Ryan Faughnder chronicles Hollywood's 2024 struggles, highlighting key challenges such as L.A.'s faltering production economy, Warner Bros. Discovery's loss of NBA rights, and the decline of the cable bundle. California's inability to compete with global tax incentives has exacerbated production…
Netflix’s NFL Christmas games are a major test of its live sports strategy, putting its streaming tech and reputation on the line. With past glitches still fresh in viewers’ minds, Netflix needs to nail this broadcast to win over fans,…
Drew Lerner highlights why owning sports media rights, as seen with ESPN and Fox, is far superior to renting. ESPN retains top-tier College Football Playoff games while sublicensing less desirable matchups to TNT at a premium, and Fox dominates Big…
Skip highlights the rise of contextual advertising, which aligns ads with content viewers are actively watching for seamless relevance. By focusing on context rather than personal data, this strategy addresses privacy concerns, adapts to the decline of third-party cookies, and…
Max launched Max Rewind, a year-in-review feature inspired by Spotify Wrapped, offering users personalized recaps of their 2024 streaming habits. However, the feature has drawn criticism for its lack of detailed stats, providing only basic insights into genres and brands.…
Vulture highlights how Dana Walden and Alan Bergman turned Disney streaming profitable in 2024 after years of losses. Strategic cost-cutting, price increases, and hits like Shōgun and Inside Out 2 fueled growth, alongside Hulu and ESPN+ integration. With a focus…
A RotoGrinders survey reveals that 66% of NFL fans doubt Netflix’s ability to stream its exclusive Christmas Day games glitch-free, citing issues during the Tyson-Paul fight in November. Netflix assures readiness for the games, which feature the Chiefs vs. Steelers…
Awful Announcing shares bold sports media predictions for 2025, spotlighting ESPN’s Flagship streaming launch, Netflix’s likely expansion into sports talk and rights deals, and growing consolidation among media giants like Paramount and WBD. Experts predict streaming will dominate live sports,…
Sony’s Beyond Sports and ESPN are partnering for Dunk the Halls, the first real-time animated NBA broadcast, airing on Christmas Day. This Knicks vs. Spurs game will integrate Beyond Sports’ visualization tech and Hawk-Eye Innovations’ tracking with Disney-themed animations. The…
Awful Announcing highlights the top sports media stories to watch in 2025. Key developments include direct-to-consumer ESPN, the evolving role of RSNs, and the growing influence of the creator economy, with alt-casts and athlete-driven media gaining prominence.