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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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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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