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.
Prime Video announced its full on-air talent roster for its "WNBA on Prime" coverage, adding Hall of Famers Cynthia Cooper and Kara Lawson to the team. The announcement is part of an 11-year rights agreement under which Prime Video will stream 30 WNBA regular-season games, the Commissioner’s Cup championship, and select playoff series, starting this season. The deal also makes Prime Video a third-party digital distributor for WNBA League Pass.
Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos has secured a deal to broadcast the Copa del Rey final on his YouTube channel, which has over 15.9 million subscribers. The broadcast is reported to be a first for a Copa del Rey match on YouTube and will run in parallel with the traditional linear broadcast on Spain's RTVE network. The agreement was brokered by the Peak Sport Media agency, the international rights sales partner for the competition.
Digital media outlet Front Office Sports is launching a daily 30-minute nationally syndicated broadcast television show, “Front Office Sports Tonight,” slated to premiere on September 14, 2026. The program will cover the business, cultural, and entertainment stories in sports and has secured clearance in over 85% of the U.S. on station groups including Fox, Hearst, and Nexstar. The venture is backed by majority owner RedBird IMI, with its CEO Jeff Zucker serving as chair of Front Office Sports' board and an executive producer for the new show.
The WNBA announced a record 216 national broadcasts for the upcoming season across seven distribution partners: ESPN/ABC, CBS/Paramount+, Prime Video, Ion, NBC/Peacock, USA Network, and NBA TV. As part of its distribution strategy, all 44 games featuring the Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark will be aired nationally. The schedule combines broadcast, cable, and streaming, with partners like Prime Video carrying 31 games and Peacock streaming 12 games.
The WNBA announced a record 216 nationally broadcast games for the 2026 season as part of a new media rights deal. The Indiana Fever will become the first team in league history to have its entire 44-game regular-season schedule broadcast nationally. The deal includes the return of NBC as a broadcast partner, joining a lineup of linear and streaming platforms that includes ESPN/ABC, CBS Sports/Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, USA, ION, and NBA TV.
UK broadcaster 5 announced its streaming service experienced the fastest growth among public service broadcaster (PSB) platforms in Q1 2026, with Barb data showing a 25% year-on-year increase in viewing hours. The growth, attributed to a slate of UK original dramas, outpaced declines at BBC iPlayer (-8%) and ITVX (-1%), and growth at 4 Streaming (+17%). The performance follows the broadcaster's strategic relaunch under the unified 5 brand in March 2025.
Jomboy Media and Fubo have launched The Jomboy Media Channel, a 24/7 linear streaming network available to all Fubo subscribers as of April 15. The channel will feature content produced entirely by Jomboy Media, including series such as We Got Ice and The Warehouse Games. As part of the partnership, select Jomboy programs will also stream on the Fubo Sports Network FAST channel.
Fubo is reportedly pursuing the local media rights for 13 NBA teams previously affiliated with Main Street Sports Group's regional sports networks. The vMVPD is proposing a “hybrid direct-to-distributor and direct-to-consumer model” that would pay teams fees around $10 million for the upcoming season, with an opt-out clause. Fubo is seeking a commitment from a majority of the 13 teams, or it will withdraw its offer, which competes against proposals from DAZN and Victory+.
ESPN's first live linear broadcast of WWE's WrestleMania 42 averaged 1.72 million viewers across simulcast windows on ESPN and ESPN2. The first hour of Night 2 on ESPN averaged 1.82 million viewers, higher than a typical WWE Smackdown episode on USA Network. These figures do not include viewers on the ESPN Unlimited streaming service, for which WWE events are considered a key driver for new subscriptions.
Telefónica Deutschland will launch a revamped O2 TV portfolio on May 6, 2026, combining live television with bundled streaming services. The new subscription tiers (Classic, Smart, and Premium) will package over 150 HD channels with integrated access to Netflix and Disney+, depending on the plan. This move is intended to reduce complexity and simplify billing for customers, with prices ranging from €4.99 to €24.99 per month.
According to new research from Parks Associates, the US connected TV platform market remains concentrated, with Roku OS accounting for 28% of usage and Samsung’s Tizen OS representing 23%. The data shows Amazon Fire TV, LG webOS, and Vizio SmartCast in mid-tier positions, reinforcing the role of a few key operating systems as the primary gateway for streaming. The report highlights that control of the platform layer is critical for competition, influencing content discovery, advertising delivery, and monetization strategies.
Sling TV has introduced short-term subscription passes, offering access for a day, weekend, or full week, with prices starting at $4.99. The new plans, which coincide with the start of football season, are designed to appeal to sports fans and others who want to access programming for specific events without a monthly commitment. The passes can also be customized with Sling's 'Extra' channel packages for an additional fee.
YouTube TV subscribers are reportedly unable to authenticate on the ESPN app to watch WrestleMania 42 due to technical issues, forcing them to pay a $30 fee for the premium live event. The article, citing Sports Business Journal, states that Google is working on the authentication problems and they are expected to be resolved before SummerSlam 2026. This follows a carriage agreement between YouTube TV and Disney, with full integration of ESPN Unlimited content into the YouTube TV app still on an unknown timeline.
ESPN and The Walt Disney Company announced multi-platform coverage plans for the 2026 NFL Draft, adding Disney+ and Hulu as streaming outlets for the first time. This sets a record for the most platforms carrying the event, with presentations also occurring across ESPN, ABC, NFL Network, the ESPN App, and ESPN Deportes. The three-day coverage will feature distinct telecasts on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network for the first round, supported by more than 60 commentators and extensive studio programming from Pittsburgh.
Racing TV has launched a new free-to-view channel, Racing TV Play, on the Samsung TV Plus platform in the UK and Ireland. The FAST channel, described as the first dedicated horse racing and equestrian channel on the service, will offer a curated archive of races, festival coverage, and magazine-style programming.
Podcast network Crooked Media is launching a new Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) channel called SANEtv (Save America News & Entertainment Television). The 24/7 channel, which will feature video versions of shows like "Pod Save America," is debuting on Amazon Prime Video as its first distribution partner. The company stated its intention to expand to other FAST and streaming platforms in the future.
In an interview at the 2026 NAB Show, Amagi's Dan Marshall stated that future growth in the FAST market will rely on live programming to increase CPMs and engagement. He also identified trends including platform consolidation, pay-TV operators integrating FAST channels into their program guides (a practice he calls "front porching"), and the need for more sophisticated ad monetization. Marshall noted that Amagi has launched agentic AI-powered tools, like Newspulse, to help content owners manage costs and automate workflows at scale.
For the 2025/2026 FA Cup season, a new commercial deal makes TNT Sports the main pay-TV broadcaster in the UK, with streaming on HBO Max, reducing the BBC's free-to-air coverage to 14 games. ESPN Select is the exclusive rights-holder in the US. In Australia, Stan Sport has taken over the rights from the start of the season.
Political media company Crooked Media is launching a free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel called SANEtv. The 24/7 channel will feature video from its podcasts, including "Pod Save America," and will initially be available on Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Fire devices. According to the company, platform partners will manage advertising sales.
Sling TV launched a new $20 per month package called "Essentials," which includes ESPN, ESPN2, and Disney channels, targeting over-the-air antenna users seeking a low-cost supplement to free broadcast TV. The new tier is positioned as a cheaper alternative to ESPN's standalone service and larger vMVPD bundles. The article also criticizes Sling's companion AirTV hardware for integrating antenna channels, describing the 2020-era devices as outdated, unreliable, and difficult to purchase.
Charter Communications has made its Spectrum TV App available on Google TV and other devices running Android TV OS 10 or later. The expansion, which includes brands like Hisense, Philips, Sony, and TCL, provides access to live TV, Cloud DVR, and On Demand content. The article analyzes this move as a strategy to increase the stickiness of Charter's pay TV and broadband bundles amid rising competition, while also noting the company's high debt load as a key risk for investors.
YouTube TV subscribers will not gain authentication access for ESPN's Unlimited tier in time for WWE's WrestleMania 42 due to ongoing technical integration issues. According to a Sports Business Journal report, the delays are on Google's end and prevent subscribers from accessing content that is part of their carriage agreement with Disney. Access is now anticipated to be available by WWE's SummerSlam in August.
According to a report, producer Namit Malhotra has rejected a Rs 700 crore (~$84M USD) offer from an unnamed OTT platform for the combined digital rights to the upcoming two-part film 'Ramayana'. Malhotra is reportedly seeking at least Rs 1000 crore (~$120M USD) for the rights. This strategy involves holding back the streaming rights in anticipation of the film's theatrical success justifying a higher valuation.
Producer Namit Malhotra has reportedly rejected a Rs. 700 crore (~$84M USD) offer for the streaming rights to the two-part film 'Ramayana', which is described as the highest ever offer for an Indian film. According to an unnamed source, Malhotra is seeking a Rs. 1000 crore (~$120M USD) deal from an OTT player for the project, which has a combined budget of Rs. 4000 crore (~$480M USD). The producer is holding back all digital, satellite, and music rights in anticipation of higher offers as more footage is released.
An analysis of the Indian OTT market in early 2026 identifies five key original series from Netflix and Prime Video that dominated viewership, citing data from Ormax Media. The article highlights the success of crime thrillers like Prime Video's 'Matka King' for challenging Netflix's viewership dominance, and recurring hits like 'Kohrra' and 'The Great Indian Kapil Show' for maintaining audience and advertiser value. The collective performance of these titles underscores the strategic importance of a balanced content portfolio for streaming platforms in the region.
The animated film 'The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender' will premiere on Paramount+ after its theatrical release was cancelled, according to the article. Director Lauren Montgomery announced production has wrapped and stated the move to streaming was not related to the film's quality. The article notes the film's theatrical release date had been delayed multiple times, from an initial October 10, 2025 date to October 9, 2026, before the decision was made to move it to streaming.
YouTube has launched support for 360-degree live stream videos, according to a company blog post. The new feature will be showcased with select performances from the Coachella music festival. The company also announced it is implementing spatial audio for on-demand YouTube videos to create a more immersive sound experience.
Disney is reportedly considering a ban or strict limits on profit-driven live streaming at its U.S. theme parks, a discussion prompted by a recent "swatting" incident involving a streamer at Disneyland. The potential restrictions target influencers generating revenue through donations, advertising, or live shopping, and follow visitor complaints about disruption and privacy. While no official statement has been made for U.S. parks, Disney's international parks in Tokyo and Paris have already implemented similar restrictions on commercial or disruptive filming.
Amazon's Prime Video service experienced a broadcast outage during an NBA play-in game, which the company attributed to a hardware failure in a production truck. Media personality Bill Simmons criticized the streamer for the incident and for recurring audio-sync issues on its NBA broadcasts throughout the season. Analyst Kirk Goldsberry was also quoted expressing frustration with the technical difficulties from a major tech company.
Stream Hatchet, a subsidiary of GameSquare, has released its Q1 2026 Live Streaming Trends Report, now incorporating data from TikTok Live. The report finds that global live streaming viewership reached 17 billion hours, with TikTok Live accounting for almost half of the total. Excluding TikTok Live, the market saw a 0.2% increase in hours watched compared to Q4 2025.
Amazon has announced a second season of its Prime Video series 'Citadel' will be released on May 6. According to the article, a new trailer for the season suggests a more lighthearted tone and an increased focus on Stanley Tucci's character. The renewal follows the show's first season, which premiered in early 2023.
Sling has introduced new short-term passes for its live TV streaming service, presented as a way to watch content like the NHL playoffs. The streaming service now offers 1-Day, 3-Day, or 7-Day passes for on-demand access to live TV shows and sports.
eBay is launching a pilot "streaming as a service" program to connect sellers on its eBay Live platform with third-party hosts who can run livestreams on their behalf. The service, revealed by an eBay executive, aims to lower the barrier to entry for sellers who do not want to appear on camera. The program is expected to launch within six to eight weeks, but details regarding consignment fees or revenue sharing have not yet been provided.
Game 3 of the NBA Playoffs first-round series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors on Thursday, April 23, 2026, will stream exclusively on Amazon's Prime Video. The article provides viewing details for the game, which is part of a series where Cleveland leads 2-0.
Three NBA Playoff games on Thursday, April 23, 2026, will be streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. The games, which include Knicks vs. Hawks, Cavaliers vs. Raptors, and Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, will not have a traditional TV broadcast. Access to the live stream requires an Amazon Prime subscription.
A leaked Paramount Skydance presentation detailed 2025 performance and 2026 goals for its streaming services. In 2025, Paramount+ grew global viewing hours by 22% to 10.4 billion, while Pluto TV's viewing hours grew 21% to 9.5 billion and reached 89.6 million MAUs. The 2026 goals for both platforms include double-digit revenue growth, driven by improved monetization and a focus on higher-value subscribers.
BBC Sport is canceling its Saturday football program 'Football Focus' after more than 50 years on the air, citing a shift in audience consumption to digital and on-demand platforms. The public broadcaster will adjust its linear schedule with other football programming and plans to expand its digital-first content on platforms like YouTube and the BBC Sport website. The move is part of a strategy to adapt how BBC Sport delivers content across all platforms in response to evolving viewing habits.
BBC Studios is preparing a spin-off of its "Dancing with the Stars" format. The new competition show, which is designed to find new talent, is set to launch in the United States on ABC and Hulu.
According to EY's annual "Decoding the Digital Home" report, which surveyed 2,000 UK consumers, 34% plan to cancel a streaming service in the next year. The study identifies attractive pricing, extensive libraries, and specific/exclusive content as key drivers for subscriptions. To reduce churn, the report suggests streamers should simplify the user experience, offer content aggregation, improve ad variation, and leverage AI for personalized discovery.
Channel 5's BVoD service, referred to as "5 streaming," has become the fastest-growing UK public service broadcaster (PSB) platform of the year. This growth was reportedly driven by a single factual scripted drama about Huw Edwards.
According to Parks Associates’ Streaming Video Tracker, the CTV platform market in U.S. broadband households remains concentrated, with Roku OS holding 28% and Samsung’s Tizen OS holding 23% of usage share. The report highlights that control of the platform layer is central to competition, as the OS determines content visibility, service positioning, and advertising delivery.
During Amazon Prime Video’s coverage of an NBA play-in game between the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat, the live stream briefly cut out in the final seconds of overtime, causing viewers to miss a key LaMelo Ball basket. The feed returned about a minute later, but the outage prompted public complaints from high-profile viewers including LeBron James and other fans criticizing the reliability of Prime Video for live playoff games.
FOX One announced it is adding eight FOX News Media and Red Seat Ventures podcast series as video podcasts available inside the streaming service, with episodes beginning to roll out on April 20. The move follows FOX’s February 2025 acquisition of Red Seat Ventures (to operate under Tubi Media Group) and is positioned as part of a broader industry push toward video podcasts for engagement and retention, alongside FOX One’s recent multiview feature added via a partnership with Skreens.
NBCUniversal Local’s Telemundo Station Group launched the Telemundo Puerto Rico (WKAQ) free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel on Prime Video, offering a 24/7 Spanish-language feed of WKAQ-produced entertainment and news programming. The channel includes simulcast and encore presentations across more than 80 hours of weekly original shows plus investigative and news content, and follows its mainland U.S. debut on Feb. 5. Prime Video also carries Telemundo Station Group’s four regional 24/7 news FAST channels and the streaming channels from 11 NBC-owned stations.
NBCUniversal Local’s Telemundo Station Group launched a free ad-supported (FAST) Telemundo Puerto Rico streaming channel on Prime Video in the mainland U.S. on Feb. 5. The channel carries simulcast and encore programming from Telemundo-owned station WKAQ, including 80+ hours of weekly entertainment content plus investigative series and news. Prime Video also carries multiple 24/7 regional news streaming channels from Telemundo-owned stations and streaming channels from 11 NBC-owned stations.
Comcast has launched two new unlimited plans for its Xfinity Mobile service, Mobile Plus and Mobile Select. The plans shift to a fixed price per line, a change from the previous tiered pricing structure, a move which the article suggests could boost average revenue per user (ARPU). The $45/month Mobile Plus plan includes video streaming up to 4K resolution, while the $30/month Mobile Select plan streams up to high-definition resolution.
Paramount is redesigning its streaming app to incorporate short-form viewing alongside traditional long-form programming, including a vertical video feed, personalized recommendations, and curated clips sourced from its content library. The company says it will use data-driven personalization to promote highlights and behind-the-scenes moments as a discovery funnel to increase engagement and convert casual viewers into subscribers, while also exploring advertising opportunities in the short-form format.
Layercake announced it has formalized and deepened its integration with Bitmovin, making Bitmovin’s encoding, playback, and analytics a core capability within its Streamcake media orchestration platform. The combined setup positions Streamcake as a control plane to automate and manage end-to-end workflows (ingest, encoding, packaging, DRM, delivery, and playback) for use cases including OTT, live sports, simulcast, and enterprise video.
Roku reported surpassing 100 million streaming households worldwide in April, defined as distinct user accounts that streamed on the Roku platform over a 30-day period. The company said its devices are used by more than half of US broadband households, with continued growth in Canada, Mexico, Brazil and the UK, and availability of Roku OS TVs and devices in 15+ countries. Roku positioned the scale as beneficial for advertisers and partners, citing Nielsen Gauge rankings for The Roku Channel and noting the recent launch of the $3 ad-free subscription service Howdy in the US and Mexico.
Roku reported it surpassed 100 million streaming households worldwide in April 2026, defining the metric as distinct user accounts that streamed on the Roku platform in a 30-day period. The company said more than half of broadband-enabled U.S. homes use Roku streaming devices and highlighted its mix of free live linear channels, on-demand titles, and The Roku Channel originals. Roku stated its next priorities include new platform capabilities, advanced personalization, and international expansion.
