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Hulu’s Jawline is an empathetic, terrifying documentary about teens who livestream their livesHulu’s Jawline is an empathetic, terrifying documentary about teens who livestream their lives
Culture

In Gen Z’s world, anyone can be a star — for a little while.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Culture
American Factory, the first film in the Obamas’ Netflix slate, is one of the year’s best docsAmerican Factory, the first film in the Obamas’ Netflix slate, is one of the year’s best docs
Culture

The fly-on-the-wall look at a former GM factory in Dayton bought by a Chinese company is a fascinating peek into the challenges of globalization.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Culture
GLOW season 3 loses some of its trademark fun amid all the bloatGLOW season 3 loses some of its trademark fun amid all the bloat
Culture

Netflix’s joyous wrestling drama has gotten caught under its own weight.

By Pilot Viruet
Technology
Facebook is starting to sell streaming video subscriptions — but not from HBO or ShowtimeFacebook is starting to sell streaming video subscriptions — but not from HBO or Showtime
Technology

Everyone else is doing it, so Facebook is trying it, too. The company says it’s a test, available only to US users.

By Peter Kafka
Culture
Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu will be bundled for $12.99. Netflix should be worried.Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu will be bundled for $12.99. Netflix should be worried.
Culture

Disney is aggressively crafting the service to be an end-all, be-all for streaming subscribers.

By Allegra Frank
Technology
Cambridge Analytica made “ethical mistakes” because it was too focused on regulation, former COO saysCambridge Analytica made “ethical mistakes” because it was too focused on regulation, former COO says
Podcast
Technology

“It felt like, well, once that was done, then we’ve done what we needed to do, and we forgot to pause and think about, ethically, what was going on.”

By Eric Johnson
Culture
Netflix’s The Great Hack explores how Cambridge Analytica sold your data during the 2016 electionNetflix’s The Great Hack explores how Cambridge Analytica sold your data during the 2016 election
Culture

You’ll want to delete your Facebook account.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Technology
Netflix thought it would have 5 million new subscribers this quarter. Instead it added 2.7 million.Netflix thought it would have 5 million new subscribers this quarter. Instead it added 2.7 million.
Technology

And that’s before it loses Friends, The Office, and other shows and movies made by its Big Media rivals.

By Peter Kafka
Technology
Password sharing could be a good thing for Netflix and HuluPassword sharing could be a good thing for Netflix and Hulu
Technology

People only steal content if they think it’s good. That’s bad news for Amazon Prime Video.

By Rani Molla
Culture
Friends is leaving Netflix in 2020Friends is leaving Netflix in 2020
Culture

WarnerMedia has released new details about its forthcoming streaming service, HBO Max, and Friends will be one of its crown jewels.

By Allegra Frank
Culture
Midsommar’s twisted ending, explainedMidsommar’s twisted ending, explained
Culture

What on earth just happened?

By Alissa Wilkinson
Culture
Ari Aster on his new film Midsommar: “I keep telling people I want it to be confusing”Ari Aster on his new film Midsommar: “I keep telling people I want it to be confusing”
Culture

The Hereditary director talks about Disney, folk horror, and why he thinks interviews are a “minefield.”

By Alissa Wilkinson
Culture
Netflix’s re-translation of Neon Genesis Evangelion is drawing backlash for queer erasureNetflix’s re-translation of Neon Genesis Evangelion is drawing backlash for queer erasure
Culture

Can you take a friendship that’s been coded as queer for 25 years and suddenly make it more ambiguous?

By Aja Romano
Culture
Midsommar is a brutish, nasty daylight nightmare from the director of HereditaryMidsommar is a brutish, nasty daylight nightmare from the director of Hereditary
Culture

It will haunt you.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Culture
Netflix’s The Edge of Democracy charts the slippery slope from democracy to authoritarian ruleNetflix’s The Edge of Democracy charts the slippery slope from democracy to authoritarian rule
Culture

It’s also a horror movie.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Culture
Netflix’s Murder Mystery is a surprisingly fun romp starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer AnistonNetflix’s Murder Mystery is a surprisingly fun romp starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston
Culture

It’s a lightweight comic tribute to Agatha Christie, and it kinda works.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Technology
Russian Doll will be back for a second season on NetflixRussian Doll will be back for a second season on Netflix
Technology

While onstage with Recode’s Kara Swisher at the 2019 Code Conference, Cindy Holland and Natasha Lyonne announced their show, Russian Doll, has been renewed.

By Emily Stewart
Technology
Why Amazon is going to be one of the winners of the streaming video warsWhy Amazon is going to be one of the winners of the streaming video wars
Podcast
Technology

A small number of companies will win the streaming “battle royale,” says former Amazon Studios strategist Matthew Ball. Amazon is “guaranteed” to be one of them, he says.

By Eric Johnson
Culture
Ava DuVernay uses real history to damn the present in Netflix’s When They See UsAva DuVernay uses real history to damn the present in Netflix’s When They See Us
Culture

Trump’s involvement in the case — and refusal to change his mind — is just a cipher for America.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Culture
Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us is a rich, enraging retelling of the Central Park Five caseAva DuVernay’s When They See Us is a rich, enraging retelling of the Central Park Five case
Culture

The four-part Netflix series is essential viewing to understand today’s America.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Games of Thrones season 8
Game of Thrones is over. Giant TV hits aren’t going anywhere.Game of Thrones is over. Giant TV hits aren’t going anywhere.
Games of Thrones season 8

Audiences are fracturing, but the apparatus that made HBO’s megahit isn’t going away.

By Peter Kafka
Technology
Apple is the only media company rich enough to beat Netflix — but does it care enough to try?Apple is the only media company rich enough to beat Netflix — but does it care enough to try?
Podcast
Technology

On the latest episode of Recode Media, former Amazon and Hulu employee Eugene Wei explains why Netflix and its competitors aren’t playing the same game.

By Eric Johnson
Technology
The Hulu/Disney/Comcast divorce, explainedThe Hulu/Disney/Comcast divorce, explained
Technology

All the big media companies want their own streaming service. Big question: Do you want to subscribe to lots of streaming services?

By Peter Kafka
Technology
Hulu CEO Randy Freer explains why Hulu never promoted its ad-free versionHulu CEO Randy Freer explains why Hulu never promoted its ad-free version
Podcast
Technology

The more expensive Hulu No Commercials plan was announced in 2015, and almost four years later, the company is finally ready to start advertising that it exists.

By Eric Johnson
Culture
Amy Poehler’s Wine Country, now on Netflix, is the movie equivalent of cheap ChardonnayAmy Poehler’s Wine Country, now on Netflix, is the movie equivalent of cheap Chardonnay
Culture

The star-studded comedy is a little bland, but it gets the job done.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Technology
Netflix has made a rare acquisition, to help it make more kids’ stuffNetflix has made a rare acquisition, to help it make more kids’ stuff
Technology

The streaming company has bought StoryBots, a kids’ brand made by the guys who made JibJab.

By Peter Kafka
Technology
Disney+ will not be a “Netflix killer” because at this point, nothing can kill NetflixDisney+ will not be a “Netflix killer” because at this point, nothing can kill Netflix
Podcast
Technology

Redef CEO Jason Hirschhorn watches a lot of TV and he says Netflix has sucked him into watching less of everything else.

By Eric Johnson
The fight for the bundle is the war for the future of TV
Technology

The TV guys want to keep selling you TV you don’t watch. It won’t work.

By Peter Kafka
Culture
Knock Down the House is about more than AOC. It’s about hope in American politics.Knock Down the House is about more than AOC. It’s about hope in American politics.
Culture

The new Netflix documentary is worth a watch, no matter your political persuasion.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Culture
Gina Rodriguez stars in Netflix’s Someone Great, a comedy about getting through heartbreakGina Rodriguez stars in Netflix’s Someone Great, a comedy about getting through heartbreak
Culture

It takes some help from your friends.

By Alissa Wilkinson
Technology
Netflix makes up nearly 30 percent of global streaming video subscriptionsNetflix makes up nearly 30 percent of global streaming video subscriptions
Technology

The streaming video company now has 155 million total subscribers globally.

By Rani Molla
Technology
Netflix is booming internationally, but its growth is slowing in the USNetflix is booming internationally, but its growth is slowing in the US
Technology

The streaming company added 9.6 million subscribers last quarter — and it says it isn’t worried about Apple or Disney.

By Peter Kafka
Technology
AMC Networks boss Josh Sapan wants the people who make TV to look at the data — but not too muchAMC Networks boss Josh Sapan wants the people who make TV to look at the data — but not too much
Technology

There’s no algorithm for creativity yet, Sapan says on the latest Recode Media.

By Eric Johnson
Technology
If Congress cancels federal funding for PBS, rural areas will be hurt the most, says CEO Paula KergerIf Congress cancels federal funding for PBS, rural areas will be hurt the most, says CEO Paula Kerger
Technology

All 335 PBS stations use federal funding, but the ones that depend on it are largely in Trump country.

By Eric Johnson
Technology
Disney used to make hundreds of millions from Netflix. Now it will spend billions to fight it.Disney used to make hundreds of millions from Netflix. Now it will spend billions to fight it.
Technology

Bob Iger in 2015: “We look at Netflix as more friend than foe.” Now it’s a very expensive war.

By Peter Kafka
Culture
Disney+ will launch in November for $6.99 per month. Here are 5 things to know.Disney+ will launch in November for $6.99 per month. Here are 5 things to know.
Culture

Disney’s Netflix competitor looks ... a lot like Netflix. But it’s more than just another place to watch movies.

By Allegra Frank
Technology
Millions of Netflix users are using someone else’s password, but that’s not bad for NetflixMillions of Netflix users are using someone else’s password, but that’s not bad for Netflix
Technology

A new survey finds that 14 percent of US Netflix users are watching the service without paying for it.

By Peter Kafka and Rani Molla
Technology
Full Q&A: Brat co-founder Rob Fishman on Recode MediaFull Q&A: Brat co-founder Rob Fishman on Recode Media
Technology

Fishman is betting that young women who used to watch the CW or MTV will demand those sorts of shows from YouTube, too.

By Eric Johnson
Technology
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings says the obvious: He won’t be working with Apple when it launches its new video plansNetflix CEO Reed Hastings says the obvious: He won’t be working with Apple when it launches its new video plans
Technology

In other news: Turns out Netflix is not a tech company, Hastings says.

By Peter Kafka
Technology
In HBO’s Theranos documentary “The Inventor,” director Alex Gibney says Elizabeth Holmes was fooled by her own liesIn HBO’s Theranos documentary “The Inventor,” director Alex Gibney says Elizabeth Holmes was fooled by her own lies
Technology

Gibney spoke with Recode’s Peter Kafka on the latest episode of Recode Media.

By Eric Johnson