Summary
Highlights
Disney Channel in parts of Europe, including Germany and Switzerland, will be renamed Disney TV and shift its content to target older adults. While youth programming will remain in specific blocks, this move follows the complete shutdown of Disney Channel in other regions like Italy and Australia as Disney pushes viewers to Disney Plus. This change mirrors a trend seen with Cartoon Network and hints at a potential similar shift in the US.
Walmart is introducing a new line of Onn-branded smart TVs powered by Google TV, moving away from Roku OS. These TVs offer competitive pricing, with a 55-inch 4K UHD model costing under $250. This decision aligns with the growing popularity of Onn-branded Google TV streaming players and is seen as an attempt to capitalize on that success, offering another option alongside their existing Vizio and Roku branded TVs.
Comcast is ending support for older Now TV devices in the United Kingdom, which were essentially custom-built Roku boxes. This highlights the risk of purchasing purpose-driven streaming devices from specific companies. If the company discontinues support, the device can become worthless, unlike standard Roku or other major brand players that receive longer-term support for their general app ecosystems.
A recent survey of over 1,000 users revealed that YouTube TV overwhelmingly dominates the live TV streaming market, capturing 35.7% of the vote. Friendly TV surprisingly came in second with almost 10%, followed by Direct TV, Sling, Hulu Plus Live TV, and Fubo. The survey also indicated a growing trend of cord-cutters opting out of live TV services entirely, preferring on-demand streaming like Disney Plus and Netflix, especially if they don't prioritize sports and news.
Microsoft is laying off over 3,000 Xbox employees, citing shrinking margins and increased competition. This, combined with changing gaming habits, is similar to shifts in cord-cutting. The speaker also attributes these layoffs, in part, to the increasing role of AI in software development, which enables fewer programmers to accomplish more. This trend is expected to lead to more tech industry layoffs, as companies like Paramount consolidate app development using unified platforms for services like Pluto TV and Paramount Plus.
YouTube TV is offering new subscribers $15 off per month for five months, a beneficial deal for those looking to subscribe before the college and NFL football seasons. Separately, Plex has significantly increased the cost of its lifetime subscription, now offering a five-year pass for $500. However, Plex's free ad-supported streaming service remains unchanged.