CBS News
Comcast unveils streaming bundle that includes Apple TV+, Peacock and Netflix
Comcast will offer a new bundled streaming service where customers can watch content from Apple TV+, Peacock and Netflix in one place, the company’s chief executive said Tuesday.
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts didn’t give an exact price for the bundle, which will be called StreamSaver, but said it will be “a vastly reduced price” from that of other streaming services. StreamSaver will launch this month, Roberts said during a MoffettNathanson investor conference, but did not give an exact date.
“We’ve been bundling video successfully and creatively for 60 years,” Roberts said during the conference. “And so, this is the latest iteration of that and I think will be a pretty compelling package.”
Apple TV+ alone is now $9.99 a month, up from $6.99 last year. Apple’s TV arm contributed to record revenue for the company’s services sector, reported The Hollywood Reporter last year. NBC’s Peacock, which was launched in July 2020, has 34 million paid subscribers, and includes programming from Bravo, Hallmark, WWE, NBC Sports and NBC, among other channels. The service is $5.99 a month.
Netflix, which achieved critical mass and profitability much before its streaming rivals, continues to reign supreme with more than 260 million global subscribers. The service costs between $6.99 to $22.99, depending on the subscription.
Apple, Comcast and Netflix didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.
StreamSaver is the latest in a growing trend of streaming bundles this year created by major streaming services teaming together. Entertainment and media giants have struggled to turn a profit on streaming, given the hefty costs of producing original content in the highly competitive video-on-demand market. Another problem plaguing streaming content providers is inconsistent subscription revenue due to customers frequently adding and dropping platforms depending on their cost and programming.
Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery announced they will offer a bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu and Max this summer. Users of the new bundle will have access to content from ABC, CNN, DC, Discovery, Disney, Food Network, FX, HBO, HGTV, Hulu, Marvel, Pixar, Searchlight and Warner Bros.
In a separate bundle move, ESPN, Fox Corp. and Warner Bros. Discovery earlier this year announced the launch of an app this fall that will group together the bulk of their respective sports content to U.S. users.
Intentions by Apple TV+ and Paramount+ to bundle their services were reported by Fortune in December, though no such plan was ever officially announced by either company. Former Paramount CEO Bob Bakish stepped down from his role in April, a major management shift at the media and entertainment company as it considers a potential merger or sale.
Despite news of the bundle, Comcast’s stock price was flat Tuesday, trading at around $40 a share.
CBS News
Kamala Harris will speak with “60 Minutes” tomorrow. Here’s what to know for the interview.
Voters will get the chance to hear from Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday as she presents her case for why she should be president in a “60 Minutes” election special.
For decades, “60 Minutes” has featured both Republican and Democratic nominees for presidents, but this year, former President Donald Trump backed out after previously indicating he would be on the show. Correspondent Scott Pelley, who’d been set to interview Trump, will instead travel to Arizona’s Maricopa County, home to more than 60% of Arizona’s voters and a critical battleground in a key swing state.
One thing is certain about the election; with the U.S. deeply involved in both the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, whoever wins on Nov. 5 will become a wartime president.
What Harris will discuss
Israel’s war started one year ago after Hamas launched a surprise terror attack and correspondent Bill Whitaker will discuss the ongoing war with Harris.
Harris will also discuss the economy, immigration, her record as vice president and the differences between herself and Trump.
Democratic vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz will also appear.
Whitaker joined the Democratic ticket on the campaign trail this week to gain insight into their platform’s priorities and values, and what the candidates believe voters should know.
Why Trump pulled out of the “60 Minutes” interview
Leading up to the candidate hour, Trump, through campaign spokespeople, was the first candidate to accept the “60 Minutes” request to be interviewed for the special, according to CBS News. It had been agreed that both candidates would receive equal time during the broadcast.
Trump last sat down with 60 Minutes in 2020. He walked out during the interview with Lesley Stahl. Trump referenced the incident on Tuesday night at a Milwaukee press conference when asked about his decision not to participate in the Oct. 7 “60 Minutes” election special.
“Well, right now, I went to – they came to me and would like me to do an interview, but first I want to get an apology, because the last time I did an interview with them, if you remember, they challenged me on the computer,” Trump said. “They said the ‘laptop from hell’ was from Russia, and I said it wasn’t from Russia. It was from Hunter, and I never got an apology, so I’m sort of waiting. I’d love to do ’60 Minutes.’ I do everything.”
The Republican nominee for president emphasized that he felt he was owed an apology from “60 Minutes.”
“Let’s see if they do it. I wouldn’t mind doing 60,” Trump continued. “I’ve done ’60 Minutes’ a lot.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung said that Trump’s team had not agreed to an interview.
“Fake News,” Cheung said in a post on X. “60 Minutes begged for an interview, even after they were caught lying about Hunter Biden’s laptop back in 2020. There were initial discussions, but nothing was ever scheduled or locked in. They also insisted on doing live fact checking, which is unprecedented.”
Previous Trump, Harris appearances on 60 Minutes
Trump previously sat down with “60 Minutes'” Mike Wallace in 1985, Pelley in 2015 and Lesley Stahl twice in 2016, first in July of that year and then again in November of 2016. He also spoke with Stahl again in 2018 and 2020.
Harris previously sat down with Whitaker last year. She also was interviewed by Norah O’Donnell, “CBS Evening News” anchor and “60 Minutes” contributing correspondent, in 2020.
How to watch the “60 Minutes” election special
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