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Telcos Don’t Want To Subsidize Apple’s Higher Prices Anymore

Episode 216: June 28, 2024

  • [0:00] So Ready.
  • [3:45] What is your golf handicap?
  • [10:02] TMT winners if Trump wins.
  • [17:12] How much farther can you push pricing on consumers?
  • [19:28] Why is Paramount+ more expensive than Netflix?
  • [22:15] Paramount is desperately trying to cut losses.
  • [24:18] Zuck determined to own the next computing platform.
  • [29:55] Hardware evolution will help dictate future LLM winner(s).
  • [37:12] AI-enhanced UGC content tidal wave is coming.
  • [38:20] Spotify and YouTube showcase the power of bundling.
  • [46:39] WBD needs to let HBO be HBO again.
  • [48:23] Zaslav is not going to sue Silver.
  • [50:51] Netflix advertising run-rate already north of $1 billion.
  • [53:20] SpaceX continues to innovate while Amazon’s Kuiper falls further behind.
  • [55:44] NFL court decision has no impact on other leagues (and likely not on the NFL either).
  • [58:07] Disney updating FastPass system (again).
  • [1:00:43] TKO is unlocking WWE’s live events biz.
  • [1:02:08] AI Al Michaels could be an improvement over IRL Al Michaels.
  • [1:03:45] Landslide.

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Episode 215: June 21, 2024

  • [0:00] Water.
  • [3:50] Cannes is the best industry conference.
  • [8:55] Does Elon actually care about advertising or was he just playing to his audience?
  • [16:04] Did you know Elon named OpenAI?
  • [22:31] Will Google need Reddit more and more as Internet content degrades?
  • [28:32] Ad business on fire at Reddit.
  • [34:16] GenAI can enhance the speed and quality of content creation on Roblox.
  • [40:05] Jerret West joining Roblox indicates a shift to Roblox advertising their brand.
  • [43:38] Meta’s Ray-Ban’s will be real-world useful for consumers.
  • [44:00] Apple should drop AVP’s price to incentivize more devs to build apps.
  • [44:58] AT&T tests whether it can layer on another price increase.
  • [47:07] Will music labels pressure TikTok to not compete with them?
  • [49:45] Brandon does not understand Gen Z.
  • [51:20] A Penn/Boyd deal could accelerate the demise of ESPN Bet.
  • [53:48] Positive first sat-to-cell text experience and paths to monetization.
  • [1:00:55] MLB players will eventually make less money.
  • [1:02:39] Legacy media’s future depends on November’s election.
  • [1:06:40] The NFL would look favorably on a healthier owner of CBS.
  • [1:09:58] Ad buyers are dumb.
  • [1:11:15] LightShed needs to add more merch.
  • [1:13:12] Sprawl II.
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Episode 214: June 14, 2024

  • [0:00] Stand.
  • [1:51] PSA to Brandon: pack your passport for Cannes.
  • [4:02] Walt’s Father’s Day request – no new information on any topic.
  • [5:45] Apple fanboys not waiting to try Apple Intelligence to declare it transformative.
  • [11:31] Not expecting more generous iPhone promos.
  • [19:16] Sat to cell could drive an upgrade cycle thanks to consumer addiction to connectivity.
  • [22:48] OpenAI’s hires highlight the scale of its product ambitions.
  • [24:50] What’s the future business model for AI search and how do publishers get paid?
  • [28:37] Shari is pausing the Paramount sale process, not moving on forever.
  • [33:14] Why is Peacock discounting before the Olympics to grow subs?
  • [37:48] Zas turns to discrete events to maintain affiliate rev post-NBA.
  • [40:01] Nathan’s hot dog slip-up became an immediate win for Netflix’s events biz.
  • [42:29] Are NFL rights undervalued or NBA overvalued?
  • [45:35] Netflix seeks new leadership to innovate in the games biz.
  • [48:24] No buyer for Crown’s fiber. Is it time for tower industry consolidation?
  • [50:28] Why is the NMPA attacking Spotify’s audio bundle?
  • [53:07] Would you pay an extra $5/month for higher audio quality?
  • [54:16] Sony’s “theatricality” takes on new meaning.
  • [57:00] RichAI is dangerous.
  • [59:10] Orange Crush.
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Episode 213: June 7, 2024

  • [0:00] Vampire Empire
  • [2:37] Rich and Brandon headed to Cannes Lion for 1st time.
  • [3:45] A traffic incident that won’t impact Rich’s Uber rating.
  • [6:36] Jensen Huang channels his inner Mick Jagger.
  • [8:27] Will you upgrade your iPhone if AI Siri doesn’t come until 2025?
  • [14:55] Who do we trust to set AI ground rules?
  • [19:16] Paramount/Skydance continues to drag on and on.
  • [24:05] What is your favorite Paramount movie ever?
  • [25:03] Labels taking long term approach to building music bundles.
  • [31:23] Concert industry is still extremely healthy despite cancellation press.
  • [34:20] Starlink’s sat-to-phone service and why Verizon chose AST.
  • [36:18] Advertisers should create better ads, not unskippable ones.
  • [43:26] Trump could always flipflop and push for a TikTok ban.
  • [46:10] NBC’s NBA bid is designed to take Peacock from niche to mass market.
  • [48:17] The NBA is not creating a fourth package for WBD.
  • [49:58] Chris Ripley has already won quote of the year.
  • [52:07] Will broadcast nets ever be able to pay more for the NFL?
  • [57:14] Roblox creating jobs in the metaverse.
  • [1:00:49] Disney’s long-term parks ambitions mask near-term vulnerabilities.
  • [1:03:14] We welcome Sphere original content diversification.
  • [1:05:23] You do not need AI to catch a Phish fan.
  • [1:07:20] Paul.
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Episode 212: May 31, 2024

  • [0:00] I Know You Rider.
  • [1:10] You’ll never guess where Brandon is.
  • [4:50] We spent the week immersed in AI.
  • [16:48] Will Apple’s AI only work for Apple apps?
  • [21:40] Open AI’s “biggest day in history.”
  • [29:15] Will users pay for Meta’s AI packaging?
  • [30:45] Will Hollywood help disintermediate themselves?
  • [32:19] AI will be a creative tool, not the content originator.
  • [33:20] Press aligning with our Skydance/Paramount view.
  • [36:17] Why Disney’s Charter renewal was superior to Paramount’s.
  • [40:45] T-Mobile’s pre-election spectrum maneuvers.
  • [41:30] Valuation lesson for the press.
  • [45:18] WBD’s NBA problem is just the beginning for legacy media.
  • [47:17] US needs strong national scalping laws that are actually enforced.
  • [49:50] X has real ambitions in long-form video.
  • [52:17] Big news in the satellite to phone opportunity.
  • [55:33] Illinois tax change could accelerate a move towards sports betting oligopoly.
  • [1:02:07] Even billionaires like free content.
  • [1:04:03] Ripple.
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Episode 211: May 24, 2024

  • [0:00] Never Tear Us Apart.
  • [1:17] We were so triggered we (almost) skipped right to the first slide.
  • [3:25] The DOJ’s ill-conceived case against Live Nation / Ticketmaster
  • [18:15] Will companies have to be less reliant on price increases?
  • [23:30] WBD is not going to sue the NBA and destroy its sports industry relationships.
  • [25:58] Is CFP enough for Turner to maintain affiliate fees?
  • [29:56] How will Apple navigate AI privacy-related fears?
  • [35:12] Who sets AI ground rules?
  • [38:31] Can companies afford to offer free AI?
  • [42:53] Walt’s marketing advice to Big Tech: rename “Cloud” to “Vault”.
  • [43:52] Publishers licensing to OpenAI is reminiscent of early legacy media with Netflix.
  • [45:47] Do people watch Christmas Day NFL in bars?
  • [50:04] WWE’s SummerSlam deal highlights TKO’s live events potential.
  • [51:11] Stop investing in antiquated set-top boxes.
  • [53:54] MSFT cannot abandon subscription ambitions before testing COD on Game Pass.
  • [57:36] Roblox leans on nostalgia to try and juice engagement.
  • [58:20] Skydance/Paramount inching toward goal line.
  • [59:59] Do not spoil Dead & Co at Sphere for Brandon.
  • [1:01:52] Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.

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Episode 210: May 17, 2024

  • [0:00] Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black).
  • [2:47] Who is your favorite TMT Knicks super fan?
  • [6:06] Adam Aron knows how to capitalize on a meme stock rally.
  • [8:14] How much harder can companies push the consumer?
  • [13:16] OpenAI makes free AI table stakes.
  • [18:44] Google should use their superior AI to drive Android adoption.
  • [24:06] Reddit’s OpenAI partnership is great in the short-term but will it elevate the brand?
  • [28:53] The Internet won Upfront week.
  • [34:24] Netflix ad-tier ambitions growing.
  • [39:38] Synthetic SVOD bundles are underwhelming and terribly named.
  • [43:08] WBD’s NBA era feels finished.
  • [45:39] Skeptical that additional attempts to fund ACP will be successful.
  • [46:40] Skydance/Paramount buzz will resurge.
  • [48:57] Ticketing industry should move to all-in pricing regardless of government regulation.
  • [50:44] Spotify has quickly expanded audiobook market.
  • [52:50] Investors should look at the big picture and not overthink GTA VI’s timing.
  • [54:26] Snap has turned a real corner with SMB advertisers.
  • [56:03] Roblox will not have difficulty driving the first $1bn of ad spend.
  • [58:50] If anyone should protest at Liberty, it’s value investors.
  • [1:00:50] Everybody Knows This is Nowhere
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Episode 209: May 10, 2024

  • [0:00] The Sign.
  • [1:20] Rich still loves Barbie.
  • [3:11] Google trying to capitalize on TikTok uncertainty to win even more ad dollars.
  • [10:15] Amazon’s advertising powerhouse is only going to get bigger.
  • [13:39] We find a WBD/NBA lawsuit hard to believe.
  • [15:10] WBD’s NBA bid is designed to save Turner, not build Max.
  • [16:33] Paramount does not have time to wait for regulatory approval of Sony-led bid.
  • [18:57] Doubtful ACP will get funded, but “Rip and Replace” might.
  • [21:03] Is bundling the fix for subscale streamers?
  • [28:36] Ergen and Dish/Echostar bondholders playing a game of chicken.
  • [32:05] Would anyone buy MSGN?
  • [33:20] Investors should focus on the big picture at Sphere, not any individual quarter.
  • [35:05] The TV station exit door is not wide enough for growing list of sellers.
  • [36:17] We are hosting Commissioner Carr for an LPA on May 21.
  • [37:37] Press ahead of itself on Netflix NFL Xmas.
  • [40:07] TKO’s relationship with the Saudis is even strong post-Vince.
  • [42:52] How did Netflix launch a digital theme park on Roblox before Disney?
  • [45:01] Xbox studio closures are the latest example that gaming’s growth trajectory was miscalculated.
  • [47:14] What can iPad AI features tell us about Apple’s AI iPhone plan?
  • [50:02] meet the grahams.
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Episode 208: May 3, 2024

  • [0:00] Happy Birthday
  • [1:30] Stella turns 1.
  • [2:45] 2024 is The year of Jim Dolan.
  • [5:51] Paramount cannot wait for uncertain regulatory approval.
  • [10:50] Bakish’s critical mistake was launching Paramount+.
  • [15:25] Apple’s earnings and anticipation of WWDC.
  • [20:41] Will Apple’s AI strategy drive a supercycle?
  • [26:05] AGI’s only financial guarantees are massive costs.
  • [30:05] DOJ unlikely to seek Live Nation breakup.
  • [33:24] If Zas retreats from NBA, can Turner maintain carriage?
  • [42:43] RSNs set to evaporate with Diamond Sports.
  • [47:10] Fewer MNF games on ABC bodes well for Fox.
  • [49:06] If ESPN talent doesn’t like ESPN Bet, why should consumers?
  • [51:21] Pinterest and Snap proving Google and Meta are not the only digital ad winners
  • [54:55] Connecting digital purchases to IRL is real opportunity for Roblox.
  • [59:06] Did UMG’s TikTok deal did the financial windfall investors hoped?
  • [1:01:30] Who is (co-) Head of the Class again?
  • [1:03:29] Who is rooting harder for a deep Knicks playoff run, the fans or the NBA?
  • [1:04:02] Stella by Starlight.
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Episode 207: April 26, 2024

  • [0:00] Llama.
  • [3:00] Charter is disconnected from reality and Rich’s Apt.
  • [10:25] Drew Carey describes Phish at Sphere better than Brandon.
  • [14:55] If the algo is not for sale, what company could buy TikTok?
  • [21:45] Disney is not buying TikTok.
  • [23:46] Snap should be going all-in on Spotlight as TikTok’s future dims.
  • [28:53] When it comes to big bets, Zuck should have earned investors’ trust.
  • [32:28] If X can make CTV work, Yaccarino is the right exec to monetize it.
  • [35:02] We are still using our Vision Pros, but it lacks presence.
  • [39:30] Apple wants more sports, but only on their terms.
  • [42:09] Amazon continues to take an analytical approach to sports rights.
  • [44:00] Are new CTV advertising entrants pressuring Roku’s growth?
  • [45:01] NBC either gets Turner’s NBA rights or drives up WBD’s price.
  • [48:32] T-Mobile invests in fiber as fixed wireless growth wanes.
  • [53:16] Why is Paramount reporting before the Charter deal expires?
  • [55:35] Sports JV is to Brandon as Hulu was to Walt.
  • [58:10] Dear MLB: embrace technology and replace umps with robots.
  • [1:00:40] Bold as Love.
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