Inside The Stream

Charter-Disney II, Eluvio, Gracenote for FASTs, Hulu Ownership

Charter and Disney settled their dispute, and we discuss the outcome. Also, this week, Eluvio’s streaming platform, Gracenote for FAST discoverability, and Hulu’s ownership puzzle.

Charter-Disney Dispute Breaking the Big TV Bundle

Charter and Disney are at a standoff over rates, bundling, and how DTC apps are treated. Neither side is blinking, and the future direction of linear TV distribution is up for grabs.

Broadcaster SVODs struggle, but their FASTs flourish

Broadcaster SVOD services are struggling to compete with CTVs elite, but their FASTs are doing great. SVOD services that added ad-tiers late suffer a long-term disadvantage.

FASTs Everywhere: TCL, Fire TV, Google TV, Cox Media

Free ad-supported TV (FAST) continues to expand, and this week, we discuss new initiatives from TCL, Fire TV, Google TV, and Cox Media Group.

Linear TV and pay TV share, subtitles, Roku locals

Nielsen says that linear TV fell below half of July viewing. Is it right? Q2 2023 pay TV losses continue. Watching with subtitles is the default for many. And The Roku Channel adds local Fox and CBS stations.

Disney’s D2C profitability seems on track, but at what cost?

Disney made progress toward direct-to-consumer profitability in the last quarter. Another Disney+ price increase and password-sharing curbs could finish the job on schedule in 2024. But at what cost?

WB Discovery Loses DTC Subscribers in Q2 2023

In Q2 2023, WB Discovery lost 1.8 million DTC subscribers globally, though it recorded a slight increase in ARPU. We discuss the loss, DTC profitability, and what to expect going forward.

Bad news, good news for Comcast’s Q2 ‘23 video performance

Comcast’s cable TV subscriber losses continued to accelerate in Q2 2023. We discuss whether Peacock is picking up the slack and how it will fare if the writers’ and actors’ strike continues into the new year.

Inside the Stream – Interview with Jeff Shultz, CSO, CBDO, Paramount Streaming

In this interview with Paramount executive Jeff Shultz, he explains Paramount+ and Pluto TV’s joint strategy, three innovative distribution deals, and why FASTs are not cable TV 2.0.

Putting Paramount+ With Showtime in Perspective

Paramount+ With Showtime launched this week. We put into context what the end of a decades-old, standalone premium TV brand means in today’s streaming market.