The latest Paramount and WBD drama, more stories you missed
The latest Paramount and WBD drama, more stories you missed
Check out our weekly list of streaming news stories, casting announcements, trailer debuts, and more.
It’s been a busy week in the world of streaming! Prime Video is now offering a bundle of five new streaming services, and Disney+ replaced one of its most popular features, to the ire of some subscribers.
If you’ve been caught up in the major streaming headlines from the week, or simply haven’t had time to track every story in the world of streaming, we’ve got you covered. Learn more about the latest in the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger, new sports rights additions for DAZN, plus casting announcements, release dates, and new trailers below.
What you missed in streaming this week
Paramount ready to leave California, WBD merger clears foreign ownership review
Paramount’s merger with Warner Bros. Discovery is still in legal limbo, as an antitrust lawsuit brought by 12 states and led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta works its way through court. Paramount has threatened to move out of California if sued, and now that legal action is underway, the company is preparing to follow through on its threats. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday, Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison says he will move Paramount headquarters to another state if the lawsuit isn’t resolved by Oct. 1, regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit.
THR reports that Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas are in the running to host Paramount if it does move. Should the merger of Paramount and WBD clear, the company would be 49.5% foreign owned thanks to investments from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and other international groups. As of Thursday, the FCC has officially cleared the company to go ahead with such a large foreign ownership stake, after being petitioned by Paramount for approval as required by regulations.
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ is a subscription video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 40,000+ TV show episodes from BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., and more. Get free access with a Walmart+ subscription.
Paramount+ includes “1883,” “Tulsa King,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and “PAW Patrol.” Subscribers can watch the NFL, college football, The Masters, college basketball, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Serie A, and NWSL. The service also offers the option to watch your live CBS affiliate. The upgraded ad-free package includes premium movies and shows from Showtime.
DAZN to offer Ultimate Sevens rugby for free
On Saturday, DAZN announced that it would host international broadcast coverage of Ultimate Sevens rugby, the newest elite rugby competition. Ultimate Sevens will feature Olympic medalists, international seven stars, and other top players competing across three tournaments in Cardiff, Biarritz, and London, with the Grand Final slated for Thursday, Sept. 24.
As described by DAZN, “the innovative format has been created to deliver rugby at full speed, with six new elite global clubs competing in straight knockout games featuring 10-minute matches, team timeouts and bonus points for conversions taken from more difficult parts of the pitch.” DAZN will broadcast the series for free globally, except in Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Spain.
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.
TiVo bringing new Element smart TVs to top retailers
TiVo announced on Thursday that its smart TV operating system is launching on a new line of smart TVs. In partnership with Element, TiVo is launching a line of 4K UHD smart TVs in 50-inch and 65-inch sizes.
The TVs will be available online through Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart, and exclusively at BrandsMart retail locations. The new partnership pairs value-forward Element TVs with the TiVo operating system, giving shoppers another affordable smart TV option.
Major League Wrestling strikes deal with Tubi
Tubi is adding more live sports entertainment content. As exclusively reported by The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday, Major League Wrestling’s flagship series “MLW Fusion” will stream for free on the ad-supported service every Thursday night starting at 8 p.m. ET.
The weekly show will join other sporting events on Tubi such as NBA G League games, live soccer matches, and more. In the past, Tubi has also hosted select World Cup games during that global tournament, as well as the Super Bowl when it’s hosted by parent company Fox.
Tubi
Tubi is a free video streaming service that includes on-demand access to 200,000+ movies and TV episodes - more than any other streaming service. Its ad breaks are shorter and less frequent than most free services. Fox executives have called their service “TV on steroids.”
Renewals, pickups, and cancellations
- CBS and Paramount+ will present the concert film “The JLO SHOW: Live in Las Vegas” on Thursday, Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving) at 8 p.m. ET.
- Roku is teaming with Kristin Cavallari for a new scripted romantic comedy series named “Cowboy Hearts,” which will also star Tanner Novlan.
- HBO Max has ordered the one-hour drama series “How to Survive Without Me” from writer and producer Greg Berlanti. The show stars Ray Romano, Kaley Cuoco, Joshua Jackson, Julia Schlaepfer, and Rita Wilson.
- “Slow Horses” has been renewed for an eighth season by Apple TV. Season 8 of the show will be based on the Mick Herron novel “Clown Town.”
- Peacock has ordered three more seasons of “The Traitors,” meaning the series is confirmed through at least Season 9.
- The drama series “M.I.A.” will not return for a second season on Peacock, having been cancelled by the streamer.
Trailers and premiere dates
- Bill Murray’s golf docuseries “A Course Called Ireland” will premiere on Paramount+ on Oct. 25.
- “Steps” will premiere on Netflix on Nov. 20.
- “Tuner” debuts on Paramount+ Sept. 21.
See the trailer for ‘Kate Berlant: Parmesan’ on HBO Max, premiering Oct. 16
See preview images from ‘Pride and Prejudice’ on Netflix
