On today's episode, we discuss whether the most watched program in the US (the NFL) has a looming viewership problem, Disney+ and Hulu joining forces, whether the free returns party is over, ride-hailing apps giving mixed messages, YouTube viewership on TV screens, the best-selling video games in history, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our forecasting writer Ethan Cramer-Flood and analysts Ross Benes and Paul Verna.
A Disney purchase of Hulu would upend the streaming industry: Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said it’s willing to sell its stake to Disney, ending a stalemate.
WBD highlights Max’s ad options at upfront: The new streamer launches next week, and promises a better viewer experience than HBO Max offered.
Disney adapts to industry challenges: House of Mouse emphasizes ESPN's sports offerings and nonscripted content at upfronts.
Netflix addresses criticisms, will cut $300 million in spending: Password sharing is getting delayed further as the company figures out a rollout.
NBCUniversal highlights Peacock at upfront: Media titan reflects the industry's digital tilt amidst picketing and leadership changes
Twitch moves to support streamers and foster audience growth: The platform introduces a new clip editor tool for easy creation of short clips.
This week’s upfronts may be judged in relation to recent NewFronts: Presentations highlighted advances in streaming, ad targeting, short-form video, and AI.
Netflix moves its first-ever upfront presentation to streaming: The Writers Guild has said it will picket all advertising events at a time Netflix needs to make an impression.
Alibaba’s Taobao will invest in livestreaming, merchant tools as growth slows: The company aims to reclaim market share as oversight from Beijing eases, but economic difficulties continue to pose a challenge.
As Apple TV expands, key leaders leave the company: The head of Apple TV+ and sports, Pete Distad, will leave the company just as its streaming ambitions take off.
Price hikes helped Disney offset subscriber losses: Disney remained relatively still in its earnings report, but the year ahead will have major shifts.
How long will the writers strike go on? Countless high-budget productions have stopped in their tracks, but the fight could go on for months.
TikTok promotes learning and automation at product summit: Simplicity is a big buzzword for TikTok this year, with automation at the heart of simplifying the ad creative process.
OTT video subscription revenues will hit $50.56 billion this year, an increase of 12.5% YoY, according to our forecast. Revenues will climb to $64.12 billion by the end of 2026.
Fubo stock surges 31% on strong earnings: Sports-focused live TV streaming service says it will be cash-flow positive by 2025.
YouTube is no longer separate from the streaming wars: Almost half of its viewership is on TVs, and advertisers are spending heavily on the platform.
Paramount to shed “noncore” assets after tough earnings: Streaming losses widened, raising questions about whether it can survive the digital future.
Hollywood movie and TV writers strike: The move will have a massive impact on the entertainment world.
Time spent is decreasing across cable and broadcast TV but increasing in streaming. In Q4 2022, streaming boosted overall time spent with TV among US adults, reversing the decline in TV viewing over the past few years, according to Nielsen.