Another Cable TV Channel is Shutting Down, Walmart Launches a Powerful New Tablet, & More - The Top Cord Cutting Stories From The Past Week

Key Points:

• Canadian broadcaster CBC will shut down its traditional Documentary Channel by August 31, 2026, replacing it with a free ad-supported streaming channel focused on documentaries to expand Canadian content and accessibility via on-demand viewing.
• Walmart has introduced two new ONN Android tablets, an 8.1-inch Core model priced around $138 and a 13-inch Pro model at approximately $288, offering premium features at affordable prices aimed at enhancing streaming and media consumption for cord cutters.
• Paramount has quietly discontinued the standalone Showtime website, redirecting users to the Paramount+ platform as part of a consolidation strategy to centralize streaming content and reduce costs amid declining linear cable revenues.
• Pluto TV has tightened access on its free ad-supported service by requiring users to create free accounts for full features such as synced favorites and resume playback, supporting improved ad targeting and personalization in the competitive FAST streaming market.
• These developments highlight ongoing industry shifts toward streaming-first models, affordable consumer devices, and platform consolidation, reflecting broadcasters’ and media companies’ efforts to adapt to changing viewer habits and economic pressures in the cord cutting era.