Happy Friday 👋
Here’s everything we covered in this week’s Open Tabs conversation:
* The Oscars are evolving for the scroll-first era [~0:30]. We felt this year’s Oscars did a better job reflecting culture — from winners that felt aligned with the moment to more self-aware nods to how people actually watch (scrolling, second-screening, missing moments). There was also a clear effort to blend Hollywood with internet culture, from influencers hosting red carpets to skits about vertical video and MrBeast.
* Our POV: Hollywood is adapting in real time. As social platforms redefine viewing behavior, legacy moments like the Oscars are being reimagined for younger, internet savvy audiences.
* Additional resources:
* Oscars bolts for from ABC to YouTube starting in 2026, The Hollywood Reporter
* Oscars winners and losers, and Universal’s pivot to keep movies in theaters longer, The Town
* People are losing it over Kris Jenner’s “Shady” reaction to influencers on the red carpet at the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, Buzzfeed
* Peacock is launching an AI version of Andy Cohen [~8:40]. We discussed Peacock’s plan to launch a Bravo-focused, TikTok-style feed — complete with an AI Andy Cohen guiding users through clips, plus interactive features like games. The goal is to capture the second-screen behavior that already exists and keep that attention inside the platform.
* Our POV: This is part of a bigger shift: streaming platforms want to become destinations, not just utilities. Owning the full attention loop (watching + reacting + discussing) is the endgame. The open question is whether users actually want this behavior centralized — or if external platforms like TikTok and Reddit will continue to win.
* Additional resources:
* Peacock is adding an AI Andy Cohen to narrate an endless stream of Bravo clips, The Verge
* 🎬 What Netflix’s expansion teaches us about multi-platform strategy, #ForYou by Melissa Blum
* Content doesn’t end when the show does [~17:30]. We talked about the massive creator ecosystems built around shows like Bravo — where fans turn to TikTok, Reddit, and Instagram for recaps, reactions, and commentary. In many cases, people engage more with the surrounding content than the show itself.
* Our POV: The real product isn’t just the show — it’s the conversation around it. Brands that treat content as a closed loop are missing the bigger opportunity. The future is about fueling and participating in these ecosystems, not trying to replace them.
* Additional resources:
* Hot takes are about more than going viral; they help you find your audience, #ForYou by Melissa Blum
* Being addicted to Bravo was a hobby. Now it’s a career., The Washington Post
Thanks for listening! 🎧 🤍
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