YouTube reminds everyone it’s a streamer, raises Premium subscription prices

YouTube announced on Friday that it’s raising the cost of its Premium plan by $2 a month to $15.99. The changes will take effect on June billing statements, the company said.

YouTube — which last hiked Premium subscription prices in 2023 — has some cover in boosting prices. Netflix announced a price hike last month, as did Amazon Prime Video. Spotify increased its subscription pricing earlier this year.

The move reflects a level of subscriber security from YouTube, which last year said its paid Premium and Music plans had 125 million subscribers (far fewer than Netflix’s 325 million subscribers). The platform continues to dominate overall streaming market share, accounting for 12.5% of TV viewing time in January, per Nielsen. YouTube has consistently stood atop Nielsen’s monthly viewership charts since February 2025.

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Max Knoblauch15m

Amid engagement downturn, Epic Games reportedly planning first game with Disney for November launch

“Fortnite” maker Epic Games, struggling through an engagement downturn that led the company to lay off 1,000 employees last month, is leaning into its Disney partnership to turn things around.

According to a report by Bloomberg, the company is set to launch a new extraction shooter (in the vein of Nexon’s hit “Arc Raiders”) featuring Disney characters in November.

The game will be the first to come out of Epic and Disney’s partnership, which began with a $1.5 billion investment from the entertainment juggernaut in early 2024. If the November launch date sticks, the game will also land at the same time as Take-Two’s massive “Grand Theft Auto 6.” According to Disney, new CEO Josh D’Amaro has been a longtime a champion of the Epic partnership, and the exec is said to have made tech-based interactivity a priority for the company.

In recent weeks, rumors that some senior executives at Disney are pushing for Disney to eventually acquire Epic have made headlines, first reported by tech journalist Alex Heath on entertainment podcast “The Town.”

Epic Games Pins ‘Fortnite’ Comeback on Disney Partnership

Millie Giles

THE PARENT GAP

4/9/26

More babies are now born to parents over 40 than under 20 in the US

The nation’s fertility rate just hit another record low as more young people delay, or skip, starting a family.

Max Knoblauch4/6/26

Netflix launches gaming app for children 8 and under

Netflix on Monday launched Netflix Playground, a new stand-alone gaming app aimed at kids 8 and under.

The app promises “no ads, in-app purchases, or extra fees” and is included with all memberships. At launch, it includes games featuring “Peppa Pig,” “Storybots,” and “Sesame Street.”

Netflix began adjusting its gaming strategy in 2024, closing its large AAA studio. Last year, the streamer began focusing more on multiplayer party and family-friendly games.

Late last month, Netflix quietly raised its prices for the fourth time since 2022.

Netflix Expands Kids Entertainment Lineup With Playground App for Games, New Shows & Returning Favorites - About Netflix

Netflix began adjusting its gaming strategy in 2024, closing its large AAA studio. Last year, the streamer began focusing more on multiplayer party and family-friendly games.

Late last month, Netflix quietly raised its prices for the fourth time since 2022.

Max Knoblauch4/6/26

“Super Mario Galaxy Movie” delivers holiday weekend records for theater chains

Universal’s “Super Mario Galaxy Movie” cleared an estimated $372.5 million globally in its opening five-day weekend, marking another successful foray into theaters for Nintendo.

Both AMC and Cinemark on Monday announced that the movie — along with continued popularity for titles like “Project Hail Mary” and “Hoppers” — propelled them to record-breaking Easter weekends.

According to AMC, the Yoshi popcorn bucket has pushed “Mario Galaxy” into the second-best merchandising program ever for the theater chain, behind only Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert film. According to Cinemark, Mario-themed “glitter popcorn” and other food items tied to the title have already resulted in the “most successful merchandise program Cinemark has ever delivered for a single title.”

AMC and Cinemark shares climbed in early trading on Monday.

“Mario Galaxy” pulled in $190.1 million domestically over the five-day weekend, below the first film’s $204 million (it was also released over the Easter weekend in 2023), but still near the top of the best holiday box office performances ever.

The peptide gold rush: How impending deregulation could supercharge a shadow industry

Peptides, the gray-market supplements that have flooded Silicon Valley, may soon make their way into the mainstream. Who stands to benefit?

J. Edward Moreno3/26/26

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