Netflix adds more World Cup rights, other stories you missed
Netflix adds more World Cup rights, other stories you missed
Read streaming stories you missed from the week’s news, plus learn about TV show renewals, stream new trailers, and more below.
This week was another one of those in which readers were likely glued to their TV. There was a laundry list of great TV premieres over the past few days, and audiences were probably so busy consuming titles like the “Grey's Anatomy” season premiere that they didn’t have much time to keep up with streaming news. So, which stories, renewals, casting announcements, and trailers did you miss while locked to the couch this week? Take a peek below to see the top news from all the biggest streaming services in the industry, from Apple TV to YouTube.
Which streaming stories did you miss this week?
Netflix acquires 2030 World Cup rights in Spain, Andorra
Netflix has had its eye on acquiring World Cup rights for the 2030 version of the tournament, and this week, it announced a big win in that regard. The streamer will host every game of the 2030 FIFA World Cup in both Spain and Andorra. Some games will be shown on free-to-air TV, as well.
Netflix also has the streaming rights to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the U.S. and Canada in both 2027 and 2031. The streamer’s pursuit of wider World Cup rights may not be over, but it will have plenty of competition for the 2030 tournament’s domestic rights — Amazon, Apple, YouTube, and other streaming platforms have all made major sports rights acquisitions in recent years.
Netflix
Netflix is a leading subscription-based video streaming service that offers on-demand access to an extensive library of over 3,000 movies, 2,000+ TV shows, and a growing collection of acclaimed Netflix originals. Renowned for producing groundbreaking content, Netflix has become a cultural powerhouse with hit originals like “Stranger Things,” “Wednesday,” “Squid Game,” “The Crown,” “Tiger King,” “Bridgerton,” “The Witcher,” and “Black Mirror.”
YouTube wants to expand to audiobooks
Most listeners know that Audible is the big fish in the audiobook streaming service pond, but it may be facing stiff competition soon. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that YouTube has had conversations with major publishers about adding an audiobook feature.
YouTube is mulling bundling this feature in with YouTube Premium. It’s not yet clear whether YouTube will charge for access to individual books, but it would mark the entry of a platform with a massive audience into the audiobook space.
Plex, Fandango announce ticket sales partnership
Plex has a highly advanced universal search feature that allows viewers to seek out TV shows and movies across streaming services, giving viewers an easy way to determine where their chosen title is available. As announced on Thursday, Plex will now give users a pathway to purchase movie tickets as well.
Plex has partnered with Fandango to show browsers a ticketing option on title pages for movies that are currently in cinemas. Viewers who use this ticketing option will click through to Fandango, where they can see showtimes and purchase seats.
Plex
Plex is a free streaming service that includes on-demand access to 50,000+ movies and TV shows. The service also offers 1,100+ free-to-stream live TV channels in 193 countries. Users can also connect Plex to their computers to stream and share any media they have on their hard drives.
Renewals, pickups, and cancellations
- “Girls” will return for a special five-episode run on HBO Max in 2027, with Lena Dunham returning as Hannah, Allison Williams as Marnie, Jemima Kirke as Jessa, Zosia Mamet as Shoshanna, and Andrew Rannells as Elijah.
- “Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed” has been renewed for a second season by Apple TV.
- HBO Max has ordered two seasons of the half-hour animated comedy series “Merrick & Treves,” which will be co-created and produced by Adam Reed, Casey Willis, and Lucky Yates. It follows a pair of unlikely heroes who travel through time to stop Jack the Ripper.
- Peacock has greenlit a new series titled “Assassins,” executive produced by Scarlett Johansson. It follows a group of players who compete in a ruthless game of cunning, strategy, and wit, inspired by the real-life game played around the world.
- Disney+ has announced a new animated adaptation of the “Artemis Fowl” novel series by Eoin Colfer.
- Tubi will present a live-action adaptation of R.L. Stine’s “The Babysitter” in 2027.
Casting news
- Deadline exclusively reported on Tuesday that Sam Jaeger and Ariel Winter would lead the cast of the Hallmark+ series “Change of Heart.” Rachel Boston, Julie Gonzalo, and Kevin Vidal will also star in the show.
- Katherine Waterston will team with Jeremy Strong in the upcoming Paramount+ series “The Best of Us,” which dramatizes the legal battle to compensate first responders who fell ill in the wake of 9/11.
- Christy Hill’s limited series “Victoria” has added Mark Duplass to its cast. The show follows a con artist who finds herself in the crosshairs of a seductive killer, and will stream on Hulu.
- HBO Max’s DC Studios series “Mister Miracle” has cast Josh Hutcherson as Scott Free and Mackenzie Davis as Barda.
- Bill Nighy and Rosemarie DeWitt will guest star in the second season of “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” on Paramount+.