Forget the Streaming Wars — Pandemic-Stricken 2020 Lifted Netflix and Others

The past 12 months were billed as the year when a flood of new entrants would force streaming services to wage an all-out war for subscribers. Instead, incumbents and rookies alike feasted on a base of shut-in customers eager for more things to watch. From a report: The largest streaming services finished 2020 with combined U.S. subscriber numbers more than 50%…

Discovery To Launch Streaming Service in January Starting at $4.99 Per Month

Discovery is the latest media company to jump into the ever more crowded streaming wars. It will launch its streaming service Discovery+ on Jan. 4, 2021. The service will include a $4.99 per month ad-supported tier and a $6.99 per month ad-free tier. From a report: The lower $4.99 tier costs the same as NBCUniversal-owned Peacock’s premium tier with ads. The…

Google Gives Android TV Developers Instant Apps, Speech-to-Text, and Predictive Typing

An anonymous reader shares a report: Even before the pandemic, the battle to own your living room was reaching a boiling point. Now the big screen is bigger than ever as 2020 accelerates the streaming wars and raises the smart TV platform stakes. Naturally, Google is making every effort to avoid being left behind. Today the company gave Android TV developers…

Billboards Love Streaming Wars Because That’s Where Ads End Up

Streaming services are the hottest thing in entertainment these days. But when it comes to getting the word out about the newest offerings, it’s traditional media that often benefits. From a report: Apple, Disney and other big tech and media giants are increasingly turning to outlets like TV, billboards and newspapers to promote their new online products. Spending on broadcast and…

The Criterion Channel Should Be My Favorite Streaming Platform

It wasn’t so long ago that Netflix’s focus was on developing a curated library of titles rather than its own original, largely episodic content—and the nostalgics among us still pine for those days. With Filmstruck now deceased, the recently-launched Criterion Channel is close to being the ideal streaming platform for…Read more…Source: https://gizmodo.com/the-criterion-channel-should-be-my-favorite-streaming-p-1834150845…