It’s been a rough holiday season for video game hardware so far. Analytics company Circana released its November report on Wednesday, showing rising prices and console sales at their worst point in decades.

According to Circana director Mat Piscatella, the average price of a new unit of video game hardware has risen from around $235 in 2019 to $439 in 2025. That appears to be a major driver in the decline of video game spending, which has dropped to $5.9 billion, a 4% decrease from last year’s $6.1 billion.

Those are unfavorable numbers, considering that November typically performs quite well due to Black Friday sales, with many people waiting for this time of year to purchase expensive game consoles. Hardware prices may have made this less feasible now, especially for consoles. Overall, hardware spending decreased to $695 million, the lowest level since 2005.

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The reports indicated that Microsoft Xbox Series console sales were down 70% year-over-year, while the Sony PlayStation 5 — which remained the highest-selling console of the month — was down 40%. Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 sales, meanwhile, were down only 10%, while general video game accessories were down 13%.

Among the top-selling video games in November 2025 were Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and Battlefield 6, according to data from Circana. Top games also include longtime favorites like Minecraft and Red Dead Redemption II, as well as newcomers like Ghost of Yotei and The Outer Worlds 2.

A representative from Circana didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Are video game costs ever going to fall?

If you’re waiting for consoles and other hardware to start dropping in price, you may want to reconsider. Experts expect the growing costs of RAM in recent months to continue well into next year. That’s likely to lead to even higher costs for all video game consoles in the future.

If you’re planning to purchase expensive video game hardware, we suggest taking advantage of available holiday discounts whenever possible. Things aren’t likely to improve in 2026.

When it comes to physical video game media, such as game discs, it’s harder to judge. As gamers focus on digital purchases, it may be a good time to search for physical games, as they’re more likely to remain in stock due to this year’s low sales numbers.

Hollywood’s biggest night is getting a modern makeover. On Wednesday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that the Academy Awards will livestream for free on YouTube starting in 2029, and will no longer air on broadcast television as of that year. 

CNET previously reported these rumors in August, but now it’s official. The new partnership includes a multiyear deal, which will grant YouTube exclusive rights to stream the Oscars from 2029 through 2033. 

Since 1976, ABC has televised the Oscars, a partnership that will continue through 2028.

During the Oscars last March, the Academy experimented by livestreaming the award show simultaneously on ABC and Hulu. 

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YouTube will also stream red carpet and behind-the-scenes coverage, among other exclusive content. YouTube TV subscribers and viewers will also have access to digitized Academy museum exhibitions and programs from the Academy collection. 

«We are thrilled to enter into a multifaceted global partnership with YouTube to be the future home of the Oscars and our year-round Academy programming,» Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor said in a statement.

Although viewership has declined over the years, the Oscars remain iconic, and actors and creatives in the arts aspire to win a golden statuette. With the latest partnership, the Academy could success in reviving more interest in the prestigious award show and reaching new audiences. 

«The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible — which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community,» Kramer and Taylor said. 

Representatives for the Academy and YouTube did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The upcoming 98th Academy Awards will air on ABC on March 15, 2026, as will the ceremony’s centennial celebration in 2028.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle is another tough one. If you need help sorting the words into four related groups, you’re in the right place. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: We can hope.

Green group hint: Main character.

Blue group hint: Pass the glue.

Purple group hint: Relating to society.

Answers for today’s Connections groups

Yellow group: Bit of wishful thinking.

Green group: Protagonist.

Blue group: Component of an arts and crafts project.

Purple group: Social ____.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is bit of wishful thinking. The four answers are daydream, fancy, fantasy and illusion.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is protagonist. The four answers are hero, lead, principal and star.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is component of an arts and crafts project. The four answers are felt, glitter, pipe cleaner and pompom.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is social ____. The four answers are butterfly, media, security and worker.

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