• MoviePass said its subscribers' average monthly usage fell to below one movie (0.77) in September.
• In March, when the company was touting its nearly 3 million subscribers, subscribers were averaging just over two movies (2.23) a month.
• But the lack of usage may be the only thing keeping the business afloat.

The dirty little secret about movie-ticket subscription services, like MoviePass, is that the less that people use the service, the better it is for the company. And it seems that lack of usage may be the only thing keeping MoviePass afloat.

Along with filing its third-quarter financials in mid-November, in which it revealed it had lost $130 million in the quarter, MoviePass' parent company, Helios & Matheson Analytics, disclosed a drop in MoviePass' subscribers' average monthly usage from March to September.

In March, the average monthly usage per subscriber was just over two movies (2.23). By September, it had dropped to below one movie (0.77).

The graphic below shows the decline over the six months:

A lot happened to MoviePass in those six months.

Though MoviePass was touting its millions of subscribers after lowering its monthly price to $9.95 to watch one movie a day, the first sign of concern came in April, when Helios & Matheson's independent auditor said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it had "substantial doubt" about the company's ability to stay in business.

Since then, its changes to the monthly plan that have made it harder for subscribers to see movies — as well as& complaints of bad customer service, the app sporadically going offline, and the rise of competing services like AMC Stubs A-List and Sinemia — have led to the dramatic drop in usage.

Read more: MoviePass competitor Sinemia is being sued by angry customers who say it ripped them off with new fees

A source inside MoviePass also told Business Insider that the company disclosed to its staff that in October alone tens of thousands of subscribers canceled the service.

But it's a good thing for MoviePass if subscribers aren't actually going to see movies — as long as they don't cancel the service.

If no one is using the service, MoviePass doesn't have to pay fees to Mastercard, the provider of the MoviePass debit card, or pay theaters for the tickets its subscribers buy.

The average movie ticket price in the US in the third quarter was $8.83, according to the National Association of Theatre Owners. Combined with MoviePass' September figure of 0.77 movies per subscriber, that would come out to $6.80 per subscriber that MoviePass could be paying per month (though its user base is likely skewed toward higher-cost areas like New York City). With its $9.95-a-month subscription price, the company could conceivably not be losing money per ticket, or at least be close.

But the company needs more help than that.

With little money coming in besides subscriptions (the company has a handful of deals with distributors to market titles on the MoviePass app) and Helios & Matheson's stock trading at about $0.02, it's tough to see how MoviePass could continue to stay in business as subscribers increasingly realize they aren't getting much value out of it.

SEE ALSO: 22 movies coming to theaters before 2018 ends that you need to see this holiday season

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NOW WATCH: The inside story behind the Marvel movie you were never supposed to see

• After years of waiting, Nintendo fans finally have a Netflix-style subscription service for classic games.
• The service, dubbed "Nintendo Switch Online," is just $20/year.
• Though Nintendo Switch Online is light on features, it's worth the incredibly low cost of entry.

Nintendo is the Disney of video games.

There are plenty of arguments for why this is the case, but the most obvious parallel is Nintendo's vast library of classic games. Starting with the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in the early '80s and going all the way up to the Nintendo DS and Wii in the early '00s, Nintendo has a wealth of classic games that people still want to play. 

And, for years, people have clamored for a way to access that library. "Why not offer a Netflix-style subscription service?" they shouted, while throwing money in the general direction of Nintendo's Kyoto, Japan headquarters. 

Earlier this fall, on September 18, Nintendo finally offered just such a service ... sort of. 

Behold: Nintendo Switch Online!

After months of using Nintendo's Netflix-like subscription service, I'm left wanting much, much more than what's currently available. But that doesn't mean it's bad — you should still check it out anyway!

Allow me to explain.

SEE ALSO: There's one thing every parent should do before gifting a video game console

1. The list of games is paltry.

20 games sounds like a lot of games, but we're talking about original NES games here — outside of maybe "The Legend of Zelda" and "River City Ransom," these aren't very lengthy experiences. 

There are somewhere in the realm of 700 NES games. Starting with just 20 — and no games from the Super NES, Nintendo 64, GameCube, Game Boy, or etc. — is underwhelming to say the least. 

That said, since Nintendo Switch Online launched in September, Nintendo has added several games to the service every month at no additional charge. That initial list of 20 games has already expanded to 28, and it'll reach 31 games in total by the end of 2018.

2. The games that are included aren't especially thrilling.

The list of games on Nintendo Switch Online is padded out with stuff like "Soccer," "Tennis," and "Ice Hockey." Nothing against sports games, but these aren't particularly iconic choices.

The inclusion of the original "Mario Bros" is similarly puzzling — the series didn't take off in popularity until "Super Mario Bros." (seen above). "Mario Bros." is ... it's not very good. There's no nice way to say that: It just isn't very fun to play.

Nintendo fans are better served by the other two "Super Mario Bros." games included on the list ("Super Mario Bros." and "Super Mario Bros. 3").

The addition of games like "Solomon's Key" and "Ninja Gaiden" helps a lot, but there are still countless classic games missing from the service.

3. The addition of online functionality to games is extremely limited.

More than just putting NES games on the Switch, Nintendo Switch Online adds online multiplayer functionality. In two-player games, you can compete with a friend. In single-player games, you can switch off with a friend. In co-op games, you can play together with a friend.

The language I'm using there — "with a friend" — is crucial, as you're only able to play with people you've previously added to your Nintendo Switch Friend List. There's no way to find an online game of, say, "Balloon Fight" with a stranger. You're only able to play with people on your Friend List. 

It's something many Nintendo fans are used to dealing with. It's also ridiculous in 2018 that the most iconic video game company in the world isn't providing online matchmaking services — especially in the context of this being a paid online service.

• The uncensored director's cut of Lars von Trier's controversial serial-killer movie, "The House That Jack Built," will be released for one night only on Wednesday.
• The R-rated cut will be released December 14.
• The film prompted more than 100 people to leave the theater during the Cannes Film Festival this year because of its graphic depiction of violence against women and children.

The uncensored director's cut of the controversial serial-killer movie that caused outcry at this year's Cannes Film Festival is getting a theatrical release for one night only on Wednesday.

Director Lars von Trier's "The House That Jack Built," starring Matt Dillon as a twisted murderer, prompted at least 100 people to walk out of the film's screening at Cannes during its premiere in May because of its grotesque depiction of violence against women and children. A particularly gruesome scene that caused walkouts was one in which two small kids' heads are blown off by a hunting rifle.

Read more: More than 100 people walked out of a 'repulsive' serial-killer movie at Cannes: 'Lars has gone too far this time'

Though the director's cut will play for only one night, an edited, R-rated cut will be released on December 14.

Von Trier doesn't mind the controversy and has even welcomed it. Posters for the film released in September showed people contorted into disturbing positions, including actress Uma Thurman, who also stars as one of Jack's many victims.

Some critics called the movie "unpleasant" and "torturous," while others actually liked it. The film received a standing ovation at Cannes from those who stayed until the very end. Indiewire film critic David Ehrlich tweeted earlier this month, "i sincerely regret to inform you that THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT will 100% be on my list of the year’s best films. please make your peace with that now."

SEE ALSO: There's a free way to watch 72 movies from Hollywood's hottest indie film studio, including 'Lady Bird' and 'Moonlight'

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NOW WATCH: How 'The Price Is Right' is made

The PlayStation Classic is adorable, obviously. Just look at that tiny little replica of the original PlayStation! There's no way a full-sized CD could fit in that CD-ROM drive!

More importantly, the PlayStation Classic comes with 20 equally classic games when it arrives on December 3.

Here's the full list:

SEE ALSO: Sony just announced a $100 mini version of the original PlayStation — here's everything we know about the PlayStation Classic

Sony announced the PlayStation Classic earlier this year. It comes with 20 games. They are: 1. "Final Fantasy VII" ...

2. "Wild Arms"

3. "Tekken 3"

• Starting in 2019, new YouTube original content will be available for free with advertisements, rather than being available exclusively through the company's subscription service, YouTube Premium. 
• The decision to move its original content outside of its subscription service is to expand its audience and "meet the growing demand of a more global fanbase," YouTube says. 
• But the move raises serious questions about the future of YouTube's $12-a-month Premium subscription service and underscores a longstanding tension within YouTube's business.

It's been less than eight months since YouTube launched its $12-a-month "Premium" subscription service — and there's already reason to wonder whether its days are numbered. 

YouTube said on Tuesday that its original video programs, including sci-fi dramas and reality shows, will no longer be reserved for Premium subscribers starting in 2019. Instead, YouTube's so-called Originals will be available on the site for free, with ads, to everyone. 

A YouTube spokesperson told Business Insider in a statement that the decision to move its original content outside of its subscription service was in order to expand its audience and "meet the growing demand of a more global fanbase."

But the move raises serious questions about the future of YouTube Premium. 

Access to the Originals was one of the key selling points of YouTube Premium. The subscription product — which combines YouTube Music Premium and YouTube Originals — was launched just this May. For $11.99 per month, users get access to a Spotify-like music streaming service, plus a slate of over 100 Originals, including the "Karate Kid" inspired "Cobra Kai" and the sci-fi drama, "Origin." 

With those Originals now available for free with ads, why would anyone pay $12-a-month for YouTube Premium? If you really hate ads, perhaps it's worth it for the ad-free version of the Originals. But a lot of people will probably decide they can live with ads on videos, and opt for the cheaper $10-a-month, music-only YouTube Music Premium service instead.

The YouTube spokesperson would not directly respond to Business Insider's query on whether it planned to eventually kill off YouTube Premium.

"YouTube Premium's value proposition remains the same. Those users who want offline, all of YouTube ads-free and a great ads free music experience will continue to sign up for YouTube Premium. That includes watching YouTube Originals ads-free," the spokesperson said.

Read more:YouTube's new music-subscription service takes on Apple Music and Spotify

The decision is part of a new strategy, YouTube says, where YouTube Originals can be accessed to all audiences —  those who are willing to pay for an ad-free experience and those who are not. The company notes that Premium subscribers will continue to get exclusive access to Originals like "Cobra Kai" that have already been produced (it's just that all the new original content will be available for free in 2019). 

Is YouTube's ad business too powerful to leave room for a subscription business?

YouTube's shift in strategy comes as Apple plans to launch its own original content, streaming service as early as March 2019. Apple's service will include a combination of original content and licensing deals with production companies and is rumored to be free for anyone accessing it through an iPhone or iPad.

But the move also underscores the long-running tension between YouTube's ad-supported business (which generates billions of dollars in revenue every year) and the fledgling subscription business. The potential to reap ad revenue from the Originals video content is so strong that YouTube can't afford not to capitalize on it — even if doing so means jeopardizing the potential of the subscription business. 

YouTube does not disclose the number of subscribers for its Premium or Music Premium services. 

It's a dilemma that YouTube has been wrestling with for years, and according to some industry insiders, it's the reason why YouTube has struggled to create a successful for-pay subscription service. And to judge by Tuesday's move to bring Originals outside of the subscription paywall, it looks like the ad side of the business has won again. 

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk said 'nobody ever changed the world on 40 hours a week' — and he couldn't be more wrong

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NOW WATCH: 7 places you can't find on Google Maps

• "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" has the perfect blend of geeked-out elements for the fanboys and a story structure that keeps audiences with less comic knowledge up to speed.
• On top of pulling off that feat, the movie's comic-book-come-to-life look is beautiful.
• This is the best animated movie you'll see this year.

Turns out Sony isn’t through putting its sweet Marvel properties in theaters this year.

With “Venom” still making major coin around the world, the studio is searching for more with the animated movie, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (in theaters December 14).

As the live-action Spider-Man franchise is successfully rebooting itself with Tom Holland as Peter Parker in Marvel Studio’s MCU, Sony went full geek with its animated introduction to Miles Morales.

If you’re not up on your Spider-Man comics, Morales, an Afro-Latino teen, started being your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man around 2011 in Marvel's Ultimate Comics series. But “Spider-Verse” doesn't stop there in introducing other folks who have taken on the great responsibility of being the iconic hero.

Directed by Bob Persichetti (a longtime animator), Peter Ramsey (2012’s “Rise of the Guardians”), and Rodney Rothman (producer on “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping”), under the watchful eye of producers Christopher Miller and Phil Lord (Rotham and Lord also wrote the screenplay), “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” gives us a unique Miles Morales origin story by having him learn the superhero trade from a handful of others who also call themselves Spider-Man in other universes.

Let me explain.

Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) is just a high schooler in Brooklyn going about the usual things every teen boy experiences at this age. He's trying to impress girls and not be embarrassed by his parents. But after being bitten by (you guessed it) a spider, Morales suddenly has superhero powers. And it’s just in time because Kingpin (Liev Shreiber) has opened a portal to other universes, and if Morales doesn’t do something about it, his universe will be destroyed.

And this is when Peter Parker (Jake Johnson) shows up. But he's a Peter Parker from another universe, one where he’s added a few pounds and is having relationship troubles with Mary Jane. Now stuck in Morales’ universe, Parker has to help so he can get himself back to his not-so-amazing life.

Here’s where the writing really shines as Moore and Johnson play off one another to develop a chemistry for Morales and Parker that is the foundation of the movie. Once that’s established, the fun begins as even more Spider-Men appear.

Spider-Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld), Spider-Ham (John Mulaney), Peni Parker (Kimiko Glenn), and Spider-Man Noir (Nicolas Cage) all get sucked into Miles’ universe from their own. And they all now have to battle Kingpin to get back home, though they aren’t too sure if Miles is up for the big showdown. Still finding confidence in his abilities (struggling to be himself instead of emulating how Parker or any of the others do their own kind of Spider-Man), will Miles be a liability?

Read more: 22 movies coming to theaters before 2018 ends that you need to see this holiday season

One of the movie’s major strengths is that it is a treasure trove for fanboys while not leaving the less comic-book savvy segments of the audience on the outside. And along with the movie’s beautifully told coming-of-age tale, visually it has a comic-book-come-to-life feel — all the way down to the “BANG!” and “SLAP” big letter text coming on the screen. The animation pops especially in the action sequences. It’s a movie that needs that huge screen treatment to fully appreciate. But just the story and funny dialogue — the latter of which we've come to expect from Lord and Miller, the minds behind everything from "The Lego Movie" to the Fox TV show "The Last Man on Earth" — is worth the price of admission.

All this makes “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” the best animated movie of the year.

From its look, to pulling off multiple character arcs without overwhelming the audience, to telling a story that’s actually worth following, the movie goes a step beyond any other animated movie released in 2018.

SEE ALSO: 14 emerging movie directors who will take over Hollywood in 2019 and beyond

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How 'The Price Is Right' is made

• Fans are calling for Netflix's "Daredevil" to be renewed for a fourth season, with the Twitter hashtag #RenewDaredevil.
• But social-media data suggests those efforts could be in vain.
• An analysis done by Crimson Hexagon for Business Insider shows that online conversation for "Daredevil" has been lackluster since the third season debuted last month, only spiking when the character's creator, Stan Lee, died.
• It follows a similar pattern of other Marvel shows that Netflix recently canceled, "Luke Cage" and "Iron Fist."

It's been a month since the third season of Marvel's "Daredevil" premiered on Netflix, and still no word on a season four renewal. In an effort to change that, fans have been taking to Twitter with the hashtag #RenewDaredevil— but their efforts may be in vain.

Normally, one month wouldn't be cause for alarm, especially considering Netflix is notorious for taking its time renewing shows. (Netflix renewed "Daredevil" for season two a week after the first season dropped, but it renewed it for a third season three months after the second season debuted.)

READ MORE: Interest in Netflix's 'Luke Cage' and 'Iron Fist' dropped dramatically over time, and its other Marvel shows could also be in trouble

But fans are anxious considering Netflix canceled "Luke Cage" and "Iron Fist" last month, leaving the fate of its remaining Marvel shows — "Daredevil," "Jessica Jones," and "The Punisher" (which wrapped filming on its second season this year) — up in the air.

As Disney, which owns Marvel, prepares to release its own streaming service, Disney+, late next year (which would be in competition with Netflix) there's reason to believe that "Luke Cage" and "Iron Fist" could be just the start of Netflix getting out of the Marvel business.

But a social-media analysis by consumer-insights company Crimson Hexagon, provided to Business Insider last month, showed there could be a simpler reason for the recent cancellations: interest had dramatically decreased over time for "Luke Cage" and "Iron Fist."

READ MORE: Disney revealed new details about its Netflix competitor, Disney+, including 'Star Wars' and Marvel TV shows

And "Daredevil" is far from safe in that regard, even though the showrunner Erik Oleson said earlier this month that he had pitched Netflix ideas for season 4.

While the show has a loyal following, an updated analysis showed a similar pattern to "Luke Cage" and "Iron Fist": there were far fewer Twitter and Instagram posts for season 2 than for season 1, and the drop was even more dramatic from season 2 to season 3.

Crimson Hexagon updated its analysis for Business Insider to extend to this week. Here are the results, divided into two graphs:

As shown in the first graph, the number of posts about "Daredevil" was cut in half from season 2 to season 3, and was well down from the season 1 high. And the conversation surrounding the show has been quiet since its premiere. The only time "Daredevil" spiked since then was when Stan Lee, the Marvel Comics legend who created the character, died earlier this month. 

The data suggests a tough road ahead for fans who want to see more of the Man Without Fear. But for Netflix, it might make the decision to part ways with one more Marvel hero easier.

SEE ALSO: Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige wrote a tribute to Stan Lee, and described their final meeting: 'Maybe on some level, he knew'

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NOW WATCH: Everything you need to know about 'Red Dead Redemption 2' — 2018's most anticipated video game

• Television-tracking app TV Time provided a list of the most anticipated returning shows of 2019.
• The list includes HBO's "True Detective" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," now at NBC.

It's been nearly 4 years since the second season of HBO's "True Detective" aired, and fans of the anthology crime drama are eager for its upcoming new season starring Oscar winner Mahershala Ali. 

There are a lot of new shows to look forward to in 2019, but there are also plenty of returning shows coming that audiences are excited for. To determine the most anticipated returning series of 2019, we turned to television-tracking app TV Time, which ranked the most followed shows based on its over 13 million global users.

The anticipated shows included "Cosmos," the final seasons of "Gotham" and "A Series of Unfortunate Events," and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," now on NBC after Fox canceled it earlier this year.

Below are the eight most anticipated returning TV shows of 2019:

SEE ALSO: The 8 most-anticipated new TV shows of 2019, from Netflix to networks

8. "Friends From College" (Netflix)

Season 2 premieres January 11.

Description: "Twenty years after graduation, a tight-knit group of college friends reconnects and discovers that love hasn't gotten easier with age."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 1): 24%

What critics said: "The show's biggest crime is that it overestimates its audience's tolerance for watching people screw up." — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic

7. "Cosmos" (Fox)

Season 3 ("Possible Worlds") premieres March 3.

Description: "Continuing the legacy of its predecessors, COSMOS: POSSIBLE WORLDS will translate the revelations of science into a lavishly transporting experience, taking audiences on a series of spiritual voyages of exploration."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 2 — "A Spacetime Odyssey"): N/A

What critics said: "Tonally the show strikes just the right balance between education and inspiration. The science explored in the opening episode isn’t anything teenaged astronomy fans wouldn’t already be aware of, but the show doesn’t talk down to the viewer. That said, those already familiar with the antics of Dr. Tyson may feel like they’re getting a watered-down version of the real thing." — Bryan Bishop, The Verge

6. "The Blacklist" (NBC)

Season 6 premieres January 3.

Description: "Following the startling revelation that Raymond "Red" Reddington (James Spader) isn't who he says he is, Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone) is torn between the relationship she's developed with the man assumed to be her father and her desire to get to the bottom of years of secrets and lies." 

Rotten Tomatoes critic score (Season 5): 100%

What critics said: "The Blacklist has returned for its 5th season, and finally, the paternal cat is out of the convoluted, hole-riddled, sphinx-guarded parentage-bag...and everything is surprisingly chummy post-reveal!" — Jodi Walker, Entertainment Weekly

• Michael B. Jordan said on "The Bill Simmons Podcast" last week that he was depressed after playing the villain Killmonger in "Black Panther."
• "Once I got finished wrapping the movie, it took me some time to talk through how I was feeling," Jordan said.
• Jordan said that he saw a therapist after filming the movie and that it took him about a month to get through it.

Michael B. Jordan's performance as the villain Erik Killmonger in this year's Marvel blockbuster "Black Panther" has received widespread acclaim. The character was so compelling that it even inspired a viral hashtag, #KillmongerWasRight, after the movie's release.

But on an episode of "The Bill Simmons Podcast" last week, Jordan opened up about the mental state that playing Killmonger left him in.

In the episode, Simmons recalled having dinner with Jordan about a year ago, after Jordan had finished shooting "Black Panther," and said he remembered Jordan was "messed up from it."

"That character you played, you went to a dark place for it, and you were having trouble coming out of it," Simmons said.

"It was one of those things that I didn't know what was going on," Jordan said. "I never was in a character for that long of a period of time and was, I guess, that dark, that lonely, that painful. So coming out of it, I thought, 'Oh yeah, business as usual. I can just go back home, I'll cut my hair off, and everything will be back to normal.'"

Read more: Fans are calling on Netflix to renew 'Daredevil,' but data shows interest in the show has fallen off

Jordan explained why that wasn't the case.

"I found myself kind of in the routine of being isolated and went out of my way to make sure I was by myself and didn't say too much more than the usual," he said, adding, "Once I got finished wrapping the movie, it took me some time to talk through how I was feeling and why I was feeling so sad and like a little bit depressed."

Jordan said that he talked to a therapist a few times and that it took him about a month to get past what he was feeling by "getting back to just doing regular things," like being present with his friends and family.

"Not just being in the room, but being present and engaging," he said. "And just talking things out that I never really kind of talked through."

Jordan said he didn't know whether there was any other way to play Killmonger without getting lost in the character because "there was no blueprint."

"I was just doing what I felt was right," he said. "Whatever got me emotionally to the place I needed to be, that's what I did."

Listen to the full "Bill Simmons Podcast" interview with Jordan »

SEE ALSO: Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige wrote a tribute to Stan Lee, and described their final meeting: 'Maybe on some level, he knew'

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NOW WATCH: The inside story behind the Marvel movie you were never supposed to see

It's been a great year for video games.

With the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One approaching the end of their life cycles, developers have delivered some of the best games of the console generation during 2018. The Nintendo Switch has also continued to expand its library of games in its second year, with some unique titles making ideal use of the portable console's strengths.

Open-world adventure games continue to dominate the mainstream market, but an increasingly diverse audience has brought fresh demand for games with engaging narratives and innovation for classic genres. Coupled with ever-improving technology and developing platforms like virtual reality, 2018 had no shortage of memorable releases.

Without further ado, here are the 18 can't-miss games released during 2018:

SEE ALSO: The 3 biggest games on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch this holiday season

SEE ALSO: 3 video games that deserve a second chance

"Monster Hunter World" (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC)

"Monster Hunter" may not be a household name like "Super Mario" or "Tomb Raider," but the action role-playing series is one of the most popular video game franchises in Japan and has garnered a healthy fanbase around the world.

Though the series has typically been developed for handheld gaming systems, "Monster Hunter World" is the first "Monster Hunter" game in nearly 10 years made for home consoles. The result is a remarkably beautiful adventure that asks players to stand in awe of nature, even as they attempt to tame massive dragons and wild creatures.

"Marvel's Spider-Man" (PlayStation 4)

"Marvel's Spider-Man" is one the year's most popular games, and rightfully so. The PlayStation 4 exclusive takes cues from open-world action games like "Batman Arkham Knight" and "Shadow of Mordor" but introduces a new version of Spider-Man alongside a nearly picture-perfect rendering of Manhattan.

With a compelling original story that blends action and humor, "Marvel's Spider-Man" is a love letter to the character's legions of fans worldwide.

"Dragon Ball FighterZ" (Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC)

There have been plenty of Dragon Ball Z fighting games over the years, but the series has never looked better than it does with Arc System Works' custom cell-shaded graphics. Underneath the anime aesthetics, the game is still a masterfully crafted fighter, featuring team-based gameplay inspired by "Marvel vs Capcom" and implementing mechanics from other Arc Sys games like "Guilty Gear" and "BlazBlue."

• 2018 was one of the best years for documentary films ever.
• Four documentaries in 2018 are among the top 30 highest-grossing documentaries of all time.
• They are also some of the best-reviewed movies of the year, all with Rotten Tomatoes critic scores above 90%.

2018 has been a significant year for movies, and is heading toward a box-office record in the US.

A lot of films have contributed to that: the Marvel hits "Black Panther" and "Avengers: Infinity War," the horror sensation "A Quiet Place," and the Oscar hopeful "A Star Is Born," to name a few. But one film genre that often goes overlooked has had one of its best years ever, both in terms of box office and critical acclaim: documentaries. 

Four movies from 2018 have landed in the top 30 highest-grossing documentaries of all time before inflation (and the top 35 when adjusted for inflation), according to Box Office Mojo. That's even more impressive when you consider that list also includes concert films.

READ MORE: The new 'Robin Hood' movie is officially the biggest box-office bomb of the year

Those docs were:

• The Fred Rogers doc "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" from the Oscar-winning director of "20 Feet From Stardom," Morgan Neville.
• "RBG," about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
• "Three Identical Strangers," about triplets separated at birth that reunite years later.
• "Free Solo," which follows Alex Honnold on a harrowing 3,000-foot climb without a rope. 

These movies didn't rake in the hundreds of millions of dollars that superhero blockbusters do, but they have left a memorable impression on audiences and critics. They are some of the best-reviewed movies of the year with Rotten Tomatoes critic scores all above 90%.

As award season begins, these documentaries will be brought back into the spotlight. A documentary has never been nominated for best picture at the Oscars, but with so many acclaimed and crowd-pleasing ones to choose from, this would be the year to do it.

Here's how much each movie made at the domestic box office and their Rotten Tomatoes critic scores:

• "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" —  $22,609,437 / 99%
• "RBG" — $14,017,361 / 94%
• "Three Identical Strangers" — $12,320,845 / 96%
• "Free Solo" (Still in theaters) — $9,645,192 / 97%

SEE ALSO: There's a free way to watch 72 movies from Hollywood's hottest indie film studio, including 'Lady Bird' and 'Moonlight'

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: How 'The Price Is Right' is made

• I purchased a Nintendo Switch in March 2017, and haven't looked back since.
• It's easily my favorite Nintendo console ever made.
• It's also converted my wife, who was previously not a fan of video games before we purchased a Switch.

I've owned the Nintendo Switch for almost two years now, but I was smitten in the first two weeks.

The Nintendo Switch was my favorite piece of tech in all of 2017, but my love for the console has only deepened in 2018. It's easily my favorite Nintendo console ever.

It's not perfect by any means, but this unusual piece of hardware has already changed the way I live, and it has brought me closer to my wife, who was never into modern game consoles before the Switch's arrival.

Here's what I mean:

SEE ALSO: The 5 best reasons you should buy a Nintendo Switch

DON'T MISS: The 50 hottest video games you shouldn't miss in 2017

On Friday, March 3, I picked up my Nintendo Switch from Best Buy — with a copy of "Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," of course — before heading home from work.

I preordered the Switch the night it was announced. I'm a longtime Nintendo fan, and I followed rumors about Nintendo's mysterious "NX" console for years. I believed Nintendo would correct many of the mistakes it made with the underwhelming Wii U, a game console I bought and, sadly, returned a year later.

When I got home with the Switch on that first night, I couldn't wait to set up the console. My fiancée (now wife) was less excited at first. She didn't play video games nearly as much as I did, and she hadn’t heard much about the Switch — but that changed as soon as we turned on the console.

The ability to create a customizable avatar changed my fiancée's mind on the Switch almost immediately.

Everything about the Switch experience is user-friendly. My wife loved being able to create two separate accounts — she customized hers to her liking, with an avatar and background color — so we could each play games at our own pace.

In all honesty, she wanted the two of us to create a single profile on the Switch, but since I wanted to have my own "Zelda" adventure, she was nice enough to accommodate my selfish desires.

• I was highly anticipating "Battlefield V," the newest entry in my favorite game series, and I've had a copy for weeks now. 
• But "Red Dead Redemption 2," this year's blockbuster Wild West game, stole its thunder — at least for me. 
• "Battlefield V" is still a great game, but it's competing for my precious time with "Red Dead Redemption 2."
• And let me tell you, it takes a lot to drag me away from my beloved "Battlefield."

I’m probably the biggest “Battlefield” fan in the office, but I’ve neglected "Battlefield V," the latest entry in the war-gaming franchise, since I got a copy ahead of its November 20 launch. 

Instead, since November 4, I’ve played 136 hours of “Red Dead Redemption 2,” a game set in the tail end of the outlaw days of the Wild West. To compare, I’ve played a paltry 20 hours of “Battlefield V,” with a good chunk of those hours dedicated to completing the story mode, rather than multiplayer.

To be honest, “RDR2” ruined the launch of “Battlefield V,” at least for me.

Out of a sheer sense of duty, I forced myself to sit down and play “Battlefield V” after a four-day marathon of “RDR2.” I started off with the story campaign before playing the online multiplayer mode, as I usually do with a new “Battlefield” game, but I only lasted about half an hour until I couldn’t bear it any longer.

All I could think about was “RDR2.” For the first time ever, I had been drawn away from my favorite game series.

It’s not that “Battlefield V” is a bad game. Quite the contrary, the online multiplayer mode of “Battlefield V” is as good as ever, and it’ll get better over time as new game modes are added and minor tweaks are made. You know, it’s an entirely different game as “RDR2," so it's hard to make a direct comparison. 

But if "Battlefield V" is a good game, “RDR2” is a fantastic game. Gorgeous visuals, a great story, a wide-open world to explore, good acting, and the general vibe of the Wild West all come together to make what is probably the best game I’ve played in a very long time. It's extremely hard to put down, even with options as good as "Battlefield V" on my plate.

Even the menial tasks in "RDR2," like cooking food, feeding your horse, hunting, maintaining your weapons, and even side quests, enhance the game. In fact, unlike side quests in a lot of other games, side quests in “RDR2” actually enrich the main story.

I’m not saying everyone will enjoy “RDR2,” nor am I saying that you should absolutely buy it. Like most games you might be unsure about, your $60-plus on “RDR2” could either be the best money you’ve ever spent on a video game, or it could be the worst. I could be anyone telling you that “RDR2” is a fantastic game, except I happen to have a megaphone in the form of an online media outlet — Business Insider — and I just needed to tell you how good it is. 

Perhaps my draw toward "RDR2" rather than "Battlefield V" also has to do with the fact that World War II has been "done before," and it's been done quite often. So, the novelty of World War II-based games is slightly worn for me. Meanwhile, "RDR2" is the first game I've played set in the Wild West setting, so it's brand new to me. 

Still, as I mentioned earlier, "Battlefield V" is also a great game, or at least the multiplayer portion of it is. After "RDR2," the story campaign in "Battlefield V" feels antiquated, stiff, and linear. But the story isn't the reason why fans of the "Battlefield" series buy each new game. 

The visuals in "Battlefield V" are also beautiful, gameplay is fantastic, and it has some of the best audio experiences in any game. I find it difficult to overlook the horrors of war when I play a "Battlefield" game because of the audio.

One thing that gets me when I play "Battlefield V" is crying out for a medic after I've been mortally wounded, only to find that no one is coming to my rescue. For some, it may seem like an inconvenience that your teammates aren't there to help, and you know you'll respawn a few moments later.

To me — a sentimental person who deeply immerses himself into pretty much anything on a screen — it makes me reflect on the potential experience of being a wounded soldier during World War II, and just how horrifying and terrifying it must have been to be alone and inches from death. No other game makes me feel this way, not even "RDR2." To be sure, "Battlefield V" is the best first-person-shooter I've played. 

I suspect I'll give my full attention to "Battlefield V" once I tire of "RDR2." That said, the online multiplayer mode of "RDR2" is starting to roll out, which could tempt me away for longer. For the first time ever, "Battlefield's" dominion over my time is threatened.

SEE ALSO: There's one thing every parent should do before gifting a video game console

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NOW WATCH: Everything you need to know about 'Red Dead Redemption 2' — 2018's most anticipated video game

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will investigate the use of loot box micro-transactions in video games at the request of U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire.
• Hassan and other critics of the digital goods have compared loot-box transactions to gambling and have expressed concerns that the business model introduces children to addictive behavior.
• The move follows a September statement from European regulators promising to explore the connection between loot boxes and gambling.

Video game loot boxes are facing a fresh round of scrutiny from United States officials as the Federal Trade Commission prepares to launch an investigation into the increasingly popular business model at the request of Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire.

Loot boxes are virtual packages containing digital items for use in a specific video game; most games sell loot boxes for real cash via micro-transactions, but some allow players to earn them by playing too. The items inside each virtual box are randomized, with odds of encountering each item set in advance by the developer. Especially rare items often come with really long odds. In some cases, the items inside a loot box can enhance the player's gameplay, creating an added incentive to spend real money to acquire a digital item faster.

Critics of the loot box business model compare the practice to gambling, because the odds of obtaining specific items are often unknown to the buyer, and the desire to find the rarest items can lead some players to continue spending money on a game with little return on investment. As more video games adopt loot boxes and micro-transactions as a standard, lawmakers around the world have expressed concerns that children are being exposed to an entry-level form of gambling.

Read more: Regulators from more than a dozen countries are looking to crack down on 'loot boxes,' a controversial video gaming practice that could be too much like gambling

During an oversight hearing for the Federal Trade Commission, Sen. Hassan asked the commissioners to investigate loot-box practices to ensure that children are protected from habit-forming or addictive business models and that parents are informed about other potential negatives. Earlier this year Sen. Hassan wrote an open letter to the Entertainment Software Ratings Board asking the board to collect data on the use and revenue generated by micro-transactions in video games. 

"Loot boxes are now endemic in the video game industry and are present in everything from casual smart phone games to the newest high budget video game releases," Sen. Hassan said during the hearing. "Loot boxes represent a $50 billion industry by the year 2022 according to the latest research estimates."

FTC Chairman Joseph Simons agreed to investigate the loot-box model and issue a report.

Sen. Hassan's comments reference an April 2018 report from UK-based Juniper Research, which predicts that loot box revenue will grow from $30 billion this year to $50 billion in 2022. Juniper recommended that regulators step in to stop teenage gamers from selling items scored in loot boxes or using them to gamble. Hassan also referenced a survey of 2,865 11- to 16-year-olds from the UK Gambling Commission showing that 31% of participants had paid for a loot box or had used an in-game item to open a loot box.

However, in a statement given to GamesIndustry.biz prior to Monday's hearing, the UK Gambling Commission clarified that though 31% of the surveyed teens had used loot boxes, there was no direct correlation with gambling.

The Entertainment Software Association, which represents the political interests of American video game companies, issued the following statement in response to Sen. Hassan's comments:

"Loot boxes are one way that players can enhance the experience that video games offer. Contrary to assertions, loot boxes are not gambling. They have no real-world value, players always receive something that enhances their experience, and they are entirely optional to purchase. They can enhance the experience for those who choose to use them, but have no impact on those who do not."

The ESA also said that the ESRB already documents the presence of loot boxes and other interactive elements in video games. As of February 2018, games rated by the ESRB now carry an "in-game purchases" label when micro-transactions are present. Tools for parents to monitor the contents of their children's games are available at parentaltools.org.

Read more:Video game addiction has sparked a culture war in China — and it’s having huge repercussions for the world's biggest video game maker

In September, the Gambling Regulators European Forum released a joint statement signed by officials from 15 European countries and the Washington State Gambling Commission mirroring concerns about the potential connection between loot boxes and gambling.

Some European countries have already implemented regulations on micro-transactions, leading developers to disclose the odds of winning each item included in loot boxes or discontinue their sale entirely. A Belgian investigation of popular games like "Overwatch," "FIFA 19," "PlayerUnkown's Battlegrounds," and "NBA 2K19" for their implementation of loot boxes ultimately sparked reform earlier this year.

Despite warnings from politicians and waves of consumer outrage, gaming companies are seeing larger percentages of their revenue generated from micro-transactions each year. While some contend that buying optional loot boxes is ultimately an issue of player's choice, the concern from critics is that, like gambling, the issue is not knowing when to stop.

SEE ALSO: Video game addiction has sparked a culture war in China — and it’s having huge repercussions for the world's biggest video game maker

SEE ALSO: Regulators from more than a dozen countries are looking to crack down on 'loot boxes,' a controversial video gaming practice that could be too much like gambling

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• A damning New York Times report says that Les Moonves tried to silence a woman who accused him of sexual assault with a TV role at a CBS show so she would keep quiet.
• Moonves, who was then working for Warner Bros., allegedly forced Bobbie Phillips to perform oral sex on him in 1995.
• Moonves acknowledged that encounter but told The Times and CBS investigators that the oral sex was consensual.
• After a reporter contacted Phillips' agent, Marv Dauer, to discuss Moonves' alleged sexual misconduct, Dauer tried contacting Moonves to secure roles for Phillips and his other clients, The Times said.
• This report could jeopardize a $120 million exit package that CBS is considering whether or not to pay Moonves.

Les Moonves tried to bribe an actress that he sexually assaulted with TV roles so she would keep quiet, a damning report in The New York Times said.

During a March 1995 meeting in Burbank, California, Moonves — the president of Warner Bros. television at the time — exposed his penis to actress Bobbie Phillips and tried to force her into giving him oral sex, Phillips told The New York Times.

Moonves reportedly old Phillips: "Be my girlfriend and I'll put you on any show," before allegedly grabbing her by the neck, pushing her to her knees, and forcing his penis into her mouth.

Moonves acknowledged that encounter but told The Times that the oral sex was consensual.

Moonves joined CBS later that year, ultimately becoming CEO and chairman of CBS Corp. Phillips retired from acting in 2003.

But the 1995 encounter came to haunt her again last November — around the rise of the #MeToo movement — after a reporter contacted Marv Dauer, her agent, about allegations of sexual misconduct by Moonves.

Dauer reportedly didn't say anything at the time, but contacted Moonves in December to talk about Phillips, during which they agreed to get her an acting gig to keep her from speaking out, The Times reported. Phillips had told Dauer around that time that she wanted to get back into acting, The Times said.

At least 12 women have accused Moonves of sexual assault since July. Some of them said they believed Moonves jettisoned their careers after they rejected his advances. Moonves left CBS in September.

Business Insider has contacted Warner Bros. for comment on his alleged sexual assault against Phillips. CBS declined to comment on the allegations.

CBS has launched an internal investigation into Moonves' behavior, and are figuring out whether to pay him a $120 million severance payment.

The exit package hinges on whether Moonves was honest with the corporations' investigators, and this report could threaten that. CBS declined Business Insider's request for comment on the status of Moonves' exit package.

Read more:Stephen Colbert discusses the resignation of his former boss, Les Moonves, after sexual misconduct allegations from a dozen women

How Moonves reportedly tried to get his accuser a job

Moonves said Dauer pressured him to get jobs for his clients, including Phillips, while Dauer said he was just trying to warn Moonves about the reporter's call.

Though the two men's accounts of that conversation differed, it started a chain of texts and phonecalls that showed the extent to which Moonves wanted to keep his accuser quiet.

In January, Dauer reportedly texted Moonves: "My hope is when she [Phillips] is working all this will go far far away." He reportedly added: "I certainly believe I can put this to bed."

In July, The New Yorker's Ronan Farrow contacted Moonves for comment on allegations of sexual assault. Moonves called Dauer, according to The Times, and said: "They’re coming out with an article in The New Yorker," adding that Phillips "has got to take this job or I'm done."

One month later, Moonves told Dauer: "If Bobbie talks, I'm finished."

CBS investigators have since found that Moonves deleted many text messages with Dauer from his iPad, The Times reported.

Read The New York Times report here.

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NOW WATCH: A sleep expert explains what happens to your body and brain if you don't get enough sleep

• China is expected to surpass the US as the world's largest theatrical market by 2022, according to a new report by Ampere Analysis.
• By that year, theatrical revenue in China is expected to reach nearly $12 billion.
• China has been building cinemas at an unprecedented rate over the last decade.
• Having an international box office is more important than ever in Hollywood, and movies like "Venom" and "The Meg" have appealed to Chinese audiences this year.

The US is on track for a record year at the box office, but China isn't far behind.

A new report from Ampere Analysis released Wednesday predicted that China would surpass the US as the world's biggest theatrical market by 2022, with an estimated theatrical revenue of $11.8 billion.

According to the report, China has been building cinemas at an unprecedented growth rate of 35% every year since 2009, when the country entered the top 10 markets by revenue. At the time, there were just 4,723 cinemas in China, but by the end of last year, that number grew by over ten times to 50,916.

Read more: 'Venom' just passed 'Wonder Woman' at the box office — and there's a particular reason it's continued to dominate

"China became the largest market for cinema ticket sales back in 2015, but until now, the US's pole position in the global top 10 for revenue has been unassailable," analyst Richard Cooper wrote. "To put this forecast for Chinese cinema revenue growth into context, the scale of the US's dominance is as dramatic as some of the blockbuster movies: the market currently accounts for six to eight times more revenue than its closest rival Japan (excluding China), and by 2022 theatrical revenues from the US will match those of the countries ranked 3-10 combined."

Ampere attributed the 2015 boost to movies like "The Mermaid," which grossed $500 million and is the fourth-highest-grossing film in China of all time. The top three movies were all released in the following years, so revenue hasn't slowed down and shows no signs of doing so, according to Ampere.

Ampere expects the number of movie-theater tickets sold to be 505 million in China and 306 million in the US by the end of this year.

"The gap can only expand as more cinemas are built to meet the demands of China's 1.4bn people (more than four times the population of the US)," the report said.

It added, "The disparity in ticket prices means the US currently outperforms China in box office revenue."

According to Ampere, the average US ticket price was $10.11 in 2018 and is expected to increase to $12.21 by 2013. Meanwhile, the average ticket price in China decreased to $5.11 in 2018 and is expected to rise to $5.31 by 2023.

Over the next five years, theater admission in the US is expected to dip, while admission in China is expected to increase significantly, as shown in the chart below.

Movies have found new life and continued success in China

Hollywood has figured out in recent years that having an international box office, particularly in China, is more important than ever. Long-running franchises like "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Transformers: Age of Extinction" have only lasted because of worldwide appeal.

This year's giant-shark movie, "The Meg," which stars Chinese actress Li Bingbing, grossed over $153 million in China, which propelled its total worldwide box office revenue to $527 million. The movie was coproduced by a Chinese company, its cast included Asian actors, and, according to Exhibitor Relations box-office analyst Jeff Bock, Chinese audiences love monster movies.

"Monster movies are bonafide box-office gold in China," he told Business Insider earlier this month.

"Rampage," starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, bombed in the US, but made $156 million in China. It's a monster movie, but Johnson is also one of the few actors who can reel in audiences across the world. Business Insider reported in April that Johnson went on a promotional tour in Shanghai for the movie, where a press conference was live-streamed through multiple partners across China.

Another Johnson-led movie, "Skyscraper," was also regarded as a flop in the US this year. But its Hong Kong setting and Johnson's international appeal helped the movie rebound in China, where it grossed nearly $100 million of its $304 million worldwide total.

Then there's "Venom," which broke the US October box-office opening record and has grossed an impressive $211 million in the US. But it has made $241 million in China, which has helped it surpass the box office of other popular superhero films like "Wonder Woman" and launched its worldwide total to $823 million.

With so many Hollywood movies adding to China's growing theatrical revenue, it's no surprise that the country is expected to dethrone the US in such a short time.

• Read more of Business Insider's coverage of the Chinese box office:
• How The Rock conquered the Chinese box office and proved he's the biggest movie star on the planet
• The Rock's new movie is getting a rare summer release in China, further proving his star power there
• How The Rock's popularity in China led 'Skyscraper' to rebound
• How 'Venom' scored one of the biggest superhero-movie openings ever in China

SEE ALSO: The new 'Robin Hood' movie is officially the biggest box-office bomb of the year

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NOW WATCH: The inside story behind the Marvel movie you were never supposed to see

The media measurement giants Nielsen and Comscore have hired big shots from the digital agency and marketing worlds to help them restore the business' credibility and solve the messy TV measurement problem.

Nielsen just hired ex-IBM exec David Kenny, who succeeded Mitch Barns, a 20-year vet of Nielsen. And in April, Comscore named 360i chairman Bryan Wiener to be its chief executive, succeeding its cofounder Gian Fulgoni.

Ad buyers and sellers expressed hope to Business Insider that, as experienced digital practitioners, Kenny and Wiener would speak their language and bring a more customer-centric culture to companies that historically have been research-driven. Agencies in particular hope they'll get more of a hearing with the measurement companies who make more of their money from media sellers than agencies.

Click here to read more about how measurement companies are shaking up their leadership teams.

In other news:

New York Media built vertical brands to survive in digital media, and now it needs to tear them down to push into subscriptions. New York Media is rolling out a new subscription program while redesigning its website to bring all of its properties together.

Facebook is expanding its local news feature 'Today In' to more than 400 US cities. "Today In" shows users news, posts, and events from their local area.

More people shopped online than in stores as the holiday shopping season kicked off, signaling the end of Black Friday as we know it. 41.4 million people shopped only online from Thanksgiving Day to Cyber Monday, 6.4 million more than those who shopped exclusively in stores, according to the National Retail Federation.

The FTC will investigate whether a multi-billion dollar business model is getting kids hooked on gambling through video games.U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and other critics of the digital goods have compared loot-box transactions to gambling and have expressed concerns that the business model introduces children to addictive behavior.

Ousted CBS chief Les Moonves is facing new sexual harassment allegations in a detailed investigation by The New York Times. Moonves is at risk of losing $120 million in severance.

Digital publisher Mic is in talks to sell to Bustle, reports Recode.Talks reportedly came after Facebook canceled a Watch video series.

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NOW WATCH: A sleep expert explains what happens to your body and brain if you don't get enough sleep

• IFC Films is facing sanctions for violating the MPAA's ratings rules after screening the uncensored version of Lars von Trier's controversial serial-killer movie, "The House That Jack Built," on Wednesday without a waiver.
• "The effectiveness of the MPAA ratings depends on our ability to maintain the trust and confidence of American parents," the MPAA said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
• According to THR, the sanctions could include revoking the movie's R rating. That version comes to theaters December 14.
• The uncensored cut prompted 100 walkouts at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year for its depictions of violence against women and children.

IFC Films treated audiences in select theaters across the country to a one-night-only screening of the uncensored director's cut of Lars von Trier's controversial serial killer movie, "The House That Jack Built," on Wednesday.

But now IFC, the movie's distributor, is facing sanctions for violating the ratings rules of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, the MPAA said that IFC violated the ratings system's rules by screening the unrated version of the movie without a waiver in such close proximity to the release of the R-rated cut, which comes to theaters December 14.

READ MORE: The uncensored cut of Lars von Trier's serial-killer movie that prompted 100 walkouts at Cannes will play in theaters for one night only

"The effectiveness of the MPAA ratings depends on our ability to maintain the trust and confidence of American parents," the MPAA said. "That's why the rules clearly outline the proper use of the ratings. Failure to comply with the rules can create confusion among parents and undermine the rating system — and may result in the imposition of sanctions against the film's submitter."

According to THR, sanctions could include revoking "The House That Jack Built's" R rating, or suspending the ratings process for other IFC movies currently waiting on the Classification and Ratings Administration (CARA), which conducts ratings for the MPAA and National Association of Theater Owners. Sanctions will be determined after a CARA hearing.

IFC acquired "The House That Jack Built" after it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, where the uncensored cut prompted over 100 people to walk out because of its grisly depictions of violence against women and children, particularly a scene where two kids' heads are blown off by a rifle.

Critics called it "one of the most unpleasant movie-going experiences of my life," "vile," and "repulsive." However, those who sat through the whole screening at Cannes gave the film a standing ovation, and there was some positive social-media reaction after Wednesday's screening.

SEE ALSO: New posters for Lars von Trier's serial-killer movie that caused 100 people to walk out at Cannes depict actors gruesomely contorted

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NOW WATCH: The inside story behind the Marvel movie you were never supposed to see

• Samsung has a TV upgrade program that lets you get a new model every 24 months.
• When you upgrade as part of this program, you get up to 33% of the cost of the original TV you bought credited towards the cost of the new TV you choose. 
• You also get to keep the TVs you buy under the program, so you can sell them to help cover the cost of the new ones, if you like. 
• It's tough to recommend anyone upgrade TVs every two years — even with the credit you'd get — because TV updates aren't really substantial. 

Samsung has a TV upgrade program that lets you upgrade to a new model every two years.

It's a similar upgrade program you might find for smartphones, except now applied to TVs. Unlike some smartphone upgrade programs, you get to keep the old TV when you use the program to get a new one.

When you buy a Samsung TV under the program, you'll sign up for a 36-month payment contract. After two years, or 24 months, you'll be able to buy a newer model and receive a credit in the amount of the remaining balance that you can apply to your new TV. At 24 months, that remaining balance accounts for 33% of the cost of the original TV you bought. 

If you upgrade later than 24 months, the remaining balance that can go towards a newer model will be lower. So it's best to upgrade as soon as you can if the program tempts you to get the most from Samsung's program.

Read more:You can get a great 4K and HDR TV for incredibly cheap these days – but there are 10 hidden costs you haven't thought of when you go to 4K

You can't just buy any Samsung TV you want to enter the program, nor can you upgrade to any TV you want, either. You'll have to start with an eligible TV model, including any of Samsung's Frame series, or the QLED TVs that are 55 inches or larger. 

As for TVs to which you can upgrade, you'll be able to search for eligible models while shopping on the Samsung TV website. They'll have a Samsung Upgrade icon to indicate if its eligible under the upgrade program.

Is it a good deal?

It's hard for me to say that its worth upgrading TVs every two years, as each successive update isn't super different from the generation prior. I also have never met anyone who usually updates their TVs every two years. 

With that said, I'm sure there are people who do upgrade TVs every two years. For those people, Samsung's TV upgrade program makes the most sense, as they'd save up to 33% on each new TV they upgrade to every two-year periods. However, I'd imagine those who usually buy new TVs every two years probably don't need the discounts. 

Otherwise, if you're the kind of person who upgrades TVs when there's a significant reason for it, like jumping from an older 1080p TV to a 4K HDR model, Samsung's TV upgrade program doesn't really make much sense.

Sure, it would be nice to get a new TV every two years, but you'd be spending more than you might otherwise on one of Samsung's highest-end models, and you wouldn't really be getting much of a benefit.

As I mentioned earlier, TV updates are pretty minimal, even every two years. You'd be getting 4K TVs every couple of years with only slight — if imperceptible — improvements. That will probably be the case until something new arrives, like 8K resolution. And even then, it would take a few years for there to be 8K content to watch on your new TV, much as happened with the current 4K standard.

The fact that you can keep all the TVs you purchase under the program does sweeten this deal. You can do whatever you want with the older TV models from the program, like selling them and using the money to help cover the cost of the next TV. Unfortunately, Samsung doesn't have a program that lets you exchange your old TV for credit that can go towards the cost of a new TV. That's fine, though, as you'd probably get more money from selling your old TV on Craigslist or elsewhere, anyway. 

SEE ALSO: Here's why HDR, not 4K, is the most important upgrade for your next TV

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• MoviePass competitor Sinemia is re-introducing debit cards that allow customers to bypass its per-movie fees (though the card itself costs $14.99).
• A new "processing fee" that Sinemia introduced in mid-October was the subject of a class-action lawsuit filed this month.
• Sinemia also said it had hired more customer support personnel, addressing another common complaint.

Movie-ticket subscription service Sinemia, which has stepped into the spotlight as its competitor MoviePass has struggled, announced big changes to its plans on Thursday that address some of the complaints that sparked a class-action lawsuit by angry customers earlier this month.

The crux of the lawsuit was a $1.80 "processing fee" that the company began to roll out in mid-October. The suit alleged that Sinemia "essentially became a bait-and-switch scheme."

"It lures consumers in by convincing them to purchase a purportedly cheaper movie subscription, and then adds undisclosed fees that make such purchases no bargain at all," the lawsuit claimed. "Sinemia fleeces consumers with an undisclosed, unexpected, and not-bargained-for processing fee each time a plan subscriber goes to the movies using Sinemia's service."

There was no way for Sinemia subscribers to avoid this fee because, since June when the company discontinued its old debit cards, it had forced subscribers to book advance tickets online for every movie they saw. But now there's a way around the fees again.

On Thursday, Sinemia announced it was rolling out new Sinemia debit cards that would allow subscribers to "avoid the service and convenience fees associated with buying tickets online." The debit cards are available by request and cost $14.99. If you use the card to buy tickets at the theater, you won't get charged extra fees. (If you buy tickets in advance online, you will still incur the fees, however.)

Sinemia also said Thursday that it was taking steps to fix another common customer complaint: terrible customer service. "Sinemia has increased their customer support team to help address any issues users have and to get answers to them faster," the company said. Sinemia has an "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Since I started writing about Sinemia earlier this month, I have gotten over 150 complaints from upset customers. The two biggest themes were sneaky fees and a lack of customer support. Sinemia seems to have taken those complaints to heart and is moving to remedy them.

SEE ALSO: 18% of MoviePass subscribers say they plan to cancel, but many loyalists are still happy despite unpopular new features

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NOW WATCH: Everything you need to know about 'Red Dead Redemption 2' — 2018's most anticipated video game