News Mash-up: Popular Entertainment

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Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. simultaneous / ˌsaɪ məlˈteɪ ni əs / (adj.) – happening or existing at the same time
    Example:

    The opening ceremony will have two simultaneous events: the red carpet show and the opening performance.


  2. stream / strim / (n.) – a continuous delivery of internet data, such as audio and video
    Example:

    The stream I’m watching on YouTube keeps stopping because of my poor internet connection.


  3. take effect / teɪk ɪˈfɛkt / (idiom) – to start to happen or apply
    Example:

    The curfew law will take effect tomorrow.


  4. debut / deɪˈbyu / (v.) – to make a public appearance for the first time
    Example:

    The agency’s newest band is set to debut next month.


  5. consideration / kənˌsɪd əˈreɪ ʃən / (n.) – careful discussion or thought about something
    Example:

    After careful consideration, Amy decided to quit her job and move abroad.


Article

Read the text below.

Netflix raises subscription fees in US, Canada


Netflix Inc. has raised its monthly subscription price by $1 to $2 (¥114 to ¥228) per month in the United States depending on the plan, the company said on Jan. 14, to help pay for new programming to compete in the crowded streaming TV market.


The standard plan, which allows for two simultaneous streams, now costs $15.49 (¥1,779) per month, up from $13.99 (¥1,607), in the United States.


Prices also went up in Canada, where the standard plan rose to 16.49 Canadian dollars (¥1,514) from 14.99 Canadian dollars (¥1,376).


The price increases, the first in those markets since October 2020, took effect immediately for new customers. (Reuters)


Next two Mission: Impossible movies delayed until 2023, 2024


The seventh and eighth movies in the Mission: Impossible franchise, starring Tom Cruise, have been delayed until 2023 and 2024 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, producers Paramount Pictures and Skydance said in a statement.


Mission: Impossible 7 had been scheduled to debut in movie theaters in September 2022, followed by Mission: Impossible 8 in July 2023.


The new dates for the films are July 14, 2023, for the seventh installment, and June 28, 2024, for the eighth movie in the series.


“After thoughtful consideration, Paramount Pictures and Skydance have decided to postpone the release dates for Mission: Impossible 7 & 8 in response to delays due to the ongoing pandemic,” the companies said in a statement. (Reuters)


These articles were provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Netflix Inc. has raised its monthly subscription price in the US to help pay for new programming to compete in the crowded streaming TV market. Do you think this is a good move? How do you think this move will affect Netflix’s customer base (ex. existing users will cancel their subscription, more people will subscribe to Netflix)? Why? Discuss.
  • Are you the type to spend a lot of money on entertainment? Why do you think some people are willing to pay a lot for it? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The release of Mission: Impossible 7 & 8 has been postponed due to the ongoing pandemic. Given the delays, do you think it’s a good idea to release the movies in theaters, or would it be better to release them via streaming sites? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, is having too many movies in a franchise a good idea? If you were the creator of the Mission: Impossible franchise, would you have pursued the seventh and eighth movies? Why or why not? Discuss.