This week, DIRECTV launched sports package; ‘Severance’ returned
This week, DIRECTV launched sports package; ‘Severance’ returned
The new sports-specific “skinny bundle” is the first of its kind, providing includes 40 channels across 24 markets at launch.
This week in streaming, DIRECTV became the first to break ground on a sports-specific channel bundle. Get the skinny on the new channel package, an industry first, including which channels it includes, how much it costs, where it’s available, and more. Also, two critically acclaimed — and audience-beloved — shows returned this week. Apple TV+’s “Severance” and Max’s “Harley Quinn” have returned from their oainfully long hiatuses, giving you something to watch this weekend.
This Week’s Biggest Streaming News:
DIRECTV creates sports-specific channel bundle, including ESPN, FS1, and more
As industry programming rules continue to loosen, DIRECTV is the first to set a new standard for sports streaming. The live TV streamer announced this past Tuesday it has formed MySports, a new sports-focused channel bundle. The new package, which is available now through the DIRECTV app on major smart/connected TVs and mobile devices, includes 40 sports and broadcast channels at launch, including ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, TBS, TNT, Big Ten Network, USA Network, Pickleball TV, Women’s Sports Network, and many others, with the availability in 24 major metro areas before expanding into additional markets.
The “skinny bundle” is an industry first, the result of DIRECTV and Disney’s contentious carriage dispute between Disney last year that saw DIRECTV customers without Disney-owned channels during many major college football and NFL games, as well as the U.S. Open. The streamer won the right to be able to offer “multiple genre-specific” channel lineups featuring Disney-owned channels at lower prices than traditional, broader packages.
The announcement comes just under a week after Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery ended their Venu Sports joint venture following Disney and Fubo’s merger. (Fubo won the right to a skinny sports channel pack of its own that includes Disney’s networks as a result of the merger with Hulu + Live TV, but even though Fubo has reached settlements with Fox and WBD, it’s still unclear if those companies’ channels would also be allowed on the forthcoming service.)
The new MySports channel lineup is available for $70 per month, $17 cheaper than DIRECTV’s base Entertainment plan, though customers who sign up before Feb. 28 can receive MySports for just $50 per month for their first three months of service.
DIRECTV also plans to make other genre-specific channel packages, including entertainment, news, and kids programming, available in the first half of 2025.
Catch up on our articles related to DIRECTV’s MySports package:
- Everything we know about DIRECTV’s New MySports channel package
- What’s the latest on genre-specific channel packs from DIRECTV?
- Disney channels return to DIRECTV, new genre-specific packages to be available
What to catch up on this weekend: ‘Harley Quinn’ Season 5 premieres
Sometimes, all you need is a change of scenery. After over two years, a few production delays, and a spinoff series, DC Studios’ adult animated series “Harley Quinn” has returned for more mischief, premiering its fifth season earlier this week on Max.
In Season 5, Harley (voiced by Kaley Cuoco) and Ivy (Lake Bell) are on the road as they leave the gutted Gotham and head toward Metropolis, where Ivy takes up work under Lena Luthor (Aisha Tyler) with a new green initiative and Harley tries her hand at babysitting and more. But good intentions pave the way to danger as some of Metropolis’ biggest foes threaten the city, including the mastermind Brainiac (Stephen Fry), and Harley, Ivy, and company will need to cast a supersized alliance of heroes to save the day.
The new and returning voice cast also features James Adomian as Bane, Diedrich Bader as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Ron Funches as King Shark, Natalie Morales as Lois Lane, JB Smoove as Frank the Plant, Alan Tudyk as Clayface, Harvey Guillén as Nightwing, James Wolk, Wendell Pierce as Lex Luthor, and more.
You can watch the first episode of “Harley Quinn” Season 5 now exclusively on Max and catch new episodes every Thursday through March 20.
Watch the trailer for ‘Harley Quinn’ Season 5 below:
Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn has finally broken things off once and for all with the Joker and attempts to make it on her own as the criminal Queenpin of Gotham City.
What’s new to stream this weekend: ‘Severance’ returns for Season 2
Break time’s over— back to work. The wait for Season 2 of Apple TV+’s “Severance” is finally over: the hit sci-fi thriller premiered the first episode of its sophomore season in the early hours of Friday, Jan. 17, and after nearly three years, the Lumon Industries team will face the consequences of interfering with their work-life balance.
The multi-Emmy nominee stars Adam Scott as Mark Scout, an employee at the controversial biotech company Lumon Industries, which has invented a procedure to allow its employees to compartmentalize their home and work lives. Following Mark and his fellow disillusioned Lumon employees’ attempts to take control of the severance barrier at the end of Season 1, both versions of their lives will be altered forever.
Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Jen Tullock, Dichen Lachman, Michael Chernus, John Turturro, Christopher Walken, and Patricia Arquette return for Season 2 with new hires including Gwendoline Christie, Bob Balaban, Merritt Wever, and Alia Shawkat.
Watch the first episode of “Severance” Season 2 and the complete first season now with a subscription to [Apple TV $]. A new episode will be released every Friday through March 21.
Watch the trailer for ‘Severance’ Season 2 below:
Severance
Mark leads a team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives. When a mysterious colleague appears outside of work, it begins a journey to discover the truth about their jobs.