Over the last decade, the number of cord-cutters in the U.S. rose by a staggering 3500 percent, from just 900,000 in 2008 to an estimated <a href="https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/cord-cutting-2018-estimates-33-million-us-study-1202881488/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">33 million in 2018</a>. And the good news for consumers is that, as the number of cord-cutters has gone up, so too has the number of <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/streaming-music-killing-planet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">streaming</a> services to choose from proving a high volume of original shows, many of are excellent.
But they’re mostly fiction and reality TV, which leave much to be desired for anyone who craves intellectual stimulation. Luckily, there is one streaming service dedicated to fact-based programming.
It’s called <a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-8288732-12658721" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CuriosityStream, and it has nothing but documentaries and series about science, technology, nature, and history</a>.
<h2><a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-8288732-12658721" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CuriosityStream Streaming Service &#8211; 7-Day Free Trial</a></h2>
<figure id="attachment_158473" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-8288732-12658721" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="wp-image-158473 size-full" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2019/04/CuriosityStream-science-nature-history-documentary-vod-service.jpg" alt="CuriosityStream science nature history documentary vod streaming service" width="1024" height="560" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">CuriosityStream</figcaption></figure>
Ironically, back in the glory days of basic cable before it was all but taken over by reality programing, there was actually a ton of quality non-fiction science-focused programming available. You could turn on your TV at any time, day or night, and learn something interesting about our world on specialty networks like A&amp;E, the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, and the Learning Channel. So it&#8217;s probably no surprise that <a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-8288732-12658721" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CuriosityStream</a> was founded by John Hendricks, the founder and former CEO of Discovery Channel Communications. Originally launched in 2015, the service now features over 2,000 non-fiction titles that explore our world with an emphasis on spectacular visuals and captivating storytelling.
<a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-8288732-12658721" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CuriosityStream&#8217;s original content</a> stars some of the most famous intellectuals and social influencers in the world, such as natural historian Sir David Attenborough, theoretical physicist Michio Kaku, astronaut Chris Hadfield, and YouTube star Derek Muller. It even features the late great Stephen Hawking, whose CuriosityStream series Stephen Hawking’s Favorite Places won an Emmy Award in 2017.
Like other streaming services, <a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-8288732-12658721" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CuriosityStream adds new content all the time</a>, so there’s always something enlightening, entertaining, and inspiring to binge on. And you don’t have to worry about it taking a big bite of your monthly budget. With subscriptions starting at just $2.99 per month or $19.99 per year, CuriosityStream is insanely affordable. And all subscriptions come with a seven-day free trial, so you can try it before you buy it. There are even 18 free episodes you can watch without signing up for anything. And you can watch them all on any platform you want, anywhere in the world, because there are no geographical restrictions.
So if you’re starting to get bored with the other streaming services out there and are ready for more thought-providing content, <a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-8288732-12658721" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here now to check out CuriosityStream&#8217;s 7-day free trial</a>.
Futurism fans: To create this content, a non-editorial team worked with an affiliate partner. We may collect a small commission on items purchased through this page. This post does not necessarily reflect the views or the endorsement of the Futurism.com editorial staff.

It features Sir David Attenborough, theoretical physicist Michio Kaku, astronaut Chris Hadfield, and more.

Cut the cord – this streaming service is tailor-made for science and technology lovers

Brands We Love

Now you can access thousands of science, tech, nature, and historical documentaries and original programing streaming on CuriosityStream free for 7 days.

This Streaming Service is Tailor-Made for Science and Technology Lovers

Cut the cord on cable and start streaming more than 2,000 documentaries on CuriosityStream.

<h2>CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE</h2>
Streaming giant Netflix seems to be planning to allow viewers to make decisions that affect the storylines of certain shows.
That’s according to Bloomberg, which reported <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-01/netflix-is-said-to-plan-choose-your-own-adventure-black-mirror">on Monday</a> that the company is planning a push into interactive television that will present viewers with decisions about what should happen next during an episode, like a branching “Choose Your Own Adventure” novel.
The project would be a bold experiment in storytelling for Netflix. The company has reoriented the TV industry around online streaming in ways that reportedly <a href="https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/8/17/16151916/future-of-netflix">terrify traditional networks</a>. It&#8217;s mostly stuck with the classic linear formats of TV and movies — until now.
<h2>HELP PAGE</h2>
Netflix hasn&#8217;t formally announced its interactive shows, and the Bloomberg report is based on an anonymous source (though allowing someone to speak to the press on background might just be a way to drum up buzz for the new series). But we turned up a little something that makes us think the new series are totally happening — <a href="https://help.netflix.com/en/node/62526">a page</a> on Netflix’ help site that appears to describe the upcoming interactive content. It’ll work on most platforms, it says, but not Chromecast or Apple TV.
Bloomberg pointed out that Netflix has already <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/20/15834858/netflix-interactive-shows-puss-in-boots-buddy-thunderstruck">test-driven the technology</a> on the kids’ show “Puss in Book.” That show presents viewers with simple choices, like who the title character Puss should fight, but Bloomberg&#8217;s sources said in adult programming (likely to drop before the end of the year), the branches will be more complex.
<h2>HOOK &#8216;EM</h2>
One of the first adult titles that will let viewers make decisions will be an episode of the dystopian technology show “Black Mirror,” according to Bloomberg’s sources.
That feels pretty on the nose. Netflix has perfected the art of roping viewers — <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/katienotopoulos/netflix-is-testing-rewarding-kids-with-stickers-for">even children</a> — into binge-watching sessions. Interactive shows might be an exciting new method of storytelling, but there&#8217;s no doubt the interactive shows are just another way to keep us all watching.
READ MORE: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-01/netflix-is-said-to-plan-choose-your-own-adventure-black-mirror">Netflix Is Planning a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure ‘Black Mirror’</a> [Bloomberg]
More on Netflix: <a href="https://futurism.com/netflix-ceo-says-entertainments-future-is-a-matrix-like-hallucinogen">Netflix CEO Says Entertainment’s Future is a Matrix-Like Hallucinogen</a>

It’s like a “Choose Your Own Adventure” novel, but for TV.

Netflix plans to try out “interactive” shows

SCREEN TIME

In its constant quest to get us to keep watching, streaming juggernaut Netflix is trying out a new format: choose-your-own-adventure style content.

Netflix Plans To Try Out “Interactive” Shows

Dystopian series "Black Mirror" is the first adult show to get the interactive treatment.

The film industry has sent a clear message to Netflix: You can&#8217;t sit with us.
Industry insiders clearly think Netflix&#8217;s films are somehow &#8220;<a href="http://variety.com/2017/film/news/oscar-myth-traditional-movies-netflix-amazon-1202621764/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">less than</a>&#8221; those released in theaters. Steven Spielberg <a href="https://youtu.be/_hTTvO50QTs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told ITV News</a> the streaming service&#8217;s releases shouldn&#8217;t be eligible for Oscars. Christopher Nolan <a href="http://www.indiewire.com/2017/07/christopher-nolan-interview-dunkirk-netflix-1201857101/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told IndieWire</a> he would never work with the company. Cannes <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/25/17162158/netflix-banned-from-competing-cannes-film-festival" target="_blank" rel="noopener">banned Netflix&#8217;s films</a> from competition, prompting Netflix&#8217;s chief content officer Ted Sarandos to pull all of the service&#8217;s films from the festival, even the ones that weren&#8217;t eligible to win anything.
“We want our films to be on fair ground with every other filmmaker,” <a href="http://variety.com/2018/film/news/netflix-cannes-rule-change-ted-sarandos-interview-exclusive-1202750473/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarandos told Variety</a>. And why shouldn&#8217;t they be? They star A-list actors (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5519340/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Will Smith</a>, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6821012/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adam Sandler</a>). They&#8217;re helmed by respected directors (<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1302006/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Martin Scorsese</a>, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5536736/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Noah Baumbach</a>). And they truly do compete with movie-theater films, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5607714/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">scoring Oscar nominations</a> and <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sundance-i-dont-feel-at-home-world-anymore-takes-top-prize-969605" target="_blank" rel="noopener">winning other prestigious awards</a>.
Film industry haters should really reconsider.
Even the snobbiest film buffs can&#8217;t deny that Netflix is <a href="http://www.indiewire.com/2017/04/netflix-bad-for-movies-theaters-okja-tramps-1201806272/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bringing something positive</a> to the world of cinema.
Instead of lashing out against Netflix, the industry could benefit by embracing some of what Netflix is doing right.
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First, the film industry might want to take more risks. &#8220;Studios are lagging behind for the very simple reason that they are relying on retreads and reboots, and most of those aren&#8217;t being well received,&#8221; Jeff Bock, an expert on film industry trends at Exhibitor Relations, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/movie-attendance-hit-a-25-year-low-in-us-2018-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told Business Insider</a>.
Sure, for every unicorn like Beasts of No Nation, Netflix releases a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/worst-netflix-original-movies-according-to-critics-2018-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dozen films that fall flat</a>. But giving lesser-known filmmakers or outside-the-box story ideas a chance has paid off for Netflix. Plus it&#8217;s helping <a href="https://www.wired.com/2016/01/netflix-and-amazon-offer-indie-filmmakers-hope-and-lots-of-money/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">establish an audience</a> for the Spielbergs and Nolans of tomorrow. How could that possibly be bad for cinema?
The industry might also want to rethink its pricing model. The average cost of a movie theater ticket in 2017 was <a href="http://deadline.com/2018/01/average-movie-ticket-price-2017-nato-1202244975/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$8.97</a>. In major cities like New York or Los Angeles, that can be much higher. For comparison, an entire month of Netflix costs <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/5/16429126/netflix-price-raise-standard-premium-tiers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">between $7.99 and $13.99</a>.
Yes, the theater has overhead to pay, but <a href="http://variety.com/2016/film/news/movie-ticket-prices-1201816485/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to Variety</a>, most of the blame for rising ticket prices belongs to the increase in IMAX and 3D screenings. In other words: it&#8217;s because of the dang screens. If Netflix&#8217;s success means anything, it&#8217;s that (screen) size really doesn&#8217;t matter.
Instead of putting money into more of these premium screenings, the industry might want to make movies more affordable. One way to do that would be by following Netflix&#8217;s subscription model.
And oh look! Such a service already exists: <a href="https://www.moviepass.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MoviePass</a>.
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MoviePass subscribers pay $9.95 for the ability to see up to four 2D-movies in the theater per month. MoviePass then pays the theater for every ticket, with the hope that, eventually, they&#8217;ll be able to earn a profit by selling site advertisements or partnering with theaters on special screenings.
And guess what: MoviePass now has <a href="http://variety.com/2018/film/box-office/moviepass-2-million-mark-subscribers-1202692553/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2 million subscribers</a>. People want this service. The bad news is that the company is <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/moviepass-owner-going-concern-doubt-raised-by-auditor-in-10-k-2018-4?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank" rel="noopener">simply bleeding money</a>.
If theaters wanted to get more butts in seats, they could consider partnering with MoviePass or creating a similar subscription service.
Ultimately, if movie theaters want to compete with Netflix, they need to look at what Netflix offers — more options, more affordably — and figure out how to apply that to the theater experience. After all, turning away the cool new kid isn&#8217;t going to suddenly make everyone else want to sit at your table.

Instead of lashing out against Netflix, the film industry should follow its lead.

Hollywood is wrong: Netflix is the future of film

Future Society

Netflix is giving audiences and filmmakers what they want, but that isn't stopping movie traditionalists from looking down on the service.

Hollywood is Wrong: Netflix is the Future of Film

The film industry could learn a thing or two from the streaming service.

Periscope, Twitter&#8217;s live-streaming video app, allows users to watch and broadcast video from all over the globe. Now, thanks to a new function, you can revisit any one of these memories, and even record from new heights.
The company behind the app has announced that by adding &#8220;#save&#8221; to your title, your videos will now be saved instead of discarded within 24 hours. The company has also incorporated a search function that focuses on two special topics: “First Scope” which shows new broadcasters, and “GoPros and Drones,” which, as its name suggests, shows you people streaming from GoPros and… drones!
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You got that right: Periscope is adding the ability to switch between your phone and a <a href="http://www.dji.com/">DJI drone</a>. According to <a href="https://medium.com/@periscope/coming-soon-broadcast-search-drones-and-save-beyond-24-hours-9bfe397b593a">their blog</a>, “To broadcast, just connect your iPhone to your drone’s remote. We’ll automatically pull in your <a href="https://futurism.com/videos/pilot-a-drone-by-live-streaming-to-a-virtual-reality-headset/">drone’s video feed </a>and let you switch between it, your iPhone cameras, and even your GoPro. During your broadcast, you can narrate from a bird’s eye view using your phone or even Sketch on the broadcast to highlight different sights.”
<iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-ufHtNeBfjg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Robots & Machines

Along with the new search and save features, Periscope is adding the ability to switch between your phone and a DJI drone while streaming.

/Streaming