The Internet has uniquely impacted regional sports networks, thanks to the reality of free distribution. Sports leagues will need to adapt.
Disney Earnings, ESPN and Disney’s Streaming Strategy, Flexibility and Residuals
Disney’s results suggest the company should stay the course with its current streaming strategy; however, the way it funds movies may have to change.
Olympic Ratings, Google Earnings, YouTube and Brand Advertising
Google’s results were even better than the rest of the industry, thanks to YouTube.
Distribution and Demand
Distribution on the Internet is free; what matters is controlling demand. AT&T and Verizon didn’t understand the distinction.
AT&T’s Original Bad Deal, Discovery + WarnerMedia, The Streaming Landscape
AT&T bails on its streaming ambitions; they can’t undo the mistake of buying Time Warner, but merging WarnerMedia with Discovery is a nice recovery.
The NFL’s New Rights Deals, Amazon’s Rumored Deal, Post-Pandemic Sports
The upcoming renewal of NFL rights is a marker in what will be a decade of upheaval in TV.
Disney’s Investor Day, Disney+ as Harvester, Disney’s Optionality
Disney’s investor day showed the power of differentiated IP and optionality.
Disney and Integrators Versus Aggregators
Disney’s reorganization reinforces their integrated strategy; there is a lot to learn for anyone competing with Aggregators.
The NBA and Microsoft, and An Interview with Adam Silver and Satya Nadella
Microsoft and the NBA are announcing a new partnership; then, an interview NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella
Apple, Amazon, and Common Enemies
It is tempting — and useful — to look at Apple and Amazon’s deal in a bilateral context. It probably makes more sense, though, in the context of Netflix and the future of video.