Emily Call
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What 2026 Is Already Telling Us About Streaming

What 2026 Is Already Telling Us About Streaming

Emily Call
January 09, 2026

Staying grounded as video and broadband head into 2026

A new year brings new forecasts, new pressures, and new possibilities. As video and broadband continue to evolve, one thing remains constant: communities still rely on local providers to deliver experiences that are reliable, accessible, and trusted.

This is the first issue of Whitepaw Wire for 2026, and we’re starting the year by looking ahead at where streaming is headed, what analysts are watching closely, and how operators can navigate change without losing sight of the people they serve.

Streaming Heads Into 2026 Without a Clear Playbook

As the industry moves deeper into 2026, analysts are offering a mixed outlook on where streaming is headed and that uncertainty has real implications for the networks powering it.

Recent industry analysis shows disagreement on whether streaming will stabilize through consolidation and bundling, or continue to fragment as platforms experiment with pricing, content, and distribution models. What’s clear is that live sports, premium events, and peak viewing moments are still driving demand for consistent performance and reliability at the network level.

For community-focused providers, this reinforces a familiar reality. Viewers may subscribe to platforms, but they rely on local networks to deliver the experience without disruption. As business models shift, trust, transparency, and service quality remain the differentiators that matter most.

2026 Predictions — What’s Next for Video & Broadband

2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for video and broadband providers. Streaming continues to expand, competition is intensifying, networks are evolving, and ai is beginning to play a more visible role behind the scenes

In this episode of No Commercial Breaks, Emily and Jean share their 2026 predictions and talk through what these shifts could mean for operators, customer experience, and the communities they support. Some of these ideas may feel familiar, others may challenge current thinking and that conversation is exactly what the industry needs as the year unfolds.

Give it a listen here

DirecTV for Business launches streaming TV solution for small businesses
DirecTV for Business has launched a new streaming TV solution aimed at small businesses, offering a simpler alternative to traditional satellite setups. The move highlights how streaming is extending beyond the living room into community spaces like bars, restaurants, and local venues, all of which depend on reliable broadband to serve customers.
Streaming prices will change in 2026:
Streaming prices continue to shift as platforms adjust subscription tiers, premium features, and ad-supported options in response to rising costs and changing viewer behavior.

Another Shift to Watch: WBD and Netflix Signal a New Phase of Streaming

One of the most closely watched developments heading into 2026 is how major streaming players are rethinking their roles in the ecosystem. A recent look at Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix highlights how even the largest platforms are navigating a more competitive, cost-conscious streaming environment.

Rather than operating in isolation, the industry is seeing increased attention on partnerships, content strategy, and positioning as services work to retain audiences and manage rising pressures. While the long-term impact is still unfolding, moves at this level tend to influence everything downstream from how content is packaged to how it’s delivered and experienced by viewers.

For operators and community-focused providers, these shifts reinforce an important reality: when the biggest players adjust course, the ripple effects often land at the network edge. Staying aware of these changes helps local providers anticipate evolving viewing habits and continue delivering a consistent, trusted experience, regardless of how the streaming landscape reshapes itself.