Pluto TV vs Wurl

Pluto TV now offers over 400 free live channels

Amidst rising subscription costs for major streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Peacock, and Paramount+, free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) services are gaining attention. Pluto TV, owned by Skydance, now offers over 400 free live channels along with thousands of on-demand movies and shows. The service provides a cable-like channel guide and is available on various devices. Pluto TV leverages content from networks such as CBS, MTV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon to create exclusive channels. Recent additions include horror and sci-fi themed channels. The article positions Pluto TV as a cost-saving alternative for consumers looking to reduce entertainment expenses.

• Pluto TV now offers over 400 free live channels.
• Pluto TV is owned by Skydance.
• Pluto TV offers thousands of on-demand movies and shows.

The Ultimate Hype moves to Pluto TV

Banijay Media's combat sports event "The Ultimate Hype" is returning as a series in October 2026, exclusively on Pluto TV, Paramount's free ad-supported streaming service. The first "Hype Fight Night" is scheduled for October 30, featuring rematches between Walentina Doronina and Ginger Wollersheim. Additional fight nights are planned for November 20, December 18, and January 2027. The series features reality TV stars, content creators, and professional athletes competing in boxing, kickboxing, MMA, and slap-fighting. Concurrently, Pluto TV is launching a comprehensive product overhaul, rebuilding its platform on Paramount+ technology to unify live and on-demand content. Olivier Jollet, Head of Pluto TV, emphasized the platform's commitment to free, accessible entertainment and live sports, while Christian Nienaber of Banijay Media Germany highlighted the strategic move to Skydance's ecosystem for broader reach.

• "The Ultimate Hype" series will air exclusively on Pluto TV starting October 30, 2026.
• Banijay Media produces the series, with first event featuring Walentina Doronina and Ginger Wollersheim.
• Pluto TV is launching a major product overhaul built on Paramount+ technology.

Pluto TV Adds 200+ Horror Movies for Halloween

Pluto TV, Paramount's free ad-supported streaming service, is launching its largest-ever horror collection for October 2026. Beginning October 1, the 'Halloween Hits' on-demand library will feature over 200 titles spanning slashers, supernatural thrillers, found-footage films, horror-comedies, and franchise entries. Key groupings include the 'Scream' series celebrating its 30th anniversary, 'Friday the 13th' and 'Sleepaway Camp' franchises, 'Paranormal Activity' installments, Stephen King adaptations, early 'Resident Evil' films, and a 'Lighter Haunts' section with horror-comedies. The lineup also includes $100M box-office hits like 'World War Z' and 'A Quiet Place Part II', debuting October 11. Dedicated themed linear channels will complement the VOD offering. The collection mixes recent hits like 'Hereditary' and 'Talk to Me' with classics from the 1960s-1990s.

• Pluto TV will offer over 200 horror movies on-demand starting October 1, 2026.
• The Halloween Hits collection includes franchises like Scream, Friday the 13th, Paranormal Activity, and Resident Evil.
• Scream (2022) arrives on October 8, and A Quiet Place Part II on October 11.

Live Sports FAST: Wurl GM on Ad Challenges

In an interview, Keith Bedford, GM EMEA at Wurl, discusses the growing presence of live sports on free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST). He notes that leagues and rights holders are diversifying distribution, citing examples like Man City launching a channel and UEFA on Tubi, while the Bundesliga reserves a Friday night game for Samsung TV Plus. He highlights the shift from traditional rights sales to creating own channels and the need for better ad monetization in live events, including the use of metadata and live markers in the programmatic bidstream. He also identifies common pitfalls for sports channels on FAST: lack of consumer awareness, poor discoverability on TV interfaces, and insufficient cross-marketing. The interview underscores the evolving landscape where live sports is becoming a key differentiator in FAST, but challenges remain in ad tech and user experience.

• Wurl GM Keith Bedford says live sports make up less than 3% of FAST viewing, compared to nearly 20% on linear TV.
• Man City has launched a channel on FAST, offering matchday coverage without actual footage.
• UEFA has launched a channel on Tubi with live content, including highlights and Under-21s/Women's Champions League games.

Wurl Launches Content Intelligence Platform to Scale Advanced Targeting Across Streaming TV

Wurl has launched its Content Intelligence Platform, designed to scale advanced targeting across streaming TV. The platform is highlighted in a new press release and blog post, marking a significant product launch for the company.