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Have you noticed the Moon is getting a little bigger each night this week? That's because of where we are in the lunar cycle, a 29.5 cycle of the Moon's phases. Right now, we're just a few days away from the Full Moon. After this point, it will start getting smaller each night.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Friday, Jan. 30, the Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 92% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

The Moon is so close to being full, so there's plenty to see. If you don't have any visual aids, you can still enjoy glimpses of the Mares Imbrium, Fecunditatis, and Crisium.With binoculars, you'll also be able to see the Gassendi Crater, Mare Frigoris, and Posidonius Crater. With a telescope, you should also be able to spot the Apollo 11 landing spot, Gruithuisen Domes, and Rima Hyginus.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on Feb. 1. The last full moon was on Jan. 3.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the lunar cycle lasts around 29.5 days. This is how long the Moon takes to travel once around Earth. Over that period, it passes through eight recognised phases. The same side of the Moon always faces our planet, however the portion that appears lit changes as the Moon moves along its orbit. The amount of sunlight reaching the Moon is what makes it appear full, partially illuminated, or almost invisible at different points in the cycle. The eight lunar phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Dropout fans know Vic Michaelis as a mastermind of cringe comedy, whether they are badgering Sam Reich for a dollar on Game Changer, playing a fictional version of themselves for the interview improv show Very Important People, or joining Dimension 20 as a death-focused "dusty do-gooder" in Gladlands. But with Michaelis' role on the new Peacock series Ponies, they take their sharp wit to 1977 Russia, playing the frustrated office manager for the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.

Michaelis visited Mashable's Say More couch to talk all of this and more with Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko. In the video above, they dig into Vic's pitch for Game Changer's version of Shark Tank. In the episode, called "Fool's Gold," contestants are pitched videos that could go viral. While some involved goofy animation and breast milk taste tests, Michaelis pitched that Brennan Lee Mulligan quit Dropout to make American Girl Doll shoes.

"You take the thing people love most and the thing they fear most," they said of the pitch, noting, "Sam said pitch three to five ideas. And I said, 'I have one, and if you don't want to do it, then I don't want to come on the show.'"

The resulting video didn't just make waves on TikTok and Instagram, where fans were frantic about the joke and whether or not it was real. News of the fake resignation hit Google in the form of an Easter egg, which rained little shoes when you googled "Brennan Lee Mulligan."

In the full episode of Say More, available on YouTube, Michaelis speaks more on that particular moment of internet breakery. Above, they also reveal that it was either going to be American Girl Dolls or the Sylvanians (aka Calico Critters). "I ended up doing a bunch of research on what brand was most likely to interact with the video," Michaelis explained. "I had narrowed it down to Sylvanian dolls and American Girl Dolls."

We all know what went down with the Sylvanian dolls, right? A content creator called Sylvanian Drama went viral for using the dolls to create scandalous stories for TikTok, and then was sued by the toymaker in July of 2025.

"That lawsuit against that amazing Sylvanian Drama creator happened immediately after the episode dropped," Michaelis recounted, "or like right before it was supposed to come out. So, I was like 'Thank God' [I went with American Girl Dolls]."

Michaelis also touches on how their gag about Evelyn Tucci, who they claimed on Game Changer is the actor Stanley Tucci's paternal grandmother, has found new life online. Plus, they told Mashable about how their real-life background in martial arts came into play on Ponies. OK, so a kick-to-the-throat attack was cut from Season 1. But could we see Michaelis' black belt skills in Season 2? Here's hoping.

For more from Michaelis on Very Important People, Dimension 20, and the unexpected connection between Game Changer, Heated Rivalry, and Ponies, check out the full Say More episode on YouTube.

Ponies is now streaming on Peacock. Game Changer, Dimension 20: Gladlands, and Very Important People are all streaming on Dropout.

Sometimes you need a wholesome antidote to the news, and a frog puppet appearing on a talk show just so happens to tick that box.

In the clip above Kermit appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote The Muppet Show's return, discussing everything from his star on the Hollywood walk of fame to whether or not Miss Piggy would be upset with him meeting Kaley Cuoco backstage ("No, she watches Fallon," is Kermit's quick response).

All in all a delightful interview.

The Melania documentary has had its premiere, and all of the late night shows have similar questions.

"Amazon believed in this movie a lot. Like, suspiciously a lot," says Daily Show host Desi Lydic in the clip above. "Huh, why would Jeff Bezos, a billionaire who has tons of business with a government run by a famously-corrupt president known for loving bribes, overpay for a Melania documentary? Hmm, let me think."

Elsewhere, Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert also had similar things to say about Amazon's big paycheck — especially on the same week the company has cut 16,000 jobs.

TL;DR: The Acer Nitro 49-inch ultrawide curved gaming monitor is currently on sale for $599.99 at Amazon. That's down from its typical $699.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acer Acer Nitro 49-inch Ultrawide Curved Gaming Monitor $599.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $100 Get Deal

Upgrading to a decent curved gaming monitor from a reliable brand can be an expensive process, but Acer’s just made things a little easier at Amazon. As of Jan. 30, Amazon has dropped the Acer Nitro EI491CUR to its lowest-ever price of $599.99 (according to price tracker camelcamelcamel).

This 49-inch display sports a 32:9 aspect ratio with a DQHD resolution of 5120 x 1440, which is essentially the equivalent of running two QHD monitors side by side — minus the bezel in the middle. It’s ideal for sprawling open-world games like Cyberpunk 2077, racing sims along the lines of Forza Horizon 5, or flight simulators like Microsoft Flight Simulator.

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The aggressively curved 1,000R panel is designed to keep the entire screen at a consistent viewing distance, helping reduce eye strain while making games feel more immersive. Performance-wise, you’re getting a 120Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time, and AMD FreeSync support to smooth out fast-paced action and eliminate screen tearing.

At under $600, this deal makes super ultra-wide gaming far more affordable than usual.

If you're willing to spend a little bit more on a curved monitor, Samsung’s 49-inch Odyssey G9 is now $300 off. For those shopping for an OLED, the 49-inch G93SC version of the Odyssey G9 is on sale for $899.

Remember the rumors that the iPhone Air wasn't selling well? True or not, it didn't hurt Apple's iPhone sales at all. In fact, the company just posted a record-breaking quarter, and demand for iPhones has never been higher.

Apple reported its fiscal first quarter earnings on Thursday, and it beat basically every estimate the experts put out there. In particular, iPhone revenue was $85.27 billion, a 23 percent increase over the same period last year. Apple's total revenue for the quarter was also a record-breaking $143.8 billion, a 16 percent year-over-year increase.

Speaking to CNBC, Apple CEO Tim Cook called the demand for the iPhone last quarter "simply staggering."

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review: The mighty workhorse we needed

Here's another staggering number: According to Cook, Apple now has an active base of 2.5 billion devices, which includes iPhones, Macs, iPads, and other devices.

We don't know which iPhone models sold the best, as iPhone doesn't report them separately. But it's safe to say that the iPhone 17 lineup was a success.

Featured Video For You Slow internet on your iPhone? Try clearing your cache

Notably, 2025 was the year in which Apple expanded its traditional iPhone/iPhone Pro mix with two new models, the iPhone 16e, and the ultra-thin iPhone Air. For 2026, Apple reportedly has even bigger ambitions, with the mythical iPhone Fold joining the lineup. The company will also reportedly split its iPhone launch schedule into two, with iPhone 18 launching in the spring, and iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max launching in the fall, alongside iPhone Fold.

SAVE OVER $15: As of Jan. 30, the Lego Ideas The Insect Collection (21342) is on sale for $62.96 at Walmart. That's $17.03 off its list price of $79.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Ideas The Insect Collection (21342) $62.96 at Walmart
$79.99 Save $17.03   Get Deal

We consider the Lego Ideas The Insect Collection (21342) to be one of our favorite Lego sets. If these brightly colored bugs have caught your eye, Walmart's offering a nice discount on this set at the moment, dropping its price to $62.96.

Normally the Lego Ideas The Insect Collection is priced at $79.99, so this is a good opportunity to grab it and save $17.03 in the process. Coming to 1,111 pieces, it's a delightful build to work on during these winter months when there's nothing better to do than stay inside and get creative.

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All of these pieces come together to create three posable models: a blue morpho butterfly, a Hercules beetle, and a Chinese mantis. Each one has their own little diorama-style platform with different habitats. Keep in mind it's a set that's recommended for adults, though younger Lego fans can build it with some more experienced help.

This deal may not be live for much longer (especially since Walmart's page says there's low stock already), so act fast to save on the Lego Ideas The Insect Collection at Walmart.

Looking for even more bright builds to piece together ahead of spring? Check out our breakdown of the best new floral Lego sets to find some fun bouquets. Or check out our rundown of the best Lego sets for Valentine’s Day to see some sets worth gifting this year.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Play Booster Box is down to $162.52 at Amazon. That's $47 off its usual $209.70 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Play Booster Box $162.52 at Amazon
$209.70 Save $47.18 Get Deal

Snagging Magic: The Gathering’s Final Fantasy crossover product at a reasonable price has been a tough quest, but Amazon just made it a lot easier. As of Jan. 30, the Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Play Booster Box has dropped to $162.52 at Amazon. That's $47 off its $209.70 list price — a solid discount for one of the most in-demand Universes Beyond releases to date. 

This set brings together the worlds of Magic: The Gathering and all 16 core Final Fantasy video games, packing iconic characters, spells, and locations into a single box designed for both collectors and players. You’ll get 30 Play Boosters, each containing 14 cards, making this box ideal for Draft nights, Sealed play, or simply cracking packs for fun. 

Every booster guarantees one Traditional Foil card, with 1–4 Rares or higher per pack, and the chance to pull eye-catching borderless alternate art cards along the way.

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Play Boosters are widely considered the best all-around option in Magic right now, especially if you enjoy Limited formats or want flexibility when building decks. And with the Final Fantasy crossover, there’s an added layer of nostalgia baked into every pull — whether you’re chasing fan-favorite heroes or just admiring the themed artwork.

This new price also seriously undercuts what’s available on TCGplayer. The lowest-priced listing on the trading card selling platform is $220.39 plus shipping costs.

While you’re shopping for Magic: The Gathering deals, you can still get the Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Booster Box at $34 off. You can also score the Magic: The Gathering Avatar: The Last Airbender Beginner Box for under $25. 

In Minneapolis, it has become a battle of phone versus phone.

SAVE $15: As of Jan. 30, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is on sale for $34.99 at Amazon. That's a 30% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku Streaming Stick 4K $34.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $15   Get Deal

Streaming sticks are a great way to upgrade your current TV without actually upgrading your TV. These products allow you to transform how you find your favorite apps and movies. And as of Jan. 30, one of the most popular models, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, is on sale at Amazon. If you buy now, you'll be saving $15 with the new price of $34.99.

One of the best things about the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is how easy it is to set up. Just plug it into your TV's HDMI port and connect the cable to a wall outlet, then use the included remote to turn on your TV and you're all set. This remote will now be the only control for your TV, so there's no need to have two or more lying around.

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After this, Roku will give you all the top apps in one place, plus over 500 free live TV channels. And the home screen makes it easy to pick up where you left off. You'll also get Roku voice control. Just use the button on the remote to search through different streaming platforms or even adjust the volume using just your voice.

Get this streaming stick deal from Amazon.

SAVE OVER $100: As of Jan. 30, Amazon has marked the Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 robot vacuum and mop down to $499.99 for Prime members. This 23% discount saves you $150 off its list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dreame Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 Robot Vacuum and Mop $499.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $150   Get Deal

If you're feeling overwhelmed by cleaning at home, a robot vacuum can make the job feel a little easier. And there have been some great discounts popping up lately, so now is the perfect time to shop for something special. Among the options on sale at the moment is the Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 robot vacuum and mop, which is down to its lowest-ever price at Amazon (for Prime members).

As of Jan. 30, the Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 robot vacuum and mop is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon for Prime members. Compared to its list price of $649.99, this deal saves you $150.

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Dirt, dust, and pet hair are no match for the Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2's 25,000Pa suction, and its DuoScrub mopping system helps tackle stains for an all-around deeper clean on your floors. It doesn't forget about corners either, as it can extend its brush and mop to reach tighter spaces or underneath furniture.

There's no need to worry about items on your floor disrupting the clean, as it uses Smart Pathfinder and 3DAdapt technologies to map out your home and avoid any shoes or pet toys that might get in its way.

If it's caught your eye, now is your chance to grab the Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 robot vacuum and mop on sale now for $499.99. And if you're curious what other robot vacuums we think are worth your time and money, have a look at our roundup of the best robot vacuums to see our favorite picks.

TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG: Paldean Fates Great Tusk ex & Iron Treads ex Premium Collection is down to $174.90 at Amazon. That's $45 off its usual list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG: Paldean Fates Great Tusk ex & Iron Treads ex Premium Collection $174.90 at Amazon
$219.99 Save $45.09   Get Deal

Premium Pokémon TCG boxes don’t often see massive price drops once they’ve settled into the market, which makes this Paldean Fates deal especially eye-catching. As of Jan. 30, the Pokémon TCG: Paldean Fates Great Tusk ex & Iron Treads ex Premium Collection has dropped to $174.90 at Amazon, knocking a full $45 off its $219.99 list price. 

For a collection that’s been steadily going up in value over the last couple of years, that’s a serious discount. 

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This Premium Collection is built around Paldea’s Paradox Pokémon theme shown in the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet games, pairing Great Tusk ex and Iron Treads ex in their Shiny forms. Inside the box, you’ll find 11 Scarlet & Violet: Paldean Fates booster packs, giving you plenty of shots at the set’s highly sought-after Shiny Pokémon. 

On top of that, the collection includes two foil Shiny Pokémon ex trading cards, two additional Great Tusk and Iron Treads cards, and an oversized foil card featuring Shiny Great Tusk ex, plus a code card for Pokémon TCG Live.

What really makes this deal stand out is how it compares to the wider market. Released in January 2024, Paldean Fates is one of those expansions that has moved further into obscurity overtime, with single packs on Amazon now costing around $20-$25 each. All listings on TCGplayer are completely sold out. 

For more Pokémon TCG deals, the Mega Evolution Booster Bundle is down to around $52 on Amazon. What’s more, booster packs of Prismatic Evolutions, another in-demand expansion, are below market value on Amazon.

Super Bowl LX is set to take place on Feb. 8. The New England Patriots will face off against the Seattle Seahawks for a chance at glory. There's also the small matter of performances from Bad Bunny, Green Day, Charlie Puth, and more top stars. What a glorious day.

We're sure you've already got plans in place for this special occasion, but if not, you should be aware that a long list of restaurants are offering free food promotions for the big game. Football, loads of live performances, and free food? It really doesn't get much better than that.

We've checked out everything on offer from big names like Applebee's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Denny’s, Fazoli’s, and more. We'll be updating this list with any new free food deals that drop as we approach Feb. 8.

Super Bowl 2026 food dealsApplebee's

Applebee's is offering 20 free boneless wings with any $40 online or in-app order on Feb. 8. This deal is available when you use the promo code SBWINGS26.

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s

Get 50 traditional or boneless wings for $50 on Feb. 8. This deal is available for dine-in and takeout orders.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

Until Feb. 8, get a Big Game Pizza and Wings Bundle — including 30 bone-in wings or 3 lbs of boneless wings — for $55.

Buffalo’s Cafe

Get 10% off the Buffalo’s Cafe party platter when you make an order online of $50 or more. You need to use the promo code SB2026 at the checkout, place your order by Feb. 6, and pick up on Feb. 8.

Buffalo Wild Wings

If Super Bowl LX goes into overtime, Buffalo Wild Wings will give you six free wings. This offer is available to redeem on Feb. 23 from 2-5 p.m. local time, for dine-in and takeout.

Denny’s

Get 10% off any online order of $30 or more with the promo code CHAMP10N at checkout. This code is valid from Feb. 6-8.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

Get $10 off your order of $55 or more with the promo code BIGGAME85 at checkout. This code is valid until Feb. 2 and can only be redeemed once per transaction and per person.

Fazoli’s

Rewards members can get a free Fazoli’s whole pizza with the purchase of a Family Meal on Feb. 8.

Giordano’s

Get one free pizza when you buy three pizzas with the promo code SUPER26 at checkout. All orders come with free shipping.

Hurricane Grill & Wings

Get 10% off a party platter when you place an online order of $50 or more with the promo code SB2026. Orders must be made on Feb. 6 for pickup on Feb. 8.

Matchbox Restaurants

Get a free pizza when you spend $20 or more on Feb. 8. This offer is only valid in-store.

Native Grill & Wings

Get $10 off your order of $75 or more. Orders must be made on Feb. 6 for pickup on Feb. 8.

Noodles & Company

Through Feb. 9, get a catering dessert tray when you buy one catering pan with promo code NOODSWIN26.

Portillo’s

Perks members get $25 off catering orders of $100 or more on Feb. 8. There is a limit of one redemption per account.

White Castle

Save $2 on a case of Sliders with this coupon from Feb. 6-8. One code is valid per person.

The Melania documentary has had its premiere, and like Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert has thoughts — particularly about how much money Amazon spent on it.

"This film did not come cheap, y'all. To produce and distribute it Jeff Bezos paid $75 million. Now obviously he's one of richest men in the world, that's chump change to Bezos himself, but it might have helped the 16,000 people that Amazon announced they were firing yesterday," says Colbert in the Late Show monologue above.

"You know what? I have had it. I say we storm the castle!" the host adds, taking out his phone. "Let's see, er, Amazon has pitchforks, that's good, and let's see, they also have torches, that's good. And let's see, on Prime let's order that, and... the revolution will start in two business days."

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 30, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for January 30, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 30 Pips

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 1-3, placed vertically.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 3-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 30 Pips

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 3-3, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 30 Pips

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 6. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this yellow space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed vertically; 3-5, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 6. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 6-0, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 5-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this red space must be equal to 5. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 5-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Agents use facial recognition, social media monitoring and other tech tools not only to identify undocumented immigrants but also to track protesters, current and former officials said.

The best ways to watch the Grammys at a glance: Paramount+ Premium $13.99 per month or $139.99 per year Learn More YouTube TV free 7-day trial, then $59.99 per month for your first 2 months Get Deal Fubo TV free 1-day trial, then $45.99 for your first month Get Deal Hulu + Live TV free 3-day trial, then $89.99 per month Get Deal

Music's biggest night is rapidly approaching: The 68th annual Grammy Awards are happening this weekend at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Comedian Trevor Noah will return as master of ceremonies for his *checks notes* sixth and final year.

Kendrick Lamar leads the pack this year with a surprising nine nominations, while Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff, and Cirkut each have seven. Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, and Leon Thomas also have six nominations each.

From heartfelt tributes to artists like D'Angelo and Ozzy Osbourne to epic performances from Best New Artist nominees to, of course, the award winners themselves, it's sure to be a talent-filled evening full of surprises. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch the Grammys in 2026.

When are the Grammys?

The 2026 Grammy Awards will take place Sunday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. So long as the acceptance speeches don't run over, the ceremony is expected to last about three-and-a-half hours, concluding around 11:30 p.m. ET.

Prior to the main broadcast, the 2026 Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony will take place at 3:30 p.m. ET. This is when the majority of the Grammys will be awarded.

What channel are the Grammys on?

Since 1973, CBS has been the home of the Grammy Awards. Now in its 68th year, this will be the 53rd year of the Grammys on CBS. Because most people no longer have cable, CBS's streaming sibling Paramount+ will also simulcast the awards show live via its Premium tier only.

Note: The Paramount+ Essential plan will only get you access to the on-demand broadcast the next day after the awards air.

The Grammys Premiere Ceremony, prior to the main broadcast, will stream live for free on YouTube.

How to watch the Grammys live without cable

For those who no longer have cable or access to their local CBS network, you'll technically have a few different options for tuning in live (and maybe even for free). The easiest way is to sign up for a month of Paramount+ Premium, but since Paramount+ recently ditched its free trials, it'll cost you $13.99.

A potentially cheaper option would be to sign up for a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV or Fubo and score a free trial offer. Here's a breakdown of the best options:

Watch live on Paramount+ Premium

As noted above, the most direct way to watch live without cable is by signing up for a month of Paramount+ Premium for $13.99. You can save a bit of money long-term if you sign up for an annual plan rather than a monthly plan. At $139.99 per year, that drops the monthly cost down to just $11.67. You'll have to pay for the whole year upfront, but ultimately, you'll save about 17% overall.

If you can manage to avoid spoilers in this day and age, a Paramount+ Essential subscription will get you access to the broadcast on demand the day following the live ceremony. It'll only cost you $8.99 per month or $89.99 per year.

Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount+ Paramount+ Premium $13.99 per month or $139.99 per year Learn More Watch live with a YouTube TV free trial

YouTube TV will give you live access to local channels, including CBS, so you can catch the Grammys as they're happening. More importantly, you'll get a free trial if you've never signed up previously. That means you could potentially watch the Grammy Awards for free on CBS through YouTube TV. Trials are typically a week long, so be sure to check your status and cancel your subscription before the week ends, or you'll be hit with a $59.99 blow to your bank account.

Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV Free trial, then $59.99 per month for 2 months Learn More Watch live with a Fubo free trial

Like YouTube TV, Fubo will grant you access to local channels, including CBS, so you can watch the Grammy Awards live in 2026. All three of Fubo's main plans come with a free trial for one day if you've never signed up before. If you're strategic, you can watch the Grammys for free during this trial and cancel before you're charged the full amount. Plans start at $45.99 for your first month.

Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo Fubo Sports + News free 1-day trial, then $45.99 for your first month Learn More Watch live with a Hulu + Live TV free trial

Hulu's live TV subscription is another option similar to YouTube TV and Fubo, which offers a large selection of live channels — including your local CBS network. With a three-day free trial, you'll be able to tune into the Grammy Awards for free. Just be warned: once the trial is up, you'll be charged $89.99 unless you cancel before that.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu + Live TV free 3-day trial, then $89.99 per month Learn More

Influencers are increasingly burying anti-ICE sentiments just beyond the first swipe of their carousel posts on Instagram. This practice — let's call it "swipefishing," for lack of a better term — appears to be a way to dodge perceived platform suppression or lure in otherwise disengaged followers.

It’s a bait-and-switch: a post framed as one thing that ultimately reveals itself to be about ICE.

Former Bravo star Ariana Madix offers a clear example, teasing gossip before abruptly pivoting to an anti-ICE message.

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Or another similar post from nail artist Ameya Okamoto.

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It's become a common practice these days among influencers and others with sizable followings.

View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram

The idea is simple: hook the audience — or trick the algorithm — with something light or apolitical, then pivot to ICE-related content starting on slide two. From there, the carousel typically delivers information about ICE: how to spot officers, allegations against the agency, ways to support protesters, which companies work with ICE, and how to contact local lawmakers. The trend functions as a kind of Trojan horse, smuggling political messaging into the familiar format of Instagram social-justice slideshows.

This isn't the first time activists have used growth hacks or engagement bait to spread their message online. Pro-Palestinian activists, for instance, have flooded TikTok comment sections with political messages in hopes of landing the coveted blue comment, which effectively serves as a hyperlink that can drive massive traffic.

Activists are becoming increasingly savvy about navigating online platforms and amplifying their causes. So the next time you swipe through an Instagram carousel, don't be surprised if the next slide isn’t what you expected.

AI agents can perform tasks on behalf of the user, and this often involves controlling a web browser, sorting through emails, and interacting with the internet at large. And since there are lots of places on the internet that can steal your personal data or otherwise cause harm, it's important that these agents know what they're doing.

So, as users migrate away from web browsers and Google Search to AI browsers and agents, AI companies like OpenAI need to make sure these tools don't fall straight into a phishing attempt or click on malicious links.

In a new blog post, OpenAI explains exactly how its AI agents protect users.

One possible solution to this problem would be for OpenAI to simply adopt a curated list of trusted websites its agents are allowed to access. However, as the company explained in the blog post, that would probably be too limiting and would harm the user experience. Instead, OpenAI uses something called an independent web index, which records public URLs that are already known to exist on the internet, independent of any user data.

So, if a URL is on the index, then the AI agent can open it without a problem. If not, the user will see a warning asking for their permission to move forward.

You might see this if the agent tries to access something it shouldn't. Credit: OpenAI SEE ALSO: OpenAI launches age prediction for teen safety

As OpenAI explains in its blog post, "This shifts the safety question from 'Do we trust this site?' to 'Has this specific address appeared publicly on the open web in a way that doesn’t depend on user data?'"

You can see a more technical explainer in a lengthy research paper OpenAI published last year, but the main thing to know is that it's possible for web pages to manipulate AI agents into doing things they shouldn't do. A common form of this is prompt injection, which gives clandestine instructions to the AI model, asking it to retrieve sensitive data or otherwise compromise your cybersecurity.

To be clear, as OpenAI states in the blog post, this is just one layer of security that doesn't necessarily guarantee that what you're about to click on is entirely safe. Websites can contain social engineering or other bad-faith constructs that an AI agent wouldn't necessarily be able to notice.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Every company involved in your online spending gets a vote in how you spend your money. For years now, adult content creators have been sounding the alarm about financial discrimination and debanking. Debanking is the practice of banks terminating a person's accounts and refusing to do business with them, an increasingly common occurrence as institutions continue to shut out individuals and businesses.

"I don't know what could happen next or when it might happen," Adult VTuber, journalist, and activist Ana Valens tells Mashable. Over the course of two weeks in November, Valens had content removed or her entire account suspended from nearly every online platform where she makes a living. "While my Patreon and Ko-fi were reinstated, I've spent the past two months waiting for the other shoe to drop — another Patreon ban, my PayPal deactivated, and so on." Valens reached out to the various platforms, and they were often unable to specify how her content violated their terms. Ko-fi remained unresponsive until multiple messages led to reinstatement.

SEE ALSO: OnlyFans 'baits and switches' customers with false promises, lawsuit claims

"Deplatforming and debanking are an occupational hazard for any adult content creator," says Gina, a co-founder of PeepMe, a startup that intended to create a worker-owned creator marketplace. PeepMe was built as an alternative to platforms like OnlyFans and Patreon, so creators could be stakeholders in the business, form a democratic board, and receive quarterly profit-sharing dividends. 

Gina requested that Mashable use a pseudonym due to her continued work adjacent to the adult industry and the increasing risks of businesses losing relationships with financial institutions. "Even still, I've never seen someone banned on so many sites before [as Ana has been]," Gina says.

In addition to discrimination aimed towards the adult industry, companies in sectors such as oil and gas, cryptocurrency, tobacco, and firearms are also actively calling out politically motivated debanking, resulting in a recent series of regulatory actions in the United States, intending to rein in financial discrimination. 

Who's blocking my buying?

When you make a purchase online, your money passes through many hands. The pipeline of financial institutions your money goes through might look something like this:

1. Platform (merchant) websites: sites where creators earn income, like YouTube, Patreon, Etsy, DoorDash, and Steam

2. Payment processors: the companies that communicate the transaction between your card network, the sending bank, and the receiving bank (ex. PayPal, Stripe)

3. Card networks: Visa, American Express, Mastercard, etc. These companies standardize the relationship between banks, sellers, and buyers to allow them to do business.

4. Your bank and the seller's bank: Wells Fargo, Bank of America

Beyond their responsibility to prevent illegal activity, restrictions on the money any individual financial institution is willing to handle are at the institution's sole discretion.

"The rules set by card networks are sometimes vague," says Dr. Val Webber, a postdoctoral researcher at the Sexual Health and Gender Research Lab at Dalhousie University, who studies online platform regulations of the adult industry. According to Mastercard's rules document from June 2025, Mastercard restricts "any Transaction that [...] in the sole discretion of [Mastercard], may damage the goodwill of [Mastercard] or reflect negatively on the [brand]."

"Deplatforming and debanking are an occupational hazard for any adult content creator." - Gina, a co-founder of the startup PeepMe

In July 2025, Valens wrote about video game storefronts Steam and itch.io removing and deindexing games with adult content due to pressure from payment processors and card networks. Steam cited pressure from Mastercard, communicated through payment processors like Stripe, as a reason for these changes. In a statement to itch.io, Stripe said, "Stripe is currently unable to support sexually explicit content due to restrictions placed on them by their banking partners, despite card networks generally supporting adult content." Stripe's prohibited business list includes sales of "pornography and other mature audience content (including literature, imagery, and other media) designed for the purpose of sexual gratification."

In a brief statement released in August 2025, Mastercard refuted any connection to these policy changes, stating that "Mastercard has not evaluated any game or required restrictions of any activity on game creator sites and platforms, contrary to media reports and allegations." 

Valens' articles were removed from Vice. "My suspicion is that it was easy for a financial company to flag me as high risk as a punitive measure for my content, or my activism work," says Valens. Mashable attempted to contact Vice for comment, but Vice's press email is no longer functional, and a former editor declined to comment.

Who can get debanked?

"We have lots of data to show that people in the adult industry face financial discrimination in the form of their accounts being closed, being denied mortgages, business loans, and other banking services — despite banks often not being able to substantiate legal reasons related to these individual accounts," says Maggie MacDonald, a PhD researcher at the University of Toronto who studies the impact of technology and commerce on the adult industry.

In December 2020, Visa and Mastercard refused to work with Pornhub, citing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) hosted on the website. "Our adult content standards allow for legal adult activity created by consenting individuals or studios," said Mastercard in a statement to Mashable. "Merchants must have controls to monitor, block and remove unlawful content from being posted." In a statement to Reuters at the time, Pornhub denied hosting any illegal content on its website and noted the disappointing impact on "the hundreds of thousands of models who rely on [their] platform for their livelihoods." 

Despite their cautious policies regarding platforms that host adult content, card networks and banks have not yet made similar moves against X, where CSAM and non-consensual deepfake nudes are becoming increasingly common.

Seeing major platforms like Pornhub, Steam, and itch.io lose their relationships with payment processors and card networks causes smaller platforms to move cautiously. "We just can't afford to lose our ability to do business with these financial companies," says Gina, from her experience starting up PeepMe. "Stripe takes only 2.9 percent from businesses they're willing to work with, while high-risk processors willing to take on adult content can charge up to 15 percent." 

SEE ALSO: Is watching porn with a VPN safer?

"Losing a relationship with card networks is a risk payment processors can't afford, and losing relationships with payment processors is a risk that platform websites can't afford," explains Webber. "In the end, the responsibility of ensuring their content stays within the lines of these oftentimes unclear rules trickles down to each individual creator. Because ultimately, content creators are more expendable to platforms than payment processors and card networks."

One reason often cited by payment processors for not banking the adult industry is that it experiences a high rate of customer chargebacks, Gina explains. A chargeback is when a customer requests a reversal of a credit card transaction.

"Locking out entire industries makes less and less sense as fraud detection technology advances," adds Gina. "Payment processors and card networks already have processes to step in when an individual business has a high rate of chargebacks, there's no reason to block out a whole industry." Last year, Mastercard publicly announced its generative AI fraud-detection technology, which is just the next step in a system that is already highly sophisticated and collaborative, monitoring financial activity in the United States.

"We also haven't seen the claim of high-chargebacks in adult content substantiated anywhere in terms of measured data," says MacDonald. "As a researcher, that makes me suspicious of the criteria these companies are using behind the scenes."

The evolving landscape of banking regulations

The Free Speech Coalition, a trade association representing the legal adult industry, filed a statement for the record in February 2025 with the United States House Committee on Financial Services. The FSC's statement calls for due process protections, objective risk assessments, and to explicitly affirm that lawful adult industry businesses do not present an inherent financial crime risk. It echoes other regulatory initiatives underway, pointing out that blocking out entire industries without measurable, individualized risk evaluation is an overreach by financial institutions and has dire implications for free speech.

"Card networks and payment processors began by blocking pornography, but they've moved into other online industries as well." - Dr. Val Webber, a postdoctoral researcher at the Sexual Health and Gender Research Lab at Dalhousie University

In the United States right now, there are multiple efforts to regulate financial institutions from blocking customers for reasons other than violation of the law, including an August 2025 executive order from President Donald Trump. The order directs multiple financial regulatory bodies in the United States to investigate, identify, and reverse any cases of politically-motivated debanking. The order follows steps taken by U.S. Bank Regulators to remove criteria of "reputational risk" in their evaluation of bank compliance, and Senate legislation proposing civil fines for banks and card networks for avoiding entire categories of customers.

"Card networks and payment processors began by blocking pornography, but they've moved into other online industries as well," says Webber. "The line in the sand continues to shift, and it has recently expanded to video game creators and streamers as well. We don't know how these rules might evolve, and what type of online content might be next."

Valens has spent the last several months advocating against financial censorship, urging concerned customers to call Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, and Stripe to question and challenge purchase and account-limiting practices. (Visa directed Mashable to a page on how it combats illegal activity; PayPal stated that adult materials need pre-approval to accept payments, as it does with tobacco and other products; and Stripe told Mashable it doesn't support adult content.)

"Private companies have been deputized to decide how we can earn and spend our money," says MacDonald, referring to banks, payment processors, and card networks. "Anyone who is ideologically misaligned with any of these companies faces the risk of losing their livelihood."