Channels with Peter Kafka cover image

Channels with Peter Kafka

Looking back, and ahead, with Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw

Dec 18, 2024
Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg's astute media reporter, shares his insights on the year’s shifts in the media landscape. He discusses the impact of a potential TikTok ban and how platforms like YouTube might adapt. The conversation dives into Saudi Arabia's burgeoning film industry and the ethical complexities Hollywood faces there. Shaw also tackles the challenges legacy media companies encounter while evolving their strategies, as well as the uncertain future of ESPN's subscription model amid changing consumer habits.
44:51

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Media companies are increasingly seeking funding from the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as traditional financing avenues dry up.
  • The potential ban of TikTok in the U.S. could lead to significant shifts in marketing strategies for the music and film industries.

Deep dives

Media Expansion in the Middle East

Media companies are increasingly exploring opportunities in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, as these regions offer new sources of funding amid diminishing investment in Western markets. The Red Sea Film Festival stands as a key event where filmmakers and producers gather to tap into these financial resources, promoting regional filmmakers and attracting attention from Hollywood. While the festival aims to elevate local talent and establish a film hub in Saudi Arabia, it is largely seen as a bid to entice international filmmakers to work with local investments. The presence of high-profile celebrities at such events further underscores the financial motivations behind these relationships, highlighting a shift in how the industry views potential funding sources.

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