Cordkillers 528 - Live From Somewhere
Max tests live HBO channels as streaming continues to mirror traditional TV, while Severance Season 2 and Doctor Who’s Christmas Special headline the latest viewing options. Plus, Golden Globes nominations reveal Netflix’s dominance, and listener stories highlight dumb TVs, cat-powered binge listening, and box office trends.
This week on The FULL Experience: The Shield (402 - "Grave")
Next week: The Shield (713 - "Family Meeting")
YouTube: https://youtu.be/0P7CyHtQKuU
Supply Run
• Max is testing always-on HBO channels – The Verge
• Streaming is just TV all over again – Engadget
• Paramount+Showtime has had live channels for a while – Did you know? Platforms like Peacock and even Apple TV+ (via CBS All Access) already provide multiple live channel feeds. Max’s move to test linear HBO channels in the U.S. brings this concept mainstream.
• Channels include HBO, HBO 2, Signature, Zone, and more.
• Max also plans to expand themed and possibly personalized linear channels next year.
• Engadget calls this “Cable 2.0.” What do you think?
Search Party (Shows and Channels – What to Watch)
• Severance S2 Trailer
• Apple TV+ returns with Severance Season 2 on January 17th.
• White Lotus S3 premieres February 2025. Other HBO/Max updates:
• The Last of Us S2 (Spring 2025),
• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (Late 2025),
• Euphoria (2026),
• Harry Potter TV series (2027, still casting).
• Doctor Who Christmas Special: Joy to the World
• Starring Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton), streaming on Disney+ and BBC this December 25th.
• Comcast & Warner Bros Deal
• Comcast can now bundle Max and Discovery+ into streaming plans. Sky (Comcast) also distributes Max content in the UK/Ireland.
• Twisters Sets Peacock Record
• Universal/Warner Bros’ Twisters had Peacock’s biggest Pay-1 film debut ever, surpassing Oppenheimer.
• WHAM! Last Christmas Unwrapped airs on the BBC December 14th.
Buried Treasure
• Brian: Archive.org finds – Lower Decks & Revision3 content
• Tom: When the Phone Rings on Netflix
Scanning the Horizon
• Golden Globes Nominations – Netflix leads with 23 TV nominations. Squid Game S2 gets a nod before airing.
• ESPN Tile on Disney+ – Disney+ now includes a selection of live sports and documentaries. Full ESPN streaming service expected August 2025.
• Apple TV+ Available on Prime Video – UK, Australia, Canada.
• Chiefs-Raiders Boosts Prime Video – Black Friday game draws 13.5M viewers, peaking at 17.4M.
• Netflix Japan Tops 10M Subs – Growth driven by local Japanese content.
Chatter
• Listener anecdotes and hot takes:
• “Is Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan the best sequel ever?”
• Dumb TVs are back (with a Roku workaround).
• Listener cat Tali spent 8 days streaming Cordkillers – leading candidate for Listener of the Year.
• Homicide: Life on the Street – A must-watch precursor to The Wire.
• Box Office trends: Fewer movies, heavier reliance on IP, and audience drop-offs since 2019.