The Ankler Podcast How TV Became a 24/7 Sports Bar
Aug 21, 2025
Dive into the world where live sports dominate TV ratings, eclipsing traditional scripted content. Discover how mega deals by ESPN and NBCU shape Hollywood's programming landscape. Explore the rise of subscription sports and celebrity-driven brands, with intriguing insights into the Lionsgate acquisition. Experience how personal devices transform viewing into a sports bar atmosphere. Plus, enjoy nostalgic chats about sports films and revelations about the surprising K-pop movie success at the box office.
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Live Sports Drive TV Strategy
- Live sports dominate American viewing and drive where networks invest their programming dollars.
- Disney, NBCU and Amazon spent $76 billion on NBA rights, shifting attention from scripted TV to sports.
Celebrity Brands Still Attract Big Exits
- High-profile celebrity brand exits like Hailey Bieber's reinvigorate star-driven entrepreneurship.
- Rapid exits signal VC and investor appetite remains strong for creator-led consumer brands.
Sports Flood The Top Ratings
- Seventy-five of the top 100 primetime telecasts in 2024 were live sports, up from 56 in 2023.
- That shift explains why networks prioritize football, Olympics and other event programming over scripted series.