Inside The Stream

Four topics this week: IAB raised its 2024 CTV outlook, movies continue hitting headwinds, the impact of the Charter-AMC+ deal, and Amazon jumps into NextGen TV.

Disney's blackout on DirecTV sparks major discussions about declining customer focus. The partnership between the Tennis Channel and Lingopal.ai sets a new standard for real-time sports dubbing, enhancing accessibility. Connected TV emerges as a game-changer in political advertising, outpacing traditional digital platforms. The fallout from the Disney-DirecTV dispute highlights the shifting advertising landscape and consumer preferences. Meanwhile, Disney faces challenges with rising prices and restrictions, raising concerns about its customer-centric image.

Disney, Fox, and WBD’s roles in the multi-channel bundle are a “gilded cage” that contributed to a judge issuing a preliminary injunction barring Venu Sports’ launch. What’s next?

Major TV networks are grappling with massive financial losses thanks to the streaming revolution. The rise of FAST channels and ad-supported services like Cineverse shows a shift in viewer preferences. Traditional networks are struggling to keep up with streaming giants like Netflix, facing significant challenges in content production. Connected TV is transforming both viewing habits and advertising through enhanced personalization powered by AI. Amid these industry upheavals, there's a glimpse of hope for fast channels and a nod to leadership in technology.

Disney celebrates its first profit in the direct-to-consumer segment, but questions arise about its sustainability. Meanwhile, the podcast dives into NBCU's success with the Olympics and Peacock's innovative features. Sports streaming is evolving, with a spotlight on women’s sports leagues and how streaming platforms are adapting. The intricacies of Disney's financials reveal challenges, particularly regarding content spending and subscriber growth, while legal issues loom over its financial strategies in a competitive market.

Viewership for the Olympics skyrocketed by 75%, showcasing the success of NBCU's streaming strategies on Peacock and YouTube. The partnership between Cineverse and Spotify could redefine Spotify's identity in media, integrating a vast array of shows. A billion-dollar acquisition by Outbrain highlights competition in the video ad space. NBC's enhancements on Peacock are making Olympic coverage more engaging with innovative features like highlight bars, while financial strategies are evolving amidst the shift towards digital platforms.

Peacock is facing a tough challenge with a million subscribers lost, even as financial losses shrink. The upcoming Olympics might be a game-changer for its sports agenda. Apple is rethinking its content strategy after massive spending, potentially reallocating funds for better growth. Meanwhile, a major streaming service struggles without an affordable ad-supported option. As competition intensifies, there are hopes for improved viewer experiences amid the chaos.

Jonathan Carson, Co-Founder and CEO of Antenna, discusses unique subscriber metrics analysis. Topics include evolution of ad tiers, impact of technology and AI on advertising, bundling strategies for customer loyalty, pricing optimization, and growth of specialty S-FOD streaming services.

Top Wall Street media analyst Michael Nathanson discusses Amazon's impact on the CTV Avod space, the evolution of advertising in the digital landscape, challenges faced by broadcasters in a high inflation environment, and revenue comparison between Big Tech companies and broadcasters.

Exploring Antenna's data on streaming bundles, annual subscriptions, price increases, and ad-tiers' rising popularity. Delving into the decline of pay TV subscribers, Netflix's experiential marketing strategy, and the impact of annual SVOD plans and bundling strategies on subscriber acquisition. The discussion also covers the growth of ad-supported subscriptions in the streaming industry despite price hikes.