Deezer has launched a new tool allowing users to scan playlists across various streaming platforms for AI-generated music. The service, compatible with 20 platforms including Spotify and Apple Music, aims to bring AI detection directly to consumers.
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Paramount's $110bn takeover of Warner Bros Discovery, citing concerns over a substantial lessening of competition.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will not testify before Congress on June 10 regarding the league's broadcast deals and use of paywalled streaming services, citing ongoing litigation. The House Judiciary Committee is investigating potential antitrust violations related to the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.
South Korean streaming platform Tving has reported a data breach affecting user information including IDs, names, birthdays, phone numbers, and emails due to unauthorized external access. The company has apologized and is cooperating with a government investigation.
Italian authorities have dismantled a sophisticated piracy ring distributing illegal subscriptions to streaming platforms like Sky, Dazn, Netflix, and Spotify. The operation, involving 100 raids across Italy and cooperation with France and Germany, uncovered a new app called Cinemagoal that decrypts content via foreign servers. The estimated damage to companies is around 300 million euros, with sanctions to be issued to 1,000 identified subscribers.
Apple TV+ is releasing two new shows, 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' and 'Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed,' exploring OnlyFans and cam modeling. The series tackle themes of loneliness, companionship, and the realities of online sex work, reflecting a growing normalization of these topics in media.
Uefa anticipates increased UK viewership for the Champions League final despite TNT Sport's decision to charge for access, a first in 34 years. While previous finals were free, the new paywall on HBO Max is expected to boost numbers, though critics argue major sporting events should remain free-to-air.
For the second year in a row, Netflix's ad-supported tier more than doubled its monthly viewerbase. During its 2026 upfront presentation, Netflix revealed that its $8.99-per-month plan reaches more than 250 million people around the globe, a significant leap from 94 million users reported last year. The streaming service reported earning $1.5 billion from ads […]
Five gang members sentenced for running the world's largest Premier League piracy operation have been ordered to return £3.75m in profits. Mark Gould, the mastermind behind Flawless TV, must repay £2.35m within three months or face an additional 10-year prison sentence. The operation had over 50,000 customers and generated over £7m between 2016 and 2021.
A preview of upcoming science fiction streaming shows for summer 2026, with Apple TV dominating the lineup. Notable releases include The Boroughs (Netflix, May 21), a retirement community mystery starring Alfred Molina and Geena Davis; Star City (Apple TV, May 29), a For All Mankind spinoff showing the Soviet moon landing perspective; Sugar (Apple TV, June 19), a noir detective series with a multiverse twist; Silo (Apple TV, July 3), heading into its third season; Lanterns (HBO Max, August 16), a grounded Green Lantern police drama; and Dark Matter (Apple TV, August 28), based on Blake Crouch's novel about multiverse self-kidnapping.
Duke announced a first-of-its-kind enterprise partnership with Amazon/Prime Video to broadcast three marquee men's basketball games in 2026-27: vs. UConn in Las Vegas (Nov. 25), reigning champion Michigan at Madison Square Garden (Dec. 21), and Gonzaga in Detroit (Feb. 20). The deal marks Amazon's inaugural college sports broadcast and includes extensive NIL opportunities for Duke athletes, with Prime Video set to air three neutral-site nonconference games per season going forward.
Roku's Howdy streaming service has surpassed 1 million subscribers eight months after its August 2025 launch, according to research firm Antenna. The $2.99/month ad-free service attracted 300,000 subscribers in its first month and has maintained at least 100,000 monthly additions since. Howdy's six-month retention rate of 51% exceeds the premium SVOD average of 47% and specialty SVOD average of 38%.
Deezer disclosed that AI-generated tracks now represent 44% of all new daily uploads, equating to nearly 75,000 artificial tracks per day or over 2 million monthly. Despite the upload flood, these tracks account for only 1-3% of total streams, with 85% of plays identified as artificial and demonetized. The Paris-based platform deployed its AI detection tool in January 2025 achieving 99.8% accuracy and has identified over 13.4 million AI tracks since.
Reed Hastings, Netflix co-founder and chair, will not stand for re-election at the June annual meeting to focus on philanthropy. The announcement coincides with Q1 revenue of $12.25bn, up 16%, but shares fell 8% after the news and failed Warner Bros bid.
Netflix cofounder and chairman Reed Hastings will exit the company's board of directors in June when his term expires, shifting focus to philanthropy. He served as CEO for over 20 years until 2023, taking over from co-founder Marc Randolph in the late 1990s. The announcement accompanied Netflix's first quarterly earnings since walking away from its Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition offer in February. Netflix shares dropped nearly 9% to $98.32 in after-hours trading despite strong quarterly results, as the company's outlook disappointed investors.
