This week saw YouTube TV offering some free streaming gear. Meanwhile, Disney+ shook up its premiere scheduling by focusing on Wednesdays instead of Fridays. Nvidia Shield TV users should be on the lookout for a new Android TV update and the yearlong Apple TV+ free trial will soon see a reduction down to three months.
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.
YouTube TV is Offering Free TiVo Stream 4K and Chromecast Devices
While YouTube TV continues its dispute with Roku, the live TV streamer is apparently making it easier to access its service through other devices. This week, we saw reports of users receiving email offers for a free TiVo Stream 4K or Chromecast with Google TV. The offers carry an expiration date of June 30th.
Learn more about YouTube TV’s new free hardware offer here.
Apple TV+ is Reducing its Trial Period to 90 Days – Here’s How to Get One Year Free Before the Change
Barring some last-minute change of plans, Apple may finally reduce its free trial offer for Apple TV+ from a full year down to three months soon. However, there’s still time to lock in a full 12 months of the company’s paid streaming service.
See all the details on the Apple TV+ free trial offer here.
Latest Android TV Update Arrives on Nvidia’s Shield TV
A new Android TV update is reportedly appearing on Nvidia Shield TV devices starting this week. The changes are similar to recent updates we’ve seen on other Android TV devices, and include a new Discovery tab and more space for content recommendations.
Check out what’s new with Nvidia Shield TV here.
Disney+ Will Release All Original Series Episodes on Wednesdays Now
Disney+ announced a host of schedule changes to upcoming premieres as part of its shift from Friday to Wednesday releases. The recently released Loki made the move from a Friday premiere to Wednesday and has gotten off to a strong start. And it looks like more shows will follow the pattern moving forward.
See all the new premiere dates on Disney+ here.
Hardware Spotlight
A look at the latest streaming and cord-cutting gear
onn. FHD Streaming Stick Review: How Much Can $24.88 Get You?
This week, we reviewed Walmart’s brand-new budget 1080p streaming device, the onn. FHD Streaming Stick. Its rock-bottom price is certainly appealing, but how does it stack up compared to other affordable options? Check out our video review to find out.
Industry Report
What’s the latest on the industry?
Disney+ Will Likely Not Get an Ad-Supported Tier or Combine Disney+, Hulu & ESPN+ Any Time Soon
There’s been speculation about a possible ad-supported tier coming to Disney+, but company execs have downplayed those rumors recently. It looks like those in charge are happy the way things are for the moment, at least in terms of pricing models and the separate structure of the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ streaming services.
Read what Disney+ execs had to say about the service’s future here.
‘Friends’ and ‘Lord of The Rings’ Lead HBO Max’s Most-Watched Titles During First Year
HBO Max certainly had an active first year and we’re learning more about what shows and movies subscribers turned to the most. On the show side, Friends topped the list, but several well-known entries also had a strong showing.
See which titles HBO Max users flocked to during its first year here.
Deal Alert
Save some cash with these current and upcoming deals.
Prime Day 2021 Is Almost Here, But You Don’t Have to Wait
We’re just a few days away from Amazon’s big sales event: Prime Day 2021. And as we near the official kickoff, we’ve been tracking several pre-Prime Day deals covering smart TVs, smart home tech, and more. We also highlighted ways you can build up some in-store credit ahead of the event.
Get the lowdown on Prime Day 2021 here.
And be sure to follow along for the latest deals at our Prime Day 2021 hub here.