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Episode 160: May 26, 2023

  • [0:00] What’s Love Got to Do with It.
  • [3:18] The first casualty of Netflix PW crackdown is Brandon’s father-in-law.
  • [3:58] Netflix password crackdown will be both revenue and headache accretive.
  • [8:47] First impressions of the new Max app.
  • [12:30] Who would sign up for Comcast’s NOW TV?
  • [17:40] Biden’s FCC nominee returns to Twitter.
  • [19:12] Standard General/Tegna finally scrap deal.
  • [21:01] Expect WWE and NBA to maximize rights deals by atomizing content.
  • [28:36] Zuck tries to seize on Twitter’s weakness with product clone.
  • [30:05] Everyone views post-Elon Twitter from their own biased perspective.
  • [33:37] AI presents far deeper misinformation risks than simply fabricated images.
  • [37:00] Watermarked AI content is a step in the right direction.
  • [39:27] TikTok is the latest platform to experiment with AI chatbots.
  • [41:24] Dish distribution agreement with Amazon not unexpected.
  • [46:38] It’s unfair to extrapolate Niantic’s game failures to AR broadly.
  • [48:18] Braves’ RSN fees are safe but other markets will not be so lucky.
  • [49:39] Apple’s MLS moves are a test kitchen for more significant sports rights.
  • [55:42] Zaslav’s commencement words resonate.
  • [57:30] The Best.
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Episode 159: May 19, 2023

  • [0:00] Rocket Man.
  • [2:27] Running a marathon to Phil Collins.
  • [3:36] Another tenant leaves WeWork.
  • [5:23] Who is WWE’s second bidder if Fox won’t pay more?
  • [11:39] Are any non-NFL sports rights accretive to Fox’s affiliate fees?
  • [15:38] Max can be extremely profitable without chasing Netflix.
  • [18:47] Comcast will keep spending on Peacock.
  • [23:16] Sorry Lachlan, the NFL is not mad at $1 billion for TNF.
  • [24:37] PFL needs more than Francis Ngannou to take share from UFC.
  • [26:25] Supreme Court sides with Big Tech in Section 230 case.
  • [30:07] Netflix advertising out-innovating linear TV.
  • [34:44] The implications of Verizon’s new plans for streamers.
  • [41:34] TBD on Fanatics’ gambling ambitions but don’t bet against Michael Rubin.
  • [45:04] A Hulu Theater sale would be a boon for both MSGE and SPHR stocks.
  • [47:19] T-Mobile speeds faster than Spectrum in NYC.
  • [54:44] There is no easy solution to AI regulation.
  • [58:56] Iger abandons one of Chapek’s biggest bets.
  • [1:00:53] Why does WBD even want to own CNN?
  • [1:03:48] The Great Gig in the Sky.
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Episode 158: May 12, 2023

  • [0:00] Shroomin’.
  • [1:51] How will Brandon spend his wife’s first Mother’s Day?
  • [5:32] Linda Yaccarino is a great complement to Elon.
  • [12:31] With Tucker on Twitter, is Don Lemon next?
  • [18:41] Creating a unified Disney+ experience is the next best option to selling Hulu.
  • [23:13] Expect ESPN to go fully OTT sooner than later.
  • [27:43] What was behind Iger’s surprise earnings call opening?
  • [30:53] Nintendo’s IP strategy is very different than current Disney.
  • [35:03] Apple loses yet another major Services executive.
  • [37:47] Warner Music sees the good in AI.
  • [39:16] AI-generated creative will help the digital ad industry.
  • [42:04] Dish’s clerical error creates an uproar.
  • [46:21] Meta is incentivizing even better Reels content.
  • [48:37] TikTok shopping slowdown to lessen ties to China.
  • [50:48] The rest of media would love the “dead” metaverse’s growth.
  • [54:26] Sphere cost overruns but potential Phish dates.
  • [58:30] Apple goes after Meta in Ted Lasso.
  • [59:33] The Legend of Zelda Theme.
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Episode 157: May 5, 2023

  • [0:00] Cry Baby.
  • [1:50] Welcome to the world, Stella Jade!
  • [5:55] Apple’s excuses for weakness in Services.
  • [10:45] Sustainability of iPhone sales in EM.
  • [14:50] Marcelo’s move from crypto to AI.
  • [17:42] Lina Khan identifies the AI problem but does not give a prescription.
  • [25:20] Who should be the decision-maker on AI regulation?
  • [29:25] Uber is quietly building a scaled hyperlocal ads biz.
  • [31:40] TikTok ads drive TV viewership more than TV ads.
  • [33:46] TikTok’s unlikely to be global competitor to Spotify.
  • [35:47] Writers’ Strike likely to be a long haul.
  • [38:50] Why did Paramount cut the dividend now?
  • [42:16] YouTube’s CTV success is an ominous sign for TV upfronts.
  • [44:15] Live Nation’s business is on fire as it awaits regulatory resolutions.
  • [46:56] WWE investors need to keep an eye on NASCAR/NBA rights.
  • [48:55] Are local sports on broadcast positive for broadcast stocks?
  • [52:13] Non-Netflix streamers still struggle generating viewership on new content.
  • [55:02] Blue Sky is Jack’s attempt to fix what Elon has done to Twitter.
  • [58:23] Dish finally got a win!
  • [59:38] Sundown.
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Episode 156: April 28, 2023

  • [0:00] Crosseyed and Painless.
  • [1:12] Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!
  • [2:14] What should we call LightShed’s new product?
  • [6:30] Is the platform or the personality most important?
  • [12:40] Is now the right time for NBCU to make a strategic move? 
  • [17:24] The DOJ and FTC are out of control.
  • [24:45] Would Microsoft look at Hulu or Roku if Activision is dead? 
  • [27:00] The US should focus on a reciprocal trade framework.
  • [27:50] Apple has masterfully framed anti-competitive measures as pro-consumer.
  • [32:08] Expect Reels to be nicely accretive sooner than later.
  • [34:18] Will Snap’s recovery follow Meta’s on a lag? 
  • [38:40] Regulatory resolutions will be a boon for Live Nation shares.
  • [42:35] AI piracy is equivalent to early Napster – you cannot sue all individuals.
  • [46:45] Broadcast will increasingly become a home for live sports.
  • [49:37] What will Endeavor (ex TKO) look like? 
  • [53:36] Disney investors should take note of Jio content moves.
  • [56:07] At least Hans thinks his leadership process is effective.
  • [1:05:45] We didn’t realize Clubhouse still existed.
  • [1:07:05] Waiting on the World to Change.
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Episode 155: April 21, 2023

  • [0:00] The Way It Is.
  • [1:59] Brandon handled his move surprisingly well.
  • [6:16] All the reactions to losing the blue (white*) checkmark.
  • [12:31] Can US password crackdown reaccelerate Netflix revenue growth?
  • [16:15] Press reports were completely wrong about Netflix’s advertising traction.
  • [18:45] NBC does live streaming far better than Netflix.
  • [21:21] Netflix Gaming is a deepening focus but not a near-term catalyst.
  • [25:37] What does Fox/Dominion settlement mean for the news biz? 
  • [29:00] Politicians all want to rally against TikTok, but no one wants to actually act.
  • [32:08] T-Mobile’s cable-like price increase and AT&T’s tough day.
  • [37:25] MyAI provides unique dataset for Snapchat’s ad business. 
  • [42:46] Creators are earning a living on Snap.
  • [43:51] AI-generated music is only going to get better and smarter over time.
  • [49:02] Meta now pitching the AI advertising story, not metaverse.
  • [52:10] VR scale requires giving developers the right tools to build creative experiences.
  • [55:14] Satellite to cell phones one step closer with FCC approval.
  • [57:16] Don’t sleep on Fox’s interest in the NBA.
  • [1:02:20] Sphere Co. is trading as if the Sphere is already a failure.
  • [1:05:16] SeatGeek is facing headwinds in both the primary and secondary markets.
  • [1:06:34] It turns out Elon didn’t want to pause AI development after all.  Go figure.
  • [1:07:20] Changes.
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Episode 154: April 14, 2023

  • [0:00] Succession (Main Title Theme).
  • [1:47] LightShed 3:16.
  • [5:03] Did WWE have more than one serious bidder?
  • [10:01] Don’t overanalyze Warren Buffett’s views on streaming.
  • [17:15] Why taking HBO out of Max could help WBD.  
  • [24:22] Max must lean into ML, not clicks, to surface catalog.
  • [29:22] Google keeps building out TV ecosystem, will they ever market it? 
  • [31:52] Sunday Ticket’s pricing doubles as a YouTube TV marketing tool.
  • [34:59] Netflix must thread the needle between building franchises and oversaturation.
  • [37:10] Trade proposal: Marvel theme park rights + cash for Hulu.
  • [41:36] Will Air’s theatrical run benefit its streaming performance?
  • [48:54] Video game IP’s increasing importance to movies and streaming.
  • [53:23] TikTok wants to be Meta and Amazon.
  • [56:32] AI is going to be disruptive much sooner than we think.
  • [58:29] Meta leans into AI tools for UGC creation.
  • [1:00:53] Copyright protection and AI will be an unwinnable game of whac-a-mole.
  • [1:04:44] Is sports gambling becoming too popular to society’s detriment?
  • [1:08:10] Rupert Murdoch does not want any Succession spoilers.
  • [1:09:03] Taxman. 
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Episode 153: April 7, 2023

  • [0:00] The Pink Panther Theme.
  • [2:29] Who had the best mustache ever?
  • [5:34] TKO pair trades abound.
  • [10:34] UFC/WWE success hinges on media rights.
  • [14:28] Compelling storylines drive sports ratings.
  • [17:18] All sports leagues are realizing the value of non-game storytelling.
  • [20:07] Thank you T-Mobile for helping accelerate the adoption of robo umpires.
  • [23:20] Disney investors should pay attention to IPL on JioCinema.
  • [26:18] Search is a generative AI use case that consumers can quickly adopt.
  • [28:39] Why is the Chinese-owned Temu still in the US App Store?
  • [32:01] Will Harry Potter anchor the new Max (formerly HBO Max)?
  • [36:28] Netflix live experiments continue.
  • [38:49] Are theme park trends starting to slow? 
  • [41:30] Saudi Arabia wants to build a diversified media and entertainment powerhouse.
  • [44:04] Roku/Disney+ AVOD good for consumers.
  • [45:30] Live audio is a feature, not a standalone product.
  • [46:36] Mama Said Knock You Out.
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Episode 152: March 31, 2023

  • [0:00] Hollywood Nights.
  • [3:20] Rich is now a Disney Parks spokesperson.
  • [5:40] Apple is not going to buy Disney.
  • [9:17] What are your WWDC 2023 predictions?
  • [11:09] Is there a practical way to handle ethical AI?
  • [16:20] Generative AI will increase UGC content volume and quality.
  • [23:35] FCC wants transparency on Pay TV prices.
  • [28:40] Sports franchises and players will make less money in a DTC world.
  • [34:14] MLB finally unveils a clever marketing campaign.
  • [36:36] Standard General/Tegna take their merger case to a real court.
  • [39:57] Amazon could be a dark horse WWE bidder.
  • [45:30] If Amazon wants to buy AMC Theaters, buy them in bankruptcy.
  • [47:02] #Goodluck to the Oscars in their fight against technology.
  • [48:01] Will ByteDance’s Lemon8 face the same scrutiny as TikTok?
  • [51:56] Disney neuters DeSantis’ district oversight board.
  • [53:46] Activision’s business looks strong with or without Microsoft.
  • [55:47] The NY edition of governmental overreach.
  • [57:43] Hollywood Nights.
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Episode 151: March 24, 2023

  • [0:00] Animal.
  • [6:24] If you step into Walt’s mentions he will drive across the bridge.
  • [9:24] Did we actually learn anything new from the TikTok hearing?
  • [15:50] The barriers to MSFT/ATVI approval continue to come down.
  • [21:42] Unreal Engine: CGI vs. Humans — hard to tell.
  • [23:15] Fortnite Creator Economy 2.0 economics are more attractive than Roblox payouts.
  • [27:14] Does the Roblox base actually want improved graphics and deeper gameplay?
  • [31:02] Panic around Netflix Canada’s password sharing falls, as expected.
  • [32:29] Cloud-based gaming will help Netflix but they still need to deliver a hit.
  • [37:37] Increased Apple content spend doesn’t change our view on service revenues.
  • [40:15] It’s hard to believe that a theatrical window helps a bad movie perform on streaming.
  • [46:58] Flexing the TNF schedule is good for Amazon but not for the NFL.
  • [48:31] Baseball finally has a star thanks to WBC.
  • [53:05] ChatGPT plug-ins will accelerate real world use cases of generative AI.
  • [1:01:19] Generative AI suddenly complicates Writers Guild negotiations.
  • [1:02:54] Fubo should worry about carrying March Madness, not a rebrand.
  • [1:05:30] Hungersite.
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