"MediaTalk" host Mike Reynolds and S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan analyst Neil Barbour explore the latest trends in video games, connected devices and streaming operating systems.

One major topic is the delay of Grand Theft Auto VI, which has shifted expectations for console shipments and an overall market recovery to 2026. Neil discusses how this delay, coupled with ongoing tariff impacts, is reshaping investment strategies in the gaming sector.

The episode also covers the trends driving gaming M&A, especially overseas, and the notable year-over-year increase in metaverse funding seen in the first quarter. Looking ahead, Neil provides a forecast for streaming operating system platforms, predicting substantial growth driven by advertising and subscription revenue.

More S&P Global content:

• MediaTalk | Season 3 | Ep. 8 - How AI is Reshaping Gaming and Consumer Tech

Featured experts:

• Neil Barbour, S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan analyst

Credits:

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

www.spglobal.com

www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

Ahead of Memorial Day, join "MediaTalk" host Mike Reynolds as he talks to S&P's Wade Holden and Mac Mathews about their expectations for this year's summer box office. Family-friendly hits like Disney's live-action "Lilo and Stitch" and DreamWorks' "How to Train Your Dragon" are expected to lead the charge and draw families to theaters. Meanwhile, superhero fans are eagerly awaiting the release of "Superman," which could redefine the DC universe under James Gunn's direction.

The podcast also highlights the potential impact of new franchises, such as Ryan Coogler's "Sinners," the "John Wick" spinoff "Ballerina" and Brad Pitt's high-octane Formula One film. Driven by a mix of nostalgia, fresh content and blockbuster sequels, Wade forecasts this summer could surpass the $4 billion box office mark — so long as studios and moviegoers can avoid the very real threat of franchise fatigue. 

More S&P Global content:

MediaTalk | Season 2 EP 14 - The Summer Box Office Begins - https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/podcasts/mediatalk-s2-ep-14

Featured experts:

Wade Holden, senior research analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan

Mac Mathews, associate director of editorial, design and publishing at S&P Global

Credits:

Host/Author: Mike Reynolds

Producer/Editor: Sarah James

Ahead of the May 15 announcement of the Chip Security Act, Rep. Bill Foster of Illinois discussed the pressing issue of AI chip smuggling. Following news about DeepSeek, reports have emerged of advanced AI chips being smuggled outside of the US in violation of existing export controls. To address this, Foster is reaching across the aisle with new legislation that would require chip manufacturers to incorporate location verification mechanisms within their products. This would allow datacenters to verify the presence of chips via cryptographic challenges, leveraging existing technology in chips to prevent unauthorized movements. 

Foster, Congress’ only PhD physicist, highlighted the impact of government funding freezes on scientific research, particularly at Argonne National Laboratory. He also advocated for the Keep STEM Talent Act, designed to retain top tech talent by granting permanent residency to advanced degree holders.

Finally, the discussion also touched on deepfakes and the need for secure digital identities with digital driver's licenses. Foster called for a proactive approach to safeguarding technological advancements amid evolving challenges.

More S&P Global content:

GenAI funding hits record in 2024 boosted by infrastructure interest

Featured experts:

• Rep. Bill Foster, D-Illinois

• Stefan Modrich, tech policy reporter for S&P Global Market Intelligence 

Credits:

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

www.spglobal.com

www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

As Walt Disney gears up for its upcoming upfront presentation, "MediaTalk" host Mike Reynolds sits down with Adam Monaco, executive vice president of sales at Disney Advertising.  Monaco highlights the dynamic ad landscape, emphasizing the sustained growth in sports and streaming platforms. He notes the unique value proposition of Disney's live sports, including the NBA, the Super Bowl and women's sports. Monaco shares that Disney is focusing on strategic, multi-year partnerships, and anticipates a positive upfront season. 

Additionally, Monaco discusses the upcoming ESPN flagship direct-to-consumer offering and how that will benefit both consumers and advertisers. He highlights Disney's commitment to innovation in ad tech, including the launch of Magic Words, which targets emotional moments in real-time, and other enhancements like interactivity and shopability.

As the advertising landscape evolves, Disney aims to automate 75% of its addressable business by 2027, while maintaining strong relationships with agencies. Despite the competitive online ad market, Disney leverages its storytelling and technology to differentiate itself. Monaco remains optimistic about the upcoming upfront presentation, promising a star-studded event that attendees won't want to miss.

More S&P Global content:

How Sports Media Rights Are Changing the Game for Fans and Networks

Featured experts:

• Adam Monaco, executive vice president of sales at Disney Advertising

Credits:

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

www.spglobal.com

www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

Programmers and advertisers are preparing for the most exciting time of year: the upfronts, when media companies showcase their upcoming content and advertisers seize the opportunity to secure prime placement in front of millions of viewers. This strategic period sets the stage for the entire TV season, influencing buying decisions and gauging the health of the advertising ecosystem.

Ahead of this year's presentations, "MediaTalk" host Mike Reynolds sat down with Gina Reduto, Executive Vice President of Strategy for Advertising and Partnerships at NBCUniversal. Amid a mixed ad environment, Gina highlights the power of NBCU's sports, streaming and linear properties, emphasizing both reach and measurement advances. The discussion covers NBCU's robust lineup of tentpole events, including the Super Bowl, Winter Olympics, and FIFA Men's World Cup, all of which are driving advertiser excitement and engagement. The episode also explores Peacock's massive scale and unique audience, with 70% of its viewers not found on other streaming platforms.

Tune in to get a sneak peek as NBCU gears up for its May 12 upfront presentation at Radio City Music Hall.

More S&P Global content:

How Sports Media Rights Are Changing the Game for Fans and Networks

Featured experts:

• Gina Reduto, Executive Vice President of Strategy, Advertising & Partnerships at NBCUniversal Media

Credits:

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

www.spglobal.com

www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

In the latest episode of "MediaTalk," Mike Reynolds and Iuri Struta delve into the burgeoning world of AI neoclouds, a new breed of cloud service providers that have emerged from the remnants of the crypto mining industry. These neoclouds rent out GPU capacity to support AI workloads. This pivot has attracted significant investment, with over $10 billion funneled into the sector in 2024 alone.

CoreWeave, a leader in this space, exemplifies the rapid growth potential. CoreWeave's success is bolstered by a strategic partnership with NVIDIA, highlighting the intricate relationships between chipmakers and neocloud providers. However, challenges such as potential tariff impacts, reliance on a couple of major customers, and the need to avoid commoditization loom large. Following CoreWeave's public debut earlier this year, Iuri discusses the uncertain IPO landscape and the need for consolidation within the neocloud sector. As the industry evolves, neoclouds must navigate these complexities to sustain growth and remain competitive in the dynamic tech landscape.

More S&P Global content:

• 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

Facing both an uncertain advertising market and regulatory environment, TV and radio station owners gathered in Las Vegas this month for the annual NAB Show. Put on by the National Association of Broadcasters, the event focused on emerging technologies such as AI, advertising advancements, and NextGen TV.

S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan analysts Justin Nielson and Peter Leitzinger, who both attended the event, discuss how core advertisers are adopting a cautious "wait and see" approach due to economic insecurities, particularly concerning tariffs and inflation. This hesitance is evident as advertisers are holding back on increasing budgets, impacting spending across key categories like automotive and retail.

Additionally, the conversation covers the industry's push for deregulation, particularly with regards to the national 39% ownership cap. This dual focus on navigating current market uncertainties while seeking regulatory relief underscores the evolving challenges and opportunities within the broadcast sector as the industry adapts to changing market dynamics. 

More S&P Global content:

US political ad spending soars as election looms

Featured experts:

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

Once a year, S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan analysts issue their major Sports Report, delving into the business of sports media. In tandem with that report, the analysts hold an hour-long webinar to answer a wide range of questions, including why sports rights remain critical for TV networks, pay-tv operators and streamers, and what the future of the local sports rights business will look like.

In this week's "MediaTalk," join Mike Reynolds and a panel of experts as they delve into the intricacies of the sports media landscape in the wake of S&P Global's recent webinar, "Moneyball: The Impact of Sports Media Rights on the US Video Market." The episode explores the escalating costs of sports media rights, the challenges faced by RSNs and the shift back toward traditional broadcasters and streaming services. With projections indicating a significant rise in media rights spending, the panel addresses the implications for fans navigating a fragmented viewing experience.

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

  William Mao, senior vice president of media rights consulting at Octagon

Credits:

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

www.spglobal.com

www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

In the latest episode of S&P Global's "MediaTalk," host Mike Reynolds and S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan analysts Justin Nielson, Scott Robson and Mike Johnson delve into the upcoming Masters golf tournament, highlighting its unique status in the sports landscape. The Masters, renowned for its rich history and picturesque setting at Augusta National, captivates audiences not just for the competition but also for its distinct broadcasting model — CBS and ESPN air the event without a media rights fee, a rarity in today’s sports media. On top of that, they keep to a very limited advertising slate.

The discussion touches on the financial dynamics of golf, comparing the Masters' revenue streams — including merchandise sales, food pricing and international media rights — to other major tournaments. The analysts explore ongoing changes in the sport, including the potential merger between the PGA and LIV Golf. They also explore innovative formats like the Tomorrow's Golf League (TGL), aimed at attracting younger viewers. As the Masters approaches, predictions are made about the future of golf, both on and off the putting green. 

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

As the Major League Baseball season kicks off, the way fans access their favorite teams is undergoing a seismic shift. In the latest episode of "MediaTalk," we discuss the changing distribution strategies that teams are implementing as many move away from traditional regional sports networks (RSNs) to embrace a mix of broadcast and streaming options. Outside the RSN market, the conclusion of MLB's longstanding relationship with ESPN after this season opens the door for new players like Amazon, Apple and others to potentially enter the market. Taken all together, these changes are creating an exciting and competitive environment for sports broadcasting. The episode explores the implications of these shifts on fan engagement, revenue generation, and the overall landscape of local sports media.

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