{"id":2015594,"date":"2026-06-28T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2015594"},"modified":"2026-06-28T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T09:00:00","slug":"ad-free-streaming-is-a-luxury-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2015594","title":{"rendered":"Ad-free streaming is a luxury now"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><main id=\"content\"><\/p>\n<div class>\n<article>\n<div class=\"duet--article--lede duet--page-layout--feature-article _1se63890\">\n<div class=\"duet--ledes--feature-lede yrbje60\">\n<div class=\"yrbje61\">\n<div class=\"yrbje66\">\n<div class=\"_1xtd7xb6 _1xtd7xb4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1044qiz7\">\n<div class=\"yrbje62 _1044qiz3\">\n<div class=\"yrbje63 _1044qizp\">\n<div class=\"_5s9d1e0 _5s9d1e1\">\n<div class=\"_5s9d1e3\"><span class=\"_29pwo217\"><\/p>\n<ul class=\"_1phh1th0\">\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-breadcrumb_mobile-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjE2MzI=\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q816 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ki _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">Column<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjE2MzI=-breadcrumb\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">Column<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\">See All <!-- -->Column<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-breadcrumb_mobile-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjY1\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q816 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ki _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">Streaming<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjY1-breadcrumb\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">Streaming<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/streaming\">See All <!-- -->Streaming<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-breadcrumb_mobile-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjM2MDU2\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q816 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ki _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">The Stepback<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjM2MDU2-breadcrumb\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">The Stepback<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/the-stepback-newsletter\">See All <!-- -->The Stepback<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div class>\n<h1 class=\"cbn62f2 cbn62f0 cbn62f8 _19wv7tcc _19wv7tc9\">Ad-free streaming is a luxury now<\/h1>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup cbn62fi cbn62fg _19wv7tcc _19wv7tc1\">Steady price increases are pushing viewers toward cheaper, ad-supported tiers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_29pwo22 _29pwo20\">\n<div class=\"_29pwo29\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-byline _19wv7tcc _1p3b6390\"><span class><span>by<\/span> <!-- --> <span aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"button\"><span id=\"follow-author-author_byline_lead_mobile-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTE2\" class=\"t0jcdf0 gnx4pm0 _1p3b6392 _1p3b6395 t0jcdf1\"><span class=\"t0jcdf2\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ki _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><\/span><span>Emma Roth<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTE2-author_byline_lead\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1bw37384\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Emma Roth\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1bw37385 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/chorus\/author_profile_images\/195810\/EMMA_ROTH.0.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5 _1bw37380\">Emma Roth<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1bw37381\">\n<div class=\"_1bw37382\">News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/emma-roth\">See All by <!-- -->Emma Roth<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw6 g4xafw1 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _19wv7tcc\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-28T12:00:00+00:00\">Jun 28, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"_29pwo2m _29pwo2w\">\n<div class=\"_29pwo2x\"><span class=\"_29pwo217\"><\/p>\n<ul class=\"duet--article--share-buttons _1e9wo7z0\">\n<li>\n<div class=\"_1e9wo7zo\"><button aria-label=\"Copy link\" class=\"_1e9wo7z4 _1e9wo7z1\"><title>Link<\/title><\/button><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Share article\" class=\"_1e9wo7z4 _1e9wo7z1\"><title>Share<\/title><\/button><\/li>\n<li>\n<div><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Gift this article\" class=\"_1e9wo7z4 _1e9wo7z1\"><title>Gift<\/title><\/button><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_29pwo225 _1044qizr _29pwo217\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_29pwo219\">\n<div class=\"o1ls98 o1ls90 o1ls92h\">\n<div class=\"o1ls90 o1ls9f o1ls99\" data-concert=\"article_sponsorship_headline_above_mobile_and_tablet\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_29pwo21u _29pwo21y\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1xtd7xb0\">\n<div class=\"yrbje65 _1xtd7xb1\">\n<div class=\"_19dn9e80\">\n<div class=\"_19dn9e82 _19dn9e81 sticky-nav-trigger\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--layout--entry-image _1l4uy9l0\">\n<div class=\"_1l4uy9l1 _1l4uy9l2\">\n<div class=\"_1044qizn _1044qizw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Severance_Photo_020104\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/Severance_Photo_020104.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=29.2578125%2C0%2C41.484375%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1044qizm _1044qizw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Severance_Photo_020104\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/Severance_Photo_020104.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=29.2578125%2C0%2C41.484375%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"yrbje67\">\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption _77sxmb0\"><cite class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _19wv7tc2 _77sxmb5\"> Image: Apple TV Plus<\/cite><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"yrbje63 _1044qizq\">\n<div class=\"_5s9d1e0 _5s9d1e1\">\n<div class=\"_5s9d1e3\"><span class=\"_29pwo217\"><\/p>\n<ul class=\"_1phh1th0\">\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-breadcrumb_desktop-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjE2MzI=\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q816 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ki _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">Column<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjE2MzI=-breadcrumb\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">Column<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\">See All <!-- -->Column<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-breadcrumb_desktop-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjY1\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q816 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ki _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">Streaming<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjY1-breadcrumb\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">Streaming<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/streaming\">See All <!-- -->Streaming<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-breadcrumb_desktop-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjM2MDU2\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q816 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ki _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">The Stepback<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjM2MDU2-breadcrumb\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">The Stepback<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/the-stepback-newsletter\">See All <!-- -->The Stepback<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div class>\n<h1 class=\"cbn62f2 cbn62f0 cbn62f8 _19wv7tcc _19wv7tc9\">Ad-free streaming is a luxury now<\/h1>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup cbn62fi cbn62fg _19wv7tcc _19wv7tc1\">Steady price increases are pushing viewers toward cheaper, ad-supported tiers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_29pwo22 _29pwo20\">\n<div class=\"_29pwo29\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-byline _19wv7tcc _1p3b6390\"><span class><span>by<\/span> <!-- --> <span aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"button\"><span id=\"follow-author-author_byline_lead_desktop-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTE2\" class=\"t0jcdf0 gnx4pm0 _1p3b6392 _1p3b6395 t0jcdf1\"><span class=\"t0jcdf2\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ki _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><\/span><span>Emma Roth<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTE2-author_byline_lead\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1bw37384\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Emma Roth\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1bw37385 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/chorus\/author_profile_images\/195810\/EMMA_ROTH.0.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5 _1bw37380\">Emma Roth<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1bw37381\">\n<div class=\"_1bw37382\">News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/emma-roth\">See All by <!-- -->Emma Roth<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw6 g4xafw1 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _19wv7tcc\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-28T12:00:00+00:00\">Jun 28, 2026, 12:00 PM UTC<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"_29pwo2m _29pwo2w\">\n<div class=\"_29pwo2x\"><span class=\"_29pwo217\"><\/p>\n<ul class=\"duet--article--share-buttons _1e9wo7z0\">\n<li>\n<div class=\"_1e9wo7zo\"><button aria-label=\"Copy link\" class=\"_1e9wo7z4 _1e9wo7z1\"><title>Link<\/title><\/button><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Share article\" class=\"_1e9wo7z4 _1e9wo7z1\"><title>Share<\/title><\/button><\/li>\n<li>\n<div><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Gift this article\" class=\"_1e9wo7z4 _1e9wo7z1\"><title>Gift<\/title><\/button><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_29pwo225 _1044qizr _29pwo217\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_29pwo21u _29pwo21y\">\n<div class=\"_29pwo21h\">\n<div class=\"o1ls98 o1ls90 o1ls92i\">\n<div class=\"o1ls90 o1ls9d o1ls99\" data-concert=\"article_sponsorship_headline_above_desktop\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--layout--entry-body-container j2p4kx0 _1044qiz3 _1044qiz17\">\n<div class=\"j2p4kx1\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--entry-body mebm7x0\">\n<div class=\"duet--ledes--standard-lede-bottom\">\n<div class=\"h9mca15\">\n<div class=\"waimqt2 waimqt0\">\n<div class=\"_4aoxp30 _4aoxp31\">\n<div class=\"_4aoxp33\"><a class=\"_4aoxp36\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/emma-roth\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Emma Roth\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"_4aoxp34\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/chorus\/author_profile_images\/195810\/EMMA_ROTH.0.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=96\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"_4aoxp35\"><span aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"button\"><span id=\"follow-author-standard_article_details-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTE2\" class=\"t0jcdf0 gnx4pm0 _1p3b6392 _1p3b6393 t0jcdf1\"><span class=\"t0jcdf2\"><span class=\"_1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><\/span><span>Emma Roth<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTE2-standard_article_details\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1bw37384\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Emma Roth\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1bw37385 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/chorus\/author_profile_images\/195810\/EMMA_ROTH.0.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5 _1bw37380\">Emma Roth<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1bw37381\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/emma-roth\">See All by <!-- -->Emma Roth<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p> <span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _4aoxp37\">is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"zephr-anchor\" class=\"_1044qiz13\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\"><em>This is <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/the-stepback-newsletter\">The Stepback<\/a><em>, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more news about the streaming industry, follow <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/emma-roth\"><em>Emma Roth<\/em><\/a><em>. <\/em>The Stepback<em> arrives in our subscribers\u2019 inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for <\/em>The Stepback <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/newsletters\"><em>here<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div id=\"how-it-started\" class=\"_1gfm6td1 _1gfm6td0 duet--article--standard-heading _19wv7tc1\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">How it started<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Streaming was once a reprieve from cable. Not only could you watch whatever you wanted at any given time, but you didn\u2019t have to sit through five-minute-long commercial breaks. And the best part was the price: Netflix, for example, cost just $7.99 \/ month when it launched its standalone streaming service in 2010. Amazon\u2019s Prime Video was the same, offering ad-free streaming as a perk with its Prime membership. Hulu was an outlier at the time, but that\u2019s because it allowed you to stream ad-supported TV shows and movies <em>for free<\/em>. It later added a $7.99 \/ month Hulu Plus subscription, with limited advertising.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">But the commercial-free streaming model was so appealing that when companies launched rival streaming services, most made them ad-free by default. Disney Plus cost $6.99 \/ month when it launched in 2019, followed by the $4.99 \/ month subscription to Apple TV, and the launch of HBO Max\u2019s $14.99 \/ month streaming service. (There were some exceptions, of course, like Paramount Plus, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2021\/2\/24\/22299615\/paramount-plus-launch-date-price-cbs-all-access-shows-movies\">launched with ads for $4.99 \/ month<\/a>, and NBCUniversal\u2019s Peacock, which offered some titles for free alongside a $4.99 \/ month ad-supported tier with access to all of its shows and movies.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">As the streaming industry matured and viewers settled into the services of their choice, many executives soon realized that they <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/23460947\/netflix-hulu-disney-plus-apple-tv-streaming-price-hikes-truth-behind\">couldn\u2019t make money<\/a> just by adding new subscribers in an already saturated market. Moreover, Netflix <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2022\/4\/19\/23032399\/netflix-lost-subscribers-q1-2022-earnings\">lost subscribers<\/a> for the first time in more than a decade in 2022, while the streaming businesses run by its competitors <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vox.com\/recode\/2023\/1\/5\/23539590\/streaming-losses-netflix-hbo-peter-kafka-media-column\">remained unprofitable<\/a>. Streamers needed a solution \u2014 especially so they could <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/news\/626102\/netflix-18-billion-content-spending\">keep spending<\/a> the billions required to fill their libraries with movies and TV shows.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div id=\"how-its-going\" class=\"_1gfm6td1 _1gfm6td0 duet--article--standard-heading _19wv7tc1\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">How it\u2019s going<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">In between steady waves of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2023\/10\/28\/23934629\/streaming-price-hikes-netflix-hulu-disney-plus-expensive\">price hikes<\/a>, major streaming services have adopted advertising one by one in a bid to boost profitability. HBO Max first rolled out a cheaper, ad-supported tier in 2021. Even Netflix, whose former CEO Reed Hastings <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adexchanger.com\/online-advertising\/reed-hastings-explains-why-netflix-wont-ever-sell-ads\/\">said the service<\/a> would never have ads, walked back on its promise by introducing its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2022\/10\/13\/23402725\/netflix-basic-with-ads\">ad-supported plan in 2022<\/a>. Disney Plus followed suit, and Amazon Prime Video automatically <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/24071417\/amazon-prime-video-no-dolby-vision-atmos\">placed its subscribers<\/a> in an ad-supported tier, forcing them to pay extra to get access to commercial-free viewing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Now that nearly all of the most popular streamers have ads, the pricing gap between ad-supported and ad-free tiers has grown wider. Streaming services often target ad-free tiers with the biggest price increases, with Netflix <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/streaming\/901833\/netflix-subscription-pricing-increase-2026\">most recently raising<\/a> the price of its standard and premium plans by $2, compared to $1 for its ad-supported tier. Now, the price to go ad-free on Netflix is $19.99 \/ month (or $26.99 if you want 4K HDR) \u2014 more than double the original $7.99 \/ month subscription.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/news\/803431\/hbo-max-streaming-price-increasing-bundle\">HBO Max similarly issued<\/a> a $2 hike for ad-free subscriptions last year. It now costs $18.49 \/ month for its standard plan or $22.99 \/ month for premium, a sizable leap from its original $14.99 \/ month ad-free subscription. Prime Video also doubled the price to go ad-free <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/894466\/amazon-prime-video-ultra-ad-free-price-hike\">earlier this year<\/a> and locked 4K streams behind the pricier, $4.99 \/ month subscription that gets tacked onto your $14.99 \/ month Prime membership. And Disney Plus, which once offered an ad-free subscription for $6.99 \/ month, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/news\/783489\/disney-plus-streaming-subscription-price-increase\">now costs<\/a> $18.99 \/ month commercial free.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">There\u2019s a strategy behind this: Executives across the streaming industry <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hollywoodreporter.com\/business\/business-news\/netflix-disney-now-pushing-subscribers-to-ad-tiers-1235572459\/%E2%80%99\">have reported<\/a> earning more average revenue per user (ARPU) on ad-supported tiers, as they rake in cash from viewer subscriptions and the ads they sell to them. In January, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/news\/864451\/netflix-advertising-revenue-doubled-q4-2025-earnings\">Netflix said<\/a> its advertising business earned $1.5 billion in 2025, making up just a fraction of the company\u2019s $45.2 billion total revenue. But Netflix\u2019s ads tier is growing \u2014 now reaching more than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/streaming\/929627\/netflix-ads-plan-upfront-2026\">250 million<\/a> viewers every month \u2014 and the company expects its advertising revenue to double to $3 billion this year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">More people are signing up for these ad-supported tiers as commercial-free plans grow more expensive. Among streaming services that offer cheaper, ad-supported plans, nearly half of their current subscribers in the US have signed up to the tier with ads, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.antenna.live\/insights\/from-experiment-to-engine-streaming-with-ads-5-years-in\">research from the analytics<\/a> firm Antenna.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div id=\"what-happens-next\" class=\"_1gfm6td1 _1gfm6td0 duet--article--standard-heading _19wv7tc1\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">What happens next<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Apple TV remains the only major streaming service that doesn\u2019t offer an ad-supported subscription \u2014 though questions remain about how long it will hold out. Apple currently shows ads during live broadcasts like Major League Soccer games. While some have speculated about Apple bringing ads to the rest of its service, the company pushed back on rumors, with its head of services <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/news\/817470\/dont-expect-apple-tv-ads-any-time-soon\">Eddy Cue saying<\/a>, \u201cI don\u2019t want to say no forever,\u201d but \u201cthere are no plans.\u201d Apple TV has steadily raised prices alongside other streamers and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/news\/763486\/apple-tv-plus-streaming-price-increase\">now costs<\/a> $12.99 \/ month.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Meanwhile, Netflix is finding more ways to show ads to viewers, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/news\/667775\/netflix-ai-ad-breaks-upfront-2025\">such as allowing brands<\/a> to use AI to \u201cblend\u201d their ads with one of Netflix\u2019s shows or movies. Other streamers are experimenting with different kinds of ads as well, with Peacock <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/news\/846208\/peacock-arrival-ads-launch-2026\">showing them on the profile<\/a> selection menu and others invading <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2024\/5\/8\/24151951\/amazon-prime-video-pause-trivia-ads-announcement\">paused screens<\/a>. Unfortunately, viewers on a budget really have no other choice but to deal with ads \u2014 many of which are <a href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/2026\/tv\/news\/amazon-squares-off-streaming-commercials-run-over-and-over-1236744283\/\">very repetitive<\/a> or appear at the wrong times.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">That\u2019s why some viewers are looking toward alternatives, like the ad-filled but free-to-watch YouTube, which remains <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/07\/12\/business\/media\/youtube-netflix-streaming.html\">Netflix\u2019s biggest rival<\/a>, and free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) services such as Tubi, Pluto, and The Roku Channel. Some services are trying to balance affordability with ad-free streaming, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tv\/718894\/roku-howdy-subscription-service\">with the Roku-owned Howdy<\/a> offering over 10,000 hours of TV shows and movies without commercials for $2.99 \/ month.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">While some of these options may serve as a temporary haven from high prices, they just don\u2019t have the premium titles streaming has become known for. It\u2019s become more expensive than ever to access shows and movies without interruptions, taking away what drew most people to streaming in the first place.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div id=\"by-the-way\" class=\"_1gfm6td1 _1gfm6td0 duet--article--standard-heading _19wv7tc1\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">By the way<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1xorkac1 _1xorkac0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<ul class=\"duet--article--unordered-list _1044qizi irzhn80 _19wv7tc1\">\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Fox\u2019s plans to acquire Roku could benefit both companies: Roku by potentially being able to tap into Fox\u2019s library, and Fox by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/streaming\/950116\/fox-roku-takeover\">getting a hold of Roku\u2019s trove of user data<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Surging subscription costs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/streaming\/873416\/piracy-streaming-boxes\">have led some viewers to pirate cable<\/a> using rogue streaming boxes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/news\/760907\/mark-rober-netflix-series-youtube\">Netflix snaps up<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2025\/1\/14\/24343476\/netflix-youtube-ms-rachel-early-child-educational-show-premiere\">YouTube\u2019s top talent<\/a>, YouTube is hitting back by launching exclusive shows of its own, starring big <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/news\/930092\/youtube-creators-shows-sponsors-netflix-upfront\">names like Trevor Noah and Alex Cooper<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div id=\"read-this\" class=\"_1gfm6td1 _1gfm6td0 duet--article--standard-heading _19wv7tc1\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Read this<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1xorkac1 _1xorkac0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<ul class=\"duet--article--unordered-list _1044qizi irzhn80 _19wv7tc1\">\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Janko Roettgers, who writes the <em>Lowpass<\/em> newsletter, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/948295\/apple-tv-new-hbo\">dives into<\/a> what makes Apple TV the new HBO \u2014 and it\u2019s not just because it doesn\u2019t have ads yet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">How much would you pay to get rid of ads? This survey <a href=\"https:\/\/www.consumerreports.org\/electronics-computers\/streaming-media\/hate-ads-on-paid-streaming-platforms-america-agrees-a8056825166\/\">from <em>Consumer Reports<\/em><\/a> found that 3 in 10 people subscribed to an ad-supported tier would pay less than $5 more to go ad-free. It also has some other fun tidbits about how annoying people find ads while streaming, and when they think is the best time to see commercials.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\"><a href=\"https:\/\/fortune.com\/2026\/05\/07\/gen-z-streaming-model-media-consumption\/\"><em>Fortune<\/em> highlights<\/a> how streaming fatigue is driving more people \u2014 especially Gen Z \u2014 to subscribe to and then cancel streaming services after they watch specific shows.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tly2fw0\"><span class=\"tly2fw2\"><strong>Follow topics and authors<\/strong> from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"tly2fw3\">\n<li id=\"follow-author-article_footer-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTE2\"><span aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q814 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89kf _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">Emma Roth<\/span><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTE2-article_footer\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1bw37384\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Emma Roth\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1bw37385 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/chorus\/author_profile_images\/195810\/EMMA_ROTH.0.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5 _1bw37380\">Emma Roth<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1bw37381\">\n<div class=\"_1bw37382\">News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/emma-roth\">See All by <!-- -->Emma Roth<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-article_footer-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjE2MzI=\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q814 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89kf _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">Column<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjE2MzI=-article_footer\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">Column<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\">See All <!-- -->Column<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-article_footer-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjY1\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q814 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89kf _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">Streaming<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjY1-article_footer\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">Streaming<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/streaming\">See All <!-- -->Streaming<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-article_footer-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjM2MDU2\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q814 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89kf _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">The Stepback<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjM2MDU2-article_footer\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">The Stepback<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/the-stepback-newsletter\">See All <!-- -->The Stepback<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--layout--rail noh1q10 noh1q11\">\n<div class=\"noh1q12 noh1q14 noh1q18\">\n<div class=\"o1ls91w o1ls90 o1ls92i\">\n<div class=\"o1ls90 o1ls91x\" data-concert=\"medium_rectangle_variable\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"noh1q12 noh1q15 noh1q18\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--header-pattern _1044qizg noh1q17\">\n<div class=\"_75r1tr3\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--page-header bpecqn0\">\n<div class=\"bpecqni bpecqnf\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup bpecqnn bpecqnm _19wv7tc2\">Most Popular<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sticky-nav-trigger\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_75r1tr4\">\n<div class=\"_1qu42rq0\">\n<div class=\"_1qu42rqd _126cdc20\">Most Popular<\/div>\n<ol class=\"_1qu42rq1\">\n<li class=\"_1qu42rq4 _1qu42rq3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/report\/958678\/apple-consumer-price-increase-ai-big-tech\">\n<div class=\"_1qu42rqa _1qu42rq9\">Why is Apple asking me to pay more for Big Tech\u2019s AI obsession?<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1qu42rq7 _1qu42rq6 _1044qiz11\"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"_1qu42rq4 _1qu42rq3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/958458\/anthropic-mythos-5-is-back-trump-negotiations\">\n<div class=\"_1qu42rqa _1qu42rq9\">Anthropic\u2019s Mythos 5 is back<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1qu42rq7 _1qu42rq6 _1044qiz11\"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"_1qu42rq4 _1qu42rq3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/954052\/meta-glasses-hands-on-kylie-jenner-smart-glasses-price-battery-privacy\">\n<div class=\"_1qu42rqa _1qu42rq9\">Meta launches cheaper smart glasses without Ray-Ban<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1qu42rq7 _1qu42rq6 _1044qiz11\"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"_1qu42rq4 _1qu42rq3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/entertainment\/957679\/indie-developers-star-fox-games\">\n<div class=\"_1qu42rqa _1qu42rq9\">Indie developers got tired of waiting for a new Star Fox, so they\u2019re making their own<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1qu42rq7 _1qu42rq6 _1044qiz11\"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"_1qu42rq4 _1qu42rq3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/gadgets\/958179\/prime-day-what-i-bought-vampliers-stripped-screw-extractor\">\n<div class=\"_1qu42rqa _1qu42rq9\">After covering Prime Day for 36 hours over four days, this is the one thing I bought<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"noh1q12 noh1q18\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"o1ls92a o1ls90 o1ls92i\">\n<div class=\"o1ls90 o1ls92b\" data-concert=\"medium_rectangle_gamestop_desktop\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"o1ls926 o1ls90 o1ls92i\">\n<div class=\"o1ls90 o1ls927\" data-concert=\"connatix_right_rail\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"noh1q12 noh1q16 noh1q18\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"duet--cta--newsletter _3d9k259\">\n<div class=\"_3d9k25d\">\n<h2 class=\"_3d9k25h\">The Verge Daily<\/h2>\n<p class=\"_3d9k25i\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">A free daily digest of the news that matters most.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_3d9k25y _3d9k25z\">\n<fieldset>\n<div class=\"_3d9k2512 _3d9k2511\">\n<div class=\"_3d9k2516 _3d9k251e\">\n<div class=\"duet--cta--form-field-text ikl5me0\"><label for=\"email\" class=\"rq560b0 _7jr3wn0\">Email (required)<\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"ikl5me1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m2 _11kb06m0 _3d9k251l\" type=\"submit\"><span>Sign Up<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/fieldset>\n<div class=\"_3d9k251q\">\n<div class=\"_3d9k25j\">By submitting your email, you agree to our<!-- --> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.voxmedia.com\/legal\/terms-of-use\" class=\"_3d9k251p\">Terms<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.voxmedia.com\/legal\/privacy-notice\" class=\"_3d9k251p\">Privacy Notice<\/a>. <!-- -->This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google<!-- --> <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.google.com\/privacy\" class=\"_3d9k251p\">Privacy Policy<\/a> <!-- -->and<!-- --> <a href=\"https:\/\/policies.google.com\/terms\" class=\"_3d9k251p\">Terms of Service<\/a> <!-- -->apply.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--ad--native-ad-rail _14xz0mvb hidden noh1q18 noh1q12\" data-native-ad-id=\"container\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"visually-hidden\">\n<div class=\"dynamic-native-ad-native_ad_latest\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/\" aria-label=\"Native Ad Placement\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"_14xz0mv0\">\n<div class=\"_14xz0mvc\"><span data-native-ad-id=\"preamble\" class=\"_14xz0mv8\">Advertiser Content From<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"_14xz0mvh\"><img data-native-ad-id=\"sponsored_logo\" src alt=\"Sponsor Logo\" class=\"_14xz0mvg\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"_14xz0mvj\" data-native-ad-id=\"title\">This is the title for the native ad<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_14xz0mvd\">\n<div class=\"_14xz0mve\"><img data-native-ad-id=\"thumbnail\" src alt=\"Sponsor thumbnail\" class=\"_14xz0mvf\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"noh1q12 noh1q18\">\n<div class=\"o1ls922 o1ls90 o1ls92i\">\n<div class=\"o1ls90 o1ls923\" data-concert=\"btf_medium_rectangle_variable\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"duet--layout--article-recirc-color-container e3czlx0\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--article-recirc e3czlx1 _1044qiz3\">\n<div class=\"e3czlx3\">\n<div class=\"e3czlx4\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--header-pattern _75r1tr2\">\n<div class=\"_75r1tr3\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--page-header bpecqn0\">\n<div class=\"bpecqnj bpecqnf\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup bpecqno bpecqnm _19wv7tc2\">More in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\">Column<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sticky-nav-trigger\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_75r1tr4\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1hofmaw0\">\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Sometimes, health tracking accuracy is overrated\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/268601_withings_bodyfit_AKrales_0166.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/957703\/optimizer-withings-dexa-body-composition-health-fitness\">Sometimes, health tracking accuracy is overrated<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"How the World Cup became a US streaming success story\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/gettyimages-2283208044.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0.015748031496067%2C100%2C99.968503937008&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/956756\/world-cup-streaming\">How the World Cup became a US streaming success story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Why corporate AI super PACs spent $27 million on a local election\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/gettyimages-2280753489.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0.028405056099984%2C100%2C99.9431898878&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/policy\/954970\/ai-super-pacs-alex-bores-new-york-12th-district\">Why corporate AI super PACs spent $27 million on a local election<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Cold Court\u2019s debut EP is an infectious, glitchy genre mashup\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Cold-Court-Hands-Up-EP-Art-by-Gabriel-Good-large.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=12.5%2C0%2C75%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/entertainment\/953303\/cold-court-hands-up-ep-music-review\">Cold Court\u2019s debut EP is an infectious, glitchy genre mashup<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Electric air taxis are stuck in the courtroom\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/DSC01507.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0.094161958568733%2C100%2C99.811676082863&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/950975\/electric-air-taxis-lawsuits\">Electric air taxis are stuck in the courtroom<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Our long national sunscreen nightmare is almost over\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/268604_Sunscreen_AKrales_0001.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/952744\/optimizer-sunscreen-bemotrizinol-fda-health\">Our long national sunscreen nightmare is almost over<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1hofmaw2\">\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqjj _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Sometimes, health tracking accuracy is overrated\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/268601_withings_bodyfit_AKrales_0166.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.666666666667%2C0%2C66.666666666667%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Sometimes, health tracking accuracy is overrated\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/268601_withings_bodyfit_AKrales_0166.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/957703\/optimizer-withings-dexa-body-composition-health-fitness\">Sometimes, health tracking accuracy is overrated<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Victoria Song<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-26T15:00:00+00:00\">Jun 26<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"How the World Cup became a US streaming success story\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/gettyimages-2283208044.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.656164671288%2C0%2C66.687670657425%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"How the World Cup became a US streaming success story\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/gettyimages-2283208044.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0.015748031496067%2C100%2C99.968503937008&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/956756\/world-cup-streaming\">How the World Cup became a US streaming success story<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Janko Roettgers<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-25T15:30:00+00:00\">Jun 25<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Why corporate AI super PACs spent $27 million on a local election\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/gettyimages-2280753489.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.647719198522%2C0%2C66.704561602956%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Why corporate AI super PACs spent $27 million on a local election\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/gettyimages-2280753489.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0.028405056099984%2C100%2C99.9431898878&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/policy\/954970\/ai-super-pacs-alex-bores-new-york-12th-district\">Why corporate AI super PACs spent $27 million on a local election<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Tina Nguyen<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-23T17:00:00+00:00\">Jun 23<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Cold Court\u2019s debut EP is an infectious, glitchy genre mashup\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Cold-Court-Hands-Up-EP-Art-by-Gabriel-Good-large.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=25%2C0%2C50%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Cold Court\u2019s debut EP is an infectious, glitchy genre mashup\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Cold-Court-Hands-Up-EP-Art-by-Gabriel-Good-large.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=12.5%2C0%2C75%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/entertainment\/953303\/cold-court-hands-up-ep-music-review\">Cold Court\u2019s debut EP is an infectious, glitchy genre mashup<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Terrence O&#8217;Brien<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-21T17:00:33+00:00\">Jun 21<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Electric air taxis are stuck in the courtroom\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/DSC01507.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.603773584906%2C0%2C66.792452830189%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Electric air taxis are stuck in the courtroom\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/DSC01507.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0.094161958568733%2C100%2C99.811676082863&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/950975\/electric-air-taxis-lawsuits\">Electric air taxis are stuck in the courtroom<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Andrew Hawkins<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-21T12:00:00+00:00\">Jun 21<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqjk _1ismqjl _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Our long national sunscreen nightmare is almost over\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/268604_Sunscreen_AKrales_0001.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.666666666667%2C0%2C66.666666666667%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Our long national sunscreen nightmare is almost over\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/268604_Sunscreen_AKrales_0001.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/952744\/optimizer-sunscreen-bemotrizinol-fda-health\">Our long national sunscreen nightmare is almost over<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Victoria Song<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-19T14:00:00+00:00\">Jun 19<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--ad--native-ad-linkset _14xz0mv4 _14xz0mv5 _14xz0mva hidden\" data-native-ad-id=\"container\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"visually-hidden\">\n<div class=\"dynamic-native-ad-native_ad_linkset_link\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\"><\/p>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"_14xz0mv7\"><span data-native-ad-id=\"preamble\" class=\"_14xz0mv8 _14xz0mv9\">Advertiser Content From<\/span><\/p>\n<div><img data-native-ad-id=\"logo\" src alt=\"Sponsor Logo\" class=\"_14xz0mvg\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"_14xz0mvj\" data-native-ad-id=\"title\">This is the title for the native ad<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e3czlx6\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--header-pattern _75r1tr2\">\n<div class=\"_75r1tr3\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--page-header bpecqn0\">\n<div class=\"bpecqnj bpecqnf\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup bpecqno bpecqnm _19wv7tc2\">Top Stories<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sticky-nav-trigger\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_75r1tr4\">\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqjj _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-28T07:00:00+00:00\">7:00 AM UTC<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/957603\/tmd-smart-keyless-bike-lock-review\">TMD\u2019s keyless bike lock is a $280 solution to a $60 problem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-26T18:00:00+00:00\">Jun 26<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/report\/957948\/world-cup-us-visa-policies-trump\">The World Cup puts the US\u2019s nightmarish immigration policies front and center<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-27T15:15:00+00:00\">Jun 27<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/report\/958695\/kai-wright-npr-guardian-interview-questionnaire\">The Guardian\u2019s Kai Wright refuses to buy a new phone<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-27T13:30:00+00:00\">Jun 27<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/report\/958678\/apple-consumer-price-increase-ai-big-tech\">Why is Apple asking me to pay more for Big Tech\u2019s AI obsession?<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqjk _1ismqjl _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-27T13:00:00+00:00\">Jun 27<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/958008\/matter-unify-conference-csa-apple-google-amazon-samsung-smart-home-interoperability\">Inside the room where the smart home industry is still betting on Matter<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/main><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Column Close Column Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. FollowFollow See All Column Streaming Close Streaming Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. FollowFollow See All Streaming The Stepback Close The Stepback Posts from this topic [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,250],"class_list":["post-2015594","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-theverge-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2015594","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2015594"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2015594\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2015594"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2015594"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2015594"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}