In the past year, several programmers have launched new vertical video features on their DTC streaming apps, all offering sports highlights and altcasts. ESPN, Fox One and Peacock all now serve users curated playlists of vertical sports content. ESPN is even leveraging AI to generate a bite-sized version of "SportsCenter" personalized to each user. Distributors are paying attention to this trend too, including Fubo, which is set to launch AI-generated vertical video on its mobile app soon.

CFX Download dives into all the latest developments. We even took a few of these vertical features for a spin and discussed our experiences so far!

It's a huge month for industry mergers! The Nexstar-Tegna deal closed, while Charter-Cox cleared another regulatory hurdle. Plus, GFiber and Astound Broadband delivered another big surprise when the companies announced they planned to combine. CFX Download breaks down the latest updates, what they mean for the TMT landscape and what's next for all of the companies involved.

CFX Download sits down with CableLabs EVP/CTO Mark Bridges to talk about the research firm's new QbD partnership with Zoom, what to expect from this year's Tech Summit and interop events and what's next in broadband innovation.

For our latest episode, CFX Download invited former FCC Commissioner and new Media Institute President/CEO Michael O'Rielly to talk about his recent CFX column on why some political leaders are wrong about communications services being unaffordable. O'Rielly also gives his thoughts on the Lifeline program, broadband labels and takes us behind the scenes of his first month leading the Media Institute.

Make sure to also read O'Rielly's column here: https://www.cablefax.com/distribution/communications-unaffordability-a-false-narrative

Charter's video sub gains in 4Q25 could suggest that Spectrum TV customers are embracing the operator's efforts to create a video experience that seamlessly combines live TV with streaming programming. In the latest episode of CFX Download, we discuss the Seamless Entertainment experience and how it ticks boxes for customers who are growing exhausted with an increasingly fragmented ecosystem.

CFX Download is back and kicking off the year by predicting the major stories and twists that could shake up the industry in 2026. We of course talk about Warner Bros. Discovery, media ownership, Verizon-Frontier and Charter-Cox, but also throw out our wildest predictions, including one from Editor Noah Ziegler that would be the regulation shocker of the year if it were to happen. Tune in and place your bets! (Not actual gambling advice.)