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

Episode 196: February 9, 2024

  • [0:00] Read the Room.
  • [1:58] Despite our best efforts, we are not live from the Apple Vision Pro.
  • [6:27] Can the Apple Vision Pro ever replace the iPhone? iPad?
  • [16:22] Good luck Fubo.
  • [19:36] Who does the Winners’ Bundle (link) actually appeal to?
  • [30:15] All signs point to accelerated cord-cutting in 2024.
  • [32:22] YouTube TV exceeding our already bullish expectations.
  • [35:09] Verizon’s upbeat meeting and Charter’s slide.
  • [40:49] Disney’s Interactive Theme Park…in 2027.
  • [46:09] Google will be a Generative AI juggernaut. Will Apple?
  • [52:48] Xbox leans into wider distribution as they wait for the subscription future to arrive.
  • [54:47] T-Mobile’s pending transactions could have conditions.
  • [57:31] Time for Snap to focus on content vs. hardware.
  • [1:05:31] Even after its run, Sphere still looks cheap.
  • [1:06:50] Ignore the noise, no near-term Paramount deal.
  • [1:09:35] Happy Super Bowl weekend!
  • [1:10:03] Under Our Pillows.
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Episode 195: February 2, 2024

  • [0:00] I Got You Babe.
  • [2:11] You know Rich is rattled when he forgets to post a red eye selfie.
  • [6:20] Can the Weather Channel swallow Paramount? 
  • [12:33] Charter’s growth problem.
  • [17:15] Bob Iger was right, Disney won, Charter lost.  
  • [17:46] TKO can finally move on from Vince McMahon but stock overhang persists.
  • [20:22] Stay tuned for the LightShed team’s Vision Pro reviews.
  • [25:36] Starlink connecting the aviation market.
  • [28:52] Amy Klobuchar telegraphs that Live Nation / Ticketmaster will not be broken up.
  • [31:08] Lina Khan’s continued misunderstanding of the video game market.
  • [34:05] TikTok will cave to UMG, it’s just a matter of when.
  • [39:42] Question to listeners – do you think Reels and TikTok experiences are converging? 
  • [51:20] You don’t hear from people when they’re happy (but it is not new to social media).
  • [53:48] Who has presented more strategic ideas for Disney, Iger or Peltz?
  • [55:49] Spotify’s shift to non-exclusive podcasts driving gross margins.  
  • [1:00:46] The Sphere was purpose-built for Brandon.
  • [1:06:40] Mean Gene’s big tech stock trading predictions.
  • [1:08:48] I Got You Babe.
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Episode 194: January 26, 2024

  • [0:00] You Could Be Mine.
  • [1:23] Great quarter, Rich!
  • [4:44] TKO got what every sports league wants: Netflix.
  • [10:19] Netflix likely shifting movies toward licensing.
  • [12:27] Is there only one bidder for Paramount?
  • [16:18] Cable broadband gets good news on the competitive landscape in 2024.
  • [19:45] Apple easily sidestepped the EU regulatory hammer.
  • [23:15] Spotify’s constant innovation is driving win after win.
  • [26:22] Charter’s Vix+ agreement is even better than Disney+ deal.
  • [28:20] Don’t extrapolate tepid Coachella demand to the rest of live entertainment.
  • [31:03] NFL content can bring in subs but can Peacock keep them?
  • [34:27] Add India to the challenges facing Disney in 2024.
  • [36:55] Has TikTok leaned too hard into shopping?
  • [39:56] How impactful will COD job cuts be to unit sales?
  • [41:34] DraftKings making life harder for ESPN Bet.
  • [44:54] Adam Aron has done a great job for Adam Aron, not AMC.
  • [46:57] Estranged.
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Episode 193: January 19, 2024

  • [0:00] Come On, Let’s Go.
  • [1:51] How soon until we record the podcast wearing our Vision Pros?
  • [5:33] The Vision Pro is delivered but is it ready?
  • [11:18] Tim Sweeney didn’t just lose to Apple, he weakened Epic.
  • [15:31] Whose politics will shape the M&A landscape in 2024?
  • [19:27] Why does Fubo have a problem with NFL on streaming but not cable?
  • [22:23] Will Peacock’s NFL success empower NBCU for an NBA bid, including playoffs?
  • [29:01] Investors should ignore the NFL/ESPN noise.
  • [33:09] More price increases by the telcos.
  • [36:47] Netflix using partnerships to rapidly scale advertising tier subs.
  • [38:09] Why is Amazon investing in Diamond, if Diamond is losing its streaming content?
  • [40:51] Why does Endeavor need to go private to sell non-core assets?
  • [44:06] Dish buys more time with debt shuffle.
  • [46:40] PFL’s interesting and more aggressive UFC tone shift.
  • [50:04] Another busy week for satellite to phone connectivity.
  • [52:58] Sam Altman realizes GPUs are his only limitation in pursuing AGI.
  • [57:57] Will a Suicide Squad flop cause Zas to change his thinking around video gaming?
  • [1:00:24] We will try and have Snoop on the pod less going forward.
  • [1:02:13] If you have never been, go to Tatiana.
  • [1:03:02] ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?
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Episode 192: January 12, 2024

  • [0:00] Welcome to Paradise.
  • [1:32] We’re not all basking in the high of Michigan’s championship win.
  • [9:23] Why is National Amusements so desperate to sell?
  • [14:06] Netflix’s ads biz set to step function higher after Netflix on Us change.
  • [20:32] Hulu graduates another top ad exec to a major tech competitor.
  • [23:06] Not convinced Netflix is shifting away from initial gaming strategy.
  • [25:19] Should Discord and Twitch merge?
  • [29:57] Expect a Switch 2 in 2024 that mirrors Switch 1 but with improved hardware.
  • [32:34] Competition in D2D market moving innovation forward.
  • [37:47] Will ESPN take all of CFP playoffs or will it sublicense to others? WBD?
  • [43:08] How do you build a sports streaming service when football dwarfs every other sport?
  • [46:22] The unfortunate resurfacing of the telco lead cabling story.
  • [49:27] If Elon wants to generate controversy on X, he should highlight Rich’s mentions.
  • [52:33] Snap positions itself as the happiness brand to attract advertisers.
  • [56:42] OpenAI wants to raise the price of LLM poker.
  • [58:26] Amazon may want to enter local TV, but buying Diamond out of bankruptcy is complicated.
  • [59:18] It was a week of wonderful movie updates.
  • [1:02:40] Zuck’s PR team works overtime trying to make him look normal.
  • [1:04:30] Undone (The Sweater Song).
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Episode 191: January 5, 2024

  • [0:00] Let’s Go Blue.
  • [1:41] Wombats, Koalas, Kangaroos, Berlin & Leather.
  • [4:13] Will Disney have a $1bn+ movie in 2024?
  • [8:13] Activist pressure illustrates Disney’s challenges go far beyond content.
  • [11:04] T-Mobile’s streaming changes and the impacts on Netflix and Disney.
  • [17:16] Dish/Paramount will be a far more difficult carriage negotiation than Comcast/Paramount.
  • [19:24] Peacock leaning more heavily into sports.
  • [23:12] Does it matter if sports rights go to ESPN vs. ESPN OTT?
  • [25:18] Do not judge ESPN BET until we get past initial promotions.
  • [27:57] Ergen buys time with re-combination of his empire, but needs a partner to sell phones.
  • [31:05] Would regulators allow Big Tech to buy their way into an AI oligopoly?
  • [38:32] SpaceX gets modified direct-to-device satellite in orbit for testing with T-Mobile.
  • [43:24] Has TikTok’s shopping hit critical mass?
  • [47:11] If you squint, the TikTok/Peloton partnership actually makes sense.
  • [48:54] #goodluckdoordash expansion beyond restaurants.
  • [51:12] (SFW) Mickey Mouse fan fiction ideas.
  • [53:41] All Good Naysayers, Speak Up! Or Forever Hold Your Peace!
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Episode 190: December 29, 2023

  • [0:00] Auld Lang Syne
  • [0:20] Frontier Psychiatrist
  • [8:07]  Disney Extends Iger’s Contract to 2027
  • [10:46] The VR Wars Begin in 2023, but VR Engagement Does Not Take Off
  • [12:26] Wireless Operators Buy Fixed Broadband Assets
  • [15:19] Microsoft / Activision Deal Gets U.S. Regulatory Approval
  • [16:09] Netflix Revenue Growth Reaccelerates to High Teens
  • [17:12] Disney Acquires Comcast’s Hulu Stake
  • [19:26] Fox News Corporation Recombination Fails
  • [20:28] Turner Bows Out of NBA as Amazon, Apple and NBC Vie for Rights
  • [22:06] Pinterest Acquired
  • [24:11] Affiliate Fees Turn Negative Across the Industry
  • [24:48] Linear TV Networks Become Second Window Cash Machines for Streaming
  • [25:43] Wireless Home Broadband Subscriber Growth Abates
  • [28:04] Spotify Raises Domestic Price
  • [30:28] Fortnite Creative 2.0 Successfully Launches with Muted Impact on Roblox
  • [32:46] ByteDance Launches Music Service Globally
  • [34:36] TV Advertising Sales Decline Double-Digits
  • [35:39] Theatrical Distribution Joint Ventures Re-Emerge
  • [36:42] WWE Remains Independent and Renews Deals with Fox and NBC
  • [39:28] Slower Wireless Subscriber Growth Means More Price Increases
  • [42:08] Diamond Sports Avoids Bankruptcy (For Now)
  • [43:27] Box Office Rises to $8.5 Billion, 25% Below Pre-Pandemic Levels
  • [44:10] Hollywood Writers Strike…Again
  • [45:31] Snapchat Leans into Creator Economy to Reaccelerate Growth
  • [47:10] A Long December
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Episode 189: December 22, 2023

  • [0:00] Small Axe.
  • [2:20] Brandon’s vacation is off to a rough start.
  • [6:56] Despite forced leaks, no urgency to buying Paramount.
  • [13:58] Apple Watch import ban set to take effect barring last minute rescue by Biden.
  • [18:40] Lionsgate should focus on FCF vs. financial engineering.
  • [22:43] Amazon & Diamond Sports can only work if leagues help.
  • [27:59] What will Peacock show instead of NFL ad breaks?
  • [31:24] Sports are holding the bundle together more than ever before.
  • [34:23] Spotify leaning further into AI.
  • [37:43] Will there actually be an LLM winner or are we headed towards commoditization?
  • [42:22] YouTube’s scale is shocking.
  • [46:37] Is TikTok taking advertising share from digital competitors or just traditional media?
  • [48:50] China’s video game regulations directly impact domestic publishers.
  • [49:50] Activist gets second win as Crown Castle initiates review of its fiber business.
  • [52:20] Comcast suffers data breach joining frequent target T-Mobile.
  • [53:54] Brian Roberts loves Theme Parks.
  • [57:34] Tegna picking fight with wrong distributor.
  • [1:02:29] Who is more desperate for a match, Tinder or Paramount?
  • [1:04:06] Dread Are the Controller.
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Episode 188: December 15, 2023

  • [0:00] Cult of Personality.
  • [2:05] Rick LightShed is not a Futurist.
  • [4:15] Can you help LightShed with spam filters?
  • [8:08] We do not expect a Paramount or NAI transaction any time soon.
  • [12:27] Epic/Google depends on the judge, not the jury.
  • [17:39] Despite renewed engagement, Fortnite still has competitive ground to cover.
  • [19:50] Can Disney’s old guard solve new challenges?
  • [27:59] Disney and Netflix using each other.
  • [34:40] Netflix’s data PSA to its competitors: if you want your content seen, license to us.
  • [38:34] Amazon’s Kuiper should deliver fast speeds and low latency.
  • [42:59] Can the NBA leverage the in-season tournament’s success to future years and media rights?
  • [47:31] The RSN demise will only widen the gap between MLB’s haves and have nots.
  • [50:53] Snap stock still depends on advertising but Snapchat+ is surprisingly meaningful.
  • [54:08] Snap/OpenAI will help serve OpenAI ambitions.
  • [56:32] Meta trying to bring creators to Blue.
  • [59:30] Selling Star TV will not bring Disney a major financial windfall, as we expected.
  • [1:01:19] Kosman creativity strikes Sphere.
  • [1:03:51] Hot mics and weak streams on X!
  • [1:06:30] Lush.
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Episode 187: December 8, 2023

  • [0:00] Movin’ On Up.
  • [2:20] Preparing for LightShed’s 100th birthday.
  • [5:21] Spotify moving from great product to a real business.
  • [15:05] Many want Paramount’s studio but does anyone want the whole company?
  • [21:32] Paramount folds apps and telegraphs future Paramount+/MVPD bundles.
  • [23:02] 5G has been a disappointment globally.
  • [24:43] Fixed Wireless competition not abating for home broadband.
  • [30:30] Amazon is serious about becoming a global CTV ads powerhouse.
  • [33:45] Amazon’s rapid response to Shein/Temu proves they are a real threat.
  • [35:48] Sphere’s success has expedited international interest.
  • [44:36] Activist pressure forces Crown Castle CEO to “retire.”
  • [48:44] Pro-consumer ticketing legislation benefits Live Nation.
  • [51:04] EPL rights deal fuels growing fear over big tech’s sports rights ambitions.
  • [53:25] Ironic to see former TV exec talking about “views.”
  • [55:29] YouTube TV’s experience now even better for bettors.
  • [57:34] Will LLMs become commoditized?
  • [59:14] Is there anyone who knows why Grok is the ultimate ride or die?
  • [1:02:38] Live and Let Die.
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