The Town with Matthew Belloni Who's to Blame for the ESPN Blackout?
Sep 3, 2024
Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg reporter with deep insights into media dynamics, joins for a riveting discussion on the Disney-DirecTV carriage dispute. They tackle the far-reaching impact of this conflict, particularly on sports fans missing key events like the U.S. Open. As the conversation unfolds, they explore shifting power dynamics in media negotiations and the role of subscriber habits in shaping content demands. Shaw also weighs in on Disney's sports leverage and hints at the future of controversial cinema related to Trump.
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Evolving Carriage Disputes
- Carriage disputes are no longer just about money.
- They now involve nuanced negotiations about streaming integration and bundle offerings.
Charter's Disney+ Win
- Charter successfully negotiated inclusion of Disney+ and ESPN+ in their bundle.
- This deal demonstrates the increasing leverage of distributors.
DirecTV's Vulnerability
- DirecTV's reliance on video subscriptions increases their vulnerability in carriage disputes.
- They lack the diversified product offerings of companies like Charter.