-
Inside the Stream: Disney’s 2025 Profit Goal; ESPN DTC Price, Bundles
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.)
Listen to the podcast to learn more (28 minutes, 56 seconds)
Browse all previous podcasts
Subscribe to Inside the Stream
Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music RSSCategories: Podcasts, Studios, SVOD
Topics: Disney+, ESPN, Hulu, Podcast
-
Inside the Stream: TiVo Report Shows Simpler Video Bundles, Spending Down
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.
Listen to the podcast to learn more (29 minutes, 43 seconds)
Browse all previous podcasts
Subscribe to Inside the Stream
Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music RSSCategories: Podcasts
-
Inside the Stream: Vevo’s EVP Explains Multiplatform Success
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.
Listen to the podcast to learn more (30 minutes, 41 seconds)
Browse all previous podcasts
Subscribe to Inside the Stream
Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music RSSCategories: Advertising, Music, Podcasts
-
Inside the Stream: How the TV OS Influences Viewers’ Choices
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.
Listen to the podcast to learn more (31 minutes, 16 seconds)
Browse all previous podcasts
Subscribe to Inside the Stream
Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music RSSTopics: Hub Research, Podcast
-
Inside the Stream: NAB Show 2025: Live Global Distribution, AI, Audio Innovations
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.
Listen to the podcast to learn more (31 minutes, 10 seconds)
Browse all previous podcasts
Subscribe to Inside the Stream
Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music RSSCategories: Podcasts
-
Inside the Stream: Antenna’s CEO on SVOD Re-Subscribers, Churn and More
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.
Listen to the podcast to learn more (40 minutes, 56 seconds)
Browse all previous podcasts
Subscribe to Inside the Stream
Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music RSS -
Inside the Stream: Social’s Role in TV Discovery, Churn, SVOD Pricing
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.
Listen to the podcast to learn more (31 minutes, 5 seconds)
Browse all previous podcasts
Subscribe to Inside the Stream
Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music RSS -
Inside the Stream: Sports Streaming Momentum Grows
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.
Listen to the podcast to learn more (23 minutes, 21 seconds)
Browse all previous podcasts
Subscribe to Inside the Stream
Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music RSSTopics: Disney, NBCU, Olympics, Podcast, Wurl