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Streaming and TV Industry News Roundup

AI's Growing Role in Sports Coverage

ESPN is expanding its use of AI-generated content for sports coverage, particularly for lesser-known sporting events. This follows similar moves by other networks:

  • The Tennis Channel has used AI to translate English commentary into Spanish.
  • NBC and Peacock utilized AI-generated highlight clips during the Olympics.
  • ESPN is nOW creating AI-generated sports recaps for some events.

Industry experts predict that AI will play an increasingly significant role in sports broadcasting, potentially replacing human announcers for play-by-play and commentary in the future. This shift is driven by the potential for substantial cost savings in staffing expenses.

The trend extends beyond sports, with AI-generated content becoming more prevalent in news articles and other forms of media coverage.

Disney and DirecTV Dispute

Disney and DirecTV are engaged in a contentious negotiation over channel rights:

  • Disney offered to restore only local ABC stations for a recent debate.
  • DirecTV countered with a proposal to restore aLL channels for one week during negotiations.
  • Both offers were rejected, indicating the two parties are far from reaching an agreement.

This ongoing dispute leaves DirecTV customers without access to Disney-owned channels. Affected viewers are advised to explore alternative options, such as using an antenna for local ABC coverage or considering services like Sling TV for access to ESPN.

Sling TV's AirTV Improvements

Sling TV is enhancing its AirTV streaming player:

  • AirTV allows users to connect an antenna and stream local channels to various devices.
  • The service NOW integrates antenna channels with Sling TV's network offerings.
  • Sling TV has partnered with Freecast to add numerous free, ad-supported channels to the AirTV guide.

This development makes Sling TV an attractive option for cord-cutters looking to combine local antenna channels with popular cable networks at a lower cost.

Other Streaming News

  • Tubi added new channels, including a Nash Bridges channel and The Connor, expanding its free, ad-supported content library.
  • Netflix, Max, and other streaming services have introduced new content this week.
  • Hulu + Live TV is offering a promotional discount of $30 off for the first month.

The Future of Hulu

Questions persist about Hulu's future following Disney's acquisition:

  • Disney now owns Hulu fully but is still finalizing payments with Comcast.
  • The distinction between Hulu and Disney+ content is blurring, with more mature content appearing on Disney+.
  • Industry observers speculate that Disney may eventually merge Hulu into Disney+, similar to Warner Bros. Discovery's approach with Max.
  • However, significant changes are unlikely in the near term, especially while negotiations with Comcast are ongoing.

This summary highlights the dynamic nature of the streaming industry, with ongoing shifts in content delivery, business models, and technological integration shaping the future of television and digital entertainment.