Binge watching is now the norm, with 57 percent of TV viewers saying they regularly watch three or more episodes of the same show in one sitting, be it by streaming, DVR, VOD or TV marathons, GfK MRI said in a news release Tuesday. GfK said 14 percent reported binge watching "all or most of the time," with another 18 percent doing so "frequently" and 25 percent saying about half their TV viewing is in a binge. When asked what they binge on, 41 percent reported predominantly watching TV shows they have never seen before vs. 35 percent opting for "old favorite" programs, GfK said. Twenty-two percent said most of their binging is of original content from streaming services, it said.

CBS Studios' new Star Trek series will be beamed up to Netflix subscribers under an international licensing agreement the companies announced in a news release Monday. Each episode will be available on Netflix within 24 hours of its U.S. premiere, the companies said. Netflix also will have the entire library of the various Trek series by the end of the year, they said. The new Star Trek series will debut on CBS in January, with the premiere episode and all subsequent episodes being available in the U.S. exclusively on the CBS All Access subscription VOD service.

Twitter will live-stream the GOP and Democratic national conventions under a partnership with CBS News, the companies said in a news release Monday. Twitter will present video of the entire convention alongside tweets related to the event. Twitter and CBS News previously partnered for two presidential debates during the recent primaries.

National Geographic Partners' Nat Geo Wild network is launching its first dedicated online series, wild_life With Bertie Gregory, which will premier Aug. 3 on NationalGeographic.com and the network's YouTube Channel, it said in a news release Wednesday. National Geographic Partners is a joint venture between the National Geographic Society and 21st Century Fox.

NCTA and AT&T discussed the availability of HTML5 as the basis for a set-top plan, in multiple meetings last week with aides to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, Chief Technologist Scott Jordan, Media Bureau staff, an aide to Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, and staff from the Office of General Counsel, the association said an ex parte filing in docket 16-42. It said they discussed possible requirements for protecting privacy and copyright in HTML5 and support for closed captions in HTML5. Also discussed was HTML5 EME "as an open, royalty-free standard; support available for implementing HTML5 EME; and support for closed captioning in HTML5 EME," said NCTA. Programmers are warming to pay-TV providers' counter -- based on HTML5 -- to Wheeler's unlock the box plan (see 1607010066).

BenQ announced the Android-based i500 LED-lit HD projector with a built-in media player to play content from streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon. Maximum image size is 80 inches, and the mini projector’s short-throw lens allows placement as close as 3.3 feet from the viewing wall or screen, BenQ said. Bluetooth is built in. The BenQ i500 will be available July 22 for a $749 retail price, it said.

Past seasons of CW Network scripted series will remain exclusively on Netflix, the streaming company and the broadcast network said in a news release Tuesday. Starting with the 2016-17 season, Netflix subscribers will have streaming access to full seasons of CW scripted series beginning eight days after the season finale, they said.

Comcast subscribers will be able to access Netflix via Xfinity's X1 navigation platform later this year, the companies said in a joint statement Tuesday. In a statement, Incompas -- whose members include Netflix, according to its website -- said it "advocated for a foundation that enables over-the-top content and traditional video to grow together, rather than apart. These smart policies, led and adopted by the FCC, have been hard fought victories that have knocked down many walls and are good for competition, consumers and free markets. Netflix is a trailblazer that has opened doors to other streamers, and we encourage and support policies that help make search, discovery and access to all over-the-top content easier.” And the Consumer Video Choice Coalition in a statement asked, "Now what’s wrong with unlocking the box and letting consumers watch the rest of the Internet as well? Comcast once again proves consumer advocates’ point; consumers are hungry for new Internet streaming content and don’t want a gatekeeper box or gatekeeper app telling them what they can and can’t watch. Blocking Internet streaming content is bad for consumers, content creators and innovation. It’s time for the FCC to unleash competition, and give consumers the power to watch, organize and discover the content they love on the device they choose.”

A firmware update for Bryston digital music players adds support for Roon Labs software. Adapting the Bryston BDP music players to be Roon Ready enables control via Roon’s intuitive user interface, said Bryston. Roon transfers audio files to a Bryston BDP player using a bit-perfect system, enabling Bryston’s precise clock, linear power supply and custom integrated audio device to convert content to a digital bitstream that can connect to an outboard DAC. The Roon interface also enables BDP users to have Tidal content aggregated with their local music library so searches and playlists can include content from both sources, said the company. Bryston is offering a free 60-day Roon trial coupon for a limited time within the services menu of the BDP after firmware has been updated, it said.

Amazon and PBS signed a multiyear agreement for a collection of PBS Kids series programs available exclusively through Amazon Prime Video. Prime members can watch select videos via the Amazon Video app for TVs, connected and mobile devices and online, said Amazon. Programs will premiere on PBS stations and then become available on Amazon Prime Video after an undisclosed period of time, the companies said. PBS Kids titles also will be available with the Amazon FreeTime Unlimited subscription service. PBS Kids shows focus on “fundamental academic areas” such as literacy, science, technology, engineering and math, plus collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity, said Lesli Rotenberg, general manager, PBS children's media and education.