Inside The Stream

YouTube is the Biggest Media Company; Navigating Streaming Sports

YouTube is now the world’s biggest media company, eclipsing Disney, according to MoffettNathanson. And how to solve the problem of navigating streaming sports.

Is HBO Max Combining With Paramount+ the Right Strategy?

Paramount Skydance plans to eventually combine its streaming platforms with WBD’s. Is this the right strategy?  Combining CNN and CBS News, and reliance on linear TV, are also challenges.

SVOD is Maturing; WBD-Paramount Deal TV Audience Shares

New Antenna data highlights how SVOD is maturing and how bundling is critical. Nielsen’s data reveal potential TV audience shifts due to the just-announced WBD-Paramount Skydance deal.

Apple Taps Imax for F1, YouTube Expands in the UK, Colbert Streams

Apple expands live US F1 race reach with IMAX. New UK data shows YouTube’s role in TV content discovery as Stephen Colbert taps YouTube, avoiding FCC oversight. And NextGen TV struggles.

YouTube TV’s Skinny Bundles, AMC’s Streaming, Super Bowl Stats

Will YouTube TV’s skinnier programming bundles attract new subscribers? AMC Networks reaches a streaming revenue milestone. And was the Super Bowl a hit for Peacock?

NFL-ESPN, Fubo-Hulu, YouTube Growth, Peacock’s Losses

The NFL is now part owner of ESPN. Fubo and Hulu+Live have combined. YouTube’s 2025 revenue hit $60 billion, with two-thirds coming from ads. And Peacock’s losses jumped up.

[UPDATE: Fubo asked me to correct the net loss numbers I quoted and clarified that ad revenue from Hulu+Live is transferred to Fubo. Here are their numbers:

- Reported Net Loss of $19.1 million, compared to $38.6 million
- Pro Forma Net Loss of $46.4 million, compared to $130.4 million]

Inside the Stream - Netflix Viewing, BBC-YouTube, Sony-TCL, Amazon-NFL

Netflix’s solid 2025 is marred by engagement and WBD questions. The BBC is making YouTube shows, Sony hands its TV business to TCL, and Amazon sets another NFL record.

YouTube Edges BBC, Ad Tier Use Soars, Versant-Peacock

In the UK, one viewing metric has YouTube edging out the BBC. Meanwhile, global ad tier usage continues to grow, driven by Netflix, and Peacock is losing key Versant programming.

Versant’s Opening, TV-AI, NFL Streaming, Disney-Hulu

Welcome to 2026. Versant, the Comcast spinoff, has seen its value plummet. TV OEMs are pursuing AI. NFL games set a streaming record in 2025, and Hulu is being sunsetted.

YouTube-Oscars, Movies Anywhere, Netflix podcasts

YouTube will stream the Oscars starting in 2029, Google has stumbled with its Movies Anywhere approach, Netflix is partnering for video podcasts, and the WBD saga continues.