Netflix has had a massive first half to the year, despite facing increased competition from the likes of Disney+, HBO Max, and, uh, Quibi. The streaming service added 26 million subscribers during that period of time, the company announced as part of its latest earnings report. That far exceeds the new subscriber growth it saw during the same period of time last year, when it added just 12 million paying users–and it nearly matches the full-year total of 28 million for all of 2019.
“We live in uncertain times with restrictions on what we can do socially and many people are turning to entertainment for relaxation, connection, comfort and stimulation,” the company said as part of its quarterly earnings report. “In Q1 and Q2, we saw significant pull-forward of our underlying adoption leading to huge growth in the first half of this year.”
Netflix did note that this may lead to lower-than-expected growth in the second half of the year. It says that “growth is slowing as consumers get through the initial shock of Covid and social restrictions.”
The huge boost in subscribers accounts for the “small percentage” of accounts it canceled due to lack of use. Earlier this year, Netflix said it would automatically shut off inactive accounts to “save people some hard-earned cash.”
While the coronavirus has led to a spike in users, it has disrupted production on Netflix’s original content. Its release plans for original shows and movies slated for 2020 are “largely intact,” although next year will see original content shift toward releasing in the second half of the year. Despite that, Netflix says its full slate of original content for 2021 “will still be higher than 2020.”
In the upcoming month, the Disney+ streaming service is offering up plenty of your favorites. If you’re a fan of Marvel movies, there are a few coming, and if you love Muppets, there is a brand-new series to check out. The full list for what’s coming to Disney+ in August 2020 is below, and we have a few recommendations as well.
Most of the films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe are already on the streaming service. However, on Friday, August 14, Ant-Man and the Wasp lands on Disney+. The Ant-Man sequel sees a team-up between the titular characters as they take on a mysterious and intangible villain named Ghost. Also, Ant-Man’s story in Avengers: Endgame makes a bit more sense if you see Ant-Man and the Wasp.
The new Muppet series, Muppets Now, may debut at the end of July, but Episodes 2-5 will release in August. The group of lovable puppets has come together to engage in their regular antics. During August, there are episodes revolving around Pepe The King Prawn creating a new game show, Miss Piggy talking to celebrity guests, and Scooter losing sleep, desperately trying to stay awake. The series airs on Fridays.
Finally, there are a few other big-name movies coming. The video game adaptation of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time arrives on August 7. If you need more Marvel in your life, the first X-Men movie–which turns 20 this year–also arrives that day. Also, it’s the premiere of The One and Only Ivan on August 14, the Sam Rockwell movie which recently had its first trailer.
Below, you’ll find everything coming to Disney+ in August.
What’s coming to Disney+ in August 2020
Friday, August 7
Hidden Kingdoms of China
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: Adventure Awaits
The Peanuts Movie
UFO Europe: The Untold Stories (S1)
X-Men
Howard Premiere
Muppets Now Episode 102 – “Fever Pitch”
One Day At Disney Episode 136 – “Ryan Meinerding: Marvel Studios Creative Director”
Disney Family Sundays Series Finale Episode 140 – “Goofy: Pencil Cup”
Pixar In Real Life Episode 110 – “WALL·E: BnL Pop-up Shop”
Friday, August 14
Alaska Animal Rescue (S1)
Ant-Man and the Wasp
India’s Wild Leopards
Jungle Animal Rescue (S1)
Nature Boom Time (S1)
Sam’s Zookeeper Challenge (S1)
Scuba Sam’s World (S1)
Spaced Out (S1)
T.O.T.S. (S1)
T.O.T.S. Calling all T.O.T.S. (S1)
The Greatest Showman
Wild Cats of India (S1)
Zombies 2
The One and Only Ivan Premiere
Muppets Now Episode 103 – “Getting Testy”
Magic Camp Premiere
One Day at Disney Episode 137 – “Pavan Komkai: Broadcast Engineer”
Weird But True! Season Premiere Episode 301- “Dinosaurs”
Weird But True! Episode 302 – “National Parks”
Friday, August 21
Back to the Titanic
Beauty and the Beast
Mars: One Day on the Red Planet
Muppets Now Episode 104 – “Sleep Mode”
One Day At Disney Episode 138 – “Heather Bartleson: Holiday Services”
Weird But True! Episode 302 – “National Parks”
Friday, August 28
Alice Through the Looking Glass
Fantastic Four
Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe Premiere
Muppets Now Episode 105 – “The I.T. Factor”
One Day At Disney Episode 139 – “Eric Baker: Imagineering Creative Director”
Twitch has reportedly forced the US Army to stop presenting viewers with fake giveaways that give recruiters their contact information. A link would periodically appear in the U.S. Army’s Twitch chat that would advertise the chance to win an Xbox Elite Series 2 controller but would lead to a sign-up page with no information about the contest, according to The Nation.
A disclosure at the bottom states that a recruiter would contact those who filled out the form. People as young as 12 could fill out the form, although a notice given after the form is filled out states that recruiters cannot contact anyone under the age of 16.
Twitch has now taken steps to shut down the giveaways. It told Kotaku in a statement, “Per our Terms of Service, promotions on Twitch must comply with all applicable laws. This promotion did not comply with our Terms, and we have required them to remove it.”
GameSpot has reached out to the US Army for comment.
The Army, Navy, and Air Force all stream on Twitch under their esports teams, which also double as recruiters during streams. This has been the subject of controversy since anyone as young as 13 can sign-up for Twitch, allowing recruiters to interact with a young audience.
Director Christopher Nolan has long been an outspoken advocate for all films, its culture, and also the future of his upcoming new film Tenet. Nolan has steadfastly been pushing for Tenet to be released in theaters this summer and to be viewed by audiences first on the big screen, but the realities of COVID-19 have possibly pushed this release date further back and into the realm of wishful thinking. Although August 12 is still the current, expected, release date, Vulture is now reporting there is growing skepticism Tenet will be released this summer at all.
Citing a report from movie-industry analyst Eric Handler, Vulture is speculating that what could do Tenet in is a lack of theaters able to stay open amidst doubts over safety to see movies out in public–and the movie being pulled can only harm theaters further. An anonymous high-ranking executive told Vulture, “The theaters are going to lose the biggest if Tenet doesn’t come out next month… They’re going to spend $100 million on face masks and [disinfection] sprays. Then the theaters aren’t going to open in August? They’re most at risk.”
Further fanning the flames of uncertainty is the fact that industry pundits like Richard Rushfield, who runs the popular entertainment newsletter The Ankler, aren’t sure if movie theaters are even able to deliver pre-COVID audience numbers right now. “Between now and the end of the year, 50 percent loss is probably the best-case scenario.” Rushfield told Vulture. He estimated that 80 percent is a more likely, realistic number to expect.
Tenet was originally planned for release in theaters July 17, then July 31, and recently shifted to August 12. The movie, which was written and directed by Nolan, stars Robert Pattinson, John David Washington, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Martin Donovan, Kenneth Branagh, and Elizabeth Debicki, and Michael Caine. Despite all the attention the movie has garnered, and even a trailer being released, not much about its story or plot is yet known.
Japanese video game giant Square Enix has established a brand-new studio of sorts that brings internal and external action game developers together under one umbrella.
That conglomerate is called Balan Company, an “action game brand” that will unveil its first project in the future–though when remains unclear. The group’s official website simply features a red curtain with a white top hat sitting on a stage. The text reads: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the show of wonders brought to you by the Balan Company. We thank you for your patience while we make preparation for the grand opening.” Whatever is coming sounds like it may be extremely theatrical.
Square Enix has not publicly clarified what Balan Company is, but the studio did share a teaser for the group on its official Twitter account.
In other Square Enix news, the studio has announced that the beta for Marvel’s Avengers will kick-off this August. Those who pre-ordered the game on PlayStation 4 can access the beta starting on August 7. Xbox One players who pre-ordered Marvel’s Avengers will get into the beta on August 14. Conversely, everyone else will be able to participate in the game’s open beta on August 21 before it launches on September 7.
Are vampire attacks covered by life insurance? In episode 7 of American Horror Story Hotel, John Lowe finally gets the help he needs, The Countess learns the emotion of fear, and if it looks too good to be true… there has to be a stunt double involved.
Marcy from Murder House checks in. It’s only fitting for a realtor who specializes in selling haunted houses to stumble upon Hotel Cortez. Another soul stuck within these walls.
The Countess (Lady Gaga) finds herself in another love triangle with Rudolph Valentino and Natacha Rambova. James March saves The Lady in Black from heartbreak and we learn the true origin of their relationship.
John Lowe can’t let go of the Ten Commandments Killer. He takes a one way trip to West Los Angeles Health Center for much needed evaluation, and to bring him one step closer to solving the string of crimes.
More details about the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller will be revealed tomorrow, July 17, by Geoff Keighley. The stream, part of Kieghley’s Summer Game Fest, will be at 9 AM PST / noon EST on the event’s official website.
The stream was announced on Twitter by Keighley with a short video of him holding the controller, which you can see below.
The DualSense controller features haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and a built-in microphone. The controller will also feature a rechargeable battery, just like the DualShock 4.
One of the upcoming Summer Game Fest events is the Xbox Summer Game Fest Demo Event, which runs from July 21 to July 27, featuring more than 60 demos available on the Xbox One dashboard.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey completed its extensive DLC roadmap last year, and since then it’s been issuing occasional daily challenge updates or extra costumes. With the new Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on the way, a small update has hit that lets you get into the Viking mood.
The title update 1.5.4 patch notes were posted to Reddit, and it is about 3-4 GB across all platforms. It has some bug fixes but also teases a new item pack in a seeming homage to Valhalla. The Northern Traveler’s Set looks very much like Viking armor, complete with furs and an ornate axe. The patch does not mention exactly how or when to obtain them.
Valhalla, of course, actually does take place during the Viking Age, as you manage your band of settlers and lay siege to Saxon fortresses. We recently got much more detail about Valhalla, including more information on the hero Eivor, the revised romance mechanics, going fishing, and how you can recruit Viking cats–or just regular cats that happen to hang out with Vikings, but “Viking cats” is so much cuter.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is coming to PC, Xbox One, and PS4 on November 17. It’s also coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X, but release dates for those platforms have not been announced. For more details, check out our Valhalla pre-order guide.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey 1.5.4 Title Update
Addressed an issue where Cyclops quests weren’t available to some players after Title Update 1.5.3.
Addressed an issue with the audio output of some of the crowd stations.
Addressed an issue where a placeholder pop-up could appear upon unlocking Ezio’s Roman outfit.
Sneak Peek: Northern Traveler’s Set
We’re excited to provide you with a first glimpse at an all-new item pack that our development team has been working on: Northern Traveler’s Set!
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Although no release date has yet been given for the upcoming Disney+ Home Alone reboot, information is starting to come out about its cast. The reboot has added Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live), Ally Maki (Toy Story 4), and Chris Parnell (Archer). The news comes from Deadline, who also is reporting that Archie Yates (Jojo Rabbit), Rob Delaney (Deadpool 2), and Ellie Kemper (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) will star in the film.
The film’s official synopsis is as follows: “The new Home Alone film will follow a husband and wife who go to war with a young boy, Max, who has stolen from them. Max is an energetic, witty nine-year-old boy with a mischievous side. He feels wise beyond his years and has the personality to easily converse with adults–plus the uncanny ability to relentlessly push their buttons. But, he also displays a sense of innocence and a kind heart, much like the original protagonist.”
Rumors have persisted but remain unconfirmed that actor Macaulay Culkin, who starred in the original ’90s film and its sequel, could make a cameo in this new version of Home Alone.
Dan Mazer (Dirty Grandpa) is set to direct the upcoming movie, working from a script from Saturday Night Live veterans Streeter Seidel and Mikey Day. Day will also act in the film. Hutch Parker (Logan) and Dan Wilson (Patriots Day) will produce.
By now, several months into a pandemic that has shut down production and pushed back the release of more movies and TV shows than any of us can or should be able to remember off the tops of our heads, we’ve all become a little numb to the concept of delays. They’ve gone from being a once-in-a-blue-moon oddity to a normal part of pop culture. It no longer feels weird or ominous or even like a punchline.
But that wasn’t always the case. In the distant, halcyon past a movie getting bumped to a new release date could spark all sorts of speculation, even elevate the movie itself to a sort of meme status amongst fans–and no movie did that better or with more panache than Fox’s New Mutants, a movie that is still not out yet, here in 2020, some three years after it’s intended premiere. To make matters even more hilarious, Fox (or, well, Disney now, who, in the intervening years, acquired the 20th Century studio) has stubbornly refused to even acknowledge the possibility that something has gone terribly, terribly wrong for the New Mutants. There’s even going to be a Comic-Con At Home panel for the movie where, if there’s any justice in the world, we’ll finally be able to stop pretending it’s ever going to hit theaters and get a date for its streaming debut.
Though it’s probably best not to get our hopes up, all things considered. After all, the long and horrible journey New Mutants has been on since that first trailer released is arguably more memorable than the trailer itself at this point. So, with that in mind, let’s chart out the New Mutants timeline from beginning to (probable) end.
July 17, 2017 – Principal photography began on the project, most of which taking place in Boston’s historic, and historically haunted, Medfield State Hospital. Spooky! Maybe the process of filming at that location cursed production from the start and we’re just seeing the fallout, Poltergeist-style. Who knows?
September 16, 2017 – Filming wraps, according to director Josh Boone on instagram.
October 13, 2017 – The first trailer for the movie is released, touting an April 13, 2018 release date..
January 11, 2018 – The movie is officially pushed back from its original release date (April 13, 2018) to February 22, 2019. The stated reason for the move was to avoid conflict with Deadpool 2.
March, 2018 – The first public inklings of behind the scenes drama start to kick up as cast and crew begin offering comments on creative tension. Reshoots start becoming a topic of conversation.
April 13, 2018 – The first release date comes and goes with no movie to show for it.
January, 2019 – The second delay shifts release to a third date, from February 22 to August 2, 2019.
February 22, 2019 – A second release date is missed.
March, 2019 – Disney acquires 20th Century Fox. The status of any planned reshoots remains completely unknown or speculatory at best. A fourth release date is set: April 3, 2020. Cast members get frustrated.
August 2, 2019 – The third try isn’t the charm as yet another release date is missed.
January, 2020 – A second trailer is released. The April release date appears to be holding firm.
March, 2020 – Boone comes forward to set the record straight, claiming no reshoots ever happened. Meanwhile, the Coronavirus pandemic forces Disney to completely shift its 2020 release schedule.
April 3, 2020 – Nope, it didn’t show up here either. That’s a fourth release date gone by and still no movie.
May, 2020 – The fifth release date is set for August 28, 2020.
August 28, 2020 – Will it actually release this time? Will it be a streaming exclusive? Does this movie even exist?
The biggest question now is whether or not Disney will try and continue to push for an actual theatrical release, or if the movie will drop as a streaming exclusive, similar to other long-delayed projects like Artemis Fowl, which skipped theaters for Disney+ earlier this year. All things considered, the pandemic-related shutdowns offer the perfect excuse for Disney to put this shambling mess out of its misery on something like Hulu (it’s probably too scary to fit with the Disney+ brand, after all) but the likelihood of that happening is impossible to determine. If a global pandemic isn’t enough to force The New Mutants from out of the shadows and onto our TVs, we should probably start to accept that nothing is or will be.
Maybe The New Mutants will go down in history as a series of ever shifting release dates and hastily recut trailers that continue to be trodden out Weekend At Bernies style whenever Disney needs to drum up conversation. Honestly, that might be kind of fun.
You can tune into the New Mutants Comic-Con At Home panel on July 23 at 5PM EST, 2PM PST.
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