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The No. 9 Tennessee Vols and the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes will face off in the first round of the College Football Playoffs (CFP). The match will take place at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Dec. 21, and is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Tennessee is 10-2 overall and 6-2 in conference. Ohio State was also 10-2 overall, but was 7-2 in conference.
The CFP has moved to a 12-team playoff format that allows the highest ranked winners of the top four conferences to take the top four seeds. The highest ranked winner of a fifth conference will take the 12th seed, if the team is not ranked higher than 12. The rest of the playoff field is filled out by ranking in a bracket released by the CFP committee. The top four seeds earn a first-round bye.
The winner of Tennessee vs. Ohio State will go on to face the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl.
SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable Tennessee vs. Ohio State football kickoff time and networkThe Tennessee vs. Ohio State football game is scheduled for a 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT start on ABC/ESPN on Saturday, Dec. 21.
Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit are expected to be in the booth. Holly Rowe is expected to be reporting from the sidelines.
Best streaming services for Tennessee vs. Ohio State football gameYou need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Tennessee vs. Ohio State football game on ABC/ESPN.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most channels: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Nearly 10,000 Amazon workers across the U.S. have gone on strike mere days before Christmas. Organised by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the union is accusing Amazon of failing to negotiate a fair contract with them. In response, Amazon claims that the workers striking aren't actually its employees.
The Amazon strike began on Thursday at 6 a.m EST, with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters announcing picket lines in New York City, Atlanta, Southern California, San Francisco, and Illinois. This action follows Teamsters issuing a deadline to Amazon earlier this month, demanding it come to the negotiating table by Dec. 15.
SEE ALSO: Amazon workers plan global protests and strikes on Black FridayWorkers across several Amazon facilities voted to authorise strikes over the past week, with Amazon ultimately failing to recognise their union and meet Teamsters' deadline for negotiations. The union's concerns include "low wages, disrespect, and illegal union busting," as well as workplace safety issues.
"If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed," said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien. "We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members. They ignored it."
Unsurprisingly, Amazon has refuted Teamster's characterisation of the situation, calling it a "PR play" and accusing them of acting illegally. Specifically, Amazon alledges that Teamsters has "actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce" employees and contractors to join them.
"There are a lot of nuances here but I want to be clear, the Teamsters don’t represent any Amazon employees despite their claims to the contrary," said Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel.
At least some of the striking workers are reportedly employees of a third-party contractor rather than direct hires of Amazon itself. Even so, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) previously determined that Amazon is a joint employer with its subcontractors, and has enough control over workers' conditions to be responsible for them under law.
Of course, Amazon disagrees. Yet rather than argue these facts, Amazon has challenged this decision by attacking the NLRB itself, claiming that the 90-year-old government agency is unconstitutional. The company previously presented the same argument in February, joining SpaceX and Trader Joe's in attempting to undermine the NLRB's legitimacy.
Amazon also attempted to overturn the first ever union of Amazon warehouse workers last year, though was ultimately unsuccessful.
Pay and working conditions at Amazon have been constant concerns for many years. Last month, employees across the globe went on strike during Black Friday for the fifth annual Make Amazon Pay campaign. Protestors have consistently demanded the e-commerce giant improve its treatment of workers, respect their right to organise, operate sustainably, and give back to society. The Make Amazon Pay campaign is not organised by Teamsters, and involved workers in over 20 countries this year.
The net worth of Amazon founder and executive chairman Jeff Bezos currently sits at $237 billion, putting him second only to Elon Musk on Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires list. This is a $68 billion increase since Bezo's net worth during last year's Make Amazon Pay protests — a bump larger than Myanmar's GDP, and the approximate size of Alaska's.
TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 United Cup for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Tennis fans really don't have to wait long between top tournaments. There is generally always something to watch, but the last month or so will still have been painful for dedicated followers of the sport.
The 2024 ATP Finals and WTA Finals took place in November, so what have fans been doing all this time? They've been patiently waiting for the 2025 United Cup, that's what.
If you want to watch the 2025 United Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
What is the United Cup?The United Cup serves as the opener for the 2025 ATP Tour and the 2025 WTA Tour.
This international hard court tennis competition features mixed-gender teams from 18 countries, with three groups of three countries competing in a round robin format followed by knockout rounds.
When is the 2025 United Cup?The 2025 United Cup is the third edition of the competition. This year's event will be held from Dec. 27 to Jan. 5 at two venues in Perth and Sydney.
How to watch the 2025 United Cup for freeThe 2025 United Cup is available to live stream for free on 9Now.
9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2025 United Cup by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia
Visit 9Now
Watch the 2025 United Cup for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the United Cup before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. This might be a good time to invest, because 9Now is offering free coverage of the Brisbane International, Adelaide International, and Australian Open.
What is the best VPN for 9Now?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 9Now, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Australia
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
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 also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream the 2025 United Cup for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Is getting in shape long overdue? Or are you looking to upgrade your workout routine? If that sounds right, it might be time for a fitness tracker. And when you're talking fitness trackers, one name stands above all others: Fitbit.
There's a reason that "Fitbit" has become common parlance for any kind of tracker. Fitbits come in a lot of shapes and sizes (and prices, of course) and have multiple functions. There's a Fitbit out there for you, whether you’re looking for something that truly just measures your steps or something more advanced with a heart monitor, GPS, and other built-in features. There are even Fitbits for kids.
If you need help choosing the best Fitbit to suit your health and lifestyle needs, we've pulled together some helpful information and a list of the top-rated Fitbit models.
What do Fitbits do?At their most basic level, Fitbits were invented as a sort of wearable pedometer, originally existing just to track your steps. Of course they’ve become more tech-savvy (and more complicated) since then. These days, they come in a range of models, each of which offers its own unique combination of Fitbit’s technology and sensors. They can stand in as phones, push app notifications to you, and even pay for your Starbucks latte — plus they'll keep an eye on things such as heart health and sleep tracking.
What features do Fitbits have?The most expensive Fitbit models offer a slew of features, mostly available through sensors. These involve keeping an eye on your heart beat variability, measuring your temperature around the clock, and even monitoring your stress levels as the company begins what will surely be a longer foray into the mindfulness aspect of health. A lot of the running and swimming Fitbits — yes, you can wear some of them in the pool and shower — also advise you when to take a recovery day.
How many exercise modes do Fitbits have?You won't be starved of variety, let's put it that way. Fitbits have stacks of exercise modes, usually starting at 20. So whether you're a runner, cyclist, swimmer, yogi, weight lifter, boxer, or whatever else, the Fitbit will likely have you covered. They can automatically detect when you start working out, too.
What do Fitbits look like?Fitbits have sleek, minimalist aesthetics, with bands that you can swap in and out and clock faces that you can customise for a display that suits your mood. Some are slimmer while others have a more Apple Watch-like, square display. Ultimately, they're designed to blend in with everyday life. There are no hefty runner-style watches or wrist-based eyesores.
How long does the battery last on a Fitbit?It's a key point — especially if you need the convenience of something that will just run and run and doesn't require the hassle of daily charging. Fitbits tend to run for about a week — between six and eight days is fairly standard. Bear in mind that some features, like GPS, can run it down sooner.
How much do Fitbits cost?There are a wide range of Fitbits out there that begin at under £100 and go up to a significant chunk of change. How much you want to spend might depend on why you’re using it (as a workout buddy versus an all-day companion) and what kind of features you want to be sure are included.
What is the best Fitbit?There is a Fitbit out there that's perfect for you and your lifestyle. To help you find it, we have lined up a selection of the best models for every type of task.
These are the best Fitbit fitness trackers in 2024.
This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
Are you looking for a full body workout at home? Or an exercise machine that just doesn’t take up too much space? Take it from us: A rowing machine is a solid choice.
There are plenty of rowing machines out there — plus, a variety of price points, sizes, and spec. Indeed, when it comes to purchasing a rowing machine, there are a lot of factors to consider. Air or magnetic resistance? Hi-tech features or just the basics? Built-in workouts or rowing solo?
Fear not, we're here to answer all of your questions and steer (or row) you in the right direction. Yes, we’ve done most of the work for you, so we can get you off the computer and onto your rower in no time. Thank us later when those muscles are bulging.
Why do you need a rowing machine?Rowing machines give you a full body workout. It’s cardio-heavy but low-impact. That means less stress on your joints or over-worked muscles, and less chance of sustaining an injury. This makes rowing a safe and effective workout for people of all ages, sizes, and abilities.
There’s more — rowing is good as both a warm-up and warm-down, if you’re having an intense or lengthy workout. It also adds variety to the run-of-the-mill weights and jogging routine.
What are the types of rowing machine resistance?Here’s a bit of jargon you need to know about when buying a rowing machine. Resistance is the thing that makes it hard to pull back those handlebars, and thereby works the muscles. But there are multiple types of resistance, which each have their own plus points and negatives:
Air Resistance — As you pull, the flywheel spins and creates its own air resistance. The harder you row, the tougher the resistance. This simulates the experience of rowing on water — but these machines can be noisier than the magnetic resistance options.
Hydraulic Resistance — This is a standard mechanism on low-cost, stripped-down rowing machines. They use pistons, which push against liquid or air to create resistance. It’s not as smooth or robust of a workout as you get with other rowers, but it does the trick if all you want is the basics. These machines are usually smaller and easy to store.
Magnetic Resistance — This is the most common type that you'll find on home gym rowers. It works by placing a strong magnet at a varying distance from the flywheel, which can increase and decrease the resistance. These machines are quieter but don’t necessarily simulate an authentic rowing experience.
Water Resistance — These use a small tank of water. As you row, the flywheel paddles through the water. Unsurprisingly, this is the closest you get to the real rowing-on-water experience. Once again, the harder you row, the harder the resistance. They make a “swoosh” sound as you go. These tend to be high-quality, high-cost, and generally bigger. They won’t fold away quite so easily — if at all.
Keep these categories in mind when shopping around.
What features do rowing machines offer?Once you’ve got a type of resistance in mind, the next thing is to look at other spec — specifically the display screen and how tech-savvy it is.
Some will offer basic information, such as distance, calories burned, strokes per minute, and time — while other hi-tech models will offer pre-programmed workouts and Bluetooth connectivity that can hook you up to fitness apps. Ultimately, it’s about how serious you are about rowing, and how much you’re willing to spend.
Other features include the number of resistance levels – around 10 is standard — and whether or not the rower folds up for easy storage.
How much does a rowing machine cost?That’s the big question, of course. We’ve included models across a range of price points. It’s possible to pick up a rowing machine for under £100. It’s also possible to spend well over £1,000.
For anything above a very basic model, prepare to spend at least a few hundred pounds. But it’s worth the cash if you want a durable, full-body workout machine — and in the comfort of your own home.
What is the best rowing machine?We have lined up impressive models from top brands like NordicTrack, WaterRower, and XS Sports. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your workouts up a notch, we’ve compiled a list of the top rowing machines for everyone.
These are the best rowing machines in 2024.
There’s never a bad time to start a new fitness routine or improve on an existing one. And while we can’t all afford a personal trainer to get us through the reps and work towards those goals, remember this is the 21st Century — there are other options. Most notably, enlisting the help of a fitness tracker.
It doesn’t matter if you’re buying a tracker for the first time or upgrading your current model, the benefits of these little training buddies are wide-ranging. You might be looking to shift a couple of kilos or work towards a marathon. Either way, a fitness tracker can help. In fact, you don’t need to be training at all to see the benefits. They’re great for providing rolling data on all kinds of wellness and health metrics, such as sleep and body composition.
The tricky business is picking one that suits you. We all have different lives and schedules, and each fitness tracker is made for different lifestyle requirements. And with so many brands and models, you want to find one that suits you — not to mention your budget. Fortunately, we’ve done some research and put together this roundup of fitness tracker options, along with some helpful pointers.
Do you need a fitness tracker?Actively monitoring your fitness progression isn't just for athletes or people training for their local parkrun. It's a factor of wellness that people are building into their daily groove. The best fitness trackers are the ones that will keep you in check throughout your workout as well as the rest of your day. The positive impact that these high-tech bracelets and other wearable fitness gadgetry can have on your lifestyle as a whole is pretty incredible.
What can fitness trackers do?Fitness trackers have gone way beyond just step counting and heart rate monitoring. Depending on the spec, fitness trackers can monitor and feedback on your sleep, blood oxygen, energy levels, stress, body temperature, menstrual cycles, BMI, and more. In terms of actual fitness, they can give your workout plans, track calories burned and fitness progress and coach you towards smashing your personal best. Fitness trackers with GPS can also track runs and set routes for you. Oh, and you'll also get smartphone compatibility, including text and call notifications.
What's the difference between a fitness tracker and a smartwatch?A fitness tracker is essentially a bracelet with sensors that send data to your phone to provide an expanded picture of the data it collects, and usually requires a phone for GPS and music, too. A smartwatch is essentially your phone, but on your wrist. It has GPS built-in and can download apps, from the likes of Spotify to Tinder. With something like an Apple Watch, you can send voice messages or take calls, or have a full conversation via iMessage.
But for people strictly focused on black and white fitness metrics or people who want a hands-off tracker that doesn't require a super-involved setup process or daily charging, we'd make the case that a fitness tracker without high-end connectivity is the smarter, more cost-effective choice.
We've included a selection of both fitness trackers and smartwatches on this list.
Are fitness trackers waterproof?Any respectable tracker should be able to accompany you on a run in the rain without breaking down. At this point, almost every tracker goes past splash and sweat resistance to hit a 5 ATM rating, meaning the device can withstand pressure equivalent up to 50 metres (164 feet). These should be fine to wear in the shower, in the ocean, or in a hot tub.
Swimmers have a bit more to consider than the waterproof rating. Look for a tracker with built-in GPS that can not only follow you underwater, but accurately track your laps and pace. Dedicated modes for pool swims and open water swims are ideal. Even the most rugged, most swim-friendly watches and trackers probably aren't suitable for extreme water sports or activities that involve high-velocity, deep submersion.
What is the best fitness tracker?There are a whole lot of models out there for you to consider, with something for everyone and every budget. We have taken stock of everything on the market to bring you a selection of the very best devices, including fitness trackers from top brands like Apple, Samsung, Fitbit, and Garmin.
These are the best fitness trackers in 2024.