The cord-cutting landscape experienced significant shifts over the past week, as several developments highlighted the ongoing challenges and transformations in both streaming and traditional cable television services. These stories underscore the industry’s push toward consolidation, cost management, and migration to more sustainable platforms amid persistent subscriber churn and rising operational expenses.
One major announcement involved the shutdown of BET+, a streaming service focused on content for Black audiences. Paramount recently acquired the remaining minority stake from Tyler Perry Studios in the platform, which had operated as a joint venture since its launch in 2019. The acquisition allows Paramount, through its Paramount Skydance structure, to become the full owner and integrate BET+ content directly into Paramount+. This merger aims to broaden the reach of diverse storytelling on a larger scale, making premium originals, dramas, comedies, and lifestyle programming available to a global audience without the limitations of a standalone service. BET+ has built a dedicated library emphasizing authentic representations of Black experiences, but like many niche platforms, it has faced difficulties in maintaining independence due to high content production costs and competition from broader services. The shutdown process will unfold gradually, with existing subscribers guided toward transitioning to Paramount+, potentially with incentives such as bundled access or promotional periods to ease the change. Meanwhile, other BET operations remain unaffected, including the linear cable channel, studio production efforts, digital engagement initiatives, and free ad-supported channels. This move reflects a broader trend where legacy media companies streamline portfolios to compete more effectively against dominant players in the streaming market.
In another development affecting subscribers’ wallets, Hulu implemented a price increase for its Starz premium add-on. The monthly fee rose from $10.99 to $11.99, with the adjustment taking effect on March 31, 2026. Notifications started appearing for affected users, including those subscribed through Hulu + Live TV packages, beginning around March 16. This marks the second consecutive increase for the add-on, following a prior hike from $9.99 to $10.99 in late 2024. The change stems from escalating costs across the streaming sector, encompassing investments in high-quality original productions featuring elaborate productions and prominent talent, along with rising licensing fees and technological upgrades for better streaming performance. Starz, now an independent entity after its separation from Lionsgate, continues to deliver popular franchises centered on crime dramas, historical series, and intense narratives. The incremental rise contributes to ongoing concerns about subscription fatigue, as cumulative costs from multiple services increasingly approach or exceed those of traditional cable packages. Industry observers note that such adjustments test consumer loyalty, potentially accelerating churn unless offset by compelling new content releases.
Adding to the week’s notable shifts, WOW!, a regional cable television provider, advanced its longstanding plan to exit the traditional TV business entirely. The company has been transitioning customers to YouTube TV since announcing the shift in 2023, initially bundling the Google-owned live TV streaming service with its internet offerings and ceasing sales of its own cable products. New video subscribers now receive YouTube TV as standard. The process has progressed in phases, with legacy customers on WOW!’s proprietary streaming platform, WOW! TV+, undergoing migration to YouTube TV. This transition is slated for completion by the end of June 2026, at which point the older service will cease operations. Some traditional cable customers began losing access as early as April 2026, though the timeline varies by market and location. YouTube TV provides an extensive channel lineup, including local networks, unlimited cloud DVR storage, and multi-device compatibility, often at a base rate around $73 per month, with possible bundling discounts through WOW! internet plans. The decision allows WOW! to concentrate resources on its core broadband infrastructure, particularly in regions across states like Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Alabama, where it continues expansions such as fiber deployments supported by grants. This exit aligns with wider industry patterns, as cable operators grapple with declining video subscribers, high content licensing expenses, equipment upkeep, and support demands, favoring high-speed internet as a more viable long-term focus.
These events collectively illustrate the fluid state of television consumption in 2026. Streaming services pursue mergers and integrations to achieve scale and efficiency, while price adjustments become routine to cover investments. Meanwhile, legacy cable providers increasingly pivot away from video delivery toward broadband dominance, often partnering with established streaming alternatives like YouTube TV to retain customers. The cumulative effect continues to reshape how viewers access content, driving further evolution in an already competitive and cost-conscious market.
Please add Cord Cutters News as a source for your Google News feed HERE. Please follow us on Facebook and X for more news, tips, and reviews. Need cord cutting tech support? Join our Cord Cutting Tech Support Facebook Group for help.