Microsoft’s artificial intelligence assistant Copilot has upped its game with a turbocharged upgrade to its free tier.
GPT-4 Turbo, the OpenAI model that powers Copilot’s Pro tier, is now available to users of Copilot’s free tier. To access GPT-4 Turbo, you need to set Copilot to either Creative or Precise mode.
Those who subscribe to Copilot Pro still have access to the GPT-4 Turbo model by default, but Microsoft advertising and web services CEO Mikhail Parakhin said Tuesday in a post on X that those users can switch to older models if they choose.
“For free users of Copilot in Creative mode, GPT-4 Turbo is now powering that experience,” a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed in a statement. “Copilot Pro users remain able to toggle GPT-4 Turbo on or off in Creative mode.”
GPT-4 Turbo has been trained on data up to April 2023 and can also handle text-to-speech prompts, and its context window can accept 128,000 tokens — the highest amount offered in a GPT version. Tokens are pieces of words. The more tokens a model can accept, the more text a user can input into the model to provide additional context and get a better result.
Microsoft launched Copilot last year to add AI across its platforms. The AI assistant is available online and is also baked into Windows 11, the Bing search engine, Microsoft 365 and the Edge browser. Copilot’s Pro tier costs $20 per month and adds extra AI-powered features in Office apps, along with priority access to new OpenAI models and enhanced image-creation tools.
Every tech company under the sun is finding ways to fold generative AI into its products, spurred by the arrival of OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot in late 2022. Google is experimenting with integrating AI into search and Samsung launched the Galaxy S24 smartphone earlier this year with a host of AI features. Apple has yet to announce a generative AI product, but has said it sees a “huge opportunity” and is excited about “what’s in store for us for the rest of the year.”
OpenAI, meanwhile, is now letting users build special-purpose AI apps. And its AI chatbot rivals, from Google Gemini to Anthropic’s Claude, continue to upgrade their offerings.
Is GPT-4.5 Turbo coming next?
It’s unclear why Microsoft decided to bring GPT-4 Turbo to its free Copilot tier. Microsoft intentionally offered a more-capable AI model in Copilot Pro to attract users to the paid version. By offering the same model in both the free and premium tier, those who would only subscribe to Copilot Pro for the better GPT option may otherwise stick to the free version.
That said, Microsoft’s decision could also be a tell. OpenAI is rumored to be working on a new model called GPT-4.5 Turbo. Although the company has been tight-lipped on future GPT iterations, Reddit users discovered earlier this week that OpenAI mistakenly published a blog post saying GPT-4.5 Turbo “surpasses GPT-4 Turbo in speed, accuracy and scalability.”
While that blog post was quickly removed from the OpenAI website, it would suggest an upgraded GPT model is coming soon. It would also suggest, if Microsoft indeed wants to differentiate its Copilot versions by offering the better model in its paid tier, that the company might be planning to bring GPT-4.5 Turbo to Copilot Pro, if and when the new model launches.
German giants Borussia Dortmund host Dutch Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven today in this delicately poised last-16 UEFA Champions League clash.
Luuk de Jong held his nerve to convert a second-half penalty to earn PSV a draw at home in the first encounter at the Philips Stadion last month. Dortmund had taken an early lead thanks to Donyell Malen’s deflected strike.
PSV have been the model of consistency in recent weeks, and will be hoping to extend an unbeaten streak of eight games, while Dortmund claimed a morale-boosting 2-1 away win against Werder Bremen at the weekend, despite being reduced to 10 men.
Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services for watching every game wherever you are in the world.
Borussia Dortmund vs. PSV Eindhoven: When and where?
Borussia Dortmund play PSV Eindhoven at Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday, March 13. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. CET local time in Germany, which is 4 p.m. ET or 1 p.m. PT in the US and Canada, 8 p.m. GMT in the UK and 7 a.m. AEDT on Thursday, March 14, in Australia.
How to watch Borussia Dortmund vs. PSV Eindhoven online from anywhere using a VPN
If you’re unable to view Champions League matches locally, you may need a different way to watch the action; that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN can stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you want an extra layer of privacy for your devices and log-ins while traveling and using various Wi-Fi networks.
With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to access the game. If your internet provider or mobile carrier assigns an IP address that incorrectly shows your location in a blackout zone, a VPN can fix that problem by giving you an IP address in your correct, non-blackout area. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.
Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. Be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it suspects is circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.
Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the great VPN deals taking place right now.
Livestream Borussia Dortmund vs. PSV Eindhoven in the US
American soccer fans can stream this season’s tournament via Paramount Plus, which has exclusive live English-language broadcast rights in the US for UEFA Champions League matches.
Livestream Borussia Dortmund vs. PSV Eindhoven in the UK
TNT Sports has Champions League live broadcast rights in the UK.
Livestream Borussia Dortmund vs. PSV Eindhoven in Canada
If you want to stream UCL games live in Canada, subscribe to DAZN Canada. The service has exclusive broadcast rights to the Champions League this season.
Livestream Borussia Dortmund vs. PSV Eindhoven in Australia
Football fans Down Under can watch UCL matches on streaming service Stan Sport, which has exclusive rights to show the Champions League live in Australia this season.
Quick tips for streaming UEFA Champions League matches using a VPN
With four variables at play (your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN), your experience and success when streaming Champions League games may vary.
If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs including Roku don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main sites for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
Remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We recommend Brave.
There are a wealth of streaming services to pick from these days, but not all of them deliver enough quality content to be worth the subscription. If you’ve been holding out on trying Paramount Plus or Showtime, now is your chance to check them out to see if they’re a good fit. To celebrate the return of The Lodge, Paramount Plus is letting new subscribers score a free month of service when you use the promo code LODGE24 at sign-up. That gives you a chance to try out both services before committing to a subscription. Just be sure to take advantage of this offer by April 15 to make sure you don’t miss out.
Paramount Plus offers two different subscriptions that you can try out for free with this offer. The $6 per month Essential plan is the most affordable and gives you access to Paramount Plus shows and movies with limited commercials, as well as NFL on CBS, top soccer games and CBS live news. Or you can upgrade to the $12 per month Paramount Plus and Showtime bundle. In addition to the entire Showtime library of movies and shows, it also gives you access to your local CBS channel, removes ads for everything except live TV and a handful of shows, and allows you to download content so you can enjoy it on the go. Just remember that, after your free trial, your subscription will auto-renew at the regular price unless canceled. And be sure to check out our roundup of all the best streaming service deals for even more ways to save.
The Dell TechFest is happening now through April 1. If you want to ramp up your entertainment or gaming space, and are in the market for a deal, the hardware giant’s event offers some of the best prices of the year on products. They’ll even price match another retailer if you find a better offer elsewhere. Browse what’s on sale here.
In recent years, Dell has rounded out their product selection, including hardware tailored specifically for gamers. From blazing-fast graphics cards to ultra high-resolution monitors and advanced gaming laptops, here are some of the best TechFest specials to consider.
XPS 13 Laptop
Dell “radically redesigned” their XPS laptop last year, said CNET laptop expert Matt Elliott, and during TechFest you can get up to $500 off.
The XPS 13 and XPS 13 Plus feature a borderless touchpad, a keyboard that extends the width of the device, and a backlit function row. As with most purchases on Dell’s website, you can customize your machine’s operating system, memory, storage and display.
The XPS 13 is $799 during TechFest, a $300 savings, and the XPS 13 Plus is $999, a $500 savings.
Alienware M18 R2 Gaming Laptop
The Alienware x14 R2 Gaming Laptop is a great option if you’re looking for performance on the go. It’s an ergonomic work and gaming laptop configured with a 14th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics (With better graphics cards available if preferred). Visuals pop on its 18-inch QHD+ display with a 165Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time.
The M18 R2 features Alienware’s Legend industrial design for battle and travel with programmable RGB keyboard backlighting. Through March 24, you can get $300 off, bringing the price down to $1,999.
Aurora R16 Gaming Desktop
The Alienware Aurora R16 is a top-of-the-line gaming desktop built for power and performance. At the heart of the Aurora R16 lies an Intel Core i7 14700F processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 graphics with 16GB of GDDR6X video memory, making it an absolute beast when it comes to both gaming and creative work such as video and photo editing.
Through March 31, Dell has the Aurora R16 priced at $1,599, a $300 savings. For users looking for no-compromise performance, the Aurora R15 delivers power that can handle the most demanding games and applications.
Dell S2721HGF 27″ Gaming Monitor
The Dell S2721HGF is an affordable 27-inch curved gaming monitor designed to draw you deeper into the action. It features a fast 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, delivering smooth, tear-free visuals during fast-paced games. AMD FreeSync Premium support eliminates stuttering and screen tearing. The 1500R curved display and slim bezels expand your field of view for an immersive gaming experience.
Is interoperability a must-have? This monitor will literally hook you up, with extensive connectivity, including dual HDMI ports, DisplayPort, and audio out. It has a convenient stand for easy height and tilt adjustment and a joystick and shortcut buttons that simplify menu navigation. Right now, the curved display is priced at $229.99. Whether you’re editing a video for work or playing Alan Wake 2, this monitor is an affordable way to level up your visuals.
Tri-Mode AW720M Gaming Mouse
Can a mouse be fashionable? If the answer is yes, the Alienware Tri-Mode certainly meets the moment. This ambidextrous mouse offers an ultra-responsive 26,000 DPI optical sensor that can track up to a blistering 650 inches per second with 50G acceleration.
Alienware’s exclusive magnetic force keypads provide faster, stiffer and more durable inputs than traditional spring mechanisms. Seven programmable buttons and 3D sculpted thumb grips allow for customized controls. When it’s time to recharge, the magnetic snap charging is quick and convenient, delivering up to 20 hours of gameplay from just 5 minutes of charging.
Connectivity is king with the AW720M’s tri-mode design. Enjoy wired-like, lag-free gaming productivity with its 2.4GHz wireless USB dongle with a 1000Hz polling rate. Or go the ultra-low latency route via USB wired mode. The Bluetooth 5.1 connection is perfect for pairing with mobile devices. The slimmed-down, ambidextrous shape is supremely comfortable for marathon gaming sessions. The iconic Alienware aesthetic rounds it out, with the option for Lunar Light or Dark Side of the Moon color schemes complemented by 16.8 million AlienFX RGB lighting that syncs across your Alienware battle station.
The Alienware Tri-Mode is available for $99.99 during TechFest, a savings of $30.
Alienware AW510K Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
The Alienware AW510K gaming keyboard is built for ultimate performance, rapid response times and easy customization.
This beautifully designed keyboard features the latest low-profile Cherry MX red switches for smooth, linear keystrokes with shorter travel and quick triggering. The durable 5000 series aluminum construction provides a robust and reliable foundation. The floating keycap design offers full n-key rollover and a staggering 50 million keystroke lifespan per key. Fully programmable keys allow for custom macros and key assignments via the Alienware Command Center software.
Immerse yourself in brilliant lighting atmospherics with the AW510K’s per-key AlienFX RGB backlighting, offering 16.8 million colors. The sleek, slim profile provides an ergonomic and comfortable typing experience. Dedicated media keys, a volume roller, and an integrated USB pass-through put convenient control at your fingertips. The optimized three-section layout helps maximize your reaction time during gameplay.
The Alienware AW510K Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is $109.99, a savings of $20 during TechFest.
Tri-Mode AW920H Wireless Gaming Headset
The Alienware Tri-Mode Wireless Gaming Headset is designed for immersive comfort. These AI-powered headphones will quickly become your audio companion, delivering a rich audio experience that immerses you in your games.
Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound provides crystal clear, three-dimensional precision audio that lets you easily pinpoint enemies and objectives, even in the most chaotic battles. The 40mm Hi-Res Certified Drivers capture an incredibly wide range of frequencies, ensuring you don’t miss a single auditory detail. Active Noise Canceling helps shut out external distractions through four integrated microphones, while the AI Noise-Canceling mic ensures your voice communications come through clearly to teammates.
This headset has versatility covered as well. Experience lag-free wireless audio on your PC via the USB-C dongle, connect via Bluetooth 5.2 to your phone tablet or go wired with the 3.5mm cable for consoles. The fast-charging battery provides up to 55 hours of use on a single charge. Designed for marathon gaming sessions, the premium leatherette earpads, intuitive controls, detachable boom mic, and sleek aluminum frame offer day-long comfort. The iconic Alienware design features customizable AlienFX RGB lighting to complete this headset’s battle-ready aesthetic.
The Tri-Mode Wireless Gaming Headset is $159.99 during TechFest, a savings of $20.
Music streaming service Spotify is adding full music videos to its platform in about a dozen countries, the company said Wednesday. The feature is available in beta for Premium subscribers across mobile, desktop and TV devices.
The company is starting out with a smaller catalog of artists, including Ed Sheeran, Doja Cat and Ice Spice. The Premium add-on is limited to users in the UK, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Brazil, Colombia, Philippines, Indonesia and Kenya, but not yet in the US.
Now, those subscribers will be able to hit Switch to Video when listening to a track to open up the music video. Turning your phone to landscape mode will open up full-screen videos, similar to the experience on YouTube. Tapping Switch to Audio will take you back to just the music.
“Music videos play a key role in hooking you: Taking you from being a listener to leaning in and becoming a fan,” Charlie Hellman, Spotify’s vice president and head of music product, said in a release. “They’re an important part of so many artists’ tool kits, and it’s a natural fit for them to live in the same place that more than half a billion people choose to listen to music.”
The addition of music videos pits Spotify against YouTube, which has dominated the music video scene for almost two decades. YouTube Music also offers listeners the option to toggle between audio and music videos. Apple Music has a section for watching an artist’s music videos, too.
Spotify’s superpower is its user base; the company says it has more than 602 million users, which includes 236 million paid subscribers. YouTube Music and YouTube’s paid Premium tier, by comparison, has 100 million subscribers. But the perk of the baseline YouTube app and site is that you can watch music videos for free (you may just need to sit through some ads if you don’t subscribe to Premium).
Last year, Spotify rolled out Clips, which are 30-second vertical videos artists can create to connect with fans. They resemble videos on TikTok — a platform where music also takes center stage.
We’re less than 36 hours out from the newest version of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert film dropping exclusively on Disney Plus. In anticipation of the Thursday night release, Swift just dropped an early preview of her new performance of Cardigan and is announcing the names of the other new acoustic performances daily.
Swift announced last week that fans would be able to stream the film, called Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version), at home earlier than they’d anticipated. The first version of the Eras Tour movie came out in theaters last year, becoming the highest-grossing concert film, as reported by Variety. Then it was available to rent on demand. Now Disney Plus’ version of the film promises new performances, and says goodbye to some fan favorites.
Are you ready for it? If not, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything we know about the new concert film, how to watch Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) and why a VPN might be a useful tool for streaming.
Read more: Watch Taylor Swift’s Exclusive Eras Tour Clip a Day Early on Apple’s App Store
What’s new in the Disney Plus version of the film?
Disney Plus’ version of the flick will feature Swift’s performance of Cardigan, which was previously cut from the theatrical release of the movie, and four additional acoustic songs. You can check out a preview of the Cardigan performance here, in an exclusive early clip on Apple’s App Store. Swift is also releasing the names of the four new acoustic performances leading up to Thursday’s release on ABC’s Good Morning America (also owned by Disney). So far, we know that two of the new acoustic performances will be Maroon and Death by a Thousand Cuts.
Swift recorded six acoustic songs during filming in August, and the performances of Our Song and You’re on Your Own, Kid made both the theatrical and on-demand rental versions of the film. That means acoustic performances of I Can See You and You Are in Love could be the next two performances included in the newest version of the film.
Songs excluded from the Disney Plus cut of the movie include Long Live, The Archer, Wildest Dreams and No Body, No Crime.
Disney Plus is already home to another Swift exclusive, Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions, a series that chronicles the making of her 2020 album Folklore. Swift’s other documentaries and concert films have been available sporadically on various streaming services, including Netflix and Prime Video.
Release time for the Eras Tour film in the US and abroad
The film will land on Disney Plus on Thursday, March 14 at 6 p.m. PT (9 p.m. ET) in all territories except Turkey, where it will be released on April 3. Swift announced that the film would be available earlier on Monday, along with a new trailer.
Pricing for Disney Plus starts at $8 per month in the US, but if you live in Canada, the platform costs CA$12 a month. UK fans can get the service for either 5 with ads, or 8 a month without ads. You can subscribe for a year and save 16%. In Australia, fans get Disney Plus for AU$14 per month.
How to stream the film using a VPN
Perhaps you’re traveling abroad and want to stream The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) while away from home. With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the movie from anywhere in the world. There are other good reasons to use a VPN for streaming, too.
A VPN is the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds by encrypting your traffic. Using a VPN is also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins. Streaming TV can be a bit smoother with a reliable, quality VPN that’s passed our tests and security standards.
You can use a VPN to stream content legally as long as VPNs are legal in your country and you have a valid subscription to the streaming service you’re using. The US and Canada are among the countries where VPNs are legal, but we advise against streaming or downloading content on illegal torrent sites. We recommend ExpressVPN, but you may opt for another provider from our best list such as Surfshark or NordVPN.
Follow the VPN provider’s instructions for installation and choose a country where The Eras Tour movie is streaming on Disney Plus. Before you open the streaming app, make sure you’re connected to your VPN using your selected region. If you want to stream The Eras Tour film on more than one device, you may need to configure each one to ensure you are signed in. Go to settings and check your network connections to verify you’re logged in and connected to your VPN account. Now you’re ready to open Disney Plus to stream.
If you run into issues with streaming, first make sure your VPN is up and running on its encrypted IP address. Double-check that you’ve followed installation instructions correctly and you’ve picked the right geographical area for viewing. If you still encounter connection problems, you may need to reboot your device. Close all apps and windows, restart your device and connect to your VPN first. Note that some streaming services have restrictions on VPN access.
Correction, Feb. 9: An earlier version of this story misstated the number of Taylor Swift’s studio albums. The Tortured Poets Department, set for release in April, will be her 11th studio album.
If you just bought yourself a phone of the latest generation, such as the iPhone 15 or the Samsung S24, then you’ll likely want to get a cover for it to protect it from scratches, scrapes and other mishaps. Speck has a ton of excellent cases to pick from, and right now, you can get 20% off sitewide using CNET’s exclusive coupon code CNET20. Just be aware that the offer ends on March 18 at midnight PT, so be sure to snag it quickly.
If you did buy an S24, then this Presidio2 Grip case is not only slim, but it’s rated to protect your device from a 13-foot drop, which is impressive, and it only costs $32 with the coupon. If you prefer a clear case, there’s a similar Presidio case that’s going for $32. It isn’t as slim, but it still has the 13-foot drop protection. You’ll also find clear, glitter and opaque cases for the S24 Plus and the S24 Ultra, so you have a lot of options in that regard.
As for the iPhone 15, there are also some great options, such as this MagSafe-compatible Presidio2 Gripcase for the iPhone 15 Pro Max that’s going for $40. Or, if you want something slightly cheaper, this GemShell Grip clear case for the iPhone 15 Plus is going for just $32. Like Samsung, there are a ton of options for iPhones, going all the way back to the iPhone 6, so you won’t have to miss out if you have an older model.
Of course, Speck doesn’t just offer cases for phones. You’ll find cases for other stuff as well, such as iPads and MacBooks. For example, you can get the 10.9-inch Balance Folio iPad case for just $36, and it comes in a variety of colors. And this M2 MacBook Air 13 SmartShell case is going for just $40, which is a great offer too.
There are a lot of different devices, accessories and things that you can get from Speck, so be sure to check out everything it offers on its website. Also, if you’re just doing some window shopping, check out some of these great phone deals and tablet deals that you could potentially pair with these cases.
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Kourtnee JacksonSenior Editor
Kourtnee covers TV streaming services and home entertainment news and reviews at CNET. She previously worked as an entertainment reporter at Showbiz Cheat Sheet where she wrote about film, television, music, celebrities, and streaming platforms.
ExpertiseKourtnee is a longtime cord-cutter who’s subscribed to streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, HBO Max, Crunchyroll, Sling, Spotify and more. As a real-life user of these services, she tracks the latest developments in streaming, the newest reCredentials
Though Kourtnee hasn’t won any journalism awards yet, she’s been a Netflix streaming subscriber since 2012 and knows the magic of its hidden codes.
Starz first started in 1994 as a premium cable channel, but it’s since become recognized for its streaming platform. The company has made significant investments in creating original content, such as the Power universe, Mary & George and The Serpent Queen — a strategy that’s paid off with audiences. Fans, including me, enjoy P-Valley (which holds a 100% rating with Rotten Tomatoes critics), year-round Power spinoffs and the critically acclaimed Outlander. Plus, you can enjoy streaming Starz without any commercial interruptions.
While Starz may not have a large stable of content like Netflix, Disney Plus and Hulu, the company is locked in a deal with Universal to air films following their theatrical releases. It’s also the place to watch Lionsgate films — for now. But why should you download the app, let alone subscribe for $10 a month?
For one thing, it’s a low price for a service with Starz’s selection and no ads interrupting what you watch. The network also stands apart by promoting diversity and representation in its originals, elevating the voices of women and people of color. This approach contributes to its growing subscriber base and makes Starz an intriguing alternative to its better-known rivals.
The Starz stand-alone app is available for $10 a month. However, there are two Starz premium cable options: Starz and Starz Encore, a suite of niche content. Sometimes they’re both included as part of a bundle. Other times, they’re sold separately. Starz Encore is mostly new theatrical releases and ’70s films.
If you pay for the Starz channel through a cable or satellite TV provider or as an add-on to a streaming service such as Hulu, you can sign in to the Starz app at no additional charge. All of Starz’s content is available on the app, but note that Xfinity prohibits its subscribers from using the app.
DirecTV Stream offers Starz as a premium channel (with app access) for $11 a month, while most other providers charge $10 monthly. Unlike Max, for example, the Starz app doesn’t have multiple price tiers. Instead, the streaming service offers a single flat rate for its ad-free content, with no option to pay less if you watch ads.
There’s a standard seven-day free trial for new users, but you can keep your eyes peeled for special promotions to save a little money.
The Starz catalog includes films and flagship originals
Starz has more than 800 movies and 70-plus television shows in its catalog. Viewers can take in all its originals on the app, including popular series such as P-Valley, the award-winning Outlander, Heels, Gaslit, BMF, Black Sails and the Power franchise.
Once upon a time, Power was the No. 2 show on cable after Game of Thrones, bringing in an average audience of roughly 8 million, according to Deadline. These days, Power Book III: Raising Kanan and Power Book II: Ghost are drawing in audiences and breaking records on the platform.
Like its streaming competitors, Starz rotates its film selection based on licensing agreements, so some titles are available only for a limited time. Current film choices include John Wick: Chapter 4, 57 Seconds, Joy Ride, Casino, Retribution and Maleficent.
The Universal agreement also opens the gates to titles from Blumhouse and Focus Features, plus select movies in the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group library, like the Despicable Me and Minions films. The deal affects theatrical releases in 2022 and beyond, enabling Starz to broadcast the studio’s big titles exclusively approximately 18 months after their release dates before they go back to the NBC/Universal-owned Peacock.
Upcoming in-house projects include an Outlander prequel series, a Spartacus sequel, Mary & George, and The Hunting Wives. Starz also green-lighted a docuseries from P-Valley’s Katori Hall and Nicco Annan.
Starz President of Domestic Networks Alison Hoffman told CNET that much of the brand’s success can be attributed to its lineup of diverse content. With women and people of color helming many of the network’s series, the company prides itself on listening to its audience, cast members and showrunners by telling stories that may not be represented elsewhere. Additionally, Hoffman shared that Starz is focused on beefing up its original programming slate in the coming year.
Read more:The Best Original TV Shows to Stream on Starz
Starz app offers early access to new episodes
One of the most appealing qualities about streaming via the Starz app is its early release schedule. New episodes of original shows like Power Book II: Ghost, P-Valley and Outlander drop at midnight ET on the day of their air dates, hours before their live premieres on cable. West Coast residents can watch at 9 p.m. PT on a Thursday night ahead of a Friday primetime broadcast of a new episode. You can watch new episodes as often as you’d like before the live release and then afterward on demand.
How does the app perform?
Starz’s interface is user-friendly with neatly organized categories based on genre, originals, previous viewing habits, popularity, special themes or release date. You can also browse movies and series based on alphabetical order, year or your favorite cast members. Starz allows you to click on actors’ names for a list of their roles in other projects streaming on the service. Occasionally, the app will automatically recommend “cast picks” connected to who and what you watched.
When filtering a search, there’s also an option to choose content based on run time, which ranges from under 20 minutes to over 60 minutes. That includes kid-friendly fare. Like Netflix, Hulu and Max, the Starz app gives you the ability to create personal watchlists and up to five user profiles. It also allows four simultaneous streams on any screen. Another plus? You can download as much as you want to kill time when all you have is your phone. Lunch breaks and travel don’t have to be boring.
With that in mind, your screen size won’t matter when watching movies. One of the downsides of the app is that Starz resizes the aspect ratio for movies. That means if a film was originally shot with letterboxes and a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.35:1, Starz sometimes crops it to fill up your entire screen. That makes some movies look distorted.
I tried the app on an Android phone and while the sound and picture quality is great, I noticed that playback is sometimes choppy where the video plays at a sped-up pace and throws off its sync. Occasionally, there’s a lag with the rewind and fast-forward feature. Additionally, when using an iPad, if you pause a show for too long, the episode starts over when you return. You have to manually fast forward or rewind. Other Android and iOS users have reported similar issues.
The autoplay feature kicks in at the end of every movie or TV show, but you can disable it in the app’s settings. Within that menu, users can also choose between medium or high quality for downloads or adjust the parental controls on each profile. For playback, Starz allows you to select English or Spanish for audio language or subtitles. It also has picture-in-picture capability, which enables you to watch two videos at the same time, even if one is on another app.
Starz offers value for $10
Compared to its competitors Max, Hulu, Peacock and Netflix, the Starz app is on the lower end when it comes to pricing for ad-free streaming. Disney Plus is $14, Hulu is $18, Peacock is $12 without ads, Max clocks in at $16 a month while Paramount costs $12 with similar offerings. While Starz’s catalog may not be as expansive as other streaming services, it’s growing and its exclusive prestige originals make it a viable choice.
Even though wireless carriers often tout their beefy nationwide 5G networks, outages can and do happen. AT&T’s recent outage was widespread enough that the carrier advised its customers to make use of Wi-Fi calling as a backup — which is a feature that Verizon and AT&T both offer to their subscribers.
Despite the name, Wi-Fi calling also includes texting and video calls, effectively extending your mobile phone carrier services through the use of your home internet connection. In addition to the iPhone and Android smartphones, many basic flip phones also now include Wi-Fi calling support, making it a broadly accessible feature. Even SMS and MMS texts can be sent and received over Wi-Fi when this is set up.
Read more: The Perils of Having a Smartphone As Your Main Means of Connection
Wi-Fi calling also doesn’t even need to be a fallback just for an emergency. If your home internet connection is fast enough, your phone may default to using Wi-Fi for your phone service and swap to a cellular connection when your network is no longer in reach. This is particularly handy if you live or travel somewhere with spotty reception. On a recent vacation I took in California, the hotel that I stayed at in a mountainous area recommended that guests use their Wi-Fi network for their phones as most major carriers had very limited reception.
These Wi-Fi calling services provided by your carrier are in addition to any other chat or calling apps that may already be available on your phone. For instance when on Wi-Fi while using an iPhone, you can also make use of FaceTime calling and iMessage texting with other iPhone users. Over on Android, you can still use Google Meet calling and RCS texting from Google Messages while using Wi-Fi — the latter of which will also be supported by the iPhone sometime this year. And regardless of your preferred phone, any other calling apps you have installed like WhatsApp, Skype and similar will also work while connected to Wi-Fi.
Turn on Wi-Fi Calling on iPhone
Wi-Fi calling can be turned on from within the iPhone’s Settings app, and the options you’ll see might vary slightly depending on the carrier you’re using your phone with.
To get Wi-Fi calling activated, from within the Settings app, select Cellular. In the event you have multiple SIM or eSIM cards set up, choose the line you want to enable Wi-Fi calling for. Then tap Wi-Fi Calling, and turn on Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone. You’ll then be prompted to input your address for emergency services, which will be used in the event cellular service isn’t available when calling 911 but Wi-Fi is. According to Apple’s support document for Wi-Fi calling, your device’s location information may also be used for emergency calls to aid response efforts.
Your phone’s status bar will update to reflect that your calls and texts are routed through Wi-Fi. For instance, since my carrier is T-Mobile, my iPhone says T-Mobile Wi-Fi when connected to Wi-Fi calling.
You can also allow for other Apple devices to make Wi-Fi calls even when your iPhone isn’t nearby. From within that Wi-Fi Calling menu, turning on Add Wi-Fi Calling For Other Devices will bring up any other Mac computers or iPad tablets that are also able to place calls. You can then turn the feature on for each individual device. The Apple Watch is automatically enabled for Wi-Fi calling when this feature is turned on.
Turn on Wi-Fi Calling on Android
The exact steps for turning on Wi-Fi calling from an Android phone will vary depending on your device, but broadly speaking you can also turn the feature on from the device’s settings app.
After opening Settings, tap Connections. This option might be labeled Network & Internet. If you see a Wi-Fi Calling option, tap it. You might have to first tap Mobile Network before seeing it. You can also opt to use the Settings menu’s search box to find “Wi-Fi Calling.”
If your device supports the feature, you’ll then be able to turn the Wi-Fi Calling option on.
Turn on Wi-Fi Calling on a basic phone
Basic phones that work on 4G networks often also include Wi-Fi calling, although steps will vary based on the phone you are using. However, broadly speaking you should be able to find the option from your phone’s settings menu. In the case of the Kazuna eTalk flip phone sold by Verizon, for instance, you’ll use the navigation pad to select Tools & Settings, then Call settings and Wi-Fi Calling to set up.
What about when you have to leave the house
In the event of a cellular outage, you may have to get creative in order to stay connected. Some internet service providers set up Wi-Fi hotspots across their coverage regions, which can be accessed by logging into a portal. For instance, on Long Island in New York, the Optimum internet service provider includes access to hotspots that cover a large portion of the region.
Alternatively, local libraries and coffee shops that provide Wi-Fi access to customers could be the next best way to stay connected for necessary calls while waiting out a cellular outage.
And while it’s still a new technology, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 line both support Emergency SOS via Satellite in the event assistance is needed while you have no access to cellular service. This is provided over a texting interface. While there aren’t yet any Android alternatives that include satellite connectivity, Samsung last year announced plans to develop satellite connectivity options for future phones.
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March has arrived, which means the madness will soon follow. The NCAA men’s college basketball tournament — dubbed March Madness for its unpredictability that gives us small school Cinderella runs and bracket-busting buzzer beaters — gets underway in less than a week on Tuesday, March 19.
Here’s everything you need to know to get ready for March Madness, from Selection Sunday to the Final Four and the National Championship game. The short of it is you need only two apps for $22 combined to stream every game of the tournament.
When is Selection Sunday?
The March Madness bracket and matchups will be revealed on Sunday, March 17. The Selection Sunday show begins at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT) on CBS and Paramount Plus.
When does March Madness start?
Technically, the tournament gets underway on Tuesday, March 19, but the first full day of games tips off on Thursday, March 21.
With 68 teams invited to the big dance, the NCCA holds four play-in games to get the field down to 64, after which point the math works out to have four regional tournaments of 16 teams each. The winners of the four regional tournaments then advance to the Final Four, held this year at State Farm Stadium (home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals) in Glendale, Arizona.
March Madness begins on Tuesday, March 19, with two play-in games followed by two more play-in games the next night. After these First Four games, the field of 64 is set and the tournament begins in earnest on Thursday, March 21, with a full slate of games that will take place all afternoon and into the night with at least a few moments of madness practically guaranteed.
What is the March Madness tournament schedule?
Here’s the schedule, round by round:
First Four: March 19-20
First round: March 21-22
Second round: March 23-24
Sweet 16: March 28-29
Elite Eight: March 30-31
Final Four: Saturday, April 6
NCAA championship game: Monday, April 8
Which are the top teams in college basketball this year?
Looking for help in filling out your bracket? I can offer no such assistance for a single-elimination tournament as wild and unpredictable as March Madness.
What I can tell you is that online wagering site FanDuel currently lists defending champion UConn as the favorite, followed by Houston and Purdue. In the next tier are Arizona and Tennessee. Rounding out the top 10 in the polls are Auburn, North Carolina, Duke, Creighton and Kentucky.
How can I watch or stream March Madness?
As in past years, the tournament will be shown across four channels: CBS, TBS, TNT and TruTV. Yep, the time has come again to find TruTV on your dial.
You can watch these channels with a cable subscription or a live TV streaming service, but the most affordable option is signing up for a pair of streaming services for a month: Max and Paramount Plus with Showtime. If you have the cheaper Paramount Plus Essential plan, you won’t be able to watch March Madness unless you step up to the pricier option.
That said, for just $22, you can watch every March Madness game live. With the $10-per-month Max streaming service, you can watch the games broadcast on TBS, TNT and TruTV. And with the $12-per-month Paramount Plus with Showtime plan, you’ll be able to watch the CBS games.
You’ll have to juggle multiple apps, of course, but this is the cheapest ways to catch all the action.
Can I stream March Madness for free?
Go to the NCAA’s March Madness Live site or use its March Madness Live app and you’ll be able to watch games for free. You can watch March Madness Live on iOS and Android devices along with Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV and Xbox One. The app also supports AirPlay and Chromecast.
As with most things that are free, there’s a catch. Without proving you’re a pay TV subscriber, you get only a three-hour preview, after which point you’ll need to log in to continue watching.
What’s the best live TV streaming service for March Madness?
Three of the five live TV streaming services offer the four channels needed to watch every tournament game, but keep in mind that not every service carries every local network, so check each one using the links below to make sure it carries CBS in your area.
We recommend YouTube TV to college basketball fans for its relatively low monthly charge and multi-view capability that lets you watch multiple games at once. It’s also one of the three services that offers all four channels needed to watch every game. At $73 per month, however, it’s significantly pricier than getting Max and Paramount Plus with Showtime.
Sling TV lacks CBS but is a good, low-cost option if you don’t need to watch every game of the tournament but want to be sure you can watch the Final Four and national championship game. At $40 per month, however, it costs nearly twice as much as it would to sign up for a month of Max and Paramount Plus with Showtime that would let you watch every game.
Hulu with Live TV and DirecTV Stream have every channel needed as well, but both are pricier than YouTube TV and lack features like multi-view. Fubo offers multi-view but doesn’t offer the Turner networks (TNT, TBS and TruTV), making it a poor choice for March Madness.
All of the live TV streaming services above offer free trials, allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live TV streaming services guide.
