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Parents and educators have a new tool in the fight against online exploitation.
Meta announced Tuesday the launch of curriculum designed to help middle schoolers spot and avoid online exploitation, including a technique commonly known as sextortion.
Victims of such exploitation often believe they are messaging with another teen and eventually share a graphic or explicit image of themselves. The person then threatens to make the picture public unless the victim pays them.
SEE ALSO: Parents need to talk to their kids about this online danger right nowChildhelp, a leading child safety non-profit organization, developed the curriculum in partnership with Meta, and in consultation with other topic experts, including the Department of Homeland Security and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Adults can access the educational materials for free.
The content offers videos, scripted lesson plans, and interactive classroom activities. The goal is to help young people learn about personal boundaries, safe relationships, and how to ask for help.
"With the increase in online dangers, this partnership will allow facilitators of the lessons to empower millions of young people to speak up and be comfortable in asking for help," Michael Medoro, chief of staff at Childhelp, said in a statement.
While sextortion can happen on any platform, and between people who know each other in person, criminals and scammers have used Meta to target victims.
Last year, the company removed at least 63,000 Instagram accounts in Nigeria that attempted to financially extort victims. The scams were highly coordinated and relied partly on thousands of since-removed Facebook assets, like accounts, pages, and groups, that sold scripts and guides for how to scam people using collections of photos to populate fake accounts.
In October 2024, the Meta social media platform Instagram launched its own campaign against sextortion, along with tools to help teen victims.
As Meta appears to add resources to prevent exploitation and aid victims, it has come under fire for abandoning fact-checking and relaxing certain hate speech policies.
"At Meta, we continue to do all we can to protect young people on our apps, and those protections will be even more effective if teens also feel confident in spotting potential harms and know where to go for help," Antigone Davis, Meta's global head of safety, said in a statement about the new curriculum.
If you are a child being sexually exploited online, or you know a child who is being sexually exploited online, or you witnessed exploitation of a child occur online, you can report it to the CyberTipline, which is operated by the National Center for Missing Exploited & Children.
EGOT winner Viola Davis (The Woman King, Fences) steps into the U.S. presidency in G20, an upcoming thriller directed by Patricia Riggen.
SEE ALSO: 2025 movie preview: All the films you'll want to know aboutDavis plays President Danielle Sutton, a veteran on her way to the G20 Summit with her husband (Anthony Anderson, Black-ish) and two children (Marsai Martin and Christopher Farrar). But the summit goes horribly awry when terrorists led by the menacing Rutledge (The Boys' Antony Starr) take over and hold everyone hostage. Their goal? To control the world economy by making deepfakes of each world leader present at the G20.
However, Rutledge's plan did not account for Danielle, who escapes the initial attack and launches a counterattack of her own. But can this one-woman army save her family and the world from total chaos?
Check out the full trailer above for a taste of the action to come, including Davis absolutely kicking butt in hand-to-hand combat.
The United States is divided politically, but how about by fetish preference?
SEE ALSO: What the Supreme Court hearing about age verification could mean for youAs it turns out, we're pretty divided on that, too. Adult video site Clips4Sale has gathered the most-searched-for fetishes in each state in its "United States of Fetish." While some are growing in popularity across the land, others are one-state wonders.
Credit: Clips4SaleVore (the desire to be wholly consumed) and giantess fetishes dominate the most states, which isn't surprising considering that the latter was 2024's fetish of the year and the former was a close second. Giantess was one of the site's top 10 fetishes of the last 20 years, as was cuckolding, most-searched in Nebraska.
Meanwhile, fetishes like biting and CPR are only the most-searched in one state each (Iowa and Wyoming, respectively).
"As we enter 2025, the data show several converging trends," C4S spokesperson Avery Martin told Mashable. "We've seen tremendous growth not only in giantess and vore fantasies, but also chastity" — the 2025 fetish of the year — "ballbusting and pegging."
Martin said that Clips4Sale is seeing greater fragmentation among the states than in past years, and communities seem to be embracing more localized tastes. "Part of the explanation may lie in volume. The number of searches nearly doubled in the past year. Americans are increasingly open to exploring fetish, and states are finding their freak," said Martin.
"While there's a public resurgence of masculine energy," Martin continued — like Mark Zuckerberg's call for more "masculine energy" in corporate America — "privately men are fantasizing about powerful women. It may be alphas in the streets, but it's beta in the sheets."
In Oklahoma, where a senator recently introduced a bill to criminalize pornography, wrestling is the most-searched-for fetish on Clips4Sale.
TL;DR: Live stream Memphis Grizzlies vs. LA Clippers in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Memphis Grizzlies head to Intuit Dome to face the LA Clippers in a Western Conference matchup. The Grizzlies are 35-17, which puts the team in second place. The Clippers are 29-23, which puts the team in sixth place.
The Grizzlies have won four of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Clippers have lost three of their last five games, but are coming off a win over the Utah Jazz.
When is Memphis Grizzlies vs. LA Clippers?Memphis Grizzlies vs. LA Clippers in the NBA starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 12. This game takes place at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
How to watch Memphis Grizzlies vs. LA ClippersYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Grizzlies vs. Clippers basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV 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.
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 affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV 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, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Grizzlies vs. Clippers from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Memphis Grizzlies vs. LA Clippers for free 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 the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Memphis Grizzlies vs. LA Clippers before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Memphis Grizzlies vs. LA Clippers in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Golden State Warriors head to American Airlines Center to face the Dallas Mavericks in a Western Conference matchup. The Warriors are 27-26, which puts the team in 10th place. The Mavs are 28-26, which puts the team in eighth place.
The Warriors have won three of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls. The Mavs have lost three of their last five games, and are coming off a loss to the Sacramento Kings.
When is Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks?Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA starts at 9:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 12. This game takes place at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
This game will air on ESPN.
How to watch Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas MavericksYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Warriors vs. Mavs basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV 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.
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 affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV 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, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Warriors vs. Mavs from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks for free 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 the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Los Angeles Lakers head to Delta Center to face the Utah Jazz in a Western Conference matchup. The Lakers are 32-19, which puts the team in fourth place. The Jazz are 12-40, which puts the team in 14th place.
The Lakers have won six games in a row, including a win over the Utah Jazz on Monday, which gave the city their first taste of the newest Laker: Luka Doncic. The Jazz have lost four of their last five games, and are coming off three consecutive losses, including the last one against the Lakers.
When is Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz?Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz in the NBA starts at 9 p.m. ET on Feb. 12. This game takes place at TD Garden in Boston.
How to watch Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah JazzYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Lakers vs. Jazz basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV 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.
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 affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV 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, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Lakers vs. Jazz from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz for free 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 the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Phoenix Suns vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Phoenix Suns head to Toyota Center to face the Houston Rockets in a Western Conference matchup. The Suns are 26-26, which puts the team in 11th place. The Rockets are 33-20, which puts the team in fifth place.
The Suns have lost four of their last five games, and are coming off a loss to the Denver Nuggets. The Rockets have also lost four of their last five games, but are coming off a win over the Toronto Raptors.
When is Phoenix Suns vs. Houston Rockets?Phoenix Suns vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 12. This game takes place at Toyota Center in Houston.
How to watch Phoenix Suns vs. Houston RocketsYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Suns vs. Rockets basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV 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.
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 affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV 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, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Suns vs. Rockets from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Phoenix Suns vs. Houston Rockets for free 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 the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Phoenix Suns vs. Houston Rockets before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Phoenix Suns vs. Houston Rockets in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Miami Heat head to Paycom Center to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in a non-conference matchup. The Heat are 25-26, which puts the team in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. The Thunder are 43-9, which puts the team atop the Western Conference and vying for the best record in the league.
The Heat have lost three of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back losses to the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets. The Thunder have won six consecutive games.
When is Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder?Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Feb. 12. This game takes place at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
How to watch Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City ThunderYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Heat vs. Thunder basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV 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.
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 affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV 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, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Heat vs. Thunder from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder for free 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 the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Detroit Pistons head to United Center to face the Chicago Bulls in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Pistons are 27-26, which puts them in sixth place. The Bulls are 22-31, which puts them in 10th place.
The Pistons have won three of their last five games, before facing the Bulls, and were coming off back-to-back wins over the Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers. The Bulls lost three of their last five games, prior to kicking off this short series, and were coming off back-to-back losses to the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves.
When is Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls?Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls in the NBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Feb. 12. This game takes place at United Center in Chicago.
How to watch Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago BullsYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Pistons vs. Bulls basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV 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.
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 affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV 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, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Pistons vs. Bulls from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls for free 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 the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Atlanta Hawks head to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Hawks are 26-28, which puts the team in eighth place. The Knicks are 34-18, which puts the team in third place.
The Hawks have won four of their last five games, and are coming off three consecutive wins over the Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, and Milwaukee Bucks. The Knicks have won three of their last five games, but are coming off a loss to the Boston Celtics.
When is Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks?Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks in the NBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 12. This game takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York.
How to watch Atlanta Hawks vs. New York KnicksYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Hawks vs. Knicks basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV 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.
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 affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV 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, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Hawks vs. Knicks from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks for free 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 the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Philadelphia 76ers head to Barclays Center to face the Brooklyn Nets in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Sixers are 20-32, which puts the team in 11th place. The Nets are 19-34, which puts the team in 12th place.
The Sixers have lost four of their last five games, and are coming off three consecutive losses to the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, and Miami Heat. The Nets have won four of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back wins over the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat.
When is Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets?Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets in the NBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 12. This game takes place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
How to watch Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn NetsYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Sixers vs. Nets basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV 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.
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 affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV 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, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Sixers vs. Nets from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets for free 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 the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream San Antonio Spurs vs. Boston Celtics in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The San Antonio Spurs head to TD Garden to face the Boston Celtics in a non-conference matchup. The Spurs are 23-28, which puts the team in 12th place in the Western Conference. The Celtics are 38-16, which puts the team in second place in the Eastern Conference.
The Spurs have lost three of their last five games, but are coming off a win over the Washington Wizards. The Celtics have won four of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back wins over the Miami Heat and New York Knicks.
When is San Antonio Spurs vs. Boston Celtics?San Antonio Spurs vs. Boston Celtics in the NBA starts at 7 p.m. ET on Feb. 12. This game takes place at TD Garden in Boston.
This game will air on ESPN.
How to watch San Antonio Spurs vs. Boston CelticsYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Spurs vs. Celtics basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV 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.
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 affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV 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, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Spurs vs. Celtics from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream San Antonio Spurs vs. Boston Celtics for free 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 the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream San Antonio Spurs vs. Boston Celtics before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream San Antonio Spurs vs. Boston Celtics in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, February 12, 2025:
Across"Give me some ___"The answer is Space.
The answer is Mocha.
The answer is Altar.
The answer is Skort.
The answer is Harsh.
The answer is Smash.
The answer is Polka.
The answer is Actor.
The answer is Chars.
The answer is Earth.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
It started with reports that Apple is launching the new iPhone SE, but now it seems it's going to be a far more interesting February for Apple fans.
Last week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman indicated that the company is launching the updated iPhone SE as soon as this week. In a tweet late Tuesday, however, Gurman now indicates that the phone "should be announced by next week."
Tweet may have been deletedWhile that's a bit of a bummer, it appears other Apple gadgets are coming. On Wednesday, Feb. 12, Apple is preparing a "smaller announcement," according to Gurman.
SEE ALSO: Apple Maps follows Google, relabels Gulf of Mexico as AmericaThat's not all, though. Gurman says that Apple's Vision Pro representatives will soon be reaching out to journalists about an announcement. There's no details on what's coming, but previous reports indicated that Apple is working on the next version of the Vision Pro headset, which may be coming sometime in 2025.
Finally, Gurman also wrote that a new MacBook Air, sporting Apple's M4 chip, is coming "within weeks."
All of this is on top of the new Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (Beats is owned by Apple), which launched on Tuesday, with a new design, a more powerful Apple H2 chip, active noise cancellation, and a built-in heart-rate sensor.
Apple's ELEGNT, like many other robots, performs functional movements such as completing tasks, overcoming spatial constraints, and demonstrating time efficiency. But the Pixar-like lamp also has expressive qualities characteristic to humans, such as paying attention, showing intent, and attitude.
A study by Apple's Machine Learning Research, which focuses on making non-anthropomorphic robots that are both utilitarian and engaging, involved a team testing how humans interact with an expression-driven vs a function-driven robot. The researchers spread this across six different tasks. When asked about the weather outside, the expressive robot turns towards the window, much like a person would, before it gives a report. It also prepares to stretch its body when asked to reach the other corner of the desk, it dances to music in the kitchen, and seems to express disappointment when told it's not invited to a hike outside the home.
According to Apple's team, those expression-driven movements enhance the way users engage with and perceive the robot, especially when it comes to social-oriented tasks. And though it’s not yet known when and if the prototype lamp will be available to buy, Apple seems to be shifting its focus towards home robotics.
SAVE $98: As of Feb. 12, the Reolink wired WiFi video doorbell is available for $51.99 at Woot, down from its usual $149.99. That is a 65% discount on a 2K smart doorbell with dual-band WiFi, smart alerts, and local storage.
Opens in a new window Credit: Reolink Reolink Wired WiFi Video Doorbell $51.99 at WootIf you have been thinking about upgrading your home security, this deal is a no-brainer. Right now, the Reolink 5MP wired WiFi video doorbell is down to just $51.99 at Woot, which is 65% off its usual price. That is a steal for a 2K-resolution smart doorbell with dual-band WiFi, motion detection, and local storage.
Unlike most budget doorbells, which lock you into paid cloud subscriptions, the Reolink lets you store recordings locally. You can insert a microSD card (up to 256GB, sold separately) or connect it to a Reolink NVR for 24/7 recording. There are no hidden fees — just full control over your footage.
SEE ALSO: Apple iPad mini 7 review: Beefed up and ready for AIThe camera quality is seriously impressive. With 2K Super HD resolution, HDR support, and 180-degree wide-angle coverage, you will catch sharp, detailed footage even in low-light conditions. The built-in mic and speaker let you answer the door from anywhere, work, on vacation, or in bed. You can also set up preset voice messages or auto-replies for extra convenience.
Connectivity is another major win here. This doorbell supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi, giving you a stable connection without the frustrating lag some budget models suffer from. It is also weatherproof, so rain or shine, your doorbell stays up and running.
One of the best extras? It comes with a chime. Just plug it into a power outlet, pick from 10 different tunes, and adjust the volume. That means you will always hear your doorbell even if your phone is on silent.
For just $51.99, you get a smart doorbell with 2K resolution, dual-band WiFi, local storage options, and smart alerts. If you want better home security without a monthly fee, grab this deal before Woot sells out.
Valentine's Day remains a divisive topic. Some criticize it as a capitalistic subsumption of love and religion, while others dislike it for personal reasons, like being single at a time when you're "expected" to be in love.
Despite some cynical opinions, the holiday results in a flurry of dating app activity. Tinder cites its "Peak Season" as the time between New Year's Day and February 14. Internal Tinder data reveals over 298 million more Likes are exchanged, and over 2.1 million more daily messages are sent during this time than the rest of the year.
SEE ALSO: 30 Valentine's Day gifts for all the sweethearts in your lifeHinge revealed to Mashable that in the two weeks leading to Valentine's Day 2024, Likes sent grew by 28 percent, and matches increased by 17 percent compared to the same period in 2023.
Bumble similarly saw increases in downloads and time spent on the app in the weeks around Valentine's Day 2024, with an increase in people swiping right and updating their profiles in the week leading up to the holiday.
Even if you are in the spirit, many feel the effect of price gouging in restaurants and generally increased costs, limiting and impacting how celebrations take place and sending us to search other avenues.
As we increasingly rely on the digital world, it's only logical that we integrate our offline holidays into our digital existence. And if we take romance online, what will our Valentine's Day begin to look like?
Romance through the screenWith so much of our dating lives influenced by the internet, as dating apps move courtship online and COVID restrictions caused multiple remote Valentine's Day celebrations, our relationship with Valentine's Day has been impacted.
"We did a virtual dinner and he sent me some LEGO flowers through the post, as he wasn't sure if real flowers would keep for very long!" says Emily, 25, York, on celebrating Valentine's Day away from her long-distance partner before moving in together.
"For our dinner, we each bought steaks and made our virtual backgrounds look like a fancy restaurant. Definitely one of our most memorable. We laugh about it a lot," she says.
"Sometimes distance can actually make couples more intentional about how they express their love, which can be a beautiful silver lining," according to Amber Robinson, relationship therapist and owner of A Road Through Practice.
Regarding long-distance relationships, Robinson sees couples utilising various apps to maintain their connection. "They're sending good morning selfies, sharing Spotify playlists, [and] watching movies in sync on FaceTime."
Sometimes distance can actually make couples more intentional about how they express their love, which can be a beautiful silver lining. - relationship therapist Amber RobinsonWith Valentine's Day, she's seen an interesting blend of physical and digital realities: "Some couples coordinate to open their gifts together on a video call, others sync up a movie night and order in, and I even had one creative pair who set up identical romantic settings in their homes — same candles, same music, same everything! It was like they were both in the same space despite being thousands of miles apart."
"It still takes an emotional investment, creativity, and intention to make a day like Valentine's Day special," Robinson believes.
A new frontier of digital intimacyDigital romance and intimacy aren't just for those unable to spend time together due to location, nor limited to Valentine's Day. Couples can invite the digital world into their relationship in various ways.
"In many ways, the distinction between digital intimacy and physical, in-person intimacy has become blurred thanks to the ubiquity of technology use in relationships," according to Dr. Ellen Kaufman, postdoctoral research fellow at the Kinsey Institute.
"We are also seeing a significant increase in use and interest in emerging forms of sex tech — sexual technologies — that promote emotional connection in addition to (remote) physical closeness. Our research demonstrates that people who use erotic webcam modeling sites, for example, want to feel close to the models both physically and emotionally. The underlying technology of these sites — including the integration of WiFi- and Bluetooth-enabled sex toys, which are also helping couples reclaim physical intimacy when they're not in the same place — are increasingly helping people meet those needs," Kaufman continues.
Engagement with sex tech has risen among American adults, suggesting a noticeable shift in our views on intimacy, as well as weakening stigmatisation of digital intimacy.
"You can buy your loved one a touch bracelet, have a date night together in the VR world, or FaceTime each other. You can watch a movie together on Netflix or play video games together to help deepen your bond," says relationship and break-up expert at inclusive LGBTQ+ dating app Taimi, Angelika Koch.
Managing expectations and exposureFor those celebrating Valentine's Day, the digital experience in the lead-up can be intense. There's a looming awareness of social media posts showcasing couples, their relationship, and any Valentine's Day celebration plans. This, amongst a barrage of e-mails and notifications, can impact people both single and in relationships.
"The internet in February makes it worse as couples tend to feel like they need to measure up to unrealistic standards set by those people," says Sean O'Neill, licensed marriage and family therapist at Maple Moon Recovery. He recommends couples avoid comparison and "focus on and [define] what connection means to them."
For those not in relationships, the online world can still revolutionise Valentine's Day.
SEE ALSO: How one tweet led me to meet my partner"I switched off dating and started using [the internet] to meet new people and strike up new friendships," says Jennifer, 32, London, founder and community manager of Ladies in London Official, a recently founded social club for women.
Initially, she connected with women via Bumble for Friends and MeetUp, creating a space for women to build friendships on and offline. Jennifer now uses WhatsApp to connect the group and encourage sign-ups for events. Both digital and physical ones are planned for February, including a Galentine's Day event (brought into existence by the sitcom Parks and Recreation in 2010).
Valentine's Day, whether you'll be spending it online, offline, single, or happily in a relationship, can be what you make of it. It can offer an opportunity to bring us closer together with those we love, to connect with ourselves, or to explore new frontiers of intimacy unencumbered.
There's a great deal of the internet to explore for those avoiding any reminders of Valentine's Day, and a lot of digital experiences waiting for those planning to celebrate.
"There may be no more immersive movie-watching experience this year than Flow," writes Mashable Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards. The dialogue-free film has already scooped up the Golden Globe for Best Animated Picture, beating out frontrunners The Wild Robot and Inside Out 2, and it's on its way to potential Oscar glory. Whether it takes home the gold or not, there's no denying it has captured the hearts of audiences all over.
All completed in open-source 3D software Blender, the animation of Flow looks and feels different than anything you've ever seen. Like a watercolor painting, co-writer/director Gints Zilbalodis leans into the abstract. While every distinct feather or scale of the animal characters may not be photorealistic a la Disney's "live-action" remake of The Lion King, its truly something to behold.
Want to see for yourself? Flow is set to make its streaming debut on Feb. 14 as a Valentine's Day treat. Here's everything you need to know.
What is Flow about?Directed by Gints Zilbalodis and written by Zilbalodis and Matīss Kaža, Flow is an animated movie from Latvia that follows the adventures of a black cat after his home is swept away by a great flood. Stranded on a sailboat with an unlikely group of animal mates — a yellow lab, a capybara, a lemur, and a secretary bird — the cat must learn to trust its crewmates to survive and adapt to the strange new planet.
There are no people in Flow, nor speaking. Instead, it relies on realistic animal sounds and movements to drill home its message.
Here's a glimpse at the striking film in its official trailer:
Is Flow worth watching?"Flow is an animated adventure that is poignant, unique, absolutely gorgeous, and a must-see," Mashable's Kristy Puchko writes in her review of the film. She's not alone in the sentiment, either. The Latvian feature currently holds a near-perfect 97 percent critic rating and 98 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
It's also one of the most critically acclaimed animated features of the year, earning the Golden Globe for Best Animated Picture and nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best International Feature at this year's Oscars. Mashable even gave it spot number 11 on our list of the best movies of 2024 — beating out fellow animated film The Wild Robot, which we also loved.
"There's no way you can look away from this sweet, layered tale of teamwork, or the precious feline at its heart," Puchko adds.
How to watch Flow at home Credit: Janus FilmsAfter premiering at the Cannes Film Festival and launching in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2024, Flow is officially available to purchase or rent at digital on-demand retailers as of Jan. 7. You can purchase it for your digital collection or rent it for 30 days. Just note that with rentals, you'll only have 48 hours to finish the film once you begin.
Here are some quick links to buy or rent the international flick:
Prime Video — $5.99 to rent, $19.99 to buy
Apple TV — $5.99 to rent, $19.99 to buy
Fandango at Home (Vudu) — $5.99 to rent, $14.99+ to buy
The Oscar-nominated animated film is set to make its streaming debut on Max on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14. Max subscriptions start at $9.99 per month, but there are a few different ways to save some money on your plan. We've rounded up the best Max streaming deals for you below.
The best Max streaming dealsBest for most people: Save 16% on Max with ads annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max (with ads) yearly subscription $99.99 per year (save 16%) Watch NowThe simplest way to watch Flow on Max would be to sign up for a single month of the service with ads, then cancel before you're charged for a second month. However, you can save 16% if you choose an annual subscription instead. By signing up for a whole year upfront, it'll cost you $99.99, which breaks down to only $8.33 per month rather than $9.99.
Best Max deal with no ads: Save 16% on a Max Ad-Free annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max (No Ads) annual subscription $169.99 per year (save 16%) Watch NowSimilarly, you can also save 16% by committing to a yearly plan of the Max ad-free tiers. If ads are truly a deal breaker for you, there are two different tiers to choose from: Max Ad-Free and Max Ultimate Ad-Free. The basic ad-free tier costs either $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year (about $14.17 per month), while the Ultimate tier costs either $20.99 per month or $209.99 per year (about $17.50 per month). While both tiers offer an ad-free viewing experience, the Ultimate tier also comes with 4K Ultra HD video quality and Dolby Atmos immersive audio.
Best Max deal for Cricket customers: Free Max with ads for customers on the $60/month unlimited plan Opens in a new window Credit: Cricket / Max Max (with ads) Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month plan Watch NowCurrently, the only way to get Max for free is to switch to Cricket's $60 per month unlimited plan. Cricket customers on that plan get a free Max with ads subscription, no questions asked. That's a $99.99 per year value. Already on the plan? Head over to the Max app, choose Cricket as your provider, then enter your Cricket credentials to log in. Check out the terms and conditions on Cricket's website to learn more.
Best Max deal for students: Save 50% on Max with ads Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max Student $4.99 per month for 12 months Get DealIf you're a college student, you can sign up for an entire year of Max with ads for only $4.99 per month instead of $9.99. That's 50% in savings. Just verify your student status with UNiDAYS and you'll receive a unique discount code to drop the price.
Best bundle deal: Get Max, Disney+, and Hulu for up to 38% off Opens in a new window Credit: Disney / Hulu / Max Disney+, Hulu, and Max $16.99 per month (with ads), $29.99 per month (no ads) Get DealIt won't be the cheapest way to get Max, but you can get more bang for your buck if you choose a streaming bundle deal instead of a single service. Bundles are the best way to save on streaming services in 2025. For instance, you can get Max, Hulu, and Disney+ with ads for just $16.99 per month (reg. $25.97) or without ads for $29.99 per month (reg. $48.97). That's up to 38% in savings.
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