The NWSL heads to Roku, other stories you missed this week
The NWSL heads to Roku, other stories you missed this week
Netflix’s collaboration with ‘Grand Theft Auto VI’ drew millions of viewers, DAZN adds more regional sports, and other stories from the week’s news.
There’s only a little time left to enjoy the pristine outdoor conditions that come along with summer. September starts next week, and a few weeks later, the official beginning of fall arrives. If you’re the outdoorsy type, you’ve probably been soaking up the sun as much as possible this week, instead of staying glued to your phone to keep up on the latest streaming news.
We’re here to help! The Streamable has compiled our weekly list of streaming news stories you might have missed since Monday; check them out below and catch up on the latest doings from Netflix, DAZN, The Roku Channel, and other top services.
Which streaming stories did you miss this week?
Roku Channel adds exclusive NWSL games
The National Women’s Soccer League has a new media partner. As announced on Wednesday, the league has reached an agreement with Roku on an expanded partnership, including a live package of games on Sunday nights starting Aug. 30. The deal will also include a package of 25 Sunday night matches in 2027, all streaming free on The Roku Channel.
This slate of games was previously distributed by the Victory+ streaming service. However, last month Victory+ dropped its NWSL package, amidst a bevy of larger troubles, the league was seeking a new partner to offer its Sunday night package.
Roku Channel
The Roku Channel is a free, ad-supported streaming service that offers a broad mix of movies, TV shows, live linear channels, and original programming. Available to all viewers — not just Roku device owners — the service features licensed content from major studios alongside Roku Originals, which include exclusive series, movies, and specials previously produced for Quibi, as well as new original projects developed specifically for the platform.
DAZN adds Monumental+ for Washington-area viewers
DAZN is continuing to make moves in the regional sports distribution arena. As reported by Sports Business Journal, the service is adding the D.C.-area regional sports streamer Monumental+ as a subscription channel through its platform. Monumental+ offers Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals, Washington Mystics, and more live games. A launch date has not yet been announced for the add-on.
Earlier this week, DAZN acquired EverPass Media to build its presence in commercial sports distribution. The service has also acquired the rights to distribute Indiana Pacers games, as well as teams from YES Network and [MSG Network] in recent months.
DAZN
DAZN is an international sports streaming service dedicated to live and on-demand sports programming. Since its launch in 2016, the platform has expanded to become one of the world’s leading sports streaming destinations, offering coverage that varies by region and includes boxing, soccer, MMA, women’s sports, motorsports, and other major competitions.
Netflix’s ‘GTA VI’ preview draws big crowds
Earlier this month, Netflix revealed it would host a preview of the hotly anticipated “Grand Theft Auto VI.” That 26-minute preview debuted on Thursday, Aug. 27, and it immediately jumped to No. 1 on the streamer’s top 10 movies list.
IGN’s market intelligence firm Sensor Tower found that the streamer's viewership jumped quite a bit for the release. Mobile use was up almost 50% in the U.S. compared to the streamer’s average use on Thursdays over the past 12 weeks, and web visitors were up 125%.
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.”
New casting announcements
Kit Harrington replaces Nicholas Hoult in ‘Harry Potter’ Season 2
“Harry Potter” is coming to HBO Max this holiday season, and the show has already been renewed for a second season. This week, a major member of the Season 2 cast has been replaced; as exclusively reported by Deadline, Kit Harington has joined the cast of the series as Professor Gilderoy Lockhart. Nicholas Hoult had previously been cast in the role, but departed over scheduling issues.
HBO Max
HBO Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library and exclusive Max Originals. There are hubs for content from TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, TCM, Cartoon Network, Travel Channel, ID, and more. Watch hit series like “The Last of Us,” “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and more. Within HBO Max, B/R Sports allows users to watch live NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.
Show premiere announcement and renewals
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On Tuesday, Warner Bros. Discovery announced that “The Gilded Age” Season 4 will premiere on HBO Max on Nov. 1.
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HBO Max has ordered the DC comedy series “The People V. Gorilla Grodd” to series. The show will be a “true” crime docuseries, with the Daily Planet’s Jimmy Olsen opting to reopen the case to see if Gorilla Grodd was wrongly convicted.
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Hulu has opted not to renew Mindy Kaling’s comedy “Not Suitable for Work” for a second season.
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On Monday, Netflix announced its crime drama series “Legends” has been renewed for a second season.
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Ahead of the second season premiere of “The Gentleman” on Netflix, the streamer announced on Monday that it had renewed the series for a third season.