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

From buzzer beaters to brackets, "MediaTalk" is once again diving into the intersection of sports and business that is March Madness. Discover how the unique partnership between CBS Sports and TNT Sports, now in its 14th year, has transformed the landscape for media giants Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery. Now, March Madness generates over $1 billion in ad sales, underscoring the vital role of live sports in the linear TV ad market. This episode highlights why marquee sporting events like this are indispensable for networks, especially as other ad markets face challenges. Learn about the significant boost in retransmission consent rates for CBS, licensing fees for TBS, TNT and TruTV, and subscriber growth for the networks' related streaming platforms. Plus, discover the rising financial stakes in women's sports, highlighted by a recent ESPN deal that reflects the growing value and excitement surrounding the women's college basketball tournament.

More S&P Global content:

• The Business of Sports

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

In the latest episode of "MediaTalk," host Mike Reynolds dives into all things FinTech with two in-house experts: Sophia Furber and Iuri Struta from S&P Global Market Intelligence. Together, they explore the evolution of FinTech, from its early days as a venture capital darling to its current maturity and challenges, including regulatory hurdles and slower innovation.

Sophia explains the diverse applications of FinTech, highlighting the growing importance of account-to-account (A2A) payments and the potential for local payment methods to thrive in Europe. As fraud becomes increasingly sophisticated, Sophia also underscores the need for innovative solutions, particularly those leveraging AI.

Meanwhile, Iuri provides insights into the current state of FinTech M&A, noting robust demand amid declining valuations and a maturing market segment.

More S&P Global content:

• Fintech funding falls in 2024, but mega rounds show tentative signs of optimism
• 451 Research: 2025 Trends in FinTech

Featured experts:

• Sophia Furber, analyst in the 451 Research fintech research and consulting group within S&P Global Market Intelligence

• 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

The latest episode of "MediaTalk" features insights from a recent S&P Global Market Intelligence webinar, "A New Era for Video Distribution," outlining how the years-long slide in pay TV subscribers is now shaping M&A strategies and profit margins within the evolving media industry.

The webinar featured a trio of S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan principal analysts: Scott Robson discusses the historical high valuations of cable networks, which have significantly declined due to cord-cutting and reduced buyer interest. Seth Shafer highlights the strategic focus on content production and library assets as the true crown jewels in media acquisitions. And Justin Nielson discusses the pressures facing broadcasters, including regulatory hurdles and plateauing retransmission fee growth. Overall, the podcast underscores the strategic recalibrations media companies must undertake to navigate the challenges of declining traditional revenues and the opportunities presented by digital transformation.

More S&P Global content:

• New Era for Video Distribution

Featured experts:

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

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

  Seth Shafer, 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

"MediaTalk" host Mike Reynolds welcomes Steve Lanzano, president and CEO of the Television Bureau of Advertising, to discuss how local broadcast television is adapting and thriving in today's shifting video landscape. Lanzano highlights how broadcasters continue to benefit from the power of live sports programming and local news, making it a trusted platform for both advertisers and viewers.

The episode also explores key advertising categories, including political in 2024 and expectations for automotive in 2025 amid the risk of new tariffs. The conversation also touches on the potential for M&A under the new administration as station groups look to consolidate. This shift could enhance operational efficiencies and expand audience reach, positioning local broadcasters favorably in a competitive video market.

More S&P Global content:

• New Era for Video Distribution

Featured experts:

• Steve Lanzano, President and CEO of TVB

Credits:

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

www.spglobal.com

www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence