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Well, Hellfire Club, it's finally here.

The very, very end of Stranger Things, after almost 10 years and five seasons of the Duffer Brothers' smash Netflix series. We've ridden our bikes through Scoops Ahoy sundaes and Spider Monster battles in the Starcourt Mall, through Billy's Mind Flayer recruitment drive, all the way to shredding Metallica in the Upside Down and staring into the Abyss.

SEE ALSO: Gaten Matarazzo hoped 'Stranger Things' fans would be conflicted about Dustin in Season 5

The final battle against Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) looms for our Hawkins heroes, with the penultimate episode bringing everyone together in the Squawk radio station, ready to face the mind-bending villain once and for all. But when, exactly, can you settle in with your Demogorgon plushie for the last stand?

Featured Video For You Gaten Matarazzo on 'Stranger Things' 'SNL' shoutout, Dustin and Steve's big fight, and why AI is 'lame' What exact time does the Stranger Things finale air?

The series finale of Stranger Things premieres Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Netflix.

Of course, you can also watch it in the cinema (but by this time, you'll be lucky to get a seat).

You can never have too many tools, right? Milwaukee already has an extensive selection of power tools and accessories, but one thing that makes the brand so popular is the constant arrival of new products. And while Milwaukee has over 150 items coming soon, here are a couple of new tools arriving in 2026 that are actually worth waiting for.

If you're not into crowds, streaming the New Year’s Eve fireworks from home has become a bit of an annual hack. HUNTR/X gets it — ringing in midnight from your couch is highly underrated, toasting what was and could be ahead with an actual glass, not an overpriced plastic cup whose crappy contents are inevitably destined for the front of your shirt in the chaos.

Thankfully, digital streams of the iconic and deeply expensive fireworks from around the globe are easily accessible, from the iconic lit-up vista of Sydney Harbour to London's Thames affair. Here's a guide to where you can watch the countdowns live or on demand — this is your 2026, you can decide when midnight happens for you.

SEE ALSO: The 15 best British TV shows of 2025 and where to stream them New Year's Eve fireworks live streams

The key to figuring out New Year's Eve celebrations is knowing your timezones. Mashable's Chance Townsend spelled it out last year, writing:

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the world’s standard time system and each location’s time zone is measured as an offset from UTC. For example, UTC+0 includes cities like London, meaning their clocks align exactly with UTC. Cities to the east, like Dubai (UTC+4), are ahead of UTC, celebrating earlier, while those to the west, like New York City (UTC-5), are behind, ringing in the New Year hours later.

Starting at UTC+14 in Kiritimati (a tiny island country in the Micronesia region of Oceania and the first to celebrate) and ending in Hawaii at UTC-10 (the last), this time zone progression lets us follow the global party as midnight strikes in each region.

You can also find a global list of live cams on Earthcam.com.

UTC +12:00

• Auckland, New Zealand

UTC +11:00

• Sydney, Australia

UTC +8:00

• Taipei, Taiwan

UTC +9:00

• Tokyo, Japan

• Seoul, South Korea

UTC +8:00

• Hong Kong

UTC +7:00

• Bangkok, Thailand

UTC +5:30

• Delhi, India

UTC +4:00

• Dubai, United Arab Emirates

UTC +2:00

• Athens, Greece

UTC +1:00

• Berlin, Germany

UTC 0:00

• London, United Kingdom

UTC -3:00

• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

UTC -5:00

• New York City, United States

Microsoft Excel is practically synonymous with spreadsheets, but the cost, along with being trapped in Microsoft's ecosystem, made me search for an alternative.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're preparing your resolutions.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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 31, 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: 2026

• Green: They swallow things

• Blue: The first capital of the US

• Purple: A waterway

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Happy New Year!

• Green: Places where things disappear

• Blue: Associated with Philadelphia

• Purple: Starting with bodies of water

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 #934 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Happy New Year!: BALL DROP, CHAMPAGNE FLUTE, FIREWORKS, NOISEMAKER

• Places where things disappear: BERMUDA TRIANGLE, BLACK HOLE, COUCH CUSHIONS, DRYER

• Associated with Philadelphia: BROTHERLY LOVE, CHEESESTEAK, LIBERTY BELL, ROCKY

• Starting with bodies of water: BAY LEAF, CHANNEL SURF, SEA BASS, SOUND BARRIER

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 31, 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 love going in circles.

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 31, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 31, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: One good turn deserves another

The words are related to twirling.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe circular motions.

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 Round and Round.

NYT Strands word list for December 31

• Round and Round

• Circle

• Whirl

• Orbit

• Rotate

• Spin

• Pirouette

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 an emergency worker.

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 31, 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 31, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Found atop a police car.

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...

SIREN

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 31, 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.

The Logitech Pro X Superlight 2c gaming mouse doesn't offer any groundbreaking new tech. That said, it offers dependability, precision, speed, and comfort, making it an incredible gaming peripheral.

The first Full Moon of 2026 is keeping the supermoon streak alive. After a string of them to end 2025, we get one more to kick off the new year. October, November, and December all saw beautiful, large moons in the sky, and January will be no different.

A supermoon is really what the name suggests, a Full Moon that appears bigger and brighter in the sky than usual, perfect for late-night stargazing. There's lots happening with the January Full Moon, so keep reading to find out what it means.

When is the January Full Moon?

January's full Moon will occur on Saturday, Jan. 3. Time and Date estimates it will peak at 5:02 a.m. ET.

What is the January full Moon called?

Full Moons all have their own names, and January's is traditionally known as the 'Wolf Moon'. Time and Date explains that this is because wolves were typically thought to be more active, and howling, in January.

January's Full Moon is also another supermoon, the fourth in a row. It will appear bigger and brighter in the sky because it sits closer to Earth in its orbit. A supermoon occurs when the Moon reaches its full phase at or near lunar perigee, the point where it comes closest to our planet, which creates a noticeably larger view, Royal Museums Greenwich tells us.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon is predicted to occur on Feb. 1, 2026.

What are the lunar phases?

The Full Moon is just one of eight phases in the Moon’s 29.5-day orbit around Earth. All of the different phases show how much of its surface is lit up from our point of view. We always see the same side of the Moon, but as it moves around Earth, the sunlight falls on it differently, so that's why sometimes we see it looking full, sometimes half, and sometimes it looks like it has disappeared completely.

The phases are:

• 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.

• Last Quarter (or Third 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.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know American baseball.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, 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 the latest 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: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Movies

• Green: Major stars

• Blue: Venues

• Purple: Letter subtraction

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Sports films of 2025

• Green: MVPs of 2025

• Blue: SEC football stadiums

• Purple: Starts with an MLB team in singular form

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: Sports Edition #464 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Sports films of 2025 - F1, HAPPY GILMORE 2, MARTY SUPREME, THE SMASHING MACHINE

• MVPs of 2025 - A'JA WILSON, CONNOR HELLEBUYCK, SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER, SHOHEI OHTANI

• SEC football stadiums - BRYANT-DENNY, JORDAN-HARE, KYLE, SANFORD

• Starts with an MLB team in singular form - ANGEL REESE, RAY ALLEN, RED AUERBACH, TIGER WOODS

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections 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.

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.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 30, 2025

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 31, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 31 Pips

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Number (18): Everything in this space must add up to 18. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 31 Pips

Equal (4): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 31 Pips

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this red space must be equal to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 4-5, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed vertically.

Equal (5): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 5. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed vertically; 5-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

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

Donald Trump's golden smartphone won't be arriving anytime soon.

Trump Mobile, announced in June and run by the president's children Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, has yet again delayed shipping of its flagship device, the T1, according to a report by the Financial Times.

SEE ALSO: Trump Mobile shares T1 model, but something doesn't look right

Speaking to the news publisher, Trump Mobile's customer service team blamed this year's U.S. government shutdown for the phone's delay — without further detail. This follows a previously unaddressed delay in November, in which the Trump Mobile team quietly removed shipping dates from its website as the deadline sailed by and began listing refurbished Samsung and Apple phones.

In fact, the T1 was originally set to ship in August, was then pushed to October, went AWOL in November, and will now be shipped...sometime in 2026? Maybe?

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Currently still available for preorder on the Trump Mobile website, the smartphone retails for $499 and is set to run on its "47 plan" including unlimited talk, text, and data for $47.45 a month (Trump is the 45th and 47th U.S. president). Down payments cost $100, with a message on the website fittingly reading, "Getting in line is easy."

In June, Trump Mobile was pitched by the Trump Organisation's trademark licensing arm DTTM Corporation as "a transformational, new cellular service designed to deliver top-tier connectivity, unbeatable value and all-American service for our nation’s hardest-working people" — with emphasis on the American-made element. Following Trump's chaotic global tariffs odyssey earlier this year, the president's aim of bringing manufacturing back into the U.S. has seen pressure on Big Tech leaders like Apple to produce their devices in America instead of China — though whether the T1 could actually entirely be made in America is a major question mark.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025:

AcrossMany a participant in the 2025 "6-7" trend

• The answer is Kid.

Like 2025, to the French?

• The answer is Fini.

The last one was minted in 2025

• The answer is Penny.

The O's in XOXO

• The answer is Hugs.

"Real" ones became required in 2025

• The answer is IDs.

DownNo ___ (2025 protest)

• The answer is Kings.

Travelers' lodgings

• The answer is Inns.

Home project inits.

• The answer is DIY.

Drake and Kendrick Lamar had a high-profile one

• The answer is Feud.

The 2025 Super Bowl champion Eagles, on scoreboards

• The answer is Phi.

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

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

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

Like every year, a slew of new TVs are waiting to be unveiled at CES. Unlike every other year, the big TV brands seem to have quite similar ideas on how to innovate. To sum it up, everyone and their mother is releasing an RGB TV, and CES 2026 is setting the stage for Samsung, LG, Hisense, and more to duke it out in very direct head-to-head comparison.

Typically, there's a decent amount of variety between the new TVs from each brand: In 2025, LG's main thing was an expansion of its best-in-class OLED TVs, TCL went hard on mini-LED, and Samsung's claim to fame was a Neo QLED version of The Frame. Of course, there will be no shortage of new OLEDs and QLEDs in 2026. But the suddenly-crowded RGB TV market is easily the most noteworthy plot point.

The year of RGB TVs and the inevitable OLED x mini-LED collab

For most of the 2020s, new TVs announced at CES have mostly fallen under one of two categories: fancy new OLED or fancy new mini-LED. TV innovation at CES this year finally deviates from those two buzzwords, though they both walked so RGB TVs could run.

Did you know that the bulbs in most QLED or mini LED TV backlights are only emitting white or blue light? This isn't visible to the viewer, of course. It's actually the layer of quantum dot crystals sandwiched on top that are reflecting white or blue light into all of the colors that appear on the TV screen. RGB TVs do things a little differently on the backend. "RGB" refers to thousands of microscopic red, green, and blue LEDs lighting the TV — these true red, green, and blue light sources are said to cover 100 percent of the color gamut (or the full possible spectrum of visible colors) and greatly expand the TV's color accuracy.

SEE ALSO: What to look for when buying a TV, as told through this easy TV specs guide

Each of those red, green, and blue LEDs are individually controlled like OLED pixels, offering much more precision than even the most densely-packed mini LED dimming zones can offer. So, micro RGB TVs shouldn't fall victim to mediocre contrast and imperfect black levels like many non-OLED TVs do, while simultaneously achieving higher peak brightness than OLED can provide.

Remember that the main trend here is RGB technology itself — the term "Micro RGB" is merely the marketing name that Samsung and LG are using. So far, Hisense is going with "RGB mini-LED" while Sony is rumored to have coined "True RGB." We expect other top TV brands to reveal their version of RGB at CES 2026 as well (TCL launched two RGB TVs in China in Sept. 2025 that could make their U.S. debut at CES.) Regardless of nomenclature, as long as RGB is involved, just think "the most colorful TV you've ever seen."

Big TVs are getting bigger, small TVs are getting better

Brands are likely to load the 85- to 100-inch (or bigger) end of the spectrum with their 2026 flagship TVs, whereas TVs near the 100-inch mark were more of an outlier in previous years. Samsung's CES TV lineup, much of which got leaked in early December, shows a new 98-inch version of The Frame. Even wilder, LG's 2026 Micro RGB line is apparently only available in 75, 86, and 100 inches. 

It's hard to fathom a 75-inch TV being the smallest option, considering 65 inches has been a staple size in the TV market forever. Mashable currently recommends 65-inch TVs as the best size for most people, but will that be considered "small" soon?

But you're not being left in the dust if your living room or bedroom requires a smaller TV footprint. We're continuing to see the yassification of small TVs, a trend currently represented with 32-inch and 43-inch versions of Samsung's The Frame or 42-inch and 48-inch versions of LG's flagship C5 OLED TV. So far, Samsung has confirmed that it's extending its premium Micro RGB tech to a 55-inch model in 2026, and it wouldn't be surprising if other brands offered similarly versatile sizing. Ahead of CES, Hisense just released the S5 DécoTV, a 32-inch QLED TV that's much more affordable than the smallest The Frame TV.

SEE ALSO: If dark scenes are too dark on your TV, play around with these settings

The aforementioned Samsung TV leak also alludes to some slightly more affordable OLED TVs on the horizon, including a 55-inch S85H model allegedly priced around $1,000. That'd end up being slightly cheaper than the current sale price on the 42-inch version of Samsung's premium S90F OLED.

That's a prime example of the classic trickle down TV tech that we've seen with QLED and mini-LED over the past few years. Both of those started out as novel high-end TV technologies only to be found in the most expensive bracket. But as QLED and mini-LED panels gradually got easier and cheaper to manufacture, the tech was eventually tweaked over time to come in more budget-friendly forms. 2026 could be the year that OLED TVs get a taste of real accessibility, as Samsung is probably far from the only brand entering a more budget-friendly take on OLED.

New art TVs have the Frame Pro shaking in its boots

It seems like Samsung is taking a break from The Frame at CES 2026 after announcing the Frame Pro at CES a year ago. Naturally, LG is taking the opportunity to slide in with its very first iteration of an art TV (finally). Announced on Dec. 30, the LG Gallery TV will feature the hallmark glare reduction finish that separates art TVs from regular TVs, plus the expected ambient light sensor. It'll feature LG's MiniLED tech and full-array local dimming — a major blow to The Frame Pro's edge-lit mini-LED lighting. The full selection of artwork will require a $5/month LG Gallery+ subscription, matching the monthly price for the Samsung Art Store.

That's not the only Frame Pro competitor we could meet this year. The TCL Nxtvision A400 Pro, another new art TV with local dimming zones instead of edge lighting, is already available in China, and could be officially announced for the U.S. at CES. Will Hisense throw in a new CanvasTV, too?

As one of Mashable’s sex, dating, and relationships writers, I’ve tested dozens of apps over the past few years, and Hinge is easily the one I get asked about most. Why? Because it’s the landing spot for everyone who's too horny to admit it (and wouldn't be caught dead on Tinder) and for the people who are genuinely ready to swap keys and get a dog together. It’s the app famously "designed to be deleted," and for better or worse, it’s where people go when they want to have an actual conversation IRL.

SEE ALSO: All your Hinge questions, answered

Some of my closest friends — and some Mashable staff members — have found love on Hinge (one is even engaged to her match now), so I know it can work. To help you decide if it’s worth the download for you, I’ve broken down everything you need to know about the app, from the sign-up process to the features that actually help you connect.

Getting started on Hinge

The onboarding process for Hinge is super easy. Once you've downloaded the app, just click “Create Account,” enter your phone number, and type in the verification code. There isn’t a Facebook login or any kind of Google or Apple login option right upfront, but I think that’s OK. It’s not like your phone number is viewable anywhere on the platform.

The first screen that pops up says, “You’re one of a kind. Your profile should be, too.” This immediately shows that Hinge is serious about getting to know you a little better than most mainstream dating apps.

The first question? What’s your name? Easy enough. There’s a little note at the top that says “NO BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE CONDUCTED,” which is honestly a little weird, but reassuring, I guess? There’s also a note that says your last name is optional, so if you’re wary about sharing your full identity, you can opt to omit it.

(After entering your name, you do get the option to connect a Google or Apple account. I’m not sure why this isn’t an option on the main login screen, but nevertheless, it’s there if you want it.)

Next, Hinge requests your email and asks for a verification code again. The fact that the app does two-step verification twice is pretty impressive; it makes it much less likely for someone to create a fake profile.

Defining who you are

Of course, your birth date (which Hinge says is only used to “calculate your age"), location, and gender identity are standard questions. Hinge lets you select up to four pronouns (e.g., they/them, she/her).

It offers “Man,” Woman,” and “Nonbinary” gender options, and from there you can add your gender identity, which includes a comprehensive list like genderfluid, genderqueer, trans, and others. If you don’t see yours, you can request it using the “Tell us if we’re missing something” button. You can also toggle whether or not these are visible on your profile.

Following this, you’ll be able to choose your sexuality. The options include:

• Straight

• Gay

• Lesbian

• Bisexual

• Allosexual

• Androsexual

• Asexual

• Autosexual

This is also optional to show on your profile. You’ll then be asked who you want to date, and nicely, you can select multiple options (some apps restrict you to just one).

The app asks for your relationship type next. You can choose from “Monogamy,” “Non-monogamy,” and “Figuring out my relationship type.” If you choose “figuring out,” you’ll be prompted to write up to 160 characters describing exactly what you’re looking for.

Within your profile, you can select your gender, sexuality, and who you're looking to meet. Credit: Screenshot: Hinge Dating intentions

Next are your intentions, and Hinge lists several options to choose from. One of the things I noticed here is that if you choose “prefer not to say,” a little note appears: “This will limit who sees your profile.” This is a good reminder of just how serious Hinge is about helping you meet the right match. If someone can’t share their intentions, they’re probably shady AF, and Hinge is recognizing this out loud.

SEE ALSO: Cuffing season is here! The best dating apps for serious relationships, reviewed.

Once you’ve gotten through that, you’ll be asked to fill in more details about yourself, including:

• Height (which is always visible on your profile)

• Ethnicity

• Children (another answer that will limit your profile if you don’t disclose this info)

• Family Plans (yet another answer that’ll limit who sees you)

• Virtues: Hometown, workplace, job title, school, education level, religious beliefs, and political views

Finally, it hits you with the vices: Do you drink, smoke tobacco, smoke weed, or use drugs? Note that for almost all of these, choosing “prefer not to say” will limit who sees your profile.

While it may seem a little invasive to limit profile views based on your answers, I think this is a really good way for people to meet the ones they’re actually meant to be with. This screening process is way more in-depth than most. It also makes it a good option for people who are sober or conscious about their alcohol intake (which a good chunk of Gen Z are).

Creating your profile

OK, now that you’ve gotten through the basic info, Hinge wants you to “show off” the person behind the screen.

Photos

First up: profile pics and videos. (It’s pretty cool that the app lets you upload videos, too.) There are six spaces for images or videos, and if you’re unsure of what to upload, Hinge offers a “see what works based on research” feature that guides you.

You're required to submit all six photos to move forward. I didn’t love this because I hate photos of myself, but I did love it for filtering others. The fact that users have to do this is a pretty good sign that there will be fewer bots and catfish on this app (and honestly, in my past testing, I never encountered a bot).

Fill out your profile with photos/videos and prompts. Credit: Screenshot: Hinge Prompts

After you’ve uploaded all six images/videos, you’ll be asked to write profile answers. You need to pick three prompts to start.

Some options include:

• This year, I really want to...

• I go crazy for...

• Give me travel tips for...

• Do you agree or disagree that...

• Don’t hate me if I...

• My last journal entry was about...

• Together, we could...

There are tons more across different categories, such as “self-care” and “date vibes.” You can write up to 225 characters for each. Once you fill out a prompt from one category, Hinge suggests filling out prompts from other categories to mix it up. And if your content is thin, Hinge’s AI will nudge you to “go a little deeper.”

You can also add an optional voice prompt to record up to 30 seconds of audio.

After all of that, Hinge gives you your first “Subscriber” pop-up. You can “Check it out” or click “Maybe later.” I’m super appreciative that this is the first time I’ve seen a push toward a paid subscription. Some apps (cough, eharmony) constantly push paid subscriptions.

And, voila! You’re finally finished setting up your profile.

Matching on Hinge

Whether you decide to keep going with your profile is up to you. You can see potential matches after the initial setup, or you can go back and edit details, add more, and see where things go. Of course, the app notes that to improve your match quality, you should complete more sections of your profile.

If you click “edit profile,” you’ll find the option to add a “Match Note,” which is a private message you can share with matches before you start chatting. Examples of what could go in here include things like whether you’re just getting out of a divorce, are recently sober, or are looking for a polyamorous relationship. It’s a dedicated space for the "need-to-know" info you might not want on your public profile.

Hinge also lets you add a poll, a video prompt, a voice prompt, and additional photos. If you’re wondering, the bare minimum we did above gets you to an 89 percent complete profile.

Unlike some other apps, Hinge lets you see full profiles and photos of potential matches for free. You can filter matches by gender, age, height, dating intentions, and more. This helps narrow your search down. More advanced filtering options are available only to paid subscribers (which I’ll cover in a bit).

On the main dashboard, you’ll have a home feed and a “Standouts” section (the star icon). These are people whom Hinge’s algorithm thinks you’d “be most excited about,” based on who’s getting the most attention, your dealbreakers, and your recent activity. “Standouts” are refreshed every 24 hours, so you can always browse new people the next day.

You’ll also see a “Likes You” section (the heart icon) where you can view profiles that have “liked” you. The cool thing here is that these people cannot connect with you unless you give the go-ahead. However, there’s a catch: free users can only view one incoming “like” at a time. You have to make a decision (match or skip) before you can see the next one. (If you have a paid subscription, you can see everyone who’s “liked” you at once.)

Also, once you send a “like,” you won’t see that profile again until they choose to match with you. And, you can only send eight "likes" per day. To prevent ghosting, Hinge also enforces "Your Turn Limits." If you have eight or more conversations where it's your turn to reply, you won't be able to send any new "likes" until you message back or unmatch.

It’s all part of Hinge’s “intentional” philosophy: If you’re forced to really think about who you’re matching with, you’re less likely to just mindlessly swipe on everyone just because (looking at you, Tinder).

Safety and security

In addition to the standard chat features, Hinge has a surprisingly robust safety suite designed to keep the scammers (and creeps) at bay.

Selfie verification

If you click on your profile photo and hit the “Safety” tab, you’ll see “Selfie Verification” first. To get that coveted checkmark, you have to take a quick video selfie to prove you’re a real person. Hinge promises the video is private, but here’s the fine print: according to the pop-up, Hinge keeps three screenshots from that video for the life of your account to audit the feature. It also keeps the results, whether you pass or fail.

Verify your profile to let people know that you're real. Credit: Screenshot: Hinge Comment filter

The comment filter is another safety option that even free Hinge users can activate. You can set an “auto” filter to catch disrespectful comments, or use "Hidden Words" to block specific words, phrases, and emoji from ever appearing in your notifications. (Goodbye, eggplant emoji.)

Hinge tucks these away in a “Hidden Likes” section, so you can still view them if you really want to check if the algorithm got it right. I like that it gives you the final say without forcing you to see the trash upfront.

Block list

You can also sync your phone contacts to your "Block List." This is a must-have feature if you want to preemptively ensure you never see your ex, your boss, or your cousin on the app.

Underneath these features, there’s a direct button to contact the Crisis Text Line and a Help Center with safety tips. It feels comprehensive without being too in-your-face.

How much does Hinge cost?

OK, so I’m pretty impressed with the free features, but if you’re interested in seeing what else this app has to offer, Hinge+ and HingeX are the paid subscription tiers that’ll get you extra perks and advanced filtering.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll get with each:

Hinge+

Cost: Starts at $19.99 per week

What you get:

• Unlimited “likes”

• See everyone who “likes” you at once (no blurring)

• Additional dating preferences (height, family plans, politics, vices)

• Sort all incoming “likes” by compatibility or recent activity

If you live in a big city and are overwhelmed by likes, this is worth it just to see everyone at once.

HingeX

Cost: Starts at $24.99 per week

What you get: Everything in Hinge+, plus:

• Enhanced recommendations: Better quality profiles in your Discover feed.

• Skip the Line: Your profile is shown to people you like sooner.

• Priority Likes: Your "likes" stay at the top of potential matches’ lists (so they see you first).

You can also buy à la carte options like "Boosts" (which increase who sees you by 11 times) and "Roses" (which, according to Hinge, are two times more likely to land you a date).

Is downloading Hinge worth it?

If you’re looking for a relationship (and not just a late-night “u up?” text), yes, Hinge is absolutely worth the download. There are so many features that come standard for free users, which is rare. Plus, the app’s clear focus on helping people actually meet someone right for them (and its dedication to making you feel safe and supported) is unmatched.

I’ve tested this app in multiple towns, from small suburbs to big cities, and I’ve consistently had better results here than anywhere else. As a bisexual person, I also appreciate that it doesn't pigeonhole me; I always have plenty of options across the board. If you're ready to delete an app for the right reasons (i.e., actually meeting someone), Hinge is still your best bet.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hinge Hinge Hinge has a comprehensive free version, but paid subscriptions start at $19.99 per week Learn More

CES 2026, the world's most important consumer tech show, kicks off in just a few days. If you're not in Las Vegas to see it live, don't worry: You can watch the key presentations on your phone or computer.

To make it easier for you, we've assembled an overview of the key events, livestreams, and presentations.

What/when is CES 2026?

CES, or Consumer Electronics Show, is an annual technology convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, one of the largest such events in the world. Numerous consumer tech manufacturers bring their new wares to the event; typically, this includes everything from TVs to gaming consoles, phones, chips, robots, cars, and a multitude of battery-powered gadgets of all shapes and sizes.

This year, CES starts on January 6 and ends on January 9. Do note that the program, including live-streamed sessions, actually begins one day earlier, on January 5.

There are also numerous pre-announcements and teasers that happens days or even weeks ahead of the event. Check out our coverage so far.

CES 2026 exhibitors

Basically ever tech company under the sun will be there, except for Apple which typically does its own events.

This includes Samsung, LG, Nvidia, AMD, Qualcomm, Alphabet, Meta, Sony, Hyundai, Hisense, Lenovo, TCL, and many others.

CES 2026 full schedule

The official schedule for CES is available here. Note that it doesn't say anything about embargoed events (only the media gets invites and info on those ahead of time).

Where can I tune in online?

Given that the physical CES event is for industry-affiliated folks and not the general public, most people will be following it online.

Your first resource should be the official CES video library, where you'll be able to see all of the video content, with videos of keynotes and sessions uploaded at the end of each day. The library also hosts a number of supporting video content such as countdowns and recaps.

The official CES YouTube channel is another must-have resource. It will host live keynotes, events, and interviews, as well as shorts and other official videos.

Finally, the major keynotes and events will be livestreamed through the companies' channels. We'll link some of the most interesting ones as we list them below.

What are the must-see keynotes at CES 2026?Nvidia CES 2026 keynote Nvidia will host more than 20 demos during CES 2026. Credit: Nvidia

Ever since it became clear Nvidia is the company that powers the bulk of the AI revolution, everyone's been waiting (again and again) to see what the company CEO Jensen Huang has to say.

As is appropriate, Huang will deliver a keynote at 4PM ET on January 5.

There are currently no specific product announcements lined up, and Nvidia says its presence at CES will be about "cutting-edge AI, robotics, simulation, gaming and content creation." But make no mistake, his keynote is always an interesting watch, and the company says more than 20 demos will be shown at CES 2026.

You can watch the event live over at Nvidia's website. It will probably be available on YouTube as well, but we don't have the link for that yet.

LG CES 2026 keynote CES officially starts on January 6, but there's a lot happening on January 5, including LG's keynote. Credit: LG

LG is hosting its traditional CES 2026 keynote at 11 a.m. ET on January 5., under the tagline "Innovation in tune with you."

A lot of it will be about artificial intelligence, but given that LG is known for bringing its bleeding edge display solutions to CES, we expect the company to spend some time talking about its OLEDs and Micro RGB TVs.

You can watch the keynote on LG's website, on the company's YouTube channel, or on X.

Samsung CES 2026 keynote

Samsung's CES keynote has an interesting tagline: The First Look, indicating that the company will have new products to show. The keynote, hosted by TM Roh, CEO and Head of Samsung's Device eXperience (DX) Division, kicks off at 10p.m. ET on January 4.

Officially, Samsung will "unveil its vision for the DX (Device eXperience) Division in 2026, along with new AI-driven customer experiences."

You can watch the event live over at Samsung's Newsroom or at the company's YouTube channel. We've embedded the official trailer for the presentation above.

AMD CES 2026 keynote

As one of the most important chip makers out there, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) will have a large presence at CES 2026. The company CEO Dr. Lisa Su will kick CES 2026 off on Monday, Jan. 5 with a keynote address.

According to the company, Su will "highlight (...) the AMD vision for delivering future AI solutions – from cloud to enterprise, edge and devices."

You can watch the keynote address on YouTube. It's scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 5. We've also embedded the livestream above.

Lenovo CES 2026 keynote

China's Lenovo is a respected manufacturer of laptops, tablets, phones, and other devices. If you've seen a ThinkPad computer or a Moto Razr phone, those were made by Lenovo.

The company Chairman & CEO Yuanqing Yang will deliver a keynote at 19:45 p.m. ET on January 7. The company calls its CES event "Tech World," and it typically uses it to unveil new tech, products, and solutions.

The Lenovo keynote can be streamed on YouTube; we've also embedded the stream above.

When a couple is apart from each other, it's traditionally considered a nuisance at best. And you only have to look at Carrie Bradshaw's despairing response to Big moving to Paris in Sex And The City to know that being separate is often thought to be the kiss of death for a romantic relationship.

But Gen Z are not only optimistic about the potential of long-distance relationships, but some online are also claiming it's preferable to a traditional relationship. One TikTok user, @brooklyn_crosby, described long-distance relationships as  "the healthiest thing a relationship can go through," explaining that they can help to improve communication and encourage you to appreciate each other more. Another user, Dani Friedmann, made a TikTok video claiming that she loves her long-distance relationship because it allows her to focus on self-improvement. The text of her video reads: "sleep more, WAY more productive, eat healthier, go out with the girls, locked TF in, consistent schedule, and talk to my man on ft every night. Like this is GOATED." 

Clearly, people online believe that a long-distance relationship is all about growth — relationship growth, but also personal growth, which is something of the utmost importance for Gen Z. Social media is flooded with productivity and self-help content. There are over 53,000 posts with the tag #5to9 in which people document their hyper-productive pre-work routines between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m.. On top of that, 39 percent of British and American Gen Z strongly agree that goal-setting is linked to success, either in the workplace or their personal life. Young adults are presenting long-distance relationships as the answer for those who don't want a relationship to get in the way of self-development but still want to experience romantic relationships.

SEE ALSO: Cuffing season is here! The best dating apps for serious relationships, reviewed. Independent women

Twenty-eight-year-old Sarah* has been with her partner for 10 years, four of which were long-distance and she says that having time and energy for their own lives and careers was one of the biggest benefits: "We both had ambitions and continued to pursue our own lives even while being in a relationship," she tells Mashable. "We both have respect for each other and want each other to do well."

Similarly, 26-year-old Thea has been in a long-distance relationship for four years, and she says that the biggest benefit has been having time to focus on personal development. "It allows you to lead the life you want to without having to compromise," she says. "Being in your 20s is all about exploring what you want to do and how you want to lead your life."

The impetus for self-growth while in a relationship might feel particularly pressing for women, who still face gendered expectations in their relationships at home and at work. 

"Distance can be one way to obtain the space for people to have more autonomy [...] which will likely appeal to women, who have been historically prevented from establishing independent work and personal lives," he explains. 

"It means you don't compromise on any of your aspirations."

"In the back of my head, I was conscious that I wanted to have new experiences and not having my boyfriend to come back to every night would be a good opportunity to meet more new people," Sarah says, explaining that she thought it would be beneficial to go long-distance originally. Thea adds that: "Having that loving and supporting person there but also being fully selfish and making decisions thinking of yourself rather than as a two has great benefits while we are young as it means you don't compromise on any of your aspirations."

Why Gen Z decenters romance

The preference for a long-distance relationship perhaps also reflects how young people are decentering romantic love from their lives, focusing on friendships and other relationships instead. In fact, according to a 2025 report by YPulse, only 27 percent of Gen-Z are actively looking to date. Living in a different city or country from your partner allows you to experience some of the benefits of a romantic relationship without other commitments. "I know friends who can get wrapped up in a relationship. [Long distance relationships] avoids [you and your partner] becoming one person so early on in your adult development," Thea says.

And the sacrifice of long-distance may not feel as significant as it did in the past, with so many ways to communicate digitally. In fact, an Ofcom report found that 71 percent of older children and teens (aged 11-18) feel more confident communicating online than in person. Another survey found that 31 percent of American adults prefer texting to talking on the phone. This is another reason why people are idolising long-distance relationships. There's even a dating app, Bumpy,  which is specifically designed for people who want to date internationally. According to Bumpy, the app has had 20 million downloads, and 60 percent of their users are women. It's not designed for holiday flings or casual texting either – Bumpy claims that 70 percent of users are looking for a serious relationship with someone who lives in a different country to them.

But as Gen-Z's lack of social connection is regularly associated with their worsening mental health levels, should we be worried about the rise of long-distance relationships? Brunning says the increasing interest in long-distance relationships is an example of "adaptive preference," a concept that explains why desires subconsciously change due to the way people are forced to work and live in modern times. "When work is increasingly flexible, remote, or precarious, and when housing is hard to afford, it is unsurprising that more people might embrace alternatives: they have little choice," Brunning explains. 

SEE ALSO: What is attachment theory and how does it impact sex and relationships?

It might also have something to do with attachment styles, according to relationship therapist Georgina Sturmer. "If our attachment style is avoidant, then we might struggle when relationships become too close. We might push people away or seek space, in order to feel more comfortable," she explains. "It is these attachment behaviours that might make a long-distance relationship feel more appealing."

"The whole absence makes the heart grow fonder is definitely something that applies to us."

In a healthy relationship, it's important to be able to focus on yourself, without having to put distance between you and your partner, Sturmer says. "This ability to be united, but retain our own identity, is an important part of adult relationships," she explains, adding that it's essential to have, "honest and assertive conversations about how we can maintain a relationship while also holding space for ourselves."

However, that's not to say that long-distance relationships are inherently toxic, particularly if they allow you and your partner to pursue things you feel strongly about for yourselves, whether that's work, friendships, or hobbies. Sarah is living with her partner now, and she says that long-distance ultimately shaped what a healthy and loving relationship is. 

"I valued having that experience of growing up separately and coming together and now we're pretty much inseparable," she says, adding, "The whole absence makes the heart grow fonder is definitely something that applies to us. It's been something that's strengthened the relationship and made us realise what we value in a partner and how much we do love being together."

2025 offered up some truly fantastic TV, but enough about that year! That's in the past, and the future is calling with some tempting streaming options. What shows are barreling down the pipeline in 2026?

SEE ALSO: The 10 best TV shows of 2025, and where to stream them now

The short answer: a lot. 2026 will see the return of several major series, like Bridgerton, Euphoria, The Pitt, and The Boys. This coming year will also usher in not one but two shows set in Westeros, with new series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Season 3 of House of the Dragon. That's already a spoil of riches, but there's so much more where that came from, including new Marvel and Star Trek shows, and even an animated Stranger Things spin-off.

To help you prepare for the coming storm of TV, Mashable has assembled a guide to some of the hottest titles of 2026. We've also sorted everything by streaming service so you'll know which shows you'll have access to, or which streamer you'll need in order to catch the series that excites you the most. Here are the shows you should check out in 2026.

What's coming to AMC+ in 2026?

Two critical darlings return to AMC this year, and one of them even has a new title. Here, in alphabetical order, are the AMC series to keep an eye out for in 2026.

Dark Winds, Season 4

The critically acclaimed crime thriller Dark Winds returns for its fourth season this February, with the Navajo detective duo of Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) and Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) back for another round of mystery solving. Season 4 is based on Tony Hillerman's novel The Ghostway, the sixth in the Leaphorn & Chee series, and it will spend some time outside the Navajo nation in Los Angeles. What will bring Leaphorn and Chee out there, and what new mysteries lie in store for them?

Starring: Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten, Deanna Allison, A Martinez, Franka Potente, Isabel DeRoy-Olson, Chaske Spencer, Luke Barnett, and Titus Welliver

How to watch: Dark Winds Season 4 premieres Feb. 15 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC and AMC+.

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). Expect more heart-wrenching angst, vampire spats, and several bangers performed by Lestat himself. Trust me, you're going to want a front row seat to this concert.

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 on AMC and AMC+ in 2026. The exact date has yet to be announced.

What's coming to Apple TV in 2026?

Apple TV may have dropped the + from its name in 2025, but it hasn't stopped its commitment to turning out high-quality streaming shows. While recent favorites like Severance and Pluribus likely won't return this year, several other Apple series are coming back in full force. Here, in alphabetical order, are the Apple TV series to keep an eye out for in 2026.

Hijack, Season 2

Remember when Idris Elba singlehandedly saved a flight from disaster in Apple TV's thrilling Hijack? Well, he's back at it again, except this time, he's swapped planes for trains. (What's next, automobiles?) Hijack Season 2 sees Elba return as corporate negotiator Sam Nelson, who's embroiled in a hostage crisis on a Berlin underground train. How will he wrangle his way out of this one? And more importantly, will Sam ever have a normal commute?

Starring: Idris Elba, Christine Adams, Max Beesley, Archie Panjabi, Christian Näthe, Clare-Hope Ashitey, Lisa Vicari, Toby Jones, Karima McAdams, and Christiane Paul

How to watch: Hijack Season 2 premieres Jan. 14 on Apple TV.

Margo's Got Money Troubles Michelle Pfeiffer and Elle Fanning in "Margo's Got Money Troubles." Credit: Apple TV

Rufi Thorpe's novel Margo's Got Money Troubles comes to the small screen next year with a star-studded adaptation from A24 and David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies, Presumed Innocent). Elle Fanning stars as the titular Margo, a single mother and college dropout looking to make ends meet. In the book, she starts an OnlyFans account to pay her bills and achieves internet fame thanks to some pro-wrestling advice from her father, Jinx (Nick Offerman). Rounding out Margo's family in the series is Michelle Pfeiffer as her mother Shyanne. With a cast this good, it's no wonder Margo's Got Money Troubles is on our radar.

Starring: Elle Fanning, Nick Offerman, Michelle Pfeiffer, Marcia Gay Harden, Greg Kinnear, Michael Angarano, Rico Nasty, and Lindsey Normington

How to watch: Margo's Got Money Troubles premieres April 15 on Apple TV.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Season 2

Do you want to see some big monsters duke it out on TV? Why am I even asking? Of course you do! Then get ready for more Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, a decades-spanning thriller set in the world of the MonsterVerse. Season 2 focuses on King Kong and Skull Island, so prepare yourself for some giant gorilla action, along with Skull Island staples like Skullcrawlers. And no, we haven't forgotten about the King of Monsters himself: Godzilla is still very much around, and we can't wait to see him and his monstrous brethren back in action.

Starring: Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell, Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, Joe Tippett, and Anders Holm

How to watch: Monarch: Legacy of Monsters premieres Feb. 27 on Apple TV.

Shrinking, Season 3 Jason Segel and Harrison Ford in "Shrinking." Credit: Apple TV

Apple TV's beloved comedy Shrinking returns for its third season in 2026, and I wouldn't blame you for already tearing up at the thought of the laughs and life lessons the show has coming down the line. The gang's all back in Season 3, with therapists Jimmy (Jason Segel), Gaby (Jessica Williams), and Paul (Harrison Ford) continuing to navigate their own changing lives alongside those of their patients. Season 3 is also introducing some big-name guest stars, including Candice Bergen and Jeff Daniels. Most notable is Michael J. Fox, who will be playing someone in Paul's orbit as he deals with his Parkinson's disease. Fox himself has Parkinson's, even retiring from acting in 2020 due to the condition. However, Shrinking marks an exciting return for the actor.

Starring: Jason Segel, Harrison Ford, Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Ted McGinley, Brett Goldstein, Damon Wayans Jr., Wendie Malick, Cobie Smulders, Jeff Daniels, Candice Bergen, and Michael J. Fox

How to watch: Shrinking Season 3 premieres Jan. 28 on Apple TV.

What's coming to Disney+ in 2026?

Disney+'s biggest TV offerings this year are all about the MCU. The delayed entertainment satire Wonder Man, originally slated for a 2025 release, will finally see the light of day, while Charlie Cox will ride again as Matt Murdock/Daredevil. Here, in alphabetical order, are the Disney+ series to keep an eye out for in 2026.

Daredevil: Born Again, Season 2 Charlie Cox in "Daredevil: Born Again." Credit: Marvel Television

Daredevil: Born Again proved a welcome return for Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), but it certainly did not leave things in great shape for the vigilante hero. Season 1 ended with Mayor Wilson Fisk (Vincent D'Onofrio) ruling New York City with an iron fist, after all. However, there's still light in the darkness: Matt and Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) are working to put things right, even recruiting allies like Frank Castle/the Punisher (Jon Bernthal) and Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) to join in their fight. Can this small force bring Fisk and his army of violent, corrupt cops to justice?

Starring: Charlie Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio, Margarita Levieva, Nikki M. James, Genneya Walton, Michael Gandolfini, Clark Johnson, Ayelet Zurer, Camila Rodriguez, Deborah Ann Woll, Krysten Ritter, Matthew Lillard, and Lili Taylor

How to watch: Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 premieres in March on Disney+.

Wonder Man

The MCU gets meta with Wonder Man, a miniseries about struggling actor Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) auditioning for the role of a superhero, only to become a superhero himself. Created by Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton and 30 Rock and Community writer Andrew Guest, Wonder Man is a show under the "Marvel Spotlight" banner, meaning you won't need to watch other MCU shows to understand what's going on. Still, that doesn't mean you won't be seeing any familiar faces from the MCU. Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley), of Iron Man 3 and Shang-Chi fame, will be popping up, presumably as another actor in Simon's circle.*

Starring: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Ben Kingsley, Demetrius Grosse, Ed Harris, Lauren Glazier, Josh Gad, Byron Bowers, and Manny McCord

How to watch: Wonder Man premieres Jan. 27 on Disney+.

What's coming to Dropout in 2026?

A new season of TTRPG madness, shiny and chrome, kicks off Dropout's 2026 slate.

Dimension 20: Gladlands

Game master Brennan Lee Mulligan is back in the dome for another Dungeons & Dragons-styled adventure. This time, the setting for his campaign is a sun-scorched wasteland, reminiscent of Mad Max: Fury Road. And joining him around the table are an enticing collection of Dropout stars, including previous players Ally Beardsley, Oscar Montoya, Zac Oyama, and Jacob Wysocki. Making their debut in the dome are Kimia Behpoornia and Very Important People host Vic Michaelis. Based on the line-up alone, we anticipate some outrageous comedy and campaign chaos. Let's roll for initiative!  — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

Starring: Brennan Lee Mulligan, Ally Beardsley, Oscar Montoya, Zac Oyama, Jacob Wysocki, Kimia Behpoornia, and Vic Michaelis

How to watch: Dimension 20: Gladlands premieres Jan. 7 on Dropout.

What's coming to HBO/HBO Max in 2026?

Let's put aside any concerns about the Netflix/Warner Bros. acquisition for a moment and just appreciate the TV feast that awaits us on HBO and HBO Max in the new year. Two Game of Thrones spin-offs, a new DC universe series, more Euphoria, and a second round of The Pitt. Here, in alphabetical order, are the HBO/HBO Max series to keep an eye out for in 2026.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

The first of two Westeros-set shows to air this year, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms sets a different course from its predecessors Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. There are no bloody battles for the Iron Throne here. Instead, this is the tale of humble hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey), his sassy young squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), and their journey to earn some coin at the Ashford Meadow tourney. George R.R. Martin's Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas are much lighter in tone than his other Westeros-based work, so expect more of a buddy adventure with some jousting thrown in for good measure. I'm not complaining: It'll be nice to have some fun before diving back into the brutal affairs of House of the Dragon.

Starring: Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell, Daniel Ings, Bertie Carvel, Danny Webb, Sam Spruell, Shaun Thomas, Finn Bennett, Edward Ashley, Tanzyn Crawford, Henry Ashton, Youssef Kerkour, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, and Daniel Monks

How to watch: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres Jan. 18 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Euphoria, Season 3 Zendaya in "Euphoria." Credit: Patrick Wymore / HBO

It's been well over three years since we last saw Rue (Zendaya) and her high school classmates in Euphoria Season 2. If that wait time has you saying, "Bitch, you better be joking," I'm right there with you! However, HBO's buzzy drama is poised to make a comeback in a big way in 2026, with its third season kicking off five years after the Season 2 finale. Since then, a lot has changed for our leads: Rue is in Mexico, paying off her debts from Season 2; Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) and Nate (Jacob Elordi) are engaged; Jules (Hunter Schafer) is in art school; and Maddy (Alexa Demie) and Lexi (Maude Apatow) are climbing the ranks in Hollywood. How will all these puzzle pieces fit together? I'm not sure yet, but I'm ready for more killer memes, makeup looks, and mess.

Starring: Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Eric Dane, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie, Maude Apatow, Martha Kelly, Chloe Cherry, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Toby Wallace, Colman Domingo, Sharon Stone, Rosalía, Danielle Deadwyler, Marshawn Lynch, Sam Trammell, Dominic Fike, Natasha Lyonne, Eli Roth, and Trisha Paytas

How to watch: Euphoria Season 3 premieres in April on HBO and HBO Max.

House of the Dragon, Season 3 Emma D'Arcy in "House of the Dragon." Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO

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.

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 in the summer of 2026 on HBO and HBO Max.

Industry, Season 4

If you're not on the Industry train, consider this your sign to get on immediately. Over its first three seasons, the series went from being Euphoria with stocks to one of the TV's most ambitious and compelling dramas. (Don't get me wrong, Euphoria with stocks was great on its own as well.) Industry shows no signs of slowing in its fourth outing, which sees Harper (Myha'la) and Yasmin (Marisa Abela) getting involved in a promising new fintech company from very different angles. Conspiracies and backstabbing are sure to follow, along with a costume party that, dare I say, will rival Bridgerton's most lavish period gatherings.

Starring: Myha’la, Marisa Abela, Kit Harington, Ken Leung, Max Minghella, Miriam Petche, Sagar Radia, Toheeb Jimoh, Charlie Heaton, Amy James-Kelly, Roger Barclay, Andrew Havill, Kiernan Shipka, Kal Penn, Jack Farthing, Stephen Campbell Moore, Claire Forlani, and Edward Holcroft

How to watch: Industry Season 4 premieres Jan. 11 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Lanterns Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler in "Lanterns." Credit: John P. Johnson / HBO

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.)

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 on HBO and HBO Max in 2026. The exact release date has yet to be announced.

The Pitt, Season 2

Medical drama The Pitt took the world by storm in 2025, becoming a weekly TV obsession and picking up the 2025 Emmy for Best Drama series. Now, Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle) and co. are clocking back in for another shift that's bound to have us both stressed and engrossed. Season 2 jumps ahead in time to July 4, which means I'm already bracing myself for gnarly grill burns and fireworks mishaps. But that's not all I'm worried about: The season's opening scene features Dr. Robby riding a motorcycle to work. That's already out of character for a doctor who oversees an emergency department, but what's even more concerning is that Dr. Robby isn't wearing a helmet. What kind of self-destructive streak does Dr. Robby have going on, and how is it going to impact his team? I'm waiting on the edge of my seat to find out, and you can bet the edge of my seat is where I'll be staying for all of The Pitt Season 2's pulse-pounding run.

Starring: Noah Wyle, Patrick Ball, Katherine LaNasa, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, Shabana Azeez, and Sepideh Moafi

How to watch: The Pitt Season 2 premieres Jan. 8 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO Max.

What's coming to Hulu/FX in 2026?

There's a lot to get excited about on Hulu and FX in 2026. Old favorites like Paradise and The Bear are back, while a new Ryan Murphy project and a Handmaid's Tale sequel wait in the wings. Here, in alphabetical order, are the Hulu and FX series to keep an eye out for in 2026.

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 Season 5 in 2026, 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, though.

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 on Hulu in 2026. The exact release date has yet to be announced.

The Beauty Bella Hadid in "The Beauty." Credit: Philippe Antonello / FX

Love him or hate him, you know a Ryan Murphy series will always cause conversation. His upcoming project The Beauty, co-created with Matthew Hodgson, looks to be no exception. Based on the comic book series by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley, the show sees two FBI agents (Evan Peters and Rebecca Hall) investigating a spate of grisly supermodel deaths. What they discover is unsettling: a sexually transmitted virus that can make you physically perfect, but at a devastating cost. As the epidemic spreads, they cross paths with a shadowy tech billionaire (Ashton Kutcher), his personal assassin (Anthony Ramos), and the miracle drug he'll do anything to protect. Boasting sci-fi and body horror elements aplenty, The Beauty could be your next gory good time.

Starring: Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope, Ashton Kutcher, Rebecca Hall, Amelia Gray Hamlin, Ari Graynor, Bella Hadid, Ben Platt, Billy Eichner, Isabella Rossellini, Jessica Alexander, Julie Halston, Lux Pascal, Meghan Trainor, Nicola Peltz Beckham, Peter Gallagher, and Vincent D’Onofrio

How to watch: The first three episodes of The Beauty premiere on FX and Hulu at 9 p.m. ET on Jan. 21.

Paradise, Season 2

Paradise Season 1 wowed me with its sci-fi twist and layered conspiracies. Now, Dan Fogelman's Emmy–nominated series leaves the Paradise bunker and heads into the unknown. As Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) searches for his wife Teri (Enuka Okuma) on the surface, he'll learn all about how the world survived the tsunami-volcano-nuclear-war apocalypse that struck three years ago. Meanwhile, a new power structure emerges back in Paradise, and Sinatra (Julianne Nicholson) makes the bombshell revelation that "it was never just about the bunker." Does that mean more crazy twists? Consider me seated.

Starring: Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, Sarah Shahi, Nicole Brydon Bloom, Krys Marshall, Enuka Okuma, Aliyah Mastin, Percy Daggs IV, Charlie Evans, James Marsden, Shailene Woodley, Thomas Doherty, and Jon Beavers

How to watch: Paradise Season 2 premieres Feb. 23 on Hulu.

The Testaments Chase Infiniti in "The Testaments." Credit: Disney

The Handmaid's Tale may have ended in 2025, but viewers can return to the hellscape of Gilead in 2026 with The Testaments. The series adapts Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale sequel of the same name, set 15 years after the original novel. It weaves together the lives of three women living in Gilead's shadow. Agnes (One Battle After Another breakout Chase Infiniti) grows up as the daughter of a Gilead commander, not knowing that she's really June's (Elisabeth Moss) daughter Hannah. Daisy (Lucy Halliday) lives freely in Canada, but like Agnes, there's a secret about her birth: She's June and Nick's (Max Minghella) daughter Nicole. Rounding out the trio is Handmaid's Tale staple Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), who continues to fight Gilead from the inside.

Starring: Ann Dowd, Chase Infiniti, Lucy Halliday, Rowan Blanchard, Mattea Conforti, Mabel Li, Amy Seimetz, Brad Alexander, Zarrin Darnell-Martin, Eva Foote, Isolde Ardies, Shechinah Mpumlwana, Birva Pandya, and Kira Guloien

How to watch: The Testaments premieres in April on Hulu.

What's coming to Netflix in 2026?

Netflix may have said goodbye to mega-hits Squid Game and Stranger Things in 2025, but its other franchises are still alive and well in 2026. Bridgerton will be making its long-awaited return, as will the live-action adaptations of Avatar: The Last Airbender and One Piece. Oh, and we might not be as done with Hawkins, Indiana, as we might think. Here, in alphabetical order, are the Netflix series to keep an eye out for in 2026.

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.

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 on Netflix in 2026. The exact release date has yet to be announced.

Bridgerton, Season 4

Yearning for more swoonworthy romance and string quartet covers of pop hits? Good, because Bridgerton Season 4 is just around the corner. This time around, the focus is on Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), commitment's number-one enemy. Could a chance masked encounter with the enchanting Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) change his playboy ways and make him more interesting to Bridgerton fans at large? Jury's still out, but one thing we can guarantee is this season's masquerade ball — one that will hopefully top every lavish Bridgerton party that's come before.

Starring: Luke Thompson, Yerin Ha, Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley, Victor Alli, Adjoa Andoh, Julie Andrews, Lorraine Ashbourne, Masali Baduza, Nicola Coughlan, Hannah Dodd, Daniel Francis, Ruth Gemmell, Florence Hunt, Martins Imhangbe, Claudia Jessie, Katie Leung, Luke Newton, Michelle Mao, Emma Naomi, Golda Rosheuvel, Hugh Sachs, Will Tilston, Polly Walker, and Isabella Wei

How to watch: Bridgerton Season 4, Part 1 premieres Jan. 29 on Netflix. Part 2 premieres Feb. 26.

His & Hers

You may know and love Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal for their roles in the MCU, or their critically acclaimed turns in projects like Hedda or The Bear. Now, they join forces for the limited series His & Hers, based on the novel of the same name by Alice Feeney. The pair play estranged spouses: Thompson is Anna, a reclusive reporter, and Bernthal is Jack, a small-town detective. When a violent murder shakes up their sleepy hometown, the two go toe-to-toe as they investigate the case — and each other. 

Starring: Tessa Thompson, Jon Bernthal, Pablo Schreiber, Crystal Fox, Sunita Mani, Rebecca Rittenhouse, Marin Ireland, and Poppy Liu

How to watch: His & Hers premieres Jan. 8 on Netflix.

One Piece, Season 2

Netflix broke its streak of unsuccessful manga and anime adaptations with 2023's One Piece, a delightful live-action take on Eiichiro Oda's beloved adventure story. In Season 2, Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) and his Straw Hat crew are still on the hunt for the mythical One Piece treasure. Their quest will take them into the Grand Line, a perilous stretch of ocean crawling with new foes and new islands to explore. This season, get ready to see the Baroque Works criminal syndicate in action, as well as the arrival of fan favorite Tony Tony Chopper (voiced by Mikaela Hoover).

Starring: Iñaki Godoy, Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, Jacob Romero, and Taz Skylar

How to watch: One Piece Season 2 premieres March 10 on Netflix.

Stranger Things: Tales from '85

Stranger Things may be coming to an end this New Year's Eve, but your time in Hawkins doesn't have to end. Netflix still has big plans for its smash hit, including the upcoming Stranger Things: Tales from '85, an animated spinoff set between Seasons 2 and 3. The series picks up with our usual crew of Hawkins heroes as they investigate another paranormal mystery. None of the original cast is reprising their roles in Tales from '85, but based on the first look images, we're in for some awesome animation, as well as a new monster that looks like an unholy cross between a Demogorgon and a spider. Now I'd say that's bitchin'.

Starring: Brooklyn Davey Norstedt, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Luca Diaz, EJ Williams, Braxton Quinney, Benjamin Plessala, Brett Gipson, Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, and Lou Diamond Phillips

How to watch: Stranger Things: Tales From '85 premieres on Netflix in 2026. The exact release date has yet to be announced.

What's coming to Paramount+ in 2026?

Paramount+ keeps exploring the final frontier in 2026 with the latest in its series of Star Trek shows.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

Paramount+ continues to build out its library of Star Trek spinoff shows with Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. The series follows a new class of cadets at the academy, all eager and ready to become Starfleet officers. Think of it as a boarding school show, with phasers and aliens, that is. Plus, there's some serious star power behind Starfleet Academy: Holly Hunter gets a turn in the captain's chair as Nahla Ake, who pulls double duty as Starfleet Academy chancellor and captain of the USS Athena. That's not all, though. Paul Giamatti also stars as villain Nus Braka. Giamatti as a Star Trek villain? Say less.

Starring: Holly Hunter, Paul Giamatti, Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Bella Shepard, Zoë Steiner, Robert Picardo, Tig Notaro, Oded Fehr, and Gina Yashere

How to watch: The first two episodes of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premiere Jan. 15 on Paramount+.

What's coming to Peacock in 2026?

Espionage and betrayal lurk around the corner in Peacock's 2026 lineup, which kicks off with the return of Emmy–winning competition series The Traitors. Here, in alphabetical order, are the Peacock series to keep an eye out for in 2026.

The 'Burbs

If you could use a little Keke Palmer charisma in your life (and let's be real, couldn't we all?), you're in luck. Palmer returns to the small screen in The 'Burbs, inspired by the 1989 Tom Hanks film of the same name. She and Jack Whitehall star as a young couple who've recently moved to the suburbs. However, a long-abandoned house and the arrival of new neighbors threaten to upend their entire world and expose long-buried secrets. Can Palmer's sleuthing get to the bottom of whatever strangeness is lurking in the cul-de-sac?

Starring: Keke Palmer, Jack Whitehall, Julia Duffy, Paula Pell, Mark Proksch, and Kapil Talwalkar

How to watch: The 'Burbs premieres Feb. 8 on Peacock.

Ponies

Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson team up for some '70s-style espionage in the upcoming thriller Ponies. The pair play secretaries who work at the American embassy in Moscow during the Cold War. But when their husbands die under mysterious circumstances, they become CIA operatives, using their anonymity as a weapon. While the pair are PONIs in intelligence speak — "persons of no interest" — the show's trailer and combination of Clarke and Richardson has certainly piqued my interest.

Starring: Emilia Clarke, Haley Lu Richardson, Adrian Lester, Artjom Gilz, Nicholas Podany, Petro Ninovskyi, and Vic Michaelis

How to watch: Ponies premieres Jan. 15 on Peacock.

The Traitors, Season 4

The campiest competition show is almost back, bringing with it more backstabbing, more reality stars playing detective, and more killer Alan Cumming outfits. This time around, contestants include Real Housewives stars Lisa Rinna and Dorinda Medley, who's returning after being first out on Season 3; Olympic figure skaters Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski; and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars winner Monét X Change, who I'm hoping can avenge her sister Bob the Drag Queen. The real question, though: Who can top the ridiculousness of Tom Sandoval earnestly singing backwards nursery rhymes through a phone?

Starring: Alan Cumming, Candiace Dillard Bassett, Caroline Stanbury, Colton Underwood, Donna Kelce, Dorinda Medley, Eric Nam, Ian Terry, Johnny Weir, Kristen Kish, Rob Cesternino, Lisa Rinna, Mark Ballas, Maura Higgins, Michael Rapaport, Monét X Change, Natalie Anderson, Porsha Williams, Rob Rausch, Ron Funches, Stephen Colletti, Tara Lipinski, Tiffany Mitchell, and Yamil “Yam Yam” Arocho

How to watch: The Traitors Season 4 premieres Jan. 8.

What's coming to Prime Video in 2026?

Superheroes are all the rage on Prime Video this coming year, whether it's the fifth and final season of The Boys or Nicolas Cage as Spider-Noir. Here, in alphabetical order, are the Prime Video titles to keep an eye out for in 2026.

The Boys, Season 5

The Boys comes to a close in 2026, so expect it to go out with a bloody bang. In Season 5, Homelander (Antony Starr) is firmly in control, and the world is all the worse for it. Hughie (Jack Quaid), Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), and the rest of the Boys are mounting a small resistance, but how much will it matter in the face of Homelander and his fellow Supes' might? Could recruiting the cast of Gen V, as seen in that show's Season 2 finale, be enough to change the tide? I'm not sure. What I am sure of is that The Boys Season 5 also doubles as a Supernatural reunion, with Jensen Ackles, who plays Soldier Boy, sharing the screen with Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins again. While Padalecki and Collins' roles are secret, the hype for this team-up is not.

Starring: Antony Starr, Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Erin Moriarty, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford, Tomer Capone, Karen Fukuhara, Colby Minifie, Cameron Crovetti, Susan Heyward, Valorie Curry, Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, and Misha Collins

How to watch: The Boys Season 5 premieres April 8 on Prime Video.

The Night Manager, Season 2

2026 will mark 10 — 10! — years since The Night Manager first aired. Now, it's back for round two, with Tom Hiddleston returning as Jonathan Pine. He's been living under the radar for the past few years, but when he crosses paths with a mercenary of old enemy Richard Roper's, he finds himself back in the fray. Soon, he's embroiled in a Colombian arms operation, where conspiracy lurks at every turn. Diego Calva and Camila Morrone join in on the fun this season, and based on the trailer, Tom Hiddleston remains in fine form as a smooth thriller star. 

Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Diego Calva, Camila Morrone, Indira Varma, Paul Chahidi, Hayley Squires, Olivia Colman, Noah Jupe, Alistair Petrie, Douglas Hodge, and Michael Nardone

How to watch: The Night Manager Season 2 premieres Jan. 11 on Prime Video.

Scarpetta Nicole Kidman in "Scarpetta." Credit: Amazon MGM Studios

From Big Little Lies to Expats, Nicole Kidman has become a TV staple. That remains true in 2026, when she hunts a serial killer in thriller series Scarpetta. Based on the books by Patricia Cornwell, the show introduces brilliant medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta (Kidman), who's returned to her hometown to solve a gruesome murder. But it's not just death that awaits her there: Her fraught relationship with her sister Dorothy (Jamie Lee Curtis) and some long-held secrets all threaten to come to a head as well. That all sounds beyond stressful, but the thought of watching Nicole Kidman solve a murder does soothe me.

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker, Ariana DeBose, Rosy McEwen, Jake Cannavale, and Hunter Parrish

How to watch: Scarpetta premieres March 11 on Prime Video.

Spider-Noir  Nicolas Cage in "Spider-Noir." Credit: Aaron Epstein / Prime Video

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.

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

How to watch: Spider-Noir premieres on Prime Video in 2026. The exact release date has yet to be announced.

Young Sherlock 

We all know Sherlock Holmes, but do you know young Sherlock Holmes? Well, you're about to, thanks to Prime Video's Young Sherlock. The series dives into the early adventures of Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic detective, played by Hero Fiennes Tiffin. Here, he's a disgraced young man, but when a murder mystery comes his way, he'll adventure through 1870s Oxford and abroad in order to get to the bottom of it. Guy Ritchie is attached as a director and executive producer, so expect the series to be in keeping with his Robert Downey Jr.-led Sherlock Holmes films.

Starring: Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Dónal Finn, Zine Tseng, Joseph Fiennes, Natascha McElhone, Max Irons, and Colin Firth

How to watch: Young Sherlock premieres March 4 on Prime Video.

(*) denotes the blurb has come from a prior list.

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The college football year rounds off with a stacked day of five games. Among the action on Dec. 31 is Texas Longhorns vs. Michigan Wolverines in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. Neither team made the playoffs so this bowl game means one last chance at glory in the postseason.

With both teams at 9-3, it's also a battle to secure that season record of 10 wins. The Longhorns won last year's Peach Bowl game, while the Wolverines won the ReliaQuest Bowl.

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If you want to watch Texas vs. Michigan for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Texas vs. Michigan?

Texas vs. Michigan takes place at 3 p.m. ET on Dec. 31. This game takes place at Camping World Stadium.

Texas vs. Michigan is broadcast on ABC.

How to watch college football in 2025/26

Fans can live stream college football on a wide range of recommended services, some of which include free trials so you can follow the action without actually spending anything.

ESPN Unlimited (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN Unlimited $29.99 per month for 1 year Shop Now

Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX

ESPN Unlimited provides access to everything that ESPN has to offer. For college football, you get live access to games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+, ACC Network, and ABC. The Unlimited plan will set you back $29.99 per month, but for the first year, new subscribers can secure a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for the same price.

Fox One (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Fox One Fox One 7-day free trial, then $199.99 per year Shop Now

Channels: Fox, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network

Fox One provides access to live broadcasts on Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It costs $19.99 per month, but you can save $40 by opting for the annual plan at $199.99. You can also start with a seven-day free trial, so you've got the chance to watch select games without spending anything.

FuboTV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and provides the opportunity to watch on 10 screens at once, if that's your thing. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

Fubo takes sports seriously, and that's something we appreciate. With the Pro subscription, you get access to most college football broadcasts. But hardcore fans may want to consider upgrading to the Elite plan, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network. Either way, we suggest you test the waters for seven days before you make any sort of commitment.

Hulu + Live TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV 3-day free trial, then $76.99/month Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW

Hulu + Live TV is not exactly cheap, but it does offer good bang for your buck. You need to cough up $76.99 per month (after a three-day trial), but you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). The included access to ESPN+ provides bonus access to even more college football games on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more. Now that's value.

Sling (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network

Sling is a comprehensive sporting service that offers a whole host of benefits, but you do need to be careful when selecting a plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets, but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually need.

YouTube TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $49.99/month for your first 3 months Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW

YouTube TV provides access to over 100 live channels. Newsflash: that's a lot. This huge list includes most of the channels you actually need to watch live college football, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, plus networks like FS1 and SEC Network. YouTube TV also offers that all-important free trial so you can watch select games without spending anything.

How to watch Texas vs. Michigan from anywhere in the world

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of college football from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Texas vs. Michigan from anywhere in the world 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 the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming service

5. Watch Texas vs. Michigan from anywhere in the world

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

• 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).

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

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