Netflix is employing a traditional method with its newest offering, Amazon is planning a new data center in India, and we have a review of the PlayStation 5. This is your Daily Crunch for November 6, 2020.

Leading the news: Netflix is experimenting with a linear video channel

In a noteworthy product strategy shift, Netflix is trialing a linear channel in France, known as Netflix Direct, as reported by Variety.

This isn't a conventional television channel, but rather a feature accessible through the Netflix website. However, unlike the typical streaming experience, it moves away from on-demand viewing. Instead, viewers watch a movie or television program as it is currently airing.

Netflix had previously tested a Shuffle feature, indicating a strong interest in providing a viewing experience where users can simply turn on their television and relax. The company states that it is conducting this trial in France because “a significant number of viewers appreciate the concept of scheduled programming that eliminates the need for selection.”

Major technology companies

Review: The Sony PlayStation 5 has arrived, though the next era of gaming is still developing — Devin Coldewey explains that the latest console generation presents both straightforward and challenging selling points.

Amazon will invest $2.8 billion to establish its second data center region in India — This investment will enable Amazon to launch an AWS Cloud region in Hyderabad by the middle of 2022.

Steve Bannon’s program removed from Twitter and YouTube due to incitements of violence — Bannon’s show was suspended on Twitter, and an episode was taken down by YouTube following calls for violence against FBI Director Christopher Wray and Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Startups, funding, and venture capital

Challenger bank Starling is seeking a new £200M funding round — Having already secured £363 million in funding, including a £100 million state-aid grant, Starling currently serves 1.9 million customers.

Chinese autonomous vehicle company Pony.ai achieves a $5.3 billion valuation — The company has raised over $1 billion since its inception, including $400 million from Toyota.

Provizio secures $6.2M seed funding for its car safety platform utilizing sensors and AI — The startup’s “five-dimensional” sensory platform is designed to perceive, anticipate, and prevent car accidents in real time and beyond the driver’s direct line of sight.

Insights and analysis from Extra Crunch

Companies developing meat alternatives are experiencing growing success globally — New collaborations with major international chains like McDonald’s in Hong Kong, the opening of test kitchens in Israel, and new funding rounds for startups in Sydney and Singapore highlight significant opportunities.

Software businesses are reporting strong results for the third quarter — This is encouraging news for startups seeking funding as they approach 2021.

(Note: Extra Crunch is our subscription program, dedicated to making information about startups more accessible. You can register here.)

Other news

European authorities are urging e-commerce platforms to share data to combat coronavirus-related scams — The concern extends beyond financial loss to the potential for harm if individuals purchase products that do not provide the advertised protection.

Elon Musk’s Tesla tequila is available for $250 per bottle — Indeed.

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