Peacock-Paramount+ Merger Rumors, Questions, and What-Ifs
Feb 20, 2024
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The podcast discusses Peacock's success in 2024 and rumors of a merger with Paramount+, the timing of the news, live sports rights impact, Warren Buffett selling Paramount shares, and Paramount's struggles. Matt predicts the future of John Oliver's show, 'Last Week Tonight.'
32:22
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Quick takeaways
Potential merger between Peacock and Paramount+ discussed, role of live sports rights emphasized.
Delaying John Oliver's YouTube uploads may not boost HBO Max subscriptions, risking viewership and relevance of content.
Deep dives
Implications of Delaying John Oliver's YouTube Uploads
HBO has decided to delay the YouTube uploads of John Oliver's main segments until Thursdays in an effort to drive more viewership to HBO Max. However, this move is unlikely to be successful in attracting new subscribers or significantly increasing engagement on HBO Max.
John Oliver's Anti-Establishment Stance
John Oliver, known for his anti-establishment image, expressed disappointment with HBO's decision to delay his YouTube uploads. However, it is important to remember that HBO has the right to make such decisions as they monetize John Oliver's show.
Effect on Viewership and Relevance
Delaying John Oliver's segments on YouTube could potentially hurt viewership, as the content may become less relevant by the time it is uploaded. The delayed availability may also lead to decreased interest and aggregation of the segment elsewhere before it is made available on YouTube.
Limited Impact on HBO Max Subscriptions
The decision to delay John Oliver's YouTube uploads is unlikely to have a meaningful impact on HBO Max subscriptions. Young viewers who rely on YouTube for content are unlikely to sign up for HBO Max solely to watch his segments four days earlier.
Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss Peacock’s strong start to 2024 and the prospect of a possible joint venture or “commercial partnership” with Paramount+, as reported by The Wall Street Journal late last week. They run through the logistics of a merger, the curious timing of the Journal’s story, the critical role live sports rights play, Warren Buffett's sale of a third of his stake in Paramount Global, and who is most to blame for Paramount's struggles. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about John Oliver’s HBO show, ‘Last Week Tonight.’
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