The Powers That Be: Daily Media Monday: HBO’s Zazification & Peacock’s NBA Playbook
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May 5, 2025 Jon Kelly, co-host of Media Monday and media strategy expert, joins Peter to discuss HBO's transformation under David Zaslav. They unpack HBO's shift from a broad appeal strategy to focusing on premium content, all while navigating Netflix's dominance. The duo also analyzes Peacock's bold $27 billion investment in NBA broadcasting and its potential risks and rewards. Their conversation dives into the evolving dynamics of sports media and the challenges streaming platforms face in attracting viewers.
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HBO's Premium Pivot
- HBO shifted from a broad content approach to focusing on premium, high-quality shows and movies under Casey Bloys and David Zaslav's leadership.
- This strategy reflects industry-wide streaming shifts, aiming for profitability over Netflix-like scale.
Streaming's Impact on Content Production
- Hollywood struggles with fewer projects being made due to streaming economics favoring fewer premium shows.
- Short-form video platforms like Instagram and YouTube are increasingly capturing young audiences, impacting traditional entertainment.
Skepticism Over NBA’s Streaming Impact
- NBCUniversal's $2.45 billion/year NBA rights deal for Peacock faces challenges like discoverability and local blackout restrictions.
- The NBA's numerous games dilute demand, making it hard for Peacock to justify the investment purely from subscriber growth.