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The Streaming Wars

Just as dramatic as anything you’ll find on TV.

the industry

The Binge Purge

 TV’s streaming model is broken. It’s also not going away. For Hollywood, figuring that out will be a horror show. By Josef Adalian and Lane Brown

Streamer Power Rank

  1. Who’s Winning the Streaming Wars Now? By Josef Adalian
  2. 2022’s Hottest Streamer By Josef Adalian
  3. 2021’s Hottest Streamer By Josef Adalian

More From the Front Lines

  1. streamliner
    Why Tubi Is Updating Its Whole Look (and Sound)The free streamer is doubling down on being weird.
    By Josef Adalian
  2. buffering
    Do Nielsen Ratings Really Reflect What People Want From Streamers?How many people are actually streaming Suits and Young Sheldon?
    By Josef Adalian
  3. buffering
    Made in Spain: How the Country Became Key to Netflix’s International Strategy“I couldn’t remotely imagine we could be where we are,” says Money Heist creator Álex Pina.
    By Josef Adalian
  4. buffering
    How Much Will People Pay for Just Sports?A newly announced streaming bundle aims to find out.
    By Josef Adalian
  5. vulture sports!
    A Big New Sports Streaming Service Is Coming This YearFox, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Disney are teaming up for a new Hulu-like bundle devoted to live sports.
    By Eric Vilas-Boas
  6. buffering
    The Week Netflix Put the Smackdown on Its RivalsCan you smell what Ted Sarandos is cooking?
    By Josef Adalian
  7. freebies
    5 Mobile Plans That Can Get You a Free Streaming ServiceYou get a free Disney+! And you get a free Max! And you get a free Netflix!
    By Savannah Salazar
  8. the streaming wars
    Netflix Kills Its ‘Basic’ Plan (Again)Prepare to pay up if you want a new ad-free account.
    By Eric Vilas-Boas and Savannah Salazar
  9. the streaming wars
    Netflix Snaps Up WWE’s RawWeekly live wrestling is coming to the platform in a deal worth more than $5 billion.
    By Eric Vilas-Boas
  10. layoffs
    Amazon Lays Off Hundreds Across Its Streaming BusinessesA rough 2023 for the industry has turned into a rough start to 2024.
    By Eric Vilas-Boas
  11. the streaming wars
    Hulu on Disney+ Is Finally LiveHere’s how the beta works … and how it doesn’t work.
    By Josef Adalian
  12. the write stuff
    Tubi to Be Home for Some Black List Movie ScriptsFive screenplays will be produced as Tubi Originals through the partnership.
    By Eric Vilas-Boas
  13. the $treaming wars
    Disney’s Officially Buying (All of) HuluThe Mouse House will pay at least $8.6 million for sole custody of the streamer.
    By Josef Adalian
  14. buffering
    5 Things to Hate (and Love) About Streaming Right NowTime to rant and rave.
    By Josef Adalian
  15. buffering
    Why Frasier Needs Longer Seasons (and a Network Home)Tossed salad and scrambled streaming strategies.
    By Josef Adalian
  16. streaming
    A Bunch of Classic TV Is Leaving HuluSubscribers will be parting ways with Ally McBeal, Arrested Development, Beverly Hills 90210, and more.
    By Josef Adalian
  17. the streaming wars
    Max Is Up at Bat for Live SportsA new add-on is coming to the Warner Bros. Discovery streaming service.
    By Josef Adalian
  18. buffering
    What If Everyone Won the Charter-Disney Dispute?A closer look at Disney’s deal with the cable company.
    By Josef Adalian
  19. the streaming wars
    AMC Shows Will Start Haunting MaxIn a new deal, certain AMC shows will find a home on Max. Could a bundle be near?
    By Josef Adalian
  20. buffering
    What We Love (and Hate) About Free Streaming in 2023An emergency discussion about our “no-commitment relationship” with FAST.
  21. buffering
    Could a True Streaming Bundle Be Upon Us?The idea is (slowly) gaining traction in some unexpected corners.
    By Josef Adalian
  22. buffering
    The Looming Catalog CrisisSuits is the hottest show on streaming right now. What does that mean?
    By Josef Adalian
  23. buffering
    Could These Suits Help End the Strikes?Meet the not-so-famous execs who might be able to break the impasse.
    By Josef Adalian
  24. buffering
    How a Strike Over Streaming Could End Up Killing Network TV“It almost feels like the networks are complicit in their own self-destruction.”
    By Josef Adalian
  25. the streaming wars
    Netflix Being Rude About Passwords Seems to Be WorkingThe company added 5.9 million users.
    By Eric Vilas-Boas
  26. the streaming wars
    Yes, HBO Shows Are Going to NetflixInsecure was the first to show up on Max’s streaming rival.
    By Eric Vilas-Boas and Josef Adalian
  27. new money
    Is Netflix Preparing to Raise Prices Again?Let’s talk about our friends up north.
    By Eric Vilas-Boas
  28. buffering
    TCM Fans Are Right to WorryNo, the channel isn’t going away, but this week’s cuts will be felt by viewers.
    By Josef Adalian
  29. into it
    Netflix Envy Broke TelevisionIt’s a bad moment for TV. Blame the streaming platforms, the shareholders, but also, yourself.
    By Sam Sanders
  30. the industry
    The Binge PurgeTV’s streaming model is broken. It’s also not going away. For Hollywood, figuring that out will be a horror show.
    By Josef Adalian and Lane Brown
  31. the industry
    Who’s Winning the Streaming Wars Now?Our panel of insiders get honest about which services are coming out on top, and which need to be “burnt to the ground.”
    By Josef Adalian
  32. buffering
    Let’s Talk About Max’s First WeekAn emergency discussion about the streaming service formerly known as HBO Max.
    By Josef Adalian and Eric Vilas-Boas
  33. buffering
    Squid Game Was Just the StartNetflix’s head of content in Korea takes us inside the service’s massive K-content strategy.
    By Josef Adalian
  34. disney-
    Disney+ Loses 4 Million Subscribers, Prepares to Pull Some ContentMeanwhile, Hulu bossed up and gained subs.
    By Savannah Salazar
  35. the streaming wars
    Warner Bros. Discovery Sues Paramount Over South Park Licensing DealLooks like HBO Max and Paramount+ are fighting.
    By Savannah Salazar
  36. for an extra dollar
    Paramount+ Would Like a Raise, PleaseCombining with Showtime doesn’t come cheap.
    By Savannah Salazar
  37. buffering
    To Hulu or Not Hulu: 4 Big Questions for Disney Right NowPhase Two of Bob Iger’s streaming strategy: Fewer shows, more franchises — and maybe one less platform.
    By Josef Adalian
  38. buffering
    Could Peacock Maybe, Finally, Be Having a Moment?The shows are clicking, but will it be enough for the struggling streamer? Content chief Susan Rovner is betting on it.
    By Josef Adalian
  39. buffering
    What Netflix’s Bela Bajaria Era Means for Hollywood“She needs to keep programming things people watch versus snobby s- - - people don’t.”
    By Josef Adalian
  40. buffering
    “We Had to Learn Everything Over Again”: How FX Survived the Streaming WarsJohn Landgraf on the network’s transition to Hulu, working for Disney, and why peak TV is finally, actually here (really).
    By Josef Adalian
  41. vulture recommends
    The Town Was the Perfect Podcast for the Year Hollywood Went CrazyThe series launched in March and quickly became the watercooler of choice for the streaming wars.
    By Nicholas Quah
  42. buffering
    How Netflix Won Even While It Was LosingIt was a tough year, but the service still produced some of its biggest hits ever. We talk to Netflix’s scripted programming chief all about it.
    By Josef Adalian
  43. buffering
    Little Britain, Big TV: Inside the BBC’s Streaming StrategyThe Beeb’s most popular shows are spread out across American streaming services. That’s by design.
    By Josef Adalian
  44. spotify x myers-briggs
    There’s Just Too Much Spotify WrappedApple Music and YouTube Music are onboard — while Spotify has gone overboard.
    By Justin Curto
  45. buffering
    Three Big Questions About Disney’s Streaming FutureBob Iger’s back. What does that mean for Disney+?
    By Josef Adalian
  46. buffering
    Plenty of Subscribers, Even More Red Ink: A Tale of Two DisneysSubscriber growth alone isn’t enough for Bob Chapek’s Disney.
    By Josef Adalian
  47. back to basic
    We Tried Netflix With Ads and Didn’t Hate ItCommercial breaks during Roma? It could be right for you.
    By Luke Winkie
  48. buffering
    Roku’s ‘Weird’ ScienceFirst dongles. Now an original movie. Next: streaming domination?
    By Josef Adalian
  49. buffering
    HBO’s Big Dragon Bet Paid Off“My No. 1 feeling is relief,” says HBO chief Casey Bloys.
    By Josef Adalian
  50. buffering
    Pluto TV Joins the Big LeaguesAnd other insights from a new Nielsen report.
    By Josef Adalian
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