Streaming

Warner Bros' films set for simultaneous cinema and US streaming

The move will enable film fans to watch the forthcoming sci-fi epic Dune and the Matrix sequel on HBO Max at the same time as their cinema release.

Typically, new releases are shown exclusively at cinemas for months.

But with many cinemas shut due to the virus, studio revenues have plunged.

As a result, Warner Bros said all of its 2021 releases would go straight to HBO Max, the streaming service owned by its ultimate parent company AT&T.

The films will be available on the service, which is not yet available in the UK, for one month after release.

Twitch to start offering a virtual currency

"Stream+ is a loyalty points system where players can earn points by watching streams," said Patrick Gilmore of Amazon Game Studios.

He said points could be used in "polls and wagering" and could be spent on items to use in games.

The studio's forthcoming multiplayer game Breakaway will be the first title to use Stream+.

Breakaway is Amazon's answer to rival studios Blizzard, Value and Riot, which have all developed similar team-based battle games.

Adele's 25 to be available on streaming sites

When it was released in November, it could only be bought physically or downloaded.

The album, which will be available to members on Friday, includes the songs Hello and When We Were Young.

In June, Apple reached an agreement with two leading indie music groups, paving the way for thousands of labels to join its new streaming service.