Podcasts – Page 2 – LightShed Partners

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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Episode 150: March 17, 2023

[0:00] I’m Shipping Up To Boston.
[2:37] Walt is the calm voice of reason?
[7:55] TV keeps getting more expensive.
[12:29] YouTube TV is the best way to watch TV, now with Multiview.
[14:34] Meta’s IR narrative has changed, not their actual focus.
[19:07] Will there be real action or are government threats to TikTok just political posturing?
[25:30] Netflix was always going to build their own ad tech.
[27:37] Surprise: almost all Disney+ subs chose a 38% price hike over ads.
[28:26] Buying Hulu is the quickest way to build a CTV advertising business.
[37:46] Investors are overreacting to Netflix Canada’s password sharing rollout.
[42:26] How does Tubi viewership match Peacock?
[44:00] Consumers love HBO even if engagement is limited.
[47:43] What telecom metrics matter?
[52:04] Cure onsale exemplifies changes needed in ticketing industry.
[58:21] FCC shouldn’t hide behind the ALJ.
[1:01:15] Creators are beginning to make real $ on Snap.
[1:03:44] Dish TV and Boost subscribers still in the dark.
[1:06:24] Adam Aron continues to spin AMC shareholders.
[1:08:36] Just Like Heaven.

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Episode 149: March 10, 2023

[0:00] Free Bird.
[2:21] LightShed Team Dinner had two special guests.
[5:27] A TikTok ban is far more complicated than it looks.
[12:32] Reels is growing time spent for Meta, with monetization just starting.
[18:01] Will there ever be multiple app stores on the same device?
[22:53] Iger calls BS on competitor streaming expectations.
[27:01] If Comcast is not buying Hulu then who is?
[29:48] Mando’s lack of buzz shows the difficulty in chasing Netflix.
[35:40] Each week brings more retrans headwinds.
[38:40] Roku’s Best Buy partnership is an opportunity to reclaim lost market share.
[41:23] Sports teams need to take short-term RSN pain for long-term health.
[46:49] Is Endeavor’s sudden lack of interest in WWE simply posturing?
[52:26] Live Nation gets support for FAIR from everyone except its competitors.
[54:41] If Spotify finally gets video right, it will boost its advertising ambitions.
[57:49] Everyone now has a Chat-GPT integration.
[59:01] Elon’s perfect venture troll.
[1:00:07] Tuesday’s Gone.

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Episode 148: March 3, 2023

[0:00] Mistadobalina.
[2:06] Billing problems corner.
[8:26] Rich’s unusually low Uber rating.
[12:26] Analysts need to read financial statements.
[15:58] Will RSNs going direct-to-consumer accelerate cord-cutting?
[21:46] Does Turner really want to be in the NBA biz?
[23:50] ESPN wants to become the singular destination for sports fans.
[30:36] Hans buys himself time at Verizon with management shuffle.
[34:02] Meta ad targeting continues to improve faster than investors realize.
[38:33] Xtadium NBA is a perfect VR use case.
[47:12] Apple continuously does what’s best for Apple.
[50:10] Is Endeavor messaging that it doesn’t have to buy WWE?
[56:23] UK is still a hurdle, but we are getting closer to MSFT/ATVI approval.
[57:57] Call of Duty meets Roblox – incredible graphics and core gameplay on Roblox.
[59:48] No quick fix to Disney’s content struggle as focus shifts back to quality.
[1:02:40] A Redstone, a Porn Star, and a Cat-Kidnapper Walk into a Bar…
[1:04:02] 3030.

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Episode 147: February 24, 2023

[0:00] Minor Swing.
[0:58] Bienvenue tout le monde!
[3:52] Can WWE sell for $9 billion?
[8:16] Netflix investor price cutting fears are misplaced.
[12:50] What is Walt’s middle name?
[13:33] Your view of the ad market depends on where you sit.
[17:20] Ergen says retrans will follow RSNs to the grave.
[21:13] Will the Supreme Court avoid tech armagaddeon?
[23:49] Zuck will copy everyone (other than better compensation for creators).
[29:10] Meta gaining VR access to China is a win.
[31:35] FCC moves to push ball forward on satellite to cell phone connectivity.
[33:29] Ticketmaster looks to control the ticketing narrative.
[40:34] Streaming IPL for free is problematic for Disney.
[43:41] Spotify using AI to repackage what they already do.
[47:36] Announcement: we are encouraging Lightshed staff to explore ChatGPT’s capabilities.
[48:02] Fiber pullback positive for Charter.
[50:52] Microsoft trying to compromise on ATVI deal.
[52:43] Can Blumhouse moneyball gaming like they do movies?
[55:07] Is Warner Bros. Games a keeper post Hogwarts Legacy?
[58:22] Elon spent $44 billion to convince you that he is funny.
[59:42] Heal the World.

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Episode 146: February 17, 2023

[0:00] Me Myself and I.
[1:20] Walt could not be handling this week any better.
[7:06] Investors to Snap: show me don’t tell me.
[12:42] RSN leverage is irrelevant if they don’t generate positive EBITDA.
[22:08] Why would Iger be at NBA Tech Summit if he wasn’t serious about keeping ESPN?
[24:19] FTC purposely fighting losing battles.
[31:38] Fox’s low Super Bowl latency another reason affiliate model needs to end.
[36:20] We continue to believe NBC will displace Turner for NBA rights.
[38:46] Do fewer Marvel shows foreshadow Hulu content moving to Disney+?
[44:36] The delayed release of Apple’s mixed reality headset is meaningless.
[46:18] Apple uses T-Mobile’s marketing muscle to drive awareness of MLS.
[49:13] Everything free about Peacock has ended as losses pile up.
[51:26] Increasing SVOD prices will bring churn issues into focus.
[54:40] MSG Sphere’s U2 Super Bowl ad shows that the end is finally near.
[56:19] Why would anyone want to be CEO of AMC Networks?
[59:38] OAN was for Gigi before they were against her.
[1:02:25] The TikTok-ization of media.
[1:03:33] The Kinks demonstrate AI’s limitations to understanding context.
[1:04:40] Lola.

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Episode 145: February 10, 2023

[0:00] The Robots
[2:02] Acceptable business breakfast orders.
[6:05] Roger Goodell clearly does not follow Walt’s Twitter account.
[8:58] Sunday Ticket innovations.
[11:51] Is Disney’s YTD stock move faith in Iger and/or the surge in legacy media stocks?
[17:51] Could Microsoft be the best buyer of Hulu?
[28:45] Does Activision become a consolidator if ATVI/MSFT breaks?
[31:40] As protectionism becomes a bipartisan issue, what happens to TikTok?
[33:30] 99 Red Balloons
[35:26] More iPhone sales headwinds.
[37:49] Weighing the MLB impact of a Diamond bankruptcy.
[41:10] MLB consistently fails to properly market its players and product.
[44:14] What incentives would motivate someone to buy Knicks / Rangers stakes over MSGS?
[46:29] Variable pricing hits the apes.
[52:15] Why is it so hard for legacy media companies to each create a singular streaming service?
[53:44] Microsoft move for search market share will hurt Google profits.
[1:00:39] What’s the over/under on Google’s search market share in 5 years?
[1:02:01] AI advancement and innovation will create new jobs.
[1:04:58] Technology will eliminate the need for streaming service bundles.
[1:11:14] It must be tough to be a billionaire.
[1:12:45] Computer Love

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Episode 144: February 3, 2023

[0:00] Marquee Moon.
[2:08] Brandon’s microphone is an injury risk.
[4:16] Zuck is a winner and he will do whatever it takes to fulfill his vision.
[6:59] Apple CFO’s pro-level spin.
[11:53] Disney parks bookings will be important bellwether of consumer health.
[14:38] Meta embraces rev share as battle unfolding in shortform video.
[19:10] How much does TikTok need the music labels?
[25:01] Question to listeners: would you be interested in a Lightshed Earnings Watchalong?
[25:57] Daniel Ek’s warning shot to music labels.
[32:51] Is Warner Bros. Discovery even capable of surfacing its catalog?
[35:54] Peacock shuts down free as its competitors move towards it.
[37:27] The day Rich became a TikTok star.
[38:15] Only Vince knows hows this WWE storyline will play out.
[42:58] Tech companies can make acquisitions, they just must win in court.
[47:22] How is it possible that scalpers are advising the White House on fee transparency?
[52:17] There is nothing worse than reauthenticating streaming services.
[55:14] VR devs: if you build devices, we’ll create software.
[56:31] Gaming publishers do not have the DNA to translate IP to mobile.
[1:01:25] Affiliate TV station owners in big trouble, if what just happened at CBS can be replicated.
[1:03:47] Fly Eagles Fly!
[1:04:10] See No Evil.

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Episode 143: January 27, 2023

[0:00] Part-Time Lover.
[1:20] What is Rich wearing?
[4:50] Comcast’s hall-of-shame earnings call.
[7:43] The DOJ is the only threat to LYV’s vertical integration, not grandstanding senators.
[18:55] Do you actually weaken Google if you don’t touch Search/YouTube?
[24:01] Big Tech should not let government threats deter their dealmaking.
[27:25] TikTok’s product must continue to evolve to replace Meta.
[31:15] News Corp. will buy something with its extra $3bn.
[37:08] The RSN’s demise is going to present problems for sports teams and distributors.
[46:20] Paramount+ and Showtime consolidation is good for consumers and profitability.
[52:56] Comcast should punt on WWE and let Peacock and the legacy cable nets die.
[58:37] Netflix is having fun again or least wants you to believe that.
[1:00:18] Sports rights as an onboarding for VR users?
[1:06:12] Dawn Ostroff’s exit signals that Spotify is a platform company, not a content company.
[1:11:50] Michael Rubin’s Fanatics sports betting playbook is falling into place.
[1:14:05] Use AI to replace useless sell-side analysts who publish earnings previews & reviews.
[1:15:42] What’s Love Got to Do With It.

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Episode 142: January 20, 2023

[0:00] Almost Cut My Hair.
[1:45] If you need a 5:30pm reservation, ask Rich.
[9:10] Learning from Reed Hastings’ pivots.
[14:07] Disney execs have struggled with upward mobility.
[16:57] Apple’s headset will entice developers to explore VR’s capabilities.
[24:52] Why does Apple not own the living room?
[27:23] T-Mobile hacked…again.
[31:40] Vince is the only person who knows what’s really going on with WWE.
[36:57] MMA is ripe for disruption, if you have very deep pockets and time.
[42:25] Could competition solve the government’s TikTok fears?
[46:59] Despite criticisms, Ticketmaster is still best-in-class.
[53:15] Roblox in an investment box.
[56:49] When will Spotify raise price?
[59:32] FAST channels another way for YouTube to get more TV time spent.
[1:05:58] Spam is not spam when Apple spams.
[1:08:25] The Linc will be wild tomorrow night.
[1:09:47] Teach Your Children.

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