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SAVE $31: The Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite is on sale at Amazon for $58.99, down from the normal price of $89.99. That's a 34% discount that matches the all-time low price at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Govee Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite $58.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $31.00   Get Deal

Govee has long been a standout in the world of lighting innovation. If you don't want to climb onto a wet roof during a winter rainstorm to put up the holiday lights, Govee has made several versions of outdoor permanent lights. The brand also has innovative floor lamps and envy-worthy table lamps. But if you spend time in the winter watching TV, there's a special Govee sale today that impresses.

As of Dec. 9, the Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite is on sale for $58.99 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $89.99. That saves us all $31 from a 34% discount. This sale price matches the record-low at Amazon.

The Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite is a simple installation thanks to the gravitational design of the camera. After the fish-eye camera is in place and the LED strip lights are attached to the permitter on the back, you're on your way to epic movies night, music streaming sessions, and gaming. The RGBICW will be able to display a massive range of colors to enhance your viewing experience.

Mashable tested a previous version of the Govee Backlight and noted it had "ridiculously cool and futuristic" features.

SEE ALSO: This Hisense 75-inch QD7 TV deal is its lowest-ever price at Amazon

The Govee app is an easy way to control the lights or you can use voice commands. If you're hosting holiday parties this year, the TV fireplace display with holiday music will be extra impressive this year. The Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite is also a thoughtful gift for the friend who's always binging the latest show.

The $58.99 sale price applies to the Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite for TVs that are between 55 and 65 inches. If you have a larger TV, the bundle designed for 75 to 85 inch TVs is also on a 33% discount for a total price of $73.99.

Before it's too late for delivery in time for the holiday, get the impressive and immersive Govee TV Backlight 3 Lite while it's on sale for $58.99 at Amazon. Keep in mind this lightning deal could sell quickly, so hop to it.

What's better than doomscrolling alone? Doomscrolling together.

TikTok has made that possible with a new feature where you can share a feed with someone via DMs. Wrote TikTok in a press release:

"We're also announcing Shared Feed, a new way for friends and families to watch and enjoy TikTok content together though a shared interest-based feed in direct messaging. Shared Feed can help two people stay connected by surfacing new content tailored to both of their tastes, from sports to holiday winter activities and even their favorite fashion creators.

Each day, friends and family members will find a curated selection of 15 videos in their private chat aligned with their interests. Each Shared Feed is unique to the people who join it, and videos are generated based on their TikTok activity, such as what they like, watch, and comment on."

So all you need to do is start a "shared feed" in a DM with someone, then the TikTok algorithm will feed you a daily dose of more than a dozen videos that both people should enjoy. So, say, you and a golf buddy get fed golf clips, or you and your partner get recipe ideas for meal prep.

Users can message about, comment on, and like the videos within the DM. And, should they not like the experience, users can leave the shared feed at any time.

GET UP TO A $399 VALUE FOR FREE: As of Dec. 9, all of the Solawave red light skincare devices are buy one, get one free as part of Solawave's Holiday Sale. Eligible devices range between $69 and $399, making your potential savings on the second device up to $399.

Opens in a new window Credit: Solawave Solawave Holiday Sale: All light therapy devices are BOGO free Savings range from $69 to $399 (while supplies last) Shop Now

Red light masks were one of the most-searched products on Google this year, landing them a spot on Google's Holiday 100 list. If you've already clicked on this story because you've done that exact search before, chances are that someone in your circle has been red light therapy curious, too. The two of you should take advantage of Solawave's Holiday Sale slash extended Black Friday sale, where all light therapy devices are buy one, get one free. This is only while supplies last, and inventory of some devices is already dwindling.

That's inadvertently 50% off if you split the original cost of one device with someone else. If you'd be using your second device as a gift, you still just saved yourself a ton of money. We've named red light masks as one of the best gift ideas for moms and one of the best tech gifts overall — and since they're technically free, they'd beat most of our gift ideas under $50.

SEE ALSO: 30+ trendy gifts for teen girls in 2025, according to teenage girls IRL and online

The biggest steal from the sale is clearly the Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro LED Face Mask, which retails for $399. I mean, consider the fact that other top red light masks barely went on sale for Black Friday: The Omnilux mask was only $75 off and CurrentBody mask bundles were only 10% off. My pick for the absolute best red light mask you can buy right now, the Shark CryoGlow, also went without direct discount. Sending a second $399 mask for free is quite generous of Solawave, especially if you and a loved one can split the difference and pay $200 each.

But if you're eyeing a slightly more affordable device, other popular Solawave red light devices are great options. You could get two of the viral Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand for the price of one ($169) or two of the Bye Acne Pimple Spot Treatment red and blue light device for the price of one ($69). If your under eye and crows feet areas are your major areas of concern, the Radiant Renewal Eye Recovery Pro is like a red light mask just for your eye area. Get two of those for $249 total.

SEE ALSO: https://mashable.com/review/solawave-skincare-wand

Solawave's LightBoost skincare line is also taking part in the BOGO deal, like the ultra-popular Face and Neck Rich Cream and the Wand Activating Serum.

TL;DR: Live stream Atalanta vs. Chelsea in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are a number of fascinating matchups in the latest round of Champions League fixtures, including Atalanta vs. Chelsea. These teams are tied on 10 points after five games. Everything is still very much to play for in the group stage, so we're expecting an electric display when these sides come together in Bergamo this week.

If you want to watch Atalanta vs. Chelsea in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Atalanta vs. Chelsea?

Atalanta vs. Chelsea in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Dec. 9. This fixture takes place at the New Balance Arena.

How to watch Atalanta vs. Chelsea for free

Atalanta vs. Chelsea is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Atalanta vs. Chelsea for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Atalanta vs. Chelsea for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Atalanta vs. Chelsea (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Atalanta vs. Chelsea in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2025-26 Champions League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The top club competition in the world of football has to be the Champions League. There is nothing else that brings the very best teams in the world together in a battle for footballing immortality. Sure, winning your domestic league is great. But winning the Champions League is on another level.

If you want to watch the 2025-26 Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Champions League?

The Champions League is an annual club football competition organised by UEFA and contested by top-division European clubs. This year's tournament begins with a 36-team round robin group stage to determine which sides qualify for the double-legged knockout rounds, followed by a single leg final.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the 2024-25 Europa League online for free

The defending champions are PSG.

When is the 2025-26 Champions League?

The 2025-26 Champions League is the 71st edition of the competition (and the 34th since it was renamed the Champions League). This season's tournament runs from July 8 to 30 May.

How to watch the 2025-26 Champions League for free

It is possible to live stream the 2025-26 Champions League for free on the following streaming platforms:

• Ireland — RTÉ Player and Virgin Media (select fixtures including the final)

• UK — Prime Video (select fixtures including semi finals with 30-day free trial)

These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure servers in other countries, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2025-26 Champions League by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free coverage of the Champions League

4. Visit RTÉ Player, Virgin Media, or Prime Video (free trial)

5. Watch Champions League fixtures for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the 2025-26 Champions League without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services from around the world, the fact is you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the Champions League?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Apple's AirTags might be synonymous with GPS tracking devices, but there's about to be some new competition in town.

Specifically, Motorola and the Chinese tech giant Xiaomi are said to be working on new location trackers to compete with AirTags. This information comes from a pair of different reports. For Xiaomi, all we know right now is the name "Xiaomi Tag," which comes from a Weibo post courtesy of tech leaker Repeater 002. There is, unfortunately, no other information in the post, but this would be Xiaomi's first location tracking device.

SEE ALSO: Four Apple product launches to expect in the near future

As for Motorola, that company already has something called the Moto Tag. However, Android Headlines got the first marketing image of an unannounced Moto Tag 2, with a similar circular design to the first one and two new colors: orange and beige. Android Headlines said to expect a more precise tracker, probably with better battery life than the original.

It's not yet known when either of these devices will launch, but it sure seems like they're both happening.

SAVE $30: As of Dec. 9, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is back down to its $9.99 Black Friday price when you use the coupon code HOLFTV4K at checkout. That's $30 or 75% off its list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select $9.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $30 with coupon code HOLFTV4K Get Deal

If you missed out on the best streaming device deal from Black Friday, it's back, baby.

As of Dec. 9, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is back down to just $9.99 when you use the coupon code HOLFTV4K at checkout. That's $30 or 75% off its list price. We saw this deal pop up a few times during Cyber Week and disappear just as fast, but it still managed to become one of Mashable readers' top buys on Black Friday. If there's a streaming stick on your shopping list, we suggest grabbing it ASAP as the code is fleeting.

The newest streaming stick in the Fire TV lineup and also the most affordable 4K option, the 4K Select offers vibrant 4K quality with HDR10+ support and an ultra-responsive and fast new operating system called Vega. We haven't tested it yet ourselves, but we weren't thrilled with the old operating system, so we're totally on board with the upgrade. The plug-and-play design mirrors all other Fire TV Sticks and it will instantly put all of your favorite apps in one place — with Prime Video at the forefront, of course. It offers support for Xbox Game Pass, Amazon Luna, NordVPN, and IPVanish, and Alexa+ and Amazon Kids+ are also coming soon.

It doesn't offer Dolby Atmos or Vision and it can't turn your TV into an art TV like the 4K Max, but for everyday streaming, it's a pretty hard deal to beat for 10 bucks.

SAVE $49.99: The Toniebox 2 My First Farm Bundle is on sale at Amazon for $119.99, down from the list price of $169.98. That's a 29% discount and a record-low at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Toniebox Toniebox 2 My First Farm Bundle $119.99 at Amazon
$169.98 Save $49.99   Get Deal

Searching for a great gift for a great kid in your life? The Toniebox collection has been a hit with little ones, and it's something that can kids can enjoy for years to come. If you've been struggling to find a meaningful present that won't end up in the donate pile in a few months, check out this Amazon lightning deal.

As of Dec. 9, the Toniebox 2 My First Farm Bundle is on sale at Amazon for $119.99, marked down from the standard price of $169.98. That's a new record-low price at Amazon, shaving $49.99 off the price thanks to the 29% discount. But keep in mind lightning deals can sell out in no time, so act quickly.

The Toniebox 2 makes for a wonderful gift for toddlers and kids, offering a screen-free playtime experience. Kids get to listen to stories, songs, and play games with the Toniebox characters. This bundle is designed for kids between one and nine years old, and it comes with three soft and squishable characters: a cow, horse, and a pig.

SEE ALSO: The 71 absolute best stocking stuffers for 2025

Kids place a Tonie on top of the box to take off on a playtime and learning adventure, and the brand releases new Tonie characters each month for new experiences. There's also a sleep timer with light and a sunrise alarm clock to help teach older kids about independent routines. As reassurance for parents, the Toniebox doesn't have ads.

Before this lightning deals sells out, grab the Toniebox 2 My First Farm Bundle for under $120. It's a gift kids can enjoy for years to come and it might just earn you the honor of being this holiday season's best gift-giver.

FREE $5 TIP: For a limited time, thank your Amazon delivery driver with a free $5 tip. This offer is available for the driver of your most recent delivery within 14 days.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Tip your Amazon driver   Learn More

Delivery drivers are often underappreciated for the amount of work they put in during the holiday season. That includes Amazon's staff, who often bring you all your gifts and goodies even in inclement weather overnight, and in many cases, the same day. This year, show them how grateful you are that they get the job done with a $5 tip courtesy of Amazon.

For a limited time, Amazon will send out a $5 tip as a "thank you" to your most recent delivery driver within the last 14 days. All you need to do is click a button or have your Alexa device initiate the action. It's super simple to do, and it costs nothing to you. Your delivery driver will see you appreciate their service, and you can feel good about sharing some love this holiday season.

SEE ALSO: The 11-inch Apple iPad Air (M3, 128GB, WiFi) has dropped below $500 at Amazon

To send a $5 tip, go to this page and click the "Thank my driver" button. Or, use any Alexa-enabled device to say "Alexa, thank my driver," and you can complete the action there.

While you can't send multiple tips per order and you're limited to one per delivery driver, this is a small but very simple way to be kind to your fellow humans without it costing you a dime. The next time you need something from Amazon fast, it can at least help you remember the humans working behind the scenes to make the season (and the rest of the year) bright.

Pornhub's annual Year in Review — aka its trends roundup — is here, and it's especially interesting in a year of censorship of both pornographic and LGBTQ content.

LGBTQ content is thriving on Pornhub

"Lesbian" was the most-viewed video category on Pornhub in 2025, which isn't too surprising, as viewers, especially women, often search for lesbian porn. Terms like "lesbian scissoring," "lesbian MILF," and "lesbian strapon" grew considerably in 2025.

But LGBTQ content across the board grew on Pornhub this year, too. The "transgender" video category was the second-most viewed, up five spots from last year. "Queer" searches increased 132 percent, "bisexual" 88 percent, and "trans threesome" 67 percent.

This spike is notable, considering the actions the Trump administration has taken against LGBTQ (especially trans) rights this year. Shortly after Trump's inauguration in January, the White House deleted LGBTQ pages on its website, while the Stonewall Monument site erased "transgender" and "queer." A Trump executive order declared to "restore biological truth" to the federal government. Some tech giants were noticeably quiet during Pride Month this year, signaling their compliance with the current administration's views on LGBTQ people.

SEE ALSO: Pornhub asked tech platforms to enable device-level age verification

Yet, LGBTQ videos are booming on Pornhub.

"What's happening in 2025 is more than just an increase in views; it's a cultural shift," said trans Pornhub brand ambassador, Natassia Dreams, in a blog post shared with Mashable. "This growth shows trans creators are finally being seen and celebrated on our own terms. Audiences and the industry are evolving together."

Considering the popularity of transgender content among boomers in Pornhub's 2023 Year in Review, there might be something about the increased "taboo" of such topics.

The term "femboy" (describing a feminine man) was also searched more often on the straight side of Pornhub this year, too. It reached the top 10 of the most searched-for terms in 2025 worldwide. Meanwhile, it's number one on Pornhub Gay, up three spots from last year.

U.S. still dominates in traffic

Despite Pornhub being blocked in nearly half of U.S. states (due to age-verification laws, which require inputting personal data to access explicit sites), the United States has far and away the top source of traffic to the tube site.

Credit: Pornhub

And while Pornhub is now blocked in France, it's still in the top 10 countries by traffic even with it being accessible only part of 2025.

Pornhub's most-searched terms of 2025

Like last year, "hentai" (anime porn) is the most-searched term globally, followed by "MILF," "pinay" (a woman of Filipino descent), "lesbian," and "anal," rounding out the top five. None of these terms changed positions from 2024.

Top Pornhub trends of 2025

1. "Diverse desires" — aka the LGBTQ content discussed above.

2. MILFs: In addition to MILF being the second most-searched term globally, "mature" was the fifth most-viewed category and third among men. "GILF" searches increased 129 percent this year, while terms "cougar" grew 83 percent and "50 plus" grew 105 percent.

3. Roleplay fantasies increased in 2025 as well. The "role play" category as a whole rose by 98 percent, and searches for everyday jobs also increased, such as for "driver" (144 percent), "plumber" (67 percent), and "chef" (39 percent).

4. Cheating and affair videos were of interest this year, as searches for "cheating" grew 94 percent and "cuckold" up 73 percent. Another adult site, Clips4Sale, named the latter one of the fastest-growing fetishes of the year, so clearly there's something there. And the Coldplay Kiss Cam fiasco might have contributed to a 210 percent spike in "office affair" searches and a 388 percent increase for "CEO."

5. Femboys are gaining traction on Pornhub's main website.

6. "SFW" content is, somehow, increasing on the very much NSFW Pornhub. "SFW ASMR" is up 56 percent, for example. Meanwhile, the "podcast" category has soared 327 percent, "gaming" by 283 percent, and "music" by 62 percent.

You can peruse Pornhub's Year in Review in full on its insights blog.

Waymo is issuing a software recall for its robotaxis following reports of the autonomous cars illegally passing school buses in Austin.

This is not going to be one of those recalls in which the vehicles are actually pulled from the road. Instead, Waymo will simply update its ride-hailing cars' software.

The recall comes following a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation into at least 19 security incidents in which Waymo robotaxis have illegally passed school buses in the Texas capital. The NHTSA kicked off the probe after receiving a video of a Waymo car passing a school bus with an extended stop sign and flashing lights on.

SEE ALSO: Feds investigate Waymo robotaxis for reportedly passing school buses in Austin

Waymo initially said it had released a software fix on Nov. 17, though there were reports of incidents after that date. It's unclear whether the new fix is different from the old one.

Following the incidents, Austin Independent School District requested that Waymo should temporarily stop operating in Austin when children are loading and unloading on school buses until it can guarantee their safety. Waymo hasn't indicated it plans to comply with that request.

Featured Video For You I took a ride in a robotaxi: How close are we to a driverless future?

Waymo currently operates in San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin, and plans to expand to a number of new U.S. cities soon, including Miami, Washington D.C., Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando, as well as international cities like London.

While chastity reigned as 2025's fetish of the year, the explicit site Clips4Sale has a new frontrunner — and it's practically the opposite: gooning. It's the act of edging for hours or even days while watching porn, so much so that participants enter a hypnotic state (aptly called the "goon state").

Sales of gooning videos have spiked 151 percent since November 2023 on Clips4Sale, according to a blog post shared with Mashable — and 49 percent in the past six months alone. It's the fastest-growing fetish on the site.

SEE ALSO: 10 fastest-growing fetishes of 2025 so far Credit: Clips4Sale

The phenomenon has entered our cultural lexicon in recent years, as seen by a similar trajectory on Google Search. "Gooning" accounted for nearly one million searches in the past month, and since 2023, it has soared in search rankings.

Credit: Glimpse / Google Trends

"Gooning isn't JUST about masturbation! It involves overstimulation of the senses, bright color, exposure to stimuli (porn) at an excessive amount and exaggeration in visuals, demands, etc," performer Master Celestress, who's been creating gooning content since 2019, stated in a press release shared with Mashable.

"There's a psychological aspect to gooning that I feel is overlooked. It became a buzzword where jerking off equals gooning and nope, it's not!" she continued. "Gooning is more of a state of mind than anything else!"

The rise of gooning has occurred at the same time as an increased scrutiny of the porn industry and online speech. Age-verification laws, which typically require personal data like a government ID or a facial scan to view such content, have been enacted in half of U.S. states and other countries like the UK and France. And in the U.S., several bills have been introduced this year to ban porn (though none have been passed). Despite widespread disapproval of porn, gooning — which takes porn viewing and masturbation to another level — has prevailed.

"Gooning is the perfect fetish for our sex-and-tech obsessed culture," Clips4Sale spokesperson Avery Martin said in the press release. "It's an embrace of radical pleasure at a time of reactionary sexual politics. In the midst of moral panics about porn and technology, gooners have reclaimed both to turn the narrative on its head, embracing an almost religious pursuit of pleasure. In the past year, creators have seized on the moment and are creating incredible, and incredibly creative, content to feed this large and voracious audience."

Meanwhile, giantess, which was Clips4Sale's 2024 fetish of the year, was the most searched for fetish in the U.S. in 2025. Wrestling, tickling, vore, and ballbusting followed it in the top five.

TL;DR: Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Sporting in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are a number of really interesting matchups in the latest round of Champions League fixtures, including Bayern Munich vs. Sporting. Only separated by two points, this is a difficult game to predict. Sure, the German champions are favorites. But Sporting possess the quality to give Vincent Kompany's side some problems.

If you want to watch Bayern Munich vs. Sporting in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Bayern Munich vs. Sporting?

Bayern Munich vs. Sporting in the Champions League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. GMT on Dec. 9. This fixture takes place at the Allianz Arena.

How to watch Bayern Munich vs. Sporting for free

Bayern Munich vs. Sporting is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Sporting for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch Bayern Munich vs. Sporting for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Bayern Munich vs. Sporting (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Bayern Munich vs. Sporting in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

If you've noticed Jon Hamm perpetually blissing out on a blue-hued dancefloor on your FYP, join the club.

The latest TikTok meme is seeing quietly victorious creators stitching a scene featuring the actor's performance in Apple TV series Your Friends and Neighbors, a series released back in April this year.

SEE ALSO: Ariana Grande's viral 6-7 moment in her Adam Sandler conversation shows, yes, she's online

Creators are using the stitch to describe the sudden euphoria that comes with specifically glorious situations, such as "when you're petting a dog and someone says 'wow he usually doesn't like anyone!'" or when someone says "hey let's watch Lord of the Rings, I've never seen it," or the absolutely unrivalled "hey can I be mean for a second?" The stitch has evolved into reactions of cats being happily scritched, with Hamm's vibing demeanour matching that of a well-patted feline.

And they're all set to Danish DJ Kato's 2010 track "Turn The Lights Off" feat. Jon, making for one niche online coalescence of ecstasy — and one that joins the ranks of TikTok forever changing music discovery for older tracks.

The spliced scene, from Your Friends and Neighbors Season 1, episode 8, titled "When Did We Become These People?" captures not euphoria per se, but a pure moment of unbridled escapism in Hamm's character, Andrew Cooper, a disgraced, desperate financier who begins stealing from his neighbours. In the scene, Coop has hit a bit of a rock bottom and counters it with a night out, eventually finding himself on a dancefloor in a trance to Joseph William Morgan's "Sentient System" (the TikTok memes don't use this song).

Essentially, this TikTok meme isn't that deep, it's just vibes. Like those cockatiels a while back.

Featured Video For You How TikTok is Changing the Music Industry

HBO MAX BUNDLES: HBO Max is offering a few different bundle deals so you can stream from its library without making a massive dent in your wallet.

The best HBO Max deals and bundles in December 2025: Best Disney+ Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Hulu Bundle Deal Hulu and HBO Max Bundle Add HBO Max to your Hulu base plan from $9.99/month Get Deal Best Student Deal HBO Max Student Save 50% on HBO Max Basic With Ads Get Deal

It's happened: Max has rebranded back to its old name of HBO Max. Forget the name change, though, because the service still has plenty of exciting films and shows to watch. From IT: Welcome to Derry, to Materialists, to the upcoming Game of Thrones series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, there's plenty to keep you busy over the winter months.

The good news is that HBO Max has a couple of different bundles available at the moment that are worth checking out, including a big bundle with Disney+ and Hulu. With streaming prices on the rise, a bundle like this can be a great way to save some cash while getting access to your favorite services.

SEE ALSO: Netflix to buy Warner Bros.: 5 properties Netflix would own under deal

Alongside bundles, we've also broken down HBO Max's standard plans in case you're just interested in its service on its own.

Best Disney+ bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like it

The HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu bundle is a top-tier choice for those looking to have access to some of the biggest streaming services around. Starting at $19.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max's streaming services for a much lower price than what you'd pay for them on their own. If you've already got Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, this bundle is worth every cent. If you're interested, there are two plan options to choose from:

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (with ads) — $19.99 per month (save 42%)

• Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (no ads) — $32.99 per month (save 41%)

Best Hulu bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu and HBO Max Bundle Add HBO Max to your Hulu base plan from $9.99/month Get Deal Why we like it

If you're not interested in the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max mega bundle, you can just get Hulu and HBO Max together if you already have a Hulu base plan, which starts at $11.99 per month. HBO Max Basic with Ads can be added onto your plan for $9.99 per month, or you can splash out on the HBO Max Standard plan for $16.99 per month.

• Hulu with HBO Max add-on — from $9.99 per month

Best student deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Student Discount Students save 50% on HBO Max Basic With Ads Get Deal Why we like it

It's always nice when streaming services have a deal for students, and HBO Max's offer is definitely worth taking advantage of. Students who can verify their status with UNiDAYS are eligible to get the HBO Max Basic With Ads plan for just $5.49 per month. That's a 50% discount off its $10.99 monthly price. After verifying your status, you'll receive a unique code that can be used to redeem the discounted plan on HBO Max.

• HBO Max Student Discount — $5.49 per month (save 50%)

HBO Max's monthly plans

HBO Max offers a few different subscription plans. If you don't mind having to sit through ads, HBO Max's Basic With Ads plan starts at $10.99 per month or the annual plan runs for $109.99 per year. If you can't stand ads and don't mind throwing down a bit more cash, the Standard plan will cost you $18.49 per month or $184.99 per year. If you really want to go big on an HBO Max plan, you can spring for the fancy Premium plan, which costs $22.99 per month or $229.99 per year.

Below we've broken down what comes with each of these plans, per HBO Max's website, so you can know a bit more before you buy.

Basic With Ads — $10.99 per month, $109.99 per year

• Stream on two devices at once

• Full HD 1080p resolution

Standard (Ad-free) — $18.49 per month, $184.99 per year

• Stream on two devices at once

• Full HD 1080p resolution

• 30 downloads to watch on the go

Premium (Ad-free) — $22.99 per month, $229.99 per year

• Stream on four devices at once

• 4K Ultra HD video quality (as available)

• Dolby Atmos immersive audio (as available)

• 100 downloads to watch on the go

If you're wondering where to start once you've set yourself up with a HBO Max subscription, we've got an excellent selection of recommendations to point you in the right direction. Looking for a great TV show to kickstart your next binge-watching session? Have a look through our roundup of the 20 best TV shows streaming on HBO Max. Or if you prefer movies, we narrowed down the 25 best movies on HBO Max to make your next movie night a spectacular one.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a colorful person.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for December 9, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: To take into account

• Green: Patterned coats

• Blue: Multicolored

• Purple: Counting

Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Bear in mind

• Green: Striped animals

• Blue: Associated with rainbows

• Purple: Beginning with number homophones

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #912 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Bear in mind: CONSIDER, COUNT, FACTOR, INCLUDE

• Striped animals: CLOWNFISH, HONEYBEE, TIGER, ZEBRA

• Associated with rainbows: DOROTHY GALE, LEPRECHAUN, PRIDE, UNICORN

• Beginning with number homophones: FIEVEL, FOREHEAD, TOUCAN, WONDER

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 9, 2025

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're an NBA fan.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 9, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 9, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: On the court

The words are related to sports.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a popular American sport.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Basketball.

NYT Strands word list for December 9

• Rebound

• Block

• Basketball

• Jump

• Dunk

• Screen

• Guard

• Dribble

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're not always nice.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 9, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for December 9, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Malicious.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SNIDe

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 9, 2025

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

SAVE $11.04: Pokémon TCG's League Battle Deck - Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex is currently $27.24 on TCGPlayer right now, that's $11.04 less than Amazon's $38.98. This includes everything you need to battle.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company League Battle Deck - Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex $7.24 at TCGPlayer
Possible $60 Gift Card if you qualify on Amazon. TCGPlayer is cheapest otherwise. Get Deal

"Why is he sharing a premade Pokémon TCG deck as a deal?" Well, usually i'd be with you, but this is such a great gift for someone looking to get into playing the game with family and friends. You can literally rip this box open, have a 60-card deck ready to go with cool card without thinking about building a deck or finding something to replace a legal coin, damage counters and to learn the table layout while playing.

This is an entry-level product to the hobby that walks would-be trainers through the door and makes for something different to do this holiday. Breaking this deck down, Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex 081/182 is worth $1.50 each, with Team Rocket's Crobat ex 122/182 is $1.20 and the Ace Spec Scramble Switch is worth a mighty 25c. Those "chase cards" rack up to $6.15.

This sounds like a hard sell, but for an extra $21.09 you're getting the bulk to make up the rest of the deck, 6 damage counter dice, two condition markers, deck box, tournament legal coin and a strategy sheet. If you have a load of Destined Rivals bulk knocking around you could probably make a similar deck for free and have at it. But this target audience is coming in fresh with zero idea of how to play. For these people it's a great product.

The best chase cards you can pull from Destined Rivals Credit: Mashable Photo Composite / The Pokémon Company

If you fancy upgrading this deck down the line or getting some higher end cards for your collection, Destined Rivals is a great place to start. The artwork in this set is some of the best i've seen in Pokémon TCG, and there's Secret Art Rare versions of the Crobat and Mewtwo ex found in this League Battle Deck. Here's up-to-date market values per TCGplayer alongside links so you can catch your own:

1. Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 231/182
   Near Mint Holofoil: $445
   Market price: $443.48
   Most recent sale: $477.98

2. Cynthia's Garchomp ex - 232/182
   Near Mint Holofoil: $226.98
   Market price: $232.82
   Most recent sale: $225.98

3. Ethan's Ho-Oh ex - 230/182
   Near Mint Holofoil: $174.90
   Market price: $175.27
   Most recent sale: $175

4. Team Rocket's Moltres ex - 229/182
   Near Mint Holofoil: $120.02
   Market price: $126.13
   Most recent sale: $123.95

5. Team Rocket's Crobat ex - 234/182
   Near Mint Holofoil: $69.02
   Market price: $72.23
   Most recent sale: $68.79

Donald Trump grabbed as many press opportunities as he could to criticise Jimmy Kimmel in the run-up to hosting the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, calling the late night show host and longtime critic of the president "terrible" and saying, "If I can't beat out Jimmy Kimmel in terms of talent, then I don't think I should be president."

Fellow late show host Stephen Colbert's response? "You can't and you shouldn't."

In The Late Show clip above, Colbert explains his confusion over Trump talking so much about Kimmel, given that Kimmel hasn't actually hosted the event.

"I called him and Jimmy Kimmel has never hosted the Kennedy Center Honors," says Colbert. "But here's the thing: I did, the three years leading up to Trump becoming president."

Meanwhile, here's what Kimmel himself said in response to Trump.