{"id":1236447062,"date":"2025-07-07T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/variety.com\/?post_type=variety_vip_post&p=1236447062"},"modified":"2025-07-08T10:29:50","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T17:29:50","slug":"svod-aggregation-war-new-phase-charter-amazon-walmart","status":"publish","type":"variety_vip_post","link":"https:\/\/variety.com\/vip\/svod-aggregation-war-new-phase-charter-amazon-walmart-1236447062\/","title":{"rendered":"How the SVOD Aggregation War Just Launched a New Phase"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t\t
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\tAs the battle for control of streaming subscriptions rages on, one combatant is redoubling its efforts, while another has apparently capitulated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\tLate last month, just as Charter Communications expanded the roster of SVOD platforms included in its Spectrum TV packages \u2014 adding Hulu<\/a> to a lineup that now features Disney+, Max, Peacock and Paramount+, among others \u2014 Verizon quietly moved to shutter<\/a> its subscription marketplace, +play, essentially marking the end of the telecom giant\u2019s brief but valiant efforts to become a power player in streaming aggregation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t(In a statement to Variety Intelligence Platform, Verizon said its myPlan and myHome packages, which allow customers to choose one of several streaming deals to bundle with cellular or internet service, serve as an \u201cevolution\u201d of +play, adding, \u201cMyPlan and myHome provide the easiest path to the content and entertainment services that our customers want most.\u201d)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\tThough I never used the service myself (I\u2019m not a Verizon customer), I was always bullish<\/a> on +play, arguing it was giving the telco a head start in an area its rivals would inevitably have to join. Its failure suggests that cellular providers may not be destined to become the preeminent aggregators after all \u2014 or at least not in the near future \u2014 as other players solidify their advantages in the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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