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Emily Call
September 05, 2025

Streaming Value, Local Impact

Welcome back to Whitepaw Wire. This issue breaks down what your subscribers will actually notice: Walmart+ letting members pick Peacock or Paramount+, a quick NCTC/ACA debrief on turning peer connections into partnerships, Fox–YouTube TV’s last-minute truce, FreeCast’s ARPU-minded AI tools, and Roku’s $2.99 ad-free “Howdy.” Quick reads, clear takeaways, and moves that keep your broadband—and your community—the anchor.

Walmart+ lets members choose Peacock or Paramount+

What happened
Walmart is adding Peacock to its streaming offerings for Walmart+ members—another step in its effort to compete with Amazon’s Prime ecosystem. Read the coverage in the Seattle Times.

Why it matters to our community

  • Bundles are training customers to expect “TV included.” When retail memberships fold streaming into the package, households re-think which standalone subscriptions they really need. That churn—and the viewing hours that move with it—touches operators, app partners, and FAST ecosystems.

  • Discovery becomes retention. If more consumers treat retail bundles as their rotating “premium,” we’ll see seasonal shifts in viewing. Keep engagement on-network by surfacing what’s free (FAST), what’s live, and quick paths to the shows people already love.

  • Your network stays the anchor. As content perks shuffle, reliable broadband and in-home Wi-Fi remain the constant. This is a good moment to remind subscribers that their Whitepaw-powered connection makes every app—and every bundle—work better.

Operator takeaways

  • Refresh home-screen/email rails to highlight what’s available without extra sign-ups (FAST, local, and live).

  • Plan quarterly promo cadences around tentpoles to catch viewers sampling via retail bundles.

  • Watch support signals (new device/app logins, live-event data spikes) and proactively message Wi-Fi optimization and self-help tips.

ICYMI — Post-Show Debrief from NCTC/ACA

We recorded a quick, no-fluff recap on what’s next for video after Salt Lake City. Watch the episode on LinkedIn.

Fast takeaways for operators

  • Peers → partners. Hallway conversations are already turning into real collaborations.

  • New programmer/content opportunities (some free). Low- or no-cost tests you can trial without bloating the bill.

  • The bundle is back. Smarter triple-play combos are regaining momentum.

  • More Millennial/Gen Z voices. Fresh perspectives are shaping offers and on-stage conversations.

  • “Coopetition” over turf wars. Partner where it helps subscribers and the community.

Why it matters
These shifts translate to local impact—better lineups without raising prices, clearer value around broadband-plus-video, and more voices informing what actually fits how our neighbors watch.

Roku launches Howdy — a $2.99 ad-free micro-service

What it is
Roku introduced Howdy, a low-price, ad-free service with a smaller, library-style catalog—aimed at simple, no-interruption viewing. Read the summary on PCWorld.

Why it matters

  • Price pressure on “ad-free.” Counters the industry trend of higher prices + ads.

  • Good-enough filler. Keeps households engaged between tentpoles without adding big costs.

  • Bundle-friendly. Fits alongside FAST and premium apps while keeping your network the anchor.

Quick operator move
Add a “low-cost ad-free” rail in discovery and pair it with a brief Roku setup/Wi-Fi tips note to cut support pings.

That’s a wrap for this edition. If you’re piloting a bundle, testing FAST lineups, or trying “low-cost ad-free” options, hit reply and tell us what’s working in your community—we’ll spotlight the best plays (with your permission) next issue. Until then, we’ll keep translating the noise into moves that keep your broadband—and your neighbors—at the center.

Emily Call