Mashable

So, you want to explore kink but you're not sure where to begin. Finding a dating app that's kink-friendly and full of likeminded kinksters is hugely important, and regular dating apps might not cut it on that front. So, how do you find your people?

Perhaps you have a foot fetish, or you're into spanking or BDSM. Maybe you have no idea what you might be into but want to find a safe, non-judgmental space to explore your options and go on a journey of sexual self-discovery. 

Well, we've got good news for you: thanks to the magic of the internet, there are at least two places purpose-built for you to let your freak flag fly: AdultFriendFinder and FetLife. Spend even a few minutes on either site and you'll see they have a lot in common, from the abundance of nudity to the kink-friendly design of the interface and search functions. 

Another major point of commonality between the two sites is the user demographics. Though both skew male, the major standout difference is age — the average user on FetLife in 25 and AdultFriendFinder users tend to be in their 30s. That having been said, both sites boast a very wide range of genders, sexual orientations, ages, and kink communities, so it's safe to say there's something for everyone here. 

But while both sites are designed to accommodate sex-positive communities, they don't operate in the same way, and you may find one suits your needs and goals better than the other. Here are the major differences in how AFF and FetLife cater to kinksters:

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Opens in a new window Credit: FetLife FetLife   Learn More Where AdultFriendFinder excelsFaster connections

FetLife is great and very popular, but it also takes time to build a following, earn credibility, and be taken seriously on the site. In fact, while you can message strangers, the culture of the site discourages it, and it's common for unsolicited messages to go ignored. On AdultFriendFinder, on the other hand, the opposite rule reigns. In fact, it's much more like a traditional dating site, in the sense that connecting with strangers online is closer to the site's purpose, whereas FetLife is more of a social media website for building local kink communities. 

And in addition to the one-on-one aspect, AdultFriendFinder also hosts live webcam shows and community discussion forums, offering users multiple different ways to connect and connect quickly.  

Better site interface

This one might be controversial, since the AFF site is notoriously dated, but FetLife's interface is downright confusing, a mix between Facebook and Instagram, with much more limited search functionality. While both sites will allow you to search by specific kinks (and both sites offer exhaustive lists of kink options), the search functionality and filter options on AdultFriendFinder are more comprehensive and more user-friendly.

This isn't an accident, by the way. FetLife deliberately disables search by age, gender and sexual orientation because, in their words, they are "a social network and not a dating site."

Live shows

FetLife allows users to host videos, but it doesn't have a dedicated, live webcam service. Some users do offer that, of course, but they do so on third-party sites, and usually behind a paywall. AFF, on the other hand, makes live streaming a significant part of their community experience, and allows you to search through the webcam shows based on the location of the streamer or the interest/topic of the show, which often revolves around a specific kink. 

SEE ALSO: 4 tips for using hookup apps discretely — advice for Feeld, Tinder, AdultFriendFinder, and Grindr

In other words, if you're content to watch, AFF delivers some excellent, kink-centric live action, and much of it is accessible without upgrading to a paid subscription.

Where FetLife excelsFree accounts have more freedom

The most noticeable difference between FetLife and AFF is how much more freedom is afforded to non-paying accounts. On AdultFriendFinder, profiles are locked behind a paywall, so only paying members can read bios, scroll through photos, or see a comprehensive list of kinks. FetLife, on the other hand, operates more like Instagram for kinksters, delivering large photos, comprehensive bios, and even a web of connections comparable to what you might see on Facebook, from friends and romantic partners to subs, doms and mentors, if applicable. 

Even more important, free FetLife users can contact each other in one-on-one messages without having to give up their credit card information, which definitely makes it easier to establish a personal connection.

One major limitation of free accounts is that they're prevented from watching videos, and because raunchy videos are a mainstay of many profiles, this is definitely a hindrance, but not an especially annoying one. 

The site promotes in-person events

Perhaps the biggest benefit of FetLife over AdultFriendFinder is the former is much more focused on real-life connections, whereas AdultFriendFinder seems content to let people play in the virtual world. 

The Events tab at the top of the FetLife banner allows you to see, at a glance, all of the nearby, kink-friendly events, from informal meet-and-greets to full-on costume and masquerade balls. Best of all, you can filter by sub-type (Party, Educational, Social, Conference/Festival, Sex Party) or just look for events that your FetLife friends are attending.

SEE ALSO: Hinge's latest feature makes date planning a little easier

These in-person events are such an important part of the FetLife experience, even when they're not officially affiliated with the website, that they should be considered integral to the site itself. In fact, it's pretty common to see people indicate, in their profiles, that they won't message or "friend" anyone that they haven't already met at an IRL event. 

Kink discovery

Because of its community emphasis and dedication to exploring sexuality in a safe, consensual and informed way, FetLife offers users not only the means to connect with others but also to better connect with themselves. There's the community-sourced Kinktionary, for example, a Wiki-like resource covering topical aspects of human sexuality from the ins and outs of gay culture to a comprehensive list of sex toys and their uses, as well as dedicated groups to not only explore kinks but also introduce people to the BDSM lifestyle (we recommend you check out the Novices & Newbies section if you're a first-time visitor). 

AdultFriendFinder isn't totally without these resources, but they're not as user-friendly or as accessible to total newcomers to the world of kink.

The bottom line

Both AFF and FetLife are premier destinations for internet kinksters, and you can't really go wrong with either. Both sites have large user bases, comprehensive kink-based spaces, and the kind of non-judgmental atmosphere that makes it easy to let loose.

That having been said, if you're looking for the fastest possible connection or are content to confine your kink to the digital world for the time being, AdultFriendFinder does a better job connecting people quickly. If, on the other hand, you want to integrate into your local kink community and maybe discover the underground nightclubs and VIP parties reserved only for the naughtiest of the naughty, FetLife will do right by you.

By trading wheels for helicopter blades, NASA is upping its game for the Dragonfly mission, a flying machine intended to explore Titan, an icy moon of Saturn. 

The team has started assembling the honeycomb panels for the aircraft's main body, completed a series of drop tests on the parachute system, and demonstrated that its compact chemistry lab can pick out tiny amounts of target molecules in test samples.

This NASA robot, expected to launch as early as 2028, is no space orbiter. Dragonfly will be an SUV-size, eight-rotor aircraft, designed specifically to navigate the hazy orange skies of Titan, a world larger than the planet Mercury. It will explore the alien landscape much like NASA's fleet of rovers, except Dragonfly will have a much faster way of getting from Point A to B. In the words of Back to the Future's Doc Brown: "Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads." 

Titan, about 886 million miles from Earth, is the only moon in the solar system with a substantial atmosphere. But Titan's air is thick — about 1.5 times the pressure at Earth's sea level and roughly three times as dense, said Charles Malespin, who leads the team that built the hardware for analyzing Titan's samples. Because it is so cold in this alien world, gases like methane become liquids, and the atmosphere turns into a heavy blanket. Meanwhile, the moon has just one-seventh Earth's gravity.  

"That's why an octocopter is primed for that, because you could fly very easily through it," Malespin said. "We could cover a huge amount of terrain and explore a much larger area."

SEE ALSO: Mars did have complex carbon. A NASA rover found its hiding place.

Scientists see Titan as a kind of time machine for understanding how life begins. Its methane‑rich atmosphere constantly produces complex organic molecules that dust the icy surface, creating dunes and deposits of carbon‑based material. On early Earth, similar chemistry may have helped make the building blocks of life, but our planet's surface has since changed dramatically because of life and geology. 

Titan, by contrast, stays frozen and preserves that chemistry. By flying from dune fields to an ancient crater where water and organics could have mixed, researchers hope Dragonfly will allow them to study how simple ingredients evolve into more complex molecules. 

"There was a melt pool that may have lasted up to about 1,000 years. That is a lot of time for chemistry to happen between the organics that are depositing in it and the water," said Melissa Trainer, a planetary scientist and the lead for Dragonfly's DraMS instrument, a quasi-acronym for its mass spectrometer. "Who knows what we could make in a 1,000-year chemistry experiment?"

For a handful of reporters at Goddard Space Flight Center in April, NASA walked through how the $3.35 billion mission will drill into Titan's rock-hard ice, analyze samples with its built‑in chemistry lab, and then lift off again to explore a new spot. The device will use a carousel of 40 sample cups, tiny ovens, and a laser to study the Saturn moon's plentiful organic material.

It's the opposite of what the tiny drone Ingenuity, which went kaput two years ago, faced on Mars. There, the air is about 100 times thinner than Earth's. To lift itself, Ingenuity needed very long blades and a featherweight body, leaving hardly any wiggle room to carry instruments.

But for Dragonfly, engineers can exploit its larger body to stuff it full of tools. 

"If you had cardboard wings, you could fly just by pushing because the atmosphere is pretty much so thick there," Malespin said. 

NASA Dragonfly team members begin integrating the sample carousel into the DraMS mass spectrometer instrument. Credit: NASA / Mike Guinto

Mobility is the other key reason NASA built Dragonfly as an aircraft. Rovers like Curiosity and Perseverance on Mars move slowly, perhaps half a football field in a day. Dragonfly, on the other hand, could traverse miles.

Researchers will use the mission's measurements collected over three years to study prebiotic chemistry, the steps that occur on the way to making life. They are looking for familiar building blocks, such as amino acids, nucleobases, and fatty acids.

But one limitation for the mission is that Dragonfly can't explore Titan's lakes or seas of liquid methane and ethane at the north pole. Instead, the robot is built to explore an equatorial region of dunes. That's fine with the team, said deputy project scientist Shannon MacKenzie, because some of the materials scientists are looking for on Titan don't dissolve well in liquids anyway. 

"We want to go to the sand," MacKenzie said. "Those organic sand particles are probably the end result of a lot more of that chemistry than what we would be able to slurp up out of the lakes."

Awaiting those detections will take a great deal of patience for the team. The journey alone to get to Titan in the outer solar system will take nearly seven years. 

What will your summer TV obsession be this year?

Will it be a returning old favorite like House of the Dragon, The Bear, or Ted Lasso? Or will it be a new show, like Netflix's sci-fi series The Boroughs or Apple TV's thriller remake of Cape Fear?

SEE ALSO: 2026 Summer movie preview: Every film you need to know about now

Whatever your preference, 2026's summer TV offerings are here to satisfy any genre craving you may have. Hang out with rock star vampires in The Vampire Lestat, or zip along with superheroes in offerings like Spider-Noir and Lanterns. Get some animated action in with a new season of The Legend of Vox Machina or the upcoming raunchy comedy Mating Season. Looking for romance? Check out the hockey-focused Off Campus or summery drama Every Year After.

That's just the start of what you can expect from TV over the next few months. Here, in chronological order, are the TV shows you should keep an eye out for this summer.

May 2026 TV releasesLord of the Flies

A new miniseries from Adolescence co-writer Jack Thorne, based on William Golding's legendary novel Lord of the Flies? Count us in. Following a group of school boys who are forced to survive on a deserted island after their plane crashes, this new adaptation is every bit as brutal as the 1954 book. Expect coming-of-age friendships, rivalries, and a piercing exploration of just how quickly society can fall apart when things enter life-or-death territory. — Sam Haysom, General Assignment Editor, UK

Starring: Winston Sawyers, Lox Pratt, David McKenna, Ike Talbut

How to watch: Lord of the Flies premieres May 4 on Netflix.

The Other Bennet Sister

What do you know of Mary Bennet, the overlooked sister of Pride and Prejudice? Jane Austen's beloved novel spends ample time with Lizzy and Jane, but what of the more reserved, observant, and bookish of the Bennet family? Based on Janice Hadlow's novel of the same name and set after Pride and Prejudice, BBC's The Other Bennet Sister gives Mary the respect (and screen time) she deserves.

Call the Midwife's Ella Bruccoleri takes on the unsung fictional heroine, whose sisters are now all married, which means she's under pressure from her ever-theatrical mother (Gavin & Stacey's Ruth Jones) to do the same. However, thanks to the encouragement of the Gardiners (Indira Varma and Richard Coyle), Mary decides to travel across England to figure out her own path — whether it involves potential suitors or not. — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor

Starring: Ella Bruccoleri, Ruth Jones, Richard E. Grant, Indira Varma, Dónal Finn, Tanya Reynolds, Varada Sethu, Maddie Close, Poppy Gilbert, Richard Coyle, Laurie Davidson, Grace Hogg-Robinson, Molly Wright, Lucy Briers

How to watch: The Other Bennet Sister premieres May 6 on BritBox.

M.I.A.

Ozark co-creator Bill Dubuque shifts states for some score-settling South Florida crime in Peacock's new drama, M.I.A.. Heir to a family drug business, Etta Tiger Jonze (Shannon Gisela) finds herself literally adrift on the ocean when they're brutally murdered. Once back on dry land in Miami, the one that got away has one mission: Revenge, what did you think? However, she'll have to find this cartel before they find her — or the cops do. Sounds like it's time for a flamboyant new identity and the brutal deployment of those specialised hunting skills. — S.C.

Starring: Shannon Gisela, Cary Elwes, Danay Garcia, Brittany Adebumola, Dylan Jackson, Alberto Guerra, Maurice Compte, Gerardo Celasco, and Marta Milans

How to watch: M.I.A. premieres May 7 on Peacock.

Off Campus

Heated Rivalry got you craving more hockey romance? Then Off Campus may be just up your alley. Based on the bestselling books by Elle Kennedy, the series centers on Briar University's hockey team and the women they fall for. The first season is all about womanizing hockey all-star Garrett (Belmont Cameli) and quiet tutor Hannah (Ella Bright), who kick off a fake dating ploy in order to make Hannah's crush jealous. Of course, all that fake dating turns into real feelings, with the potential for a romance hot enough to steam up the ice rink. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Ella Bright, Belmont Cameli, Mika Abdalla, Antonio Cipriano, Jalen Thomas Brooks, Josh Heuston, and Stephen Kalyn

How to watch: Off Campus premieres May 13 on Prime Video.

Nemesis

Folks, it's a heist series! We love a heist: rogue mastermind versus the law, niche skills against high security, inevitable montages. In Netflix's Nemesis, Power Universe creator Courtney A. Kemp presents a Los Angeles–set crime caper with co-creator Tani Marole and pioneering New Jack City director Mario Van Peebles. Insecure's Y’lan Noel plays a master thief the LAPD hasn't been able to catch; Abbott Elementary's Matthew Law plays the hard-boiled detective who lost his partner thanks to the elusive mastermind. What's that? It's time for…one last job? Involving a colossal diamond haul? Let's absolutely go. — S.C.

Starring: Matthew Law, Y'lan Noel, Cleopatra Coleman, Tre Hale, Domenick Lombardozzi, Jonnie Park, Ariana Guerra, Gabrielle Dennis, Michael Potts, Sophina Brown, Cedric Joe, and Jeff Pierre

How to watch: Nemesis premieres May 14 on Netflix.

Dutton Ranch

Yellowstone heads, this one's for you. This spin-off and sequel to Paramount+'s hit neo-Western picks up with Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and her husband Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) as they try to build a future on their Texas ranch. However, a rival ranch may put a stop to that future before it can even begin. Saddle up for some serious Western drama, along with star power in the form of new additions to the Yellowstone-verse like Ed Harris and Annette Bening. — B.E.

Starring: Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Finn Little, Jai Courtney, J.R. Villarreal, Juan Pablo Raba, Marc Menchaca, Natalie Alyn Lind, Ed Harris, Annette Bening, and Morgan Wade

How to watch: Dutton Ranch premieres May 15 on Paramount+.

Game Changer Season 8

Last season on Game Changer, host (and Dropout CEO) Sam Reich took this ever-changing game show to unpredictable places, including a sobering Traitors parody, a big-hearted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire variant, and Antarctica. What’s next?

SEE ALSO: 'Game Changer' smartly weaponizes its social media following in 'Fool's Gold'

It’s not like Reich’s going to tell us. (That’d spoil the fun.) But what we do know is that this season welcomes back Dropout stars like Demi Adejuyigbe, Ally Beardsley, Jacob Wysocki, Oscar Montoya, Jiavani, Ify Nwadiwe, Zac Oyama, Lou Wilson, Vic Michaelis, Josh Ruben, Anna Garcia, Lily Du, Kimia Behpoornia, Jeremy Culhane, Grant O’Brien, Siobhan Thompson, and Brennan Lee Mulligan. Whether you’re new to Game Changer or you’ve been here the whole time, this line-up alone should have you giddy. We can’t wait to see what this crack team of improvisers has in store. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Sam Reich, Demi Adejuyigbe, Ally Beardsley, Jacob Wysocki, Oscar Montoya, Jiavani, Ify Nwadiwe, Zac Oyama, Lou Wilson, Vic Michaelis, Josh Ruben, Anna Garcia, Lily Du, Kimia Behpoornia, Jeremy Culhane, Grant O’Brien, Siobhan Thompson, and Brennan Lee Mulligan

How to watch: Game Changer Season 8 premieres May 18 on Dropout.

Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed

Tatiana Maslany leads the new dark comedy Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed. She stars as newly divorced mom Paula, who's convinced she witnessed a terrible crime. Her independent investigation takes her down a slippery slope of blackmail and murder, two things that are very inconvenient to be thinking about when you're also dealing with a custody battle and an identity crisis. Will Paula crack the case and rediscover her sense of self-worth? And just how, exactly, does youth soccer fit into all this? Find out when you tune in, for what is hopefully a maximally pleasurable viewing experience.* — B.E.

Starring: Tatiana Maslany, Jake Johnson, Brandon Flynn, Murray Bartlett, Jessy Hodges, Jon Michael Hill, Charlie Hall, Kiarra Hamagami Goldberg, Nola Wallace, and Dolly De Leon

How to watch: Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed premieres May 20 on Apple TV.

The Boroughs

If you hated the Stranger Things finale, let the Duffer Brothers try to win you back with The Boroughs. The pair executive produce this supernatural series, created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, which is set in a quaint New Mexico retirement community. The community's residents include an all-star cast of Geena Davis, Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, Bill Pullman, Clarke Peters, and Denis O’Hare, who join forces to investigate the otherworldly threat lurking over their home. The cast alone is worth a watch, but The Boroughs' trailer teases even more goodies, like some seriously spooky creatures and its ensemble gearing up to kick monster butt in a sewer, Losers Club from IT-style. — B.E.

Starring: Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Denis O’Hare, Clarke Peters, Bill Pullman, Carlos Miranda, Jena Malone, Seth Numrich, and Alice Kremelberg

How to watch: The Boroughs premieres May 21 on Netflix.

Mating Season

The creators of Big Mouth are back with another raunchy comedy about love and sex. This time, they turn their focus from teenagers and their hormone monsters to wildlife having a tough time coupling up during mating season. Follow along with bear Josh (voiced by Zach Woods), raccoon Ray (voiced by Nick Kroll), deer Fawn (voiced by June Diane Raphael), and fox Penelope (voiced by Sabrina Jalees) as they search for a mate in the very horny animal kingdom. Seriously, the trailer is already at a 10 in terms of animal horniness (see: a joke about a skunk expressing her anal glands), so I'm expecting the full show to take that to an 11. — B.E.

Starring: Nick Kroll, Zach Woods, June Diane Raphael, and Sabrina Jalees

How to watch: Mating Season premieres May 22 on Netflix.

Spider-Noir

It's impossible to single out just one highlight in the Academy Award–winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, but hearing Nicolas Cage voice the ultra-broody Spider-Man Noir is certainly up there. This year, Cage takes that portrayal into live action with Spider-Noir, which audiences can watch in black and white or color. The series takes place in 1930s New York, where Cage's Ben Reilly is a grizzled private investigator who also happens to be the city's only superhero. Here's hoping he gets to drink all the egg creams and punch all the Nazis he wants. If it's even half as fun as Spider-Man Noir's appearance in Into the Spider-Verse, I'm all for it.* — B.E.

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Lamorne Morris, Brendan Gleeson, Abraham Popoola, Li Jun Li, Karen Rodriguez, and Jack Huston

How to watch: Spider-Noir premieres May 27 on Prime Video in 2026.

The Four Seasons Season 2 Kerri Kenney-Silver, Marco Calvani, Tina Fey, Colman Domingo, and Will Forte in "The Four Seasons." Credit: Emily V. Aragones / Netflix

Celebrate the start of summer with some televised vacations thanks to the return of The Four Seasons. Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield's spin on the 1981 Alan Alda film follows a friend group — played by Fey, Will Forte, Colman Domingo, Marco Calvani, Steve Carell, and Kerri Kenney-Silver — over the course of four vacations. Season 1 ended with the loss of Carell's Nick and the dramatic news that his younger girlfriend Ginny (Erika Henningsen) is pregnant. How will Nick's friends come together to help Ginny, and what gorgeous new locales will they visit next? All will be revealed in Season 2. — B.E.

Starring: Tina Fey, Will Forte, Colman Domingo, Marco Calvani, Kerri Kenney-Silver, and Erika Henningsen

How to watch: The Four Seasons Season 2 premieres May 28 on Netflix.

Deli Boys Season 2 Saagar Shaikh, Asif Ali, and Poorna Jagannathan in "Deli Boys." Credit: Disney / James Washington

What happens when your multimillionaire father's death unveils a secret drug empire? That's the problem Mir and Raj Dar (Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh) face in Season 1 of Hulu's delightful crime comedy Deli Boys. In Season 2, the stakes are even higher: The Dar brothers are swamped with dirty cash, which draws the attention of the shadiest characters in Philadelphia. Among them is Max Sugar (Fred Armisen), who catches the attention of Deli Boys scene stealer Lucky (Poorna Jagannathan). If the fun of the first season somehow isn't enough to draw you back, then surely the promise of the pairing of Armisen and Jagannathan will do the trick. — B.E.

Starring: Asif Ali, Saagar Shaikh, Poorna Jagannathan, Fred Armisen, Andrew Rannells, Kumail Nanjiani, Lilly Singh, Robin Thede, and Tan France

How to watch: Deli Boys Season 2 premieres May 28 on Hulu.

Star City

Apple TV's For All Mankind presents an alternate history of the Space Race, one where the Soviet Union became the first country to send a man to the moon. The show's upcoming spin-off, Star City, rewinds the clock to examine the early days of the Soviet Union's space program. Behind the Iron Curtain unfolds a thriller steeped in paranoia, as the program's cosmonauts, engineers, and more weather moles and leaks in their efforts to push humanity farther than it's ever been before. — B.E.

Starring: Rhys Ifans, Anna Maxwell Martin, Agnes O’Casey, Alice Englert, Solly McLeod, Adam Nagaitis, Ruby Ashbourne Serkis, Josef Davies, and Priya Kansara

How to watch: Star City premieres May 29 on Apple TV.

June 2026 TV releasesNot Suitable for Work Ella Hunt and Will Angus in "Not Suitable for Work." Credit: Disney

With Never Have I Ever, Mindy Kaling portrayed the perils of high school. With The Sex Lives of College Girls, she dove into the chaos of finding yourself in college. Her new project, Not Suitable for Work, examines yet another defining life stage: your early twenties. Co-created with showrunner Charlie Grandy, Not Suitable for Work follows five work-obsessed twentysomethings as they hunt for professional success — and a personal life, if time allows — in Manhattan's Murray Hill neighborhood. — B.E.

Starring: Ella Hunt, Avantika Vandanapu, Will Angus, Jack Martin, Nicholas Duvernay, and Jay Ellis

How to watch: Not Suitable for Work premieres June 2 on Hulu.

The Legend of Vox Machina Season 4

Season 3 of The Legend of Vox Machina ended with the titular crew scattering to the winds in search of their own individual goals. But a year later, in Season 4, the call of adventure (and the threat of a growing death cult) will bring them back together. 

Every season of The Legend of Vox Machina has grown darker and stronger, and Season 4 looks to be no exception. This time around, Critical Role's bawdy bands of heroes will come face to face with their most dangerous foe yet: the Whispered One, also known as Vecna in Dungeons & Dragons. (And yes, he's very different from Stranger Things' version.) Don't expect Season 4 to be all doom and gloom, though. It will also feature Critical Role fan-favorites like Taryon Darrington (voiced by Wayne Brady) and his mechanical servant Doty, who are bound to bring some laughs to the fight for Exandria. — B.E.

Starring: Laura Bailey, Taliesin Jaffe, Ashley Johnson, Matthew Mercer, Liam O’Brien, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, Travis Willingham, Wayne Brady, Kevin Michael Richardson, Debra Wilson, and Tom Cardy

How to watch: The Legend of Vox Machina Season 4 premieres June 3 on Prime Video.

Cape Fear

Who's ready for a remake? Apple TV reimagines Martin Scorsese's 1991 film Cape Fear, itself a remake of the 1962 film of the same name. The series centers on married attorney couple Anna and Tom Bowden (Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson), who are about to face a vengeful reckoning from Max Cady (Javier Bardem), the killer they put behind bars. Will the series live up to its source material? Or, at the very least, The Simpsons' "Cape Feare" episode?* — B.E.

Starring: Amy Adams, Patrick Wilson, Javier Bardem, Joe Anders, Lily Collias, Malia Pyles, and Anna Baryshnikov

How to watch: Cape Fear premieres June 5 on Apple TV.

The Vampire Lestat (Interview with the Vampire Season 3)

AMC's exceptional Interview with the Vampire gets a rocking rebrand in Season 3. Now titled The Vampire Lestat, this season focuses on everyone's favorite French vampire train wreck (affectionate). Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid) has stepped into the spotlight as a rock star, and he's using his music to tell his side of his relationship with Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson). But as he goes on tour, he'll confront "muses" from his troubling past, who'll show us a whole new side of Lestat. Expect more heart-wrenching angst, vampire spats, and several bangers performed by Lestat himself. (Stream "Long Face" for clear skin.) Trust me, you're going to want a front row seat to this concert.* — B.E.

Starring: Sam Reid, Jacob Anderson, Eric Bogosian, Delainey Hayles, Assad Zaman, Jennifer Ehle, Ella Ballentine, Jeanine Serralles, Christopher Heyerdahl, Damien Atkins, Sheila Atim, Noah Reid, Ryan Kattner, Seamus Patterson, and Sarah Swire

How to watch: The Vampire Lestat premieres June 7 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC and AMC.

Every Year After Matt Cornett and Sadie Soverall in "Every Year After." Credit: Cate Cameron / Prime Video

The Summer I Turned Pretty may be over (until the film, that is), but Prime Video is not giving up its hold on summer-tinged YA romances. Enter Every Year After, based on Carley Fortune's bestselling 2022 novel Every Summer After. The series introduces Persephone "Percy" Fraser (Sadie Soverall) and Sam Florek (Matt Cornett), two friends who spent six summers growing inseparable, falling in love, then falling apart. Now, it's been years since they've seen one another, but when a tragedy brings them crashing back together, will they be able to rekindle the love they once shared? — B.E.

Starring: Sadie Soverall, Matt Cornett, Aurora Perrineau, Abigail Cowen, Michael Bradway, and Joseph Chiu

How to watch: Every Year After premieres June 10 on Prime Video.

House of the Dragon Season 3

The dragons are still dancing in House of the Dragon Season 3, which continues the war of succession between Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) and her nephew, King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney). Between the massacres by dragonfire and full-on child murder, the war has already been catastrophic enough. But it's about to get even more fraught, as the Battle of the Gullet is on its way. In George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood, the Battle of the Gullet is a naval bloodbath that will launch a calamitous new chapter in the Westerosi history books. Brace yourself for epic action, family betrayals, and of course, tons of dragons.* — B.E.

Starring: Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, Matthew Needham, James Norton, Tom Bennett, Kieran Bew, Kurt Egyiawan, Freddie Fox, Clinton Liberty, Gayle Rankin, and Abubakar Salim

How to watch: House of the Dragon Season 3 premieres June 21 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2

It's Toph time! Netflix's live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender returns for Season 2 in 2026, where it will introduce everyone's favorite earthbender (Miya Cech) as Aang's (Gordon Cormier) newest teacher. On top of that, we'll hopefully be revisiting some of the original show's best moments: the increased involvement of Princess Azula (Elizabeth Yu), the political intrigue of Ba Sing Se, and the true beginnings of Prince Zuko's (Dallas Liu) redemption arc. That's an embarrassment of riches, but Toph is still at the top of my list of things I'm most excited to see this season. You know that first "twinkletoes" is going to hit just right.* — B.E.

Starring: Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Miya Cech, Elizabeth Yu, Ty Lee, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Maria Zhang, and Daniel Dae Kim

How to watch: Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 premieres June 25 on Netflix.

The Bear Season 5 Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri in "The Bear." Credit: FX Networks

Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) may have quit the restaurant life at the end of The Bear Season 4, but don't think for a second that the series is done. FX announced that The Bear will return for a fifth and final season this summer, meaning we'll see what the Bear restaurant looks like under the supervision of Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Sugar (Abby Elliott). I'm especially intrigued to see what Carmy gets up to when he's not in chef mode. Maybe he gets really into watercolors, or hiking. Maybe he'll finally learn to relax! But something tells me he'll be back in the kitchen before too long — hopefully after he's done some serious healing.* — B.E.

Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliott, Matty Matheson, Edwin Lee Gibson, Corey Hendrix, Oliver Platt, Molly Gordon, Ricky Staffieri, and Jamie Lee Curtis

How to watch: The Bear Season 5 premieres this June on Hulu.

July 2026 TV releasesElle Lexi Minetree in "Elle." Credit: Prime Video

Prime Video made a Legally Blonde prequel. What, like it's hard? The series follows Elle Woods (Lexi Minetree) as she navigates high school and blossoms into the bubbly fashion expert-turned-law student viewers came to adore in Legally Blonde. It'll be fascinating to see what kind of backstory Elle engineers for its heroine, given that so much of Elle's growth comes after making it to Harvard Law. However, it seems like Prime is confident in Elle's path ahead: The show has already been renewed for a Season 2. — B.E.

Starring: Lexi Minetree, June Diane Raphael, Tom Everett Scott, Chandler Kinney, Jacob Moskovitz, Gabrielle Policano, Zac Looker, and James Van Der Beek

How to watch: Elle premieres July 1 on Prime Video.

Silo Season 3

After the many, many cliffhangers Silo Season 2 left us on, the third season has been a long time coming. Fortunately that time has indeed finally come, with the Season 3 teaser taking us back into the world of Hugh Howey's book series while hinting at the silo's origin story. Which is all very good and exciting, but we still have many additional questions that need answering: What exactly is the safeguard procedure? What's going to happen to Sims (Common) and his family? Will Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson) and Bernard (Tim Robbins) survive that fire? Tell us already. — S.H.

Starring: Rebecca Ferguson, Common, Harriet Walter, Chinaza Uche, Avi Nash, Alexandria Riley, Shane McRae, Remmie Milner, Rick Gomez, Billy Postlethwaite, Clare Perkins, Ashley Zukerman, Jessica Henwick, Laura Innes, Jessica Brown Findlay, Morven Christie, Reed Birney, Matt Craven, Colin Hanks, and Steve Zahn

How to watch: Silo Season 3 premieres July 3 on Apple TV.

Little House on the Prairie

A childhood classic comes to Netflix this summer with Little House on the Prairie, based on the beloved series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Like the books, the TV series introduces the Ingalls family, who uproot their lives in the big woods of Wisconsin and begin a new life on the prairie. The show looks to introduce Wilder's work to a new generation, but let's be real: Plenty of adults will also be checking it out to make sure it stays true to the story they grew up loving. — B.E.

Starring: Alice Halsey, Skywalker Hughes, Luke Bracey, and Crosby Fitzgerald

How to watch: Little House on the Prairie premieres July 9 on Netflix.

The Five-Star Weekend

Elin Hilderbrand's novel The Five-Star Weekend arrives on Peacock this July, bringing summery vibes and an all-star cast along with it. Jennifer Garner plays Hollis Shaw, a cook and food blogger trying to recover from a devastating loss. As part of her grieving process, she decides to host a weekend getaway at her Nantucket house. Her guests? Friends from different stages of her life (and one extra surprise invitee), played by D’Arcy Carden, Gemma Chan, Regina Hall, and Chloë Sevigny. — B.E.

Starring: Jennifer Garner, Chloë Sevigny, Regina Hall, Gemma Chan, D'Arcy Carden, Harlow Jane, and Timothy Olyphant

How to watch: The Five-Star Weekend premieres July 9 on Peacock.

Lucky

Anya Taylor-Joy enters heist mode in limited series Lucky, based on the 2021 novel of the same name by Marissa Stapley. Taylor-Joy plays Lucky Anderson, a con artist raised in a life of crime. When a multimillion-dollar heist goes awry, she'll have to put up the fight of her life in order to escape the FBI agents and crime boss on her tail. Will she live up to her name, or will her luck finally run out?* — B.E.

Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Annette Bening, Timothy Olyphant, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Drew Starkey, Clifton Collins, Jr., and William Fichtner

How to watch: Lucky premieres July 15 on Apple TV.

August 2026 TV releasesTed Lasso Season 4

You better BELIEVE, because Ted Lasso is back. Turns out Season 3 was not the end of Ted's (Jason Sudeikis) time in Richmond. The lovable soccer coach has returned to England to lead a second division women’s football team, and he'll be joined by familiar faces like Rebecca Welton (Hannah Waddingham), Keeley Jones (Juno Temple), and Roy Kent (Brett Goldstein). What are you waiting for? Grab some shortbread and settle in for the resurrection of one of Apple's biggest shows.* — B.E.

Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Jeremy Swift, Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsay, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern, and Grant Feely

How to watch: Ted Lasso Season 4 premieres Aug. 5 on Apple TV.

Lanterns

The televised DC Universe expands in a big way this year with Lanterns, based on the Green Lantern comics. Don't expect many space shenanigans, though. The series is primarily set on Earth, pairing new Lantern Corps recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) with longtime Lantern Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) to investigate a murder right in the heart of America. Our very first look at the show features Hal jumping out of a moving car in order to encourage John to use the ring, so expect a lot of banter in this mentor-mentee relationship. (And maybe a few car crashes.)* — B.E.

Starring: Kyle Chandler, Aaron Pierre, Kelly Macdonald, Nathan Fillion, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Ulrich Thomsen, Nicole Ari Parker, Jason Ritter, Sherman Augustus, Chris Coy, Paul Ben-Victor, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Cary Christopher, and Jasmine Cephas Jones

How to watch: Lanterns premieres this August on HBO and HBO Max.

Adults Season 2 Owen Thiele, Malik Elassal, Amita Rao, Jack Innanen, and Lucy Freyer in "Adults." Credit: Pari Dukovic / FX

FX's Adults was one of 2025's most fun new comedies, mixing hangout vibes with the perils of young adulthood in the 2020s. Thankfully, we don't have to wait too long to get a second dose of the show's chaotic housemates, as Samir (Malik Elassal), Billie (Lucy Freyer), Anton (Owen Thiele), Issa (Amita Rao), and Paul Baker (Jack Innanen) return to our screens this August. In Season 2, we'll hopefully find out what's next for the Anton-Issa-Paul Baker love triangle, as well as see the gang struggle with new questions about adulthood. How do you admit the embarrassing truth that you love your boring office job? Why does spending time with family always turn you into the worst version of yourself? And how can you make sure that you never, ever hurt your friends' feelings? Whatever answers the Adults crew finds, I believe in them! — B.E.

Starring: Malik Elassal, Lucy Freyer, Owen Thiele, Amita Rao, and Jack Innanen

How to watch: Adults Season 2 premieres this August on Hulu.

The Hawk

Will Ferrell hits the links in The Hawk, a new golf comedy from Netflix. (Between this and Apple TV's Stick, it's a big time for golf on TV.) He plays Lonnie "The Hawk" Hawkins, once the world's top golfer, now a washed-up old-timer. But Lonnie refuses to lay down his clubs. He only needs one more major win to complete a golf Grand Slam and become a true legend of the sport. Can Lonnie pull off the comeback of all comebacks? With the help of his support system, played by a promising ensemble of Molly Shannon, Jimmy Tatro, Fortune Feimster, and Katelyn Tarver, anything is possible. — B.E

Starring: Will Ferrell, Molly Shannon, Jimmy Tatro, Fortune Feimster, Luke Wilson, Chris Parnell, Katelyn Tarver, and David Hornsby

How to watch: The Hawk premieres this summer on Netflix.

(*) means a blurb comes from a previous list.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Madrid Open for free on RTVE. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The French Open isn't all that far away, so it's time for the best players in the world to take to the clay to sharpen up before the second Grand Slam of the season. The good news for top players is that there is ample opportunity to do just that, with a number of high-profile tournaments taking place at this time of year.

Following on from the Barcelona Open is the Madrid Open, with a number of top players competing in this popular event. For many, this will be a dress rehearsel for the main event at Roland-Garros.

If you want to watch the 2026 Madrid Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Madrid Open?

The Madrid Open is an annual professional tennis tournament played on clay courts at the Caja Mágica in Madrid. The defending singles champions are Casper Ruud and Aryna Sabalenka.

When is the 2026 Madrid Open?

The 2026 Madrid Open is the 24th edition of the event on the ATP Tour and 17th on the WTA Tour. This year's event takes place from April 21 to May 3.

How to watch the 2026 Madrid Open for free

The 2026 Madrid Open are available to live stream for free on RTVE.

RTVE is geo-restricted to Spain, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Spain, meaning you can unblock RTVE from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Madrid Open by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we tested ExpressVPN and it works great)

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 Spain

4. Visit RTVE

5. Watch the 2026 Madrid Open for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 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 without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2026 Madrid Open before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming sites from around the world, 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 RTVE?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Spain

• 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% 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 $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 Madrid Open for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Unblock Pornhub from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Access to Pornhub is in turmoil. Early in 2025, more than a third of U.S. states introduced age verification laws. In response, Pornhub banned visitors from those states from accessing their website. The same situation then took place in France, and although Pornhub is complying with the UK's age verification law, users are now required to provide personal information to access the site.

The situation is constantly changing, but you can stay one step ahead with a quick and easy hack. If you want to unblock porn sites like Pornhub for free from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.

How to unblock Pornhub for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure server in another location. This process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access adult sites like Pornhub from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Pornhub by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 that supports access to Pornhub

4. Visit Pornhub

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 unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Pornhub without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Pornhub before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to your favorite site, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing online restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Pornhub?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Pornhub, 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 streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $78.18 and includes an extra four months for free — 78% 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 $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Unblock Pornhub for free with ExpressVPN.

The best streaming deals to watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby live at a glance: BEST OVERALL Peacock Premium annual subscription $109.99/year (save $21.89) Get Deal BEST FOR XFINITY CUSTOMERS Peacock Premium free for select Xfinity users (save $10.99/month) Get Deal BEST FOR STUDENTS Peacock Premium for students $5.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month) Get Deal BEST FOR FIRST RESPONDERS Peacock Premium for first responders and medical professionals $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal BEST FOR TEACHERS Peacock Premium for teachers $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal BEST FOR MILITARY Peacock Premium for active military and veterans $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal BEST FOR INSTACART USERS Peacock Premium free for Instacart+ subscribers (save $109.99/year) Get Deal Best for Walmart+ members Peacock Premium free for Walmart+ members ($98/year) (save $109.99/year) Get Deal BEST INTRODUCTORY OFFER YouTube TV free 21-day trial, then $67.99/month for 3 months (save $45) Get Deal BEST LIVE TV STREAMING DEAL Sling TV Select package (select regions only) $19.99/month Get Deal

Place your bets, grab your best hat, and make yourself a mint julep. It's Kentucky Derby time once again, folks.

The 2026 Kentucky Derby is the 152nd running of the annual horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. As per usual, the race coverage will last for over eight hours, but the race itself will happen in a flash. There's a reason they call it The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports. Here's what you need to know so you don't miss the most important moment — and how to watch everything leading up to it.

When is the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

The 152nd Run for the Roses is scheduled for Saturday, May 2. Coverage will begin at noon ET on Peacock and NBCSN and at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The post time for the race itself is set for 6:57 p.m. ET. You'll want to make sure you're tuned in well before that so you don't miss a beat.

Who is the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby 2026?

After a couple of scratches ahead of the official race, the favorite is now Renegade (5-1), with Commandment (6-1) and Further Ado (6-1) close behind. Chief Wallabee (8-1) and The Puma (10-1) round out the top five favorites. Odds are expected to change as bettors make their wagers ahead of the race.

How to watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby TV coverage starts at noon on Saturday, May 2, on NBCSN and will switch over to NBC at 2:30 p.m. ET. The official post time for the race is 6:57 p.m. ET, and coverage will end around 7:30 p.m. ET. Don't have cable? No problem. Cord-cutters can also stream the Kentucky Derby live on Peacock or through a paid TV subscription like YouTube TV or Sling.

Peacock subscriptions start at $10.99 per month, while most live TV subscriptions offer introductory trial periods, then start at around $20 per month. Don't want to pay full price? Below, we've rounded up the best ways to save money on your subscription.

Best Peacock streaming dealsBest long-term Peacock deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription $109.99 per year or $169.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal

While a Peacock Premium monthly subscription typically costs $10.99, you can save about 17% by committing to an annual subscription instead. At $109.99 per year, that drops the monthly rate to just $9.17. In other words, you'll get 12 months of streaming for the price of 10. The same goes for the Premium Plus plan without ads; while a monthly subscription would run you $16.99 per month, the price drops down to just $14.17 monthly if you pay for a year up front.

Best Peacock deal for Xfinity customers Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock / Xfinity Peacock Premium Free for select Xfinity customers Get Deal

I highly recommend checking the eligibility deals below before signing up for Peacock if you're an Xfinity customer. There's a chance you could score a subscription for free. Here's a breakdown of who is eligible:

• Xfinity Internet customers who are Diamond or Platinum Xfinity Rewards members can get Peacock Premium for free by redeeming a reward for it. Sign in at xfinity.com/rewards and choose Peacock as a reward. Then, wait for your email (it may take a few hours) with instructions on activating the offer.

• NOW TV customers can also receive Peacock Premium as part of their service.

• New customers with Xfinity Internet and an X1 TV Box, Flex streaming TV Box, or a Xumo Stream Box from Xfinity can get Peacock Premium for free for six months.

Best Peacock deal for students and young adults Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Students $5.99 per month for one year (save $5/month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Young Adults $5.99 per month for one year (save $5/month) Get Deal

College students can snag a Peacock Premium subscription for just $5.99 per month for an entire year. Just prove your student status using your .edu email address through SheerID, and you'll receive a unique promo code to secure the discount. Just note that the discount code can only be used once. Young adults who aren't students can also score the same deal.

Best for first responders, medical professionals, military, and teachers Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Military $6.99/month (save $4.month) Get Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Teachers $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal

First responders, medical professionals, military personnel, and teachers can all secure a Peacock Premium subscription (with ads) for a discounted rate of $6.99 per month. So long as you can verify your professional status using SheerID, you'll be able to knock $4 per month off the usual subscription cost. If you continue to meet verification qualifications, you can renew your subscription yearly. Just note that rates are subject to change.

Best for Instacart users Opens in a new window Credit: Instacart+ / Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription Free for Instacart+ subscribers (save $109.99/year) Get Deal

An Instacart+ subscription ($99.99 per year) unlocks a free Peacock Premium subscription ($109.99 per year) on top of free grocery delivery, lower fees, credit back on eligible pickup orders, and more perks. Not to mention, you'll get a free two-week trial to test the waters before you're charged. That's plenty of time to watch the Kentucky Derby for free (just saying).

Best for Walmart shoppers Opens in a new window Credit: Walmart Walmart+ subscription (free Peacock Premium) $98/year Get Deal

A Walmart+ subscription now gives you the option to subscribe to either Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential for free (you can switch every few months). Since Peacock Premium is a $109.99 value on its own, the $98 Walmart+ membership is already a better deal. You'll also get a ton of other perks, including free shipping with no order minimums, fuel discounts, a Scan & Go checkout tool, and early access to deals during Walmart's major shopping events. Did I mention it comes with a free 30-day trial?

Best live TV streaming deals

While Peacock is the most straightforward option for cord-cutters, it's not the only option. If you're looking to watch the Kentucky Derby live, along with other sports, live TV streaming services like Sling and YouTube TV are also great options. Even better, some offer free trials — so you can watch all eight hours of Derby coverage on NBC for free, then cancel before you're charged the full monthly fee (which can be kind of steep). Here are the best deals for watching the annual horse race and more via live TV streaming. Double-check that NBC is offered in your zip code before you commit to a service.

Most affordable: Sling Select Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Select package starting at $19.99 per month Get Deal

Sling's Select package is by far the most affordable live TV streaming service. It includes access to your local NBC network to watch the Derby live in select networks (be sure to check yours first) and costs just $19.99 per month. And since Sling subscriptions are a la carte, you can add or take away from your plan with no worries and cancel or pause at any time.

Best intro offer: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube YouTube TV free 5-day trial, then $59.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV offers a massive 100+ channel lineup, which includes your local NBC network to watch the Kentucky Derby, as well as other local favorites for sports, news, and entertainment. We're not huge fans of its $82.99 per month fee, but through June 30, the streamer is giving new users a sweet introductory offer. You'll get your first 21 days for free, then your first three months for just $67.99. That's $45 in savings, should you choose to stick around after catching the Kentucky Derby for free during your trial period.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Thanksgiving dinner.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

FEAST

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Sanctuary.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 2, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

ALTAR

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A photo filter.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 2 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 2, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SEPIA

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A crevice.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CLEFT

Final Hurdle hint

A leaf.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

FROND

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

It's the day after the Full Moon, and it still looks almost 100% in the sky. With this in mind, be sure to look up and try and catch a glimpse of some features on the surface tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Saturday, May 2, the Moon phase is Waning Gibbous. Tonight, 100% of the moon will be still be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

Without any visual aids, tonight you should be able to see the Mare Crisium and Vaporum, and the Tycho Crater. With binoculars, you'll see the Posidonus Crater, Archimedes Crater, and the Alphonsus Crater. And, finally, with a telescope you'll see all this plus the Apollo 14 and 17 landing spots, as well as the Descartes Highlands.

When is the next Full Moon?

There are two Full Moons in May, with the next due to take place on May 31.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes roughly 29.5 days to circle Earth once, going through eight distinct phases in the process. Even though we always see the same side of the Moon, the amount of sunlight hitting it changes as it moves in its orbit. The shifting light creates the changing shapes we know as full, half, and crescent Moons. Altogether, there are eight main lunar phases.

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you read the morning paper.

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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for May 2, 2026 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: Sixth Sense

• Green: Performed in a theatre

• Blue: Governmental agencies

• Purple: Read all about it!

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Clairvoyant

• Green: Staged performances

• Blue: U.S. cabinet departments

• Purple: Starting with newspaper names

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 #1056 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Clairvoyant: EXTRASENSORY, MENTAL, PSYCHIC, TELEPATHIC

• Staged performances: BALLET, MUSICAL, OPERA, PLAY

• U.S. cabinet departments: EDUCATION, INTERIOR, STATE, TREASURY

• Starting with newspaper names: GLOBETROTTER, HERALDRY, POST-IT, TIMES TABLES

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 May 2, 2026

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 love to bust a move.

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 May 2, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: All the right moves

The words are related to movement.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe dancing.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Line Dance.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

NYT Strands word list for May 2

• Pony

• Scuff

• Kick

• Shuffle

• Line Dance

• Wizard

• Sailor

• Coaster

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 never show up empty-handed.

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 May 2, 2026 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 May 2, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To take along.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter PB

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...

BRING

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.

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.

Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Book 6 Ultra laptop has the premium build, processor and graphics muscle required by creative pros. Can it replace a MacBook Pro?

Update, May 1, 6:45 p.m.: the New York Times is reporting Spirit Airlines may cease operations at 3 a.m. ET on Saturday, May 2.

Low-cost airline carrier Spirit is running on fumes right now, potentially ceasing operations this weekend as rising fuel costs have brought it to the brink of closure.

News reports from last month indicated that the federal government might bail out the Florida-based airline for over $500 million and a 90 percent stake in the company. The airline is facing its second bankruptcy in two years, CNBC reports.

That deal with the federal government did not materialize, but President Trump told reporters on Friday that, "I guess we're looking at [bailing Spirit out]. If we can do it, we'll do it. No institutions been able to do it. I'd like to save the jobs, but we'll have an announcement sometime today. We gave them a final proposal."

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CBS News' Kris Van Cleave reports that only two of the Spirit's three major creditors have signed on to the government's aid package, and its bondholders have not signed off on the deal.

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Spirit, which has more than 10,000 employees, hasn't announced any updates on its website or X feed, but it is responding to posts on the social media site.

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If the airline shuts down, people who have booked flights will likely get refunded by their credit card companies, CBS News reported. Those flying when and if the airline is grounded would likely have to book their connecting flights on another airline. Spirit competitors may offer "rescue fares" to those flyers, possibly allowing them to reach their destination at a discounted price. If Spirit shuts down, the airline's frequent flyer miles will likely be worthless.

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Spirit is often the butt of jokes for its bare-bones (though inexpensive) service — they charge for all carry-on luggage and do not offer free water or snacks.

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Do you remember Friendster?

The early-2000s social networking platform has now returned roughly 24 years later with a whole new gimmick: Users can only connect with real-life friends.

The founder of the new Friendster, Mike Carson, is promoting the relaunched social media platform as being free of any ads and algorithms. But, that's not all that's missing either.

Friend currently exists as an iOS app. And once a user downloads the app and sets up their account, they'll see completely blank space. Friendster doesn't show users any posts. In fact, there are no suggestions about who to follow at all.

The new Friendster is built for users to strictly follow people they know in real-life. And the platform makes sure it's being used that way too. In order to follow someone on Friendster, the two users need to physically tap each other's phones while the app is open. This is the only way to connect with someone on the platform.

SEE ALSO: It's time for MySpace to make a comeback What happened to Friendster

Before even MySpace took off, there was Friendster. 

Friendster was officially launched in March 2002 by its founder Jonathan Abrams and is largely considered to be the first major online social networking platform. However, shortly after its launch, other social networks like MySpace quickly took off and Friendster was unable to maintain a foothold with American users.

The platform did find a significant user base in Asia and was eventually sold to a Malaysian company, before Friendster pivoted to become a social gaming website in 2011. Eventually, however, Friendster was completely shut down in 2015.

Carson, the new owner, said he noticed that the Friendster.com domain was once again resolving to a website filled with pop-up ads in 2023. Carson reached out to the new owner of the domain and found out that they had won Friendster.com at an expired domain auction one year earlier for just $7,456. Carson eventually struck a deal with the domain owner, purchasing Friendster.com for $20,000 in Bitcoin along with another domain Carson owned that generated $9,000 per year.

In a blog post discussing his journey acquiring the Friendster domain, Carson said he has plans to enable a Friends of Friends feature, that will allow users to connect solely online if they are already connected to another friend that one of the users have actually met. 

In addition, Carson would like to roll out a Fading Connection feature which nudges users when they haven't been in the same room with one of their Friendster connections for more than a year.

"Not a punishment — a gentle nudge that real friendships are kept alive in person, not online," Carson explains.

After downloading the app, I must point out that all the nothingness makes it feel daunting to use the app. However, the new Friendster seems like a very interesting idea – if it can take off. The real challenge seems to be getting users on there to begin with, because they too will see an app with empty space until they start making real-life connections.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is currently embroiled in some courtroom drama, but the engineers back at the OpenAI lab just solved a minor drama (really a comedy) with ChatGPT.

OpenAI published a lengthy, detailed report on its website about goblins. No, really. Since the release of GPT 5.1, ChatGPT models have developed a weird fixation on goblins and gremlins, regularly bringing up both in contexts where it doesn't make sense. Users took note of this and OpenAI noticed it, too, prompting an investigation. You can read the full report if you want all the juicy details, but basically, it all goes back to an arguably poor understanding of what nerds are like.

SEE ALSO: DeepSeek V4 is here: How it compares to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini

If you don't use ChatGPT, the AI chatbot offers a variety of "personalities" you can choose to tailor the tone of its responses. One of those personalities was (until recently being removed) "nerdy." According to OpenAI's research, while "nerdy" responses accounted for only 2.5 percent of all ChatGPT queries, a staggering 66.7 percent of all mentions of goblins came from that 2.5 percent. From there, these responses somehow became "rewarded" and spread to other personality types beyond "nerdy."

"The rewards were applied only in the Nerdy condition, but reinforcement learning does not guarantee that learned behaviors stay neatly scoped to the condition that produced them," OpenAI wrote. "Once a style tic is rewarded, later training can spread or reinforce it elsewhere, especially if those outputs are reused in supervised fine-tuning or preference data."

Anyway, after all that, OpenAI retired the "nerdy" personality in March and has instructed its latest models not to mention goblins or gremlins unless it makes sense.

There's a lot to enjoy with an Amazon Prime membership: a plentiful streaming service full of acclaimed originals, same-day shipping, and Grubhub+. But that's just a sampling of the extensive benefits for members. Prime members who also happen to be bookworms can maximize their monthly reading with the Amazon First Reads program.

Similar to Book of the Month, every month, Amazon First Reads drops a new collection of discounted titles. However, unlike Book of the Month, these books are totally free for Prime Members. Here's everything you need to know about Amazon First Reads.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon First Reads   Learn More What is Amazon First Reads?

Amazon First Reads is a monthly program in which eight editor-selected books are offered free to Prime members. Members are allowed to choose one book per month, which is then added to their library. Non-Prime members can still join in on the fun, but they have to pay $1.99 per book.

Featured Amazon First Reads books are totally free at checkout for Prime members. Credit: Screenshot: Amazon / Mashable composite

Some months, like Prime Day's July and Black Friday's November, offer two free books. And in others, you can select a free short story with your one free e-book.

To select your book, visit the Amazon First Reads home page to browse the options. As a Prime Member, you'll see the option to "read now for free " when you go to purchase the titles. Once you make your selection, it'll automatically be added to your Kindle library.

Which books are featured in Amazon First Reads?

Among the eight books selected each month, the book editors at Amazon provide a variety of genres for every reader. The books are typically new or soon-to-be-released books — many of the books are published under one of Amazon's publishing imprints, so they're exclusive to Amazon's shelves.

In addition to the eight full-length books offered each month, there's typically a short story available, too, exclusive to read through the Kindle Store. You'll find familiar names in the First Reads collections. Past authors include Abby Jimenez, Rebecca Yarros, Lee Child, Fredrik Backman, Alice Hoffman, and Dean Koontz.

Kindle Unlimited members are able to read most of the previous First Reads picks for free, so if there are multiple each month that you want to add to your digital bookshelf, consider a Kindle Unlimited membership.

May 2026 Amazon First Reads books May's First Reads picks include a short read by New York Times bestselling author Liv Constantine. Credit: Amazon / Mashable

May's First Reads lineup features eight novels and one short read. This month's short read, The Replacement, comes from New York Times bestselling author Liv Constantine. The suspenseful short story details the twisted relationship between a Hollywood icon struggling for relevancy and a newcomer with her own agenda. But in addition to this month's short read, there are eight novels featured, including the latest from Mindy's Book Studio, Two Lives with You.

Here are all of the First Reads picks for May 2026:

• The Replacement by Liv Constantine

• Two Lives with You by Lauren Ho

• Murder by Design by Lee Goldberg

• The Promise of Wonder by Katherine Webb

• The Confession Artist by Christine Carbo

• The Magic of Us by Beth Merlin and Danielle Modafferi

• The Girl in the Lake by Lauren Oliver

• Westerly by Susan Donovan Bernhard

• The Quitters Club by Jessica Strawser

Do you need a Kindle for Amazon First Reads?

All of the books selected are technically purchased through the Kindle Store. But does that mean you need a Kindle to read them?

Nope! No Kindle e-reader is necessary to read books collected through First Reads. All books purchased through the Kindle Store are available in the Kindle app, which can be read on a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

However, if you're asking if you should get a Kindle, that's a different question. While a Kindle is not required to enjoy the bounty of the Kindle store, it is our favorite e-reader brand if you're in the market.

Kindle Paperwhite $134.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $25   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy

Still struggling to spot when you're streaming AI-generated music instead of human-made tunes? Spotify is trying to help.

On April 30, the streaming giant announced it would be launching an official "Verified by Spotify" badge across its platform to distinguish human artists from synthetic-only profiles.

The badge, a light green check mark next to the artist's name, is determined by an automatic filtering system based on the profile's engagement history and listener activity, its compliance with Spotify policies, and authenticity markers found on and off the platform. Spotify's system will look for live concert dates, merchandise, and linked social accounts, for example.

SEE ALSO: AI can reason like a doctor, study says

Spotify says it will also use human reviewers to verify profiles "behaving in good faith," based initially on the platform's most searched artists. The company says the policy will continue to evolve with the music industry, including considerations for human artists who use AI to create music.

In addition to verification, Spotify is beta-testing expanded artist information — akin to "nutrition facts" on food products — that will provide more context about an artist's history and authenticity. Artists will also be given greater control over what appears on their profiles.

The badge will roll out slowly over the coming weeks.

Users have called attention to a growing number of AI-generated songs and AI-only artist pages on Spotify, as well as a rise in algorithmic recommendations that push AI music into user playlists. Last year, the platform came under fire for allegedly adding AI-generated music to the profiles of deceased artists. Many Spotify listeners have bristled at the presence of entirely AI-generated profiles on the streaming app and have called for visible AI disclosures on music pages. Spotify has previously announced expanded spam filtering systems, AI disclosures, and impersonation policies.

In January, the company told Mashable editor Rachel Thompson that the platform "doesn't give AI-generated music any special treatment." A Spotify spokesperson added, "While we don’t penalize artists for using AI responsibly, we are aggressive about taking down content farms, impersonators, or anyone trying to game the system."

May is an extra special month for astronomy fans, because there isn't just one Full Moon, there's two. The first is the Flower Moon, named for the time of year when little signs of Spring start to appear. At the end of the month, we’ll see a Blue Moon. This doesn't have anything to do with its color, but simply the name given to a second Full Moon within the same calendar month.

Keep reading to find out more about this month’s Full Moon.

When is the May full moon?

The full moon will occur on Friday, May 1. Time and Date estimates it will peak at 1:23 p.m. ET.

What is the May full moon called?

One of the most beautiful parts of Spring is the return of flowers blooming. Daffodils are in full swing and wildflowers start to reappear, and summer starts to feel closer. This very experience is why the May full moon is called the Flower Moon, explains Royal Museums Greenwich.

When is the next full moon?

There are two Full Moons in May, with the next due to take place on May 31.

What are the lunar phases?

The Full Moon is one of eight stages the Moon moves through during its roughly 29.5-day orbit around Earth. At each stage, a different portion of its surface is illuminated by the Sun from our viewpoint on Earth. Although we always face the same side of the Moon, the shifting position of sunlight across its orbit is what creates the changing appearance, from fully lit, to partially bright, to almost dark as the cycle progresses.

The phases are:

• New Moon — The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (so, we don't see anything).

• Waxing Crescent — A small sliver of light appears on the right side

• First Quarter — Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

• Waxing Gibbous — More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

• Full Moon — The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

• Waning Gibbous — The moon starts losing light on the right side

• Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) — Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

• Waning Crescent — A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

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The best gaming monitor deals at a glance: Best curved monitor deal Alienware 34-inch QD-OLED Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3425DW) $649.99 (save $150) Get Deal Best flat monitor deal LG 27-inch UltraGear OLED gaming monitor (27GS93QE) $499.99 (save $400) Get Deal Best entry-level monitor deal ASUS 32-inch TUF curved gaming monitor (VG32VQ1B) $209 (save $80) Get Deal

Gaming hardware tends to come with some sticker shock. But if your current setup is feeling lifeless, this weekend is a good excuse to upgrade your monitor for less. Some major brands, including LG, Alienware, and ASUS, have previous-generation gaming monitors on sale for record-low prices and we've rounded up our favorites below.

Whether you're hoping to bump up your refresh rate or enhance your visual experience, here are the best gaming monitor deals to shop this weekend.

Best curved gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: Alienware Alienware 34-inch QD-OLED Curved Gaming Monitor (AW3425DW) $649.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $150   Get Deal Why we like it

Gaming is addicting on this 34-inch Alienware AW3425DW monitor. Thanks to a steep 1800R curved OLED panel that wraps the game around you, plus high performance specs like a 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, and an aiming point editor called AlienVision, you'll be fully immersed in every game and any world you choose. Combined with a stellar color range, VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400, 1000 nits peak HDR brightness, and G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro certifications, it's hard to believe it's only $649.99 (reg. $799.99). At just shy of 20% off, this is its lowest price on record.

Best flat gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG UltraGear 27-inch OLED gaming monitor (27GS93QE) $499.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $400   Get Deal Why we like it

This $400 discount on the LG UltraGear 27-inch OLED gaming monitor knocks it down to its best price ever.

While it's over a year old at this point, it still packs some solid specs. Like the Alienware model above, it features an OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time for fluid gameplay, and is validated for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. It's a bit smaller at 27 inches and isn't curved, but some folks prefer a flat display — particularly at this size. The matte 1440p panel is VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certified, so colors pop and blacks are rich and deep. And as a bonus, the detachable base and stand allow for infinite adjustments to suit your gaming habits.

Best entry-level gaming monitor deal Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS TUF 32-inch curved gaming monitor (VG32VQ1B) $209 at Amazon
$289 Save $80   Get Deal Why we like it

If you're new to the gaming world or you're just a casual player, the ASUS 32-inch TUF curved monitor is an affordable entry-level model with decent specs. Plus, it's $80 off this weekend — its second-best price ever. It features an ultra-steep 1500R curve, 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and FreeSync Premium supported through DisplayPort and HDMI. It won't wow you quite like the first two monitors, but at only $209, who cares?

More gaming monitor deals this weekend

• ASUS 27-inch TUF QHD gaming monitor (VG27AQM5A) — $199 $299 (save $100)

• Alienware 34-inch WQHD curved gaming monitor (AW3425DWM) — $289.99 $349.99 (save $60)

• LG 27-inch UltraGear OLED gaming monitor (27GX704A-B) — $477.99 $799.99 (save $322)

• Samsung 40-inch Odyssey G75F WUHD curved gaming monitor — $695.99 $999.99 (save $304)

• ASUS 34-inch ROG Strix OLED curved gaming monitor (XG34WCDG) — $749 $999 (save $250)

• Samsung 49-inch Odyssey G93SC OLED curved monitor — $899.99 $1,599.99 (save $700)

The best TV deals to shop this weekend: Best Samsung deal Samsung 65-inch Class OLED 4K S85F Series TV (2025, 65S85F) $1,067.95 (save $730.04) Get Deal Best Hisense deal Hisense 75-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED 4K TV (2026, 75U6SF Pro) $899.99 (save $500) Get Deal Best Toshiba deal Toshiba 100-inch Z670 Series Mini-LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV (2026, 100Z670R) $2,497.99 (save $1,502) Get Deal

Did you know that spring is the third-best time to buy a TV? I know “third-best” sounds like a scam, but there's a real reason for it. Since CES has officially come and gone, retailers are dropping prices on "older" (i.e., basically brand new) TVs to clear out inventory — and we're even seeing early discounts on the shiny new 2026 models that just debuted at the show.

SEE ALSO: Best TVs under $500: Low-budget, high-quality TVs in every size

You can read the full breakdown of how this works in our guide on the best time to buy a TV, but if you're just here to shop, these are the best deals I could find this weekend.

Best Samsung deal Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 65-inch Class OLED 4K S85F Series TV (2025, 65S85F) $1,067.95 at Amazon
$1,797.99 Save $730.04   Get Deal Why we like it

If you want the deep, inky blacks and vibrant colors of an OLED screen without entirely draining your bank account, this 2025 Samsung model is the one to grab right now.

As of this weekend, the 65-inch S85F is marked down to $1,067.95, from $1,797.99, which is a 41% discount or $730 savings.

For that price, you get a built-in NQ4 AI Gen2 processor that automatically upscales whatever you're watching into sharp 4K resolution using 20 neural networks. It also features a 120Hz refresh rate to keep fast-moving sports and games looking smooth.

Best Hisense deal Hisense 75-inch U6 Pro Series Mini‑LED 4K TV (2026, 75U6SF Pro) $899.99 at Amazon
$1,399.99 Save $500   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Hisense is somehow already offering discounts on its brand-new 2026 lineup, and the price drops are just too good to ignore.

Right now, you can get the 75-inch Hisense U6 Pro Series Mini-LED 4K TV for $899.99 at Amazon. That's a 36% discount (or an extra $500 in your pocket) on a TV that practically just hit the market.

The Hisense U6 Pro Series uses Mini-LED backlighting, which means the picture stays clear and detailed no matter the lighting. It also has a native 144Hz refresh rate, and Fire TV is built right in, so you can access your fave streaming apps without buying a separate stick.

Best Toshiba deal Toshiba 100-inch Z670 Series Mini-LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV (2026, 100Z670R) $2,497.99 at Amazon
$3,999.99 Save $1,502   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Nobody needs a 100-inch TV (at least, not IMO). But if you have the wall space and are determined to turn your living room into a home theater, you might as well get one while it's discounted.

Like the Hisense above, this Toshiba Z670 Series is a brand-new 2026 release, and it's already marked down to $2,497.99 at Amazon. That's a 38% discount or a $1,502 price cut.

More TV deals this weekend

• Samsung 43-inch Q8F QLED 4K TV — $397.99 $549.99 (save $152)

• Samsung 65-inch Q7F QLED 4K TV — $427.99 $629.99 (save $202)

• Hisense 75-inch U6 Mini LED QLED 4K TV — $499.99 $1,299.99 (save $800)

• Hisense 55-inch S7N Canvas QLED 4K TV — $647.99 $999.99 (save $352)

• Hisense 65-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $999.99 $2,199.99 (save $1,200)

• Hisense 75-inch U8 Mini LED ULED 4K TV — $1,249.99 $2,499.99 (save $1,250)