Posts for 'Podcast'

This week we dissect the big news that Warner Bros. Discovery is going to split into two companies, one that will hold its global cable networks and the other that will hold the Warner Bros. and HBO/Max assets. 

It has been a long, winding path for the Time Warner assets, starting with AT&T’s proposed acquisition back in 2016. As Colin and I discuss, there have been a litany of questionable strategic and product/streaming decisons that have led to a significant decline in Warner Bros. Discovery’s valuation. As I detail, WBD’s decline starkly contrasts with the massive appreciation Netflix has experienced since 2016. 

Importantly, we also discuss the structural change that’s occurred in the media industry since 2016. Netflix is now valued at around $500 billion while YouTube’s imputed value - if it were a standalone company - is now around $500-$700 billion. So just two companies have a combined value of over $1 trillion - no doubt way more than the entire media industry’s value pre-streaming. Net, net, Netflix and YouTube have dramatically expanded the value of media pie, but have kept the vast majority of that increase themselves. 

Last but not least, at the beginning of the podcast we quickly review the final decision in the Disney-Comcast arbitration over Hulu’s valuation. I can’t resist mentioning that way back in 2018 I was advocating for Comcast to acquire all of Hulu (here and here). Instead they launched Peacock and have lost billions since.

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New data from Looper Insights illustrates how meaningful percentages of both video executives and viewers now see YouTube as an appealing destination for long-form content, including for premium content - as well as a viable alternative to major streaming platforms. The data underscores YouTube’s amazing evolution from a primarily UGC, short-form outlet to a genuine competitor for premium streaming on the big screen. The Looper data aligns with our podcast last week about Nielsen’s The Gauge data, which showed YouTube’s increasing share of TV viewing time.  

Part of the consequence of YouTube’s ascendance is the decline of broadcast and cable TV networks’ viewership. In the podcast we discuss continuing retrenchment at Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney and NBCU. We wrap up with a discussion of new Magna-Roku data and the Fubo-DAZN sports cross-licensing partnership.

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This week we discuss key findings in Gracenote’s Data Hub, including SVOD content libraries’ composition, genre, mood, exclusivity and geographic production. The data is sorted in a number of helpful ways that reveal the strategies and strengths of the top SVOD providers.

We then shift to new data from Nielsen’s The Gauge, showing YouTube’s continued dominance in aggregate TV/video viewing, which nudged up to 12.4% in April, 2025. Other top content providers’ shares were relatively unchanged. Unrelated, we also touch on Google’s new AI video generator Veo 3 and other video AI tools, which look poised to have a significant impact on the market.   

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We’re pleased to be joined once again by Antenna’s co-founder and CEO Jonathan Carson, who discusses highlights of the firm’s Q2 ’25 State of Subscriptions report “Adds and Ads.” Fully 71% of new SVOD subscribers in the past 2 years are on an ad tier, speaking to the outsized impact that advertising has had on the streaming industry.

Another finding that’s remarkable is that the demographics of ad tier and ad free subscribers are almost identical, debunking the traditional view that higher income consumers “buy out” of ad experiences. Retention is also similar across demos. Jonathan shares his insights on these findings and more. The report can be downloaded here.  

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This week we discuss the new ESPN direct-to-consumer app, which was announced this week. Colin thinks that at $30 per month it’s too expensive relative to other streaming services, yet given the breadth of content and features, I think the price seems fair or maybe even low.

A big question is how wide the adoption will be as most hardcore sports fans still have a pay-TV subscription. That leaves cord-cutters and cord-nevers as the primary targets, as well those who will take ESPN as part of a discounted package with Disney+ and Hulu. How many of them will subscribe? We explore these questions, as well as the return of “HBO” to Max’s branding and a few NewFronts items.  

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Disney reported its fiscal second quarter results this week, showing continued direct-to-consumer profitability, as well as modest subscriber gains for both Disney+ and Hulu. Given last year’s second half performance, it’s likely Disney will achieve DTC profitability for the full 2025 fiscal year, a first.

On the earnings call, Disney also noted that next week the branding and pricing for “ESPN Flagship” (the full ESPN DTC product including additional digital features) will be revealed. We anticipate integrated bundling with the existing Disney+/Hulu bundle.

Update: CNBC is reporting the ESPN DTC product will simply be called “ESPN,” and that pay-TV subscribers will get access to the DTC product’s bells and whistles add-on features. Pricing is expected to be $25-30 per month. (Sidenote: As part of the Disney+/Hulu bundle the effective price could be even lower.)

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TiVo released its Q4 Video Trends Report for North America (available here), and on this week’s Inside the Stream we discuss several key takeaways. In particular, viewers are simplifying their video services bundles, with the number dropping again to just under 10. Meanwhile viewers’ average monthly spend dropped to approximately $157, down from $189 just 2 years ago. We also discuss findings related to sports fragmentation and loyalty to incumbent smart TV OS.

Separate, we also highlight data from IAB’s 2025 Digital Video Ad Spend and Strategy Report, available here.

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We’re pleased to interview Vevo’s EVP, Global Sales Rob Christensen this week on Inside the Stream. Rob dives into the details of Vevo Evolve, the company’s new data-driven ad platform. Rob describes its advanced targeting, optimization and measurement capabilities. He also shares how Vevo’s music videos are succeeding across mobile, desktop and connected TV platforms. Looking ahead, Rob also explains how AI will play a big role in Vevo’s future.

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This week we focus on the role of TV operating systems in influencing viewers’ programming choices. Recently Hub Entertainment Research provided insights on OS market share of various streaming media players (Roku’s OS led with a 59% share). Colin shares his experiences searching for TV shows across the big 6 operating systems and how widely the results vary by OS, in turn guiding viewers’ choices. The problem is exacerbated further when searching for over-the-air choices.

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Colin was at NAB Show this past week and on today’s podcast we discuss some of the things that caught his attention. One is how Eluvio is enabling global distribution of live content using its new release. An early user example is European Pro Club Rugby. Next we discuss several AI innovations Colin saw in action. Last up are audio innovations from Xperi DTS without a soundbar.

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We’re happy to have Jonathan Carson, CEO and co-founder of Antenna, join us to discuss the firm’s Q1 ’25 State of Subscriptions report, which provides insights on premium SVOD in 2024.

Among the topics we discuss are growth of SVOD services last year, which ones gained the most subscribers, churn stabilization, the role of “re-subscribers” (people who rejoin a service within 6-12 months of dropping), how Amazon and other third-parties are driving subscriptions, the success of the Disney-Max bundle and more.

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Deloitte released its 2025 Digital Media Trends report this week. On the podcast Colin and I discuss our key takeaways related to social’s role in how consumers discover TV programs, sensitivity to SVOD price increases and churn, plus budgets for streaming services.

Thanks to this week’s sponsor, Looper Insights. Their new report is available here.

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This week we discuss a number of new developments that contribute to streaming sports’ momentum. These include NBCU making its RSNs available to Peacock Premium subscribers; Disney looking to buy NFL Media which could become a valuable piece of the flagship ESPN app slated to launch later this year; Comcast extending its Olympics rights through 2036, which benefits Peacock; Fubo adding the Texas Rangers RSN, and DirecTV adding RSNs to its My Sports Home tier.

First up we discuss Wurl’s new CTV trends report and new research on political ad spending in CTV from Basis Technologies.

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Colin attended the Connected TV World Summit in London this week and shares his observations about the CTV landscape in Europe and some of the challenges. First we discuss new research from Bango detailing strong adoption of Gen AI among younger users, and also new Gracenote research about the burgeoning market for FAST services.

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Last Tuesday was VideoNuze’s CTV x AI virtual conference, bringing together 18 speakers across 5 sessions. On today’s podcast we highlight the top takeaways from the conference from the consumer, advertiser and content provider perspectives. All of the session videos are available for on-demand viewing.

It is still early days for understanding the eventual impact of AI on CTV, but the speakers provided an array of insights of what’s happening already, and what’s likely in the future.

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Peacock subscribers held steady at 36 million from Q3 to Q4, though up from 31 million a year ago. Importantly Peacock’s quarterly loss declined from $825 million in the year ago quarter to $372 million this quarter. Elsewhere at Comcast, the company lost 139K broadband subscribers in Q4, worse than the 34K loss a year ago.

We also discuss Fox’s increase in Super Bowl ad rates to $8 million, and new data showing how FAST apps built into the TVOS are garnering more attention.

Thanks to our sponsor this week, Looper Insights. Click to access their new report, “Streaming Forward: Trends Shaping Digital Entertainment in 2025.” Colin has the QR code on his site to scan for the report as well.

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Netflix reported strong Q4 results, adding 19 million subscribers globally to end 2024 at nearly 302 million. We discuss what was behind the growth, which was up across all regions except EMEA where it was flat. Netflix’s huge scale gives it the ability to invest heavily in content, while others are pulling back.

Netflix’s ad-supported tier accounted for 55% of sign-ups where it’s available and we talk about the role this tier has played while password sharing has been eliminated. Last, Colin explains the important role of games in Netflix’s future.  

Separate, complimentary sign-up is now available for VideoNuze’s virtual CTV x AI conference on Feb. 25th. Grab a ticket now!

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First up this week we discuss Tubi’s plan to stream the Super Bowl in UHD, a bold move by Fox’s free ad-supported TV service. As we discuss, it’s further evidence of how premium streaming sports experiences are continuing to improve. Next Amazon Prime video set a new viewership record for itself with last weekend’s NFL wild card game. We dive into its ratings gains.

Hub Entertainment Research released new data about consumers sentiments on AI which we dive into. Speaking of AI, complimentary sign up is available for VideoNuze’s next virtual CTV conference on Feb. 25th that will focus on the intersection of CTV and AI.

Last, we discuss VIZIO’s discounted bundle of AMC+ and Starz.

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Talk about events moving fast. Not long after Colin and I recorded and posted this week’s podcast about the Disney-Fubo deal from earlier this week, the three Venu Sports JV partners said they were cancelling the service.

At the end of the podcast we cautioned that with DirecTV and EchoStar raising the possibility of a renewed Venu litigation, the JV partners might have second thoughts. Given the new twist this week’s Inside the Stream is kind of optional listening. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up!

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Happy New Year and welcome to the first podcast of 2025. We’re pleased to have PBS’s Chief Digital and Marketing Officer Ira Rubenstein join us to discuss PBS’s recent partnership with Amazon. Under the deal more than 150 local PBS stations and the PBS Kids channel will be included in the Prime Video FAST section. Two new PBS FAST channels will also be included.

Ira explains how the Amazon deal keeps PBS accessible for those who have cut the cord, don’t have an antenna, etc. PBS is also talking to other potential partners, especially those who can support donations and benefit PBS stations. Beyond the Amazon deal, Ira also shares his thoughts on the broader industry and key changes he’s paying attention to.

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