Marketplace All-in-One

Many people spent the pandemic binge-watching TV shows and movies. And if the streaming wars were heating up before, now they are white hot. Netflix got a head start and pretty much owned the streaming space for almost a decade. Now it’s fighting to hold on to that position. And the competition is real: Disney+, HBO, Apple TV. Will “Squid Game,” the breakout hit from South Korea, reassert Netflix as the leader in the streaming competition? Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams speaks with Julia Alexander, a senior strategy analyst for Parrot Analytics.

Here’s a sign that we need action on climate change. Water levels in one of the world’s most iconic lakes, Lake Tahoe, have plummeted. That’s not good. Federal climate legislation could help, but basically the entire GOP and Democrat Joe Manchin are opposed. We’ll discuss what means for our climate priorities at home and abroad. Plus, the superrich are getting richer, and a poetic Make Me Smile moment.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

Read the transcript here.

What’s making you smile these days? Let us know. Send a voice memo or give us a call at 508-82-SMART (508-827-6278).

Zillow has been using algorithms to evaluate, buy, then resell houses — until recently. The company announced that it would pause purchases for the rest of the year, citing a lack of workers for renovations. The decision comes at a time when the real estate market is cooling off and may hint at the future actions of other “ibuyers.” Also on today’s show: China’s economic growth weakens, an honest conversation about mental health with a macro-social worker and a breezy trip to the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

The film and TV industry has averted what could have been a costly and damaging strike. Over the weekend, studios and the union representing production crew members reached a labor deal. We discuss what’s next. Julia Coronado joins us to discuss the markets. Apple iPhone maker Foxconn unveiled three new electric vehicles today in Taiwan under a joint venture. The BBC reports on an approach in Berlin that deals with the high cost of living in big cities.

The mere mention of brisket and BBQ might make your stomach rumble now, but brisket has actually had to work its way into its place as a meat that demands top dollar. We explore its history. Colorado has mandated health insurance plans to cover gender-confirmation care for transgender people, starting in 2023. The BBC checks in on China’s economic recovery, where it went from handling the pandemic to a host of other issues, like an energy crisis.

From the BBC World Service: China’s economy grew at its slowest pace for a year, according to figures released today. Power shortages, outbreaks of COVID-19 and pressure from Beijing on a number of industries are taking their toll on the economy.

We talk a lot on this show about the unintended consequences of using technology, and who is harmed by that technology. Marketplace’s Marielle Segarra speaks with a scholar who thinks about this a lot: Safiya Noble. She’s an associate professor of gender studies and African American studies at UCLA. Noble is also the author of the book “Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism,” and a 2021 MacArthur fellow.

This week, Apple and Netflix fired employees who also happened to be involved in speaking out against their respective employers. What does this all mean for how we think about work? We’ll discuss it. Plus, it turns out Americans want smaller government and we end the week with a round of our favorite game, Half Full/Half Empty.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

Read the transcript here.

Our show needs your voice! Tell us what you think of the show or ask a question for our hosts to answer! Send a voice memo or give us a call at 508-82-SMART (508-827-6278).

Mortgage interest rates have been historically low for the past year — at or below 3%. However, many banks have kept in place Great Recession-era proof of employment requirements. This means that those who lost their jobs during the pandemic and could benefit the most from refinancing are often unable to. Plus: The Weekly Wrap, breaking down what the Fed’s board of governors does, and foreclosures begin to creep back up.

With remote work taking on new facets and establishing a greater foothold on society, more companies are cutting down the pay of employees who move to less-costly areas of the country. We unpack some of the questions surrounding remote work and geography-based pay with Peter Cappelli of the Wharton School’s Center for Human Resources. Drew Matus of MetLife Investment Management talks the markets with us as numbers show consumers might be getting a little more excited.