Brendan Carr is a dummy
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- Brendan Carr's testimony before Congress has rekindled debates around internet regulation and broadcasting speech, highlighting a significant shift in the Republican stance on these issues.
- Netflix and YouTube are evolving in ways that align their platforms more closely, suggesting the emergence of a new competition in the streaming landscape.
- The latest update to the Go90 Scale shows that streaming services are increasingly being stratified as winners and losers, with clear distinctions between the leaders and those struggling to survive.
- AI technology is set to reshape software interaction and UX, with businesses exploring new ways to integrate AI into their platforms to enhance user engagement.
- The idea of the metaverse as a future tech frontier is losing traction, prompting tech companies to reconsider their investments and strategies surrounding virtual reality.
Summary
Brendan Carr's Testimony and Its Fallout
The episode kicks off with hosts Nilay and David discussing FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's recent testimony before Congress, where he made a series of contentious statements regarding internet broadcasting and censorship. They critique Carr's views and highlight how his stance marks a significant shift in Republican policy-making, particularly in relation to regulating speech on broadcast media.
The Streaming Wars: Netflix and YouTube
The hosts delve into the ongoing evolution of streaming services, particularly how Netflix and YouTube are increasingly mirroring each other. They discuss how both platforms are adapting their strategies to capture audience engagement and stay relevant amidst changing content consumption habits.
Go90 Scale of Doomed Streaming Services
As part of the episode, the hosts update the Go90 Scale of Doomed Streaming Services, assessing the current landscape of streaming platforms. They rank several services, including HBO Max, Peacock, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video, based on their viability and potential for future growth.
AI and the Future of Software
The discussion transitions to the implications of AI in software development, particularly focusing on the recent introduction of new AI features in various platforms. The hosts contemplate the potential for AI to enhance user experience and operate more seamlessly across different devices.
The Metaverse and Current Tech Trends
The episode concludes with reflections on the metaverse's decline as a viable business strategy for companies like Meta. The hosts discuss how the enthusiasm for virtual reality has waned and ponder what this means for the future of tech investments in that area.
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Show notes
Åhead of our last Friday episode of 2025, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr did The Vergecast an enormous favor: he went in front of Congress and said a bunch of wild things about regulation. So, of course, Nilay and David have to talk about them. For a really long time. After that, the hosts look at all the ways YouTube and Netflix are becoming more like one another, and then update the Go90 Scale of Doomed Streaming Services to round out the year. Finally, in the lightning round, there's talk of web apps, EVs, Bluesky, and the metaverse.
Further reading:
The Vergecast live at CES
Brendan Carr doesn’t regret his threats to broadcasters
Former FCC Chairman Michael Powell: ‘Cable companies are at the mercy of content companies’
The Oscars will stream on YouTube in 2029
Netflix’s next big TV game is FIFA soccer
My Favorite Murder and The Breakfast Club podcasts are ditching YouTube for Netflix
Warner Bros. wants its shareholders to reject Paramount’s latest offer
Netflix is “100% committed” to releasing WB films in theaters.
Even Jared Kushner thinks the Paramount WB bid sucks.
Peacock will bombard you with ads as soon as you open the app
HBO Max’s new channels keep Friends and Game of Thrones playing 24/7
Instagram is putting Reels on your TV
LG forced a Copilot web app onto its TVs but will let you delete it
Mercedes-Benz discontinues feature that syncs music to driving
Ford’s big bet on EVs didn’t pan out — now it’s pivoting to hybrids and energy storage
Bluesky claims its new contact import feature is ‘privacy-first’
Gemini 3 Flash is here, bringing a ‘huge’ upgrade to the Gemini app
The ChatGPT app store is here
Alexa Plus’ website is live for some users
Meta pauses third-party Horizon VR headsets program
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