Inside The Stream

Interview with BBC Studios GM of FAST Channels

How should a TV provider leverage the FAST market? BBC Studios, GM of FAST channels, talks content strategy, differences from traditional TV, optimizing experience, and much more.

Disney’s DTC future seems murky

In Disney’s fiscal 2023 first quarter report this week, DTC subscriber gains were weak, and ARPU was down. Moreover, Disney plans to slash content spending this year by $3 billion. After Disney+’s fast start, the company’s DTC future seems murky.

FASTs - road to gold or road to “SLOW?”

Today we boldly introduce a new acronym to the industry. Free ad-supported TV (“FAST) is currently all the rage. But an unintended consequence of FASTs’ growth may be accelerated SVOD Losses On the Way (“SLOW”).

Inside the Stream – ESPN is getting squeezed from all sides

Between cord-cutting’s acceleration and Big Tech bidding up rights to stream sports, ESPN is getting squeezed from all sides. What should Bob Iger do about ESPN’s future?

Interview with FuboTV’s CEO and Co-Founder David Gandler

This week: a deep dive interview with FuboTV CEO David Gandler. We dig into escalating and fragmenting sports rights, the role of FAST channels and RSNs for vMVPDs, shuttering FuboTV’s nascent sportsbook, and much more.

France WB Discovery “Warner Pass” launch ramifications

In France, WB Discovery is launching a streaming bundle on Amazon Prime Channels dubbed “Warner Pass.” What are the opportunities and risks? How might it impact strategy in the  US?

How do Sunday Ticket Economics Work for YouTube?

YouTube will pay $2 billion annually for NFL Sunday Ticket after DirecTV and Apple passed. We dig into the deal’s economics, identifying the key variables that will drive YouTube’s profitability.

Inside the Stream – The 2022 top ten streaming video stories

In 2022, we saw the shortest-lived SVOD ever, Thursday Night Football moved to streaming, SVODs became HVODs, and a streaming linear service reached $1B. Here are the 2022 top ten streaming video stories.

Inside the Stream – World Cup 4K, Netflix ads, HBO’s Westworld, holiday FASTs

World Cup streaming delivers, but where’s the 4K wow? Netflix offers advertisers refunds for viewership shortfalls. What’s the new home for HBO Max’s Westworld? And music and holiday channels abound in FASTs.

Inside the Stream – WB Discovery’s 2023 strategy emerges

Amazon Channels, a new entertainment brand, and churn reduction are key parts of Warner Bros. Discovery’s 2023 strategy. Will it help dig out from under the massive debt the company carries?