Ahead of the upcoming '25/'26 college football season, "MediaTalk" host Mike Reynolds discusses the changing dynamics of college football media rights with Kagan analysts Justin Nielson, Scott Robson, and Michael Johnson.

As the second season of the expanded College Football Playoff (CFP) begins, the analysts explore the significant changes and potential future playoff scenarios. With the Big Ten and SEC realignments altering the college football landscape, the discussion highlights the challenges and opportunities for top-ranked teams like the Texas Longhorns and Ohio State.

The podcast examines the growing rivalry between "College GameDay" and "Big Noon Kickoff," noting the addition of key personalities. The analysts also discuss the rise of streaming services such as ESPN's enhanced DTC app and Fox Sports One, and their implications for traditional linear TV.

A key — and somewhat controversial — development is the NCAA's recent settlement, which allows for revenue sharing with D1 athletes, potentially shifting college sports into a more professional domain. The conversation touches on how this change could affect competition and player transfers.

As the discussion turns to the future of college football playoffs, the panel considers the potential expansion from 12 to as many as 28 teams, reflecting on its impact on the sport's landscape and the tradition of bowl games.

More S&P Global content:

• The Business of Sports 
• Moneyball: The impact of sports media rights on the US video market

Featured experts:

• Justin Nielson, principal analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan.

  Scott Robson, principal analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan.

  Michael Johnson, research analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan

Credits:

• Host/Author: Mike Reynolds
• Producer/Editor: Sarah James

www.spglobal.com

www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

The new ESPN app is here and "MediaTalk" has a sneak peek at all of the functionalities. "MediaTalk" host Mike Reynolds sits down with John Lasker, senior vice president of ESPN DTC, to discuss the Aug. 21 launch of the new enhanced app. The app marks a significant milestone for ESPN, aiming to serve sports fans anytime, anywhere, by integrating extensive features and functionalities into a single platform. It also marks a significant moment for the pay-TV industry at large, as live sports have long been viewed as the glue that held the multichannel market together.

The app will offer content from all of ESPN's linear networks and access to 47,000 live events for $29.99 a month. Lasker highlights the personalized experience with the introduction of "SportsCenter for You," which tailors content to individual preferences using AI technology. Other notable features allow fans to sync their mobile devices with their TV for enhanced stats and data, and multi-view options for watching multiple games simultaneously.

Targeting cord-cutters and younger audiences, the app is designed to be accessible to both traditional pay-TV subscribers and streaming customers. ESPN plans to bundle the DTC product with Disney+ and Hulu, in the hopes of creating a compelling entertainment package. Lasker emphasizes that this launch is not the final product but rather the beginning of an evolving platform that will continue to innovate and engage sports fans.

With a robust marketing campaign featuring notable personalities, this episode offers a first-hand look at how ESPN aims to redefine the viewing of live sports.

More S&P Global content:

MediaTalk | Season 3 | Ep. 19 - Disney's Upfront Unveiled: Navigating the Future of Sports and Streaming

Featured experts:

• John Lasker, Senior Vice President of ESPN DTC

Credits:

• Host/Author: Mike Reynolds
• Producer/Editor: Sarah James

www.spglobal.com

www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

"MediaTalk" host Mike Reynolds sits down with S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan analyst Lynnette Luna to dive into the US wireless market. At the national level, they focus on the second-quarter performance of the top three operators: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. T-Mobile continues to lead in subscriber growth and service revenue, showcasing its strong momentum in the market. AT&T is leveraging its convergence strategy, integrating fiber and wireless services to enhance customer retention and drive growth. Meanwhile, Verizon is navigating challenges in retaining postpaid subscribers, yet is stabilizing its performance through prepaid offerings and value-added bundles.

Utilizing proprietary Kagan survey data, they also look at what is happening at a city-level, including which players are gaining share. Specifically, the discussion also highlights the increasing influence of cable operators like Charter and Comcast, who are aggressively expanding their mobile services. This episode sheds light on the importance of bundling services to enhance customer loyalty and the emerging opportunities for small and mid-sized businesses in the wireless sector.

More S&P Global content:

Technology, Media, & Telecoms

Featured experts:

• Lynnette Luna, senior research analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan.

Credits:

• Host/Author: Mike Reynolds
• Producer/Editor: Sarah James

www.spglobal.com

www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

"MediaTalk" host Mike Reynolds is joined by S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan Principal Analyst Justin Nielson to discuss the resilience and challenges faced by AM/FM radio in the digital age.

Radio advertising remains predominantly local, with 80% of ad buys coming from local businesses, such as car dealerships and restaurants. Despite softness in the national ad market, local markets with vibrant economies continue to perform well. However, larger metro areas face stiff competition from streaming services and podcasts. To counteract this, companies like iHeart Media and Cumulus are expanding their digital offerings and leaning into live events to boost revenue.

On the regulatory front, the radio industry is advocating for the relaxation of local ownership caps, which limit the number of stations a company can own in a market. This could pave the way for strategic acquisitions and regional consolidation, similar to trends seen in the TV industry. Such changes could attract new investors and foster synergies across growing markets, particularly in the Southeast.

Overall, while radio faces challenges from digital competitors and technological shifts, its local focus and adaptability continue to make it a viable platform for advertisers and investors alike. As the industry navigates these changes, it remains a crucial part of the media landscape, offering unique opportunities for growth and innovation.

More S&P Global content:

Technology, Media, & Telecoms

Featured experts:

• Justin Nielson, principal analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan.

Credits:

• Host/Author: Mike Reynolds
• Producer/Editor: Sarah James

www.spglobal.com

www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

With earnings season in full swing, “MediaTalk” host Mike Reynolds is joined by Melissa Otto, head of Visible Alpha research at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Together, they explore the strategic shifts and content developments among major media conglomerates like Walt Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount Global and Fox.

Fox's recent fiscal achievements are underscored by its success with the Super Bowl, showcasing the enduring power of live sports in driving viewer engagement and advertising revenue. Otto emphasizes the transformative impact of free streaming platforms such as Tubi, which are reshaping viewing habits and challenging traditional models by offering diverse content without subscription fees.

Disney is poised for exciting developments with its enhanced ESPN offering, reflecting the company's focus on integrating sports into its streaming strategy. Meanwhile, Warner Bros. Discovery is navigating the evolving media landscape by separating its streaming and studio operations, a move that could redefine its approach to content distribution. The conversation touches on Warner’s strong theatrical lineup, with films like “Superman” and “F1” capturing audience interest through compelling storytelling and star power. However, it also raises questions about rising production budgets.

Throughout the podcast, Otto provides insights into how these media giants are leveraging content to adapt to changing consumer preferences and technological advancements. As the industry continues to evolve, the strategies employed by these companies in content creation, integration, and distribution will be crucial in shaping the future of media.

More S&P Global content:

Apple earnings preview: iPhone expectations continue to move lower

Amazon earnings preview: Fiscal Q2 2025

Featured experts:

• Melissa Otto,  Head of Visible Alpha Research at S&P Global

Credits:

• Host/Author: Mike Reynolds
• Producer/Editor: Sarah James

www.spglobal.com

www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

“MediaTalk” host Mike Reynolds is joined by West Riggs, Head of Equity Capital Markets at Truist Securities, to discuss the dynamic landscape of the tech IPO market in 2025. Despite a soft start to the year, tech IPOs are now gaining steam with a robust pipeline of public offerings ahead. Amid continued volatility in the stock market, the discussion highlights the need for companies to be prepared for rapid market shifts and the importance of optimizing pricing strategies.

Riggs shares insights on the trends driving market activity, including a move toward profitability among companies going public, as well as the rise of generative AI. With companies of all sizes increasingly integrating AI into their business models, the episode touches on the burgeoning opportunities for smaller and mid-market players amidst the dominance of the "Magnificent Seven" tech giants. And outside the tech sector, energy-related companies are tapping into equity markets to support the infrastructure demands of AI-driven growth.

Finally, Riggs notes a surge in convertible bond issuance and hints at several high-profile IPOs on the horizon, including tech giants like Stripe and Databricks. This episode underscores the vibrant and rapidly evolving nature of the IPO landscape this year.

More S&P Global content:

Tech IPOs on track for 2025 rebound from post-pandemic slump

Where Does the IPO Market Go in 2025?

Featured experts:

• West Riggs, Head of Equity Capital Markets at Truist Securities

Credits:

• Host/Author: Mike Reynolds
• Producer/Editor: Sarah James

www.spglobal.com

www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

"MediaTalk" host Mike Reynolds joins S&P Global Market Intelligence reporter Iuri Struta to talk about generative AI, exploring its profound impact on various sectors and the staggering investment trends driving its growth. Over $78 billion was invested in GenAI companies in just the first half of the year, a figure that is already approaching $100 billion when third-quarter investments are included. Major players like OpenAI and Meta are leading the charge, but a diverse range of startups are also making waves in the application layer, fine-tuning existing models to create innovative solutions.

The conversation shifts to a recent webinar on the topic, where experts debated whether the current funding levels indicate a bubble. While many participants expressed concerns about high valuations, they also anticipated that companies would grow into these figures, reflecting the robust demand for AI solutions.

The episode not only sheds light on the current state of GenAI funding but also touches on the regulatory landscape, competition for talent, and the sustainability of business models across different regions. Tune in to gain insights into this dynamic sector and understand what lies ahead in the world of Generative AI.

More S&P Global content:

• H1 Review of GenAI Funding: Can the Market Keep Up with Record Volumes?
• AI supercharged emergence of AI neoclouds despite hazy long-term outlook

Featured experts:

• Iuri Struta, senior reporter at S&P Global Market Intelligence 

Credits:

• Host/Author: Mike Reynolds
• Producer/Editor: Sarah James

www.spglobal.com

www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

"MediaTalk" host Mike Reynolds sits down with Mark Penn, chairman and CEO of Stagwell, to discuss what sets Stagwell apart in the realm of marketing networks. Stagwell is a digital-first global marketing network that thrives on innovation, creativity, and technology. With a presence across 45-plus countries and an impressive workforce of 13,000 employees, Stagwell is redefining the marketing landscape by offering scalable and seamless solutions that merge top-tier creativity with cutting-edge technology.

One of the standout features of Stagwell is its pioneering use of artificial intelligence in marketing. Mark highlights how Stagwell has been at the forefront of AI integration long before it became mainstream. The company's Marketing Cloud is a testament to this, offering a suite of tech-enabled tools that drastically reduce the time required for tasks such as writing news releases and media monitoring, making them efficient and highly effective. Stagwell's innovative approach includes AI-based global media monitoring, influencer marketing platforms, and automated brand tracking, all designed to enhance the precision and impact of marketing campaigns.

Moreover, Stagwell's commitment to AI is further underscored by the appointment of John Kahan as the inaugural Chief AI Officer, overseeing the infusion of AI across the company's products and services. By combining human ingenuity with AI, Stagwell is not only saving costs but also elevating the quality of advertising, making it more personalized and impactful. As Mark puts it, Stagwell's goal is to become the next great marketing company, leveraging AI to deliver the right ad to the right person at the right time.

More S&P Global content:

MediaTalk | Season 3 | Ep. 19 - Disney's Upfront Unveiled: Navigating the Future of Sports and Streaming

MediaTalk | Season 3 | Ep. 18 - NBCU Ad Exec Previews 'The Greatest Collection of Content Assembled by One Media Company'

Featured experts:

• Mark Penn, Chairman and CEO of Stagwell

Credits:

• Host/Author: Mike Reynolds
• Producer/Editor: Sarah James

www.spglobal.com

www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

Ahead of July 4th, "MediaTalk" is taking a holiday break. Today, we’re encoring a special edition of "MediaTalk" in celebration of the world’s most prestigious tennis tournament. On the first two days of the tournament upsets abounded. Among the women, No. 2 seed and French Open champion Coco Gauff and fellow American Jessica Pegula, the No. 3 seed were eliminated. The fifth seed Zheng Qinwen and ninth seed Paula Badosa were also ousted in their opening matches. All told, the combined eight top 10 seed losses were the most ever for the first two days.

In short, The Championships are setting up for an exciting fortnight on the grass courts. Those who want to find out a little about the economics behind the All England Club, including media rights fees and other revenues sources, should give this episode of "MediaTalk" a listen. Kagan research analysts Mike Johnson and JP O'Sullivan not only talk about Wimbledon financials, but how the digital age is reshaping traditions for players and viewers alike. The episode concludes with some predictions about who will raise the trophies as the gentlemen’s and ladies' singles champions. All that and more in this encore episode of "Wimbledon: Where tennis tradition meets technology."

More S&P Global content:

• The Business of Sports 
• Moneyball: The impact of sports media rights on the US video market

Featured experts:

• JP O'Sullivan, research analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan

  Michael Johnson, research analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan

Credits:

• Host/Author: Mike Reynolds
• Producer/Editor: Sarah James

www.spglobal.com

www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

In our latest episode of "MediaTalk," we dive deep into the world of Wimbledon and its impact on the media landscape. Join host Mike Reynolds as he engages with S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan analysts JP O'Sullivan and Michael Johnson to explore the evolving dynamics of this iconic tournament.

From the introduction of cutting-edge AI technologies and electronic line calling systems to the strategic shifts in match scheduling, this episode offers invaluable insights for media executives seeking to understand how innovation is reshaping traditional sports events.

Discover how Wimbledon is not only preserving its rich heritage but also adapting to the attention economy by reaching younger audiences through digital platforms. With discussions on media rights valuations, viewership trends, and sponsorship strategies, this episode explores how Wimbledon is preserving traditions while also staying on the top of its game. 

More S&P Global content:

• The Business of Sports 
• Moneyball: The impact of sports media rights on the US video market

Featured experts:

• JP O'Sullivan, research analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan

  Michael Johnson, research analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan

Credits:

• Host/Author: Mike Reynolds
• Producer/Editor: Sarah James

www.spglobal.com

www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence