Summary
Highlights
Disney has removed Fubo's co-founder and CEO, replacing him with Alissa Bowen, former head of Disney Plus. This change comes amidst Fubo's struggles, including significant subscriber loss due to the removal of Warner Brothers Discovery and NBC Universal channels, and subsequent price hikes. The future of Fubo and its merger with Hulu Plus Live, especially in light of Hulu merging with Disney Plus, remains uncertain.
Walmart is launching new Onn-branded smart TVs running Google TV, moving away from its previous exclusive partnership with Roku TV. This strategic shift follows the success of Walmart's Onn Google TV streamers and indicates a growing preference for Google TV and Vizio OS, which Walmart now owns. The change might lead to fewer Roku-branded TVs in Walmart stores.
Roku has updated its home screen to include a TV input area in the side menu for smart TVs, consolidating all inputs. This feature also appears on Roku streaming players, where it redirects to the free streaming content within the live TV guide. The new home screen is being rolled out to most Roku devices.
Free Cast announced a new paid local broadcasting TV service currently in beta. Details regarding specific channels (likely sub-channels rather than major networks like ABC, CBS, Fox, or NBC) and market availability are yet to be revealed, leaving many questions about its coverage and content.
Amazon plans to launch its satellite-based home internet service later this year, potentially offering speeds up to 1 gig. While pricing for equipment and monthly service is unannounced, Amazon aims to be more affordable than SpaceX's Starlink, fostering competition in the satellite internet market, particularly for rural areas with limited options.
Roku has added six new channels in July, including 'World of Love Island' and various art channels, though availability may vary by region due to licensing. Pluto TV also expanded its offerings with several free classic channels like "Charmed," "Murder She Wrote," and "Diagnosis: Murder," now available as 24/7 channels.
Mometu, a free ad-supported streaming service focusing on independent content, has shut down due to a lack of funding. The service, which came to the US in 2023, was unable to raise the $15,000 needed to continue operations. This shutdown highlights the increasing consolidation and financial challenges faced by numerous free streaming services, with major players like The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, and Tubi dominating viewership.