Our latest column, From the Archives, highlights Crunchyroll's rise from its 2006 launch by UC Berkeley grads to a global anime leader. Evolving from a fan-driven platform to a licensed subscription service, Crunchyroll now leverages a "flywheel" model integrating streaming,…

The Streaming Madman skewers Advertising Week 2024, mocking it as a self-congratulatory spectacle where the elite advertising community flaunts their tech obsession and AI fascination. He critiques the industry's shift from creative innovation to tech jargon, pointing out that CTV…

Jack breaks down how evolving privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA are reshaping the media industry, especially with AI and blockchain tech on the rise. He highlights the shift away from third-party cookies and the push for privacy-first business models,…

The Streaming Wars' latest analysis highlights the growing contention between streaming services and platform gatekeepers over platform taxes that can take up to 30% of revenue. As these fees threaten profitability, streaming companies are increasingly pursuing direct sign-ups through their…

Amazon is expanding its Prime Video ads to five new international markets in 2025, including Brazil and India, while increasing ad volume in the U.S. The company hints at Prime Video’s potential profitability as a standalone service, thanks to ad-supported…

We evaluate how Crunchyroll’s partnership with Bango taps into indirect channels like telcos and banking apps to fuel global subscriber growth. This bundling strategy lowers acquisition costs and positions Crunchyroll for "Super Bundling," offering a profitable path forward in the…

Kirby riffs on Apple's new deal with Amazon to bring Apple TV+ to Prime Video Channels, viewing it as a concession that Apple has missed a larger opportunity in the streaming wars. While the partnership provides Apple with scale, it…

JW Player and Connatix have merged to form JWP Connatix, creating a comprehensive video technology and monetization platform. The new company will focus on CTV and serve broadcasters, publishers, and advertisers, offering advanced data insights, global reach, and hybrid monetization…

Plex has launched a Movie and Show Reviews feature, allowing users to review and share insights on content with their social networks. Kirby reflects on this move, comparing it to a past project for Myspace TV, and notes that Plex's…

Skip argues that the future of streaming isn’t dominated by direct-to-consumer (DTC) models, as projected by Omdia. He points out that reported DTC numbers are often misleading, with most subscriptions falling under wholesale or third-party billing. As bundling gains traction,…