Streaming News Roundup: Apple TV+ and Netflix Programming Slates, ‘The Traitors’ Renewed, More

“Squid Game” Updates + More on Netflix’s Upcoming Korean Programming Slate

“Squid Game” Season 2 still hasn’t been given a concrete premiere date other than “sometime in 2024,” but Netflix is still building up excitement for its hit Korean series and all its other upcoming Korean titles.

The streamer has officially confirmed its expanded cast for the highly anticipated second season of the thriller, which centers on 456 individuals with deep debts who risk their lives to play a series of deadly children’s games for the chance to win the ₩45.6 billion prize.

The second season, which will see the return of protagonist and game victor Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and antagonists the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon), and the Recruiter (Gong Yoo), will follow Gi-hun “as he abandons his plans to go to the United States and starts a chase with a motive.”

New cast members include Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-uk, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Choi Seung-hyun, Roh Jae-won, Jo Yuri, and Won Ji.

Watch Netflix’s K-Content Lineup: Korean Shows and Movies Coming in 2024 below:

The series updates came as Netflix unveiled its full 2024 slate for its Korean films and series, including a live-action adaptation of “Parasyte: The Grey,” starring Jeon So-nee, Koo Kyo-hwan, Lee Jung-hyun, and more; the historical film “Uprising,” produced by Park Chan-wook (“Old Boy”); and the second season of the zombie horror series “Sweet Home,” among many others. The jam-packed slate comes as part of Netflix’s commitment to investing $2.5 billion on Korean content over the next four years.

Peacock Renews “The Traitors” For Season 3

You can’t stop “The Traitors!” Currently halfway through its second season, Peacock has renewed its hit psychological reality competition series for a Season 3.

“The Traitors” pits some of entertainment’s most competitive reality stars and famous faces against each other in the ultimate murder mystery game. Hosted by stage and screen star Alan Cumming at an ancient castle in the Scottish Highlands, the series sees contestants work together on a series of missions to build a prize pot of up to $250,000. But hidden amongst the Faithful are the Traitors, who try to pick off the Faithful one by one to claim the prize for themselves. If the Faithful contestants banish all the Traitors, they will share the prize fund, but if a Traitor (or Traitors) makes it to the end, they will steal all the money.

Watch the trailer for “The Traitors” Season 2 below:

Amongst this season’s 21 new contestants are Parvati Shallow (“Survivor: Cook Islands”), Shereé Whitfield (“The Real Housewives of Atlanta”), Kevin Kreider (“Bling Empire”), Phaedra Parks (“Married to Medicine”), and more.

New episodes of “The Traitors” are available on Peacock every Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Apple TV+ Announces Spring/Summer Programming Slate

Like the rest of us, Apple TV+ is counting the days until spring, and Apple TV+ subscribers have plenty of reasons to anticipate the change of seasons.

The streamer has announced its spring and summer slate premiere dates for many of its major returning series and upcoming projects, including new seasons of “Loot,” “The Reluctant Traveler With Eugene Levy,” “The Big Door Prize,” and more.

Watch Apple TV+’s Here’s What’s New in 2024 below:

Among the list are some of the year’s most highly anticipated titles, including “Constellation,” an eight-part conspiracy-based psychological thriller starring Noomi Rapace and Jonathan Banks; “Palm Royale” starring Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, Allison Janney, Josh Lucas, Leslie Bibb, Amber Chardae Robinson, Mindy Cohn, Julia Duffy, Kaia Gerber, Bruce Dern, and Carol Burnett; and “The Dynasty: New England Patriots,” a 10-part documentary event showcasing the rise of the New England Patriots.

Below is Apple TV’s upcoming premiere schedule:

Apple TV+ still has yet to announce an official return date for a few of its other favorites, most notably Season 2 of “Severance” and “Shrinking,” but production on both have reportedly begun.

New Pickleball and “Fireman Sam” Channels Launch on Samsung TV Plus

Samsung TV Plus is expanding has expanded its free channel lineup this week, joining the hundreds of free, 24/7 channels the live TV and on-demand streamer already offers.

Newly available are PickleballTV US, a new 24-hour streaming channel covering over 1,000 hours of live tournament matches, first-class instruction, lifestyle shows, and pickleball news; and a channel dedicated to “Fireman Sam,” the long-running Welsh animated children’s program that follows the adventures of the title hero and his colleagues as they protect the citizens of the Welsh town of Pontypandy.

The two new channels are available as of Feb. 5 and join Samsung TV Plus’s lineup of over 350 premium channels available in the U.S., which can be accessed on Samsung Smart TVs, Galaxy devices, Smart Monitors, Family Hub refrigerators, and the web.

Mansa Expands to The Roku Channel With First FAST Channel

Black culture and content have a new home this Black History Month. Streamer Mansa has announced the launch of Mansa Mix, its first FAST channel, now available on The Roku Channel.

The live linear channel offers a curated selection of films and television series that celebrate Black culture from around the globe, expanding Mansa’s partnership with Roku, as well as Mansa’s overall reach. The free, ad-supported platform, which was launched last year by actors David Oyelowo, Chiké Okonkwo, and Nate Parker, has so far built up a library of over 2000 hours of content, from on-demand titles to short-form videos and influencer content.

Mansa Mix is available now on Channel 301 on The Roku Channel, and Mansa is also available through the Roku platform.
devices can access linear channels through the Roku platform’s Live TV Zone on the Home Screen Menu.

Neil deGrasse Tyson Launches Channel on Pluto TV

Pluto TV has reached for the stars and grabbed one of science’s biggest.

Neil deGrasse Tyson, through his media network StarTalk, has launched StarTalk TV on the free streaming service. The round-the-clock linear channel, which fuses science with pop culture and humor, will showcase the expertise of the renowned astrophysicist by making science accessible, “delving deep into captivating topics from space travel and extraterrestrial life to the Big Bang, the science behind iconic pop culture moments, and mind-blowing discoveries from across the universe.”

Watch the promo for Neil Degrasse Tyson’s StarTalk TV below:

The channel will also feature comedy co-hosts, distinguished scientists, and guest celebrities including Mayim Bialik, Jason Sudeikis, Jack Black, Lindsey Vonn, and more.

StarTalk TV can be found now under Pluto TV’s new History + Science category.

DIRECTV STREAM Adds Three More CW Affiliates

DIRECTV STREAM has added another trio of CW stations to its channel guides. As the satellite and live TV streaming provider expand its reach to more current (and potential) customers, customers in each of the respective cities will now be able to access the CW:

• KGCW-CW in Quad Cities, Iowa (Davenport, IA-Rock Island, IL-Moline, IL) (Ch. 26)
• WWLP-CW in Springfield-Holyoke, MA (Ch. 23)
• KXMA-CW in Minot-Bismarck-Dickinson, ND (Ch. 2)

Each of the stations joined the STREAM lineup on Feb. 6. DIRECTTV STREAM has brought the CW to more and more of its subscribers as it continues to expand into new markets, including its most recent additions in Savannah, Georgia; and Charleston, South Carolina.