Redbird Execs Considered Buying Washington Post in 2023
Redbird’s Gerry Cardinale and Jeff Zucker expressed interest in buying Washington Post in 2023, per @nytimes: https://t.co/v5fCZ26uuf
PSKY Predicts Leaner
On a somewhat related note, read a $PSKY analyst report this week with FY30e DTC revenues at ~$30 billion, with non-content expense at ~$3.8 billion. By comparison, when Netflix revenues reached ~$30 billion (FY21), total OpEx was ~$6.2 billion, with...
Spotify Partners with SeatGeek for Live Event Discovery
Spotify and SeatGeek teammed up to let users discover live events tied to the artists they listen to. Personalized recommendations and notifications surface events across Spotify, directing users to SeatGeek’s platform to compare options and purchase official tickets. Participating venues include SeatGeek’s...
Sturgill Announces Record-Breaking First-Week Album Sales
The “physical window” has arrived. Sturgill: “We have already had what those that follow charts refer to as the biggest first week of any album in my entire career…and first week technically just started today. https://t.co/Nf3MPZx68q
Paramount Skydance to Acquire BET+, Merge Into Paramount+
Paramount Skydance Buying Out Tyler Perry’s Stake in BET+; Streaming Service to Be Phased Out and Content Merged With Paramount+ https://t.co/Q19beETCv4 via @variety
Phil Saves Canceled Show by Switching to YouTube
Netflix was going to cancel the show and Phil wanted to keep doing it. Ergo, YouTube. https://t.co/S6fVQvk4QH
AI Boom Threatens Gaming Jobs, Industry Faces Reality
Everyone is looking for work as AI proliferates. A sobering look at the state of gaming from @jasonschreier https://t.co/ihXWMQ5psR
Nielsen Postpones March Ratings as Streamers Cite Audience Drops
Nielsen Will Delay March ‘Gauge’ Report After Streamers Fret Over Audience Declines https://t.co/2GLpF6AZCD via @variety
CNBC Predicts Major Revenue Hikes for NFL Broadcasters
🚨🏈 CNBC reporting BIG increases coming to existing NFL broadcasters as we talked about last week on The LightShed Podcast https://t.co/xVYAmLvGDq
NBC Ends Access Hollywood, Halts First‑run Syndication
New: NBC is ending "Access Hollywood" after 30 years, as it stops producing first-run syndicated TV. "Karamo," "Steve Wilkos" also canceled.
NFL Offers CBS 50% Higher Deal, Extends Contract to 2034
The NFL has begun talking to Paramount/CBS Sports about a new deal. I'm told the current bid-ask spread midpoint is about 50-60% higher, and in return, the NFL would simply lift its current 2029-30 opt out and keep the CBS deal...
Prime Video Ultra Launches, Price Rises to $4.99/month
We're writing to let you know that on April 10, 2026, Prime Video Ad Free will become Prime Video Ultra with enhanced viewing features, and your subscription price will increase to $4.99/month. If you are a Prime Annual plan member,...
Former Netflix Exec Backs Studio, Betting on Live Interactive Entertainment
A former Netflix exec is investing into our studio. The future of entertainment is live, and interactive.
Amazon Raises Prime Video Ad‑free Tier to $5 per Month
Amazon to Hike Fee for Prime Video Ad-Free Tier to $5 per Month in U.S. https://t.co/FVjZZ5ziiF via @variety
Beehiiv Launches On-Demand Ads Marketplace for Instant Sponsorship
Beehiiv rolled out On-Demand Ads, a new feature in its Ad Network. It lets creators access sponsorship opportunities instantly through a marketplace and insert ad slots directly in newsletters, monetizing based on CPM and CPC performance. On-Demand Ads come months...
Questioning the Benefits of Generative Music AI for All
Seriously, what is the "steelman" argument for how generative/prompt music AI is good for artists, consumers or even streaming services. It just seems all around awful. Why is there a commercial push for something no one wants?
Peacock's AI Andy Cohen Signals NBCU's Entertainment Platform Shift
Peacock's AI Andy Cohen is part of NBCU's strategy to add new experiences tied to its IP to keep fans on its own platform: “Don’t think of it as a streaming platform — think of it as an entertainment platform,”...
Peacock Debuts AI Andy Cohen for Personalized Bravo Gossip
Peacock Is Launching an AI-Generated Andy Cohen That Dishes Personalized Bravo Hot Goss and Vertical Video Clips https://t.co/B1zYs5YfF6 via @variety
Disney, Apple Launched SVOD Too Cheap; HBO Max Prices Fell
This chart basically shows that Disney and Apple significantly underpriced their initial SVOD services as they were in aggressive subscriber-acquisition mode Meanwhile: The cost of HBO Max/Max actually went *down* from 2020-26 when adjusted for inflation https://t.co/exxGKeyyDA
Hegseth Urges Immediate David Ellison Takeover of Network
"The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better." - Hegseth on CNN. There are no more quiet parts. It's all said aloud. (And I'll bet he wouldn't like this shot.) https://t.co/f913T1zNVN
Universal Extends VOD Window, Aiming 60 Days by 2028
"3 Steps. Today, Universal led the way on the first one… no more VOD window under 30 days…. then 45 days. Hopefully by 2028, that will be 60 days and we can stop fighting over the issue." THB #811:...
Michael Jordan Revives NASCAR Like He Did NBA
The Varsity * NFL media rights update. * That time the NCAA was about to expand to 96 teams. * Fallout from a Disney antitrust lawsuit. Plus, during the ’90s, Michael Jordan helped the NBA ascend to new heights of global popularity and profitability....
Teamsters Demand DOJ Block Paramount‑Warner Deal without Job Safeguards
Teamsters Union Says DOJ Must Block Paramount’s Warner Bros. Takeover Unless There Are ‘Enforceable’ Job Protections https://t.co/omvw2m3xrr via @variety
Universal Extends Theatrical Windows, Studios Refuse to Back Off
Word that Universal will be expanding its theatrical exclusivity windows starting today (just before what should be a very big year at the box office) is hopefully a signal that major studios with a greater vested interest in multiplex revenues...
Public Demands Ticketmaster Live Nation Antitrust Trial
Ticketmaster and Live Nation are the absolute worst. I hope the trial goes forward. https://apple.news/AiqvnrK72QEGXAyboKMDwQg
Scream 7 Poised to Hit $100M, Fastest In
Am projecting that #Scream7 will break $100M at North American #boxoffice tomorrow FRI on its 15th day of release. First 2026 film to join century club and fastest #Scream movie to ever reach this milestone. https://t.co/FV1mznQKjr
Disney Secures Oscars Ads, Featuring Burger King, Mazda
Disney Wraps Oscars Ad Sales; Event Will Feature Burger King Shout-Outs and Mazda-Backed Movie Makers https://t.co/fPUedlV0O0
2011: Last Year Two Best Picture Contenders Surpassed $200M
When was the last time the two films in a legitimate race for Best Picture both earned more than $200 million at the box office before nominations were announced? 2011 with THE SOCIAL NETWORK and THE KING’S SPEECH? I’m not...
Warner Deal Deemed Pro‑Competitive, Boosts Creative Champions
All competition enforcers will find our deal is pro-competitive says Paramount Chief Legal Officer Makan Delrahim of Warner deal. This is opportunity to build a "true champion" for the creative community that can compete effectively global stage and streaming market.
Paramount Boosts Budget, yet Star Producer Defects to NBCU
Paramount added $1.5 billion to its Paramount+ programming budget, says Paramount Chief Legal Officer Makan Delrahim. And yet its most successful producer jumped ship to NBCU.
Paramount Pushes Theater Attendance to Outpace Streaming Giants
Paramount Chief Legal Officer Makan Delrahim says "we want customers in theaters" and to compete most effectively against "highly scaled" streaming competitors.
Paramount Warns Netflix‑Warner Merger Threatens Hollywood Future
Paramount Chief Legal Officer Makan Delrahim says Netflix - Warner deal would have had "serious consequences for the future of Hollywood." A Paramount-Warner deal is about "increasing the amount of content."
Theaters Shrinking, Shorts Suffer as Studios Cut Windows
It’s ONE studio and it’s still less than HALF what windows were in the past Your do-nothing CEO is to blame for not getting REAL windows REINSTALLED years ago But do go on with your $AMC propaganda as theaters are literally bulldozed https://t.co/q5lB5ULkaw
Paramount's $110B Move Targets Rival, Says Antitrust Lawyer
“Paramount is spending 110 billion dollars to take out a rival” — antitrust attorney Ethan Litwin at Capital Forum conference.
California AG Warns Nexstar‑Tegna Merger Harms Competition
California AG Rob Bonta blasts proposed Nexstar-Tegna deal, saying if deal goes through a "a single massive company will have outsized influence" and consumers will suffer higher prices and less access to news and sports.
California AG Vows Tough Review of Paramount‑Warner Merger
CA AG Rob Bonta says his office will be vigorous in its review of Paramount - Warner deal. Concern of higher consumer costs, job loss, etc.
California AG Calls Live Nation Settlement Weak, Illegal Monopoly
CA AG Rob Bonta says Live Nation settlement is "very weak" and "inadequate." Live Nation "acted illegally and created a monopoly." Says State AGs will continue trial if it can't reach a more fair settlement."
AI Drives Earned Media Budgets to Double by 2027
This why media companies need to tax PR. Want to send your “earned media” pitch, pay a toll. No idea why the value should be entirely skimmed by middlemen.
Music Catalogs Command Premiums While Stocks Trade Discounted
Music’s biggest catalogs are selling at a premium, but music’s biggest stocks are trading at a discount.
Pixar/Disney Cold Streak Ends as WB Hot Streak Fades
Listen Now | @charliejaneanders joins the usual gang of idiots (@scott_alan_mendelson, Lisa Laman and Jeremy Fuster) to discuss the apparent end of a near-decade-long Pixar/Disney cold streak alongside the decisive end of a nearly year-long WB hot streak.
Early Bet on Digital Music Yields 20x Return
I backed a 25-year-old first-time founder who wanted to digitize music. This was 1988. I was excited by the prospect. I knew it was possible, but to most, the idea sounded insane. Peter Gotcher and Evan Brooke had started Digidesign, and I...
Netflix M&A Aims to Fuel Engagement Through Games, Podcasts
What should be the business objectives behind any future M&A deal by Netflix $NFLX? @Adweek s Mark Stenberg (@MarkStenberg3) asked me for specific deal predictions. A few of my answers are in the On Background newsletter below, alongside some other smart...
Universal Extends Theater Window to Minimum 45 Days
As studios finally start to see the damage of the short theatrical windows are making long term, #Universal is changing their strategy and will keep #universal released titles exclusively in Theatres for at least 45 days, regardless of performance at...
Focus Features' 17‑day Windows Crush Indie Theatrical Releases
One of the things you guys are missing in the news: Focus Features windows stay at 17 DAYS This is why smaller films are getting BULLDOZED They already don’t demand theatrical viewing and here you are dumping them on streaming in less...
CEOs' Inaction Cost Theaters; Universal Extends Windows
This Universal-extending-windows news is fantastic for theaters but your lazy CEOs at the theatrical chains who did not DEMAND THEM back in 2023 when there was LEVERAGE is UNFORGIVABLE That temerity cost many theaters their existence
Inside the CNN‑CBS Merger: Power Shifts and Trump’s Influence
NEW: The CNN–CBS Marriage Plot: • Will Bari Weiss expand her remit? • Who will actually run the network? • How much will David Ellison cut, and how will he cut? • And where does Trump factor in? https://t.co/BuiVS0srnq @PuckNews
NBCU Extends Theatrical Windows, Announces Super Mario Film
Big news. The highest praise for NBCUniversal Chairman Donna Langley and her team Pete Levinsohn and Jim Orr. Giving us hits like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (opening April 1). AND Universal is significantly lengthening the time that movies will...
Sony Trades at 13x EV/EBIT Before GTA 6 Launch
Sony at 13x EV/EBIT ahead of the GTA 6 release on 19 November 2026 https://t.co/FBeFJ5c7Bp
2025 Ticket Sales Reach Only 62% of 2019 Levels
We should remember that “tickets sold” is an estimate based these days on details coming from outside analytics companies that don’t have access to all the facts.
Gayle King's CBS Deal Only One-Year, No 2027 Lock
Scoop: Gayle King's new deal, which CBS News triumphantly announced last week, is only a one-year renewal, I've learned. It does not lock King into the network past 2027.