As part of his Screentime show, Stephen ‘Steps’ Lowe, brings you a number of fresh looks at upcoming releases.
Stranger Things wins big
We’ve just reviewed it but here we are again, Netflix’s Stranger Things 5 has wrapped its final season with record viewership, hitting No. 1 on Netflix’s Top 10 and becoming one of the platform’s most-watched English TV shows ever. The finale drew 31.3 million views, and the season now ranks in the Most Popular English TV list with over 105 million total views, proving the series still has massive pull heading into 2026.
The final chapter of the beloved sci-fi saga kept fans glued to their screens over the New Year, underscoring Netflix’s strength in tentpole originals as streaming competition heats up. Stranger Things continues to be a defining streaming event, showcasing how big-budget genre storytelling can drive engagement across global audiences.
Peacock updates
Peacock has announced major upgrades to its streaming platform, becoming the first service to support Dolby Vision 2 HDR and next-generation Dolby AC-4 Audio with Atmos. This will enhance both live and on-demand viewing with richer visuals and customizable sound, including improvements for major events like the Winter Olympics and NFL seasons.
The tech rollout marks a big step in how streaming services differentiate themselves on quality, giving viewers more control over audio and video experiences. Industry watchers see this move as part of a wider push toward immersive, premium streaming, especially for sports and high-impact content, that could set new expectations for competitors.
Bond is back
In a surprise licensing move, all 26 James Bond films will be available to stream on Netflix starting 15 January 2026, even though the franchise is owned by Amazon’s MGM Studios. The collection includes classic entries and the unique Never Say Never Again, broadening audience access ahead of the next Bond theatrical release.
This temporary addition is seen as a win for subscribers eager to revisit iconic 007 moments and catch up on the franchise in one place.
With streaming licences becoming more fluid, the Bond migration highlights how legacy film libraries are being used strategically to drive viewership across platforms.
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