Cordkillers 594: Streamflation Frustration
Netflix got more expensive again, while the rest of the streaming world kept busy with new trailers, sports-rights maneuvering, global launches, and yet another attempt to turn every screen into a TV. Also: Andy Weir backpedals on Star Trek, HBO Max spreads wider, and Roku would like three dollars, please.
This week on The FULL Experience: Mr. Show (103 - "We Regret to Inform You")
Next week: (410 - "Patriotism, Pepper, and Professionalism")
YouTube: https://youtu.be/XeQLST_67QA
Supply Run
Netflix raised U.S. prices again, and the bigger question is whether we should be judging streaming value by dollars per hour watched instead of just monthly sticker price.
Deloitte’s latest digital media trends report says the average streaming household is still spending about $69 a month, while ad-supported plans keep gaining ground.
Search Party
The first full trailer for Supergirl is out, with Milly Alcock’s Kara teaming up with Jason Momoa’s Lobo ahead of the film’s June 26 theatrical release.
Project Hail Mary author Andy Weir apologized after taking a flamethrower to modern Star Trek and Alex Kurtzman in a podcast appearance.
Warner Bros. says Stephen Colbert and his son are developing The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of the Past, pulling from parts of The Fellowship of the Ring left out of Peter Jackson’s film.
HBO’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone series has a trailer and a Christmas Day premiere date.
Eurovision is launching an Asian edition in Bangkok later this year, starting with 10 confirmed countries and room for more.
Netflix reportedly wants to expand its NFL package with an international game and the new Thanksgiving Eve slot.
Netflix will also carry the AFI’s 51st Life Achievement Award special honoring Eddie Murphy on May 31.
Buried Treasure
Brian went back to Project Hail Mary, though the busted projector did not exactly enhance the experience.
Tom’s pick this week is For All Mankind.
Scanning the Horizon
Roku’s $2.99 Howdy service is now available as a standalone app on Android and iOS in the U.S.
Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders will vote April 23 on the company’s sale to Paramount Skydance, with the deal still targeting a Q3 close pending approvals.
HBO Max has officially launched in the UK and Ireland, pushing the service past 100 countries.
DAZN plans to launch DAZN Inflight in 2027, bringing live sports to airplanes and boats over satellite internet.
Former Google EMEA chief Matt Brittin will take over as BBC director-general on May 18.
Chatter
sTim writes in on Murder, She Wrote, praising its deep bench of guest stars, Angela Lansbury’s reputation for helping older actors keep their SAG benefits, and the delightfully absurd fan theory that Jessica Fletcher is secretly the real killer.
Nicky M. checks in with thoughts on social commerce, wishes Netflix had bought Warner for the sake of theatrical releases, and asks the crew about character flaws that seemed bizarre at first but became lovable once the explanation finally landed.
George Rachor suggests the original Perry Mason for a future Full Experience.
Michael asks where the line really is between humans learning from prior art and AI training on copyrighted work, and why rights holders seem to treat those as fundamentally different things.