Does Netflix have local channels? Everything you need to know about watching live TV with the service

• Streaming giants Netflix, Disney, and YouTube are reportedly preparing to challenge Fox for the future U.S. broadcasting rights to the FIFA World Cup. • The competition comes as the 2026 tournament will be hosted in North America, though subsequent events in 2030 (Morocco, Portugal, Spain) and 2034 (Saudi Arabia) will feature less favorable time zones.

• On July 9, iQIYI, a leading Chinese online entertainment platform, released its Global Trending Content report for the first half of 2026. • The platform recorded a significant 130% growth in engagement, driven by a diverse array of Asian productions from Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

• The K-drama "Agent Kim Reactivated" has reached the No. 1 spot on Netflix's Top 10 Non-English Shows chart, followed by "Teach You a Lesson." • After its June 26 release, "Agent Kim Reactivated" debuted at No. 3 and quickly climbed to the top, ranking in the Top 10 across 79 countries.

• Rakuten TV has launched 20 free ad-supported streaming channels (FAST) provided by Sony Pictures Entertainment across several European markets. • The new lineup, consisting of single-program and scripted-genre feeds, debuted this week in the U.K., Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, and the Nordics.

• Viral claims suggesting the European Union is introducing an "internet passport" to censor or control general internet access have been debunked as misleading. • The misinformation stems from a misrepresentation of a planned age-verification app developed by the European Commission.

• Rakuten TV has expanded its FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) platform by adding 20 new free streaming channels through a major deal with Sony Pictures. • Viewers across Europe can now access a wide range of hit series, including popular titles such as Seinfeld, Breaking Bad, and The Nanny.

• Major streaming releases for July include the conclusion of the "Heartstopper" series and a new album from artist Steve Lacy. • Other recommended titles selected by Associated Press journalists include "Lucky," starring Anya Taylor-Joy, and "The Hawk," featuring Will Ferrell as a retired golfer.

• Amber Davies, starring in the musical *Legally Blonde*, requested that a front-row audience member be removed from the theater for filming the performance. • The actress expressed her disapproval of recording shows, citing the disruption it causes to the live experience and the integrity of the production.

• MFE MediaForEurope, the media group controlled by the family of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, plans to launch a unified streaming platform across its European markets. • This strategic move aims to consolidate its digital presence and compete more effectively within the fragmented European streaming landscape.

• Over three dozen California state legislators sent a formal letter to Governor Gavin Newsom and state leaders warning that the film and TV tax credit program is under threat. • The legislators are urging government officials to protect the incentives that attract entertainment productions to the state.

• China is seeing a surge in the popularity of "microdramas," characterized by racy plot lines and short, 60-second episodes. • The format's massive scale is evidenced by one popular show that garnered over 4.6 billion views across its 90-episode first season.