The Year in Media and Entertainment: What’s Broken (News), What’s Surging (Netflix), and What’s Next
Dec 19, 2023
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Matthew Belloni, host of ‘The Town’ at Ringer and a writer for Puck, dives into 2023's tumultuous media landscape. He discusses the cultural phenomenon of 'Barbenheimer' and its marketing implications. The conversation also tackles the impact of recent Hollywood strikes on the industry and creative jobs. Belloni reveals surprising Netflix viewership trends, noting audiences favor engaging, fast-paced content over star power. Lastly, he predicts a rise in live streaming, particularly in sports and awards shows, shaping the future of entertainment.
The internet has disrupted traditional media, leading to a decline in revenue returns.
Disney needs to fix its creative strategy and adapt to changing audience preferences.
Netflix's announcement of viewership numbers showcases its competitive advantage and aim to attract advertisers.
Deep dives
The Shift to a New Podcast Feed
Austin Rivers and Pasha Higigi announce that their podcast, Offguard, is moving to their own podcast feed, releasing two shows per week to discuss the biggest stories in the basketball world.
Layoffs and Changes in Media Industry
The podcast explores the challenges faced by journalists due to major layoffs and buyouts in major publications, highlighting the impact of the internet and changes in the economics of the news media industry.
The Decline of Traditional Media and the Rise of the Internet
The episode discusses how the internet has disrupted traditional media by unbundling cross-subsidies and reducing the cost of producing news, leading to a decline in revenue returns. It examines the impact of this disruption on various entertainment industries, including TV, movies, music, and podcasts.
The State of Hollywood and Disney's Creative Challenges
The podcast delves into the challenges faced by the creative machine at Disney, particularly within the Marvel franchise, which is experiencing a malaise. It discusses the need for Disney to fix its creative strategy and adapt to changing audience preferences.
Netflix's Release of Viewership Data and the Future of Streaming
Netflix announces the viewership numbers for its shows and movies, emphasizing the scale and engagement of its content. The episode explores the impact of this move on the streaming landscape, highlighting Netflix's competitive advantage and its aim to attract advertisers by showcasing its large audience.
Today’s episode is about 2023 in media—from TV to film, from the miracle of Barbenheimer’s to the superhero drought, from Netflix’s show of strength to Taylor Swift’s invincibility, from the podcast purge to so much more. Our guest is Matt Belloni, the host of Ringer podcast ‘The Town’ and a writer with Puck.
If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at PlainEnglish@Spotify.com.