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Comcast, Verizon make some on-demand viewing free
Comcast and Verizon (Engadget's parent company) have been scrambling to help people stay online during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now they're giving customer more to do with that access. On Comcast, subscribers with Xfinity X1 and Xfinity Flex now have preview access to on-demand videos from several premium TV networks and streaming services for at least 30 days. Epix and Showtime are the highlights if you're looking for pure entertainment, but there's also CuriosityStream (for 60 days), History Vault, Kids Room, The Great Courses Signature Collection and The Reading Corner to keep your family educated, while DOGTV and Grokker respectively provide pet programming and exercise.
ViacomCBS is working on yet another streaming service
After Disney+, HBO Max and Peacock, were you hoping to see another puffed-up media company launch a streaming TV service? Because according to CNBC, that's what you're about to get. Apparently ViacomCBS isn't satisfied with only offering things like CBS All Access, BET+ or Nickelodeon's multiyear partnership with Netflix, and is planning to launch some kind of mega-offering that combines its many properties. Apparently the plan is to keep existing services operating, while marketing the larger umbrella subscription as an upgrade that doesn't cost additional money. Similar to AT&T's HBO Max, NBCUniversal's Peacock or the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ bundle, the idea is that a combination of live sports, Paramount movies and kids programming will pull customers in -- no matter how fatigued they may be. Other content that could be a part of its includes PlutoTV, Comedy Central and MTV, with a base price of under $10 per month and options for ad-free access or the ability to tack Showtime onto the package. The rumor indicates we'll hear more about this around the time of its earnings call on February 20th.
Roku will stream the first season of 'Game of Thrones' for free
If you and your nearest and dearest have been meaning to check out Game of Thrones but haven't gotten around to it yet (or don't have an HBO subscription), you can stream the first season for free on Roku over the holiday season. The monstrously popular series' first 10 episodes will be available at no cost during Roku's second annual Stream-a-thon, which runs December 26th to January 1st.
'Twin Peaks VR' trailer offers a dive into David Lynch's mind
If you suspected that Twin Peaks VR would be a head trip, you guessed correctly. Collider and Showtime have released a trailer for the series' official virtual reality experience ahead of its debut later in December, and it feels like a mirror of David Lynch's psyche with the same strangeness as the series. The return to the Red Room is really just one part of your journey -- you'll also return to the train car where Laura Palmer was killed, a log cabin (but whose?) and Sheriff Truman's office, complete with an unsettling Killer BOB orb. It's clear this is tailor-made for the sort of fan who could quote whole scenes verbatim.
Production is finally starting on the 'Halo' TV series
After six long years, filming for the Halo TV series is ready to start. Showtime has announced that production on the game-based show is "about to begin," and has revealed three new cast members in the process. Danny Sapani (of Doctor Who and The Last Jedi) will play "dedicated military man" Jacob Keys, while Olive Gray (Fleabag and Eastenders) will play UNSC Commander Dr. Miranda Keyes. Charlie Murphy (of Peaky Blinders fame) will play Makee, an orphan raised by the Covenant that shares their hatred of humans.
Showtime is turning the story of Uber into a TV series
It seems Showtime reckons the turbulent behind-the-scenes story of Uber is good fodder for a TV show. It's developing a limited series about the ups and downs of the ridesharing company. Billions co-creators Brian Koppelman and David Levien will write and produce the show, based on Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber.
CBS and Viacom agree to sign $30 billion merger deal
CBS and Viacom have reached a long-rumored merger agreement. The two companies announced today that they will reunite as ViacomCBS. According to The Wall Street Journal, CBS and Viacom hope that, together, they'll be better positioned to fight against cable TV competition and streaming services.
'Halo' TV series has its Cortana ahead of early 2021 premiere
While Showtime took forever to start filling in details for its Halo TV series, it's clearly eager to make up for lost time. The broadcaster has announced that Natascha McElhone (of Ronin and Californication fame) will portray both the legendary Cortana AI as well as Dr. Catherine Halsey, the creator of Spartan supersoldiers like Master Chief. The producers have filled out considerably more of the cast beyond these prominent roles, too.
YouTube TV gifts free Showtime subscriptions to 'longtime friends'
If you've subscribed to YouTube TV for a while, then it's likely you're getting free Showtime this summer. If you are a "longtime friend" of the service, then you'll get the cable channel for "no cost" through September 5th, 2019. Users can activate the officer by going to the settings menu on desktop and, best of all, there's no automatic renewal, so you don't need to worry about being forced into paying for more.
iOS 12.3 is out now with overhauled TV app
Just seven weeks after rolling out iOS 12.2, Apple has released iOS 12.3. The biggest update this time around is a major refresh of the TV app ahead of the Apple TV+ streaming service debuting later this year. Through the new-look app, you can subscribe to various TV networks through Apple TV Channels and watch their shows all in one place.
The 'Halo' TV series has found its Master Chief
The years-in-the-making Halo TV series finally appears to be taking shape. Showtime has chosen American Gods' Pablo Schrieber to play the series' version of Master Chief. It's not certain if he'll ever remove the iconic helmet, but Showtime has promised to tell "deeply drawn personal stories" -- it's hard to imagine the Chief hiding his face forever.
Apple video service may charge $10 each for HBO, Showtime and Starz
Apple's video service event is just hours away, but there are still a few rumors making the rounds -- including, apparently, pricing. Wall Street Journal contacts claim Apple has been negotiating to offer subscriptions to channels "such as" HBO, Showtime and Starz for $10 each through its new TV app, which would also include Apple's original programming. In that light, it would be closer to Amazon's Prime Video Channels, where the focus is on convenient access to third party services.
Apple reportedly 'racing' to get HBO and Showtime on its streaming service
Apple's big 'show time' press event is under two weeks away, but the company is still working to ensure it has a potent lineup for its long-teased video streaming service. According to a Bloomberg report, Apple is still chasing collaborations with the likes of HBO, Showtime and Starz for pay-TV content to sit alongside its own original programming and movies.
Watch the premiere of Showtime's 'Desus & Mero' talk show for free
Showtime's long-awaited Desus & Mero late-night talk show premiered Thursday, and while you'll typically need a subscription to check out the series, the network has shared the debut episode for free. Desus Nice and The Kid Mero, who gained a following with their Bodega Boys podcast before landing shows on MTV and Viceland, had a big-name guest for their first night: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Premium subscriptions are now available on the Roku Channel
After racking up viewers with free movies and TV shows, Roku is expanding its popular Roku Channel to include premium content providers. The update, which was announced earlier this month, adds support for more than 25 subscription services including Starz, Showtime and Epix. Roku is starting the roll out of the update today, bringing it first to Roku players. It will reach all supported devices over the next few weeks, with Roku TVs planned to be the last to receive the update.
Showtime offers a peek at Desus and Mero's talk show
How will podcasters Desus and Mero handle a late-night talk show on Showtime? You now have a slightly better idea. Showtime has posted a teaser for Desus & Mero that has the duo shopping for set decorations ahead of their February 21st premiere. It's very much in the spirit of their earlier work, with the rapid-fire riffing and irreverence you'd hope for -- this isn't going to be some quiet, restrained discussion of the day's affairs.
Roku's free movie and TV channel is adding premium subscriptions
The Roku Channel has become a hit by offering free movies and TV shows. Now, Roku is taking the next logical step by adding premium subscriptions for 25 providers, including Showtime, EPIX and Starz. Starting late in January, Roku users will be able subscribe to those networks with a few clicks of their remote, afterwards their content will appear at the top of the Roku Channel.
'Twin Peaks VR' will take you inside the mind-bending Red Room
Not everyone who watched the original Twin Peaks series can remember much more than a woman with a log and something about owls, but the title inarguably made a dent in the popular culture. Now, after a handful of movies, novels released and a follow-up TV series in 2017, the iconic horror drama is returning as a VR game. Twin Peaks VR will take you to the Red Room, a surreal place from the original series where people talk backwards and a doppelganger can hunt you down. The title is produced by Collider Games and Showtime — which aired Twin Peaks: The Return in 2017 — together with original series creator David Lynch.
Spotify's student Premium plan now includes Showtime
Spotify is determined to keep sweetening the pot for student listeners and stop them from drifting toward rival services. It's updating its Premium student plan in the US to include a Showtime subscription on top of the existing Hulu Limited Commercials deal, all for the same $5 per month. To put it another way, you can watch both Twin Peaks and The Handmaid's Tale at the same discounted rate that only offered music just a few years ago.
'Halo' is actually, really, finally coming to TV
It's happening. The Halo television show that Microsoft and Steven Spielberg have been talking about for five years is actually heading into production in early 2019. The show's working title is simply Halo and details about the plot are scarce, though it'll feature the franchise's classic storyline about a futuristic war between the human race and enemy aliens known as the Covenant. Showtime has ordered a 10-episode season of Halo, and episodes are set to be one hour long.