Hollywood vs. Big Tech in the Age of Consolidation
Apr 10, 2024
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Matt Stoller, from the American Economic Liberties Project, dives into Hollywood's consolidation and big tech's impact. They discuss antitrust concerns, Warner Bros. Discovery merger, government's role, and differences between Netflix and tech giants like Apple. The podcast sheds light on market structuring challenges and the influence of tech giants on the streaming market, focusing on Amazon's strategies and disruptive practices in the entertainment industry.
Hollywood faces challenges from big tech influence in consolidation.
Market dominance by tech giants poses antitrust concerns in entertainment industry.
Reinstating market rules can promote competition and diversity in Hollywood landscape.
Deep dives
Antitrust Concerns in Hollywood
The episode discusses the increasing antitrust scrutiny in Hollywood, focusing on regulatory review, government analysis of mergers, and the influence of big tech in the entertainment industry. Matt Stoller from the American Economic Liberties Project provides insights into the challenges posed by consolidation and the need for new market rules.
The Impact of Mergers and Big Tech
The conversation delves into the consequences of mergers and the growing influence of big tech companies like Apple and Amazon in Hollywood. It highlights concerns about market dominance, leveraging market power for content production, and potential antitrust implications for their actions.
Calls for Industry Leadership and Market Restructuring
Amidst discussions on industry challenges, there are calls for leadership in fixing the market structure. The episode touches on the need to reinstate rules like the FinCEN regulations to separate distribution and production, promoting a more competitive and artistically diverse landscape.
Francis Ford Coppola's Film Megalopolis
The podcast includes a discussion on Francis Ford Coppola's new film Megalopolis, delving into its experimental nature, financial risks, and potential challenges in finding a suitable distributor. The screening's reception, bold creative choices, and potential outcomes for the movie are analyzed, shedding light on the complexities of filmmaking and distribution.
Bonus: Francis Ford Coppola's Screening Reactions
The podcast briefly mentions reactions from a screening of Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis, highlighting the movie's unconventional elements, mixed reception among industry insiders, and the financial stakes involved in securing distribution for the ambitious project.
Matt Belloni is joined by Matt Stoller, research director for the American Economic Liberties Project and writer of the monopoly-focused newsletter 'Big,' to discuss the growing trend of consolidation in Hollywood and how big tech changed the way the entertainment industry operates. They talk through the downsides of consolidation in media, the difference between Netflix and other tech companies like Apple and Amazon, a potential Warner Bros. Discovery merger, and the government's role in all of this.
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