The LightShed Podcast

• [0:00] Mistadobalina.
• [2:06] Billing problems corner.
• [8:26] Rich’s unusually low Uber rating.
• [12:26] Analysts need to read financial statements.  
• [15:58] Will RSNs going direct-to-consumer accelerate cord-cutting? 
• [21:46] Does Turner really want to be in the NBA biz? 
• [23:50] ESPN wants to become the singular destination for sports fans.
• [30:36] Hans buys himself time at Verizon with management shuffle.
• [34:02] Meta ad targeting continues to improve faster than investors realize.
• [38:33] Xtadium NBA is a perfect VR use case.
• [47:12] Apple continuously does what’s best for Apple.
• [50:10] Is Endeavor messaging that it doesn’t have to buy WWE?
• [56:23] UK is still a hurdle, but we are getting closer to MSFT/ATVI approval.
• [57:57] Call of Duty meets Roblox – incredible graphics and core gameplay on Roblox.
• [59:48] No quick fix to Disney’s content struggle as focus shifts back to quality.   
• [1:02:40] A Redstone, a Porn Star, and a Cat-Kidnapper Walk into a Bar…
• [1:04:02] 3030. 

[0:00] Mistadobalina.

[2:06] Billing problems corner.

[8:26] Rich’s unusually low Uber rating.

[12:26] Analysts need to read financial statements.  

[15:58] Will RSNs going direct-to-consumer accelerate cord-cutting? 

[21:46] Does Turner really want to be in the NBA biz? 

[23:50] ESPN wants to become the singular destination for sports fans.

[30:36] Hans buys himself time at Verizon with management shuffle.

[34:02] Meta ad targeting continues to improve faster than investors realize.

[38:33] Xtadium NBA is a perfect VR use case.

[47:12] Apple continuously does what’s best for Apple.

[50:10] Is Endeavor messaging that it doesn’t have to buy WWE?

[56:23] UK is still a hurdle, but we are getting closer to MSFT/ATVI approval.

[57:57] Call of Duty meets Roblox – incredible graphics and core gameplay on Roblox.

[59:48] No quick fix to Disney’s content struggle as focus shifts back to quality.   

[1:02:40] A Redstone, a Porn Star, and a Cat-Kidnapper Walk into a Bar…

[1:04:02] 3030. 

[0:00] Minor Swing.

[0:58] Bienvenue tout le monde!

[3:52] Can WWE sell for $9 billion?

[8:16] Netflix investor price cutting fears are misplaced.

[12:50] What is Walt’s middle name?

[13:33] Your view of the ad market depends on where you sit.

[17:20] Ergen says retrans will follow RSNs to the grave.

[21:13] Will the Supreme Court avoid tech armagaddeon?

[23:49] Zuck will copy everyone (other than better compensation for creators).

[29:10] Meta gaining VR access to China is a win.

[31:35] FCC moves to push ball forward on satellite to cell phone connectivity.

[33:29] Ticketmaster looks to control the ticketing narrative.

[40:34] Streaming IPL for free is problematic for Disney.

[43:41] Spotify using AI to repackage what they already do.

[47:36] Announcement: we are encouraging Lightshed staff to explore ChatGPT’s capabilities.

[48:02] Fiber pullback positive for Charter.

[50:52] Microsoft trying to compromise on ATVI deal.

[52:43] Can Blumhouse moneyball gaming like they do movies?

[55:07] Is Warner Bros. Games a keeper post Hogwarts Legacy?

[58:22] Elon spent $44 billion to convince you that he is funny.

[59:42] Heal the World.

[0:00] Myself and I.

[1:20] Walt could not be handling this week any better.

[7:06] Investors to Snap: show me don’t tell me.

[12:42] RSN leverage is irrelevant if they don’t generate positive EBITDA.

[22:08] Why would Iger be at NBA Tech Summit if he wasn’t serious about keeping ESPN?

[24:19] FTC purposely fighting losing battles.

[31:38] Fox’s low Super Bowl latency another reason affiliate model needs to end.  

[36:20] We continue to believe NBC will displace Turner for NBA rights. 

[38:46] Do fewer Marvel shows foreshadow Hulu content moving to Disney+?

[44:36] The delayed release of Apple’s mixed reality headset is meaningless.

[46:18] Apple uses T-Mobile’s marketing muscle to drive awareness of MLS.

[49:13] Everything free about Peacock has ended as losses pile up.  

[51:26] Increasing SVOD prices will bring churn issues into focus.

[54:40] MSG Sphere’s U2 Super Bowl ad shows that the end is finally near.

[56:19] Why would anyone want to be CEO of AMC Networks?

[59:38] OAN was for Gigi before they were against her.

[1:02:25] The TikTok-ization of media.

[1:03:33] The Kinks demonstrate AI’s limitations to understanding context.

[1:04:40] Lola.

[0:00] The Robots

[2:02] Acceptable business breakfast orders.

[6:05] Roger Goodell clearly does not follow Walt’s Twitter account.

[8:58] Sunday Ticket innovations.

[11:51] Is Disney’s YTD stock move faith in Iger and/or the surge in legacy media stocks?

[17:51] Could Microsoft be the best buyer of Hulu?

[28:45] Does Activision become a consolidator if ATVI/MSFT breaks?

[31:40] As protectionism becomes a bipartisan issue, what happens to TikTok?

[33:30] 99 Red Balloons

[35:26] More iPhone sales headwinds.

[37:49] Weighing the MLB impact of a Diamond bankruptcy.

[41:10] MLB consistently fails to properly market its players and product.

[44:14] What incentives would motivate someone to buy Knicks / Rangers stakes over MSGS?

[46:29] Variable pricing hits the apes.

[52:15] Why is it so hard for legacy media companies to each create a singular streaming service?

[53:44] Microsoft move for search market share will hurt Google profits.

[1:00:39] What’s the over/under on Google’s search market share in 5 years?

[1:02:01] AI advancement and innovation will create new jobs.

[1:04:58] Technology will eliminate the need for streaming service bundles.

[1:11:14] It must be tough to be a billionaire.

[1:12:45] Computer Love

[0:00] Marquee Moon.           

[2:08] Brandon’s microphone is an injury risk.          

[4:16] Zuck is a winner and he will do whatever it takes to fulfill his vision.

[6:59] Apple CFO's pro-level spin.      

[11:53] Disney parks bookings will be important bellwether of consumer health.  

[14:38] Meta embraces rev share as battle unfolding in shortform video.   

[19:10] How much does TikTok need the music labels?        

[25:01] Question to listeners: would you be interested in a Lightshed Earnings Watchalong?        

[25:57] Daniel Ek’s warning shot to music labels.      

[32:51] Is Warner Bros. Discovery even capable of surfacing its catalog?    

[35:54] Peacock shuts down free as its competitors move towards it.         

[37:27] The day Rich became a TikTok star.   

[38:15] Only Vince knows hows this WWE storyline will play out.    

[42:58] Tech companies can make acquisitions, they just must win in court.          

[47:22] How is it possible that scalpers are advising the White House on fee transparency?          

[52:17] There is nothing worse than reauthenticating streaming services.  

[55:14] VR devs: if you build devices, we’ll create software.             

[56:31] Gaming publishers do not have the DNA to translate IP to mobile.

[1:01:25] Affiliate TV station owners in big trouble, if what just happened at CBS can be replicated.        

[1:03:47] Fly Eagles Fly!          

[1:04:10] See No Evil.

[0:00] Part-Time Lover.

[1:20] What is Rich wearing?

[4:50] Comcast’s hall-of-shame earnings call.

[7:43] The DOJ is the only threat to LYV’s vertical integration, not grandstanding senators.

[18:55] Do you actually weaken Google if you don’t touch Search/YouTube?

[24:01] Big Tech should not let government threats deter their dealmaking.

[27:25] TikTok’s product must continue to evolve to replace Meta.

[31:15] News Corp. will buy something with its extra $3 bn.

[37:08] The RSN’s demise is going to present problems for sports teams and distributors.

[46:20] Paramount+ and Showtime consolidation is good for consumers and profitability. 

[52:56] Comcast should punt on WWE and let Peacock and the legacy cable nets die.

[58:37] Netflix is having fun again or least wants you to believe that.

[1:00:18] Sports rights as an onboarding for VR users?

[1:06:12] Dawn Ostroff’s exit signals that Spotify is a platform company, not a content company.

[1:11:50] Michael Rubin’s Fanatics sports betting playbook is falling into place.

[1:14:05] Use AI to replace useless sell-side analysts who publish earnings previews & reviews.

[1:15:42] What’s Love Got to Do With It.

[0:00] Almost Cut My Hair.

[1:45] If you need a 5:30pm reservation, ask Rich.

[9:10] Learning from Reed Hastings’ pivots.

[14:07] Disney execs have struggled with upward mobility. 

[16:57] Apple's headset will entice developers to explore VR's capabilities.

[24:52] Why does Apple not own the living room? 

[27:23] T-Mobile hacked…again.

[31:40] Vince is the only person who knows what’s really going on with WWE.

[36:57] MMA is ripe for disruption, if you have very deep pockets and time.

[42:25] Could competition solve the government’s TikTok fears?

[46:59] Despite criticisms, Ticketmaster is still best-in-class.

[53:15] Roblox in an investment box.

[56:49] When will Spotify raise price?

[59:32] FAST channels another way for YouTube to get more TV time spent.

[1:05:58] Spam is not spam when Apple spams.

[1:08:25] The Linc will be wild tomorrow night.

[1:09:47] Teach Your Children.

[0:00] Heart Full of Soul.

[1:10] RIP Jeff Beck.

[5:27] Hey (earnings) scorecard here!

[8:19] What drives WWE sale? $$$, legacy, involvement or revenge?

[16:33] What does Nelson Peltz know about media?

[23:32] Universal loves Theme Parks.

[26:10] Netflix testing fewer pricing plans to drive ARPU.

[31:58] Telco corner: T-Mobile’s strategic decisions and confetti cannons.

[37:33] Diamond Sports RSNs may not survive Q1 2023.

[40:08] Amazon’s Thursday Night Football was weaker than anticipated.

[43:49] Connectivity corner: surprising wireless executive departures at Dish and Charter.

[48:23] Tim Sweeney highlights the nascency of AI.

[55:08] It does not take many Netflix ad-based viewers to compete with linear TV.

[58:26] Ubisoft could be an M&A candidate but the industry awaits MSFT/ATVI clarity.

[1:02:16] WBD finds creative way to reduce debt.

[1:04:32] MSG Sphere tour blew Brandon’s mind.

[1:09:58] New York sports betting exceeded year one expectations.

[1:11:28] Subtlety, nuance… and News Corp?

[1:12:20] People Get Ready.

[0:00] Viva Las Vegas.

[1:10] It’s not a CES without a trip to the ER.

[4:00] Is a UFC/WWE merger Vince's next move?

[12:13] Jake Paul will legitimize the PFL.

[18:32] Regulators have gone too far against Meta.

[20:38] The next big tech battle: AI.

[24:11] Avatar has not saved the box office.

[27:19] T-Mobile’s declining share of gross adds and Cable’s impact.

[29:50] Third time a charm for Biden’s FCC nominee Sohn?

[34:49] Selling Tao could help solve the MSG Sphere’s funding gap but at what cost?

[38:42] Roku fighting for market share by building TVs.

[43:23] Amazon is only just getting started in sports.

[47:11] Netflix content hot streak continues.

[48:48] Fitness is Netflix’s newest lever pulled to keep members locked in their ecosystem.

[52:20] Could News Corp sell Dow Jones if Fox deal fails?

[53:45] Viva Las Vegas.