A little over a year since the beta release of its conversational AI search and discovery tool, Cineverse is making cineSearch commercially available to business customers. The Los Angeles startup says its AI-powered framework “solves” the content-hunt quandary for digital networks and streaming services, finding programming across all streaming platforms. Cineverse is making cineSearch available for commercial licensing to OEMs and streaming platforms via the company’s own sales team and through Google Cloud Marketplace. CineSearch was developed using Google’s AI ecosystem — specifically Vertex AI platform and the Gemini 2.0 Pro model. Continue reading CineSearch Is a New AI Discovery Tool for Streaming Content

Fox Corporation’s Tubi free ad-supported streaming service has partnered with Kickstarter to support independent filmmakers raising funds on the crowdfunding platform. The deal will bring more than 20 Kickstarter-funded films to Tubi for an exclusive period beginning this fall. As part of the arrangement, Tubi has joined with Kickstarter to launch the FilmStream Collective fund, which will channel completion funds to filmmakers active on the platform. Tubi reaches over 97 million monthly active users worldwide with FAST entertainment in the form of on-demand movies and TV episodes, including original content. Continue reading Tubi Is Joining Forces with Kickstarter to Support Indie Films

Two years after debuting a self-branded TV line, and one year following the rollout of its premium Pro series, Roku is unveiling a new line the spans from budget to higher-end models. The 2025 lineup — featuring Roku Select, Roku Plus and Roku Pro Series — are available with prices starting at just $130 for the entry-level Select series, while a 75-inch Pro Series mini-LED will run about $1,700. The lineup promises “seamless setup,” a built-in remote finder, updated Smart Picture Max — “Roku’s most advanced video ever,” and “performance upgrades and intelligent features” that automate “the best picture and sound.” Roku is also offering two new streaming sticks and testing a refreshed home screen. Continue reading Roku Offering Its Latest Smart TV Line and New User Interface

Less than a week after the official launch of Nintendo’s Switch 2, Microsoft and Asus have unveiled some details about their rumored handheld Xbox gaming device powered by Windows 11. The ROG Xbox Ally and high-performance ROG Xbox Ally X are due to hit the market in time for this year’s holiday season, promising easy cloud access to “all of the games available on Windows,” including popular “games from Xbox, Game Pass, Battle.net, and other leading PC storefronts,” all from a single streaming device. The twist is that the new hardware bypasses the typical Windows boot requirements in lieu of streamlined access through an “aggregated gaming library.” Continue reading Microsoft, Asus Tease ROG Xbox Ally Mobile Gaming Devices

Warner Bros. Discovery is planning to split into two publicly-traded companies by next year, one company focused on film, streaming and content production and the other concentrating on traditional television, including cable TV properties CNN, Discovery and TNT Sports. The Streaming & Studios company will contain Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, and HBO Max, as well as the film and television libraries. Global Networks will include CNN, TNT Sports in the U.S. as well as top free-to-air European channels, Bleacher Report and the Discovery+ streaming network. Continue reading WBD Will Split into Two Publicly Traded Companies Next Year

AMC Networks has partnered with Runway to use the AI startup’s models and technology in the TV studio’s marketing and development processes. The Cablevision-owned AMC Networks brand — home to cable TV hits such as “Mad Men,” “Breaking Bad” and “The Walking Dead” that have found new audiences on the AMC+ streaming service — plans to use AI in everything from identifying key scenes for promotional use to ideating new ideas, previsualization and special effects. Lionsgate entered a similar deal with Runway last year that had the reciprocal benefit of allowing the AI company to use the studio’s content to train models. Continue reading AMC Networks the Latest to Partner with Runway for AI Tools

Twitch is upgrading its presentation capabilities with the addition of vertical viewing and dual-format streaming. The popular Amazon-owned gaming platform is also adding 2K video in open beta for all partners and affiliates, broadening accessibility for high-definition formats. In January 2024, Twitch began experimenting with HD including 4K, which remains in closed beta for select users. The format tests were part of Twitch’s Enhanced Broadcast initiative with Nvidia and OBS Studio, purveyor of the open broadcaster format. Creators with access to Enhanced Broadcasting in Twitch Studio can use dual formatting to simultaneously stream in horizontal and vertical formats. Continue reading Twitch Announces New Features to Enhance Mobile Viewing

Disney+ has toggled its one-off promotions to Always-On Perks that aim to build subscriber loyalty and boost renewals for its flagship streaming service and Hulu. Simultaneously, the company is also launching a program called Disney Pinnacle with game developer Dapper Labs. Disney+ subscribers will have early access to a monthly mystery capsule called Disney Pinnacle by Dapper Labs that comes with a $10 Dapper Credit. Subscribers will have access to discounts and various perks from the entertainment giant and its partners. Always-On Perks participants could win tickets to the “Freakier Friday” world premiere or a four-night cruise on the Disney Destiny. Continue reading Disney+ Offers Perks and Fan Experiences with New Program

Artificial intelligence startup Odyssey, which turns two this year, has unveiled an interactive streaming AI video model. Available on the web in research preview, the model generates video streams every 40 milliseconds that viewers can navigate through — much like interacting with a 3D-rendered video game using either a keyboard, game controller or smartphone. Odyssey describes the current experience as similar to “exploring a glitchy dream” and says that while “utility is limited for now” its breakthrough is based on the fact that “improvements won’t be driven by hand-built game engines, but rather by models and data.” Continue reading Odyssey’s AI World Modeling Engine Streams Interactive 3D

Amazon Music has unveiled an AI search tool for music discovery, rolling out in beta on iOS to select Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers in the U.S. Powered by Amazon Bedrock, the feature aims to help listeners learn more about their favorite artists. Called Explore, it provides richer recommendations, including curated music collections, and the search results can be used to create AI-generated playlists that are based on an artist, according to Amazon. “This experimental feature includes results for many of your favorite artists today and will continue expanding to include more over time,” Amazon adds. Continue reading Amazon Music Beta Tests AI Search in iOS for Unlimited Subs

Netflix told Upfronts attendees its ad-supported tier now reaches more than 94 million global monthly active users, including more 18-34-year-olds than any other U.S. broadcast or cable network. The total grew by 20 million since November, when Netflix last publicly shared the tally. Making a case for ad support in a competitive market, Netflix President of Advertising Amy Reinhard added that the streamer’s U.S. users are “highly engaged, spending an average of 41 hours per month on Netflix.” The ad-supported tier was added in November 2022 and costs $7.99 per month (versus $17.99 monthly for the entry level ad-free plan). Continue reading Netflix Enters Third Year of Ad Tier with 94 Million Active Users

Though it doesn’t have the usual slate of regular series to tout at the Upfronts, YouTube showcased a sizzling one-off to promote the NFL’s first Friday game coming to the streamer and new products for driving ad engagement. A new tool called Peak Points leverages Google Gemini to serve ads to viewers when the AI finds them most receptive. Masthead on CTV reimagines the YouTube homepage as “an edge-to-edge canvas for ads,” while Cultural Moments Sponsorships involves selling placements “with a high share of voice and brand integrations within content.” Continue reading YouTube Promotes New Ad Tools, AI Tech at Brandcast Event

Cable giants Charter Communications and Cox Communications are merging in a $34.5 billion deal as the industry continues to contend with the impact of streaming services and related trends such as cord cutting. Charter and Cox are among the cable-based companies that have been focusing more on residential broadband businesses in recent years. The corporate name of the newly combined company will be Cox Communications, to be led by current Charter President and CEO Chris Winfrey, while Charter’s Spectrum cable and broadband will serve as the consumer-facing brand. The merger will involve $21.9 billion of equity and $12.6 billion of debt. Continue reading Charter and Cox Merge in $34.5 Billion Cable, Broadband Deal

Disney’s ESPN all-access streaming app, priced at $30 per month for an “unlimited” package, will roll out this fall. Those who subscribe as part of a Disney+ and Hulu ad-supported bundle will get all three services for $36 per month, discounted to $30 per month for customers who sign up at launch. Included in the new app — simply named “ESPN” — will be live NFL, NBA, college football and basketball games as well as programming from sister services ESPN2, the SEC Network and ESPN on ABC. The package will also feature new betting tie-ins, fantasy products, documentaries and studio programming. A “select” plan starts at $12 per month. Continue reading ESPN Announces Its New Streaming App Will Launch This Fall

CNN announced the planned fall launch of a new streaming direct-to-consumer service. Pricing and start date details have yet to be revealed, but network CEO Mark Thompson announced the new product Wednesday at the Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront in New York City. Thompson said the streaming service will be tied to a CNN.com subscription product. As with recent streaming launches from FOX and ESPN, CNN is taking care not to compete with its most lucrative customers, traditional cable providers, who will be able to pass through the new offering at no additional charge. Continue reading CNN Shares Plan to Introduce New Streaming Product in 2025