Alex Sherman

In this discussion, CNBC Media and sports reporter Alex Sherman shares insights on the evolving landscape of television and streaming. He highlights HBO Max's rebranding and its new strategy focusing on premium content. The conversation reveals how the NFL is globalizing its media rights and experimenting with new platforms like YouTube. Sherman also critiques the trend of franchising in streaming, addressing the competitive atmospheres at Netflix and ESPN, and examines YouTube's impact on the entertainment world, likening it to MTV's cultural dominance.

Ben and David go inside the M&A press with Bloomberg’s technology M&A reporter and host of the Deal of the Week Podcast, Alex Sherman. If you’ve ever wondered how stories about big deals get broken or what “according to people familiar with the matter” really means, tune in for the behind-the-scenes scoop!   Note: A technical glitch with our recording setup created occasional short silences between Alex’s comments and Ben & David’s. It shouldn’t impact listenability, but we apologize for the awkward pauses! Sponsors:Rippling: https://bit.ly/acquiredripplingStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig25Odd Lots: https://bit.ly/acquiredoddlotsServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredsnMore Acquired!Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Merch Store!© Copyright 2015-2025 ACQ, LLCTopics covered include: Bloomberg’s own fascinating “history & facts” and origins following the acquisition of storied Wall Street firm Salomon Brothers Bloomberg’s core as a highly profitable technology business (selling terminals to Wall Street firms), with a large media empire built on top of itThe tradable value of breaking M&A news & information to Bloomberg’s terminal customers, and competing on speedHow “sources" work — and industry standard that sources be directly within the companies involved in a dealThe coded language of M&A reporting and gleaning where information is coming from based on a story’s structure and phrasingThe lifecycle of a story—steps from sourcing to writing to release, and reasons (or lack thereof) for why stories run when they doInternal & external PR resources companies use for M&A How Alex prioritizes his time researching and creating stories, and who he’s meeting with to hear about what deals are in the works The difference between ‘news' and ‘analysis', and why news dominates the majority of stories versus deeper analysisMedia and social media business models, their evolution in the messenger world, and speculation on Twitter’s futureHow entrepreneurs can think about interacting with the press and building relationships with the right reporters for their stage and spaceApple’s ‘unique’ approach to press relations   Followups: Instagram announces 500k+ active advertisers, up from 200k in February 2016 Amazon stock price surpasses $800/share  Hot Takes:  Ford acquires Chariot The Yahoo! data breach and  potential impact on their acquisition by Verizon   The Carve Out: Ben: Phil of Drones’ Burning Man 2016 recap videoDavid:  Algorithms to Live By by Brian Christian & Tom Griffiths Alex:  Clinton’s Samantha Bee Problem, by Ross Douthat in the NYT Opinion Pages

Alex Sherman, a CNBC media and sports reporter, discusses his recent interview with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. The conversation reveals MLB's current media rights strategy amid challenges, including potential shifts in partnerships with ESPN. Sherman delves into the impact of innovations like the pitch clock on viewer engagement and the possibilities of streaming events like the Home Run Derby. He examines the complexities of local broadcast rights and the potential for a centralized streaming service to enhance revenues across teams.

Alex Sherman, CNBC's top media reporter, joins to dissect the rapidly changing sports media landscape. He explores the ascent of streaming giants like Amazon and Netflix, juxtaposed against the decline of traditional cable TV. The conversation dives into the future of sports rights for major leagues like F1, UFC, and MLB, revealing the complex negotiations underway. Sherman sheds light on how media partnerships are evolving and the strategies needed to engage younger viewers in a ‘streamified’ world.

Media Reporter Alex Sherman discusses Bob Iger's Disney strategies, NBA rights, streaming services landscape. Financial podcast delves into market sentiment, S&P 500 forecasts, Elon Musk's Tesla compensation, crypto influence on politics, and Wells Fargo's Bilt Card challenges.

CNBC's Alex Sherman joins to discuss NBA media rights, including a potential 4th package with TNT, matching rights legality, TNT's backup plan, Inside The NBA's future, and more

Joining the conversation is Alex Sherman, a media and sports reporter for CNBC, who dives deep into the recent legal setbacks for the Venu sports streaming service. They explore the implications of a federal judge's injunction and how it affects competition in the live sports broadcasting landscape. Different perspectives are shared on winners and losers from this ruling and its impact on consumers. The discussion wraps up with thoughts on the upcoming ratings for the Democratic National Convention, highlighting the ever-evolving media landscape.

CNBC's media business reporter and Vox's host discuss Disney's strategy and future plans for ESPN, ABC, Marvel, Star Wars, and Hulu. They also talk about the Bobs (Iger and Chapek) and the blame for Disney's troubles. Later, they interview media reporter Brian Stelter about his book on Fox News, discussing Tucker Carlson's departure and Lachlan Murdoch's role.

Alex Sherman, a CNBC media and sports reporter, delves into the ongoing Disney-YouTube dispute that has stretched far longer than usual. He analyzes the dynamics of negotiation, highlighting YouTube TV's rising leverage amidst its growth. Sherman also discusses potential buyers for Warner Bros. Discovery, including the Ellisons, and their strategy for acquiring premium assets. Moreover, he reviews how live sports rights shape the future of media and the tough survival path for traditional cable networks in the streaming era.

Jenna Golden, former political ad sales leader, Brandon Borrman, ex-global communications head, and Leslie Miley, who led Twitter's safety engineering, join CNBC reporter Alex Sherman to unpack the chaos surrounding Elon Musk's Twitter acquisition. They discuss the internal struggles at Twitter, the impact on employee morale, and the complexities of balancing shareholder interests with user needs. The group delves into Musk’s motivations, the challenges of content moderation, and speculates on Twitter's future amidst ongoing turbulence.