The streaming industry is rapidly evolving, with key updates this month including platform rebrands, new revenue strategies, and geographic expansions across North America, Europe, Asia, LATAM, and beyond, according to BB Media.
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Streaming Platform Updates in North America:
Several major changes are reshaping the U.S. streaming landscape:
DirecTV has dropped the “Stream” branding and unified its offerings under DirecTV.com, featuring genre-based bundles, free ad-supported channels, and streaming-only packages. The new DirecTV app centralizes the experience, highlighting a shift toward app-based viewing.
Max launched an Extra Member Add-On for $7.99/month, allowing account sharing outside the household with personal logins. A new Profile Transfer feature also lets users retain their viewing history and preferences when switching accounts.
Impact Network debuted Impact TV+, a free streaming platform delivering culturally rich, values-based content tailored to Black families in the U.S., broadening its digital reach.
Netflix rolled out enhanced subtitle options, starting with You Season 5. Users can now choose subtitles that exclude audio cues, alongside customization of font and size, offering more control over accessibility.
Streaming Services Expand Across Asia:
Max has officially launched in Turkey, replacing BluTV. The platform offers both subscription and ad-supported plans starting at USD 6 per month. Premium options include 4K streaming and offline viewing. The inclusion of Eurosport content enhances its appeal to sports fans.
Prime Video introduced limited, non-skippable ads in Japan, ranging from 15 to 30 seconds. Viewers can opt for an ad-free experience by paying an extra USD 3 per month, while the base Prime subscription price remains unchanged.
LATAM’s Streaming Market Grows with New Platforms and Rebrands:
Mercado Play, by Mercado Libre, has launched its Smart TV app across Latin America, now available on Samsung, LG, Android TV, and Google TV. Already successful on mobile and web, it delivers free, ad-supported content to living rooms.
Neo Telecom, a Paraguayan ISP, is developing a new streaming platform featuring live TV, on-demand content, and AI-powered recommendations. The service will be free for select broadband customers and is expected to launch soon.
Canal 13 in Chile has rebranded with a new logo and slogan, signaling its transformation into a modern, multiplatform content creator while honoring its legacy.
Disney+ has expanded its offering in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Mexico by enabling direct sign-ups for its ad-supported Standard plan—no longer limited to partnerships like Mercado Libre. Users can now choose from Premium, Standard, and Standard with Ads tiers.
Europe’s Streaming Landscape Sees Strategic Expansions and Rebrands:
Max launched an ad-supported plan in Spain, Portugal, and Andorra, priced at EUR 6.99 in Spain and Andorra, and EUR 5.99 in Portugal. Standard and Premium tiers remain available, with distribution expanded via Amazon Prime Video Channels. In Spain, ad sales are managed by Warner Bros. Discovery and Pulsa Media.
MagentaTV in Germany now offers selected shows and live events for free starting April 24th, including popular series like The Handmaid’s Tale. A full-access free trial will follow, inviting more users to sample its content.
BBC First has rebranded to BBC NL in the Netherlands, reinforcing its local presence with premium British drama and full Dutch subtitles. The current lineup includes Miss Scarlet (Season 5) and All Creatures Great and Small (Season 5).
Sportworld has launched a pay-per-view service in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, beginning with the Copa del Rey final at EUR 2.99. Initially available on Samsung and LG Smart TVs, more platforms will follow soon.
Global Streaming Services Evolve with New Platforms and Rebrands:
Unleashed by DOGTV, launched by OGTV Networks, is now available globally. Pet-centric and free to access, it offers over 250 hours of English-language content for pet lovers via Fire TV (U.S.), TugoTV (U.S./Canada), and YouTube.
Super Toons, created by Kedoo Entertainment, is now globally available for USD 1.30. The platform delivers ad-free children’s content with built-in parental controls and screen-time limits. Its FAST channels have also expanded across Europe via TCL Channel and Xiaomi TV+.
Max has introduced a global rebrand, unveiling a sleek black-and-white logo inspired by HBO’s iconic style. The update reinforces Max’s premium positioning and marks a bold new phase in its global identity.
TelecomLead.com News Desk
