year.

Check out the list of nominees and winners here.

Hardware Spotlight

A look at the latest streaming and cord-cutting gear.

Roku Streaming Stick 4K Adds Dolby Vision, HDR10+ Support — CPU, WiFi Upgrades Also On Board

In addition to Roku’s new software updates, the company is also releasing new hardware, including the Streaming Stick 4K. This new version of the popular form factor includes improved performance and support for Dolby Vision HDR.

Learn more about Roku’s hardware announcements here.

Industry Report

What’s the latest on the industry?

Apple’s SharePlay Feature Reappears in Post-Launch Betas

Apple’s tvOS 15 software update launched this week, so users of eligible Apple TV streaming devices have new features to look forward to if they haven’t updated yet. We also saw evidence that the company’s Watch Party-like SharePlay feature could be released in a future update.

Check out the lastest on Apple’s tvOS 15 and SharePlay here.

Netflix Closes a Deal for ‘Willy Wonka’ Author’s Complete Works

Netflix announced a major content deal for the complete works of author Roald Dahl. That includes well-known titles like Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach. There’s no word yet on specific projects or an overall price tag for the new deal, but we’ll certainly keep an eye out for updates.

Read more about Netflix’s new content deal here.

Pluto TV Will Add Over 450 Hours of Content in Distribution Solutions Deal

Pluto TV also landed a content deal this week, adding more than 450 hours of content via Distribution Solutions. The new options includes kid-friendly content, true-crime docuseries, and more. Users can expect the new titles to land this fall.

Find out more about Pluto TV’s latest additions here.

Deal Alert

Save some cash with these current and upcoming deals.

HBO Max is Offering Existing Customers 40% Off Ad-Free Annual Subscriptions

Current subscribers of HBO Max have the option of signing up for an annual plan at a significant discount. The ad-free plan is available for $109 for a full year, which represents a 40 percent savings over the regular price. You can check out the details and requirements in our full post linked below.

Learn more about HBO Max’s deal here.

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