The Grill Room The New A.I. Times & Portnoy vs. McAfee
11 snips
Aug 29, 2025 This week, the hosts explore The New York Times' bold investment in A.I. and its implications for journalism. They dissect Disney's pricing dilemmas, highlighting issues of access and inequality. The brewing rivalry between Portnoy and McAfee adds a lively twist, as they reflect on college football's rising media stakes. Meanwhile, they discuss how modern sports media is evolving, embracing interactive formats that resonate with younger audiences. The cocktail preferences segment adds a dash of lighthearted banter to the mix.
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Pissing-Contest Ratings Strategy
- Dylan and Julia describe the Portnoy–McAfee feud as staged pissing-contest drama to drive viewership.
- They say creators manufacture low-risk controversy to create appointment-driven TV and YouTube attention.
Creator Drama Fuels Linear Ratings
- Julia explains manufactured creator drama recycles YouTube-era tactics to drive appointment viewing for linear networks.
- Networks buy that attention to boost pre-game shows and bridge digital audiences to linear ratings.
New Hosts Reflect Audience Shifts
- Pat McAfee represents the current 'party-with-your-buds' college fan and drives younger viewership to ESPN.
- Portnoy mirrors that playbook for Fox as both networks chase attention and rights value in college football.