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Streaming
Goodbye Freevee: All Amazon Content Moves to Prime Label
Amazon is discontinuing its free streaming service, Freevee, and moving its content to Prime Video under a "Watch for Free" label. This change will affect viewers in the US, UK, Germany, and Austria, where content will still be accessible to non-Prime users.
Unions
Intimacy Coordinators Unionize: Role To Be Recognized by SAG-AFTRA
Intimacy coordinators have voted to unionize with SAG-AFTRA, a key step toward formalizing their role and securing standardized wages and benefits. This unanimous decision reflects years of increasing industry recognition and support.
International
UK Users Embrace Ad Tiers: New Survey Shows Interest in SVOD
UK households are increasingly opting for cheaper, ad-supported tiers on streaming platforms, with Netflix’s ad tier now in 3.8 million homes and Disney+ in 1.2 million. While total streaming access has grown to 20.1 million homes, the number of households with multiple subscriptions has declined.
Movie Theaters
Barco Gets International: New Theater To Open in London
Cineworld Leicester Square in London will be the first theater outside the US to feature Barco's HDR projection technology, debuting on November 22 with Paramount's Gladiator II. A wider commercial rollout of HDR by Barco is planned for 2025.
Awards
BAFTA Rules: New Forfeiture Process in Place
Starting in 2025, BAFTA may revoke competitive awards from winners convicted of serious crimes or proven dishonesty. This rule, introduced after a review prompted by former BBC host Huw Edwards’ case, will apply only to future awards and be reviewed annually, according to BAFTA chair Sara Putt.
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