"Suits" smashes record / Spanish sports streams / ESPN grabs TGL matches / "Only Murders" S3 finale views

Plus the weekend calendar, Netflix trails India rivals, "Squid Game" slot machines, "Castlevania" renewed, "Lower Decks" showrunner plea, and more

Inside Streaming For October 06, 2023

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Happy Friday, Inside Streamers! What to make of "Squid Game" slot machines? Certainly, there's an argument to be made that crass attempts to squeeze additional revenue out of that franchise conflict with its themes and core anti-capitalist and anti-exploitation messaging. But at the same time... it IS a TV show that was made on a for-profit basis. It was always inevitable that, if the show became popular, its producers would monetize that popularity in any way they could. That's what TV producers do. That's why they fund TV shows in the first place. So these SHOCKED reactions every time there's a new "Squid Game" spinoff or merch opportunity do strike me as a bit pollyannaish. Yes, "Squid Game" was anti-capitalist at heart. But also, yes, "Squid Game" was produced by people who love money and only have their jobs in order to secure increasing amounts of it over time. What are you going to do? Enjoy today's issue! We'll see you back here next week. Lon p/lon-harris

1 "Suits" was the #1 most-streamed series on Nielsen's Top 10 list for the week of September 4-10, its 12th straight week atop the list. This breaks the all-time record for most weeks spent at #1 on Nielsen's streaming chart, previously held by Netflix's "Ozark." More: While "Ozark" set the record over the course of multiple seasons, "Suits" has been #1 for 12 consecutive weeks, a first for any streaming series. Only 11 titles in history have ever sat atop Nielsen's list for five weeks or more. Netflix's "Virgin River" took the #2 spot for the week, knocking the streamer's "One Piece" live-action series down to #3. Among streaming originals, Amazon's costly "Wheel of Time" series was viewed for another 515 minutes this week, grabbing the #3 spot; the show's second season wrapped up this week.

2 According to CNBC, Spanish-language rights for live sporting events have become an increasingly important category for streaming platforms. A number of media companies that primarily cater to Hispanic viewers -- such as TelevisaUnivision and Canela Media -- are racing to acquire live sports content alongside traditional streamers now offering Spanish-language simulcasts. More: Both Disney's ESPN+ and Amazon's Prime Video offer Spanish-language feeds for live sporting events; NBCUniversal's Peacock imports Spanish sports content from Telemundo. A recent Nielsen study found that Hispanic audiences spend around nine hours per day consuming media, the majority of which is television. The Hispanic audience in the US has also been particularly receptive to cord cutting, and makes up a significant portion of streaming viewership. Soccer streams have been a key driver for subscriptions in the streaming era, largely due to the sport's popularity among Spanish-speaking audiences.

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3 WEEKEND CALENDAR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6 PET SEMATARY: BLOODLINES: 2023 supernatural horror film, inspired by the 1983 novel by Stephen King, and serving as a prequel to the 2019 film "Pet Sematary." In 1969, a young Jud Crandall (Jackson White) first discovers the dark secrets of the pet cemetery behind his home. Forrest Goodluck, Henry Thomas, Natalie Alyn Lind, Pam Grier, and David Duchovny co-star. [Paramount+] THE CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL: The final film from iconic director William Friedkin ("The Exorcist," "The French Connection") is based on Herman Wouk's 1953 play of the same name, which was in turn inspired by his 1952 novel "The Caine Mutiny." It centers on the trial of Navy Lt. Stephen Maryk (Jake Lacy), who relieved his domineering captain (Kiefer Sutherland) of command during a period of what appeared to be mental instability. Jason Clarke, Monica Raymund, Lance Reddick, and Lewis Pullman co-star. The film is available exclusively to Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers. [Paramount+] FAIR PLAY: 2023 erotic thriller from writer/director Chloe Domont, making her feature debut. A newly-engaged couple's relationship is put to the test when one of them receives an unexpected promotion at the cutthroat hedge fund where they both work. Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich co-star. "Fair Play" premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival. [Netflix] A DEADLY INVITATION (INVITACIÓN A UN ASESINATO): Spanish-language mystery-comedy feature from Mexico, based on the novel by Carmen Posadas, about a true-crime lover who joins her wealthy sister for a lavish weekend getaway, then finds herself in the middle of a real-life whodunnit. Maribel Verdú, Stephanie Cayo, Manolo Cardona, and Aarón Díaz co-star. [Netflix] BALLERINA: Revenge thriller film from South Korea, about a former bodyguard on a quest to punish the people responsible for her close friend's death. Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Ji-hoon, and Park Yu-rim co-star; Lee Chung-hyun ("The Call") wrote and directed. [Netflix] TOTALLY KILLER: 2023 horror-comedy from Blumhouse and director Nahnatchka Khan ("Always Be My Maybe"). Kiernan Shipka stars as a teen from the present day who's somehow sent back in time to Halloween 1987, when she faces off with the infamous Sweet Sixteen Killer. Olivia Holt, Julie Bowen, Randall Park, and Charlie Gillespie co-star. [Amazon] DESPERATELY SEEKING SOULMATE: ESCAPING TWIN FLAMES UNIVERSE: Three-part docuseries, based on the reporting of journalist Alice Hines, investigating the alleged internet "love cult" known as Twin Flames Universe, run by Michigan influencers Jeff and Shaleia Divine. The online group promises to match members with the "perfect partner." Marina Zenovich ("Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind") directs. [Amazon] V/H/S/85: This 2023 found footage horror anthology is the sixth entry in the "V/H/S" series, and features segments from filmmakers David Bruckner, Scott Derrickson, Gigi Saul Guerrero, Natasha Kermani, and Mike P. Nelson. [Shudder / AMC+] BOBI WINE: THE PEOPLE'S PRESIDENT: Documentary from National Geographic profiling Ugandan activist, politician, and musical artist Bobi Wine (aka Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu). The film follows Wine throughout his country's 2021 presidential election, in which he risked his life to denounce the dictatorial regime of Yoweri Museveni. [Hulu and Disney+] ZOMBIE TOWN: 2023 Canadian YA comedy-horror film, based on the book by R.L. Stine. After they watch a legendary, reclusive filmmaker's latest project, two friends (Marlon Kazadi and Madi Monroe) find their entire hometown overrun by zombies. Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Henry Czerny, Scott Thompson, and Bruce McCulloch co-star. [Hulu] THE TANK: 2023 horror film from New Zealand, about a family who move into a long-abandoned property, where they accidentally awaken and release a terrifying, ancient, long-dormant creature that once stalked the area. Matt Whelan and Luciane Buchanan co-star; Scott Walker ("The Frozen Ground") wrote and directed. [Hulu] UNDEAD UNLUCK: Debut anime series, based on the manga by Yoshifumi Tozuka. The story follows an extremely unlucky girl, whose ill fortune eventually kills everyone around her, as she befriends an immortal who's longing to die. [Hulu] 90 DAY FIANCÉ PILLOW TALK: BEFORE THE 90 DAYS: "90 Day Fiancé" spinoff reality series, going back in time to look at how couples who ultimately met up in the United States first became acquainted. Season 6 aired earlier this year on TLC and hits Max in the US today. [Max] HGTV URBAN OASIS: Each year, for HGTV's Urban Oasis sweepstakes, the network purchases an outdated home and transforms it into a luxurious, modern-day retreat, which it then gives away to one lucky winner. This year's Urban Oasis special -- set in Louisville, Kentucky -- follows both the home renovation and the awarding of the grand prize. [Max] DEANE'S DYNASTY: HBO's first-ever reality series from Thailand offers an intimate glimpse inside the private lives of singer Lydia Deane, her actor husband Matthew Deane, and their social circle of recognizable friends. [Max] ARKNIGHTS: PERISH IN FROST: The second anime series based on the "Arknights" mobile game franchise, about a dystopian world in which neverending ecological disasters have forced humanity to reside in constantly-moving nomadic cities. [Crunchyroll] SATURDAY, OCTOBER 7 MAKEOVER BY MONDAY: Home renovation series from Magnolia Network in which DIY expert and blogger Jenni Yolo upgrades difficult spaces over the course of a single weekend. It's back for a second season on Max and cable this week. [Max] JESSICA'S BIG LITTLE WORLD: Animated series for young kids, spun off from Cartoon Network's "Craig of the Creek." Craig's younger sister Jessica (Lucia Cunningham) takes on huge challenges in a world designed with bigger people in mind. Tiffany Ford, Noël Wells, Grey Griffin, and others provide the voices. [Max] STRONG GIRL NAM-SOON: Debut crime comedy from South Korea, spun off from the prior series "Strong Girl Bong-soon." Lee Yoo-mi stars as Gang Nam-soon, a cousin of Do Bong-soon who's also blessed with super-strength. While searching for her birth parents, Nam-soon gets entangled in a drug-related police investigation. Kim Jung-eun, Kim Hae-sook, and Ong Seong-wu co-star. [Netflix] A LOT OF NOTHING: 2022 indie comedy-drama about a married couple who seek their own brand of justice when they discover their neighbor was involved in a police shooting. Shamier Anderson, Cleopatra Coleman, and Justin Hartley co-star; Mo McRae ("Starkeisha") co-wrote and directed. [Hulu] SPY X FAMILY: Anime series based on the manga by Tatsuya Endo, about a spy who builds a family as a front for a mission, but unwittingly casts a telepath and an assassin as his fake daughter and wife. Season 2 debuts on Crunchyroll and Hulu this weekend in the US. [Hulu and Crunchyroll] THE VEXATIONS OF A SHUT-IN VAMPIRE PRINCESS: Debut anime series based on the light novels by Kotei Kobayashi and Riichu. The story centers on a vampire who's descended from a noble house, and has been appointed a commander in the Imperial Army, but refuses to drink blood on principle. [HIDIVE] SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8 90 DAY FIANCÉ: The TLC reality series returns this weekend for a 10th season on both Max and cable. Six new international couples will come together for just 90 days, and decide whether or not to get married before their travel visas expire. [Max] LAST STOP LARRIMAH: True-crime documentary from HBO, about a mysterious disappearance in the remote Australian Outback town of Larrimah, and the locals who, over time, all became suspects. Thomas Tancred makes his directorial debut with the film; the Duplass Brothers executive produced. [Max] HARRY WILD: Humorous UK mystery series starring Jane Seymour as a retired English professor who develops a taste for criminal investigations, and begins peeking in on her police detective son's cases. Kevin Ryan and Rohan Nedd co-star. Season 2 hits Acorn TV in the US this weekend. [Acorn TV]

4 Disney signed a multi-year agreement to broadcast matches from the debut TGL indoor golf league. TGL is backed by pro golfers Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy and launches in partnership with the PGA Tour. More: TGL matches will also stream on ESPN+. The inaugural matches are timed to coincide with other major sports events; the inaugural match will air the night after the College Football Playoff title game, while the second will debut the evening after the NFL wild card playoff game. PGA Tour players making scheduled TGL appearances include Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Rickie Fowler and Billy Horschel, with more to be announced.

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5 According to Hulu's internal figures, Season 3 of "Only Murders in the Building" had the streamer's most-watched finale in 2023 so far. Hulu determines "views" in the same fashion as Netflix and Disney+: the total time spent streaming a program divided by its runtime. More: Hulu has repeatedly reported that "Only Murders" is its most-watched original comedy series, but has declined to reveal specific viewership numbers. Season 3 consistently ranked in the streamer's daily Top 15 throughout its run; the show also appeared each week on Nielsen's Top 10 chart since launch. The show has already been renewed for Season 4, which may take place in Los Angeles, or at least feature "a definite touch of Los Angeles in small doses," according to co-creator John Hoffman.

6 A new report from asset management company AllianceBernstein concludes that Netflix has "not succeeded" in scaling up its business in India. Currently, Netflix has around 6.5 million Indian subscribers, compared to Prime Video's 20 million and Disney+ Hotstar's 40 million. More: AllianceBernstein blames a lack of region-specific content for Netflix's slow Indian growth. Only around 12% of the titles offered by Netflix India were local, and produced in domestic languages, compared to 60% of Prime Video India's catalog. Netflix has consistently lowered the cost of its subscription plans in India in an effort to entice new members; it also has a bundle offer available in partnership with telecom operator Jio Platforms. Live cricket streams helped Disney+ Hotstar grow to such a dominant position in the Indian market; the platform is currently offering free access to the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup for anyone using a mobile device.

7 "Squid Game" slot machines are headed to Las Vegas casinos. This marks the first licensing deal that Netflix has made with the casino and gambling industry. More: The machines were designed by Light & Wonder, and feature multiple schoolyard games featured in the original Korean thriller series. The games -- housed in a large cabinet with a 75-inch display and a 27-inch touchscreen -- will start appearing on casino floors in 2024. Netflix also announced a pop-up "immersive experience" called "Squid Game: The Trials," which will open in Los Angeles on December 6; for a $39 ticket price, players get a chance to compete in six different challenges based on the series. The reality competition series "Squid Game: The Challenge" hits Netflix on November 22; a second season of the original scripted series is also in development.

8 QUICK HITS LiquidPiston's engines are up to 10x smaller and 30% more fuel efficient. Invest as they disrupt the $400B combustion engine market.* Netflix renewed the adult animated dark fantasy series "Castlevania: Nocturne" for Season 2, just over a week after the series premiere. "Star Trek: Lower Decks" showrunner Mike McMahan told Inverse that the show needs more fans and views to lock in future seasons: "The only trick here is early and consistent viewership." In a clip posted to YouTube, Kelsey Grammer gets emotional speaking to a studio audience prior to a taping of the "Frasier" reboot, discussing his love for the character and his fans; the new series premieres next week on Paramount+. "Warrior Nun" showrunner Simon Berry and writer/producer Amy Berg confirmed on social media that they're not involved with a new feature film trilogy that was announced by executive producer Dean English; it now appears the films will have a different creative team than the popular Netflix fantasy-drama series. The CBC/Max comedy series "Sort Of" will conclude with its upcoming third season; on Instagram, co-creators Bilal Baig and Fab Filippo confirmed that the show was not canceled, and will wrap up the storyline on its own terms. Netflix dropped a trailer for the musical comedy series "Neon," set in Miami's reggaeton scene and featuring cameos from a number of popular artists, including Brray, Jon Z, Ken-Y, Jota Rosa, and Daddy Yankee (who also executive produced). Journalist Nick Barili's musical docuseries "De La Calle" -- an exploration of what's happening in Latino Urban Music throughout Central and South America -- debuts November 7 on Paramount+. Amazon released a trailer for "007: Road to a Million," a new reality competition series inspired by the James Bond franchise and hosted by Brian Cox; all eight episodes hit Prime Video on November 10. In addition to streaming on Disney+, all 11 live-action "Star Wars" films will begin airing on Disney's linear cable and broadcast networks; the films will also continue to air on Warner Bros. Discovery's Turner suite of cable networks. Amy Winehouse's landmark "Back to Black" is the latest classic music video to cross the 1 billion view milestone on YouTube. A new survey produced by Tinder and Peacock found that two-thirds of respondents positively viewed watching horror movies as a good date night activity; nearly half the respondents agreed that liking horror films was a good sign of compatibility between potential partners. These are the 5 core strategies for cloud innovation that showcase how digital native businesses are harnessing cloud innovations. Read now.* *This is sponsored content

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Knowledge Hub Term of the Day Bottom of funnel: Bottom of funnel (BOF) is a marketing term used to describe the last stage in a marketing funnel. Read More Question of the Week Do you share details about your salary with your coworkers? Join the conversation

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Lon Harris Writer Lon Harris is the writer and editor of Inside Streaming and was the very first person to ever write an Inside newsletter. He lives in Los Angeles, California, and also writes about TV and film for Fandom, Screen Junkies, Rotten Tomatoes, Gamma Ray and others. Plus he has a Game of Thrones podcast called "Casterly Talk" and competes on The Movie Trivia Schmoedown as "The Professor." This newsletter was edited by Lon Harris

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