Buffering

Insider news and analysis on the streaming industry from Vulture’s Joe Adalian.

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Dial Acorn for (Cozy) Murder

How one streamer made a name for itself by delivering a very specific (and often British) kind of television.

More From Buffering

  1. Notes on L’Affaire ParamountWith Skydance out, what happens now?
  2. It’s the End of Paramount+ As We’ve Known It (and That’s Fine)Why Paramount’s new streaming strategy makes a Peacock merger more likely.
  3. The 2024 Streaming Power RankingsWe asked 29 critics, executives, agents, producers, and analysts who they think is winning the streaming wars — and who’s struggling to survive.
  4. The 8 Biggest Takeaways From Netflix’s Latest Ratings DumpNo one watched your favorite prestige movie, but everyone ate up One Piece.
  5. What All the Big Streamers Are Telling AdvertisersEveryone wants ad money now. Here’s how they’re planning to get it at next week’s upfronts.
  6. Netflix Has Finally Cracked the Talk-Show CodeThe streamer has figured something out with its John Mulaney experiment.
  7. What’s Your Favorite Streaming Service’s Personality?Insights from a new national survey about streamers.
  8. Can 400 Comedians Convince You to Keep Netflix?Talking to the streamer’s head of stand-up about live events, SNL, and Matt Rife.
  9. What Show Airs Where? Inside the Hulu–ABC Programming Machine“For the Hulu customer, it’s a small difference between what’s a Hulu Original and an ABC show. They’re just watching shows.”
  10. Can TV Procedurals Save Streaming?Max and Netflix are making old-school hospital dramas from network veterans. Is this the next front in the streaming wars?
  11. Why CBS (Yes, CBS) Thinks It Can Survive the Streaming WarsNetwork boss George Cheeks talks Tracker, Star Trek, an unexpected new soap — and life alongside Paramount+.
  12. Why Aren’t There More Game Shows on Streaming?It’s the $64,000 question, but the answer might soon change.
  13. Do Nielsen Ratings Really Reflect What People Want From Streamers?How many people are actually streaming Suits and Young Sheldon?
  14. 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.
  15. How Much Will People Pay for Just Sports?A newly announced streaming bundle aims to find out.
  16. The Truth Behind Max’s Cancellation Spree“You didn’t get many things that were broadening out from HBO. You got things that were adjacent to HBO.”
  17. The Week Netflix Put the Smackdown on Its RivalsCan you smell what Ted Sarandos is cooking?
  18. How Jury Duty Helped Freevee Win the Year in (Free) StreamingAnd four other smart strategies that shaped 2023.
  19. Netflix Just Published Viewing Data for Nearly Every Title It HasWith an asterisk: It’s the platform’s most transparent report yet, but it’s not everything.
  20. How Netflix Became the New King of Reality TVUnscripted chief Brandon Riegg on building a dating show universe, adapting Squid Game, and the live reunion that wasn’t.
  21. How the Networks (Barely) Survived the Fall TV Season“The networks all did what they needed to crawl through the tunnel of crap at the end of The Shawshank Redemption,” says one insider.
  22. Four Books About TV and Movies to Read Right NowAn oral history of The O.C., the inside story of Marvel, and more.
  23. Nobody Told Hallmark Channel That Cable Is DeadThe network that produces dozens of Christmas movies a year refused to join the streaming wars. It’s paid off big time.
  24. 5 Things to Hate (and Love) About Streaming Right NowTime to rant and rave.
  25. Why Frasier Needs Longer Seasons (and a Network Home)Tossed salad and scrambled streaming strategies.
  26. A Bunch of Classic TV Is Leaving HuluSubscribers will be parting ways with Ally McBeal, Arrested Development, Beverly Hills 90210, and more.
  27. “Just Keep The Lights On”: Inside Network TV’s Fall Strike PlanGet ready for reruns, reality, sports, and imports.
  28. What If Everyone Won the Charter-Disney Dispute?A closer look at Disney’s deal with the cable company.
  29. Cable’s Biggest Hit? A Paramount+ Show From 2021How the streaming Yellowstone spinoff 1883 found a second life on linear TV.
  30. Why Shudder Is Creeping Up on AMC This FallThe horror streamer is giving AMC’s TV empire a spooky makeover.
  31. What CNN (Sort of) Heading to Max Means for Both CNN and MaxCNN Max offers a promising launch — if it can be integrated properly.
  32. What We Love (and Hate) About Free Streaming in 2023An emergency discussion about our “no-commitment relationship” with FAST.
  33. Could a True Streaming Bundle Be Upon Us?The idea is (slowly) gaining traction in some unexpected corners.
  34. Is Sound of Freedom About to Strike Streaming Gold?The movie is being shopped to streaming services and could end up fetching a hefty price.
  35. The Looming Catalog CrisisSuits is the hottest show on streaming right now. What does that mean?
  36. Could These Suits Help End the Strikes?Meet the not-so-famous execs who might be able to break the impasse.
  37. How a Strike Over Streaming Could End Up Killing Network TV“It almost feels like the networks are complicit in their own self-destruction.”
  38. TCM Fans Are Right to WorryNo, the channel isn’t going away, but this week’s cuts will be felt by viewers.
  39. Let’s Talk About Max’s First WeekAn emergency discussion about the streaming service formerly known as HBO Max.
  40. Squid Game Was Just the StartNetflix’s head of content in Korea takes us inside the service’s massive K-content strategy.
  41. Netflix’s Era of Lowered ExpectationsLet’s talk about the big streamer’s weird week.
  42. The Battle for BETThe competition to buy the historic network — and its streaming service — has the TV industry talking.
  43. The (Other) Man Behind the Yellowstone KingdomHow Paramount’s Chris McCarthy turned a cable hit into streaming’s biggest franchise.
  44. 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.
  45. 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.
  46. What Netflix’s Bela Bajaria Era Means for Hollywood“She needs to keep programming things people watch versus snobby s- - - people don’t.”
  47. “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).
  48. 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.
  49. 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.
  50. Three Big Questions About Disney’s Streaming FutureBob Iger’s back. What does that mean for Disney+?
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