Disney+ vs Viaplay Group

Disney+ Ends Live Channels, Replaces with Playlists

Disney+ has discontinued its always-on live channels, including The Simpsons and Disney Jr., which were launched in March 2025 as part of a Streams experiment. These channels operated on a shared timeline, allowing viewers to experience the same programming simultaneously. In their place, Disney+ now offers curated playlists that play a fixed sequence of episodes when activated. While this maintains continuous playback, it eliminates the shared broadcast experience, and each viewer's session starts the playlist from the beginning. Subscribers have expressed dissatisfaction, as the playlists are less unpredictable and feel like a regression from the lean-back experience of live channels. The change also gives Disney more control over content scheduling. The article highlights a broader debate about whether streaming should emulate linear TV's broadcast model.

• Disney+ discontinued its always-on live channels, including The Simpsons and Disney Jr., which were launched in March 2025.
• The live channels operated on a shared timeline, allowing multiple viewers to see the same content simultaneously.
• Disney+ replaced the live channels with curated playlists that play a fixed sequence of episodes when activated.

Fubo Adds ESPN 4K and ESPN2 4K

Fubo has added ESPN 4K and ESPN2 4K to its streaming lineup. The channels are available on Elite and Ultra plans at no additional cost. The 4K HDR feeds bring select live sports programming, including Monday Night Football, NBA, NHL, college football, US Open tennis, and Super Bowl LXI. ESPN initially announced the 4K rollout in September, starting with the ESPN App, then Disney+ for ESPN Unlimited subscribers. Fubo's launch marks another expansion of the 4K coverage, with more platforms expected this fall.

• Fubo has added ESPN 4K and ESPN2 4K to its lineup.
• ESPN 4K and ESPN2 4K are available on Elite and Ultra plans at no extra cost.
• The 4K feeds include Monday Night Football, NBA, NHL, college football, US Open tennis, and Super Bowl LXI.

ServusTV Ends Quizmaster; Disney+ Ad Tier Comes to Austria

This Austria media update reports that ServusTV will discontinue its quiz show 'Quizmaster' at the end of 2026 to revamp its primetime lineup. Concurrently, Disney+ announced the introduction of an ad-supported subscription tier in Austria starting November, expanding its offerings beyond ad-free plans. The ORF presented its new programming, including new shows, a creator network, and revealed that its partnership with ServusTV for Formula 1 broadcasting has been extended until 2029. Additionally, ORF's program director Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz announced her departure, and the future of the 'Millionenshow' is under review. The update also covers a legal dispute between ORF and its former director-general Roland Weißmann, and other briefs on Austrian TV programming and personalities.

• ServusTV is ending its quiz show 'Quizmaster' at the end of 2026.
• Disney+ will launch an ad-supported subscription tier in Austria in November.
• ORF and ServusTV extended their Formula 1 broadcasting partnership until 2029, with ServusTV showing 13 races and ORF 11.

Viaplay Group’s Nomination Committee convened

In accordance with Viaplay Group AB's ("Viaplay Group") Nomination Committe...

Viaplay Launches Next-Generation Allente STB User Experience Powered by 3SS 3Ready

Viaplay Group has deployed a next-generation STB user experience for its flagship Allente super-aggregated entertainment service across the Nordic region, powered by 3SS's 3Ready platform. The deployment features SDMC DV9865 AI set-top boxes with a 4 TOPS NPU running Android TV 14, paired with programmable Notus L12 smart remote controls from Tech4home (t4h.) to unify live TV and third-party streaming.

• Viaplay Group launched an upgraded Allente STB user experience powered by 3SS's 3Ready Platform across Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland, supporting profile-based Experience Modes for Live TV, On-Demand, and Kids.
• Hardware architecture integrates SDMC's DV9865 set-top box equipped with an Amlogic S905X5-J SoC, ARM Quad 64-bit CPU, Android TV 14 Operator Tier OS, and a dedicated 4 TOPS NPU for on-device AI tasks.
• Features t4h. (Tech4home) Notus L12 programmable smart remote controls with 4 customizable shortcut buttons integrated with 3Ready Control Center, alongside aggregated access to Viaplay, Apple TV, Prime Video, HBO Max, and SkyShowtime.