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Tag: Netflix

  • Netflix Sued by S. Korean Broadband Company Over ‘Squid Game’ Traffic

    Netflix Sued by S. Korean Broadband Company Over ‘Squid Game’ Traffic

    Netflix is being sued by a South Korean broadband company over a surge in traffic from the streaming giant’s new Squid Game series.

    Squid Game is the streaming giant’s latest hit, and has caused a surge in viewers, as well as the corresponding internet usage. SK Broadband is suing over that usage, according to Reuters, wanting Netflix to pay for the increased traffic.

    The two companies have a history of legal issues. Although the latest lawsuit has been brought by SK Broadband, Netflix sued last year to avoid paying for network usage. While most other companies, such as Apple, Amazon and Facebook pay such fees, Netflix and YouTube do not — despite being the top two internet traffic generators.

    According to Reuters the courts have so far sided with SK Broadband, saying the company provides “a service provided at a cost.” The Seoul Central District Court called it “reasonable” for Netflix to be “obligated to provide something in return for the service,” dealing the company a major blow in its case. While Netflix is appealing its loss, the decision likely encouraged SK Broadband to launch this latest lawsuit.

  • Netflix Confirms It Will Offer Mobile Games, Ad-Free and No Extra Cost

    Netflix Confirms It Will Offer Mobile Games, Ad-Free and No Extra Cost

    Netflix has confirmed the rumors, announcing it will offer mobile games at no extra cost and ad-free.

    Netflix has been rumored to be preparing to enter the video game market, even going so far as to hire Mike Verdu — formerly of Electronic Arts and Facebook’s Oculus team — as Vice President of Game Development.

    According to CNET, the company has now confirmed its plans at its second-quarter earnings calls.

    “There’s a rich opportunity to continue to deliver and advance the technical capability to improve the quality of game experiences we can deliver across the range of devices,” said Greg Peters, Netflix’s chief operating and product officer.

    Netflix entering the video game market could be a game-changer for the company and help drive subscription growth. Especially with plans to offer the service at no extra cost, consumers who have complained about Netflix’s price hikes may suddenly see the company’s offering as an entertainment-based value proposition.

  • Netflix Hires Former EA Exec Mike Verdu to Lead Gaming Venture

    Netflix Hires Former EA Exec Mike Verdu to Lead Gaming Venture

    Netflix is looking to expand beyond TV and movies, hiring former Electronic Arts executive Mike Verdu to lead its video gaming endeavor.

    Streaming platforms are increasingly looking for ways to expand their offerings and increase customer engagement. fuboTV is preparing to offer sports betting and Netflix is looking to expand into video gaming. 

    To help it break into the highly competitive market, Netflix is hiring Mike Verdu as Vice President of Game Development, according to Bloomberg. In addition to EA, Verdu also worked as a vice president at Facebook, helping developers bring their gams to the company’s Oculus VR system.

    Verdu should bring valuable insights and expertise to Netflix, giving it a major leg up in its efforts to break into the market.

  • Verizon Offering Free Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass

    Verizon Offering Free Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass

    Verizon is offering subscribers free Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass in its ongoing efforts to be the center of customers’ digital life.

    Carriers are increasingly expanding beyond basics wireless service, offering promotions, complimentary services and partnerships. The goal is to help reduce churn — the rate at which customers switch carriers — by becoming entrenched in customers’ lives.

    For example, T-Mobile offers T-Mobile Money banking service and T-Mobile Home Internet, as well as free Netflix. Meanwhile, some Verizon plans include free Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+, as well as free Apple Music and Discovery+. 

    Verizon is expanding its bundled services to include a free Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass plan.

    Starting May 25, new and existing customers get six months of Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass, ($4.99/mo. value) on us with any unlimited plan or 12 months on us with “Play More” or “Get More” plans.

  • Netflix May Be Moving Into Gaming

    Netflix May Be Moving Into Gaming

    One of the biggest streaming platforms may be making a move into gaming, as Netflix looks for an executive to lead the effort.

    Netflix is one of the most successful streaming platforms, with more than 207 million subscribers. As the company continues to look for ways to stay competitive, gaming is a logical area for possible expansion.

    According to a report by The Information, Netflix is currently looking for an executive that could head up its gaming initiative. The company is looking to possibly create a service similar to Apple Arcade, a service that will not be ad-supported.

    The company all but confirmed its plans in a comment to GameSpot:

    “Our members value the variety and quality of our content. It’s why we’ve continually expanded our offering–from series to documentaries, film, local language originals and reality TV,” Netflix told GameSpot. “Members also enjoy engaging more directly with stories they love–through interactive shows like Bandersnatch and You v. Wild, or games based on Stranger Things, La Casa de Papel and To All the Boys. So we’re excited to do more with interactive entertainment.”

    Should Netflix’s plans prove successful, it would open an entirely new opportunity for the company, ensuring growth for years to come.

  • AT&T and Discovery Create Joint TV Streaming Company

    AT&T and Discovery Create Joint TV Streaming Company

    AT&T and Discovery are joining forces and creating a new company that will combine their media assets to better compete.

    The streaming market has become a fiercely competitive one, with YouTube TV, Hulu, fuboTV, Sling, Netflix, Amazon, Disney and Apple spending big bucks to gain subscribers and release original content. For smaller players, like Discovery+ and AT&T’s HBO Max, it can be difficult to compete.

    According to The Associated Press, the two companies believe their best option is to combine their media offerings, creating a single company that will open the door to better bundling options. Given the two companies control CNN, Food Network, HGTV, HBO, TBS and TNT, it’s a safe bet subscribers would pay to have a bundle including those channels.

    The new company may even be able to offer complimentary plans that fill in holes in other streaming packages offered by other companies. For example, fuboTV doesn’t carry CNN, TBS or TNT, making an affordable add-on package an attractive option for fuboTV users.

    If the deal is approved, AT&T shareholders would own 71% of the company, as opposed to Discovery’s 29%. It’s believed the combined company would save some $3 billion annually, freeing up more money for original content.

    Provided Discovery shareholders sign off on the deal, it is expected to close the middle of next year.

  • Apple TV+ Hits 40 Million Subscribers

    Apple TV+ Hits 40 Million Subscribers

    Apple TV+ has crossed a major milestone, according to estimates, topping 40 million subscribers.

    Apple TV+ is the company’s take on streaming TV, with a focus on original content. Ted Lasso, The Morning Show and Mythic Quest are some of the biggest TV shows on the platform. Meanwhile, Tom Hanks’ Greyhound was a critically-acclaimed movie that debuted on Apple TV+.

    Despite being a relative newcomer to the streaming market, Apple’s entry is already making some impressive strides, according to Newsweek. Apple TV+ was estimated to have 33.6 million subscribers at the end of 2019 and 40 million by the end of 2020.

    With 40 million subscribers, Apple TV+ comes in ahead of Paramount+ (under 36 million), Peacock (33 million) and Hulu (39.4 million). Apple’s platform is still behind HBO Max and far behind Disney+, Amazon Prime and Netflix.

    In addition, Apple TV+ has obviously benefited from Apple bundling it for free with new purchases of iPhones, iPads and Macs. It remains to be seen if the service maintains its popularity once people have to pay for it.