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Netflix Game Installs have Rocketed by 180%

In 2021, Netflix announced that they would be taking gaming very seriously. They ventured into a new business, with hopes of dominating the mobile…

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In 2021, Netflix announced that they would be taking gaming very seriously. They ventured into a new business, with hopes of dominating the mobile market. At the time, the mobile market was saturated with titles that were either ad-supported or pay-to-play.

Netflix wanted to change the game by making their titles free to play, without any advertisements or options for in-app purchases. The gamble may finally be paying off, as at the end of 2023, they announced that gaming downloads were up 180%. 81.2 million downloads have been initiated across the world, with the fourth quarter of 2023 accounting for over 53%.

Netflix began with making a small catalogue of casual games, based on some of their many hit shows and originals. They then began to acquire game studios, including Night School Studios in 2021. They then acquired Next Games from Finland and Spry Fox. They aimed to develop a strong portfolio of content that catered to both different tastes and genre preferences.

The Advancement of Smartphone Technology

One driving factor behind Netflix’s success would be the advancement of smartphone technology. Casino gaming in particular has benefited from this, with it being on the rise across the world.

Players can now access their favourite games on the go while taking advantage of unparalleled flexibility and convenience. Canada in particular is experiencing huge growth right now, with the live casino Canada market set to reach US$2.61bn in 2024. The strong gaming market has led to Netflix testing their program in Canada, as well as the UK.

The streaming giant is also working on game mirroring so that their titles can be played both on TVs and PCs. As the company looks to cloud gaming as being its next frontier, they are gaining a huge amount of traction. Their recent announcements have helped to bolster their game downloads, encouraging them to adopt more popular titles.

Netflix Subscriptions and Game Access

Netflix’s move into the gaming sector is also helping to support their streaming numbers. As the gaming platform is tied in with the subscription, month-over-month downloads tripled.

Those who had a subscription already had access to the latest games and gamers had access to a wide range of originals and shows. Right now, action is the top gaming genre for Netflix, with the second being lifestyle gaming. Puzzle comes in at number 3, with game rotations set to happen throughout the year.

Netflix is also working on making games based on the shows that they have created, with licensing acquired for titles that do not relate to Netflix programming.

One thing to take note of is that Netflix’s boom in gaming came after months of stagnation. This could indicate that Netflix has to keep releasing regular titles so that it can keep its momentum.

Last year, they released 40 games, while testing gameplay on TVs across the UK, US and Canada. This year, personalisation looks to be the main focus, with suggestions being made based on previous gaming preferences. This feature will become more prominent, as more titles are added.

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Brandi Cyrus Says She Doesn’t Want Kids – ‘I Don’t Really Like Them’

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Brandi Cyrus Says She Doesn’t Want Kids – 'I Don’t Really Like Them'

Brandi Cyrus is opening up about her personal choice to live a life without kids. During the July 15 episode of Boyfriend Material with Harry Jowsey, the 38-year-old podcast host and DJ candidly explained why motherhood isn’t for her.

“I don’t want my own kids,” Cyrus said during a lighthearted conversation with her mom, Tish Cyrus, and host Harry Jowsey. When asked why, she replied, “Oh, I don’t really like kids,” sparking laughter from both Tish and Jowsey.

Despite not wanting children of her own, Cyrus admitted she was open to dating someone who already has kids. The topic came up as Jowsey discussed wanting to settle down and drive a “family car” in preparation for fatherhood.

Cyrus is currently in a relationship with Matt Southcombe, and she often shares glimpses of her lifestyle on social media. As more celebrities speak openly about choosing not to have children, Cyrus’s comments reflect a growing trend among women prioritizing personal freedom over parenthood.

The conversation also touched on another guest who chose a child-free lifestyle, making it clear that Cyrus is confident in her choice to live without kids.

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Christina Haack’s ‘Christina on the Coast’ Reportedly Canceled at HGTV

The cancellation comes amid HGTV’s purge of many of its top shows.

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Christina Haack’s ‘Christina on the Coast’ Reportedly Canceled at HGTV

Another HGTV favorite is coming to an end. Christina Haack’s long-running home renovation series Christina on the Coast will not return for a new season, a source confirmed to PEOPLE. The news follows a wave of cancellations at the network, including Bargain Block, Farmhouse Fixer, Married to Real Estate, and Izzy Does It.

The second half of Christina on the Coast Season 5 premiered on February 27, just months after Haack’s split from husband Josh Hall, who filed for divorce in July 2024 after nearly three years of marriage. The series, which first aired in 2019, followed Haack as she redesigned homes in Southern California while balancing her personal life, motherhood, and real estate ventures.

While fans are disappointed to see the show go, Haack’s presence in the home renovation world isn’t over. She continues to run her design business and has hinted at new projects on the horizon.

At a time when HGTV is undergoing major shifts, Christina on the Coast joins a growing list of fan-favorite shows being cut from the lineup.

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Zak Bagans Isn’t Married but Has a Girlfriend Holly Madison — They Rekindled Their Romance

Zak Bagans is not married but is currently in a relationship. The notable paranormal investigator and television personality has been romantically…

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Zak Bagans is not married but is currently in a relationship. The notable paranormal investigator and television personality has been romantically involved with Holly Madison. 

Despite a brief separation in 2021, the couple has officially rekindled their romance, as reported by TMZ. The sources close to them revealed that the split was amicable, and Bagans and Madison have remained in contact since then.

Their connection, which began after Madison visited Bagans’ Haunted Museum in Las Vegas in May 2019, seems to have endured the test of time and distance. 

Zak Bagans and his girlfriend Holly Madison.

Zak Bagans and his girlfriend Holly Madison. (Source: TMZ)

Madison, who travels between Los Angeles and Vegas due to her kids, and Bagans, who travels extensively for the filming of his show, manage to spend time together almost every week. 

Despite being public figures, the couple has chosen to keep their relationship relatively private, rarely being photographed together. I

That being said, Madison’s Instagram post, where she wished Bagans a happy birthday with a photo of a clown birthday cake, provided a glimpse into their intimate relationship.

Before dating Bagans, Madison was previously married to Pasquale Rotella until February 2019. They have two children together.

Zak Bagans’ ghost adventures

Bagans collaborated with Nick Groff and Aaron Goodwin in 2004 to create a documentary-style film of Ghost Adventures, which ultimately aired on the Sci-Fi Channel in 2007. 

The success of the film paved the way for a full-fledged series that premiered in 2008 on the Travel Channel, marking the beginning of a captivating journey through haunted locations. 

Despite its popularity, Ghost Adventures and other ghost hunting shows have faced criticism and accusations of fakery. Bagans, however, has continued to lead investigations and explore the unexplained.

In addition to Ghost Adventures, Bagans ventured into a spin-off series titled Ghost Adventures: Aftershocks from 2014 to 2016. The show delved into the aftermath of prior Ghost Adventures investigations, focusing on the impact and changes experienced by individuals involved in the paranormal encounters. 

One of the most intriguing aspects of Bagans’ paranormal journey is his alleged communication with the late actor David Strickland, known for his role in NBC’s Suddenly Susan

Strickland’s tragic suicide in 1999 at the Oasis Motel in Las Vegas became a focal point for Bagans, who claims to have recorded Strickland’s voice almost a decade after his death. This recording found its way into a track on Bagans’ album NecroFusion

Interestingly, no known scientific analysis has been conducted on the raw recording, leaving questions about the veracity of Electronic Voice Phenomena and its connection to the famous actor unanswered.

Zak Bagans’ other projects

Bagans, known for his paranormal investigations on the hit show Ghost Adventures, has extended his passion for the supernatural into various other projects. 

One notable venture is the creation of a “haunted museum” in Las Vegas, Nevada, as depicted in the Travel Channel series Deadly Possessions, which premiered on April 2, 2016. 

The show captured Bagans’ quest to procure items with haunted histories, eventually culminating in the opening of the museum to the public in October 2017. 

The museum boasts 33 rooms, each showcasing an array of intriguing and eerie artifacts. Among the notable items on display are Bela Lugosi’s mirror, the infamous Dybbuk box, Peggy the Doll, and even Jack Kevorkian’s chilling “Death Van.” 

However, some controversy surrounds certain claims attached to these artifacts, with skepticism raised about the provenance of items like the Lugosi mirror and Captain Smith mirror housed in the museum.

Despite the controversies, the museum earned recognition in 2018 when it received the Las Vegas Mayor’s award for historic preservation and adaptive reuse. 

In a fascinating addition to the museum’s collection in 2021, the transaxle salvaged from the Porsche 550 Spyder of American actor James Dean found its place among the eerie artifacts. 

Furthermore, Bagans announced in May 2021 that he would be hosting and executive producing The Haunted Museum, a horror anthology show set to be broadcast on the Discovery+ Channel. 

The series, filmed in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Toronto, Canada by Cream Productions, features Eli Roth as a filmmaker and Matt Booi, Kate Harrison Karman, and David Brady as executive producers. 

Notably, the museum also houses a large painting of P.T. Barnum, a figure whom Bagans is said to idolize. This addition further reflects Bagans’ eclectic taste in curating a collection that spans not only the supernatural but also historical and cultural dimensions. 

Zak Bagans also has written books

Bagans has also made significant contributions to the literary world. Collaborating with author Kelly Crigger, Bagans co-wrote the book Dark World: Into the Shadows with the Lead Investigator of the Ghost Adventures Crew

This collaboration proved to be a literary success, as the book made its debut on The New York Times Best Seller list at No. 18 on September 23, 2011.

In December 2019, Bagans expanded his literary repertoire with the publication of Ghost-Hunting For Dummies, a book that delves into the history of ghost-hunting. 

Beyond a mere historical account, the book draws on Bagans’ own experiences, featuring true accounts and stories from his famous cases and investigations. It aims to guide readers on how to embark on their supernatural investigations, inviting them to explore the unexplained.

However, the reception of Ghost-Hunting For Dummies was not without its critiques. Paranormal investigator Kenneth Biddle, writing for Skeptical Inquirer magazine, noted Bagans’ apparent bias against skeptics and scientists throughout much of the book. 

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