Downstream

Tim Goodman pops down the chimney again to reunite with Jason and discuss the Oscars on YouTube, finding balance in the TV review game, the rise of international content, episode deconstructions, "Pluribus," and his top shows of the year. Guest Starring: Tim Goodman Links and Show Notes: Shows mentioned: Black Summer (Netflix), Severance (Apple TV), The Studio (Apple TV), Families Like Ours (Denmark; Netflix), Pluribus (Apple TV), The Diplomat (Netflix), The Bear (Hulu), Asura (Japan; Netflix), The American Revolution (PBS), Slow Horses (Apple TV), Adolescence (Netflix), Department Q (Netflix), Ludwig (BBC/Britbox), Nine Puzzles (Korea; Hulu), Deli Boys (Hulu), The Trunk (Korea; Netflix), Karma (Korea; Netflix), Trigger (Korea; Netflix), My Name (Korea; Netflix), Extracurricular (Korea; Netflix). Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback Downstream #85: A Holiday Visit from Tim Goodman - Relay Stream International TV: Mystery, Drama Programming | MHz Choice Blog

Bob Iger burnishes his legacy by... making a deal with OpenAI? Also, TV picks and a Listener Letter Challenge! (Downstream+ subscribers also get to hear us talk at length about the potential Netflix purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery.) This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code downstream50off Guest Starring: Josef Adalian Links and Show Notes: Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback Disney Agrees to Bring Its Characters to OpenAI’s Sora Videos - The New York Times Bob Iger’s Latest Legacy Play: A Disney Deal With OpenAI

Veteran TV critic Alan Sepinwall joins Jason to discuss the current state of TV criticism, the future of scripted TV, why streamers can't make sitcoms, the difference between recaps and reviews, and the best shows of the year. This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code downstream50off Guest Starring: Alan Sepinwall Links and Show Notes: Good TV shows mentioned: The Pitt, Ludwig, Severance, Adolescence at the top, then: Pluribus, Slow Horses, Andor, The Studio, Hacks, The Diplomat, The Lowdown, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback What's Alan Watching? Review: 'Blue Lights' isn't the Belfast equivalent of 'The Wire.' And that's okay. Why 'Brockmire' Was This Year's Best, Filthiest Comedy Surprise Series finale review: 'How I Met Your Mother' - 'Last Forever': How they conned us all Links to Sepinwall's episode-by-episode reviews for every show in his book, The Revolution Was Televised 19-2 (2014 TV series) - Wikipedia

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.

Hulu goes worldwide, Apple drops the plus and explores a relationship with Formula 1, the Lakers get immersive, the NBA is everywhere all at once, and our TV Picks. This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Claude: Get 50% off Claude Pro, including access to Claude Code. Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code downstream50off Guest Starring: Will Carroll Links and Show Notes: TV Picks: Will: Passenger Princess (YouTube) Jason: Travel Man with Richard Ayoade (YouTube) Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback Hulu Becomes Global General Entertainment Brand on Disney+ on Oct. 8 | The Walt Disney Company Disney has big plans for Hulu - Fast Company Apple and NBCUniversal introduce the Apple TV and Peacock Bundle - Apple Apple wants “to own a sport end to end” – Six Colors Immersive live NBA games coming to Vision Pro – Six Colors NBA on X: "2025-26 NBA Season Watch Guide ✍️ The 2025-26 regular season begins Tuesday, October 21 on NBC and Peacock! https://t.co/oz69eJiJdR" / X

Josef Adalian, an entertainment journalist from Vulture, dives deep into the Jimmy Kimmel controversy and the fraught dynamics between TV networks and affiliates. He discusses Disney's strategic pause for Kimmel, the political backlash from conservatives, and the potential for this situation to serve as a deterrent against future FCC overreach. Adalian also explains how affiliate compensation works and why networks struggle to go direct-to-consumer. The conversation offers a revealing look at the complexities of modern television.

The possibility of David Ellison buying Warner Bros. Discovery to add to his collection, the threat and promise of spread-out sports rights, sponsorships that might become forbidden fruit, Netflix live boxing success, TV picks, and your letters! This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Claude: Get 50% off Claude Pro, including access to Claude Code. Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code downstream50off Guest Starring: Will Carroll Links and Show Notes: TV Picks: Will: The Breakthrough (Netflix) Jason: Emmy winners Somebody Somewhere and The Pitt (HBO Max) Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback Relay for St. Jude

Now that David Ellison owns Paramount, what's next? Also, your letters and our TV picks! [Downstream+ subscribers also get: K-Pop Demon Hunters, Wheel and Jeopardy and Sesame Street stream, Apple TV+ price hike, and binging "The Paper."] This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Relay for St. Jude Guest Starring: Josef Adalian Links and Show Notes: TV Picks Joe: Irish Blood (Acorn TV), Leanne (Netflix) Jason: Platonic (Apple TV+) Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback

ESPN has left the exclusivity of the cable bundle at long last, and we break down what it all means. Also: TV Picks and your letters! (Downstream+ listeners also get: MLB's complex new TV deals, and can Jason cut the cord for real?) This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code downstream50off Guest Starring: Steven Schapansky and Will Carroll Links and Show Notes: TV Picks: Will: Video Nasty (BBC) Steven: Old World Series (YouTube), Slow Horses (Apple TV+) Jason: Stick (Apple TV) Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback

To celebrate our 100th episode, we draft streaming services! Guest Starring: Will Carroll, Steven Schapansky, and Josef Adalian Links and Show Notes: Draft picks: Joe: Apple TV+ Steven: MLB.tv Will: YouTube Premium Jason: HBO Max Joe: Prime Video Steven: BritBox Will: Disney+ Jason: Hulu Joe: Acorn TV Steven: Kanopy/Hoopla Will: Netflix Jason: Paramount+ Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback