MediaTalk

As the holiday season approaches, consumer spending is set to take center stage in 2024. Insights from the latest MediaTalk podcast highlight a cautiously optimistic outlook, with increased confidence among consumers across all income groups. Despite lingering concerns about inflation and rising debt, many consumers are ready to embrace holiday shopping with a renewed spirit as they not only buy gifts but also leverage holiday sales for everyday necessities. With e-commerce continuing to thrive, the integration of omnichannel shopping experiences is becoming crucial. Learn how consumers plan to balance holiday shopping between online and in-store this year. Happy Holidays!

Dive into the dynamic world of sports betting with our latest episode of MediaTalk. Join host Mike Reynolds as he chats with Dave Forman, vice president of research at the American Gaming Association, to explore the rapid evolution of legal sports betting since the Supreme Court's pivotal 2018 decision. With 39 states now embracing this booming industry, discover how Missouri's recent legalization could impact the market and the anticipated revenue growth as we head into a busy sports season. From the explosive rise of online betting to the implications of new legislation, this episode offers crucial insights for investors and enthusiasts alike. Don't miss out on understanding the future of sports betting in America.

MediaTalk host Mike Reynolds chats with S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan Principal Analyst Justin Nielson about the evolving landscape of the US TV and radio broadcast industry. Nielson unpacks his forecast for total TV station ad revenue to hit $25 billion this year, bolstered by political advertising and major events like the Paris Olympics. However, the radio sector faces challenges, struggling to recover from pandemic impacts while competing with streaming giants. Discover insights on local vs. national advertising trends, the rise of digital marketing, and the future of retransmission consent revenues. Tune in now!

In this Halloween episode of MediaTalk, host Mike Reynolds and Kagan Research Analyst Peter Leitzinger dive into the hotly contested 2024 US elections. With political ad spending projected to jump 17% to $4.1 billion, local TV stations are set to reap the rewards as candidates ramp up their campaigns in swing states like Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania. The stakes are high, with pivotal races for the White House and control of Congress unfolding against a backdrop of pressing issues such as the economy and reproductive rights. Tune in as they break down the ad spending strategies of both parties, the key battlegrounds to watch and the potential for surprises in the final stretch. Join us for insights that are as thrilling as a Halloween night! 

The US wireless industry has largely reached the point of saturation, making continued growth difficult. As carriers like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile report third-quarter results this week, S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan analyst Lynnette Luna talks us through where future wireless service and device revenue increases will come from in the next decade — whether that is additional lines for individuals with personal and professional phones, 6G services or the introduction of AI-enabled devices and services.

With the NBA season tipping off Oct. 22, MediaTalk host Mike Reynolds is stepping up to the three-point line with S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan Principal Analyst Scott Robson, who tracks US TV networks and sports; Kagan Research Analyst Michael Johnson; and Lee Burke, principal of consultancy LHB Sports, Entertainment and Media. Together they talk about the changes afoot nationally for the '25/'26 NBA season, as well as evolving local rights strategies amid the collapse of the RSN model.

The sports video market is in the midst of a historic shift. When it comes to local rights, myriad teams are abandoning regional sports networks in favor of broadcast and streaming offerings. On the national side, more and more rights are migrating to streaming from pay TV. Standing in the middle of it all is FuboTV, the sports-centric virtual multichannel service. Fubo has been making headlines of late with its legal battle against Venu, the proposed sports-oriented streaming joint venture from Walt Disney, Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery. On this episode of MediaTalk, host Mike Reynolds sits down with Fubo co-founder and CEO David Gandler to discuss the ever-evolving sports media landscape and the company's progress in its effort to secure a more equitable playing field for distributors.

Though the video game market is eagerly looking ahead toward the holiday sales market, it is facing myriad headwinds. Console shipments are struggling both as the market waits for a new Nintendo Switch and consumers digest the price tag of the new PlayStation 5 Pro. This episode of MediaTalk brings back S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan analyst Neil Barbour, who leads video game coverage for the consumer technology team. Then, Neil and fellow Kagan analyst Richard Berndes weigh in on the top video games from the sports arena and the eSports market.

In this episode, MediaTalk host Mike Reynolds sits down again with S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan analyst John Fletcher, who specializes in multichannel and broadband. With funding for a key federal subsidy having ended, cable operators and telcos both reported heavy fixed broadband subscriber losses in the second quarter, with further declines expected in the third quarter. At the same time, fixed wireless is continuing to drive subscriber growth for the broadband industry as a whole, especially when combined with subscriber additions from newer satellite services like Starlink. Will fixed wireless continue to gain share? What markets are seeing the most fixed wireless growth? And what do fixed wireless customers have to say about their experience with the service? Mike and John dial into these questions and more.

In this episode, MediaTalk Host Mike Reynolds speaks to S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan Senior Research Analyst Wade Holden, who specializes in the movie business, and Mac Mathews, associate director of editorial, design and publishing at S&P Global and film aficionado. Wade and Mac discuss the performance of the summer box office, touching on the films that most resonated with moviegoers and films where viewers opted to wait until the streaming release. Spoiler alert: while franchise films and long-awaited sequels did well, a number of originals failed to find their audiences -- at least in theaters. Looking forward, they also talk about the biggest films coming out this fall. Grab some popcorn, sit back and enjoy!