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Will Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro Do What Iger and Chapek Would Not?

Episode 168: July 28, 2023

  • [0:00] In Da Club.
  • [0:31] Happy 50th, Rich!
  • [1:50] Rich’s newest viral TikTok.
  • [6:03] Do consumers want an everything app?
  • [9:26] Can Threads drive engagement without a news/sports focus? 
  • [21:28] Zuck’s AI vision for B2C messaging is exciting.
  • [24:37] Can AppleGPT monetize iMessage and Siri?
  • [31:29] Growing fear SAG/WGA strikes could drag until November. 
  • [36:03] When will Hollywood studios feel pressure to end the double strike? 
  • [37:40] AT&T using price increases to help outpace industry growth.  
  • [39:19] Wireless companies moving away from bundled SVOD services.
  • [43:21] If you thought 2023 was big for Live Nation, wait for 2024. 
  • [50:30] Do not believe everything you read about Netflix’s ad biz.  
  • [52:51] Is Snap structurally disadvantaged or just slow to execute? 
  • [55:41] Will Spotify now begin to raise prices more often than every 12 years? 
  • [57:18] Apple does not need the NBA to sell more devices overseas.  
  • [59:41] Everyone wants to be in the NBA business.
  • [1:02:23] Why would anyone want to be a minority investor in ESPN? 
  • [1:06:15] NFTs are now value investments.
  • [1:07:04] Is Disney about to have another $100 mm plus film write-down?
  • [1:08:03] Nothing Compares 2 U.
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Episode 167: July 14, 2023

  • [0:00] Playing in the Band.
  • [1:25] Podcast PSA – we may not record an episode next week.
  • [6:45] If Disney cannot fix ABC, who would buy it? 
  • [11:57] Expect the timing of a fully OTT ESPN to align with the next NBA deal.
  • [14:06] Would Apple partner with Disney on ESPN? 
  • [22:46] Iger admits strategic error in oversaturating the Marvel market.
  • [25:36] Are Disney theme parks starting to run out of gas? 
  • [29:02] With Star TV profits in freefall, why would anyone buy it?
  • [30:13] Lina Khan refuses to simply take her loss.
  • [37:11] Regulating ChatGPT feels extremely difficult.
  • [39:44] SAG strike is terrible for Hollywood but great for sports and news.
  • [44:17] Another tough week for Dish.
  • [46:28] Threads giving off Clubhouse vibes.
  • [50:54] Barbie opening weekend over/under: $115 million.
  • [52:50] Charter puts the consumer first in debundling RSNs.
  • [57:30] How soon is Roblox coming to PlayStation and Switch?
  • [58:26] When will Snap revenue growth inflect positively? 
  • [1:00:31] Fanatics’ next innovation? Baseball card shows.
  • [1:01:29] Playing in the Band (Reprise).

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Episode 166: July 7, 2023

  • [0:00] Copy of a.
  • [4:29] Why isn’t Rich renewing his Tesla?
  • [8:04] How meaningful can Threads be in success to Meta?
  • [24:01] Why would anyone steal Twitter’s code… LOL emoji.
  • [26:37] Regulators are over-regulating to the detriment of consumers.
  • [28:57] China represents a global risk to all US-based companies.
  • [31:10] Will Iger stick around to reinvigorate Disney content?
  • [36:35] MSG Sphere will generate more profits than football stadiums with same price tag.
  • [45:48] How much concert pricing optimization is left?
  • [47:32] Dish’s busy week.
  • [50:47] Is Hollywood about to fully shut down as actors strike?
  • [53:46] Expect Amazon to use even more sports content to drive entertainment consumption.
  • [58:23] T-Mobile’s price increase.
  • [1:00:49] ChatGPT traffic will reaccelerate as users learn how to use it.
  • [1:03:20] No one is more excited for a Yahoo IPO than LightShed’s Joe Galone.
  • [1:05:01] Blurred Lines.
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Episode 165: June 30, 2023

  • [0:00] American Girl.
  • [2:55] No LightShed event is complete without the Grateful Dead.
  • [7:10] What is driving Apple’s value to $3 trillion?
  • [13:33] MSFT/ATVI should not be blocked based on Xbox exclusives.
  • [18:42] Netflix’s confidence in advertising growing.
  • [24:40] Linear CNN will not be inside Max.
  • [28:01] Could the NBA deal be an unlock to an OTT ESPN?
  • [29:44] Barbie exemplifies Mattel’s IP vision.
  • [35:23] We do not expect SAG to strike (tonight).
  • [39:32] Can gaming live inside Western video and communications platforms? 
  • [42:43] Apple does what’s best for Apple.
  • [44:13] Incrementalism defines Roblox’s platform and Gen AI will be no different.
  • [46:08] Could a Quest subscription jumpstart engagement?
  • [49:28] Will Formula E help Roku fend off building competition?
  • [52:24] Expect to hear more about TikTok as we approach the election cycle.
  • [55:01] Companies should mess with their competitors more than they do.
  • [58:08] Building a Fanatics consumer brand will have to go beyond Michael Rubin.
  • [1:04:27] Everyone wants full screen mobile video to drive ads.
  • [1:07:14] Hopefully Joe Buck’s pink slip was lost in the mail.
  • [1:10:11] God Bless the U.S.A.
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Episode 164: June 23, 2023

  • [0:00] Yellow Submarine.
  • [2:33] Would you rather hold AMC or Argentinian debt?
  • [3:55] Why did V leave TikTok?
  • [7:05] YouTube’s creator economy resurgence.
  • [9:04] Does Ryan Murphy know who will be next Disney CEO?
  • [13:03] Activist FTC commissioner ignores ethics advice.
  • [16:57] Activision Blizzard emails are unhelpful for Microsoft deal.
  • [19:33] How could James Gunn think The Flash was great?
  • [25:22] AI’s role in Secret Invasion’s intro is undetectable.
  • [26:17] AI can make sequels but not original content.
  • [30:59] SAG strike likely and will benefit Netflix.
  • [34:24] All-in pricing helps vMVPDs like YouTube TV.
  • [37:27] Biden’s FCC nominee net neutrality déjà vu.
  • [39:18] Can sports team values defy media rights slowdown?
  • [43:23] Spotify’s podcast initiative was not a failure.
  • [45:44] Why self-serve ads matter to Roblox.
  • [48:43] What NC-17 content will be on Roblox?
  • [49:45] When will subscale streaming services give up?
  • [51:33] Will Brandon become a Fubo sub?
  • [53:02] Under the Sea.
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Episode 163: June 16, 2023

  • [0:00] Fantastic Man.
  • [3:12] No better way to spend Father’s Day than with your father-in-law. 
  • [5:14] FTC and Microsoft/Activision Blizzard battle coming to a head. 
  • [10:13] Activision Blizzard’s masterful Diablo IV PR.
  • [11:13] Christine McCarthy’s legacy includes saving Disney from bad M&A.
  • [13:48] What will Disney announce at Sept. Analyst Day?
  • [18:26] Zuck is not the beneficiary of Apple’s Vision Pro strategy.
  • [25:32] Uber video ads open bigger opportunities.
  • [27:50] Dish hits spectrum buildout milestones.
  • [29:57] Twitter’s future hinges on execution.
  • [33:09] Since when does music matter on Twitter?
  • [35:28] Disney should have bought WWE if it intends to license WWE rights.
  • [38:28] Does live WWE content make sense on Netflix?
  • [41:12] The DOJ is investigating the LIV/PGA merger. Obviously.
  • [42:23] DraftKings trying to slow down Fanatics Betting.
  • [48:01] Reddit needs to focus on product not restricting its API.
  • [50:13] Regulatory is a tailwind for Live Nation’s stock.
  • [52:11] Google employees should not have needed to be warned about chatbots.
  • [56:00] Happy birthday Bode!
  • [56:21] Fantastic Man.
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Episode 162: June 9, 2023

  • [0:00] Black Smoke Rising.
  • [2:48] Shea Stadium hot dog > $29 hot dog.
  • [8:11] A fierce debate on Apple Vision Pro.
  • [21:48] Apple and Meta have two fundamentally different approaches to mixed reality.
  • [25:16] What consumer problem is the Vision Pro actually solving?
  • [28:55] Apple will crack down on fingerprinting.
  • [33:05] Dish adds iPhone to Boost Infinite.
  • [35:55] Is Amazon Prime replicating Disney+’s advertising strategy?
  • [40:48] CNN is more headache than it’s worth.
  • [45:41] How many people actually watched Tucker’s full Twitter episode?
  • [47:04] Apple’s innovative MLS deal set the stage for Messi.
  • [50:02] Cricket corner: How much longer will Disney own Star?
  • [53:03] Diablo IV’s fortuitous Times Square billboard.
  • [55:26] Succession viewership shows that we live in a bubble.
  • [56:48] Writers Guild issues far more complex than the Directors Guild.
  • [59:12] Trump’s prescient LIV/PGA take aged nicely.
  • [1:02:12] Latest Congressional ticketing bill could put an end to LYV’s overhang.
  • [1:03:55] RIP Iron Sheik and our childhoods.
  • [1:05:20] Smokestack Lightnin’.
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Episode 161: June 2, 2023

  • [0:00] Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Part 1.
  • [2:47] Over/under: 1 billion human-like robots in 10 years.
  • [6:33] Amazon should include wireless in Prime, but do not expect it soon.
  • [10:58] Dish’s network is native to AWS Telecom making it a logical choice.
  • [13:11] Is it finally time for legacy media and game publishers to integrate?
  • [18:22] What is Comcast’s next strategic move? 
  • [25:30] Activision stock remains well positioned deal or no deal. 
  • [26:54] Apple headset is for developers to create applications when price can come down.
  • [30:22] Does anyone under 45 know what SMS means? 
  • [32:43] Is bundling streaming services the future?
  • [35:46] Despite angry Tweets, Netflix’s password sharing crackdown is a positive. 
  • [39:54] How much does Zaslav love wrestling? 
  • [43:00] TBD if reflected in viewership but the NBA Finals will be great basketball.
  • [46:20] Would one destination for NBA games increase viewership? 
  • [51:16] The Padres are more impacted by Diamond than Padres fans.
  • [53:53] Do You Realize?
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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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