What you missed in streaming this week
What you missed in streaming this week
Disney has settled a consumer privacy lawsuit in California, YouTube wants more NFL games, and other stories you may have missed this week.
If you’re lucky enough to have a loved one in your life, you’ve probably spent the majority of your spare time this week looking for a proper Valentine’s Day gift, instead of keeping up with the latest comings and goings in the streaming world.
If that’s the case, no blame to you — especially if you had a slow start to the week thanks to a really good Super Bowl party. We’ll catch you up on all the smaller stories from the streaming world you need to know about from the past week.
Which streaming stories did you miss last week?
YouTube wants more NFL games
For the first time in 2025, YouTube streamed an NFL game for free. It drew more than 17 million global viewers, and a new report indicates the free video platform is on the hunt for more. Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw sat down with YouTube’s VP of subscription products, Christian Oestlien, in a piece published on Sunday, in which Oestlien said YouTube is “very excited” about partnering with the league more.
The NFL has an inventory of international games to sell at the moment, and YouTube is probably deeply involved in discussions to get the rights to at least some of those games. The league will almost certainly return to the streamer in 2026, potentially with multiple games.
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 60 channels for $82.99/month. This plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs) in select markets. The base plan includes more than 100 live channels, including major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as popular cable channels such as ESPN, CNN, FX, USA Network, and TNT. Local channels are included in most markets, making YouTube TV a full replacement for traditional cable for many viewers.
Fubo Sports Network joins Hulu + Live TV package
A new sports channel is joining the Hulu + Live TV channel package, but viewers won’t have to worry about a rise in subscription prices as a result. The channel is of the free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) variety, so it won’t lead to a higher bill on your Hulu + Live TV account.
This week, the Fubo Sports Network has joined the Hulu + Live TV plan. It’s the latest sign that the two companies have closed their merger, and brings almost 500 live sporting events per year to Hulu + Live TV — including soccer matches, combat sports, and World Poker Tour events.
Hulu Live TV
Hulu Live TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 70 channels for $89.99 per month. Hulu + Live TV base plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs). Subscribers get free access to Disney+ and ESPN Select at no extra charge.
Disney settles lawsuit with California over use of streaming customers’ data
On Wednesday, the state of California settled a lawsuit with the Walt Disney Company over its use of personal information of residents of the state who are subscribed to Disney streamers like Disney+ and Hulu. Disney will surrender a $2.75 million civil payout over allegations that it improperly sold and shared consumer data.
The company also has 90 days to stop scraping customer data from its streaming platforms in compliance with the ruling. Other streamers are currently under investigation for similar practices, so the state may be bringing more action against entertainment companies in the near future.
Disney+
Disney+ is a video streaming service with over 13,000 series and films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, The Muppets, and more. It is available in 61 countries and 21 languages. It is notable for its popular original series like “The Mandalorian,” “Ms. Marvel,” “Loki,” “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and “Andor.”
Netflix wants Bonds, Sabathia for Opening Day game
The 2026 MLB Opening Day game between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants will be played on Netflix, as part of a rights package sold to that streaming service in 2025. On Wednesday, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported that the streamer is attempting to bring in two legends of those respective teams to be part of its coverage team for the game.
Per Marchand, Netflix is looking to add Barry Bonds and C.C. Sabathia ahead of Opening Day. No agreements have been inked yet, but Netflix is reportedly looking to have Bonds on-site for pregame and postgame coverage.
Philo adds news, cooking channels
Philo offers a good mix of entertainment cable channels in its Core package for $33 per month, but many viewers may not know the plan also comes pact with FAST channels. On Tuesday, Philo added four more networks to that lineup: CBS News 24/7, the 48 Hours channel, The Martha Stewart Channel, and The Emeril Lagasse Channel. These channels will be available on the Philo Free service as well.
The streamer’s Core Package is adding the WEST: Western Entertainment Series Television channel as well, which is packed with legendary Western titles that the whole family will enjoy.
Philo
Philo is a live TV streaming service designed for entertainment lovers, offering flexible ways to watch without the high price of traditional TV bundles. The service now features two paid plans — Essential and Bundle+ — alongside its existing free streaming offering, giving customers a range of options depending on how much live and premium content they want.
Samsung TV Plus adds Major League Volleyball
More and more free, ad-supported streaming services are adding live sports content, and Samsung TV Plus is the next streamer to do so. As announced on Thursday, the streamer will begin offering Major League Volleyball matches on Feb. 15 on Samsung TV Network. Matches will continue to stream free there for the remainder of the 2026 season.