A Nat Geo documentary caused my husband's murder, widow says in lawsuit
The widow of an Afghan man – whose lawyer says was tortured and killed by the Taliban after his identity was revealed in an Emmy-winning National Geographic documentary – has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the filmmakers in Los Angeles.
Omar Khan — whose good looks earned him the nickname 'Justin Bieber' — was among a group of Afghan mine-clearers who appeared in the film, 'Retrograde.' The documentary, which chronicled the final chaotic months of America's 20-year war in Afghanistan, debuted on National Geographic channel and Hulu in December 2022.
Soon after, a TikTok video circulated in Afghanistan showing scenes from the film and then Khan was seized by the Taliban and tortured for over two weeks, according to the widow's lawyer, John Uustal, and two former Green Berets who remain in touch with other Afghans who were close to Khan.
He died of his injuries in April 2023 at the age of 25. His ordeal was detailed at a congressional hearing on the threat of Taliban reprisals in 2024, as well as in a Washington Post story that was published months later.
The lawsuit names as defendants several companies behind the film, including Disney, National Geographic and Hulu.
The film showed close-up images of Khan and other mine-clearers even though its director and producer had been warned that doing so would jeopardize their lives, according to the lawsuit and the two former Green Berets who spoke to NBC News.
'Military personnel warned defendants about safety concerns regarding the identities of individuals who had assisted U.S. operations appearing in the film,' says the suit, which was filed last month in Superior Court in Los Angeles.
'Despite these warnings, defendants did not take appropriate measures to protect the identities of individuals appearing in the film.'
Representatives for Disney, Nat Geo and Hulu did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The director, Matthew Heineman, and producer, Caitlin McNally, also did not respond to requests for comment.
National Geographic had previously said in a statement to The Washington Post that it took down the film in "an abundance of caution."
'We were devastated to learn of the death of one of those brave Afghans and our heart goes out not only to his family but to all those still in danger as they fight against a brutal terrorist organization," it added.
Heineman and McNally told The Washington Post in a statement that they 'have no recollection' of receiving specific warnings about the showing the Afghan bomb-clearers in the film. They called Khan's death "a heartbreaking tragedy."
The film won three Emmy awards in 2023, as well as an Edward R. Murrow Award for feature documentary. But it was pulled from its platforms last year after The Washington Post began inquiring about whether certain scenes may have placed some of the subjects in danger of retaliation.
'This man was a hero,' said the lawyer representing Khan's family, Uustal of the Kelley | Uustal Law Firm in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 'He trusted that those documenting his bravery would take the most basic steps to protect his safety. But they didn't even blur his face.'
Khan was part of a specially trained unit, known as the National Mine Reduction Group, tasked with identifying and disabling the insurgents' weapon of choice against American soldiers: improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.
It was an exceptionally dangerous job that put the Afghans in harm's way on a daily basis, said Dave Elliott, a former Green Beret.
'Special operations soldiers are often referred to as the tip of the spear,' Elliott said. 'These guys were the tip of the tip.'
'I don't know how many lives can be attributed to them,' added Elliott, 'but it's gotta be in the thousands, and that's just U.S. forces.'
Elliott is now the deputy director of the nonprofit 1208 Foundation, which provides assistance to Afghans who worked with U.S. Special Forces.
The group's executive director, Thomas Kasza, said there are still several Afghans whose faces were shown in the film and remain in danger in Afghanistan due to bureaucratic delays in a special visa program designed to help Afghans who worked with the U.S. military.
Kasza testified at a congressional hearing on the dangers of Taliban reprisals in January 2024. He urged lawmakers not to turn their backs on the Afghans who risked their lives for the U.S.
'As Retrograde became a hit in Hollywood, it became a hit list in Afghanistan,' Kasza told a subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. 'A hit list which the Taliban used to identify, abduct, torture and kill one who my organization pledged to protect: a [25]-year-old father named Omar.'
Kasza told the lawmakers that an Afghan member of his foundation spoke to Khan while the man was on his deathbed and recorded his account.
'When the Taliban had me, they showed me the 'Retrograde' movie and said you have worked with foreign forces and also worked in the movie,' Khan said, according to Kasza. 'They found me through the 'Retrograde' movie and are still asking villagers and my family members about me."
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
I watched migrants breaking through the EU's flimsy first line of defence
As the sun sets and the mosquitoes multiply, a small group of young men quietly gathers at a cluster of abandoned stone farmhouses in the northern flatlands of Serbia, roughly a mile from the border with Hungary. Tonight, led by two facilitators, the 10 plan to reach the border on foot, then cross it by climbing over several layers of fencing fortified with barbed wire. This is the next step on their long journey to flee Taliban rule in Afghanistan, with a few hoping to make it all the way to the UK. It will require quickly scaling a ladder that will be hauled in for the purpose, avoiding detection by the many surveillance cameras that dot the border fence, and staying out of sight of police from Serbia, Hungary and Frontex – the EU's border force. This is the scenario unfolding daily, in secret, at multiple points in the north and west of Serbia along the border with Hungary, Croatia and Bosnia. These countries form part of the Western Balkans route for migrants, popular with those fleeing Syria and Afghanistan, who typically travel overland via Bulgaria and Turkey, and, in some cases, Iran. Many of them then make their way across Europe to the northern coast of France, where they board small boats and cross the English Channel before landing on the UK's shores. In 2024, Syrians and Afghans were the top two nationalities of migrants arriving via small boats, accounting for nearly a third of all recorded Channel crossings, according to government data. Russia also has a part to play in fuelling migration, with evidence pointing to Moscow physically moving people towards the EU's borders and supporting smugglers, as a way to destabilise Europe. Efforts to address the Western Balkans route have been hailed as a success, with Frontex reporting a 78 per cent drop in irregular border crossings last year. However, experts say that the decrease is not quite as dramatic as trumpeted, because much of the crossing activity is not captured in the data, with many migrants moving undetected. As The Telegraph found, the route remains active, particularly along the Serbia-Hungary border. It is happening even as Sir Keir Starmer continues to pledge to tackle illegal migration and 'smash the gangs' by funding foreign law enforcement. The Prime Minister announced greater co-operation to resolve the escalating immigration and asylum crisis during a visit to Albania in May. Some migrants choose to pay smugglers to travel on the more circuitous – and therefore less expensive – route to cross into Bosnia, then Croatia, an EU member state. Those with no funds try an even more dangerous option – to clamber across the undersides of bridges that span a river demarcating the border between Serbia and Bosnia. 'There is some decrease, definitely, but it's not in such a high percentage as presented,' said Milica Svabic, a lawyer with KlikAktiv, an NGO in Belgrade that provides services to migrants, from legal information to humanitarian aid. 'People are just not as visible as they were before,' she said. Some authorities have also pointed to a decline in the number of people staying at official migrant camps run by the Serbian government. But many migrants told The Telegraph they were deliberately choosing to stay away from state-run facilities out of fear that they would be deported by Serbia, where the government is under pressure from other European countries which have hardened their migration policies. Gone, too, are the sprawling tent cities that used to cover border areas and the hordes of migrants resting in public parks, spots that remain well-known to police and are routinely subject to checks. Migrants detained during such operations also risk being deported. Instead, migrants are sleeping in abandoned farmhouses and factories by night, and staying nomadic by day to avoid being discovered by the police. Signs of people on the move were plentiful. In Serbia's borderlands, the ground was dotted with discarded clothes, old SIM cards, and empty cans of energy drinks – a cheap, quick way to re-fuel while on the go. Darkened firepits used to cook meagre meals were also a common sight. In one migrant hideout, a toothbrush and tube of toothpaste were stashed inside an old fireplace, and a Koran was perched on a window sill. Nobody was present, but a covered pot contained recently cooked rice. Nearby, in a wooded area, The Telegraph found a trio of young men from Afghanistan sheltering under large, leafy trees. Their shoes, drenched from heavy rain the day before, were drying nearby in the sun. The eldest, a 25 year-old who had worked in the local police force under the previous Afghan government, was forced to escape after the Taliban resumed power in 2021. 'We didn't have any democracy,' said Farid, whose name has been changed at his request for fear of retribution. 'The Taliban was even controlling whether we could shave: they wanted us to grow long beards. 'My family is asking me for a better future, so I'm giving it my all, trying my best. All I think about is them.' He added: 'I have no other choice but to go: the Taliban will kill me if I'm sent back. My son is seven years old, and he begs me to move him out of Afghanistan, too.' Two years ago, Farid paid smugglers $3,000 (£2,200) to get him from Afghanistan to Iran, where he waited about half a year before then moving on to Turkey. There, he worked unofficially at a plastics factory, saving money for the next leg of his journey – $4,000 (£2,900) to travel from Turkey through Bulgaria and into Serbia. It took several months to amass the funds, as the factory boss sometimes withheld his wages. In all, it took an exhausting 17 days to move across three countries, mostly on foot and in secret, with the help of a guide. Now, with the money they had saved spent, and hiding near the border with Hungary, he and the two others, both 18, were mulling the possibility of scaling the border fence into the EU on their own. A best-case scenario would be if they could find a section of fence that had already been cut by others – the easiest way to get across quickly. If that failed, they would have no choice but to turn again to smugglers for help. Migrants, like those in Farid's group, are generally moving in much smaller numbers in an effort to evade the authorities. In previous years, it was common to encounter groups of up to 70 people walking toward the border. Now, a large group would consist of around 20 people. Meeting points along the border, designated by smugglers, begin to get busier as the sun sets – with the last hours of daylight used for preparation. The Telegraph observed a group of migrants dragging two small tree trunks to light a fire to cook and eat a final meal to fuel their night-time journey. They might make multiple attempts before a successful, undetected crossing into Hungary. Some had already tried before, getting as far as Budapest, the country's capital, before being pushed back to Serbia. In some instances, the border hinders police. For example, Hungarian forces can see smuggling activity on the Serbian side but cannot cross over to intervene. Like Farid, some of the men in the group The Telegraph shadowed – a mix of teenagers and people aged in their 20s – had worked in the military or police under the previous government. When the Taliban came to power, they faced extreme persecution or death, so decided to flee. Mustafa, 28, who declined to give his real name, carried in his backpack a prized possession: a sleeping bag. 'I hope to get to Birmingham, where my brother arrived about 10 months ago,' he said. 'We couldn't go together, because I was still working in a textile factory in Turkey.' The data cannot show the individual circumstances that affect exactly when migrants choose to travel. Many that The Telegraph met along Serbia's border, like Mustafa, had stayed for months or even years in transit countries, such as Iran and Turkey, working odd jobs in secret. Many remained the sole breadwinners for their families, and had dual goals of saving enough to get back on the road, while also supporting their relatives at home. They had to find a way to make money along the way. Crossing from Serbia into the EU was almost straightforward, in contrast to what they had endured until now: escaping the Taliban; crossing multiple borders; evading many different militaries and police forces; and dodging sophisticated surveillance like the thermal cameras on the southern and eastern borders of Turkey. As the night sky darkened, Mustafa's group quietly prepared to leave. To pass the time – nobody would attempt to cross the border until it was pitch black – Mustafa pulled out his phone to watch a short video online with the other boys. He made sure to turn the volume down in case anyone was within earshot, though the group was fairly well hidden in an expansive stretch of quiet farmland. When the time came, they shrugged on their backpacks and readied themselves to embark on another epic leg – in hopes of building a new, better life. 'Europe,' they said together, before turning around and trudging towards the border. Additional reporting by Javid Khan Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
17 Best Streaming Bundles and Packages We Found in June 2025
Decider may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. We're at the height of the Streaming Wars, and deciding for which platform you're willing to pay a premium can be as challenging as figuring out your favorite ice cream on a hot summer's day. There are countless options, each offering a similarly satisfying selection, with something new debuting seemingly every week. However, some are just better than others. It all depends on what mood you're in, right? Well, much like ice cream, there are streaming services that offer something yummy for just about everyone's taste. decider picks: best streaming bundles Disney+ with Hulu and Max bundle — save up to 42% monthly Disney+ with Hulu and ESPN+ bundle — save up to 46% monthly Prime Video subscription — add channels like Max, Paramount+ Similes aside, the reality is that streaming services are how most TV watchers watch TV. According to data aggregator Statista, there will be over 182.26 million streaming service users in the U.S. this year. By 2027, that number is predicted to be nearly 202.6 million. Streaming can quickly get pricey, though — that's the beauty of deal packages like the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ bundle, or Max, which bundles a ton of Discovery networks (Food Network, TLC, etc.) with all things HBO and live sports from TNT and TBS, all for one low price. Even streamers like Prime Video have bundle options: with Prime Video Channels, you can add a number of streamers onto your Prime Video app. So how do you decide what you need? Easy. You come to Decider. If shows like Andor and Ironheart are on your radar, you'll want to purchase a Disney+ subscription. In addition to movies and series from the classic Walt Disney collection, it also gives parents and fans of all ages access to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (so you can finally watch all the Marvel movies in order), plus Pixar, Star Wars, National Geographic, and even 20th Century Fox content like The Simpsons and some Hulu titles. Currently, Disney+ offers multiple bundle options to fit various budgets and needs. The basic ad-supported plan costs $9.99/month, but to get Disney+ ad-free, you'll pay $15.99/month. Based on these prices, a bundle option may be more cost-effective if you were already considering subscribing to Hulu, ESPN+, or Max, or are already a subscriber of any of those services. Disney+ and Hulu bundle with ads – $10.99/month (save 44% monthly) Disney+ and Hulu bundle ad-free – $19.99/month (save 42% monthly) Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ bundle with ads – $16.99/month (save 46% monthly) Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ bundle ad-free – $26.99/month (save 42% monthly) Disney+, Hulu, Max bundle with ads – $16.99/month (save 43% monthly) Disney+, Hulu, Max bundle ad-free – $29.99/month (same 42% monthly) What to look forward to on Disney+ in 2025: Phineas and Ferb (6/6), Ironheart (6/24), ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires (7/11), LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy – Pieces of the Past (9/15), Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 (TBA 2025), Ahsoka Season 2 (TBA) DISNEY+ Suppose, for whatever reason, you haven't succumbed to the Amazon juggernaut yet. If that's the case, now is your chance to finally join the masses and stream original Prime Video series such as the award-winning Fallout, but also thousands of other TV series and movies like the exclusive Reacher and The Wheel of Time. Prime Video is one of the perks of an Amazon Prime membership, along with the signature two-day free shipping and some Prime-exclusive pricing during shopping events like Prime Day. Amazon Prime currently costs $14.99/month or $139.00/year. If you're not interested in all that Prime offers, the company offers a standalone subscription to Prime Video for $8.99/month. As of January 2024, Prime Video plays limited ads during movies and shows, but you can pay an additional $2.99/month to remove them. You can also add over 100 streaming services onto your Prime Video subscription to combine multiple subscriptions into one service. Here are just a few of those: Starz – $2.99/month for two months, $10.99/month after Max – from $9.99/month Paramount+ – from $7.99/month after seven-days free Apple TV+ – $9.99/month after seven-days free Hallmark+ – $7.99/month after seven-days free Mubi – $14.99/month after seven-days free BritBox – $8.99/month after seven-days free Acorn TV – $8.99/month after seven-days free What sports are streaming on Prime Video? NFL Thursday Night Football, WNBA, MLB (New York Yankees in NY area), NHL (Seattle Kraken in SEA area), ONE Championship, Premier Boxing Championship + more with add-ons (Max, Paramount+), NASCAR, NBA (beginning fall 2025) What to look forward to in 2025: Deep Cover (6/12), The Chosen: Last Supper (6/15), We Were Liars (6/18), Countdown (6/25), Heads of State (7/2), Ballard (7/9), The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 (7/16), Gen V Season 2 (9/17), Maxton Hall Season 2 (11/7) PRIME VIDEO With a subscription to Hulu, you'll be able to watch originals like Only Murders in the Building, FX on Hulu titles like The Bear, and new episodes of ABC and Fox broadcast shows like 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy the day after they air on TV. When you bundle, you'll also be able to watch all of Hulu's content in the Disney+ app. Currently, Hulu offers two subscription options and a handful of bundles to fit all of your streaming needs. With ads, you can subscribe to Hulu alone for $9.99/month after a 30 day free trial, and without ads, $18.99/month. These are the other bundles available with Hulu. Disney+ and Hulu bundle with ads – $10.99/month (save 44% monthly) Disney+ and Hulu bundle ad-free – $19.99/month (save 42% monthly) Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ bundle with ads – $16.99/month (save 46% monthly) Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ bundle ad-free – $26.99/month (save 42% monthly) Disney+, Hulu, Max bundle with ads – $16.99/month (save 43% monthly) Disney+, Hulu, Max bundle ad-free – $29.99/month (same 42% monthly) What to look forward to on Hulu in 2025: The Bear Season 4 (6/25), Washington Black (7/23), Alien: Earth (8/12), Chad Powers (9/10), All's Fair (TBA 2025) HULU Max (formerly HBO Max… and soon to be HBO Max again) is a service that combines all things HBO with all things Discovery (TLC, Food Network, etc.), Warner Bros., and more. There's a vast library of current and classic TV and film just waiting to be explored with Max. Additionally, ad-free plans include live sports and live CNN. Max currently offers a few subscription options and bundles to fit all of your streaming needs. With ads, you can subscribe to Max alone for $9.99/month, and without ads, $16.99/month. These are the other bundles available with Max. Disney+, Hulu, Max bundle with ads – $16.99/month (save 43% monthly) Disney+, Hulu, Max bundle ad-free – $29.99/month (save 42% monthly) Max and Cinemax bundle with ads – $21.99/month (save 19% monthly) What sports are streaming on Max (with the Bleacher Report Sports add-on included with ad-free plans)? NHL on TNT, NBA on TNT, March Madness, French Open, Unrivaled Basketball What to look forward to on Max in 2025: And Just Like That… Season 3 (currently airing), The Gilded Age Season 3 (currently airing), Peacemaker Season 2 (8/21), Hard Knocks Season 25 (8/5), Task (September 2025), The Chair Company (TBA 2025), Untitled Rachel Sennott Comedy (TBA 2025), It: Welcome to Derry (TBA 2025) MAX ESPN+ is a streaming extension of ESPN that lets subscribers watch live sports from a number of leagues year-round. The service is also home to UFC Fight Nights and UFC PPV events. ESPN+ has one streaming plan that costs $11.99/month, but there are still some ways to save. ESPN+ Annual Plan – $119.99/year (Save 15% annually) Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ bundle with ads – $16.99/month (save 46% monthly) Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ bundle ad-free – $26.99/month (save 42% monthly) DEAL ALERT! Right now, you can get your first three months of ESPN+ for just $4.99/month. That's over 50% in savings! What sports are streaming on EPSN+? NHL, NFL Monday Night Football, MLB, UFC Pay-Per-View, PGA Tour, Formula One, FA Cup, La Liga, Bundesliga, assorted NCAA (football, basketball, lacrosse, baseball, hockey, wrestling) ESPN+ Similarly to Paramount+, Peacock is a streaming service that debuts their own original content while also being the streaming home for an entire family of cable networks, namely the NBC Universal ones. That means you can watch currently-airing NBC titles like the Law and Order franchise and Saturday Night Live the day after they air on NBC, plus a backlog of NBC shows that includes all of their iconic sitcoms — The Office, Parks and Rec, and more. The same goes for all things Bravo; Real Housewives, Below Deck, Southern Charm, and more are all streaming in full on Peacock. You can watch all of the past seasons, plus new episodes of new seasons the morning after they air on Bravo. Peacock also premieres Focus Features, DreamWorks, and Universal Pictures movies after theatrical runs; recent titles include Trolls: Band Together, Oppenheimer, and The Holdovers. Peacock currently has two plans after eliminating their free plan in early 2023. The plan with ads is either $7.99/month. To get rid of ads, you'll pay $13.99/month or $139.99/year. What sports are streaming on Peacock? NFL Sunday Night Football, the Olympic Games, WWE Wrestlemania, Premier League, Tennis (Grand Slam Opens), IndyCar, NASCAR, US Open Golf What to look forward to in 2025: The Valley Season 2 (currently airing), Law and Order: Organized Crime Season 5 (currently airing), Poker Face Season 2 (currently airing), Love Island USA Season 7 (currently airing), Twisted Metal Season 2 (7/31), The Paper (September 2025) PEACOCK What sets DIRECTV apart from other live TV streaming services is that channel selection mimics the kind of selection you'd get from a traditional cable subscription with cable boxes and all of that — which is fitting, since DIRECTV is known for satellite cable. In addition to including all your local news channels, like affiliates of NBC, CBS, and Fox, you'll also get your local sports channels — the specialized networks like MSG or YES in New York and various regional Fox Sports affiliates — based on the market you're located in. We've found that this service has the most well-rounded selection of local channels in a base plan and the most variety, especially with the newly-released Genre Packs. MySports ($69.99/month) – 25+ channels, including everything you'll need to tune into your favorite sporting events MyEntertainment ($34.99/month) – 40+ channels and the Disney+ and Hulu basic bundle MyNews ($39.99/month) – 10+ channels with news coverage from across the political spectrum MiEspañol ($34.99/month) – 50+ Spanish-language networks Once you've chosen a Genre Pack, you can add on additional packs and services. If you're looking for the more classic DIRECTV experience, you can still subscribe to the Entertainment ($86.99/month), Choice ($89.99/month for the first three months), or Ultimate ($104.99/month for the first three months) base plans. DIRECTV Apple got into streaming video in 2019, giving subscribers to its Apple TV+ service access to original programming like The Morning Show, with Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston, and the critically acclaimed Ted Lasso, which garnered over 40 Emmy nominations over a three season run, as well as more than 40 other original shows and movies. Though the days of Apple offering a one-year free trial are over, you can still take advantage of a three-month free trial by purchasing a new eligible Apple device or a seven-day free trial without a new device. Once that trial is over, or if you're ineligible, Apple TV+ costs $9.99/month. Like a few other services on this list, Apple allows you to purchase add-on streaming services that you can access right in the Apple TV app, including their very own MLS streaming app. What sports are streaming on Apple TV? MLB Friday Night Baseball, MLS What to look forward to in 2025: Murderbot (currently airing), Stick (currently airing), The Buccaneers Season 2 (6/18), Smoke (6/27), Highest 2 Lowest (9/5), F1 (TBA 2025) APPLE TV+ This huge live TV streaming bundle allows cord-cutters access to over 60 different channels. The basic package includes Paramount Network, MTV, A&E, BBC America, AMC, OWN, MTV, and Hallmark content, plus a subscription to AMC+. Right now, you can get Philo's basic channel bundle for just $28.00/month after a seven-day free trial. Want more premium channels? You can add-on content from MGM+ for $5.99/month and Starz for $9.99/month. PHILO Sling TV has three different packages to choose from, and they each have something fantastic to offer. If you're interested in family-friendly programs, go with Sling Orange ($45.99/month). It has 32 channels, including seven exclusive for sports, and family. Sling Blue ($50.99/month) is a great option if you're an entertainment or news buff, while Sling Orange + Blue ($65.99/month) has 22 exclusive channels (46 in total) to enjoy. For a limited time, the streaming service is offering 50% off your first month, which means you can start watching for as low as $23! There's also a Sling offer running that'll give you a month of free AMC+ in addition to your Sling channels and you can snag Max for 50% off during your first month and $5 off every month after. SLING TV This updated streaming service is a rebrand of CBS All Access. You'll find a huge library of TV episodes, films, live sporting events, and original content from entities including CBS, BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Pluto TV, movies from Paramount Pictures, and more. Paramount+ restructured its streaming plans to integrate Showtime, which no longer operates as a standalone streaming service. If you're looking for just Paramount+ content, and don't mind a few ads, the essential plan is $7.99/month or $59.99/year (37% off!). For $12.99/month or $119.99/year (23% off!), get Paramount+ with Showtime — this is now the only way to watch all of Showtime's original series, like Yellowjackets and The Chi and a library of acclaimed movies, including A24's catalog, without a linear cable subscription. This plan will also give you your live local CBS affiliate. You can also subscribe to Paramount+ via Prime Video. What sports are streaming on Paramount+? NFL on CBS, Soccer (UEFA, CONCACAF, NWSL), Big 10 Football, PGA Tour What to look forward to in 2025: Criminal Minds Season 18 (currently airing), RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 10 (currently airing), The Chi Season 7 (currently airing), Dexter: Resurrection (7/11), Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 (7/17) PARAMOUNT+ This live 4K streaming option has over 100 channels, including almost every broadcast and cable network. But what might make it more attractive for many viewers is the addition of loads of niche sports networks like MSG, Golf Network, FS2 and BeIN Sports. Fubo TV has two base plans, both with a one-week free trial: Pro and Elite. Here's a breakdown of what each plan will get you: Pro ($84.99/month): 232 channels including RSNs, unlimited cloud DVR, 100+ live sporting events, and unlimited screens Elite ($94.99/month): Everything included in Pro, plus 67 additional channels Deal Alert! Right now, you can save $20 on your first month of fuboTV when you subscribe to one of the base plans listed above. Additional channel bundles, like Fubo Extra and News Plus, are available as a la carte add-ons, but by subscribing to a plan that already includes them, you'll be receiving a monthly discount. Other add-ons not included in one of the base plans are Starz ($9.99/month), Sports Plus with NFL RedZone ($10.99/month), and NBA League Pass ($14.99/month). The service also offers add-ons for international viewers who speak Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese. FUBOTV Get some of the most popular original series around, like Outlander and BMF, plus a massive library of great movies for one low price of $10.99/month. The service continues to grow in popularity as it also continues to invest in the Power series with new spinoff titles. Right now, you can sign up for Starz with a special offer; your first three months will be just $4.99/month. If you prefer a longer plan, you can get six months for $17.99 total. You can also get two months of Starz for $2.99/month if you subscribe via Prime Video Channels. STARZ DAZN is a sports-focused streaming service that offers live and on-demand coverage of a wide range of events, including boxing, MMA, soccer, and more. It provides flexible access across devices, allowing fans to watch their favorite sports anytime, anywhere. Known for exclusive rights to major fights and leagues in various countries, DAZN is a go-to platform for dedicated sports enthusiasts. Most major MMA fights require both a subscription and a PPV. If you prefer a more flexible option, you can subscribe to DAZN for $29.99/month, but you can also subscribe to a Monthly Saver plan that locks you into a $19.99/month plan for 12 months — that's 33% cheaper than the flexible monthly plan when you add it all up. DAZN Hulu + Live TV will stream all your live TV, and it also comes with three great streaming services as a bonus. A subscription will get you access to Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+, and over 90 live TV channels all for $82.99/month. We've found that Hulu + Live TV has the most inclusive and well-rounded selection of channels included with a base subscription — unlike some of the other services, which only offer some fairly common channels in add-on packages, the only add-ons Hulu + Live TV offers (aside from premium channels like Max, Starz, and Showtime) are for more specialized channels. You can stream on two screens at a time and all subscriptions now come with unlimited cloud DVR storage HULU + LIVE TV To watch anything from anywhere, a VPN like NordVPN will be your new streaming best friend. Known for its fast and reliable server connections, NordVPN is regarded as one of the best options in the market. It has an expansive collection of servers worldwide. More importantly, it comes equipped with several privacy and security features that protect your device against malware and keep your browsing safe and anonymous. The service offers 1-and-2-year plans that start as low as $3.39/month paid all at once (paid monthly, plans start at $12.99/month), and often have free months thrown in to extend your coverage further — right now, it's up to one year free. NORDVPN Far from the days of mailing DVDs in red sleeves, Netflix is still the largest streaming service in the world, with over 240 million subscribers worldwide. If you aren't one of those customers, it may be time to consider the monthly plans. In addition to a massive library of TV shows and movies, Netflix has its own studio. It offers an impressive stream of popular original films and shows, like steamy Shondaland favorite Bridgerton and fan favorites like Squid Game and, of course, Stranger Things. The streamer currently offers three plans, with the cheapest being the most recent addition to its lineup. For $7.99/month, you can stream Netflix in standard definition with ads. To get rid of ads, plans start at $17.99/month for full high definition, and $24.99/month for streaming in up to 4K UHD on up to four screens at a time. As Netflix recently cracked down on password sharing, you can add profiles for people who don't live in your immediate household to your account for $6.99/month extra if you have either of the two ad-free plans. What sports are streaming on Netflix? NFL Christmas Day games, WWE Raw What to look forward to in 2025: Squid Game Season 3 (6/27), The Old Guard 2 (7/2), Wednesday Season 2 (8/6), Stranger Things Season 5 (11/26) NETFLIX This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Writer/Reporter for Decider. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, how to watch your favorite sports teams and movies on each streaming service and the very best in tech, like soundbars, to enhance your viewing experience. Not only does Angela test and compare the services, devices and merch she writes about, but she's also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech and pop culture. Prior to joining Decider and the New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews. For more like this, check out the Decider Shopping section.
USA Today
8 hours ago
- USA Today
Beyoncé fans react to dance captain's absence during London concert: 'Where is Amari?'
Beyoncé fans react to dance captain's absence during London concert: 'Where is Amari?' Beyoncé Knowles-Carter lit up the stage for the second night of her "Cowboy Carter" tour in London, and while fans were thrilled to see Les Twins dancing once again, many pointed out one familiar face was missing. The Grammy-winning singer took the stage June 7 for her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. During the electric performance many fans noticed that Amari "Monster" Marshall, dubbed Beyoncé's dance captain, was not among the performers onstage. One fan wrote, "What happened to Amari," and many others cosigned. Marshall began working with Beyoncé during her iconic 2018 Coachella "Beychella" performances. She eventually assumed the role of dance co-captain on the "Renaissance World Tour," where she played a key part in mentoring Beyoncé's then 11-year-old daughter Blue Ivy during her stage debut. Beyoncé publicly praised Marshall for her guidance with the family dubbing her Blue's 'dance stage momma." She also took the stage with Bey during her 2024 Christmas Day NFL halftime show during the Texans-Ravens game. Marshall has continued performing with Beyoncé as dance captain on the "Cowboy Carter" tour, often sharing photos from various tour stops. However, she appeared to be absent from the stage in London, and fans especially noticed during Saturday night's show. It's not yet clear why Marshall didn't appear onstage or if she'll be making a return soon. The concert marked Beyoncé's second of six shows at the stadium. She is set to hit the stage again June 10, 12, 14 and 16, before heading to Paris for three fans know, Beyoncé first debuted her "Cowboy Carter" tour at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on April 28 with 39 songs on the set list. Her shows have been filled with family, fashion, different music genres, and most notably country music and cultural commentary. Of course, Beyoncé first released the 27-track project in March 2024. It has since made history and broken multiple records. As Beyoncé's first country album, she deliberately featured country legends and emerging Black country artists alike. She became the first Black woman to win best country album at the 2025 Grammys and also took home album of the year. The nine-city tour will span the U.S. and Europe with the grand finale taking place in Las Vegas on July 26. Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
