Ankler Agenda Enter The Warner Bros. Thunderdome
Dec 4, 2025
Richard Rushfield, founder of The Ankler and expert on studio business dynamics, joins the discussion on the frenzy over Warner Bros. Discovery's potential acquisition. The podcast explores the big players—Netflix, Paramount Skydance, and Comcast—who are circling like hawks. Discussion includes which studio executive would best lead the merged entity and the troubling implications of consolidation in Hollywood. Rushfield passionately argues for alternatives to studio takeovers, emphasizing the need for creativity and competition over conglomeration.
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Prioritize Direct Creator Relationships
- Build direct audience relationships rather than depending solely on algorithmic platforms.
- Use memberships, newsletters and one-time payments to diversify creator revenue beyond ads.
Patreon Evolves Into A Platform
- Patreon is adding discovery and newsletter tools to help creators find audiences without toxic algorithms.
- Competition from Substack and others pushes Patreon to become a more complete creator platform.
Binding Bids Raise The Stakes
- Warner Bros. Discovery received binding second-round bids from Netflix, Paramount/Skydance and Comcast, raising the stakes significantly.
- These offers narrow outcomes and force serious antitrust and strategic trade-offs for Hollywood's ecosystem.