MetaMask, the most widely used Ethereum wallet, is moving directly into the prediction market arena through a new integration with Polymarket, giving users the ability to trade event outcomes from inside their wallets.
Key Takeaways:
MetaMask has integrated Polymarket, allowing users to trade real-world event outcomes.
The integration adds one-tap funding from any EVM chain.
Polymarket’s rapid growth continues amid a potential $15 billion valuation.
“You can now trade on the future outcome of real world events inside your wallet,” Consensys’ Gabriela Helfet wrote, adding that users will also earn MetaMask Rewards points for every prediction placed.
MetaMask Becomes New Gateway to Polymarket With One-Tap Funding
The integration creates a new on-ramp for Polymarket and introduces “one tap funding,” allowing users to deposit with any token from any EVM-compatible chain.
The move further tightens the link between everyday crypto wallets and decentralized betting platforms, positioning MetaMask as a gateway not only to Web3 apps but also to real-world event speculation.
Polymarket has surged in popularity over the past year, fueled in part by heightened attention during the 2024 US election cycle.
Former President Donald Trump’s embrace of crypto and a more relaxed regulatory climate helped push the platform back into the US market.
The company is now reportedly exploring a valuation of up to $15 billion, following a $2 billion strategic investment from Intercontinental Exchange, the parent of the NYSE.
Predicting on MetaMask only takes a few seconds.
We've enabled 1-click funding with any EVM token, or you can get started instantly if you have an existing @polymarket account! pic.twitter.com/zZtrQPDu3m
For MetaMask, the move comes as the wallet expands beyond its Ethereum-focused roots. In October, it launched multichain accounts that support both EVM and non-EVM networks, including Solana.
The move comes as Polymarket is recruiting staff for an internal market-making team that would trade against its own customers, mirroring a controversial feature already used by rival Kalshi that has drawn criticism and legal challenges.
As reported, the New York-based prediction market startup has approached traders, including sports bettors, to join the new unit, people familiar with the matter said, requesting anonymity because the plans remain private.
Prediction Markets Hit $13B in Record Activity
Prediction markets have crossed $13 billion in cumulative trading volume, marking a record high even as broader crypto markets cool.
The surge has drawn in major players across tech and finance, including Fanatics, Coinbase, and MetaMask, all of which have recently launched or expanded event-trading platforms.
Against this backdrop, YZi Labs, the venture firm founded by Binance co-founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, has been intensifying its involvement in the sector.
YZi-backed Opinion has emerged as one of the most surprising breakout platforms. Launched on BNB Chain in October, it recorded nearly $1.5 billion in weekly trading volume within its first month, briefly overtaking established names such as Kalshi and Polymarket.
Meanwhile, prediction markets platform Kalshi has secured a major media breakthrough after signing a partnership with CNN, making the company the network’s official prediction markets partner while closing a $1 billion funding round at an $11 billion valuation.
CoinShares head of research James Butterfill has dismissed insolvency concerns surrounding Tether following warnings from BitMEX founder Arthur Hayes, who claimed a 30% drop in the stablecoin issuer’s Bitcoin and gold holdings could wipe out its equity.
Butterfill’s December 5 market update affirmed that Tether maintains over $181 billion in total reserves against roughly $174.45 billion in liabilities, leaving a surplus of approximately $6.78 billion.
The dismissal comes as crypto markets navigate turbulence in Japanese government bonds and softer US employment data that showed a -32,000 print versus forecasts of +10,000.
Hayes sparked controversy on November 30 by arguing Tether is “running a massive interest rate trade” that positions the company for Federal Reserve rate cuts while exposing it to dangerous volatility through its $22.8 billion allocation to gold and Bitcoin.
The Tether folks are in the early innings of running a massive interest rate trade. How I read this audit is they think the Fed will cut rates which crushes their interest income. In response, they are buying gold and $BTC that should in theory moon as the price of money falls.… pic.twitter.com/ZGhQRP4SVF
Tether CEO Counters Insolvency Claims with Financial Data
CEO Paolo Ardoino swiftly refuted Hayes’s assessment with detailed disclosures showing Tether Group’s total assets reach approximately $215 billion.
The executive explained that the company holds roughly $7 billion in excess equity on top of its stablecoin reserves, plus another $23 billion in retained earnings as part of Tether Group equity.
Bitcoin and gold represent just 12.6% of total reserves, with over 70% held in short-term U.S. Treasuries.
“S&P made the same mistake of not considering the additional Group Equity nor the ~$500M in monthly base profits generated by U.S Treasury yields alone,” Ardoino stated, suggesting critics are “either bad at math or have the incentive to push our competitors.“
re: Tether FUD
From latest attestation announcement (Q3 2025):
"Tether will continue to maintain a multi-billion-dollar excess reserve buffer and an overall proprietary Group equity approaching $30 billion."
Tether had (at end of Q3 2025) ~7B in excess equity (on top of the…
The company generated more than $10 billion in profit this year from interest income on reserve assets, making it one of the most efficient cash-generating businesses globally with just 150 employees.
His defense followed S&P Global’s November 26 downgrade of USDT’s peg-stability rating from 4 to 5, citing increased exposure to “high-risk” assets and “persistent gaps in disclosure.”
Ardoino responded defiantly, declaring, “We wear your loathing with pride,” while positioning Tether as “the first overcapitalized company in the financial industry, with no toxic reserves.”
The rating action carries profound implications under MiCA regulations, which prohibit USDT from EU exchanges with a “5” rating, potentially shifting institutional liquidity toward competitors like Circle’s USDC.
Industry Veterans Challenge Hayes’s Fundamental Analysis
Joseph Ayoub, former head of digital asset research at Citi, noted Hayes overlooked critical distinctions between Tether’s disclosed reserves and total corporate holdings.
The analyst explained that Tether maintains a separate equity balance sheet comprising mining operations and corporate reserves that aren’t publicly reported under the company’s “matching philosophy” for reserve disclosure.
“Tether isn’t going insolvent, quite the opposite; they own a money printing machine,” Ayoub concluded, pointing to the company’s roughly $120 billion in interest-yielding Treasuries generating approximately 4% returns since 2023.
I spent 100’s of hours writing research on tether for @Citi. @CryptoHayes missed a few key points.
1) 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬 =/ 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬
When tether generates $ they have a separate equity balance sheet which they don’t… https://t.co/pHSRr245Up
Banks operate on significantly lower fractional reserves of 5-15% in liquid assets compared to Tether’s overcollateralized structure. However, traditional institutions benefit from central bank lender-of-last-resort support that Tether lacks.
Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise Invest, characterized Tether’s structure as “better than fractional banking reserves,” while CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju dismissed Hayes’s warning as motivated by trading position management.
Former FT Alphaville editor Izabella Kaminska offered a deeper structural analysis, suggesting Tether’s thick equity buffer and retained earnings model creates “a capital structure that looks a lot like the banking model academic Anat Admati advocates: much thicker equity buffers, far less leverage, and minimal maturity mismatch.“
Kaminska noted that if Tether’s depositor base proves willing to redeem directly in gold during stress situations, the metal becomes “the natural last-resort funding asset for its shadow/grey exposures and a hard-asset substitute for the lender-of-last-resort support that banks get from central banks.”
Analysts are overlooking how stablecoins that retain earnings (aka Tether) are evolving into something structurally unusual.
The reality is, as Tether’s retained earnings accumulate, they operate economically like a very thick equity buffer — far beyond the capitalisation… https://t.co/KXtsrG52kU
The company’s Q3 attestation showed USDT issuance increased by more than $17 billion during the quarter, lifting circulating supply above $174 billion, with October figures surpassing $183 billion.
Federal prosecutors are demanding a 12-year prison sentence for Terraform Labs co-founder Do Kwon for orchestrating the fraud that triggered TerraUSD’s catastrophic $40 billion collapse in 2022.
According to Bloomberg, the government described Kwon’s crimes as “colossal in scope” in a Thursday filing before US District Judge Paul Engelmayer, pointing to cascading market failures that ultimately contributed to FTX’s downfall.
The 34-year-old South Korean entrepreneur pleaded guilty in August to conspiracy and wire fraud charges under an agreement capping prosecutorial recommendations at 12 years.
However, the statutory maximum reaches 25 years for his role in the algorithmic stablecoin fraud.
The Justice Department’s sentencing memorandum emphasizes that Kwon’s fraudulent statements to customers triggered a chain reaction across cryptocurrency markets.
Prosecutors specifically cited the collapse’s contribution to Sam Bankman-Fried’s FTX implosion as evidence of broader systemic damage beyond Terra’s immediate investor losses.
Kwon admitted in court that between 2018 and 2022, he “knowingly agreed to participate in a scheme to defraud purchasers of cryptocurrencies” from Terraform Labs.
He acknowledged making false statements about TerraUSD’s peg restoration mechanisms and concealing Jump Trading’s secret role in propping up the stablecoin during a May 2021 depeg event that foreshadowed the larger catastrophe.
The timing carries added significance, as the Trump administration has largely eased the tough-on-crypto enforcement actions, as the Biden administration did before.
Although the administration defended the pardon, claiming it was reviewed “with the utmost seriousness.”
Defense Cites Montenegro Detention and Dual Prosecution
Kwon’s attorneys argue that nearly three years in what they describe as “brutal conditions in Montenegro” should factor heavily into sentencing calculations.
His legal team emphasizes that more extended imprisonment proves “far greater than necessary” to achieve justice, particularly given the substantial punishment already endured during extended foreign detention.
The defense filing highlights Kwon’s agreement to forfeit over $19 million and multiple properties under the plea deal reached with prosecutors in the Southern District of New York.
His lawyers further note that Kwon still faces trial in South Korea for identical conduct, where prosecutors are seeking a 40-year prison term that creates additional consequences warranting consideration in the American sentence.
Do Kwon seeks a five-year sentence for Terra's $40 billion collapse while facing a separate 40-year prosecution in South Korea.#DoKwon#FTXhttps://t.co/Ex54HALudb
Prosecutors notably aren’t pursuing restitution from the millions of investors who lost $40 billion, citing the excessive complexity of determining individual losses across global markets.
US authorities have indicated they will support Kwon serving the second half of his sentence in South Korea if he complies with the plea terms and qualifies under international transfer programs.
Sentencing Disparities Raise Deterrence Questions
The contrasting approaches to major crypto fraud cases have sparked debate over the consistency of punishment.
Bankman-Fried received 25 years, plus an $11 billion restitution order, after a trial conviction on all counts, though recent reports indicate that four years were later reduced from that sentence.
Kwon’s guilty plea significantly reduced his exposure despite Terra’s larger $40 billion loss compared to FTX’s $8 billion fraud.
Legal experts note that federal sentencing guidelines for fraud at Terra’s magnitude would typically suggest advisory ranges approaching life imprisonment before statutory caps, making Kwon’s five-year request face steep odds.
US agrees to recommend a 12-year prison sentence and a $19m fine for Do Kwon after he has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy#DoKwon#TerraUSDhttps://t.co/ktCCrKzob4
The Judge handling his case, Engelmayer, is known for the strict handling of financial fraud cases, and most observers expect sentences of 15 to 20 years, given the massive victim impact.
The December 11 hearing will determine whether cooperation through guilty pleas significantly reduces punishment compared to trial convictions, as in Bankman-Fried’s case.
Kwon was arrested in Montenegro in March 2023 while traveling under a fake passport, triggering a lengthy extradition battle between US and South Korean authorities.
He spent nearly two years detained in the Balkan nation before being sent to America in January, where his case became one of the most closely watched legal battles in cryptocurrency’s brief history.
[Engineezy] might have been watching a 3D printer move when inspiration struck: Why not build a robot arm to clean up his workbench? Why not, indeed? Well, all you need is a 17-foot-long X-axis and a gripper mechanism that can pick up any strange thing that happens to be on the bench.
Like any good project, he did it step by step. Mounting a 17-foot linear rail on an accurately machined backplate required professional CNC assistance. He was shooting for a 1mm accuracy, but decided to settle for 10mm.
With the long axis done, the rest seemed anticlimactic, at least for moving it around. The system can actually support his bodyweight while moving. The next step was to control the arm manually and use a gripper to open a parts bin.
The arm works, but is somewhat slow and needs some automation. A great start to a project that might not be practical, but is still a fun build and might inspire you to do something equally large.
We have large workbenches, but we tend to use tiny ones more often in our office. We also enjoy ones that are portable.
Whether you're logging into your bank, health insurance, or even your email, most services today do not live by passwords alone. Now commonplace, multifactor authentication (MFA) requires users to enter a second or third proof of identity. However, not all forms of MFA are created equal, and the one-time passwords orgs send to your phone have holes so big you could drive a truck through them.…
The much-anticipated altcoin season remains elusive as the Crypto Fear and Greed Index remains in the fear zone and Bitcoin Dominance continues. Altcoin Season Index remains in the red CMC data shows that the closely-watched Altcoin Season Index has moved…
Holy Mining launches an upgraded mobile cloud mining app, letting users activate crypto mining contracts from any smartphone. With just a single smartphone, users can now mine digital assets around the clock, allowing their portfolio to grow effortlessly. Holy Mining…
The Bitcoin market continues to experience high levels of investor uncertainty, as indicated by the unstable price action of the past week. In the last month alone, the leading cryptocurrency has lost about 14% of its value, strengthening fears of an impending bear market. Notably, renowned market expert Ali Martinez has shared some insight on this speculation, highlighting a key technical development that historically precedes an extended downtrend.
Bitcoin Winter Phase To Start Only When Price Loses 730-Day SMA – Analyst
In an X post on Friday, Martinez presents an on-chain analysis that identifies a key price zone for determining Bitcoin’s price trajectory amid current market volatility. Using data from the Bitcoin Investor Tool metric from Glassnode, the analyst has discovered that extended downtrends in Bitcoin often start once the price falls below its 730-day Simple Moving Average (SMA), a level currently sitting at $82,150.
For context, the chart below shows that the 730-day SMA (green), an important long-term indicator, has historically acted as a structural support level during major market cycles. When Bitcoin decisively loses this line, momentum tends to shift, leading to deeper corrections and lengthier bearish periods as seen between 2015-2016, 2019, and 2022-2023.
However, the chart also presents some bullish insights. Larger cyclical metrics, including the 730-day SMA × 5 band (pink) sitting at $410,771, remain well above the current price, indicating that macro overvaluation is not yet a concern, as the leading cryptocurrency remains far from an overheated zone. According to Ali Martinez, as long as Bitcoin holds above $82,150, the potential for any prolonged downtrend synonymous with a bear market remains minimal, ensuring the bull structure remains intact.
Bitcoin Weekly Net Outflows Hit $800M As Accumulation Rises
In other developments, on-chain analytics firm Sentora reports that the Bitcoin market recorded an $805 million increase in weekly exchange net outflows, indicating that a significant portion of market investors are unfazed by the recent price correction. Instead, they are opting to transfer more of their investment off crypto exchanges, suggesting an intention to hold in anticipation of future price appreciation.
Meanwhile, total Bitcoin network fees reached $1.96 million, representing a 7.69% gain from the previous week and indicating an increase in transactions and network activity during this period. At the time of writing, Bitcoin trades at $89,693 following a 2.71% price decline in the last 24 hours.
The QC Ultra (Gen 2) have category-leading noise cancellation. Bose upgraded its ANC algorithm and microphone system to be more dynamic and responsive to low-frequency sounds. These technologies adaptively remove about 95 percent of external fracas. Anything that comes through will sound like background effects on songs and movies. Aware mode (aka transparency) is just as rewarding for keeping tabs on surroundings. Another brand hallmark that remains undefeated is Immersive Audio. This feature creates amazing surround sound for all stereo content. It isn’t confined to any specific technology (*cough* Dolby Atmos cough) and is the most realistic sounding of all other spatial audio formats on headphones.
ANC on the WH-1000xM6 is right below the QC Ultra (Gen 2), which is a huge compliment. These headphones do a terrific job of eliminating most unwanted noises and minimizing high-frequency sounds. Transparency mode is superb for increasing ambient awareness. There are 20 adjustable levels to control the amount of noise you want to hear. Listening at max level captures every peep in your vicinity with precision. Still, we prefer the QC Ultra’s more powerful ANC since it eliminates high-frequency sounds better. We also favor Immersive Audio over Sony’s 360 Reality Audio. The latter is fine for watching movies, but it doesn’t sound as natural. Not to mention, 360 Reality Audio only works with a very limited number of streaming services, which also have limited content.
Sony has practicality and sound quality in the bag
Much like the WH-1000xM5, the Mark Series VI headphones have a versatile control scheme consisting of motion, physical, touch, and voice functions. All of them work exceptionally well. Voice controls are most impressive. Siri and Google Assistant commands are accurately registered and executed. Intelligible features like Speak-to-Chat are on point to automatically mute sound when detecting your voice. The QC Ultra (Gen 2) boast their own responsive control scheme, but they lack the WH-1000xM6’s smart voice functionality.
Audio performance is where the WH-1000xM6 shine brightest. Sony’s suite of proprietary technologies gives them unbeatable wireless sound. The 30mm drivers dish out detailed and dynamic audio. Frequencies are nicely balanced, and being able to tweak them via customizable EQ simplifies sound personalization. Our favorite Sony feature, DSEE, upscales clarity, depth, and fidelity on all tracks, no matter the file or streaming service. LDAC codec support boosts bitrate transmission on Android devices to reveal more depth and nuance in songs.
The QC Ultra (Gen 2) “pick up details well across the spectrum of lows to highs,” as described in our full review. You get an awesome mix of crisp mids and deep bass on contemporary tracks. Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive and Lossless codecs result in CD-like quality over Bluetooth (Android only). There’s an adjustable EQ in the Bose app. Unfortunately, it is nowhere near as advanced as Sony’s EQ. Again, Immersive Audio is magnificent for 3D sound, but the all-new Cinematic Mode is underwhelming; all it does is make background effects louder.
Researchers have discovered a large, orderly spiral galaxy that formed soon after the Big Bang, when space was only about 1.5 billion years old.
The galaxy, named Alaknanda, appears in observations made by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope as part of major sky surveys. Because the Milky Way lookalike is seen at an extreme distance, its light has traveled for more than 12 billion years to reach Earth. Only recently has telescope technology become powerful enough to spot galaxies with this level of detail from such an early time.
For decades, astronomers believed galaxies in the early universe were too turbulent to settle into neat spiral shapes. Young stars and gas were thought to move chaotically, producing irregular clumps instead of smooth disks and arms. Hubble Space Telescope observations supported this view, as spiral galaxies seemed more scarce beyond about 11 billion years in look-back time.
The discovery raises new questions about how such structures formed so early.
"Alaknanda reveals that the early universe was capable of far more rapid galaxy assembly than we anticipated," said Yogesh Wadadekar, the study's co-author, in a statement. "Somehow, this galaxy managed to pull together 10 billion solar masses of stars and organise them into a beautiful spiral disk in just a few hundred million years. That's extraordinarily fast by cosmic standards, and it compels astronomers to rethink how galaxies form."
Webb’s sharper vision has revealed many disk-shaped galaxies from the early universe, and now, a small but growing number of true spiral galaxies — including Alaknanda — far earlier than predicted by older models. The telescope found CEERS-2112 and REBELS-25, two spiral galaxies, in the early universe in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
The discovery of Alaknanda, made by scientists at the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in India, has been published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
The research team was able to see immense detail in Alaknanda with the help of a natural phenomenon known as gravitational lensing.Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / I. Labbe / R. Bezanson / Alyssa Pagan / Rashi Jain / Yogesh Wadadekar
"The physical processes driving galaxy formation — gas accretion, disk settling, and possibly the development of spiral density waves — can operate far more efficiently than current models predict," said Rashi Jain, the lead author, in a statement. "It's forcing us to rethink our theoretical framework."
Alaknanda — named after the Himalayan river that is a twin headstream of the Ganga — spans roughly 32,000 light-years across, comparable to large modern spiral galaxies. It also contains a huge number of stars.
Images show that the galaxy already has a flat, rotating disk with two clear spiral arms with the classic pinwheel shape. These arms appear smooth and symmetrical, earning Alaknanda the label of a "grand-design" spiral galaxy, meaning it has defined arms rather than patchy or broken ones.
Along the spiral arms, scientists observed chains of bright clumps of newborn stars. These clumps look like a string of beads, marking areas where gas has collapsed into dense pockets that ignite new stars. In other views, each string appears as part of a larger spiral arm.
The research team was able to see immense detail in the distant galaxy with the help of a natural phenomenon known as gravitational lensing. A massive galaxy cluster's gravity acts like a giant magnifying glass in the sky, bending and enhancing the light of Alaknanda to appear twice as bright.
Observing Alaknanda across different wavelengths of light allowed scientists to estimate the age of the galaxy's stellar population and found the stars average only about 200 million years old.Credit: NASA GSFC / CIL / Adriana Manrique Gutierrez illustration
To understand Alaknanda’s history, researchers compared its brightness across 21 different wavelengths of light, spanning ultraviolet to infrared. By matching those measurements to computer models of stellar populations, they estimated that the galaxy’s stars average only about 200 million years old. That means roughly half formed in a rapid burst after the universe was already more than 1 billion years old.
Alaknanda continues to grow quickly. It forms new stars at a rate equal to about 63 suns per year — dozens of times faster than the Milky Way does today. Certain colors of light shine brighter than expected because glowing gas around new stars gives off strong signals, confirming the galaxy’s intense star-forming activity.
Scientists still do not know how spiral arms formed so quickly in these ancient systems. Some theories suggest they arise from slow-moving density patterns inside disks, while others point to gravitational disturbances from nearby galaxies or large clumps of gas. Alaknanda even appears to have a small neighboring galaxy that could have helped trigger its spiral structure, but more evidence is needed to draw that conclusion.
Future observations using Webb’s instruments for measuring motions inside galaxies, along with radio telescopes, could map how Alaknanda’s stars and gas orbit its center. Those data could help determine whether its disk has settled into its final configuration or whether the spiral arms represent a mere phase in its development.
Sometimes a piece of art comes to you right when you need of it.
That's what "Hope N' Mic Night" was for me. The sixth episode of Bob's Burgers Season 15 aired on November 10, 2024. On its surface, it was a silly episode about the Belcher kids putting together an open mic night at the family's burger joint — because the school's talent show was cancelled for lack of talent. However, when fan favorite Marshmallow (now voiced by Jari Jones) got on the makeshift stage and sang a slowed-down version of "Seabird" while playing the guitar, the episode became about more than musical shenanigans and Tina's love of butts. It was a beacon of hope and reminder of the power of community when I needed both.
I picked the episode as one of the best of 2024. So, when Bob's Burgers creator Loren Bouchard joined me for a Say More interview, I knew I wanted to touch on this episode, and how it displays the cartoon show's evolution — and Marshmallow's too. In the virtual interview, Bouchard shared how the episode came about, and what it meant for Marshmallow.
How Marshmallow went from a one-joke line to a fan favorite on Bob's Burgers.
Originally voiced by David Herman, Marshmallow first appeared in Season 1's "Sheesh! Cab, Bob?" as an unexpected guest at Tina's birthday party. There, she made a grand entrance and delivered a solid punchline about how she got her name. ("'Cause if you show me a sweet potato pie, I am on top of it.") Since then, Marshmallow has popped up again and again, cracking Bob's back, supporting the kids' basement casino, and attending every party, from Tina's birthday, to the Bog to Beach parade, and that secret subterranean Christmas rave.
Fans loved her, but also they began to question the casting choice to have a white cis man provide a deep voice for character that's a trans Black woman. Ahead of Season 15, the role of Marshmallow was recast, bringing in Jones, who made her debut in "Hope N' Mic Night."
Bouchard spoke of Marshmallow's development over the seasons, saying, "I don't want to oversimplify and make it sound pat, but we're evolving. As somewhat oblivious cis white males, speaking for myself — we certainly have lots of not-cis-white males working on the show — but we're all evolving and learning. Marshmallow was never, ever intended to be mean [in terms of trans representation].... It was never like, 'Get it? That person is other and different and stupid' or whatever. It was always intended to be loving. But it was a short, sharp introduction of a character."
"Whatever was implied by Marshmallow's incredible life," Bouchard continued, "was not clear [at the start]. It was just a knockout entrance and a great line for how she got her name. And I loved that character. I loved that voice [by Herman] because I'm a dumbass, and I thought it was funny to hear a low voice. And, you know, that has to evolve as we learn and understand more about trans people and just the rich tapestry of human existence."
Alluding to fans' concerns over Marshmallow's original voice casting, he said, "I love that. When we were reminded about representation in casting in general, especially as it pertains to race, then we recast. And then I love that we then found Jari. Jari was the right person. It was so obvious. And then I could have conversations with Jari [about Marshmallow and her voice]... It was a such a reasonable thing to bring to my attention and to help me see that [the deep voice is] not what this character is about. And it's still going to be a funny character when we need it. You know, there's comedy. You don't need to have the low voice. That's not the joke."
As to why Bouchard thinks Marshmallow caught on with fans, he said, "When you add a character, you're theoretically not just adding the character who's gonna be 'funny.' You're adding a chemical reaction between one of your existing characters and this new character. So it's always the space between the characters. And in Marshmallow's case, Marshmallow was fantastic, but it was Bob's reaction to Marshmallow that made that work on the show."
As Bob puts it, she "comes and goes as she pleases, answers to no one, and is truly free."
Loren Bouchard on the real-world roots of "Hope N' Mic Night."
In this Season 15 episode, Louise, Tina, and Gene beg Bob and Linda to let them throw an open mic night. While the kids start promoting the idea around the Wharf, their parents learn how expensive and complicated the planning is for such an event. But before they can balk, Marshmallow stops by the restaurant to sign up. Marshmallow is the reason Bob carries on with the event. And that night, when a pesky fire marshal threatens to shut them down for being over capacity, it's Marshmallow's intervention that saves the show (again) — and the Belchers.
On open mic night, Bob's Burgers is packed, with lots of recurring characters performing kooky cover songs. Then, Marshmallow changes the tone of the episode by singing "Seabird" while playing guitar. She soulfully performs before her parents and her friends, and it's a rendition so beautiful I tear up thinking of it now.
Then, of course, the kids close out the night with a rousing song about butts. Because at its core, Bob's Burgers is always about learning to love yourself, as freaky or quirky as you are.
After confessing that this episode is a favorite of mine because of how it moves me, I asked Bouchard how the episode came about. He responded, "That one is near and dear to me as well. I wrote it with this sort of sandbox approach, like, 'Oh, won't it be fun to have an open mic night?' Like, we just get to have so many musical numbers, and we're going to license all these songs. It'll be our big spend for our music budget."
From there, Bouchard recalled the inspiration for "Hope N' Mic Night" — a humble open mic he attended on vacation with his family. "I had been to one over the summer at this little coffee shop in Cape Cod, and I just was so charmed — so fucking charmed — by these people, putting themselves out there and that urge," he said. "I'm sort of shy. I wish I were that guy who would get up and sing off-key at an open mic night, or this woman who played her flute to a backing track. I'm not even sure if she was possibly in the wrong key, but like, it was still so charming. I was excited to try and give that to Bob's and our kids, and then these side characters."
At this point in Season 15's development, Jones had been cast to take up the mantle of Marshmallow. Bouchard explained, "And it was one text to Jari Jones… We'd been looking for Marshmallow opportunities. And I said, 'Can you sing?' And she said, 'Yes.' And I was like, 'How would you like to do a cover of something?'"
Bouchard hadn't yet figured out what the song would be, but he knew it had to be a "big moment." He continued, "We started looking for the song, and that was another whole journey... We looked at a lot of stuff, but when we really were at the deadline, 'Seabird' emerged. It's been on my radar since I saw it in the end credits of Hunt for the Wilderpeople. And it blew me away.
"I didn't know if it was a current song, if it was an old song, which it turns out it is. I had never heard it before, and I just found it so charming. The Alessi Brothers, I had never heard of them. But then ['Seabird'] became part of regular rotation in my house, my wife and I singing it to the point where our kids wanted to actually ban it. They said we weren't allowed to play it anymore because we had, like, worn it out, I guess.
"Anyway, then it was like, 'Oh my God, yes.' 'Seabird' slowed down. Guitar and voice. Chris Maxwell, who's one of our composers, played that guitar lick. And I just love it so much. And Jari killed it, just crushed it. It was one of those vocal sessions where you're crying. You can't believe your luck that you get to record a performance like that. I think we did two takes. That's it. It was perfect."
At this point, I teared up recounting how this episode made me feel the hope that comes from community. Bouchard replied, "Me too. I mean, that's what it was intended to do. And then Marshmallow delivered, you know, just delivered as a character. Jari as a performer, Chris as a guitarist, that song, everything came together. And that's why we do this."
He concluded, "You live for those moments doing a show like this, when it all comes together like that. We've had a few of them and boy, oh boy, it means everything to hear you say that, because it's why we do this."
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It’s been a big couple of days for college football. Indeed, Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Indiana Hoosiers this evening — played concurrently with Virginia vs. Duke — rounds off two days of conference championship action. But Ohio State vs. Indiana, the Big Ten Conference Championship Game, is the toughest game to call.
Ohio State and Indiana are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively, and both teams are undefeated this season with a record of 12-0. This isn’t just a battle for the Big Ten title, it’s also a battle for the College Football Playoff's top seed.
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Ohio State are last year’s CFP champions and have a marginal edge. But whatever happens, it’s another can’t miss game.
If you want to watch Ohio State vs. Indiana for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Ohio State vs. Indiana?
Ohio State vs. Indiana takes place at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 6. This game takes place at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Ohio State vs. Indiana is broadcast on FOX.
How to watch college football in 2025/26
Fans can live stream college football on a wide range of recommended platforms, some of which include free trials, allowing you to follow the action without actually spending anything.
Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX
ESPN Unlimited provides access to everything that ESPN has to offer. For college football, you will find live access to games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+, ACC Network, and ABC. The Unlimited plan will cost you $29.99 per month, but for the first year, new subscribers can also secure a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for the same price.
Fox One provides access to live broadcasts on Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It costs just $19.99 per month, and you can also save $40 by opting for the annual plan at $199.99. You can kickoff with a seven-day free trial, so you've got the chance to watch select games without spending anything.
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW
FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and provides the opportunity to watch on 10 screens at once, if that's your thing. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
Fubo takes sports seriously, which we appreciate. With the Pro subscription, you get access to most college football broadcasts. But hardcore fans may want to consider upgrading to Fubo's Elite plan, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network. Either way, we suggest you test the waters for seven days before you make any sort of commitment.
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW
Hulu + Live TV certainly isn't cheap, but it does offer plenty of bang for your buck. You'll have to cough up $76.99 per month (after a three-day trial), but you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). The included access to ESPN+ provides bonus access to even more college football games on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more. Now that's value.
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network
Sling is a comprehensive sporting service that offers a wide range of benefits, but you will need to be careful when selecting your plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets, but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually want.
7-day free trial, then $49.99/month for your first 3 months
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW
YouTube TV gives you access to more than 100 live channels. That's a whole lotta content. This huge list includes most of the channels you actually need to watch live college football, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, plus networks like FS1 and SEC Network. YouTube TV also offers that all-important free trial so you can watch select games without spending anything.
How to watch Ohio State vs. Indiana from anywhere in the world
If you're outside the U.S. for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., allowing you to unblock live streams of college football from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Ohio State vs. Indiana from anywhere in the world 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 service
Watch Ohio State vs. Indiana from anywhere in the world
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.
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. That means 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (which includes a money-back guarantee).
5-day free trial, then $49.99/month for 3 months(save $99)
The conference championship action continues with today’s college football. And this one’s a particularly intriguing encounter, as the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide battle it out in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game.
The odds are in Georgia’s favour. At 11-1 overall this season, they sit third in the rankings. That means win or lose in this SEC Championship game, they’ll get an automatic bid to the College Football Playoffs. In other words, the pressure is somewhat off — though they still won’t want to lose this game.
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That said, Alabama has a strong record against Georgia and will do everything they can to secure a win here. A loss would almost certainly see Alabama miss out on the playoffs. And with major history between these programs, this promises to be an electric showdown. And don’t forget there’s more action later today with Virginia vs. Duke and Ohio State vs. Indiana.
If you want to watch Georgia vs. Alabama for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Georgia vs. Alabama?
Georgia vs. Alabama takes place at 4 p.m. ET on Dec. 6. This game takes place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Georgia vs. Alabama is broadcast on ABC.
How to watch college football in 2025/26
Fans can live stream college football on a wide range of recommended platforms, some of which include free trials, allowing you to follow the action without actually spending anything.
Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX
ESPN Unlimited provides access to everything that ESPN has to offer. For college football, you will find live access to games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+, ACC Network, and ABC. The Unlimited plan will cost you $29.99 per month, but for the first year, new subscribers can also secure a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for the same price.
Fox One provides access to live broadcasts on Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It costs just $19.99 per month, and you can also save $40 by opting for the annual plan at $199.99. You can kickoff with a seven-day free trial, so you've got the chance to watch select games without spending anything.
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW
FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and provides the opportunity to watch on 10 screens at once, if that's your thing. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
Fubo takes sports seriously, which we appreciate. With the Pro subscription, you get access to most college football broadcasts. But hardcore fans may want to consider upgrading to Fubo's Elite plan, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network. Either way, we suggest you test the waters for seven days before you make any sort of commitment.
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW
Hulu + Live TV certainly isn't cheap, but it does offer plenty of bang for your buck. You'll have to cough up $76.99 per month (after a three-day trial), but you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). The included access to ESPN+ provides bonus access to even more college football games on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more. Now that's value.
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network
Sling is a comprehensive sporting service that offers a wide range of benefits, but you will need to be careful when selecting your plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets, but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually want.
7-day free trial, then $49.99/month for your first 3 months
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW
YouTube TV gives you access to more than 100 live channels. That's a whole lotta content. This huge list includes most of the channels you actually need to watch live college football, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, plus networks like FS1 and SEC Network. YouTube TV also offers that all-important free trial so you can watch select games without spending anything.
How to watch Georgia vs. Alabama from anywhere in the world
If you're outside the U.S. for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., allowing you to unblock live streams of college football from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Georgia vs. Alabama from anywhere in the world 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 service
Watch Georgia vs. Alabama from anywhere in the world
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.
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. That means 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (which includes a money-back guarantee).
5-day free trial, then $49.99/month for 3 months(save $99)
The pressure is on the BYU Cougars as they face the Texas Tech Red Raiders in this week’s college football championship action.
Texas Tech look like the favorites to win this Big 12 Conference Championship Game, with an overall record of 11-1 and a five-match winning streak. They’re currently ranked at No. 4, which would mean an automatic bid for the College Football Playoffs if they can beat the Cougars at the AT&T Stadium. BYU are also 11-1 but their form isn’t quite as good thanks to a heavy loss to Texas Tech already this season. It’s up to BYU to defy expectations and beat Texas Tech to secure that automatic bid — otherwise they’ll likely miss out on the CFP.
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They’ll be looking to join fellow Power Four team Virginia Cavaliers in the CFP, should Virginia win their championship game against the Duke Blue Devils later today.
If you want to watch BYU vs. Texas Tech for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is BYU vs. Texas Tech?
BYU vs. Texas Tech takes place at 12 p.m. ET on Dec. 6. This game takes place at AT&T Stadium.
BYU vs. Texas Tech is broadcast on ABC.
How to watch college football in 2025/26
Fans can live stream college football on a wide range of recommended platforms, some of which include free trials, allowing you to follow the action without actually spending anything.
Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX
ESPN Unlimited provides access to everything that ESPN has to offer. For college football, you will find live access to games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+, ACC Network, and ABC. The Unlimited plan will cost you $29.99 per month, but for the first year, new subscribers can also secure a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for the same price.
Fox One provides access to live broadcasts on Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It costs just $19.99 per month, and you can also save $40 by opting for the annual plan at $199.99. You can kickoff with a seven-day free trial, so you've got the chance to watch select games without spending anything.
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW
FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and provides the opportunity to watch on 10 screens at once, if that's your thing. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
Fubo takes sports seriously, which we appreciate. With the Pro subscription, you get access to most college football broadcasts. But hardcore fans may want to consider upgrading to Fubo's Elite plan, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network. Either way, we suggest you test the waters for seven days before you make any sort of commitment.
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW
Hulu + Live TV certainly isn't cheap, but it does offer plenty of bang for your buck. You'll have to cough up $76.99 per month (after a three-day trial), but you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). The included access to ESPN+ provides bonus access to even more college football games on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more. Now that's value.
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network
Sling is a comprehensive sporting service that offers a wide range of benefits, but you will need to be careful when selecting your plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets, but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually want.
7-day free trial, then $49.99/month for your first 3 months
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW
YouTube TV gives you access to more than 100 live channels. That's a whole lotta content. This huge list includes most of the channels you actually need to watch live college football, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, plus networks like FS1 and SEC Network. YouTube TV also offers that all-important free trial so you can watch select games without spending anything.
How to watch BYU vs. Texas Tech from anywhere in the world
If you're outside the U.S. for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., allowing you to unblock live streams of college football from anywhere in the world.
Live stream BYU vs. Texas Tech from anywhere in the world 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 service
Watch BYU vs. Texas Tech from anywhere in the world
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.
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. That means 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (which includes a money-back guarantee).
Not every laptop needs to be the latest, flashiest, top-spec machine on the market. Sometimes, what you really want is something that simply works — smoothly, quietly, and reliably — for the everyday tasks that make up most of your digital life.
That’s exactly where the like-new Apple MacBook Air with M1 chip shines. If your needs revolve around writing, email, streaming shows, video calls, browsing, light photo editing, office work, or remote meetings, this MacBook Air still feels incredibly capable.
It’s the ideal choice for anyone looking for a dependable everyday laptop, a secondary home computer, or a travel-friendly device they don’t have to stress over bringing on the go.
Powered by Apple’s M1 chip, this 2020 model marked a major leap forward in performance compared to older Intel-based MacBooks. The 8-core CPU powers through multitasking with ease, while the 8-core GPU delivers smooth visuals for creative apps and casual gaming.
The 13.3-inch Retina display offers sharp, vibrant visuals that make everything from spreadsheets to streaming look polished and crisp. Its fanless design keeps the laptop completely silent, even when you’re running multiple apps, and the SSD storage ensures quick load times and everyday performance.
Battery life is another strong suit, offering up to 18 hours on a single charge, meaning full workdays, long trips, or marathon study can go on smoothly.
This refurbished unit carries a Grade A rating, meaning it arrives in near-mint condition with minimal to no visible wear — a reassuring detail for anyone hesitant about going the refurbished route.
5-day free trial, then $49.99/month for 3 months(save $99)
College football promises major drama across the conference championship games this weekend. One to keep an eye on is Duke Blues Devils vs. Virginia Cavaliers for the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship.
This game guarantees a first-time ACC Championship Game winner no matter who wins. Neither program has won the Championship Game since it was introduced almost 20 years ago — but there's also a CFP automatic bid up for grabs if Virginia get the win. Virginia has already beaten Duke this season but don't count the Blue Devils out just yet — they're coming off a two-game winning streak.
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There's been a lot of talk around the implications for the ACC following yesterday's Sun Belt Championship contest. However it plays out, this is a game not to miss.
If you want to watch Duke vs. Virginia for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Duke vs. Virginia?
Duke vs. Virginia takes place at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 6. This game takes place at the Bank of America Stadium.
Duke vs. Virginia is broadcast on ABC.
How to watch college football in 2025/26
Fans can live stream college football on a wide range of recommended services, some of which include free trials so you can follow the action without actually spending anything.
Channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SEC Network, ACC Network, ESPN on ABC, ESPN+, ESPN3, SECN+, and ACCNX
ESPN Unlimited provides access to everything that ESPN has to offer. For college football, you get live access to games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network, SECN+, ACC Network, and ABC. The Unlimited plan will set you back $29.99 per month, but for the first year, new subscribers can secure a bundle with Disney+ and Hulu for the same price.
Fox One provides access to live broadcasts on Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, and Big Ten Network. It costs $19.99 per month, but you can save $40 by opting for the annual plan at $199.99. You can also start with a seven-day free trial, so you've got the chance to watch select games without spending anything.
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NBCSN, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and The CW
FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and provides the opportunity to watch on 10 screens at once, if that's your thing. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
Fubo takes sports seriously, and that's something we appreciate. With the Pro subscription, you get access to most college football broadcasts. But hardcore fans may want to consider upgrading to the Elite plan, which unlocks access to ESPNU, SEC Network, Pac-12 Network, and ACC Network. Either way, we suggest you test the waters for seven days before you make any sort of commitment.
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, and The CW
Hulu + Live TV is not exactly cheap, but it does offer good bang for your buck. You need to cough up $76.99 per month (after a three-day trial), but you get access to over 95 live TV channels, plus Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads). The included access to ESPN+ provides bonus access to even more college football games on top of live TV networks like ABC, FOX, ESPN, The CW, ACC Network, and more. Now that's value.
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network
Sling is a comprehensive sporting service that offers a whole host of benefits, but you do need to be careful when selecting a plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets, but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually need.
7-day free trial, then $49.99/month for your first 3 months
Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPNews, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, SEC Network, and The CW
YouTube TV provides access to over 100 live channels. Newsflash: that's a lot. This huge list includes most of the channels you actually need to watch live college football, including NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and ESPN, plus networks like FS1 and SEC Network. YouTube TV also offers that all-important free trial so you can watch select games without spending anything.
How to watch Duke vs. Virginia from anywhere in the world
If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of college football from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Duke vs. Virginia from anywhere in the world 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 service
Watch Duke vs. Virginia from anywhere in the world
ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.
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. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).
The need to render the nude form has dominated human expression for centuries. In Western art history, one of the oldest known interpretations of a naked body is the Venus of Willendorf, possibly dating back to around 24,000 BCE. Later, we saw the mosaic art of Narcissus, enamored by his own member in a second-century latrine. Centuries down the line, in the early Renaissance, Italy's obsession with nudes included Michelangelo's Davidand Manet's controversial Olympia, featuring a real woman and not a mythical figure.
As time moved onto Snapchatting genitals to a possible love interest you swiped right on, our fascination with the human body remains a constant drumbeat of society. It has also become more accessible, particularly over the last few decades, with the rise of smartphones and social media. As many as eight out of 10 adults share intimate content, including nudes, with each other, 2024 research shows.
We've collected the history of the nude, from sculpture to oil paintings, and from cam-chat to Snapchat. But more importantly, we're diving into why, through history, we're prepared to send nudes in whatever form we can.
The first nudes sent
Nudes are often not sent in isolation. Nowadays, at least, they're accompanied by an explicit text or as a result of an exchange on our phones or in person.
"People faced similar issues when sending nudes in the medieval period, because you would need someone to paint or draw you nude, which would be massively expensive," says Janega.
"Moreover, at the time nudes are, in general, formulaic. People expect a nude to look a particular way, reflecting an idealised form, rather than to be a theoretical 'realistic' portrayal of a person." This, likely being due to the nude form being interpreted as the imperfect and mortal form of humanity, a sentiment that has been felt through time, however not one equally felt across genders — with Ancient Greek sculptures and art more often than not featuring a nude male form, but not female — and if art did feature women, it was likely a depiction of a god and treated demurely, associated with shame rather than a heroic figure.
Nudes in the modern era
The "modern" sending of nudes, as in the conveying of a visual form of our own body, can date back around 200 years to American portrait artist Sarah Goodridge. As Goodridge worked on a commission for a new member of the United States House of Representatives, Daniel Webster, the two began exchanging romantic letters — some of which remain to this day.
In 1828, Goodridge painted her bare breasts surrounded by white cloth on a small canvas, only 2.6 by 3.1 inches. Intended for Webster's eyes only, as many miniature portraits were, it remained in his family until the 1980s. Little fanfare was made of the discovery of this piece after Webster's death, with scholars noting it was likely kept out of sight and off of inventories due to being deemed inappropriate for public viewing. Now, Goodridge's seemingly untitled work, now known as Beauty Revealed, is now owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Goodridge's private revolutionary act can now be seen as an innovative moment in human sexuality, experts note. By this point, society began to see, as Janega says, "a bunch of rich people with time on their hands who can paint, which means it is only a matter of time before they begin sending nudes as a form of flirtation. You cannot teach generations of people to paint artistic nudes and expect them to use these abilities solely for depicting the rape of Leda," referencing the famed myth of a Spartan queen assaulted by Zeus, King of Gods, bearing his twins.
Beyond this, taking part in the arts institutionally was restricted to men. For instance, the Royal Academy admitted its first woman, Laura Herford, in 1860, and only because her initials were submitted.
Self-portraiture allowed Goodridge to take control of her presentation of nudity, as it has enabled women to control their presentation to the world, and the narrative placed onto women and femininity. Like Goodridge's radical act, many artists have changed the way women are viewed through their artwork, which was celebrated by the National Portrait Gallery in London in a 2024 exhibition.
Goodridge's romantic gesture lives on, though it required significantly more time and effort to create than a photograph taken on a phone. Still, the importance of this moment can't be underestimated: a visual form of nude form was becoming more accessible than it had been before.
The photographed nude
With the innovation of photography in 1839, our approach to the nude form began to shift, with a pioneer of photography, Hippolyte Bayard, taking a naked self-portrait in 1840. As photography boomed, so did nudes.
Other 19th-century nude photography remains famed, including those taken by Nadar between 1860 and 1861, often used as studies for paintings. One of his models, Marie-Christine Leroux, went on to pose for many famed artists.
Later, after World War I, nude photography came into its own, with less imitation of paintings and sculptures and more stylized pieces, such as Edward Weston's Nude taken in 1936. Others used photography as a means of insight into hidden lives, such as in Diane Arbus' Retired man and his wife at home in a nudist camp one morning, N.J or to recapture idealized moments of youth, like in Larry Clark's Teenage Lust series, taken in the early 1970s.
Smart devices and the ability to instant message revolutionised our approach to sexuality, beginning the era of sexting and cam chats. Sending nudes and explicit messages may have spelled the death of previous forms of interaction. Namely, this means of the love letter, a loss Vogue lamented, along with phone calls, back in 2014, with many seeing the new digital frontier of sexuality as less romantic, and more explicit (not necessarily true, especially if we remember curse-laden love letters written by James Joyce), and intimidating.
When does art become pornography?
Galleries around the world host pieces showcasing the naked form — but at which point does this transform from being something considered worthy of value, of public importance, to something considered explicit?
"Boundaries between art and pornography have become increasingly blurred," says Freya Gowrley, art historian at the University of Bristol. She points to Pornhub's Classic Nude project, an interactive online experience, launched in 2021 when access to galleries was still limited. The exhibition offered a virtual tour of 30 famous nude artworks through history, from Paul Cézanne's Bathers to Gustave Courbet's L’Origine du Monde, with pornographic videos inspired by these pieces.
"Unsurprisingly, several of the big museums objected to their work being used in this context," Gowrley says, with some, like the Louvre, threatening legal action for unauthorised usage of these artworks. However, others noted that the use of various artworks is often left unchallenged, including on sites such as Etsy, which similarly offers a commercial benefit to the redistributor, indicating that moral concerns may have been the root of the concern.
The project also raised interesting questions about the line between art and porn, Gowrley says. "Why is Sarah Goodridge's 'selfie' painting any more artistic than something snapped on an iPhone, or produced in a studio?"
Gowrley compares these to artist Jeff Koons' Made in Heaven series in the late '80s, early '90s, depicting his naked form engaging in sexual acts with his then-wife Ilona Staller, famed for her work in pornography.
"Moving these images into the gallery space transformed them into art, but does that mean that they are no longer illicit images?" she says.
Why is Sarah Goodridge's "selfie" painting any more artistic than something snapped on an iPhone, or produced in a studio?
This question has also been the subject of online debate, following the establishment of FOSTA/SESTA in the U.S. in 2018. The laws, in theory, were meant to curb online sex trafficking, but in practice, large social media sites began deplatforming online sex workers. (Multiple studies show this made sex workersless safe.) Beyond that, artists, including erotic and LGBTQ artists, sometimes find themselves banned or shadowbanned (unable to be discovered) from platforms like Instagram, even though their posts are artistic and not pornographic. Then again, that line is different depending on who you ask.
Advancements in technology rapidly increased our access to the nude form — and sharing our own.
Why do we love to send nudes?
With smartphones, pretty much everyone with an internet connection has the ability to take, send, and receive nude photographs across various apps and platforms. Many people take advantage. Sending nudes on the gay hookup app Grindr, for instance, has become commonplace for queer men. There are even features baked in to protect photographs now, and blogs on Grindr's site referring to the app as a "digital dark room."
Meanwhile, intimate photos make the rounds on Reddit in various 'gone wild' subreddits, leading to other explicit exchanges. Research shows that people who perceive their own attractiveness are more likely to post nudes on Reddit, although they are unlikely to feel high self-esteem at the same time.
Another study shows that sending nude content often takes place in the context of committed relationships, as a form of expressing and experiencing sexual desires.
But why do we want to?
We send nudes "because it's basically a form of foreplay, that kind of is a sexual act in itself," says Gigi Engle, author of Kink Curious and resident kink and sex expert for sex-positive community JOYclub.
"I think we play sex on this hierarchy [that] penetrative sex is the most legitimate form, and that's just not really true. Sending sexy pictures is very titillating. It gets us excited."
"I think that sending nudes can be like writing a modern love letter; intimate, exciting, and affirming. But it only works if it's something you want to do, the other person wants to receive it, and both of you understand the risks," says Impola.
"People like to see those kinds of sexy pictures, that's why we're sending them up. I think there's also an element of people sending them in the heat of the moment without really thinking through some of the repercussions that could happen," Engle suggests.
The risks of digital intimacy
A 2022 survey shows that 80 percent of participants who have sent an intimate photo of themselves to another worry that it will be acquired by someone else, with 86 percent of men who have received an intimate photo saving it to their device, and 79 percent of women. The famed 2014 leak of celebrity nudes left a lasting legacy; our phones aren't as secure as we had been led to believe. (Mashable has a guide on safely storing nude images.)
Cyberflashing, a form of indecent exposure taking place digitally, became a crime in the UK in 2024. Despite this, many people have experienced receiving explicit images nonconsensually. YouGov research in the UK released last year revealed that 55 percent of women under-40 surveyed who can recall the first time they received an unsolicited sexual image say they were under 16 when this occurred.
Where are we now?
This year, the UK's age verification law, requiring proof of age to visit websites containing explicit content (and in some cases, non-explicit sites like YouTube) came into effect. Reactions have been mixed, as requiring verification can be seen as infringing upon privacy, or simply dodged with a VPN (or images from a video game).
Political divides are opening up between young men and women in the UK and U.S., and it's possible these changing attitudes could impact sexual behaviour in the digital landscape. It's hard to know what's to come next, but looking back over history? It's clear that we all find ourselves longing to be with, see, or interact with another.
Our digital lives are only expanding, so we'll likely be sending nudes for the foreseeable future, even if our attitudes toward it change.
Longtime Slashdot reader sinij shares a report from the BBC: Do you find yourself getting increasingly irate while scrolling through your social media feed? If so, you may be falling victim to rage bait, which Oxford University Press has named its word or phrase of the year. It is a term that describes manipulative tactics used to drive engagement online, with usage of it increasing threefold in the last 12 months, according to the dictionary publisher.
Rage bait beat two other shortlisted terms -- aura farming and biohack -- to win the title. The list of words is intended to reflect some of the moods and conversations that have shaped 2025. "Fundamental problem with social media as a system is that it exploits people's emotional thinking," comments sinij. "Cute cat videos on one end and rage bait on another end of the same spectrum. I suspect future societies will be teaching disassociation techniques in junior school."
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(@MetaMask) December 5, 2025
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Analysts are overlooking how stablecoins that retain earnings (aka Tether) are evolving into something structurally unusual. 
US agrees to recommend a 12-year prison sentence and a $19m fine for Do Kwon after he has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy
