Downstream 106: Strike While My Leverage Is Hot
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Oct 31, 2025 Join Josef Adalian, West Coast editor at Vulture and author of the Buffering newsletter, as he dives into the intricacies of the TV industry. Discover why Taylor Sheridan's pivot to NBCU could reshape Paramount's future. Explore the risks of long-term deals in Hollywood and how Comcast's spending spree is changing the game. Adalian also shares insights about potential bidders for Warner Bros. Discovery and the impact of political dynamics on media mergers, making for an engaging and informative discussion.
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Timing Is Everything For Creative Leverage
- Taylor Sheridan signed with NBCU to "strike while his leverage is hot," betting on peak value now rather than waiting.
- Joe Adalian and Jason Snell note this secures Sheridan despite Paramount ties and future uncertainty in hits.
Lock In Leverage At Your Peak
- Strike while your market value is high if you can secure long-term leverage from agents and timing.
- Locking big deals now hedges against inevitable creative down periods in later years.
Big Deals Show Slow Payoffs
- The Sheridan deal mainly affects the long term; its consequences may not be felt for several years.
- Both hosts emphasize streaming development timelines make delayed impact likely.