VideoNuze
  • Close
  • Posts
  • News Roundup
  • Podcasts
  • Perspectives
  • Events
  • Categories

Hot Topics »

  • Disney
  • Netflix
  • YouTube
  • Comcast
  • Amazon
  • Apple
  • View All
  • Inside the Stream: What are the Consequences of SVOD Library Cuts?

    Friday, June 2, 2023, 9:57 AM ET
    |
    Posted by Will Richmond

    Some big SVOD services are cutting content from their libraries, including certain originals. Most prominently, Disney recently said it’s taking a $1.5-$1.8 billion impairment charge related to content cuts.

    The idea of “rotating” content in and out of libraries is nothing new in SVOD, but as profitability becomes paramount, the current cuts seem to be deeper and signal a shift in thinking. Whereas the past has been about “more is more” when building libraries, a “less is more” sentiment appears to be taking over.  

    The question we explore is whether and to what extent subscribers will react? After all, if the content being cut is lightly viewed, then few people will notice (“if a tree falls in the forrest….”), and presumably the impact would be minimal. But, as Colin notes, there’s an audience for everything, and with SVOD subscribers having been spoiled by a bounty of riches, a perception of reduced choices could hit home.

    One thought is that if this content can’t make it on SVOD, perhaps it will find a home on a FAST service. But that might not be an option, as Colin refers to recent discussions indicating FAST providers have become more disciplined given the explosion of free content and their push for profitability as well.

    Net, net, as we discuss, there may well be content that isn’t viable on streaming. It’s not unprecedented; there’s lots of content that didn’t make the transition from VHS to digital, because the economics just weren’t there.

    Listen to the podcast to learn more (36 minutes, 41 seconds)



    Browse all previous podcasts

    Subscribe to Inside the Stream
    Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify  Amazon Music  RSS

     

    Categories: Podcasts, SVOD

    Topics: Disney+, Podcast

  • CTV Advertising Summit 2023 - 4-13-23 - leaderboard
  • Inside the Stream: Dissecting Netflix’s U.S. Account Sharing Cap, Limitations of Comcast’s NOW TV

    Friday, May 26, 2023, 8:42 AM ET
    |
    Posted by Will Richmond

    Netflix has begun rolling out its account sharing limitations in the U.S.. The rollout effectively puts an end to one of the most-loved features of Netflix subscriptions - the ability to share log-in credentials with family members and others. For years Netflix “looked the other way” on this activity as it sought to bake Netflix usage into as many viewers’ lives as possible.  

    But all good things come to an end. With subscriber growth slowing as the market matures, Netflix has flipped its approach, linking a subscription to a household, meaning anyone that who doesn’t live under the same roof does not qualify. Those people will need to start an “extra member” account, being offered for $8 per month. We discuss the pricing decision as well, and how it relates to the $8 per month ad-supported plan.

    We also discuss the launch of Comcast’s new streaming service NOW TV. Neither of us believes there’s much value and will likely have only limited appeal. We explain why.

    At the beginning of the podcast I also mention a new report released by the Goteborg Film Festival, the largest festival in the Nordics, called the “Nostradamus Report: Everything Changing All At Once.” I was among a small group of industry professionals interviewed for the report, which is extremely well-done and comprehensive. It’s free and for anyone looking to get a strong overview of our evolving industry, I highly recommend downloading it.

    Listen to the podcast to learn more (35 minutes, 31 seconds)


    Browse all previous podcasts

    Subscribe to Inside the Stream
    Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify  Amazon Music  RSS

     

    Categories: Cable TV Operators, Podcasts, SVOD

    Topics: Comcast, Netflix, NOW TV, Podcast

  • CTV Advertising Summit 2023 - 4-13-23 - leaderboard
  • Inside the Stream: How Overlapping “Doom Loops” are Crushing the TV Industry

    Friday, May 19, 2023, 12:04 PM ET
    |
    Posted by Will Richmond

    In this week’s podcast we discuss the overlapping “doom loops” that are crushing the TV industry. These were first articulated by MoffettNathanson, and built upon by Colin. The doom loops include 1) TV networks shifting investment/focus from linear TV to streaming, in turn driving more cord-cutting, 2) Fewer remaining pay-TV subscribers available to shoulder the cost of sports TV networks, in turn leading to more cord-cutting, 3) Audience shifts away from traditional TV driving ad dollars to follow, further pressuring traditional TV’s revenue.

    Yet another more doom loop could be added with news this week that Disney is finally pushing forward with a direct-to-consumer model for ESPN. Given how expensive that DTC service is likely to be, it’s ultimate adoption probably won’t extend much beyond hard-core sports fans.

    But it will cause the unintended consequence of raising the visibility of the multibillion dollar per year “sports tax” non-sports fans have long been paying, which Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred explicated at a Paley Center event last month when he said, “It’s a great business model when a whole bunch of people pay for something they don’t really care if they have or not, which is what the cable bundle did for us. It’s hard to replicate that.”

    So it’s safe to say that ESPN’s DTC service will also drive up cord-cutting.

    The “doom loops” are now on display for all to see, prompting Colin and I to wonder truly, what the remaining life span of pay-TV is?

    Before we get started, we give a quick overview of Wurl’s new ContentDiscovery offering, for which Colin and I wrote an accompanying white paper.

    Listen to the podcast to learn more (35 minutes, 28 seconds)



    Browse all previous podcasts

    Subscribe to Inside the Stream
    Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify  Amazon Music  RSS

     

    Categories: Cable Networks, Cord-Cutting, Podcasts

    Topics: ESPN, MoffettNathanson LLC, Podcast

  • CTV Advertising Summit 2023 - 4-13-23 - leaderboard
  • Inside the Stream: Q1 ’23 Earnings Review: Who’s Up? Who’s Down? Who’s Pick ‘Em?

    Friday, May 12, 2023, 10:28 AM ET
    |
    Posted by Will Richmond

    Most media and technology companies have now reported Q1 ’23 results. We dig into who’s up, who’s down and who’s pick ‘em, and where they all might be headed. We share all this with the caveat that one quarter’s results are not the final word on a company’s ability to survive and thrive going forward. We hope we’re not in any way contributing to the short-term, quarterly performance myopia so common on Wall Street.

    Rather, we’re looking at these companies’ results in the context of prior results, the competitive landscape and their particular products’/services’ positioning. All while trying to do some basic “pattern recognition” - what have we seen before and how is this likely to play out in TV and video. Our discussion is primarily focused on Netflix, Roku, Amazon, AMC, Disney, Comcast, Vizio, YouTube, The Trade Desk, Paramount, Diamond Sports Group, Tegna, Dish and how they’re sorting themselves in the up, down and pick ‘em categories.

    Listen to the podcast to learn more (38 minutes,  50 seconds)



    Browse all previous podcasts

    Subscribe to Inside the Stream
    Apple Podcasts  Google Podcasts  Spotify  Amazon Music  RSS

     

    Categories: Advertising, Podcasts, SVOD

    Topics: Amazon, AMC, Comcast, Dish Network, Disney, Netflix, Paramount, Podcast, Roku, Tegna, The Trade Desk, Vizio, YouTube

  • CTV Advertising Summit 2023 - 4-13-23 - leaderboard

More Posts on VideoNuze

  • Inside the Stream: 5 Key Takeaways from the 2023 IAB NewFronts
  • Inside the Stream: YouTube Ads in Q1 ’23, Pluto TV's Tony Play, Exploring AI Drake
  • Inside the Stream Podcast: Netflix’s Q1 ’23 Suggests Ad Tier Launch and Account-Sharing Curbs Will Boost Revenue
  • Inside the Stream Podcast: Max or Min? Can Google TV Catch Up to Roku?
  • Inside the Stream Podcast: How Much Higher Will Average U.S. Spending on SVOD Be in 5 Years?
  • Inside the Stream Podcast: Why Sky’s Sky Glass is the Right Strategy, But the Wrong Execution
  • Inside the Stream Podcast: Diamond Sports’ Bankruptcy, HBO Max’s Confusing Pricing; YouTube’s Multiview; FAST’s Growth
See more Posts

Connect with VideoNuze

Receive VideoNuze Daily
Sample Newsletter

Exclusive News Roundup

  • Vudu Becomes New Streaming Home for AMC Theatres On Demand The Wrap
  • Verizon Intros First Bundle That Combines Netflix, Paramount+ With Showtime for a Discounted Price Variety
  • Netflix Shareholders Decline To Back Executive Compensation Packages After WGA Urged Rejection Of “Inappropriate” Pay During Strike Deadline
  • The Padres Spent Big on Players—Then Lost the TV Deal That Helps Pay for Them WSJ
  • Liberty Global and Warner Bros Discovery owners weigh deal for All3Media Reuters
  • Ambani’s JioCinema secures NBCUniversal titles, escalates Netflix and Disney rivalry TechCrunch
More News
CTV Advertising Summit 2023 - 4-13-23 - medium rectangle

Our Sponsors

  • CTV Advertising Summit 2023 - 4-13-23

About VideoNuze

VideoNuze is the authoritative online source for original analysis and news aggregation focused on the burgeoning online video industry. Founded in 2007 by Will Richmond, a 20-year veteran of the broadband, cable TV, content and technology industries, VideoNuze is read by executive-level decision-makers who need to get beyond the standard headlines and achieve a deep understanding of online video’s disruptive impact.

© Copyright 2023. Broadband Directions LLC. All rights reserved.
  • VideoNuze
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Sponsoring VideoNuze
    • Will Richmond
    • Terms & Conditions