Sam Winter

Ballin’ Me, last year: “Big Tech will control more sports by the end of 2024. The high cost of sports rights will become a filter for who can afford to compete for them. Perhaps starting with the next NBA deal, Comcast might justify huge sports fees as part of a new Triple Play, or Disney Streaming might rationalize them to spin off ESPN and/or ABC. Disco Bros, however, won’t be able to afford to stay in the game, because their boss is too busy sucking all the air out of their balls. Whatever the final score, I’ll bet on sports to be in the winner’s circle for the foreseeable future.” https://lnkd.in/enZdzpRk The National Basketball Association (NBA), yesterday: “In total, the NBA would receive roughly $76 billion over the lifetime of the contracts, roughly TRIPLING the total value of its current rights deals with ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery. It also would mark another significant expansion into live sports for Amazon, which already pays the #NFL around $1 billion per year to exclusively stream Thursday night games.” https://lnkd.in/eV72TtqZ I’m NOT saying I SEE the future. But we do hang out. #sports #streaming

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Sometimes in life, you’re right on time. 😃This is why, when we started down the road to create our IBC - International Broadcasting Convention Accelerator Project: ‘Digital Replicas and Talent ID: Provenance, Verification and New Automated Workflows’ - that we knew we had the chance to articulate a solution for a very real problem: fraudulent deepfakes and unauthorized usages of Name, Image, Likeness, and Voice (NILV) of public figures. Through legislation moves like these two bills, the stage is set for the industry to come together and work out the systems and methods of protecting talent with the “4 C’s” of Consent, Control, Credit, and Compensation.

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Best Military 6x6? Was the US M35A2 “Deuce and a half” the best military 6x6 truck of its time? The truck seen here is one of two owned by Dave Fortier. For those of you unfamiliar with the M35 series it was originally designed by the REO Motor Car Company in 1949. The series consists of a wide number of variations and specialty models with the M35A2 cargo truck the most common. This model, with winch, is 112 inches tall, 96 inches wide and 277 inches long with an empty weight of approximately 13,030 pounds. The standard bed is 8 feet by 12 feet. The Deuce is powered by a LDT 465 in-line 6 cylinder turbocharged multi-fuel engine. The 478 cubic inch engine puts out 134 bhp and 330 ft-lbs of torque. The multi-fuel engine is designed to reliably operate on a wide variety of fuels, to include diesel fuel, jet fuel, kerosene and heating oil. Even gasoline can also be used in an emergency, if motor oil is mixed in (one quart to 15 gallons) for proper injector pump lubrication. In typical military fashion the truck features a 24 volt electrical system. The Deuce normally runs on ten 9.00x20 tires and can haul 2.5 tons cross-country or 5 tons on the highway. Most trucks are fitted with an air-operated selectable transfer case. Hitting a switch on the dash engages the front axle and locks the transfer case. Brake system is air-over-hydraulic six wheel drum with a driveline parking brake, although gladhands exist on the rear of the vehicle for connection to trailers with full air service and emergency brakes. Due to this brake system and GVWR under 26,001 pounds, the deuce can be driven without a commercial driver's license outside of California. Top speed is approximately 55 to 60 mph. A 50 gallon fuel tank is standard giving the Deuce a 400-500 mile range. Accessories include a soft top, hard top, cold weather kit, engine coolant or multi-fuel fired cab heaters, cargo covers, 10,000 pound PTO winch and even .50 caliber machine gun mounts. What do you think, was it the best?

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YouTube Killed the TV Star For years, I’ve been telling you YouTube is the biggest TELEVISION network on TV - and one with an unparalleled advanced TV audience advertising machine. https://lnkd.in/eAykCjRa I’ve been warning y’all in the TV business that your TRUE competition now is NOT each other, but rather Google’s CTV Death Star. Seems Google liked that pitch, and turned it into their #Upfront presentation: “Other media companies unveil new TV shows coming to their services. YouTube used the stage to boast about its massive reach and engagement relative to traditional TV. YouTube‘s message to Madison Avenue: The video giant isn’t traditional TV. It’s bigger (with literally billions of viewers) and better at targeting relevant audiences.” https://lnkd.in/e_G-pZXy This week I dissected Nielsen’s new look Gauge, which breaks down TV viewing by publisher - across all platforms. https://lnkd.in/gaBZ3KfC With this analysis (my version below) YouTube comes in second for total monthly viewing. But, note, it takes ALL of The Walt Disney Company & Disney Streaming combined (ABC, ESPN, Disney+, Hulu) to best The Tube. It took ALL of NBCUniversal (NBC, Bravo, USA, Telemundo, MSNBC, Peacock), all of Paramount (Pluto TV, Paramount+, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, et al), and all of Disco Bros (TBS, TBT, MAX) to LOSE to YouTube. YouTube’s one, simple, massive app is by far the number one channel… ON TV. It’s the first stop on CTVs for most TV viewers under 35 and, everyday, more and more audiences over 36 too. And, crucially, they are better at video advertising than every other TV platform in the game - catering equally well to massive budgets from P&G and local pocketbook budgets from Mom & Pop Shops. Many in the TV ad biz will obsess this week over Netflix’s fancy shmancy Upfront and their Christmas NFL games. But Netflix’s total viewing (see below) is FAR off the competitive set - ESPECIALLY considering only 7% of their viewing is on the ad tier where viewers can (get this) see ads. (Kinda important in the Upfront.) But YouTube also had the NFL - and the NBA - at their presentation. More importantly, on their Upfront stage, YouTube represented the fastest growing segment of entertainment - The Creator Economy. While other TV platforms trotted out traditional Hollywood celebs to talk about a new wave of TV shows, YouTube brought out the biggest stars in the world that you’ve never heard of - Haley Kalil, Cleo Abram, Kinigra Deon, Ryan Trahan, Taty Cokley, Sydney Morgan, Zach King, Valkyrae. These new TV stars don’t just make shows, they command communities - in ways that limited series and procedural dramas never will. TV is not changing. It changed. Years ago. You may have missed it. But don’t worry, I’m sure there’s a video on YouTube about it, so you catch up.

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We're halfway through the annual webathon at Reason, where I’ve worked since 1993 (and which got started back in 1968). The Webathon is the one week a year when we ask our online readers to support our award-winning journalism with tax-deductible donations. Right now, the next $50,000 in donations are being matched by a generous supporter, so your dollars go twice as far! Scroll down to explore our (great!) swag levels and find out how to give. (And yes, of course we take bitcoin and other forms of crypto!) Why should you give to Reason? There are lots of reasons, but I want to focus on our videos and podcasts, which have proven to be especially powerful vehicles for promoting a world of ‘Free Minds and Free Markets’—and a source of really interesting and provocative journalism and commentary. Each month over the past year, Reason videos were viewed a whopping 9.2 million times across platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube (where we passed a million subscribers in August). As someone who was there at the launch of our groundbreaking video platform back in 2007—when we literally had zero viewers!—these numbers are both astonishing and encouraging. Equally impressive is the fact that about two-thirds of our video audience is under 35, a time in life when people's worldviews are still taking shape. In a world of growing left-wing and right-wing populism and pessimism, we need to reach tomorrow's business, cultural, and political leaders with an unabashedly optimistic, libertarian perspective on how to improve the world. Instead of giving in to fearmongering and finger-pointing, Reason's message is unique and upbeat: Set us free and watch all the wonders you can think of become reality! Supporting Reason's video efforts is a great way to fund the future we all dream of—a world where a thousand flowers bloom (like this charter city in Honduras!). We crank out more than two videos a day, each pushing back against people who would limit our freedom, advocating for greater choice in our lives, showing how to identify the enemies of progress and peace, and demonstrating how to make our world a richer, more innovative, and fun (yes, fun!) place. Go here for more details on swag and giving levels--and a great list of some of the best videos we released in the past year. https://lnkd.in/eA9dViFw

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I interviewed Cleo Abram, host of the viral internet show "Huge If True," for an episode of SquawkPod for CNBC. We had an insightful conversation about the creator economy, the evolving role of AI, and whether creators should be eligible for an Emmy. Cleo's perspectives are both inspiring and thought-provoking, shedding light on the future of YouTube and Hollywood. LISTEN: https://lnkd.in/edcWKbVE

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Witnessing Max Holloway's performance this weekend was nothing short of awe-inspiring. 🥊 His victory wasn't just about clinching the BMF Championship or adding another win to his stellar UFC career—it was a testament to his unrivaled skill and unwavering sportsmanship. In the heart-pounding clash against Justin Gaethje at #UFC300, Holloway showcased his mastery with finesse. From controlling the tempo to landing precision blows, every move was calculated, every strike deliberate. What truly set this match apart, however, was not just the technical prowess on display, but Holloway's unwavering commitment to honor and fair play. With the bout seemingly in his grasp and victory assured, Holloway could have coasted to a decision. Yet, in a move that stunned the crowd and left fans in awe, he called Gaethje to the center of the ring for one final exchange. In those heart-pounding moments, Holloway's dedication to the spirit of competition shone brightest. His belief that every fighter deserves a chance for redemption, even in the final seconds, speaks volumes about his character and values. In a world where victory at any cost often takes precedence, Max Holloway's actions serve as a powerful reminder of what it means to compete with integrity and respect. Whether it's in the octagon or the boardroom, true champions understand that success is not just about the win, but the manner in which it is achieved. Reflecting on Holloway's actions, I couldn't help but be moved. In a society that often prioritizes individual gain over collective spirit, his approach serves as a powerful reminder of what it means to compete with honor, both in the octagon and beyond. As I watched #UFC300 unfold, I didn't just witness a fight—I witnessed a lesson in sportsmanship, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Max Holloway isn't just a BMF—he's an embodiment of what it means to strive for greatness with integrity. Here's to hoping that someday, we all aspire to be remembered in the same breath as the likes of Max Holloway. #Inspiration #Sportsmanship #UFC **************************** If content like this is your passion 👇 Like this 👍 Follow me ➕ Get notified 🔔 Grow together 💪

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Career & Now It’s another brutal week for entertainment jobs. The Walt Disney Company is laying off more staff. Paramount is cutting more gigs. NBCUniversal’s news division is shedding jobs. Yet the C-Suiters who drove the bus into this ditch will still get paid. It sucks. I know. I’ve written a LOT about what to do when you’re served this kind of shit sandwich. I’ve shared what I did to pivot, when I didn’t have a choice. All that advice is here, for you, right now: http://bit.ly/CareerAndNow Unfortunately, it’s now quite obvious: You are NOT alone. What’s not always obvious to most of us especially in these times: YOU are NOT your job. I hope you take advantage of the resources at the link. I hope they help. And I hope you take a minute to realize: There’s opportunity in EVERY change - even those you didn’t choose.

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The Soros Plan to Change Audacy • Why the $28 billion Soros Fund is interested in taking over a tiny $500,000 media market cap company. • The likely way they scale up Audacy to get bigger – what we’re hearing. • What they’re going to do with David Field, the CEO who presided over the • Audacy financial disaster – it’s becoming quite apparent. • How they will put the failed CBS merger behind them. https://lnkd.in/ewxhfRgP

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Unlock the Secrets of Professional Filmmaking: Your Ultimate Camera Package Guide, Please excuse the shaky camera the surface book2 hinge is getting old haha Are you ready to elevate your filmmaking game? In this captivating video, we delve into the heart of what makes a camera package truly exceptional. 🎥✨ 1. RAW Power and Creative Freedom: Discover how RAW recording empowers you to capture every nuance, color, and detail. Say goodbye to limitations and hello to boundless creativity! 🌟 2. All-I Internal Recording with a Cinematic Twist: We demystify the magic of All-I recording, complete with a LOG setting. Unleash your inner storyteller and create visuals that resonate with your audience. 🎬🔥 3. Instant Live-Streaming Brilliance: Imagine seamlessly connecting your robust camera to any computer via USB-C. Become the star of your own live stream, whether you're using Wirecast, vMix, or other web-based services. 🌐🎙️ 4. Built-In Fan: Your Silent Ally: Our camera package ensures all-day functionality with a whisper-quiet built-in fan. No more overheating worries—just focus on capturing the perfect shot. 🌬️❤️ 5. Full Frame or Super35: The Canvas of Your Dreams: Whether you prefer the expansive vistas of full frame or the cinematic intimacy of Super35, our camera package adapts to your vision. 📸🎞️ 6. Robust Auto Focus: Precision Meets Simplicity: Say hello to effortless focusing. Our camera package boasts robust auto focus technology, so you can concentrate on your creative process. 🎯🤩 7. Immediate Deliverables: MP4 or .MOV? You Choose!: No waiting around—get an immediate MP4 264 or .mov file ready for editing or sharing. Your content, your way. 🚀🎥 8. Versatile Lens: From Wide to Zoom: Our auto focus lens covers the sweet spot from 24mm to 70mm (full frame equivalent). Capture wide landscapes or zoom in for intimate moments. 📷🌆 9. Steady Shots with a Professional Video Tripod: Elevate your production quality with a fluid head video tripod. Smooth pans, tilts, and tracking shots await! 🎥🔝 10. External Monitor: See It All in Glorious Detail: Whether you need recording capability or not, our external monitor provides crystal-clear visuals. Frame your shots with precision. 🖥️🎞️ 11. Memory Galore: Record 2 Hours of Stunning Footage: Whether you choose ALL-I 4K 60fps via the monitor or internal recording, our camera package has memory to spare. Never miss a moment! 💾⏱️ 12. Camera Cage with Handle: Your Filmmaking Companion: Stay in control with our ergonomic camera cage. Comfortable handling meets rugged durability. 🎥🔗 13. Wireless Lavalier Package: Crystal-Clear Audio, No Strings Attached: Our internal recording system ensures pristine sound. Plus, we throw in a pair of clip mics for interviews and on-the-go moments. 🎙️🎧 https://lnkd.in/gTKzUsb8

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This is excellent news for freelancers operating as LLCs, sole proprietorships, or those who file a Schedule C. The elimination of "Loan Outs" could have been the final blow to the already delicate support system that is the backbone of TV and film production in California. At the same time, don't think for a minute that larger corporations didn't also have their hands in influencing this outcome. Without "Loan Outs," all those workers would need to be W2 employees, which means a greater expense to the studios. https://lnkd.in/gjccP2eA

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🚨New Substack Article Alert!🚨 Dive into my latest analysis of Naoya Inoue's masterful performance against TJ Doheny. Inoue once again proves why he’s one of the greatest fighters of this generation, showcasing unmatched footwork, timing, and precision. This is a breakdown you don't want to miss! 🔗 Check it out on Substack now and don't forget to read, like, share, and subscribe for more insightful combat sports content! #Boxing #CombatSports #Inoue #Substack #FightAnalysis #ContentCreation

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Expensive film gear and fancy setups can steal the show... But narrative determines the success of your video marketing, not budget. Video production can feel intimidating when we think of high-end cameras, large, expensive lighting setups, cast, crew, & more. While there is a time and place for this, the reality is that effective video marketing doesn't have to break the bank or even touch it. Here are some means to change your video marketing budget drastically. 📱 Smartphones: Most modern smartphones have incredible cameras that can capture high-quality video. You can create professional-looking content with the proper techniques without investing in pricey equipment. Focus less on quality and more on the story. 💡 Affordable LED Lighting & the Sun: Lighting plays a huge role in video quality, but you don't need expensive setups to get it right. Affordable LED lights can help you achieve the perfect look, making your videos appear more polished and professional. You can also get outside to create videos and use the most powerful light to capture a beautiful, natural look. 🎤 Quality Audio on a Budget: Good audio is essential. Poor video with good audio feels more acceptable than perfect video with bad audio. But you don't have to splurge to achieve it. Plenty of affordable microphones can deliver clear, high-quality sound to your audience. 🛠️ AI Editing Tools: Editing is crucial to the process but doesn't have to be time-consuming or costly. AI-powered editing tools can help streamline the process, offering effects, transitions, and even automated edits that can enhance your videos without a professional editor. Using AI editing tools, you can chop down hours of interview or podcast footage within seconds. 🎙️ Voiceover with Animated AI Video: If you're uncomfortable on camera, consider using voiceovers paired with animated AI videos. These tools can turn your script into engaging, visually appealing, and easy-to-create content. 📚 Learn for Free: A wealth of free resources is available online to help you master the basics of video marketing. You can get a great head start on video production, from YouTube tutorials to online courses through free resources. Ultimately, a high budget is not always necessary for successful video marketing. You can create impactful videos that resonate with your audience by leveraging the tools and resources you already have or that are available at a low cost. Video marketing is about more than just fancy cameras and lighting. It's about connecting with your audience, telling the story of your business, and building trust. And you can do that effectively without a big budget. Disclaimer: As a Director and Cinematographer, I believe that AI will never fully replace the human element in Video Production but it's a great tool we need to take advantage of to market our business. It will never compare to the beauty of the human eye and what we can accomplish with our cameras.

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Bloomberg reported on the wins Jordan, CEO of Hampton, has got from MoneyWise, a show we produce. These results are not unique, so today we're launching Authority, a new podcast service for CEOs that earns loyal attention with as little as 3 hours of your time per week. If you're a founder or CEO you know that your personal brand is a key leverage point for your company's growth. But how do you stand out from all the other content out there, and how do you do that without a ton of spare time you just don't have? We've done this for Sam Parr and the CEO of his company, Hampton, Jordan DiPietro. Their show has reached hundreds of thousands of listeners in the first 6 months and has resulted in a ton of signups to their high ticket community. We've done it for many others as well. So Jackie, the producer on Hampton's podcast told me we 𝗵𝗮𝗱 to create a dedicated service for founders who want a show like MoneyWise. She told me there are a ton of people out there who are desperate for this. So she's decided to give away her entire approach to making the best shows, and built out a service and team to create more video podcasts that actually get listeners but without it being an insane time suck to the hosts. We're serious about quality, though. We're scaling this carefully and so right now are only onboarding 2 new clients per month for the Authority service. If you're interested, hit Jackie up, or find out more on the website Authority dot fm. This is new for us and I'm hungry for feedback, so hit me up with questions.

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The California Employment Development Department may soon stop recognizing loan-out corporations. This means that productions would have to pay cast and crew working through loan-outs as an "employee" for purposes of payroll and taxes. This could mean these cast and crew would no longer be able to deduct business expenses related to their jobs and could also be taxed on any commissions paid to agents, lawyers, etc. In a year that IATSE has already struggled, this news is a blow. This article in Deadline provides more info, including that IATSE and DGA are aware of, and working, on this issue: "Loan out corporations are typically single-owner LLCs, allowing a contracted worker to provide services as an employee of their own corporation, rather than receive payment directly as an individual. They can then pay themselves a salary, and even contribute to a retirement account on their own behalf. While loan outs aren’t exclusive to the entertainment industry, many film and television workers utilize loan out corporations as a way to protect them against liability and receive tax breaks on business expenses related to the job. Deadline hears that all the Hollywood guilds have a pulse on the ongoing situation."

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The greatest journalists are anticipators. Their focus is always on what’s coming down the pipe. Elections happening 🗳 Laws introduced 🏛 Summits kicking off 🧑🏼‍💼 Products or services launching 🚀 And they have a knack for predicting how an evolving story is likely to play out. Where does this info come from? Newswires were my (not so) secret weapon when I was an editor. It’s basically a feed of future news events. Most papers report what’s happening today. A newswire contains stuff that’s about to break. Perhaps this might help entrepreneurs and creatives here. Every week on Monday (or every now and then) I’ll do a little look-ahead. It’s a few things that might be useful for creative entrepreneurs. To inspire and inform. Lifted from newswires. Happening this week. Here goes. 1. Well burger me 🍔 Residents of the US can look forward to National Hamburger Day tomorrow. In an ironic scheduling clash, it happens to coincide with World Hunger Day. Anyone suffering from over-indulgence will be relieved by the arrival of World Digestive Health Day on the Wednesday. (28th May) 2. Changing the world for good? 🤖 The AI for Good Global Summit is an event in Geneva organised by the UN. It’s a platform intended to promote AI to advance health, climate, gender, inclusive prosperity, sustainable infrastructure, and other global development priorities. When the world seems divided into zealots and fear-mongers, a pragmatic take on how AI could improve life sounds like a sensible idea. A good one, even. (30th – 31st May) 3. Manhattanhenge 🌆 Inner cities don’t usually play host to sublime natural phenomena. But this week, New Yorkers will be able to view Manhattanhenge. It’s an evening when the sun is in perfect alignment with the city’s streets, which run from East to West. (29th May) 4. Trailer crash 🎬 The Golden Trailer Awards is a celebration of brevity. The event prizes the creators of trailers and teasers for feature films and gaming titles. It’s been dubbed, “the awards ceremony for the short attention span”. (30th May) 5. Reimagine that 🧱 The London Festival of Architecture, LFA 2024, celebrates its 20th year. It’s a whole month of events about the built environment. Head to the city’s leading cultural institutions for installations, talks and edifying experiences. The theme is “reimagine”. (1st June onwards) 6. Venice bans groups 🚣‍♀️ Venice is to ban loudspeakers and tourist groups of more than 25 people, in a bid to ease the impact of mass tourism on the Italian city. The new rules will come into effect from June. Residents will be grateful for a (slightly) quieter canal-side. (1st June) Is this useful? If so I'll do it again next Monday. #theweekahead #news #events #futurenews

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