Shows
POST WrestlingThe Athletic’s Richard Deitsch & LightShed’s Brandon Ross | Pollock & ThurstonJohn Pollock and Brandon Thurston discuss the latest filings in the ring boy lawsuit, and welcome Brandon Ross and Richard Deitsch. Richard Deitsch from The Athletic joins the show to speak about WWE’s transition to Netflix, the impact of the first WrestleMania on the platform, and the brand's popularity while transferring its leadership away from Vince McMahon. Brandon Ross of LightShed Partners discusses the economic impact on the media industry, specifically TKO, as it shops the UFC and WWE streaming rights. 00:00:00 Start00:03:48 WWE, Vince & Linda McMahon respond to ring boy la...
2025-04-091h 13
WrestlenomicsWWE merger analysis with Brandon Ross of LightShedJohn Pollock and Brandon Thurston welcome Brandon Ross of LightShed Partners with his reaction to the WWE-UFC merger, reaction from Wall Street & the major questions moving forward.They go over the merger announcement, the many personalities involved, the value Nick Khan has brought to WWE, the volatility of Vince McMahon, WWE’s streaming and domestic television rights, the impact the NBA rights could have, PLE strategy, and next month’s WWE earnings call.YouTube version: https://youtube.com/live/j9FMcNZ-kB0The LightShed Podcast with Brandon Ross is available on SpotifyPOST...
2023-04-1350 min
POST WrestlingWWE merger analysis with Brandon Ross of LightShed | POST x WrestlenomicsJohn Pollock and Brandon Thurston welcome Brandon Ross of LightShed Partners with his reaction to the WWE-UFC merger, reaction from Wall Street & the major questions moving forward.The two go over the merger announcement, the many personalities involved, the value Nick Khan has brought to WWE, the volatility of Vince McMahon, WWE’s streaming and domestic television rights, the impact the NBA rights could have, the PLE strategy, and next month’s WWE earnings call. The LightShed Podcast with Brandon Ross is available on SpotifySubscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http...
2023-04-1350 min
2023-03-3158 min2023-03-3158 min
The LightShed PodcastMarch 31, 2023[0:00] Hollywood Nights.[3:20] Rich is now a Disney Parks spokesperson.[5:40] Apple is not going to buy Disney.[9:17] What are your WWDC 2023 predictions?[11:09] Is there a practical way to handle ethical AI?[16:20] Generative AI will increase UGC content volume and quality.[23:35] FCC wants transparency on Pay TV prices.[28:40] Sports franchises and players will make less money in a DTC world.[34:14] MLB finally unveils a clever marketing campaign.[36:36] Standard General/Tegna take their merger case to a real court.[39:57] Amazon could be a...
2023-03-3158 minThe LightShed PodcastMarch 24, 2023[0:00] Animal.[6:24] If you step into Walt’s mentions he will drive across the bridge.[9:24] Did we actually learn anything new from the TikTok hearing?[15:50] The barriers to MSFT/ATVI approval continue to come down.[21:42] Unreal Engine: CGI vs. Humans -- hard to tell.[23:15] Fortnite Creator Economy 2.0 economics are more attractive than Roblox payouts.[27:14] Does the Roblox base actually want improved graphics and deeper gameplay?[31:02] Panic around Netflix Canada’s password sharing falls, as expected.[32:29] Cloud-based gaming will help Netflix but they still need to del...
2023-03-241h 06The LightShed PodcastEpisode 150, March 17, 2023 > Video[0:00] I’m Shipping Up To Boston.[2:37] Walt is the calm voice of reason?[7:55] TV keeps getting more expensive. [12:29] YouTube TV is the best way to watch TV, now with Multiview.[14:34] Meta’s IR narrative has changed, not their actual focus.[19:07] Will there be real action or are government threats to TikTok just political posturing?[25:30] Netflix was always going to build their own ad tech.[27:37] Surprise: almost all Disney+ subs chose a 38% price hike over ads.[28:26] Buying Hulu is the quickest way to build a CTV advertising business.[37:46] Investors are overreacting to Netflix Canada’s password sharing rollout.[42:26] How does Tubi viewershi...
2023-03-171h 09The LightShed PodcastEpisode 150, March 17, 2023 > Audio[0:00] I’m Shipping Up To Boston.[2:37] Walt is the calm voice of reason.[7:55] TV keeps getting more expensive. [12:29] YouTube TV is the best way to watch TV, now with Multiview.[14:34] Meta’s IR narrative has changed, not their actual focus.[19:07] Will there be real action or are government threats to TikTok just political posturing?[25:30] Netflix was always going to build their own ad tech.[27:37] Surprise: almost all Disney+ subs chose a 38% price hike over ads[31:35] Buying Hulu is the quickest way to build a CTV advertising business.[37:46] Investors are overreacting to Netflix Canada’s password sharing rollout.[42:26] How does Tubi viewershi...
2023-03-171h 09The LightShed PodcastMarch 17, 2023[0:00] I’m Shipping Up To Boston.[2:37] Walt is the calm voice of reason?[7:55] TV keeps getting more expensive. [12:29] YouTube TV is the best way to watch TV, now with Multiview.[14:34] Meta’s IR narrative has changed, not their actual focus.[19:07] Will there be real action or are government threats to TikTok just political posturing?[25:30] Netflix was always going to build their own ad tech.[27:37] Surprise: almost all Disney+ subs chose a 38% price hike over ads.[28:26] Buying Hulu is the quickest way to build a CTV a...
2023-03-171h 092023-03-131h 02The LightShed PodcastMarch 10, 2023[0:00] Free Bird.[2:21] LightShed Team Dinner had two special guests.[5:27] A TikTok ban is far more complicated than it looks. [12:32] Reels is growing time spent for Meta, with monetization just starting. [18:01] Will there ever be multiple app stores on the same device?[22:53] Iger calls BS on competitor streaming expectations.[27:01] If Comcast is not buying Hulu then who is?[29:48] Mando’s lack of buzz shows the difficulty in chasing Netflix.[35:40] Each week brings more retrans headwinds.[38:40] Roku’s Best Buy partnership is an opportu...
2023-03-101h 022023-03-081h 06The LightShed Podcast147. March 3 | Video Edition[0:00] Mistadobalina.[2:06] Billing problems corner.[8:26] Rich’s unusually low Uber rating.[12:26] Analysts need to read financial statements. [15:58] Will RSNs going direct-to-consumer accelerate cord-cutting? [21:46] Does Turner really want to be in the NBA biz? [23:50] ESPN wants to become the singular destination for sports fans.[30:36] Hans buys himself time at Verizon with management shuffle.[34:02] Meta ad targeting continues to improve faster than investors realize.[38:33] Xtadium NBA is a perfect VR use case.[47:12] Apple continuously does what’s best for Apple.[50:10] Is Endeavor messaging that it doesn’t have to buy WWE?[56:23] UK is still a hurdle, but we are getting closer to MSFT/ATVI approv...
2023-03-081h 06The LightShed PodcastMarch 3, 2023[0:00] Mistadobalina.[2:06] Billing problems corner.[8:26] Rich’s unusually low Uber rating.[12:26] Analysts need to read financial statements. [15:58] Will RSNs going direct-to-consumer accelerate cord-cutting? [21:46] Does Turner really want to be in the NBA biz? [23:50] ESPN wants to become the singular destination for sports fans.[30:36] Hans buys himself time at Verizon with management shuffle.[34:02] Meta ad targeting continues to improve faster than investors realize.[38:33] Xtadium NBA is a perfect VR use case.[47:12] Apple continuously does what’s best for Apple.[50:10] Is Endeav...
2023-03-031h 06The LightShed PodcastFebruary 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 ce...
2023-02-241h 01The LightShed PodcastFebruary 17, 2023[0:00] 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 movi...
2023-02-171h 05The LightShed PodcastFebruary 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...
2023-02-111h 15The LightShed PodcastFebruary 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...
2023-02-031h 05The LightShed PodcastJanuary 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 $3 bn.[37:08] The RSN’s demise is going to present problems for sports teams and distributors.[46:20] Paramount+ and Showti...
2023-01-271h 17The LightShed PodcastJanuary 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 cr...
2023-01-201h 11The LightShed PodcastJanuary 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...
2023-01-131h 13
whccproKendra St. John | 6 Business Questions | Lightshed Photography StudioKendra gets it when it comes to the business of photography! She’s making data driven decisions as to the growth and direction of her business that she owns with her husband, Lightshed Photography day in and day out. Managing a growing business can be a very difficult task but Kendra does it with grace knowing that the numbers line up. Make sure and check out her interview to see how she is able to stay on top of her game!
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2023-01-1218 minThe LightShed PodcastJanuary 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...
2023-01-0655 minThe LightShed PodcastDecember 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 Glob...
2022-12-3056 minThe LightShed PodcastDecember 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 a...
2022-12-2355 minThe LightShed PodcastDecember 16, 2022[0:00] 25 or 6 to 4.[1:56] Recording podcast over two days, simultaneously.[4:21] Avatar box office over/under: $1.5 billion?[8:40] Walt has been kicked off Twitter.[13:13] Elon driving advertisers away.[19:40] Why is it only Apple’s fees that should be regulated?[25:09] Password sharing is the unlock that will grow Netflix’s ad-supported tier.[29:20] +play should benefit both Verizon and consumers.[35:25] Can you build a streaming wars winner while rapidly cutting costs?[40:14] Charter’s Tom Rutledge capex déjà vu.[45:35] There is a surprising lack of buzz arou...
2022-12-161h 06The LightShed PodcastDecember 9, 2022[0:00] Sweet Caroline.[2:02] Visors: yay or nay?[5:05] ATVI stock is well positioned with or without Microsoft.[13:09] A Diamond Sports restructuring is the beginning of the end for RSNs.[15:50] Non-NFL leagues need to rethink their streaming plans and combine national with local.[18:21] Expect HBO Max on Prime subs to exceed the original HBO deal’s impact.[22:17] What should WBD rebrand HBO Max? [24:59] Streaming requires further consolidation but can it pass regulatory?[31:25] 2022 ad trends create a scary setup for legacy media in 2023.[36:12] Breakout content and...
2022-12-091h 01The LightShed PodcastDecember 2, 2022[0:00] Everywhere.[0:55] We survived LightShed boot camp.[3:30] Can you guess our most played songs of 2022?[8:25] The media sector should fire McKinsey.[12:39] Creative teams are Disney’s lifeblood.[15:45] Subscale SVOD players deserve to have their spending scrutinized.[19:00] Does anyone believe that Bob Iger is leaving in two years?[20:09] The final season of AMC Networks.[23:41] Does Bobby Kotick want the MSFT/ATVI deal to break?[29:35] Why carry an RSN if free on Peacock?[31:08] Winter is coming for RSNs.[42:21] Netflix advertising lau...
2022-12-021h 08The LightShed PodcastNovember 23, 2022[0:00] Beat It.[1:19] Where was Rich on Sunday night?[6:29] Bob Chapek lost the locker room. [13:46] Iger’s new strategy must be different than his prior strategy.[29:08] Is Disney’s next CEO a current employee of Disney?[31:50] Big Tech is unlikely to receive global approval for a transformative acquisition.[35:53] Are others engaging in Chapek’s DTC financial engineering?[38:34] DOJ’s antitrust investigation into Ticketmaster is about political capital.[47:45] Twitter: Everyone loves a car crash.[50:22] Does Twitter have the financial firepower to properly invest in AI?...
2022-11-231h 12The LightShed PodcastNovember 18, 2022[0:00] Anti-hero.[1:05] Do you “hate listen” to the podcast?[10:50] The “question” that stole the Liberty Investor Day.[13:44] How does the NBA grow national media rights fees?[20:53] Netflix and Sports? [25:22] Other leagues may follow the NFL’s broadcast TV playbook.[26:38] The government should crack down on bots not LYV.[34:19] Twitter is still working (for now).[37:44] How does the FAA C-Band debacle still exist?[41:00] Is Apple making the metaverse more of a priority?[44:09] What are VR use cases?[47:03] YouTube CTV time spent is...
2022-11-1857 minThe LightShed PodcastNovember 11, 2022[0:00] Voodoo Lady.[1:15] Nothing smells like Miami.[4:57] Take responsibility for your crypto decisions.[13:50] Elon is a great technologist but does not understand human beings.[20:22] If the Twitter platform improves then advertisers will come for the eyeballs.[22:16] Starlink already delayed.[25:09] Is Amazon scaling back Alexa as sports/video bets increase?[29:09] Meta’s FY23 OpEx cuts were a small olive branch to shareholders.[32:57] Disney mismanaged investor profitability expectations.[38:23] Diller is right, Malone is wrong on Netflix. [41:19] Expect Netflix to follow Apple’s sport...
2022-11-111h 11The LightShed PodcastNovember 4, 2022[0:00] Gonna Fly Now.[2:42] The Philadelphia curse of Joe Galone.[4:47] Tech is treating this downturn differently than previous recessions.[7:43] Ominous signs appearing for ‘23 TV ad spend.[11:23] Our first impressions of Netflix’s new ad tier.[12:20] Is a slowdown in telecom ad spend cyclical or secular?[14:15] Live Nation an advertising and sponsorship outlier.[19:13] Will Elon’s Twitter Blue changes enhance your experience?[31:02] Further delays for Dish and costly capital.[34:07] Disney building the “utility” of Disney+.[37:23] Why does Disney keep licensing to gaming studios?
2022-11-0458 minThe LightShed PodcastOctober 28, 2022[0:00] Twilight Zone / Runnin’ With the Devil.[1:22] Rich was a DJ in college. Really?[3:09] Who benefits if Twitter advertisers panic?[5:17] Elon’s goal may be a more centrist Twitter.[13:07] Meta forced to make core biz less profitable.[21:46] Digital advertising weak or share shifting? [26:06] Phil Spencer’s mobile and subscription arguments sound like spin to close ATVI deal.[31:02] Will Apple keep moving advertising goal posts?[34:54] Spotify will raise price but wants an incremental margin benefit.[37:19] Service revenue and sustainability of fixed wireless.[44:20...
2022-10-281h 09The LightShed PodcastOctober 22, 2022[0:00] I Love You Always Forever.[1:20] Let’s repack week one of earnings.[6:45] Is a Fox/News Corp. merger the next season of Succession?[13:08] Netflix’s next act: monetizing the moochers.[18:26] YouTube time spent on connected TV is skyrocketing.[22:25] Netflix ramping gaming efforts but creating a breakout hit is hard.[24:45] Linear TV ads trends holding up better than digital.[34:43] Twitter sale will go through at $54.20.[39:30] Endeavor may want WWE but that doesn’t mean it’s for sale.[43:05] Will Amazon outbid Turner and ESPN fo...
2022-10-2156 minThe LightShed PodcastOctober 14, 2022[0:00] Can’t Get You Out of My Head.[5:00] WiFi issues at the Comcast Center.[6:25] Meta’s brand may be its biggest problem. [11:58] Are there VR uses cases beyond gaming? [13:44] Zuckerberg desperately wants to be the Metaverse OS. [19:28] TikTok begins music streaming push as Sony pulls out of Resso.[21:45] Is it easier for Amazon to be TikTok than TikTok to be Amazon?[23:57] AVOD pricing is a bundle and TAM play for Disney but just TAM for Netflix.[29:30] Netflix advertising is starting as a scale play similar to...
2022-10-141h 13The LightShed PodcastOctober 7th, 2022[0:00] Portland, Oregon.[1:01] Another LightShed wedding.[4:10] Where were you when Aaron Judge made “history”?[7:50] Elon’s financing contingency is his newest negotiating ploy.[13:50] What is Elon’s X?[16:24] News outlet owners have always been accused of bias.[20:13] Changes to Section 230 interpretations could mean major risk to tech platforms.[26:14] Loss of older audiences is aging down Amazon’s TNF viewers.[29:21] Could the average person define the metaverse?[31:44] Is Instagram’s ad load increase the start of a death spiral?[33:27] Without a TikTok ban...
2022-10-071h 00The LightShed PodcastSeptember 30, 2022[0:00] Fantastic Voyage.[1:24] Imagining Rich’s midlife crisis.[4:17] Has the weak global economy finally caught up with Apple?[12:11] Is Amazon aging down the NFL?[14:45] Was Bob Iger watching Aaron Judge live?[17:30] New York AG’s complete misunderstanding of the TV industry.[20:35] Warner Bros. Discovery isn't for sale (for now).[25:31] Netflix is cutting costs, not rethinking broader strategy.[28:56] Dahmer killing Andor.[33:05] Inertia is the glue holding the cable bundle together.[37:07] Is Biden’s handling of TikTok friendly or inert?[39:04] Hulu++...
2022-09-301h 08The LightShed PodcastSeptember 23, 2022[0:00] Bullet with Butterfly Wings.[3:53] LightShed Dinner #2: The Roast of TMT.[10:03] A Fubo upgrade brought to you by hopeful bankers.[13:11] Where is the marketing machine for Aaron Judge?[16:34] Must-See TV on Thursdays is now Amazon, not NBC.[21:51] Tech is treating this downturn with more fear than legacy media.[24:56] Is Meta baselessly hated or are they anti-consumer?[28:13] Twitch’s headline was misleading; creators continue to be paid more annually.[31:29] Will paying creators more help Shorts catch TikTok? [33:50] Robert Kyncl brings a UGC/creator men...
2022-09-231h 09The LightShed PodcastSeptember 16, 2022[0:00] As It Was.[1:30] What’s the overlap between Harry Styles and LightShed Podcast listeners?[6:46] Amazon’s first NFL broadcast was a success.[10:42] Will channel changing friction increase Amazon’s average viewership?[14:40] Spin or no spin, ESPN will have to cut costs.[20:34] Disney will own 100% of Hulu.[24:20] Verizon’s strategy if it can’t grow.[29:40] T-Mobile's definition of big.[31:50] Streaming consolidation is needed for broad pricing power.[37:54] TikTok wants to be the de facto social/entertainment platform.[39:38] Comparing Reels and TikTok usa...
2022-09-161h 01The LightShed PodcastSeptember 9, 2022[0:00] Another One Bites the Dust.[1:14] Welcome Olivia![3:41] Rich’s redeye selfies are back.[8:50] Why is Sunday Ticket still not done? [10:26] Apple, SpaceX and cold feet.[17:28] Dish’s big win with iPhone 14.[20:03] Bob Iger’s Twitter bot criticisms are very different than Elon’s.[26:56] Snap has quickly built a real subscription business.[29:56] Snap’s DR focus reaccelerating growth[31:37] Could CFIUS remove TikTok from the US? [36:17] Will a pullback in streaming spend boost theatrical budgets?[42:25] Only select streaming shows should be li...
2022-09-091h 13The LightShed PodcastSeptember 2, 2022[0:00] The Victors.[0:45] College football is back.[3:43] Netflix’s first big advertising hires blend traditional TV and digital.[6:57] Is the digital ad market mature?[19:03] Can subscription/commerce move the needle as ad growth slows?[24:10] What innovations will Apple showcase next week?[29:55] Apple TV+ now included in T-Mobile’s high-end bundle.[32:51] Will national audiences seek out Thursday Night Football?[38:23] Will Disney Prime monetize Disney’s superfans? [41:00] The linear TV death spiral begins.[44:23] Does HBO content on TNT help or hurt HBO Max?
2022-09-021h 06The LightShed PodcastAugust 26, 2022[0:00] Sabotage.[3:26] Does this hotel have USA Today?[5:51] Amazon/EA rumor debunked.[11:05] Microsoft wants subscription exclusivity, not hardware exclusivity.[13:12] The Law vs. Elon Musk. [19:45] T-Mobile and Starlink’s plan to cover wireless deadspots.[25:38] TikTok TV should scare legacy media. [29:21] TikTok is the most shared link on Facebook Blue.[31:33] House of the Dragon satisfied the community feel.[35:00] Does the HBO Max discount increase LTV?[38:46] Who is greenlighting films at Warner Bros. Discovery? [41:06] Warner Bros. Discovery film strategy less flexible than...
2022-08-261h 08The LightShed PodcastAugust 19, 2022[0:00] Spin the Black Circle.[1:28] Where was Rich’s post-flight selfie? [5:16] Escalating sports costs will bring margin pain.[8:11] No friction to churning in streaming world.[11:05] Sports betting industry is still worth avoiding.[16:35] Are you watching House of the Dragon this weekend?[21:06] Amazon TNF over/under: 12.5m viewers.[25:22] Does a smooth TNF launch help Amazon’s Sunday Ticket bid?[30:54] Now is the time for Chapek to make ESPN and Hulu decisions.[34:14] MSGE spin will re-highlight existing asset value.[39:10] Paramount+ is a good...
2022-08-201h 17The LightShed PodcastAugust 12, 2022[0:00] Heads Will Roll.[3:21] The conference call filibuster.[8:15] Chapek and Zaslav are strategic opposites.[20:49] The new new bundle.[23:33] Attention entrepreneurs: Walt has a business idea.[25:55] tvOS war enters its next phase.[28:07] When does sports rights inflation topple traditional media?[31:10] Last out of Tesla?[33:48] Starlink rural broadband subsidy denied in surprise decision by FCC.[39:01] Roblox’s age-up is working but there must be continued investment.[45:08] Grand Theft Auto is bigger than The Avengers.[47:28] AppLovin threatened by a Unity/ironSource me...
2022-08-121h 08The LightShed PodcastAugust 5, 2022[0:00] Greenlander.[1:19] When did Rich graduate from high school?[5:13] Warner Bros. Discovery undoes Jason Kilar’s vision.[12:53] Netflix is a beneficiary of WBD’s pivot.[14:42] Elon’s bot argument is irrelevant.[18:23] CTV advertising market is changing at a rapid rate.[20:45] Live Nation is on fire with no signs of slowing down.[25:35] Verizon latest telco to cut costs.[28:17] Cable industry in denial about fixed wireless impact.[30:05] Should the government block big tech M&A before market dominance is established?[33:17] Why can’t Instag...
2022-08-0559 minWrestlenomicsLightShed's Brandon Ross on WWE without Vince McMahonBrandon Ross is a partner and analyst for LightShed, which covers WWE stock and numerous other technology, media, and telecom companies.He joins Brandon Thurston and Jesse Collings to talk about WWE business following the exit of Vince McMahon amid investigation into the former CEO's misconduct. WWE shares have risen coinciding with speculation WWE could be acquired with Vince out of the picture. And both WWE and AEW have U.S. media rights negotiations on the horizon.📺 Tune in to Wrestlenomics Radio every Sunday at 11:00am ET📊 TV ratings reports and data: https://patreo...
2022-08-0348 minThe LightShed PodcastJuly 28, 2022[0:00] The Modern Age.[1:32] Happy birthday Rich![4:47] Consumers continue to shift away from products and towards experiences and services.[10:10] Comcast should shutter Peacock and buy Hulu.[15:35] Comcast loses broadband subs to T-Mobile and Verizon wireless.[20:03] Comcast does not need Charter in the tvOS wars.[22:30] Meta DAUs up, but was time spent up?[24:16] Instagram moving towards video as they have been forever.[29:32] Meta needs M&A to build their metaverse.[32:34] Why is Meta raising the price of Quest?[33:50] We do not...
2022-07-281h 07The LightShed PodcastJuly 22, 2022[0:00] In The Flesh.[1:47] The sad highlight of Rich’s week.[4:13] Where was Evan?[10:08] Meta’s EPS release will help us understand Snap’s position.[13:50] Why are ad agencies raising guidance while digital ad companies crumble?[15:19] Consumers not cutting wireless spending yet.[20:17] Should TMUS buy the rest of Altice?[28:25] Defining the entertainment graph.[31:34] No buzzwords – the internet is going to keep evolving with technology.[38:13] Netflix’s huge advertising opportunity.[40:28] Springsteen fans’ misplaced outrage.[45:58] Amazon no longer has the worst stream...
2022-07-221h 03The LightShed PodcastJuly 15, 2022[0:00] You’re Crazy.[2:44] New Yorkers drive out Mario Draghi.[3:55] Joe finally takes a vacation.[6:21] Microsoft’s BIG guarantee to win Netflix ad biz.[13:39] Disney/Trade Desk deal is limited by time spent.[17:43] Warner Bros. Discovery continues to erase Jason Kilar’s influence.[23:05] Amazon Prime+?[27:06] Apple’s focus on quality is reflected in Emmy nominations.[29:50] Marketing matters in streaming and Netflix must do better.[30:40] Are T-Mobile’s job cuts the start of the broader trend?[32:45] Masa's promises made, promises not kept.
2022-07-1558 minThe LightShed PodcastJuly 7, 2022[0:00] Lazy Mary.[1:27] Wall Street, Italy.[7:31] Skeptical Musk can avoid paying $54.20 for Twitter.[14:15] TikTok privacy concerns are bipartisan.[18:32] TikTok memes can drive content success.[22:55] Sunday Ticket heading to streaming, not surprising.[24:03] Fanatics’ Michael Rubin is media trained.[26:14] How you can breakup Duke and UNC?[29:07] Walt takes the under.[31:00] Endeavor is logical if WWE must be sold.[36:56] Misra is a survivor.[38:41] Hulu is superfluous to Disney’s ambitions.[42:33] Meta offers a new graph out of necessity.[4...
2022-07-081h 02The LightShed PodcastJuly 1, 2022[0:00] Coming to America.[2:12] Brandon plans (planned*) to be back in NYC tomorrow.[5:58] FCC Chair is only person that matters in a TikTok fight.[9:22] Supreme Court ruling limits the authority of federal agencies.[13:22] The perfect storm impacting Meta. [17:15] Why are investors not paying attention to Twitter acquisition?[21:39] Pinterest should not be a standalone company.[23:32] Chapek now has three years to make Disney his own.[34:07] The importance of reach and cross-promotion in sports media. [39:09] We still expect Apple to win Sunday Ticket....
2022-07-011h 02The LightShed PodcastJune 24 2022[0:00] Circle of Life.[1:08] There I was in the Congo.[1:48] Surrounded by lions.[2:25] Rich finally got covid.[4:22] Netflix is not going to save the TV ad biz.[12:20] Apple's big sports ambitions. [24:01] Debating the purchase of virtual goods in the #metaverse.[30:40] We’ll believe Apple has an AR product when we see it.[32:34] Metaverse is only upside for Meta’s long-term holders.[38:01] Sievert’s manifesto.[40:11] Do faster speeds drive wireless decision-making?[47:43] The WWE crowd loves Vince but does the Board?
2022-06-241h 04The LightShed PodcastJune 17, 2022[0:00] Africa.[1:12] Live from Rwanda.[5:48] Companies are reacting quickly to the coming recession.[9:20] Credit Jeff Shell for his ad market honesty.[12:37] Second round of price increases for AT&T and Verizon.[17:20] Is WWE for sale?[23:42] Cable broadband feeling competition.[33:11] Disney’s IPL surprise.[38:54] Elon has big plans for Twitter.[43:59] Smart for Meta to lean into AI/algo over social graph.[46:26] Blizzard is finally getting content out.[47:50] Down to the wire for Dish.[50:59] Is that why the Ro...
2022-06-171h 03The LightShed PodcastJune 10, 2022[0:00] Hot Hot Hot.[1:46] What do cherries cost per pound?[4:35] Will TV ad sales downturn impact legacy media AVOD/SVOD spend?[8:07] Netflix is not buying Roku, sorry Roku employees.[12:52] If Disney Board believes in Chapek, then renew his contract.[15:35] Will others follow AT&T’s lead and drop included content?[20:15] Spotify comes out swinging.[25:18] Netflix needs more franchises like Stranger Things. [30:50] What’s old is new at Apple. [33:52] What does Apple's WWDC "No Fingerprinting" edict mean to ad biz? [36:00] Is Meta at...
2022-06-101h 02The LightShed PodcastJune 3, 2022[0:00] California Love.[0:44] Live from San Francisco, not LA.[6:04] Sheryl Sandberg. [15:16] The Zaslav transformation continues.[20:40] All streaming services remain a content story.[24:17] Higher monthly bills and churn.[33:22] Sports TV ratings continue to surprise.[35:07] Do you like basketball?[38:17] Google TV becoming strategically important to Google.[41:36] Why would a sports fan pay for a standalone RSN today?[45:16] Box Office needs Top Gun a couple times each month, not each year.[48:34] SeatGeek cannot compete with Ticketmaster.[50:54] Crypto math.
2022-06-0355 minThe LightShed PodcastMay 27, 2022[0:00] Top Gun Anthem.[1:48] Remembering those we love. [11:44] Inflation starting to impact demand for some.[14:07] Can Snap and Omnicom both be right?[17:36] Investors may be overestimating the magnitude of Snap’s decel.[24:34] How can Twitter's Board ignore a shareholder vote?[28:13] We still expect Elon to close at $54.20.[30:01] Clarification for Charter’s clarification?[35:27] Comcast should have targeted ATVI, not EA.[38:22] Brian Roberts’ control is impediment to deals.[43:09] Regulatory agencies understaffed.[45:20] Tony Fadell's overly simplified views of the metaverse.[52...
2022-05-271h 11The LightShed PodcastMay 20, 2022[0:00] Narco.[1:40] Rich’s blankie.[4:59] Twitter’s algorithm is not good enough.[12:26] Legal system trumps Elon’s buyer’s remorse.[23:28] Disney’s thoughtful AVOD approach.[29:30] If you can put ads on streaming, what happens to linear TV advertising?[31:16] Netflix pivots do not mean they were always wrong.[40:55] PFL’s new monetization structure is a direct shot at the UFC.[47:20] Do not expect MMA competition to hurt UFC’s rights renewal.[49:13] Bethesda delays leave Game Pass without Xbox front line releases.[54:35] What service p...
2022-05-201h 20The LightShed PodcastMay 13, 2022[0:00] Don’t Worry Be Happy.[2:58] Would the Twitter board take $42.00?[7:55] Would you fire major executives if you actually thought Elon could walk?[13:34] TTD is key to Netflix moving quickly on ads.[19:44] Content spend deceleration is not a good Endeavor bear thesis.[26:15] Is Google getting back into sports rights?[29:51] Heavy enterprise and tech focus at Dish Analyst Day.[38:14] Is an HBO Max channel store flip flop imminent?[43:56] Match is to Google as Epic is to Apple.[48:15] The bundle is cracking because there is...
2022-05-131h 07The LightShed PodcastMay 6, 2022[0:00] My Money Don’t Jiggle, Jiggle, It Folds.[1:06] Rich’s hair is now green.[3:12] What economic model gets Twitter to Elon’s revenue goals?[12:37] Xbox/Epic deal a win-win for both parties.[15:27] How do brands create long term engagement in 3D interactive?[27:42] Expect Netflix to slowly move into sports rights.[32:12] Netflix benefits if other SVOD platforms crackdown on password sharing.[34:27] A media exec finally admits that short-form mobile is eating into TV.[41:55] What does a minority stake in Starz do for Roku?[44...
2022-05-061h 01The LightShed PodcastApril 29, 2022[0:00] Chameleon.[2:25] Brandon thinks better with a fever.[4:30] If Elon wants his Twitter deal to close, it will.[14:48] Is it too late to the tvOS party for the Comcast/Charter JV?[23:22] No Comcast investor believes in Peacock.[27:00] Netflix needs quality control.[33:01] The difference between Meta’s 1Q22 and 4Q21 calls: IR messaging.[35:00] Will TikTok run into its own problems too?[38:14] Evan Spiegel’s fundamentally different view of the metaverse.[42:06] What are the other unnamed projects Zaslav will shutter at WBD?[44:56] Do n...
2022-04-291h 04The LightShed PodcastApril 22, 2022[0:00] Tweezer Reprise.[2:50] We did not expect #GoodLuckStreaming in 2022.[3:10] Why is Reed Hastings giving up religion on advertising? [18:13] Zaslav’s conundrum – what do you do if streaming isn’t a panacea?[21:16] Warner Bros. Discovery is too levered to deal with CNN+.[25:53] Sunday Ticket to Apple would be a gamechanger.[28:50] Will +play help Verizon and streamers grow?[34:38] Hard to fathom that investors will want to sell Twitter at $54.20.[39:49] Do Twitter’s problems stem from the answer to “What is Twitter?”?[44:27] Bob Chapek's tough year continue...
2022-04-2259 minThe LightShed PodcastApril 14, 2022[0:00] Dayenu.[2:53] Will Elon buy Twitter?[12:20] Does the threat of Elon owning Twitter change the government’s view of big tech M&A?[18:05] Should The New York Times be anti-Twitter? [22:58] Disney should sell Hulu to Comcast to focus on Disney+.[29:29] Scott Galloway thinks AT&T still owns Warner Bros. and that they should sell HBO.[33:14] Epic’s LEGO partnership could (eventually) be a threat to Roblox’s core user base.[36:35] Meta’s Horizon Worlds’ fees are more creator friendly than the competition.[40:25] Brands and media compa...
2022-04-141h 05The LightShed PodcastApril 8, 2022[0:00] Game of Thrones – Main Title.[1:39] Where’s Walt’s Yellowstone swag?[3:55] WarnerMedia’s Red Wedding.[10:58] Advertising on Netflix?[15:52] Elon and Twitter. [26:10] Music is core to Roblox’s strategy.[28:52] Roblox’s continued product improvements will increase engagement and user growth.[31:10] Dish Analyst Day.[33:21] WrestleMania weekend success.[38:36] Disney should buy WWE.[46:35] Disney finally begins tying Disney+ to the overall company.[48:23] Fubo needs to raise capital, not price.[51:13] Meta should be massively overpaying creators on Reels.[55:03] Another depa...
2022-04-0858 minThe LightShed PodcastApril 1, 2022[0:00] Shock The Monkey.[1:00] The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air.[1:57] Rich’s experience at the House of Mouse.[8:02] Apple is completely committed to the content business.[15:06] Mad Dog Russo sums up the issues with Friday Night Baseball.[23:01] Zuckerberg’s public TikTok fears are real, not strategic.[32:39] Update on T-Mobile/Dish saga.[33:50] Is there differentiation in wireless?[36:00] The NFL should leverage their mobile rights to learn DTC.[39:27] Twitter continues to improve the product and grow engagement.[42:07] Don’t throw the SPAC out wi...
2022-04-011h 03The LightShed PodcastMarch 25, 2022[0:00] 99.[0:50] The elephant in The Mouse’s room.[7:01] A Roku television?[12:15] YouTube building on its big screen momentum.[15:42] Does Apple care about Spotify’s new deal with Google?[19:38] Is Instagram winning back share from TikTok? [23:10] Pricing power in an inflationary market.[28:53] Uber Eats via a NYC taxi is gross.[31:30] Nielsen is making a mistake by not selling.[33:35] Monetizing esports is proving to be very hard. [36:00] Netflix’s gaming strategy: buy not build.[37:55] Will Apple be your future wireless servic...
2022-03-2557 minThe LightShed PodcastMarch 18, 2022[0:00] Rebellion (Lies).[2:20] Can you have a dollar sign in a domain name?[4:03] Jake Paul calls out LightShed. Is he right about the UFC?[11:11] Netflix has levers to pull to re-accelerate sub growth.[19:23] Walt is frustrated with Comcast’s focus on business model over the consumer[25:31] Expect Jim Dolan to be even more involved in MSG Sphere going forward.[29:08] Will Apple win in AR, pushing VR to the side?[33:30] Pent up concert demand outweighs inflationary pressures.[36:14] The FTC never had a ca...
2022-03-1858 minThe LightShed PodcastMarch 11, 2022[0:00] Maria También.[1:25] We should have skipped the Sixers’ game.[3:50] Apple needs Sunday Ticket, not MLB rights.[9:11] Apple TV+’s high churn is unsurprising.[15:03] Comcast and NBCU should be separate companies.[17:40] Is the future of TV ad-supported weekly releases?[18:47] Netflix’s two key differentiators: scale and ad-free.[22:58] Does Disney’s likely exit from IPL signal a shift in broader sports strategy? [26:32] Breaking down Rutledge’s claims.[36:18] Samsung is not going to give up on its OS.[39:05] Russian impact is largely imma...
2022-03-1152 minThe LightShed PodcastMarch 4, 2022[0:00] Strawberry Letter 23.[2:07] Synesthesia or psychedelics?[8:36] Be kind to each other.[11:20] Will Verizon’s +play be the start of the great content rebundle and Netflix’s savior?[23:52] Did Zas know that Warner Bros. might lose the Tolkien Estate rights?[26:57] No one is going to pay for CNN+.[27:28] Disney’s Disney+ 180.[34:43] Netflix is going to build its games expertise through acquisition.[36:58] TikTok is eating the world.[39:55] Will Amazon walk from MGM or send Lina Khan a message?[45:05] The flailing MLB and Charte...
2022-03-041h 12The LightShed PodcastFebruary 25, 2022[0:00] Peaches En Regalia.[1:05] Our most geographically diverse podcast ever.[2:51] Walt’s internet is better in Rome than in Westchester.[7:10] Warner Bros. Discovery is naïve to think spending does not need to increase a lot.[12:40] Live entertainment is on fire.[13:44] Concert tickets are vastly underpriced.[22:04] Does everyone needs a Truth strategy?[27:32] Call of Duty delay is a symptom of ATVI’s problems, not the reason they sold.[30:17] Mobile casual gaming companies are still struggling and looking for a way out.[33:09] Rationalization of sp...
2022-02-251h 00The LightShed PodcastFebruary 18, 2022[0:00] Stand On The Word.[2:08] Sports betting is more profitable for Walt than the sportsbooks.[5:00] Investors are no longer advantaging companies spending for top line growth.[10:15] The NFL is the only sport that drives viewership.[11:17] Telcos pivot marketing to wireless home broadband.[13:25] Coinbase’s DR and brand advertising success but does it matter?[15:54] We are as bullish on Roblox as we have ever been.[21:45] We remain skeptical that VR will be a true daily habit.[24:21] Disney needs an acquisition to build the next generation pl...
2022-02-1853 minThe LightShed PodcastFebruary 11, 2022[0:00] Axel F.[3:20] Brandon is taking the Rams, so bet the Bengals.[5:34] James Harden is going to fall in love with Philly cheesesteaks.[6:36] PointsBet should have cashed out instead of partnering with NBCU.[8:52] ESPN may want Sunday Ticket, but is that "best" for Disney?[10:40] The NFL should prefer Apple gets Sunday Ticket to increase partners.[15:35] Roblox is the perfect platform to reach young (potential) NFL fans.[18:49] Disney must solve Hulu’s ownership and create a single SVOD service.[25:03] Studios are getting more and more co...
2022-02-111h 06The LightShed PodcastFebruary 4, 2022[0:00] Tubthumping.[1:20] Why is Rich’s hair Red?[4:42] Snapchat has a different use case than TikTok.[8:55] Zuckerberg is fighting a multi-front war.[15:00] Sony buying Bungie is a positive for Microsoft.[21:00] Rockstar is working on a new GTA (no kidding).[22:56] Spotify’s platform changes are better late than never.[24:07] Spotify’s stock was not down because of Joe Rogan.[31:20] T-Mobile’s confetti bubble.[33:12] Do ARPUs rise in a “competitive” wireless market?[40:48] Should WWE be part of a much larger platform?[51:04] CN...
2022-02-041h 11The LightShed PodcastJanuary 28, 2022[0:00] Whipping Post.[1:48] The market is taking off its beer goggles.[8:15] “Capitulate”, “LightShed”, and “Fubo” should not all be in the same sentence.[16:07] Bob Iger’s refreshingly honest view of the theatrical business.[19:17] Legacy media does not have video gaming DNA.[22:19] Is Iger’s “Web 3.0” evolutionary or revolutionary?[28:59] Netflix telegraphs acceleration of their M&A strategy.[31:18] The DOJ may be poised to “try” to block more vertical deals.[38:22] Is Bobby Kotick playing 3D chess?[39:52] Microsoft’s commitment to widespread Call of Duty release is unsurprising.
2022-01-281h 13The LightShed PodcastJanuary 21, 2022[0:00] Bat Out of Hell.[0:14] RIP Meatloaf.[3:39] Netflix’s terrible forecast doesn’t change their long-term streaming TAM.[9:32] Long Netflix is now a bet on Ted, not Reed.[16:56] Netflix is re-running their initial content playbook but in gaming.[19:46] Activision Blizzard’s employee and recruitment issues spelled the end.[22:11] Subscription gaming requires popular first-party content.[33:28] Activision Blizzard catalyzes Microsoft’s metaverse ambitions.[35:13] Looking at the Peloton time capsule.[37:20] The Onion cuts their Fubo price target.[38:54] AWS Telecom scores another major telco.[40...
2022-01-211h 10The LightShed PodcastJanuary 14, 2022[0:00] Rhinestone Cowboy.[4:23] Goodbye Joe Judge.[5:16] Take-Two/Zynga has clear strategic rationale but execution is TBD.[12:13] Activision Blizzard should merge Zynga with King (but won’t).[13:06] Sinclair’s DTC pivot does not make economic sense.[19:24] The NBA will go direct with a better product offering than Sinclair.[23:15] Have the stars finally aligned for Dish/DTC to combine?[28:12] Apple/MLB would be a big deal even at small dollars.[32:05] BT Sport gives DAZN much-needed geographic diversification.[35:20] How long can streaming platforms drive up spor...
2022-01-141h 01The LightShed PodcastJanuary 7, 2022[0:00] Moby Dick.[1:20] The Bob Chapek era has officially begun.[3:03] Rich called the crypto top.[4:06] Covid is the world's greatest IQ test(s).[8:37] Michael Rubin’s savage acquisition of Topps.[9:58] Fanatics is a great example on how to disrupt an industry.[12:23] Advertising and sponsorship platforms are the clear early winners in NY sports betting.[15:12] AT&T tops table again in post-paid nets.[19:23] Wireless impact on cable broadband intensifying.[24:52] Why is Scott Rosenberg leaving Roku?[29:03] The New York Times finally acquires Th...
2022-01-071h 02The LightShed PodcastDecember 31, 2021Reviewing LightShed's 21 Predictions for 2021[0:00] 2021.[4:04] Disney and Comcast End Hulu Partnership Three Years Early.[7:15] Amazon Acquires Thursday Night Football and YouTube TV Takes Sunday Ticket.[10:34] HBO/HBO Max Hit 50 Million Subscribers.[14:02] Verizon Drops To Last Place In Wireless Phone Net Adds.[14:51] Roku Raises Equity to Accelerate Original Programming.[18:05] Dish’s Spectrum Included in iPhone 13.[19:43] Disney Releases All Theatrical Films Day-and-Date on Disney+.[23:48] Apple’s IDFA Opt-In Causes Wide-Ranging Pain, Accelerating Push to Subscriptions.[26:45] Interactive Media Platforms Become Critical for Marketers and...
2021-12-311h 05The LightShed PodcastDecember 24, 2021[0:00] Jingle Bells (Dogs).[0:15] A sequel to Rich’s Peacock TikTok.[1:03] Happy Festivus.[2:23] Who doesn’t want to get stuck quarantining in Vegas?[6:14] Omicron throws Comcast’s Winter Olympics in flux.[8:03] Jack calls out attempts to centralize the decentralized web.[14:17] Congratulations to your Finance Charlatans of the Year![17:03] The Sixers have a “concrete” metaverse strategy.Is Crypto advertising bigger than sports betting advertising?[20:34] Does Spider-Man’s success change our day-and-date viewpoint?[29:20] Iger knows that Disney+ needs more diverse content.[30:41] Sh...
2021-12-2356 minThe LightShed PodcastDecember 17, 2021• [0:00] Let’s Get It On.• [3:08] Seven Fishes or Seven Phish Shows?• [4:48] YouTube TV’s $15/month chess move.• [8:18] Is Netflix India cutting price or pushing subs to TVs?• [12:44] Disney cannot afford to lose IPL rights.• [13:57] What impact will cable have in wireless next year?• [19:03] Fubo's sports betting fantasy is evaporating.• [22:27] We read mean (Fubo) tweets.• [24:09] TikTok is going to catch up to Instagram far quicker than people realize.• [26:06] The sky is falling.• [30:38] Digital ownership is a huge opportunity for large brands.• [32:33] Sh...
2021-12-1752 minThe LightShed PodcastDecember 10, 2021[0:00] Around the World.[0:42] Jingle Ball.[2:52] BuzzFeed’s lack of consumer passion and brand equity.[9:09] The power of YouTube.[15:40] More fodder for the competitive wireless home broadband debate.[21:00] Can Cable disrupt wireless?[24:50] Discord’s low hanging monetization fruit.[32:11] AMC CEO stock sales speak louder than his words.[34:23] MSG Sphere is poised for innovative and flexible content creation.[37:10] Amazon's sports ambitions are bigger than industry realizes.[45:31] Theatrical windows are too inflexible.[48:28] Sports books need content to lower acquisition costs.
2021-12-101h 05
The Dumbest Guy in the RoomDivided We Watch: How Media and Entertainment Reflect Our Increasingly Tribal Culture | Sara Fischer of Axios and Rich Greenfield of LightShed PartnersIt’s hard to imagine TV shows or movies captivating our nation the way they used to, which is a shame, because we’ve never needed something to bring us together like we do today. Sure, there are shows like Squid Game and Ted Lasso, but a third of Americans don’t have Netflix and many more don’t have Apple TV+. It makes you wonder if entertainment does more to divide us — both because of how fragmented it is and how it’s deliberately engineered to appeal to specific segments of the population. So where does it all leave us?
2021-12-0850 minThe LightShed PodcastDecember 3, 2021[0:00] Soul Bossa Nova.[1:05] Every good podcast has a donkey.[4:23] A Twitter CEO not in a yurt.[10:43] FCC confirmations and broadband regulation.[13:20] Disney Comcast news sadly did not involve Hulu resolution.[16:33] We are about to learn who Bob Chapek really is. [19:12] Does offering deep discounts to gain streaming subs make sense?[23:59] Sinclair STILL does not have a viable DTC product.[27:14] Current MLB lockout tied to compensation, not RSNs.[28:29] The power of football vs. everything else.[32:41] Facebook is going to have t...
2021-12-031h 02The LightShed PodcastNovember 26, 2021[0:00] On Repeat.[2:42] COVID returns, did it ever leave? [5:40] Farewell Vonage.[7:01] Sell-side wakes up to Disney+ content slowdown.[10:28] Disney needs new movies for D+ sub growth.[13:00] HBO Max’s targeting can improve.[20:47] Dec 1 a big day for FCC’s Rosenworcel and Sohn.[23:22] As FCC gets sorted, TracFone deal approval and C-Band resolutions emerge.[28:16] Is Amazon’s NFL innovation right on schedule or a troubling delay?[34:06] Roku’s content ambitions.[40:36] Netflix’s content verticals on Spotify to get mimicked by other brands....
2021-11-261h 01The LightShed PodcastNovember 19, 2021[0:00] Home on the Range.[5:55] Liberty’s managed Q&A.[9:40] Is Malone turning against the bundle he built?[10:13] Warner Bros. will not be a one-size-fits all offering.[15:36] Malone is more self-aware than Charter on competition.[19:00] Gigi Sohn should be confirmed as FCC Commish, but when?[21:11] It is time for Bobby Kotick to wave the white flag. Where’s the Board?[25:13] Should Activision Blizzard break up the company?[26:28] Netflix’s viewership data is to attract talent, not advertisers.[34:15] Disney should use last week's Viacom...
2021-11-191h 14The LightShed PodcastNovember 12, 2021[0:00] Silence Kid.[1:37] Do length of EPS opening remarks correlate with stock performance?[4:04] Everyone’s building “a metaverse.”[10:30] Betting "now" strengthens the ESPN brand.[13:50] Sportsbook War’s biggest winners are owners of advertising/sponsorship inventory.[16:14] Streaming platforms becoming much more serious about sports rights.[19:00] How many movies per year satisfy the “collective” experience?[27:30] Disney needs to change their theatrical/Disney+ strategy.[30:07] Should Twitter Blue features be native to all users?[34:15] If live audio is a space to own, Twitter will own it.[35:24...
2021-11-121h 00The LightShed PodcastNovember 5, 2021[0:00] I Wanna Be Sedated.[1:40] A week in the ring with Mike Tyson.[3:25] The early standouts for LightShed’s Q3 Earnings Call Scorecard.[6:59] Tech giants battling for metaverse.[15:47] Roblox outage is concerning.[20:08] T-Mobile added Paramount+. What’s next for Netflix?[24:43] Valuable kids content is a must-have for any broad SVOD service.[27:31] Mayer/Staggs are building a content war chest with optionality.[32:12] Sinclair still won’t admit it has no DTC path for regional sports.[34:02] Roku’s TV cost inflation claims don’t pass the s...
2021-11-0559 minThe LightShed PodcastOctober 29, 2021[0:00] Let’s Go Brandon.[5:39] VR is an arrow in the metaverse quiver.[13:45] Brandon admires Zuck’s pivot.[16:24] Not enough attention is being paid to audio advertising.[17:47] Are surveys helpful on podcasting share or anything?[23:11] FCC nominations don’t move agency too far left.[26:40] Did wireless take subs from cable broadband? [30:45] Spectrum auction at $21b.[31:04] T-Mobile’s caving to Dish.[33:12] Google and Amazon are fighting to take back tvOS.[36:30] Can Netflix attract talent to New Jersey? [38:41] Chipotle connects Roblox to...
2021-10-291h 01The LightShed PodcastOctober 22, 20210:00] We Appreciate Power.[1:25] Walt goes on the road.[3:33] What does Upstart do?[6:14] Trump’s SPAC = Web 4.0.[10:57] The metaverse and the evil monopolist.[13:25] Tech platforms are all building their (different) visions of the metaverse.[15:59] Spectrum auctions and tinfoil hats.[19:55] Hard to imagine Roku being without the YouTube app going into the holidays.[30:51] Verizon's fixed wireless opportunity.[35:17] Apple doesn’t have to follow Google’s app store fee lead.[37:50] App store changes could lead to more gaming subscriptions.[40:19] Apple levera...
2021-10-221h 07The LightShed PodcastOctober 15, 2021[0:00] STAY.[2:00] Kadarius Tony or DeVonta Smith?[3:31] LightShed Ventures investment in Space Perspective.[8:21] Rob Manfred tears down Sinclair’s DTC ambitions.[11:23] Can Sinclair monetize its spectrum?[14:29] Don’t expect ESPN to go fully OTT for at least 3 years.[18:31] Spectrum auction logic.[22:22] Nielsen facing a tough 2022.[24:16] Roblox developers create Squid Game games long before Netflix can.[30:47] Disney’s move to international content.[33:44] T-Mobile’s brass knuckles extend to Cox. Where are the regulators? [37:50] Apple’s large physical reminder of its content...
2021-10-1559 minThe LightShed PodcastOctober 8, 2021[0:00] Butts, Butts, Butts.[0:50] Brandon’s broken tailbone.[2:42] Facebook’s metaverse and video pivot driven by lose/lose dynamics of news.[10:34] Peacock does not belong in the cable bundle.[12:08] Why are broadband companies still in video?[12:54] Verizon does not want to lose the MSGN broadband subs.[20:28] Charlie Ergen should offer five channels and call it Blockbuster.[22:10] Is the path to owning the living room low margin hardware?[33:20] Spectrum auction still anyone’s guess.[36:35] Squid Game breakthrough could never happen on Disney+.[39...
2021-10-081h 03The LightShed PodcastOctober 1, 2021[0:00] Finsta fool.[1:01] I Like To Move It.[3:45] Facebook’s tough week starts with them.[6:23] Snapchat might be immune from government attention.[8:28] DISH will only carry the RSNs if they are tiered.[11:30] Comcast’s affiliate carriage inconsistency.[15:15] MSG Entertainment assets insulated from an MSGN bankruptcy.[17:15] RSNs need a new business model.[18:32] Peacock needs programming not a marketing campaign.[23:25] Tik Tok 1bn users reinforces need to shift ad dollars from TV.[25:31] TV Premiere Week Quiet as Netflix Global Hit.[27:00] Mann...
2021-10-011h 03The LightShed PodcastSeptember 24, 2021[0:00] Hava Nagila.[0:55] The benefits of marriage.[6:08] Alternative feeds drive ratings.[14:51] The NFL is still king.[17:36] Disney should use their films to negate production delays and drive Disney+ subs.[21:34] Streamers need for diverse content and/or super service to lean into ARPU.[24:00] What ails Kabletown and what happens next?[27:06] Progressives vs beltway could define the next FCC chair and what that means for broadband rate regulation.[32:08] Fanatics’ puzzle coming together.[35:37] DraftKings’ pursuit of Entain the latest proof that scale is key.[3...
2021-09-2456 minThe LightShed PodcastSeptember 10, 2021[0:00] Idioteque.[1:05] Happy Anniversary LightShed![1:53] Wander off groom.[5:56] Apple/Epic ruling.[19:47] Facebook’s Smart Glasses.[24:50] 3D interactive experiences are (currently) the most tangible part of metaverse development.[27:20] VR will be a function of the metaverse but not the be all end all.[27:46] Verizon’s early NFL exit creates opportunity for a sportsbook.[32:57] No one is paying attention to the disappearance of DVDs and digital downloads.[36:07] AMC’s new marketing campaign – Nicole Kidman in an empty theater.[38:11] Would Disney have generated more val...
2021-09-101h 03The LightShed PodcastSeptember 3, 2021[0:00] Since I Left You.[1:06] The origin of Labor Day.[5:16] John Skipper’s Bishop Sycamore analogy.[8:28] ESPN is desperate for new revenue.[12:15] Sports betting CAC is irrationally high.[13:20] Bet on Barstool to embody gambling’s talking head culture.[16:57] PGA takes a page out of F1’s book in the post-Tiger era.[21:21] App store changes don’t fully solve the problem.[25:50] Apple is clearly trying to build out an ads business.[27:40] iPhones and LEO’s.[32:33] Amazon escalating the tvOS wars.[38:25...
2021-09-0357 min
RiskReversal PodNo Sympathy for the Fed Devils, and an Interview with Rich Greenfield of LightshedGuy, Dan and Danny discuss the everything rally (3:05), Chinese stocks rebounding (13:36), DraftKings’ Simplebet bid (18:04), and bitcoin’s 60% rally off its summer lows (19:57). The co-hosts interview Rich Greenfield of Lightshed Partners (28:06) and talk about his short AMC call (33:11), his venture into the metaverse (41:14), and the streaming wars (45:50).Click here for Guy Adami’s favorite Rolling Stones songs. ----See what adding futures can do for you at cmegroup.com/onthetape. ----Shoot us an email at OnTheTape@riskreversal.com with any feedback...
2021-08-271h 04The LightShed PodcastAugust 20, 2021[0:00] Cannonball.[1:35] A breakthrough case in the LightShed family.[4:45] We argue over whether we will ever be truly back to “normal”.[10:00] Disney takes a page out of the concert world in more efficiently pricing the house.[14:12] Roblox improves its communication capabilities through Guilded acquisition.[16:12] Roblox usage is now following a more seasonal pattern.[18:10] Bad week for T-Mobile with hacking and dispute with Dish.[20:55] A theatrical-only release is just not the best way to maximize value during covid.[25:09] Facebook is not a monopoly.[29:30] WWE...
2021-08-2054 min
Creator UploadLinkedin Creators, Community raises $40M to text you, get ready to buy stuff on Snap and Rich Greenfield of Lightshed subs and tells us about his $80 Million fundLinkedin is building features for Creators, What is community going to do with $90M, Snap is perfectly suited for ecommerce and Rich Greenfield from Lightshed rants on all things!Creator Upload Socials:
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2021-04-1641 min
garyveeTalent Is the Variable | Interview with LightShed LiveToday’s episode is an interview that I gave on LightShed Live where I give my updated thoughts and opinions on the marketing strategies of some of the top brands in the world. Enjoy! Let me know what you think.
Tweet Me! @garyvee
Text Me! 212-931-5731
My Newsletter: garyvee.com/newsletter
2020-07-1349 min
The BondRich Greenfield: Partner, LightShedRich Greenfield is a Partner at LightShed, a respected tech/media/telecom analyst and media futurist. We have a thought provoking discussion around the changing habits of personal content consumption, viewing surprises over the past six weeks, who is best positioned for the future and who isn’t and individual shifts in behavior. We explore many topics including sports media rights and new on-demand products to TikTok and Netflix. The recent statistics he shares around gaming increases may be expected but they also beg the question: how fast will these new learned behaviors disrupt what we know today. Rich po...
2020-04-2900 min