
28 Products That'll Help Unlock Your 'I've Got It Together' Era In 2025
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Shopping
·
Manifesting chic outfits, nutritious home cooking, and not one coworker reporting that "you look tired."
1. A pair of pleated palazzo pants to take any 'fit to the next level with minimal effort. Even paired with and old white tee, these wide-legged beauties give off serious boss babe vibes.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I'm a 5-foot-1.5-inch girl and have been STRUGGLING to find office pants that I haven't needed to get hemmed. I bought these in the XS short, and they fit like a dream!! So comfy. The waistband is very stretchy, and wearing these feels like sweatpants. They are on the thinner side — I wouldn't wear them in winter without warmer leggings or something underneath, but for summer or autumn, they are perfect." — shalom
Get them from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in women's sizes XS–XXL, 1X–2X, short lengths, and 28 colors).
2. Clinique Almost Lipstick tinted lip balm since it's *the* perfect lip and cheek tint for when you need to pull your look together and you're already running late. The two shades work with seemingly every skin tone and outfit, feel lightweight, and are buildable for nailing a range of looks.
Amazon
BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord is certifiably obsessed:
"I was very adamant about not buying this for the longest time because I am stubborn about 'expensive' beauty products, but this is worth every penny and then some. It's so lightweight and layerable, it's foolproof to apply, and I have yet to wear a single outfit it doesn't complement??? I love watching it instantly elevate a casual look or add simple elegance to dressy ones. I wear it every day now, and after weeks of use, I've barely made a dent. Also, and maybe this is just me, but I tend to get pigment on my teeth with a lot of lip products, and I've simply never had an issue with this magic stick."
Anyway, watch this TikTok of someone using it on their lips AND cheeks. Warning: It's ~convincing~.
Get it from Amazon for $25 (available in two colors).
3. A durable honeycomb drawer because it'll eliminate the full-scale drawer excavation you perform every time you're looking for a specific scarf, tie, or pair of underwear while trying to rush out the door.
www.amazon.com
Thanks to its super simple design, the organizer can be assembled simply by snapping the pieces together. Plus, they can expand to fit the size of your drawers.
Promising review:"I am a man of many socks and these helped organize them much better than what I was doing. It's easy to do by color and style." — Think Blue
Get it from Amazon $7.87.
4. Some corkscrew Goody hair pins that do the work of 20 regular bobby pins to deliver all-day staying power for your fanciest up-dos. Just pull your hair into a bun like normal, twist these pins into place, and you and your ballerina bun are ready to take on the day. Quick and easy!
Promising review:"I'm a nursing student and have to wear my hair in a bun every day. I've tried all the bun makers, watched YouTube videos, and spent way too much time getting my hair into a bun. I was able to make a pretty bun that was secure in under 30 seconds. I thought it was a fluke so I did it again, and then again. I just ordered two more packs because I know if I lose one of these, I'd have to tear the house down looking for it. I have hair to my mid back, and three of these worked perfectly for me. If I can get my hair in a bun in under 30 seconds, trust me...anyone can." — Tina
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $7.99.
5. An Anyday starter set so you can utilize the quick and easy convenience of your microwave to cook delicious meals, including everything from grains and veggies to proteins like a full chicken breast and salmon. Every part of the plastic-free dishes is engineered for optimal, even cooking — no cold spots!
Anyday
Anyday is a female-founded small business focused on helping you utilize the microwave for easier, faster cooking.
Promising review:"The Anyday is a weeknight game changer. Instead of reheating leftovers, cooking from my usual repertoire, or giving into laziness and ordering delivery, I'm using Anyday to steam fresh veggies and poach fish. Learning to reinterpret recipes for the microwave has been an exciting new creative outlet in the kitchen. We're eating healthier, more elaborate dinners on weeknights because it all comes together so quickly and easily. The bowls will easily pay for themselves many times over in all the delivery orders that I don't place." — Brian E
Get the starter set from Anyday for $60+ (originally $80+; available in two sizes and four colors) or from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in two sizes).
6. A coconut-scented nail strengthening cream if you hate deciding between eye-popping manicure prices or sporting short, brittle nails that are constantly chipping. Fortunately, there's a third option! This non-greasy formula is packed with calcium, moisturizing oils, and vitamins to strengthen nails and condition cuticles.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"My nails were in bad shape before I started using this product. I had one nail that would constantly split on the side, but not anymore. I saw the difference right away after using this product. The smell is great, it is a good moisturizer for your cuticles, and it has wonderful ingredients. I definitely recommend it, and I will be purchasing another really soon." — Tasha Stewart
Get it from Amazon for $8.88.
7. A cruelty-free under-eye brightener to effortlessly conceal dark circles since you haven't gotten enough sleep in *checks watch* about a decade. The color-adapting formula is creamy and lightweight, so you don't have to worry about unwanted creasing and cakiness, either.
www.amazon.com
The color adaptive formula is designed so one of two shades will work on any skin tone. Check out a TikTok of the brightener in action.
Promising review: "Took years off my eyes! This product is so reasonably priced. I came across a TikTok promoting this and decided to take a chance since the price was super reasonable. My eyes looked brighter in a good way, and the concealer worked so well that I felt I looked younger. I got compliments from friends asking what I did differently with my makeup. I recommend it." — Placeholder
Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in four shades).
8. A nongreasy hair wax stick for taming flyaways and smoothing edges without weighing down your entire look with globs of gel. Feel free to apply the stick directly to your hair for mess-free application and all-day staying power.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Just a note that you don't have to lay your edges, but this is great if you do!
Promising review:" Perfect for humid weather. I have relatively fine hair, and my hair looks HORRIBLE every time we travel somewhere topical. I came across this wax one day, and I am in love. I've been able to do cute hairstyles and have them stay in place all day." — arlerh n.
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
9. A suede and nubuck cleaning brush because that rainy run-in has left your suede shoes looking more stained than stylish. This brush will diminish the look of water stains with no additional cleaners required so you and your favorite shoes can enjoy another (hopefully drier) outing together!
www.amazon.com
Shacke is a small manufacturer based in Baldwin Park, California, creating useful travel products like packing cubes and luggage tags.
You can totally use it with another cleaner or spray if you want, but it seems like reviewers have success without it! It just takes some elbow grease.
Promising review:"I am very impressed with this product. I was new to suede shoes and instantly regretted buying gray-colored shoes once I got them dirty. Luckily, I found this lovely thing. Very easy to use, straightforward packet comes with it that tells you which sides to use and when. I would definitely recommend this since you invest so much in those shoes, you might as well keep them nice and clean!" — Celeste
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in four styles).
10. An undated habit calendar that makes it easy to list and track daily, weekly, and monthly habits since small wins like waking up on time feel twice as sweet when you get to check off a pretty little box as a reward.
Free Period Press
Free Period Press is a queer-owned small business based in Cleveland, Ohio, that sells super cute notebooks, stickers, prints, and more!
I also recommend a pack of pack of colorful pens to go with it.
Promising review:"LOVE my habit calendar. Perfect for tracking daily exercise goals. I've been using it to track my training for my upcoming black belt test. Before, I was using a regular calendar and putting stickers on days when I trained. But this way I can track which specific training I did (push-ups, crunches, etc.) each day. Cannot recommend enough." — Summer Ballentine
Get it from Free Period Press for $12.20, Amazon for $24, or Etsy for $14.40.
11. A pack of Downy fabric spray so you can rock wrinkle-free fits even when there's no time (or energy) to break out the iron. Just spray, give your clothes a few swipes, and watch the wrinkles rapidly fall away.
I hate wrinkles *and* am lazy — two at-odds conditions. This stuff has been a staple in my life since approximately ninth grade (thanks to my mama). As a former Catholic school uniform wearer, this stuff was VITAL to freshening up wrinkly dress shirts that spent the after-school hours stuffed in a gym bag. The scent is light and fresh, and its wrinkle-releasing powers are nearly instant. It definitely works better on some fabrics than others (great on cotton, less great on some synthetics), but it'll improve the look of most without dealing with an iron or steamer.
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $15.94.
12. A silicone-free L'Oréal moisturizing treatment for anyone who wants visibly healthier-looking hair FAST — like, eight seconds fast. This rinse-out formula works on any hair texture or length, delivering the proteins and amino acids necessary for a shiny, flippable mane.
www.amazon.com
This is silicone- and paraben-free!
Promising review:"OMG!!! Most amazing hair treatment I've ever used in my entire life. Most hair masks weigh my hair down, but since this is water, it makes it SO soft and bouncy. I'm obsessed and will keep buying. Holy grail." — Natasha
Get it from Amazon for $10.97.
13. A cruelty-free extreme hold eyebrow gel if midday fallen brows leave you crestfallen. All that fluffing work for nothing?! Try this nonsticky styler (transparent or tinted) for serious staying power that'll last up to 16 hours.
Promising review: "I would use hairspray to hold my eyebrows and throughout the day I would sweat through it and it wouldn't last. I tried this because the price was great and I'm gladI did. This product is awesome. I've had it on my brows for a nine-hour shift and they are still in place! It doesn't dry and get flakey, nor does it feel uncomfortable on the skin. Lastly, I use brow powder and this does NOT affect the look of the powder nor does it smudge it. I will FOREVER buy this product." — Shelby
Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in five shades, including clear).
14. A non-aerosol dry shampoo powder packed in a travel-friendly compact to prolong wash day and revive greasy locks so you can basically roll right out of bed and into the office and STILL have coworkers complimenting your fabulous hair.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I am so glad I gave this product a try, as it works amazingly well on my fine, oily hair. I have used just about every dry shampoo product on the market, and this is by far the best one yet. My hair looks beautiful, and I can now go nearly a week without washing (while still having absolutely gorgeous hair)! I used to have to wash my hair every other day when I was using my former favorite dry shampoo (and it made my scalp itch on day two). This product is definitely worth a try; it may soon be your favorite!" — Melanie Havert
Get it from Amazon for $18 (available in six shades).
15. A bleach-free Wet & Forget shower cleaner for not only cleaning but preventing soap scum buildup with minimal effort. Once a week, simply give your shower a spray, let it sit overnight, rinse, and — BOOM — it's squeaky clean and you didn't even break a sweat.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I have been having shower draining issues, so there was a buildup of soap scum in my shower. I have a very weak stomach, and cleaning the shower makes me physically ill. I have tried several products that have claimed to be no scrub/wipe but this has been the only one that has worked. I sprayed it after my shower and left it to sit until the next night. Found that A LOT of the grime had disappeared. Now, was it perfect? No. But I think with consistent use, it will get there. Highly recommend this product." — KZ
Get it from Amazon for $20.98+ (available in two sizes and two scents).
16. A battery-operated fabric shaver because it'll help rescue well-loved knits from the horrors of aging — lint, matted fibers, and pilling, oh my! It's like a tiny vacuum; just empty the detachable lint catcher when you're done and enjoy your revitalized sweater.
www.amazon.com
Also, be sure to pick up two AA batteries! They're not included.
It kills me inside when I see a favorite sweater start to pill, so I bought this exact shaver to spruce up some of my older knits. It's great and weirdly relaxing. When I first got it, I was de-pilling everything, from the intended sweaters to the throw pillows on our couch. It's a little loud, so your roommates may or may not come out of their rooms to see what you're doing...but it's totally worth it to make any pilled fabric look years younger.
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in five colors and two styles).
17. A three-piece knit lounge set that'll revamp your at-home wardrobe with a cozy matching set perfect for romanticizing the heck out of your life on a relaxing Sunday.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I already have this set for myself but I bought another one for my sister. Let me tell y'all, the stretch on this is AMAZING and it's incredibly soft. Blown away with this and will be buying another one for my wedding!" — Moly
Get it from Amazon for $47.99 (available in sizes XS–XXL and 19 colors).
18. An air-dry leave-in cream so you can get touchable, crunch-free curls, and enjoy less frizz without taking the time to get the blow-dryer or other heat styling tools involved.
www.amazon.com
This cream helps define your natural texture and works best on those with wavy, curly, or coily hair!!
Promising review:"I'm so grateful that I found this product. My hair is wavy and frizzy. Every once in a great while, my waves resemble curls, but the frizz is always there. I've only used this product one time so far, and I never want to be without it. I put some on after towel-drying (no brushing) my hair, and my waves actually resembled curls! It wasn't instant, so I was skeptical, but after about 15 minutes, I caught a glimpse of my hair in the mirror, and I was amazed. It looked styled rather than a ratty mess. I slept on it, and it still looked great in the morning!!!" — mich0610
Get it from Amazon for $8.96.
19. A powerful Eufy robot vacuum if you want clean floors without ever having to lift a finger. It's got one impressive battery life and is so quiet you'll look up from your work only to realize the floors are cleaner than when you sat down. It's like hiring a cleaning person with 24/7 access.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: " This is one of my favorite purchases I've ever made. I have a very hairy dog and was sick of having to vacuum all the time. This little guy has solved that issue entirely! Before running it the first time, I did a very thorough vacuum of all the carpet and hard flooring and have used this vacuum daily since, and it has saved me so much time and effort! I clean out all of the filters and roller brush weekly to make sure it doesn't get clogged up with dust and hair. The roller brush is super easy to remove and clean as well. The first couple of times I used it, it seemed to wander the house aimlessly, but it quickly figured out and ideal path and really does get every nook and cranny." — Best purchase ever!
Get it from Amazon for $199.99+ (available in three styles).
20. A "Soft" perfume rollerball tiny enough to keep stashed in your purse in case you're anything like me and forget that perfume exists until you're out the door. It also smells downright divine and last allll day, which probably explains why it's been blowing up on socials.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "If you love vanilla scents with a splash of sweet chocolate and marshmallow, this is it! First time trying, and I'm in love. Long-lasting. Might last longer than the spray. Definitely WILL buy again and again and again." — H.G.
Get it from Amazon for $5.22 (available in two styles).
21. A portable gel lint roller for a less wasteful way to handle the never-ending supply of lint and pet hair that makes its way onto your clothes. It's like no lint roller you've ever seen and will regain its stickiness by rinsing out the interior ball for repeat use.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok a bunch of times and finally decided to get it. I hate the paper lint rollers, they never seem to work that well, and I hate that I have to throw them away. This is awesome because it fits right in my bag, and I'm able to reuse it over and over. It's super sticky and works great!" — Ella
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four colors and in larger multipacks).
22. A cute and compact portable pill container with seven compartments because you don't have to dig through every bottle in your medicine cabinet just to stay on track with all your daily medications and supplements.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This is the best pill container I have found. It holds a month's worth of pills in each compartment and is compact and easy to store and travel with. It is very sturdy and I don't have to worry about the cap opening accidentally. The enclosed labels are a bonus, and the see-through exterior makes it easy to see how many pills are left. I keep it on my nightstand, and it doesn't take a lot of space." — TA
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in three colors).
23. An adjustable skinny belt so when you're looking in the mirror thinking, "This outfit needs something," you'll have an extra-special something on hand ready to cinch a waist or just add some sartorial pizzazz.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Elevates every work outfit! These are the cutest belts! I get the most wear out of the black, and it makes every pair of trousers look super chic and professional. The adjustable back is good for pants with different waists and is super comfy even after a big lunch! Also, I get compliments all the time, and some people even think it's designer haha." — Amy S
Get them from Amazon for $15.29+ (available in three sizes, various colors, and packs of two).
24. A food container lid organizer with five adjustable dividers that'll house all your square and round lids in one spot so no one ever again has to ask "Where's the lid for this?"
www.amazon.com
YouCopia was founded in 2009 by Lauren Greenwood and her inventor-of-a-father Mark Greenwood, and now includes a whole line of tools to make home organization a breeze.
Promising review:"This is a great caddy for all of those maverick Tupperware lids that disappear like socks in a laundry room. I was able to fit quite a few into it. It comes with five separators to cordon off different sizes/shapes of lids (see photos) and consolidate two of three previous lids bins into this one. Plus, according to their card insert, the company is a small, women-owned business, which I'm always happy to support." — Bridget D.
Get it from Amazon for $17.77+ (available in three sizes and in a two-pack).
25. A silky satin-lined beanie if it breaks your heart to sacrifice your hair in pursuit of a warm noggin. This unisex style glides over strands, so when it is time to step inside you won't be greeted with hair that's angry, dry, and frizzy.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This beanie is perfect for curly and wavy girls! The entire inside is satin-lined. When I took the hat off, it did not cause any damaged or frizzy curls! I am in love and need more colors!" — Crystal Ingram
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in nine colors).
26. A Fanola No Yellow purple shampoo to make your blonde hair look less brassy and...well...more blondey. It'll help cut down on expensive touch-up hair appointments, and costs roughly half of what popular salon brands like Joico charge.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:" I have used Shimmer Lights, Joico Color Balance, Redken Color Extend, and Matrix Total Results, and Fanola beats them all. It is a deep violet and is much more effective; you do not have to leave it in very long to see a noticeable change (3–5 minutes). It is drying, as is the case with 99% of purple shampoos, but I find a good conditioner and leave-in product (oil or leave-in conditioner) keeps hair hydrated. Beware on first use; it is very runny and comes out quickly — so be careful not to waste the product. The results last much longer than I noticed with previous products, allowing me to go more washes without having to use it. With using it every week to a week and a half, I am able to maintain an ashy platinum blonde that was once so hard for me to achieve!!!" — Gracie
Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in two sizes)
27. A set of adjustable clip holders for instantly turning any regular bra into one you can discreetly wear with racerback tops. Now you don't have to choose between no bra and zero support or fussing with exposed straps all day.
Amazon
Promising review:"Genius!! Why did it take me so long to find these? I was looking for a solution to hide straps in a racerback tank but these straps do so much more than just that. Unlike the round clips that pull straps tightly to the center of your back, these straps lie flat and they have just enough give to allow the bra to still fit right and feel comfortable. Moreover, they can be used to keep bra straps from falling down all day!!! Such a great product." — MsChris
Get a set of three from Amazon for $4.99 (available in nine color combos).
28. And a Shark Tank -approved timed lock box so tempting distractions are LITERALLY inaccessible for a designated amount of time — from 1 minute up to 10 days! Pre-commitment devices like this one are a scientifically backed method for combatting decision fatigue and conserving willpower so you can fly through your to-do list and still have time for that oh-so-vital R&R.
www.amazon.com
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Buzz Feed
an hour ago
- Buzz Feed
Color-Based Food Quiz Reveals Your Ideal LGBTQ+ Movie
Wanna make your very own outfit for Pride? Use the generator below and share your results in the comments! Looking for more LGBTQ+ or Pride content? Then check out all of BuzzFeed's posts celebrating Pride 2025.


Tom's Guide
2 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
The best movie of 2025 (so far) you missed in theaters just arrived on streaming — and it's a hilariously heartfelt watch
I have a well-documented love of all things dark, from twisting crime thrillers to brutal horrors. My favorite movies of the year list usually ends up stuffed with flicks that can be considered pretty bleak in tone. But, I do have a slightly sappy side as well, and my love for 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' proves it. I caught this British comedy-drama in theatres last weekend, and while my expectations were relatively low ahead of watching, after 100 joyful minutes I walked out of my screening with a broad smile on my face, convinced I'd just seen a frontrunner pick for the most overlooked movie of 2025 (so far). 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' received only a limited theatrical release in the U.S. back in March, which means an awful lot of people didn't get to see it on the big screen. That's a real shame. But fortunately, life is all about second chances (a theme of the movie itself), and now this heartfelt movie is available to stream on Peacock or via PVOD on platforms like Amazon and Apple. If you were one of the many who didn't get to catch 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' in cinemas earlier this year, I strongly implore you to seek it out on streaming, because it's something very special. Here's why I love it so much. Charles Heath (Tim Key) is a reclusive lottery winner, living on the eponymous Wallis Island off the coast of Wales. He's also the world's biggest superfan of folk music duo McGwyer Mortimer. Unfortunately, the band, made up of Herby McGwyer (Tom Basden) and Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan), who were previously romantically involved, broke up 10 years ago, and haven't played a show together live since. Using his lottery winnings, Charles convinces them to both come to the island, reunite, and play a very intimate concert for an audience of one. Once on the island, old tensions flare up, and McGwyer and Mortimer find themselves grappling with their past and their present. They also have to tolerate Charles' fawning fandom and personality quirks. Eventually, the increasing tensions between the pair put the dream gig under threat. 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' wormed its way into my affections almost immediately. That's thanks in large part to the comedic brilliance of Tim Key. The flick opens with McGwyer arriving on the island in a small boat with a giddy Charles welcoming his hero, and this brilliant scene sets the tone. From the off, one thing becomes immediately apparent: Charles just cannot shut up. He is a persistent babbler and fills every silence with a running stream of nonsense. Loads of his lines had the entire audience in my local theatres laughing out loud, but as the movie progresses, we slowly peel back the layers and learn there's more to Charles than just his extreme levels of fandom. Charles very quickly became my favorite character of the movie, partially because he's just hilariously funny, with Key's sense of comedic timing second to none. But also because when it becomes clear exactly why he loves McGwyer Mortimer's music so much, I almost shed a tear (almost, I swear). The folk music duo themselves have more than a little bit of Fleetwood Mac about them. And when they are reunited on Wallis Island for the first time in a decade, there's a heavy distance between them. But this slowly erodes as they get back into the swing of playing music together and fondly reminisce on the past. However, the fact that Mortimer now has an American husband (Akemnji Ndifornyen) only adds to the underlying tension. I'm not a folk music fan per se (Taylor Swift's Folkmore duology is about as far into the genre as my Spotify playlists dip), but the musical element fits the tone perfectly. The original McGwyer Mortimer tunes are a surprise highlight and are performed by Basden and Mulligan. There's a lot more to 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' than just cringetastic humor from Charles' foibles and inability to stop talking for even a moment; there's a real melancholic nature about the movie. This element shines through most brightly via McGwyer, a cynical character, whose solo career is stalling, forcing him to create 'commercial' music he has no passion for. His time on Wallis Island and the chance to reconnect with his old partner begin to change his outlook and his sweetheart slowly starts to shine through. This arc, while hardly original, really works wonders. I also have to give kudos to 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' for not playing out exactly as I expected. In the first act, I rather arrogantly, perhaps, assumed I had the whole movie mapped out beat-for-beat, but instead, it takes a more unexpected (and very welcome) route. There's no shocking twist or anything of that nature, but the ending is a little more wistful than I anticipated. 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' is a tender comedy-drama, filled with likeable characters (even if they take a little while to warm up), beautifully understated music and a heartfelt story. Basden, Mulligan and especially Key are all fantastic, and by the end, you'll be wishing that you could take a trip to the remote (fictional) Wallis Island to nourish your soul and meet Charles. You don't need to just take my word for it that 'The Ballade of Wallis Island' is worth streaming. The movie currently holds a near-perfect 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes. This rating comes from more than 100 reviews and has earned the movie a Certified Fresh seal. 'The Ballad of Wallis Island hums along a sweet melody without lapsing into outright sentimentality, mining a great deal of warmth from its humble premise,' reads the site's 'Critics Consensus,' and viewers agree, rating it an equally impressive 93%. These scores speak to the movie's quality and how effectively it charms you. It's such a special little movie, and I'm hoping its arrival on streaming opens it up to a richly deserved wider audience. I can't wait to rewatch it on Peacock, and it's now entered my rotation of comfort movies I turn to on rainy days. If somehow all this praise hasn't convinced you to give 'The Ballad of Wallis Island' a watch (do you have a heart made of stone?), check out my full roundup of the top new movies arriving across streaming services. But if you want to save some time, just go watch this one now, it's a comfort blanket of a movie that will have you reflecting on your life and lost loves.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Global streamers fight CRTC's rule requiring them to fund Canadian content
OTTAWA — Some of the world's biggest streaming companies will argue in court on Monday that they shouldn't have to make CRTC-ordered financial contributions to Canadian content and news. The companies are fighting an order from the federal broadcast regulator that says they must pay five per cent of their annual Canadian revenues to funds devoted to producing Canadian content, including local TV news. The case, which consolidates several appeals by streamers, will be heard by the Federal Court of Appeal in Toronto. Apple, Amazon and Spotify are fighting the CRTC's 2024 order. Motion Picture Association-Canada, which represents such companies as Netflix and Paramount, is challenging a section of the CRTC's order requiring them to contribute to local news. In December, the court put a pause on the payments — estimated to be at least $1.25 million annually per company. Amazon, Apple and Spotify had argued that if they made the payments and then won the appeal and overturned the CRTC order, they wouldn't be able to recover the money. In court documents, the streamers put forward a long list of arguments on why they shouldn't have to pay, including technical points regarding the CRTC's powers under the Broadcasting Act. Spotify argued that the contribution requirement amounts to a tax, which the CRTC doesn't have the authority to impose. The music streamer also took issue with the CRTC requiring the payments without first deciding how it will define Canadian content. Amazon argued the federal cabinet specified the CRTC's requirements have to be "equitable." It said the contribution requirement is "inequitable because it applies only to foreign online undertakings and only to such undertakings with more than $25 million in annual Canadian broadcasting revenues." Apple also said the regulator "acted prematurely" and argued the CRTC didn't consider whether the order was "equitable." It pointed out Apple is required to contribute five per cent, while radio stations must only pay 0.5 per cent — and streamers don't have the same access to the funds into which they pay. The CRTC imposes different rules on Canadian content contributions from traditional media players. It requires large English-language broadcasters to contribute 30 per cent of revenues to Canadian programming. Motion Picture Association—Canada is only challenging one aspect of the CRTC's order — the part requiring companies to contribute 1.5 per cent of revenues to a fund for local news on independent TV stations. It said in court documents that none of the streamers "has any connection to news production" and argued the CRTC doesn't have the authority to require them to fund news. "What the CRTC did, erroneously, is purport to justify the … contribution simply on the basis that local news is important and local news operations provided by independent television stations are short of money," it said. "That is a reason why news should be funded by someone, but is devoid of any analysis, legal or factual, as to why it is equitable for foreign online undertakings to fund Canadian news production." In its response, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters said the CRTC has wide authority under the Broadcasting Act. It argued streamers have contributed to the funding crisis facing local news. "While the industry was once dominated by traditional television and radio services, those services are now in decline, as Canadians increasingly turn to online streaming services," the broadcasters said. "For decades, traditional broadcasting undertakings have supported the production of Canadian content through a complex array of CRTC-directed measures … By contrast, online undertakings have not been required to provide any financial support to the Canadian broadcasting system, despite operating here for well over a decade." A submission from the federal government in defence of the CRTC argued the regulator was within its rights to order the payments. "The orders challenged in these proceedings … are a valid exercise of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's regulatory powers. These orders seek to remedy the inequity that has resulted from the ascendance of online streaming giants like the Appellants," the office of the attorney general said. "Online undertakings have greatly profited from their access to Canadian audiences, without any corresponding obligation to make meaningful contributions supporting Canadian programming and creators — an obligation that has long been imposed on traditional domestic broadcasters." The government said that if the streamers get their way, that would preserve "an inequitable circumstance in which domestic broadcasters — operating in an industry under economic strain — shoulder a disproportionate regulatory burden." "This result would be plainly out of step with the policy aims of Parliament" and cabinet, it added. The court hearing comes as trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada have cast a shadow over the CRTC's attempts to regulate online streamers. The regulator launched a suite of proceedings and hearings as part of its implementation of the Online Streaming Act, legislation that in 2023 updated the Broadcasting Act to set up the CRTC to regulate streaming companies. In January, as U.S. President Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term, groups representing U.S. businesses and big tech companies warned the CRTC that its efforts to modernize Canadian content rules could worsen trade relations and lead to retaliation. Then, as the CRTC launched its hearing on modernizing the definition of Canadian content in May, Netflix, Paramount and Apple cancelled their individual appearances. While the companies didn't provide a reason, the move came shortly after Trump threatened to impose a tariff of up to 100 per cent on movies made outside the United States. Foreign streamers have long pointed to their existing spending in Canada in response to calls to bring them into the regulated system. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 8, 2025. Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data