Warner Bros. Discovery splits
Warner Bros. Discovery plans to split into two companies next year. One company will have Warner's studios and streaming services, including HBO Max, the DC Comics Universe, as well as film and TV production and distribution. The other will contain WBD's cable TV networks, including CNN and Discovery and will also acquire most of WBD's existing debt. This follows Comcast’s move at the end of last year that it was splitting up its cable networks, including CNBC, MSNBC, E!, Syfy, Golf Channel, USA, and Oxygen.
The Circana Take:
- The big question is how the cable networks will operate with the massive debt load.
Roku is testing a new UI
Roku is testing a new homepage that makes it easier to find your apps and discover content to watch. Enhancements include a new section called Quick Access, which automatically displays the apps used most often and lets you browse through all your subscribed content in one place. Additionally, Roku options including “Live TV” and “Featured Free” are now located on the main grid to make them easier to see and help users browse for content across the site. There is also a new section called “What are you in the mood for?” that helps you surf content within various categories. Further, Roku is adding a shortcut to “trending” events, such as the Oscars and personalized recommendations. The test is currently being rolled out to a small number of Roku users.
The Circana Take:
- Like streaming services, operating systems are relying more on UI upgrades to keep users engaged. As users have come to expect an overall seamless experience, this trend is likely to continue.
AVOD Zone-ify offers video games through TV Remotes
AVOD service Zone-ify is launching a feature allowing viewers to play video games through their TV remote. This is the first time an AVOD service is offering gaming. Video games will be offered without requiring downloads, consoles, or mobile devices. At launch, the games will be available through pay-TV providers including Comcast Xfinity, Cox Contour and DirecTV as well as Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Google TV. The gaming component will also launch soon on Roku, Apple TV, Samsung, LG and Vizio. Netflix previously announced a mobile-only game offering eventually moving to other devices in the next couple of years.
The Circana Take:
- For years, services have been looking for ways to expand and differentiate beyond TV. It’s largely failed.