The state of bundles in 2020: Netflix, Disney, Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple. Plus, Microsoft’s purchase of ZeniMax.
Announcing Dithering, An Interview with John Gruber (not about Apple)
Announcing Dithering, a new podcast from John Gruber and myself. Then, and interview with Gruber about being an independent writer on the Internet, covering Apple’s rise, and Dithering.
Working From Home with Kids, What About Pay TV?, An NBA Proposal
Some tips for working from home, then wondering what the lack of sports means for pay TV. Might the NBA come to the rescue?
CES Concepts, Verizon Drops Bundles, Technology and TV
CES is boring, because no one knows what is next. Then, Verizon is dropping Internet and TV bundles, which is a rational response to the changing nature of pay-TV. It also shows how much tech disruption is still to come.
TV Advertising Falls; The Sports Linchpin, Revisited; NBA Ratings
TV Advertising is down, as price increases finally overwhelm the decline in viewers. It’s important to note, though, that sports still matter. This is something the NBA may not completely understand.
Recode Recap: John Stankey of WarnerMedia, Kevin Mayer of Disney
Highlights from Recode Media interviews of Warner Media’s John Stankey and Disney’s Kevin Mayer, including an extended discussion on sports.
The iPhone and Apple’s Services Strategy
Apple’s annual iPhone event may have marked Apple’s true shift into being a Services company
Disney’s Bundle, Huawei’s HarmonyOS, Uber Earnings
Disney’s bundle is compelling both for Disney and also Hulu, then Huawei’s new OS doesn’t make sense commercially but does make sense geopolitically. Plus, Uber’s earnings have been unfairly represented even as they are very concerning.
Facebook’s FTC Fine, Apple and Microsoft’s Mistake, IBM’s Unbundling
Facebook’s FTC fine is being pilloried, but it really is large and unprecedented. Plus, why Facebook critics were asleep at the wheel. Then, Microsoft saving Apple has an analogy to IBM, and is a potential argument in favor of antitrust action.
Uber Questions Follow-up, Luminary Launches, Luminary’s Broken Rung
More on why giving information to investors often helps companies, then why Luminary, a new service for podcasters, is probably not going to succeed. Building bundles is hard!