A full month into 2021 and bundles, business models and big tech trading barbs are among the subscription news headlines this week. Car and Driver reports that Volvo and Porsche are expanding their subscription programs, while other car companies struggle; Awful Announcing reports that Sports Illustrated is putting up a paywall for premium content; and Walmart wants to build a top-10 advertising platform. Also this week, Facebook is considering a newsletter service similar to Substack and Revue, WWE Network’s move to Peacock puts a spotlight on the challenges of niche streaming services, and Disney+ is launching an ad-free Hulu and ESPN+ bundle for less than $20 a month.
While Most Car Subscriptions Struggle, Volvo and Porsche Expand
Car and Driver
Facebook is Said to be Planning Newsletter Tools to Court Independent Writers
The New York Times
Disney+ Launches Ad-Free Hulu and ESPN+ Bundle for Less than $20 a Month
Entertainment Weekly
Sports Illustrated Reportedly Setting Up Paywall for Premium Content
Awful Announcing
WWE Streaming Shake-up Highlights Challenges for Niche Services
Bloomberg
Walmart Sets Sights on Building Top-10 Ad Platform, Rebrands Media Business
MediaPost
Vimeo Rolls Out Lead-Generation Integrations with Mailchimp, HubSpot, Constant Contact
Tubefilter
Apple, Facebook Trade Barbs Over Privacy-Focused Business Models
The Wall Street Journal