Stream News Today — August 28, 2026

The lines between entertainment, commerce, and technology continue to blur, and today's news reflects this trend. YouTube has taken a step further into affiliate marketing by allowing creators to tag Amazon products in their videos, enabling them to earn commissions from purchases made through these tags. This move not only expands the platform's e-commerce capabilities but also provides creators with new ways to monetize their content. Meanwhile, Netflix, which has been experimenting with video games for a while now, seems to be shifting its strategy from developing its own games to promoting existing ones, signaling a reevaluation of its approach to the gaming space.

As digital services and platforms evolve, so do the infrastructure and systems that support them. The growing demand for data centers, driven by the increasing need for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other digital services, has led to a backlash in some communities. Concerns about the environmental impact, noise pollution, and other issues related to data centers have sparked resistance, prompting a reexamination of how these facilities are planned, built, and operated. As we explore the implications of these developments, we're inviting readers to submit their questions about the great data center backlash, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between technology, commerce, and society.

Today's signal:
• YouTube now lets creators tag Amazon products and earn commissions from purchases (techcrunch.com)
• Netflix Failed at Video Games. Now It’s Trying to Promote Them (wired.com)
• Submit Your Questions: The Great Data Center Backlash (wired.com)