News

New budget subscription plan to rival major streaming network

Published

5 years ago

June 4, 2021

Paramount Plus is set to introduce a new budget plan that will be half the price of its more premium plan.

It’s ad-supported plan will cost just $5 dollars per month in the U.S and be called the ‘essential plan’, available on June 7th.

Forking out $10 for the commercial-free plan includes both local and national news coverage with CBSN and CBS live, whereas the new essential plan only includes national news.

This new tier will replace an older $6 option that was carried over when the service rebranded from CBS All Access.

Both plans include access, to tens of thousands of TV episodes and movies, but premium tier subscribers will only see ads on live TV programming and a handful of series.

Streaming wars: Latest streaming service to go down under

The latest major network to take on Netflix will soon expand to Australasia.

ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand announced its digital streaming network Paramount+ will launch in Australia this year.

When Paramount+ comes to Australia in august this year, it will be replacing Network 10’s existing subscription offering with ViacomCBS confirming that 10 All Access will rebrand in August upon Paramount+ launch.

It’s a bid to take on global giants Netflix and Stan, that dominate the Australian market.

Its global video subscription service will feature locally produced content as well as major shows and movies from Paramount pictures.

Two years ago the ViacomCBS merger joined the power of Paramount Pictures and the TV talents of CBS, creating a single media powerhouse.

Paramount Plus is already available in the US, Canada, Latin America and Nordic countries.

Beverley McGarvey, Chief Content Officer & Executive Vice President, ViacomCBS Australia & New Zealand, said the company is “poised to become as powerful a player in streaming as we are in television.”

“By leveraging the iconic Paramount brand, leading edge infrastructure, along with an incredible super-sized pipeline of must-see content, Paramount+ will deliver an exceptional consumer entertainment experience,” she said.

The service will be priced at $8.99 per month and subscribers will have access to more than 20,000 episodes and blockbuster movies throughout the year. This is cheaper than basic subscriptions in Australia for Netflix ($10.99), Stan ($10), Disney+ ($11.99) and Foxtel Now ($25).

Related Topics:Netflix paramount paramount plus streaming streaming wars

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Trump escalates pressure on the Federal Reserve with Powell probe

Trump administration investigates Fed Chair Powell, raising concerns over political pressure on monetary policy and economic stability.

Published

19 hours ago

January 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump administration investigates Fed Chair Powell, raising concerns over political pressure on monetary policy and economic stability.

The Trump administration has launched a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, dramatically escalating tensions between the White House and the central bank.

The probe centres on Powell’s testimony over a controversial renovation of the Federal Reserve’s headquarters, raising alarm over whether political pressure is being applied to monetary policy decisions.

The move has sparked fierce debate in Washington, with critics warning it could undermine investor confidence and destabilise economic expectations.

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#FederalReserve #JeromePowell #DonaldTrump #USPolitics #MonetaryPolicy #Markets #Inflation #TickerNews

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Iran at a crossroads as White House weighs nuclear talks and military action

White House considers Iranian nuclear talks proposal amid rising tensions, balancing military options with diplomacy.

Published

19 hours ago

January 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

White House considers Iranian nuclear talks proposal amid rising tensions, balancing military options with diplomacy.

The White House is considering an Iranian proposal to restart nuclear talks, opening the door to a possible diplomatic breakthrough after months of rising tension. The move signals that negotiations may still be on the table, even as uncertainty dominates Washington’s next steps.

President Trump has indicated talks could be on the horizon, but he is also openly weighing strong military options. That dual-track approach highlights the high stakes of the moment and the pressure on US leadership to balance deterrence with dialogue.

Trump is expected to meet with senior aides to discuss strategy and decide the best course of action on Iran, as global markets and allies closely watch every signal coming from the administration.

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News

Sendle shuts down, small businesses left scrambling

Sendle’s sudden closure leaves small businesses reeling as they scramble for shipping solutions

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

Ahron Young

Sendle’s sudden closure leaves small businesses reeling as they scramble for shipping solutions

In Short:
– Sendle has unexpectedly ceased operations, leaving small businesses without courier services and cancelled pickups.
– Customers are frustrated and searching for alternatives, while competitor firms are reaching out to fill the gap.

Aussie courier service Sendle has ceased operations unexpectedly, affecting many small businesses that relied on its services. Announced via email on January 11, the company warned customers that existing parcels would be delivered at the “discretion of the delivery partner.”

Additionally, all scheduled pickups from January 12 were cancelled.

Customers have been left confused and frustrated, lacking guidance on how to fulfill orders.

Sendle expressed regret for the disruption but did not provide a detailed explanation for the closure. A banner on their website confirmed the halt in services, with social media accounts disabled and customer inquiries no longer being monitored.

The shutdown comes as Sendle had recently merged with US logistics firms to create FAST Group, but that merger has now reportedly unraveled due to financial issues.

Small business owners, many of whom had turned to Sendle for better pricing compared to competitors like Australia Post, are now scrambling to find alternative delivery options.

Unexpected Closure

Many business owners shared their experiences on social media, highlighting the immediate need to find new courier services. One owner reported significant losses and mentioned having to repackage orders that were scheduled for shipment.

The collapse of Sendle has raised concerns about job losses, though the company has not disclosed the number of affected employees.

Competitors have begun reaching out to small businesses in response to the demand created by Sendle’s sudden exit from the market.

Aramex Australia says it “is aware that Sendle has halted all bookings for parcel pick-ups and deliveries in Australia with immediate effect. Aramex recognises that this development may create uncertainty for businesses that rely on Sendle to ship their goods.”

“While Aramex cannot comment on the specific circumstances surrounding Sendle’s operations, we are ready to support e-comm and B2B businesses that are seeking an alternative courier partner moving forward. Aramex has the infrastructure, global network, national coverage and local franchise expertise in place to assist customers who need ongoing delivery services without disruption. Our priority is providing certainty, reliability and continuity of service for Australian businesses.”

“Sendle is a tech platform that has enabled business customers to book courier services. Aramex has a long history of delivering for Sendle customers. Aramex operations continue as normal, providing reliable courier services to our customers.”