In the last few years, streaming has overtaken cable as the go-to means of watching TV. But as more streaming platforms flood the market, the industry’s major players are finding it harder to grow. WSJ’s Jessica Toonkel says companies are finding new solutions in the old cable bundle playbook.

Further Reading:

- You Hated Your Cable Package. Your Streaming Services Are Bringing It Back. 

- Paramount Explores Merging Showtime Streaming Service Into Paramount+ 

- Disney Explores Membership Program Like Amazon Prime 

- Walmart Reaches Video-Streaming Deal to Offer Paramount+ to Members 

 

Further Listening:

- Netflix Turns to Ads 

- NBC's Olympic Bet on Peacock 

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The war in Ukraine has taken a heavy toll on the country and rebuilding will be expensive, estimated in the tens of billions. WSJ's Matt Wirz tells the story of one Ukrainian official's unconventional plan to win over Wall Street and help keep his country afloat.

Further Reading:

- Ukraine Takes Unorthodox Pitch to Wall Street to Raise Billions in Debt 

Further Listening:

- Losing in the War, Putin Raises the Stakes 

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We're off for the holiday today, but we still have an episode for you! Inflation is the worst it’s been in more than 40 years. But one bright spot for consumers might be found at the grocery store: rotisserie chickens. WSJ’s Annie Gasparro chronicles the history of America’s love for the quick and versatile meal, and what a "rotisserie chicken economic index" might say about this inflationary moment. 

Further Listening:

- Inflation Is Happening. Should You Be Worried? 

Further Reading:

- Rotisserie Chickens: The ’90s Gift to Supermarkets That Keeps on Giving 

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By 2007, Second Life seemed on track for a commercial breakthrough. And then, an opportunity came along to get in front of a truly mainstream audience: a starring role on one of TV’s biggest shows. In part 3 of our series: Second Life’s ascension to prime time, and the hurdles that threw its success into question.

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The U.K. government has U-turned on one part of a plan to make major tax cuts after markets reacted violently to it. WSJ's Max Colchester explains why the government's attempt to boost growth did the opposite.

Further Reading:

- U.K. Markets Turmoil Puts Spotlight on New Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng 

- U.K.’s Central Banker Struggles With Inflation, a Financial Crisis and His Own Government 

Further Listening:

- The U.K.'s New Prime Minister Faces an Economic Crisis 

- The Pros and Cons of a Strong U.S. Dollar 

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Facing an impending deposition, a trial date and the potential release of more private text messages, billionaire Elon Musk said he wants to proceed with his purchase of Twitter at the original $44-billion offer. But will he be able to avert the Oct. 17th trial? WSJ’s Cara Lombardo on the topsy-turvy deal. 

Further Reading:

- Elon Musk Proposes Closing Twitter Deal on Original Terms 

- Elon Musk’s Twitter Reversal Renews Takeover Bid for a Now-Weaker Firm 

Further Listening:

- The Musk-Twitter Saga - from The Journal.  

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As Russian President Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine sputters, he's escalating tensions. WSJ's Matthew Dalton explains how Putin's ramping up the stakes both in the ground war in Ukraine and in his economic war with the West.

Further Reading:

- NATO Formally Blames Sabotage for Nord Stream Pipeline Damage 

- Russia’s Lower House Approves Absorbing Ukrainian Territories 

- Putin Raises Ukraine Ante as His War Fortunes Sink 

Further Listening:

- Ukraine Shifts the War With a Surprise Attack 

- Europe is Turning to Coal. What Does That Mean for Climate Change? 

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MoviePass took off like a rocket when it unveiled a $9.95 monthly service in 2017 that allowed customers to see a movie a day in theaters. But its crash was just as spectacular as its rise. Now, the service is coming back under new management. Mitch Lowe, the former CEO, talks about what went wrong.

Further Reading:

- It’s a Wrap: MoviePass Ends Theater Subscription Service 

- MoviePass Is Making a Comeback With Plans From $10 to $30 a Month 

Further Listening:

- The Fundamental Flaw (and Alleged Deception) of MoviePass 

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When Second Life officially launched in 2003, it had one guiding principle for all new users: Be Nice. But those users showed up with their own ideas about how to behave in a virtual world. In part 2 of How to Build a Metaverse, Linden Lab — the company that created Second Life — wrestles with how to govern its new world.

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The U.S. dollar is dramatically increasing in value. WSJ’s Julia-Ambra Verlaine unpacks what this means for the U.S. and other countries.

Further Reading:

- A Strong Dollar Is Front and Center for Wall Street 

- Dollar Strength Lifts Americans’ Relative Spending Power 

- Strong U.S. Dollar Extends Pain in Emerging-Markets Currencies 

Further Listening:

- The Roots of Sri Lanka’s Economic Crisis 

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