Netflix added 2.2 million subscribers in Q3, a significant slowdown in growth after adding record net subscribers of 10.1 million in the second quarter and 15.8 million in Q1 this year as the COVID-19 quarantine kept audiences home. Bringing the streaming giant’s global subscriptions to 195.15 million, the growth was below Wall Street expectations and the company’s own forecast which had predicted net adds of 2.5 million in the quarter. The news initially brought shares down 6%.
Apple has launched Apple Music TV, a 24-hour music video livestream featuring new music videos and premieres, curated music video blocks, chart countdowns, live shows, events, and guests. The free service, which debuted Monday morning, is so far only available in the U.S. on the Apple Music and Apple TV apps. There’s already some indication there’ll be crossover with hosts from Apple Music Radio. With the new channel supporting this week’s release of Bruce Springsteen’s Letter to You album on Thursday, an interview with Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe will be featured. Spotify announced back in July it would also be introducing “video podcasts” as the digital giants try to grab video share from Google-owned YouTube.
Blue Ant Media has acquired digital consumer tech publication Mobile Syrup. Published by Ian Hardy, the independent publication that focuses on Canadian mobile tech, gaming, and telecom news, was founded in 2007. Blue Ant also owns digital brands Cottage Life and Animalogic. The company said in a release that the acquisition is part of a long-term strategy to grow and diversify its Canadian business, by adding new platforms and genres of content.
Ku’ku’kwes News, an independent, Nova Scotia-based, Indigenous news site run by Mi’kmaw journalist Maureen Googoo, crashed last week after being flooded by those looking for news on the conflict around the Sipekne’katik First Nation fishery. The crowdfunded site was overwhelmed with traffic as the #MikmaqRights hashtag got a signal boost from actor Mark Ruffalo, among others.
