

The Media Odyssey
Evan Shapiro & Marion Ranchet
Each week, two of media’s most influential thinkers, Evan Shapiro & Marion Ranchet, take on the hottest media topics with their hottest takes, helping their audience chart a course through the maelstrom that is today’s Media Odyssey.
Based in the US, Evan Shapiro is the Media Industry’s official Cartographer, known for his well-researched and provocative analysis of the entertainment ecosystem in his must read treatises on Media’s latest trends and trajectories.
Marion Ranchet, French expat based in Amsterdam, has become the industry’s go-to expert in all things streaming, building a following for turning even the most complex problems into easily digestible and actionable insights.
Ranchet and Shapiro are known for their sharp-yet-accessible content on Media consumption, audience trends, and the shifting fundamentals of the business itself. Even during the toughest of topics, they each make talking about Media fun. Together every week, these two will offer entertaining, often humorous, and always educational content on today’s Media Odyssey.
Based in the US, Evan Shapiro is the Media Industry’s official Cartographer, known for his well-researched and provocative analysis of the entertainment ecosystem in his must read treatises on Media’s latest trends and trajectories.
Marion Ranchet, French expat based in Amsterdam, has become the industry’s go-to expert in all things streaming, building a following for turning even the most complex problems into easily digestible and actionable insights.
Ranchet and Shapiro are known for their sharp-yet-accessible content on Media consumption, audience trends, and the shifting fundamentals of the business itself. Even during the toughest of topics, they each make talking about Media fun. Together every week, these two will offer entertaining, often humorous, and always educational content on today’s Media Odyssey.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 27, 2025 • 32min
YOUR BRAIN ON ADVERTISING
Tony Marlow, CMO of LG Ad Solutions, discusses the evolving landscape of television advertising. He highlights the Big Shift from traditional TV to streaming, where viewers increasingly embrace ad-supported content. The conversation delves into shoppable TV and how AI is transforming marketing by enhancing targeted ads and user engagement. Marlow also explores psychological principles behind consumer preferences, revealing how relevant advertising can enhance viewer experiences. Tune in to discover the future of interactive TV and its impact on branding.

Feb 20, 2025 • 41min
EARNINGS SEASON
DISNEY, GOOGLE & SPOTIFY, OH MYMarion Ranchet and Evan Shapiro dissect Disney, Alphabet/YouTube, and Spotify’s 2024 earnings, exploring Disney's struggle for streaming profitability, digital ad trends, YouTube as TV-first platform, and Spotify’s surprise turnaround. TMO listeners receive a 100£ discount when they register for MIP London using the promo code: MLONDAUOVIS-CClick HERE to get your ticket to the show TODAY!Sources: Disney QESpotify QEGoogle QE00:00 - Introduction 00:30 - MIP London Announcement02:24 - Disney 13:47 - YouTube & Alphabet (Google)26:56 - Spotify 39:14 - Closing Remarks & Final ThoughtsInterested in sponsorship? https://forms.gle/2LCWfX2HBNT8mtpx8Connect with us on Linkedin:Evan Shapiro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshap-media-cartographer/Marion Ranchet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionranchet/Newsletters:Marion Ranchet - https://marionranchet.substack.com/Evan Shapiro - https://eshap.substack.com/

Feb 13, 2025 • 41min
SPORTING LIFE
FLY, EAGLES FLY!After an electric Super Bowl victory, Marion and Evan return to their mics to explore how streamers like Netflix and Amazon are shifting to mass-market content in a bid to capture advertising dollars—raising the question of, "Are streamers becoming the new traditional broadcasters?" With insights into the challenges of live sports streaming and the evolving strategies of media giants, this episode is all about the way we watch our teams. TMO listeners receive a 100£ discount when they register for MIP London using the promo code: MLONDAUOVIS-CClick HERE to get your ticket to the show TODAY!« According to the declarative study, 37% of those who watched Ligue 1 this season did so illegally, via pirate streams broadcast via IPTV, encrypted messaging services such as Telegram, social networks, websites... Even more strikingly, 27% of those who illegally watch the French Football Championship have started doing so since this season. »Since we recorded, DAZN shared their latest results and posted a 830M operating loss. Len Blavatnik injected another 827M$ into DAZN. Profitability feels like a distant futureWATCH THE VIDEO POD ON OUR YOUTUBE - https://youtu.be/gcKfiFjy6ok00:00 Cold Open and Introduction00:43 Super Bowl Victory and Episode Overview01:08 Shoutout to Los Angeles and World Central Kitchen01:52 Basketball Talk and Personal Stories02:52 Impact of Sports Rights on Streaming04:57 Netflix and the Changing Content Landscape11:34 Streamers Shifting to Traditional TV Models14:09 Sports Bundles and Market Fragmentation19:01 Fragmentation in Media and Sports Broadcasting20:14 The Impact of Streaming on Traditional Broadcasting22:07 Technical Challenges in Streaming Major Events26:08 The Rise of Women's Sports32:05 The Financial Viability of Sports Streaming Services36:05 Piracy and Pricing Issues in Sports Broadcasting36:53 Concluding Thoughts and Future OutlookInterested in sponsorship? https://forms.gle/2LCWfX2HBNT8mtpx8Connect with us on Linkedin:Evan Shapiro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshap-media-cartographer/Marion Ranchet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionranchet/Newsletters:Marion Ranchet - https://marionranchet.substack.com/Evan Shapiro - https://eshap.substack.com/

Feb 6, 2025 • 35min
OVERCOMING FEAR OF FINDING OUT WITH CHANNEL 4
Matt Risley, Managing Director of 4Studio at Channel 4, dives into the network's bold transformation of YouTube from a marketing tool to a primary content platform. He shares insights on how experimentation and data-driven decisions shape their strategy. The conversation also touches on the challenges of producing long-form content and the need to engage younger audiences. Risley highlights the importance of blending traditional and digital media while discussing innovative monetization tactics that drive viewer engagement.

14 snips
Jan 30, 2025 • 38min
WHY NETFLIX WILL STOP REPORTING SUBS
This discussion dives into the TikTok controversy, examining possible buyers and national security concerns. Insights into Netflix’s recent earnings reveal a controversial decision to stop reporting subscriber numbers, raising questions about their market strategy. The hosts explore Netflix's potential acquisition of TikTok and its shift toward a creator-led ad-supported model. They also consider the implications of live sports and how the company is navigating a rapidly changing media landscape. Plus, an exciting announcement for their first live podcast event!

Jan 23, 2025 • 41min
MERGING AHEAD
Dive into the intense world of streaming as Fubo and Hulu merge, shaking up the media landscape! Learn how Disney navigates rivalries and international markets, especially in France. Discover the complexities behind corporate acquisitions like Roku and the looming competition with tech giants. The gaming scene heats up with Microsoft's Activision deal, while broadcasting struggles to adapt in the digital age. Tune in to explore strategies and the need for collaboration among media companies against the backdrop of big tech!

Jan 16, 2025 • 27min
PREDICTING 2025 MEDIA (PART 2)
In 2025, brands like McDonald's and Chick-fil-A may become top creators in the media landscape. The discussion highlights AI's transformative role in advertising and the growing appetite for live content. The rise of in-game advertising signals changes in traditional media approaches. Additionally, challenges for connected TV platforms are explored, revealing the competitive dynamics in streaming. The Creator Economy is evolving, demonstrating that individual creators now hold significant power over audience engagement.

Jan 14, 2025 • 12min
RECAPPING CES 2025: BONUS EPISODE
Martha & Mergers & Media, Oh My! From the market maneuvers of Fubo and Disney to Evan's presentation alongside Martha Stewart and much much more. In this BONUS EPISODE, Marion and Evan chat all things CES. WATCH THE VIDEO POD ON OUR YOUTUBE - https://youtu.be/yoRsQk15ryAInterested in sponsorship? https://forms.gle/2LCWfX2HBNT8mtpx8Connect with us on Linkedin: Evan Shapiro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshap-media-cartographer/Marion Ranchet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionranchet/Newsletters: Marion Ranchet - https://marionranchet.substack.com/Evan Shapiro - https://eshap.substack.com/
(00:00) - Introduction and Initial Impressions of CES
(00:30) - Media Presence and General Observations
(01:08) - Key Announcements and Predictions
(01:31) - AI in Television and Personal Experiences
(03:10) - Disney, Fubo, and Industry Movements
(04:43) - Meeting Martha Stewart and Presentation Highlights
(06:58) - Parties, Tattoos, and Networking
(08:27) - Curated Dinners and Final Thoughts

5 snips
Jan 9, 2025 • 29min
PREDICTING 2025 MEDIA (PART 1)
Curious about the future of media? The hosts dive into YouTube’s rise as a dominant choice for viewers, rivaling traditional TV. They discuss a need for innovation in streaming, spotlighting partnerships that might reshape the landscape. There's talk about major corporate shifts among media giants and how tech companies could capitalize on entertainment opportunities. Listeners can expect a look at Xbox's role in streaming and the growing trend of combining services for better subscriber retention. It's an engaged exploration of what's next!

Jan 2, 2025 • 31min
WRAPPING 2024 MEDIA
In the inaugural episode of The Media Odyssey, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet delve into the evolving dynamics of the global media landscape. With Evan representing the U.S. perspective and Marion providing insights from Europe, this podcast explores the intersections and contrasts of media trends on both sides of the Atlantic. In this episode, Evan and Marion review and rate their media predictions for 2024. Marion elaborates on her forecast regarding European broadcasters' increasing adoption of AVOD (Ad-supported Video on Demand) and FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming Television) hubs, such as “M6’s collaboration with Pluto TV, JOIN’s extensive AVOD catalog in Germany, and ITVX’s expansion in the UK.” Evan adds U.S. parallels, discussing Sling and DirecTV’s moves in FAST, and the broader implications of these shifts for content distribution strategies. A major theme in the discussion is the convergence of media models, with AVOD, FAST, and subscription-based services blending to meet changing consumer expectations. Yet, there are challenges and opportunities presented by these transformations, including the influence of platforms like YouTube as a dominant service. An ongoing trend is the convergence of media and tech. Evan argues that Oracle's financial influence on Paramount signifies the beginning of a broader trend, with potential for more tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft to make significant acquisitions in the media space. The conversation expands to consider Netflix’s potential ventures into gaming or music, showcasing the strategic evolution of major players in the entertainment industry. Reflecting on surprises from 2024, Evan highlights Spotify’s unexpected profitability and operational resilience, plus the ongoing battle over sports rights, while Marion celebrates France’s thriving media market, citing examples like TF1 Plus, M6’s streaming relaunch, and the innovative coverage of the Paris Olympics. These reflections, AND MANY MORE included in the episode, underscore the diverse developments shaping global media. The episode concludes with a teaser for the next installment, where the hosts will make bold predictions for 2025.