The Town with Matthew Belloni
The Trump Tariff Pain Index: Who Suffers the Most in Hollywood?
Apr 14, 2025
Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg's media analyst with expertise in entertainment and financial trends, joins to dissect the impact of Trump tariffs on Hollywood. They explore how smaller media companies face greater risks amid advertising volatility. Major players like Disney and Fox are dissected for their vulnerabilities, while the duo discusses rising production costs and shifting consumer preferences. Shaw also delves into the upcoming UK version of 'Saturday Night Live', questioning its likelihood of success due to cultural differences.
33:08
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Quick takeaways
- Hollywood companies reliant on advertising, like Warner Brothers Discovery and Paramount, face potential losses of up to $45 billion due to Trump tariff-induced volatility.
- In contrast to traditional media, streaming services such as Netflix are in a stronger position, experiencing minimal immediate impact from the advertising downturn and benefiting from subscriber loyalty.
Deep dives
Impact of Tariffs on Hollywood
Recent Trump tariffs have raised concerns for Hollywood companies heavily reliant on advertising, such as Warner Brothers Discovery and Paramount, with significant impacts expected from a potential global trade war. Analysts warn that these companies may lose up to $45 billion due to instability in the advertising market, which is crucial for their revenue streams. This unpredictable environment threatens the already fragile financial states of these businesses, particularly as consumer spending on non-essentials may decline. In contrast, tech giants like Google and Meta, which dominate the digital advertising space, are expected to remain more resilient during economic downturns.
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