Good Morning! 🌞 

We are now less then 10 days away from Christmas. Time to hop those last minute gifts! Way too often I find myself scrambling at the last minute. 😅 

Just remember, the important part isn’t really the gift, it is the act of giving and spending time with loved ones!

Economy

Netflix Changes Streaming Forever... Again

In a groundbreaking move that has sent shockwaves through the streaming industry, Netflix released its viewing numbers for the first time. This unprecedented step has sparked a wave of curiosity and speculation among both industry insiders and casual viewers alike.

Netflix, known for its secretive approach to viewership data, has long been the subject of intense speculation and analysis. Despite being a dominant force in the world of streaming entertainment, the company has traditionally been tight-lipped about the performance of its shows and movies. This has made it difficult for industry analysts to gauge the true popularity of Netflix's offerings and has left fans in the dark about the fate of their favorite shows.

However, Netflix has now decided to lift the veil on its closely guarded viewership data. This move has been met with both excitement and skepticism, as it represents a major departure from the company's long-standing policy of keeping its numbers under wraps.

The decision to release viewing numbers is particularly unusual for a streaming service, as it provides a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the company and offers valuable insights into the viewing habits of its massive global audience. It also marks a significant departure from the strategies of other major streaming services, which have also been very secretive about their viewership data.

So, what prompted Netflix to make this bold move? While the company has not provided an official explanation, industry analysts speculate that it may be an attempt to increase transparency and foster greater trust among its users. This newfound openness could also be a way for Netflix to demonstrate the strength of its content library and to showcase the popularity of its original programming.

Despite the potential benefits of this move, some critics have expressed concerns about the accuracy of the data and the potential for misinterpretation. However, Netflix has assured its users that the data is accurate and that it will continue to provide regular updates on its viewership numbers.

I am curious if any other streaming services will follow suite. My suspicion is that Netfilx would only put this out if they were well ahead of their competition. Eventually we will see whether or not this move will be successful, but one thing is certain: the streaming landscape will never be the same.

Entertainment

McAdult Meals?!

McDonald's has launched a new Happy Meal for adults, the Kerwin Frost Box, in collaboration with artist Kerwin Frost. The meal includes a choice of Chicken McNuggets or a Big Mac, along with fries and a soda. The featured toy is Frost's re-creation of the McNugget Buddy collectibles from 1988.

The playful packaging and collectible aim to evoke nostalgia, offering a break from ‘adulting’ The success of the adult Happy Meal trend was evident in the previous collaboration with Cactus Plant Flea Market in October 2022, which drove the highest weekly digital transactions in the U.S. McDonald's plans to continue this nostalgic theme with the launch of CosMc's, a spin-off restaurant focused on customizable beverages. Time will tell how well the Kerwin Frost Box resonates with customers.

Sports

F1 Champ Takes on World Endurance Championship

Former F1 champion Jenson Button, 43, is gearing up to race a Jota Porsche 963 in the World Endurance Championship, including the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours.

He emphasized the hypercar's superior technology compared to F1, describing it as "jaw-dropping" but acknowledged the steep learning curve. Button, who retired from F1 in 2016, expressed his excitement for hypercars, citing their cool aesthetics and the collaborative team dynamic in endurance racing, where teammates work together to enhance the car's performance.

World News

Russian Stowaway's Passport-Less LA Flight

A Russian man, Sergey Vladimirovich Ochigava, arrived in Los Angeles on a Scandinavian Airlines flight from Copenhagen in November, revealing he had no passport or ticket. U.S. authorities were puzzled as he was not on the flight manifest, leading to charges of being a stowaway. Ochigava pleaded not guilty and awaits trial. During the flight, he roamed the plane, ate multiple meals, and attempted to consume cabin crew chocolate.

Customs officers found Russian and Israeli ID cards in his bag, along with a partial passport photo on his phone. Ochigava provided misleading information, saying he left his U.S. passport on the plane. The airline is cooperating with relevant authorities, while Ochigava who remains in custody— claimed he had not been sleeping for three days and did not understand what was going on.

That is quite the strange story, I can’t help but wonder how he actually did get onto the plane. Did he just walk on? They say all you need is confidence, so maybe that was his trick.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

In realms of vast knowledge, my pages unfold, A whispering secret, a story retold. In libraries quiet, my wisdom is found, I'm a treasure trove, on shelves all around.

What am I?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
Fire 🔥 

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