The week in over-the-top provides a recap of recent news related to streaming initiatives in the U.S. from various networks and platforms.
* Apple Inc. plans to run its feature-length films in theaters before releasing them on its streaming service, The Wall Street Journal reported Sept. 27, citing people familiar with the plans. The company reportedly consulted with an entertainment executive for its theatrical-release plan, which would keep Apple movies in theaters for weeks before they were accessible on Apple TV+.
* The upcoming sixth season of the adult animated comedy "BoJack Horseman" is going to be its last on Netflix Inc. The final season will air in two parts, with the first launching Oct. 25 and the second airing Jan. 31, 2020, according to a Sept. 27 tweet.
* Discovery Inc. is looking to bring multiple revenue streams to the latest addition to its direct-to-consumer menu. Set to debut in late October, live interactive cooking platform Food Network Kitchen will have monetization opportunities around advertising, sponsorship, subscriptions and a slice of monies generated by ingredient and product sales. Food Network Kitchen will be integrated into Amazon.com Inc.'s Alexa voice assistant line.
* Facebook Inc. inked a four-year deal with the International Cricket Council to secure exclusive digital content rights until 2023 for global ICC events in the Indian subcontinent. Under the deal, the social media giant will show post-match recaps and in-play key moments and other feature content of the matches in the region.
* YouTube LLC CEO Susan Wojcicki does not think the company should be spun off from its parent Alphabet Inc. She believes her company benefits from Google LLC's technology and that a break up would not benefit consumers. Wojcicki's comments come during a time of intense scrutiny from antitrust regulators against big tech companies.
* Hulu LLC opted not to move forward with Marvel's live-action series "Ghost Rider," Variety reported Sept. 25. According to a source with knowledge of the matter, the two parties split due to a creative impasse.
* Snap Inc. on Sept. 25 unveiled its new slate of Snap Originals, the company's premium, made-for-mobile shows created exclusively for Snapchat's audience. The new slate features docuseries "Tekashi69 VS The World" by Complex; "Nikita Unfiltered" by Sirens Media; "The Honeybeez" by Leftfield Pictures of NY Inc.; "Driven" by Big Fish Entertainment; anthology series "Mind Yourself" by Barcroft Studios; scripted series with a working title of "Everything's Fine" by Powderkeg; and two scripted series, "Players" and "Save Me," from Loud Labs Media and One Push.
* Amazon's Prime Video rolled out new features for "Thursday Night Football" to allow National Football League fans to customize their streaming experience. One of the features includes X-Ray, which allows viewers access to Next Gen Stats; NFL Next, a 30-minute live show available exclusively on Prime Video; and multiple audio options.
* Actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge signed an overall deal with Amazon believed to be worth about $20 million a year, Variety reported Sept. 24. Under the deal, Waller-Bridge will create and produce new television content for Amazon Studios that will premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
* Walt Disney Co.'s ESPN Inc. struck a new agreement to bring its exclusive digital shows and content to Facebook Inc.'s Watch video streaming platform. At launch, ESPN's Facebook Watch lineup will include "The People's MMA Show," additional segments from "Always Late with Katie Nolan" and exclusive versions of "Countdown to GameDay" and "Fantasy Focus Live."
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