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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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Episode 141: January 13, 2023

  • [0:00] Heart Full of Soul.
  • [1:10] RIP Jeff Beck.
  • [5:27] Hey (earnings) scorecard here!
  • [8:19] What drives WWE sale? $$$, legacy, involvement or revenge?
  • [16:33] What does Nelson Peltz know about media?
  • [23:32] Universal loves Theme Parks.
  • [26:10] Netflix testing fewer pricing plans to drive ARPU.
  • [31:58] Telco corner: T-Mobile’s strategic decisions and confetti cannons.
  • [37:33] Diamond Sports RSNs may not survive Q1 2023.
  • [40:08] Amazon’s Thursday Night Football was weaker than anticipated.
  • [43:49] Connectivity corner: surprising wireless executive departures at Dish and Charter.
  • [48:23] Tim Sweeney highlights the nascency of AI.
  • [55:08] It does not take many Netflix ad-based viewers to compete with linear TV.
  • [58:26] Ubisoft could be an M&A candidate but the industry awaits MSFT/ATVI clarity.
  • [1:02:16] WBD finds creative way to reduce debt.
  • [1:04:32] MSG Sphere tour blew Brandon’s mind.
  • [1:09:58] New York sports betting exceeded year one expectations.
  • [1:11:28] Subtlety, nuance… and News Corp?
  • [1:12:20] People Get Ready.
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Episode 140: January 6, 2023

  • [0:00] Viva Las Vegas.
  • [1:10] It’s not a CES without a trip to the ER.
  • [4:00] Is a UFC/WWE merger Vince’s next move?
  • [12:13] Jake Paul will legitimize the PFL.
  • [18:32] Regulators have gone too far against Meta.
  • [20:38] The next big tech battle: AI.
  • [24:11] Avatar has not saved the box office.
  • [27:19] T-Mobile’s declining share of gross adds and Cable’s impact.
  • [29:50] Third time a charm for Biden’s FCC nominee Sohn?
  • [34:49] Selling Tao could help solve the MSG Sphere’s funding gap but at what cost?
  • [38:42] Roku fighting for market share by building TVs.
  • [43:23] Amazon is only just getting started in sports.
  • [47:11] Netflix content hot streak continues.
  • [48:48] Fitness is Netflix’s newest lever pulled to keep members locked in their ecosystem.
  • [52:20] Could News Corp sell Dow Jones if Fox deal fails?
  • [53:45] Viva Las Vegas.
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Episode 139: December 30, 2022

  • [0:00] After Midnight.
  • [1:22] Rich is introduced to the global power crisis.
  • [5:24] FOX/Flutter Arbitration Will Trigger Final FOX Unwind.
  • [6:51] Disney Keeps ESPN to Enable it to Buyout Comcast’s Hulu Stake and Win IPL Rights.
  • [9:38] 5G Wireless Home Broadband Emerges as a Viable Competitor to Cable.
  • [10:40] Roku Buys Vizio Instead of a Studio.
  • [12:58] Charter Tiers Sinclair RSNs as Local/Regional Sports Begin OTT.
  • [15:28] ViacomCBS Acquires Lionsgate.
  • [17:46] Bobby Kotick Stays at Activision in Perhaps His Last Stand.
  • [20:28] Amazon’s Disruption Continues, Adding Another Global Operator to Its Cloud
  • [24:15] The Metaverse Ages Up.
  • [25:45] Dish Will Finally Merge Its Pay TV Business With DirecTV.
  • [27:19] Zaslav Comes Out Aggressively as CEO of Warner Bros Discovery.
  • [29:55] Sunday Ticket Rights Go to Big Tech: Amazon or Apple.
  • [35:45] IDFA = Investors Don’t Fear Anymore.
  • [37:59] As Alternative Currencies Emerge, Nielsen Rates Begin to Decline.
  • [39:06] Music Spreads Across Gaming and the Metaverse Creating Music Label Catalyst.
  • [40:51] Sports Betting Consolidation Begins as NY State Becomes #1 Market.
  • [42:52] Blockchain Gaming Gets its First Breakout Hit.
  • [44:27] Domestic Box Office Finds a New Normal at $8.5-$9 billion, Down 20%+ vs. 2019.
  • [48:46] Netflix Global Sub Adds Accelerate Back toward Mid-20s.
  • [50:33] Record Year for Live Events.
  • [53:13] Apple TV+ Has a Breakout Movie Year.
  • [54:46] T-Mobile will cave on the Boost MVNO deal.
  • [55:56] Thank you all.
  • [56:31] Auld Lang Syne.
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Episode 138: December 23, 2022

  • [0:00] Run Rudolph Run.
  • [1:56] Did Rich find WiFi while on safari?
  • [4:11] Advertising sentiment recession.
  • [9:45] Do not judge Netflix’s AVOD success prior to the password crackdown.
  • [13:24] The broadcast TV death spiral is accelerating.
  • [16:20] Moving Sunday Ticket to digital should increase churn in the overall MVPD/vMVPD universe.
  • [26:27] If the Suns are worth $4bn then what are the Knicks worth?
  • [29:29] YouTube TV spending on Sunday Ticket but only Fubo embracing the RSNs.
  • [34:01] Mass gaming commission’s personal attack on Barstool.
  • [36:05] Elon’s war on bots had an unintended consequence.
  • [39:05] Would a great Twitter CEO work for Elon?
  • [42:18] By his own demand, Ari Emanuel’s abs return.
  • [44:29] We do not expect Avatar’s box office to break $1.5bn.
  • [48:10] Adam Aron’s simple arithmetic gift to the shorts.
  • [53:56] Frosty.
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