iWorld
YouTube introduces budget-friendly TV packages in US
The move aims to attract cord-cutters and redefine the traditional cable model.
CALIFORNIA: YouTube is performing some digital surgery on the traditional cable bundle, carving out smaller, cheaper packages for viewers who are tired of paying for channels they never watch. According to a report by Bloomberg, the tech titan is set to launch a range of skinny bundles, including a dedicated sports plan priced at $65 per month.
For those who live for the weekend whistle but couldn’t care less about reality TV, the new sports-only tier offers a significant win. At $65, it sits roughly 22 per cent cheaper than the standard $83 YouTube TV everything buffet.
This plan isn’t just a rehash of old cable; it will blend major broadcast networks with select sports content that was once the exclusive territory of niche streaming platforms. And this isn’t just a one-off play for the stadium crowd. YouTube is reportedly prepping more than 10 different bundles themed around:
Live sports: The heavy hitters and broadcast staples.
Breaking news: For the headline junkies.
Entertainment: Strictly for the drama and comedy fans.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan took to X to champion the move, stating that the new structure is designed to give consumers more “choice and control” over their screens.
Traditionally, media moguls have guarded the big bundle like a dragon guarding gold. They preferred forcing viewers to buy a hundred channels just to get the five they actually wanted. However, the tide is turning. According to research firm MoffettNathanson, traditional TV companies have lost more than 30 million customers over the last 10 years.
YouTube TV has been the primary beneficiary of this exodus, now boasting more than 10 million subscribers. This makes it the third-largest TV distributor in the US, trailing only behind industry veterans Charter and Comcast.
While YouTube is famous for its free cat videos, its paid-for side is becoming a financial powerhouse. According to the company, subscription revenue (including YouTube Premium) now rakes in roughly $20 billion annually. When you add the advertising juggernaut into the mix, the total video business is worth upwards of $60 billion.
By offering more targeted, affordable bundles, YouTube is not only catering to niche audiences but also accelerating the shift away from bloated cable packages. With a growing subscriber base and a rapidly expanding paid ecosystem, the company is positioning itself as a dominant force in the evolving TV landscape, proving that even in the age of cat videos, YouTube knows how to play the game when it comes to serious entertainment and sports.
iWorld
Snap hits $1B revenue as subscriptions cross 25 million
Snap’s paid products boom with Snapchat plus, Lens plus and creator subscriptions
CALIFORNIA: Snapchat’s subscription push is paying off handsomely, with the platform’s direct revenue business now cruising past a $1 billion annualised run rate. At the heart of this milestone is a loyal global subscription community that has just topped 25 million Snapchatters.
Since its launch in late 2022, Snapchat plus has grown rapidly to become one of the fastest-growing consumer subscriptions worldwide. What began as an early-access perk for the platform’s most engaged users has scaled into a robust revenue engine alongside Snap’s ad business.
Snapchat plus thrives because it taps into something deeply human. With more than 946 million monthly active users, Snapchat is fast approaching the one-billion mark. Its subscription service offers personal touches that matter in everyday chats. From pinning a best friend to customising chat wallpapers or adding a Bitmoji Pet, these simple features bring warmth, context and joy to conversations.
But Snap isn’t stopping there. The company has expanded its direct revenue offerings with paid versions of Lens plus, Snapchat Platinum, and Memories Storage Plans. Lens plus gives subscribers advanced AI and AR creative tools, including exclusive generative AI Lenses and unlimited use of the Imagine Lens for instant image creation. Snapchat Platinum delivers an ad-light experience focused on friends and creators, while Memories Storage Plans give heavy users the option to upgrade storage and keep thousands of their most cherished Snaps safe.
Snapchat is also opening doors for creators. Its new creator subscriptions let fans pay directly for exclusive content, priority engagement, and ad-free Stories, giving influencers fresh ways to connect with their audience.
Snap credits its 25 million subscribers for helping shape the future of the platform. Their creativity, feedback, and enthusiasm not only inspire new features but also fuel Snap’s growing direct revenue business.
With these moves, Snap is proving that personalisation, self-expression, and friendship aren’t just buzzwords, they’re the secret sauce behind its subscription success.
