Amid the crowded streaming service market that includes big players like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, a new player called Topic wants to be an additional component in your entertainment life by providing thoughtful and meaningful content.
Topic, a division of First Look Media, officially went live on November 21, and it’s not your average streaming service. Here, you’ll find thoughtfully curated content: Everything from three-minute shorts, to documentaries, monologues, original series, and more.
Ryan Chanatry, Topic’s general manager, appeared on Digital Trends Live on Thursday and told us that Topic has a place in the streaming space since it fills a niche.
He says Topic targets “people who are looking for something new in entertainment but are looking for connection and want shows and series that give them conversation starters. There’s not really a demographic or target audience, but more of a mindset that we are trying to zero in on.”
There’s a range of both licensed content and content that has been specifically created for the streaming service and its subscribers. A discussion show hosted by Reza Aslan called Rough Draft, where notable writers have conversations about writing and more, launches December 5.
A series hosted by comedians looks at mental health in the comedy scene. The crime series, The Miracle, is a religious drama created by the same producers of the popular HBO show The Young Pope.
You’ll also see familiar titles like We Need to Talk About Kevin, Ma Ma, The Messenger, and Exile.
Aside from video streaming, Topic also offers a slate of podcasts.
Chanatry said all the content on Topic identifies a “state of mind” and “goes across genres, format, and time.”
“I think audiences are craving content that really speaks directly to them,” he said.
You can stream Topic online, or on FireTV, Android, iOS, and Apple TV, as well as Roku devices in the near future. After a free 30-day trial, subscriptions offered include $5 a month for an annual subscription or $6 a month for a monthly subscription, which is comparable in price to other streaming services.
Correction 11/22: An earlier version of this story referred to a magazine published by Topic. That magazine was shut down earlier this year.
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.