OTT, SVOD, AVOD & FAST Streaming Platform News

Platform strategy now spans four business models at once: OTT, SVOD, AVOD, and FAST. This category covers recommendation engines, content discovery, CTV app experience, player SDKs, and the subscriber engagement data that tells you whether a feature actually worked.

Jun 1•FAST Channels TV: Powering FAST Channels & White Label FAST OTT TV Platforms: FAST Channels TV adds white-label FAST and OTT platform stack
FAST Channels TV offers a white-label streaming platform for content owners, broadcasters, and networks to launch and scale their own branded ad-supported (FAST) and subscription-based OTT services. The platform provides an end-to-end solution including app development for various devices, content ingestion, and a full monetization stack with server-side ad insertion (SSAI). They offer flexible commercial models including revenue share and cost per active user, and provide access to 80+ linear FAST channels and 2,000+ VOD titles for their clients.
Jun 1•Recordoftheday: Vevo adds 10 music video channels to Pluto TV
Vevo has partnered with Pluto TV to make its catalog of music videos available through genre-curated linear channels on the free streaming television service. The first channel, Vevo POP, launched on November 12th, with additional channels, including a holiday-themed one, planned to follow. This partnership expands Vevo's distribution network and Pluto TV's content offering, integrating music videos into a streaming TV setting.
Jun 1•Pressroom: House of the Dragon season 3 lands June 21 on HBO
Warner Bros. Discovery announced that the third season of the HBO Original drama series "House of the Dragon" will premiere on Sunday, June 21, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. The eight-episode season will air weekly on HBO and be available to stream on HBO Max, concluding on August 9.
Jun 1•Substack: Germany plans 8% streamer content investment requirement
This article is a news roundup covering various global developments in the TV, film, and media industry from May 2026. Key highlights include Germany's proposed law requiring streamers to invest in local content, Disney+'s plan to double international originals, CNN's AI copyright lawsuit against Perplexity, and the Tribeca Film Festival selecting its first fully AI-generated feature film. Other topics cover IMAX growth, dismantling of a piracy network, and shifts in late-night television towards the creator economy.
Jun 1•StarTree: Cisco Webex cuts observability latency with Apache Pinot
Cisco Webex has adopted Apache Pinot for real-time observability of its platform, managing over 100TB of daily telemetry data at a velocity of 300k messages per second. Benchmarking showed Apache Pinot provided 5x to 150x faster P99 latencies compared to Elasticsearch, alongside a reduction in storage footprint by nearly an order of magnitude and a decrease in cluster size by over 500 nodes. Webex also developed Apache Pinot datasource plugins for Grafana and Kibana to integrate with existing SRE tools and open-sourced several contributions to the Apache Pinot ecosystem.
Jun 1•Iheartmedia: Netflix adds its first daily live program with The Breakfast Club
iHeartMedia and Netflix are deepening their partnership by launching a daily live video stream of "The Breakfast Club" radio show on Netflix, starting June 1. This marks Netflix's first daily live program and will offer nearly three hours of uninterrupted content with exclusive bonus segments during commercial breaks. The initiative expands on a previous video podcast collaboration between the two companies.
Jun 1•Forbes: Amazon Prime Video reaches 150 million Prime subscribers worldwide
This article analyzes Amazon Prime Video's position in the streaming wars, highlighting its distinct strategy of bundling with Amazon Prime's free shipping to amass over 150 million subscribers worldwide by Q4 2019. It emphasizes that Prime Video operates as a marketing tool for Amazon's broader retail business, rather than requiring standalone profitability like competitors such as Netflix. The article contrasts Amazon's quiet approach with the more visible strategies of Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+, noting Amazon's vast data on consumer shopping habits as a key differentiator.
Jun 1•Evrideo: Evrideo partner program launches FAST channels in hours
Evrideo launched a partner program that enables the rapid deployment of a new channel, such as FAST or linear OTT, within hours. The company highlights its cloud-native infrastructure as key to this quick launch capability.
Jun 1•DIRECTV: DIRECTV flags bill increases starting June 25, 2026
DIRECTV has announced upcoming price changes that may impact customer bills on or after June 25, 2026. Customers are advised to sign in to their accounts for personalized information regarding these increases. The article is a support page notification about future service cost adjustments.
Jun 1•Spotify: Peter Supino dissects Apple’s F1 rights math and UFC pricing
Wolfe Research analyst Peter Supino discusses the evolving sports media landscape, specifically focusing on Apple's investment in Formula 1 (F1) rights and Paramount's acquisition of UFC rights. The podcast episode analyzes the "insider math" behind these significant streaming sports rights deals.
Jun 1•Verizon: Verizon bundles Netflix and HBO Max ad tiers for $13 monthly
Verizon is offering a perk that provides Netflix and HBO Max (With Ads) for $13/month to customers with eligible mobile phone or home internet plans, representing a $6.98/month savings. This offer is available to customers bundling telecommunications services with ad-supported streaming content.
Jun 1•Grass Valley: Enterprise communications teams adopt broadcast-quality live video
This article discusses the increasing trend of enterprise organizations using professional live video for internal communications, virtual events, and engaging with stakeholders. It frames this development as a shift where every organization is effectively becoming a broadcaster. The article highlights the value of high-quality video for building trust and engagement within corporate environments.
Jun 1•Streams Charts: Streams Charts posts live Twitch viewer, channel, and game metrics
Streams Charts provides up-to-date statistics and analytics for Twitch, including viewer counts, channel statistics, and game statistics. The platform offers a summary of Twitch analytics. The linked page itself is a dashboard of current Twitch metrics.
Jun 1•ChinaDailyApp: RedNote wins free 2026 FIFA World Cup streaming rights
Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu (RedNote) has secured the broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making all 104 matches available free of charge through live streams, replays, and highlight clips on its platform. Users will be able to watch via the app, web platform, and mobile screen-casting services. The company plans to leverage its community ecosystem for new interactive formats and immersive content experiences, following significant growth in its football-interest user base.
Jun 1•Loco: Loco adds free live esports streams and replay library
Loco.com offers a free online gaming platform for viewing live streams and exclusive replays of esports content. The platform features various games, including Free Fire, PUBG, BGMI, and GTA V, focusing on competitive gaming action.
Jun 1•Hotstar: Hotstar shuts U.S. service, moves users to Disney Bundle
Hotstar has ceased operations in the US and is now directing subscribers to The Disney Bundle for continued access to content. The Disney Bundle includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, offering live cricket, Indian films, and shows previously available on Hotstar.
Jun 1•Jiostar: JioStar says 40% of JioHotstar watch time now comes from CTV
JioStar Entertainment launched its first-ever Connected TV (CTV) Playbook, developed with Ipsos, to provide insights into India’s premium living room audiences and how brands can leverage CTV advertising. The playbook highlights significant co-viewing (3.1X), 90% affluent audiences, and an 85% surge in watch time on JioHotstar's CTV platform, making CTV 40% of total watch time. It details a R.A.C.E. framework for advertisers to achieve reach, attention, connection, and effectiveness on the platform.
Jun 1•Sky UK: Sky Sports Premier League stream adds La Liga and Eredivisie
The Sky Sports Premier League live stream offers live European football from La Liga and Eredivisie, along with coverage of Home Nations European competitions. This service allows viewers to access live sports content online.
Jun 1•Warner Bros. Discovery: HBO Max highlights Roland-Garros in its live sports lineup
HBO Max is promoting its live sports offering, specifically highlighting the availability of tennis content including action from Roland-Garros. This indicates the platform's focus on integrating live sports into its streaming service.
Jun 1•Nielsen: Nielsen spotlights Black audiences, co-viewing, and streaming measurement
This article from Nielsen's Insights section highlights the company's various reports and articles focusing on audience measurement, media trends, and advertising strategies. Key insights include Black audiences' buying power, co-viewing pilot results, the importance of Nielsen ratings and DMAs, and trends in sports and AANHPI audiences for streaming. The page serves as a hub for Nielsen's analytical content across different facets of media consumption and advertising effectiveness.
Jun 1•Muvi: Muvi One Enterprise SSO centralizes access for OTT teams
Muvi introduces Muvi One Enterprise SSO to simplify authentication and access management for large streaming organizations. This feature aims to centralize access for OTT operations, enhancing security and operational efficiency.
Jun 1•NBC Sports NextPlay: NBC Sports Next launches SportsEngine Play for youth sports streaming
SportsEngine Play is announced as a new streaming destination for live youth sports events, games, and tournaments. The platform aims to provide a centralized location for users to watch youth sports.
Jun 1•Sports Business Journal: The CW adds 800 hours of sports to ESPN Unlimited
The CW has entered a four-year strategic partnership with ESPN to stream over 800 hours of its sports content on the ESPN app's Unlimited tier, beginning this summer. This deal provides a streaming outlet for CW Sports content, including NASCAR, ACC, and WWE NXT events, which previously lacked a dedicated digital home. The CW will retain all advertising sales rights for its sports content on the ESPN app.
Jun 1•GitHub: AskForDax adds AI viewbot detection to Kick stream analytics
AskForDax released `KickStreamAnalytics`, a desktop analytics tool for Kick.com live streamers. The tool features multi-stream monitoring, AI-powered viewbot detection, chat analysis, and comprehensive session reporting without requiring a Kick account or API key. It also includes live notifications, auto-monitoring, and historical data capabilities for Kick streamers.
Jun 1•YouTube: Algorithms replace broadcast schedules in streaming video distribution
This YouTube video discusses the shift from linear TV, characterized by broadcast schedules and advertising constraints, to streaming with its algorithmic distribution and data-driven approaches. The content likely examines how algorithms are reshaping the landscape of video content delivery and consumption, marking a significant evolution from traditional network television models. It positions streaming as a new paradigm for content reach and audience engagement.
Jun 1•RedSquid: RedSquid packages linear TV, streaming, gaming into one branded interface
RedSquid offers operators a white-label solution to present a single, branded experience to consumers. This platform orchestrates linear TV, streaming, cloud gaming, and home services on the biggest screen.
Jun 1•Kenter Tech Hub: Samsung TV Plus reaches 100 million as FAST fills TV budgets
This article discusses the growth of FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) services and mentions Samsung TV Plus's milestone of reaching 100 million users. The text provided is incomplete, making a full analysis difficult.
Jun 1•mediapost: 50+ TV homes over-index for hybrid streaming and linear setups
A report from Advertising Research Foundation’s DASH TV Universe Study indicates that TV households for viewers aged 50 and up are more likely to have both streaming and linear TV platforms than 18-49 households. These "hybrid" households are overrepresented in the population (index 114) for the 50+ demographic, compared to underrepresentation (index 85) for the 18-49 demographic. Approximately 46 million 50+ households (70%) are reachable with linear and streaming ads, with 11 million being linear-exclusive and 10 million streaming-exclusive.
Jun 1•Broadcast: Slawomir Cyra outlines Cyfrowy Polsat’s scripted content needs
Cyfrowy Polsat's programming chief, Slawomir Cyra, outlined the company's international scripted content strategy. The Polish media group aims to expand its original content offerings, specifically mentioning the success of its show 'The Farm'. This discussion previews the company's focus at the upcoming NEM event.
Jun 1•The Economic Times: Jio bundles 15 OTT apps into a Rs 200 pass
Jio has launched a new Rs 200 OTT Pass in India, bundling subscriptions to 15 OTT platforms and over 1,000 live TV channels. The pack also includes 30GB of high-speed data and unlimited 5G connectivity for 28 days. This offering aims to consolidate entertainment and connectivity for users into a single plan.
Jun 1•Sky Sports: Sky Sports Golf adds live streams and video clips online
Sky Sports Golf provides a live stream and video clips for various sports including golf, basketball, cricket, racing, and bowling. The platform allows users to access content from the Sky Sports Golf channel online.
Jun 1•raisely: Five IPTV services expose different engineering tradeoffs in daily use
The article discusses the engineering decisions behind five mainstream IPTV services available in the USA: YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, Sling TV, and Philo. It highlights how specific technical choices within these platforms impact their daily operation and user experience.
Jun 1•ITWeb: SoftMeet Launches Data-Free Live Streaming in South Africa with Telco Partners
SoftMeet is launching a data-free digital ecosystem in South Africa that includes a live streaming platform called SoftMeet Go Live, in partnership with mobile network operators MTN, Vodacom, Telkom, and Cell C. The platform functions on a reverse-billing model, eliminating data costs for users across various services, including educational tools and job listings. This initiative aims to address the high cost of digital access in South Africa, beginning with a 12-month data-free virtual learning intervention in Matlosana targeting 44 schools and 36,000 beneficiaries.
Jun 1•indiantelevision.com: Green Gold Launches Kid-Focused FAST Channel on Samsung TV Plus India
Green Gold Animation launched Green Gold TV, a 24/7 FAST channel with animated content, on Samsung TV Plus in India to target the country's growing connected TV audience. The channel offers curated linear programming, including episodic content and movie premieres, leveraging the momentum of the FAST ecosystem, and will operate without subscriptions.
Jun 1•The Guardian: Arsenal-PSG Final Drew 16.2M Illegal Streams vs. 7M Legal Viewers
An analysis for The Guardian by GCI found 16.2 million illegal streams of the Arsenal-PSG final, significantly higher than the 7 million legal views on TNT Sports and HBO Max. This data highlights a major long-term piracy concern for broadcasters such as TNT and rights owners like UEFA and the Premier League, especially after TNT's decision not to offer free-to-air access.
Jun 1•BGR: Smart TVs Prioritize HDMI Over DisplayPort Due to Licensing Costs
Smart TV manufacturers mainly use HDMI 2.1 over DisplayPort 2.1 for video inputs due to significantly lower licensing costs, despite DisplayPort offering superior bandwidth and refresh rates. HDMI 2.1 is considered sufficient for most consumers given current 4K TV adoption and its ability to deliver uncompressed audio at 4K/120Hz. The high cost of implementing DisplayPort 2.1 and the limited consumer demand for its advanced features on TVs make its widespread adoption unlikely.
Jun 1•Cablefax: Roku Launches NHL Zone, Centralizing Live Games and Content on Platform
Roku has partnered with the NHL to launch "NHL Zone," a new centralized hub on its streaming platform. This hub will feature live national and regional games, scores, highlights, recaps, and NHL FAST channel programming. This initiative follows similar sports hubs created by Roku for the FIFA World Cup and WNBA.
Jun 1•Cablefax: Charlie Ergen Explores LPTV Licenses to Bolster Dish Network Media Assets
Charlie Ergen is exploring the use of low-power TV (LPTV) broadcast licenses to enhance Dish Network's media distribution capabilities. This strategy aims to leverage strategic broadcast channels to extend reach despite technical limitations of the LPTV spectrum.
Jun 1•Advanced Television: EBU, European Athletics Extend Media Rights Partnership Through 2031
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and European Athletics have extended their media rights partnership through 2031, ensuring free-to-air coverage of major athletics events via 30 EBU members. This also involves direct-to-consumer (D2C) streaming on the Eurovision Sport platform and the EBU serving as host broadcaster for many events. The extension covers championships and cross-country events through 2031, building on a partnership that began in 1981.
Jun 1•Advanced Television: Everyone TV: Freely to reach 10.5M UK homes by 2034 as broadband grows
Everyone TV reports that its Freely platform is projected to reach 10.5 million UK homes by 2034, driven by rising broadband adoption. This forecast, from independent analyst 3 Reasons, supports a planned transition from digital terrestrial television (DTT) to internet-delivered TV (IPTV) in the UK market. The data suggests that only 0.8% of UK TV households are expected to lack broadband by 2034, enabling wider adoption of IP-delivered television.
Jun 1•Major League Baseball: DBACKS.TV returns for 2026 at $74.99
MLB.com announced the return of DBACKS.TV for the 2026 season, offering streams of all Arizona Diamondbacks games. The service is presented by Progressive and available at a new low price of $74.99.
Jun 1•MSN: Warner Bros. sells 4,000 hours of reality TV to Little Dot
Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP) has sold over 4,000 hours of reality, dating, and factual entertainment programming to Little Dot Studios. This content, including titles like 'Who Do You Think You Are?', 'The Bachelor', and 'First Dates', will be released on Little Dot's streaming channels. This expands on an existing agreement between the two companies.
Jun 1•BBC: BBC R&D tests interactive moments inside live TV broadcasts
BBC R&D is exploring a method to integrate interactive elements directly into live television broadcasts. This approach aims for seamless interaction that feels like an inherent part of the program, rather than a separate distraction.
Jun 1•Sports Talk Florida: Sports rights costs rise as cable and RSNs collapse
This article discusses the rising costs of sports viewing for consumers due to the decline of cable and regional sports networks. It specifically mentions the uncertainty surrounding local media rights for NBA, NHL, and MLB while also touching upon college media rights through 2030, explaining the pricing models for various streaming services that carry sports content.
Jun 1•The Desk: Fox Weather adds SiriusXM audio simulcast before hurricane season
Fox Weather, a free streaming weather service, will launch an audio simulcast on SiriusXM. This new audio stream will be available to listeners in time for the Atlantic hurricane season.
Jun 1•The Desk: Fox One and Peacock join YouTube Primetime Channels
Fox One and Peacock have been added to YouTube Primetime Channels, ahead of their planned live coverage of the FIFA World Cup tournament. This integration expands the content offerings available to YouTube users through its aggregated channel service.
Jun 1•Major League Baseball: CLEGUARDIANS.TV lists 2026 season access at $74.99
The MLB provided an update on CLEGUARDIANS.TV for the 2026 season, noting that games are available for a price of $74.99 per season. This platform allows fans to stream all Cleveland Guardians games.
Jun 1•MLB.com: Cardinals.TV launches at $74.99 for the 2026 season
MLB.com has announced Cardinals.TV, presented by bet365, offering live streaming of Cardinals baseball games for a new low price of $74.99 per season. This initiative allows fans to stream games directly through the platform.
Jun 1•MLB.com: Reds.TV will stream Cincinnati Reds games for $74.99
This article announces that Cincinnati Reds games will be available for streaming on Reds.TV for a new price of $74.99. It states that this service will cover the entire season.
Jun 1•MLB.com: ROCKIES.TV drops 2026 season price to $74.99
MLB has announced the availability of ROCKIES.TV for the 2026 season at a new lower price of "$74.99". The announcement promotes the streaming service as the primary platform to watch all action for the 2026 season.

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OTT, SVOD, AVOD & FAST Streaming Platform News