Shelly Palmer

In the dynamic realm of media consumption, the shift from free-to-air (FTA) television to advertiser-funded streaming television (FAST) signifies a remarkable milestone. The emergence of FAST, championed by industry giants like Amazon and Tubi, is reshaping content delivery with a focus on global reach and precise audience targeting. This evolution paves the way for broadcasters to harness streaming technology and data analytics, enabling real-time measurement of revenue streams. Explore more about this transformative era in television broadcasting: https://lnkd.in/eGx8zk8X

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"HOLLYWOOD'S BIG BOOM HAS GONE BUST" (BBC) I think blaming the strikes doesn’t tell the whole story. The industry has been facing different issues, from shifting audience habits and the rise of streaming to economic pressures, the decline of studios, TV networks, cable channels, and AI. My daily work focuses precisely on these situations and what people can do about them... Read the BBC article here: https://lnkd.in/eeUBJyVK #mediaproduction #creativeindustry #evolutionofmediaindustry

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With this agreement, Warner Bros. Discovery appears to have avoided the worst-case scenario of losing its NBA rights—losing carriage or facing a dramatic drop in TNT affiliate rates—while Comcast has, at face value, strengthened the position of its streaming platforms in the U.S. and internationally. However, the deal does not improve their respective growth prospects. For Warner Bros. Discovery, the agreement fails to expand reach by providing the ad-supported version of Max to all Comcast video subscribers and sacrifices control over the UI, UX, and valuable first-party consumer data by allowing content ingestion into Xfinity and Sky. For Comcast, the decision to double down on proprietary distribution through Xfinity and Sky limits its reach compared to models like Charter’s, which offer broader access to all ad-supported apps for video subscribers at much lower capex. In a business where winners benefit from scale and operating leverage, this agreement appears to go in the opposite direction—requiring significant investment for Comcast in sub-scale proprietary platforms that constrain growth to its existing footprint. #Streaming #Media #Comcast #Strategy #WBD

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Very good insight! I agree, the landscape is shifting. Adapt or die. As a TV and movie production company we can align with the streaming platforms, and with half a dozen companies reach HALF of the entire world's population. By doing so we can also control our own destiny and costs. That is alluring. The media distribution marketplace will dramatically change in the next 36 months. Is there a place for cinema, theatres, streaming, and other alternative delivery methods to co-exist? Time will tell, we all adapt, we all evolve, that is the nature of business. Here is a prelude of things to come...

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗢𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗩 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 In the ever-evolving landscape of television, the traditional boundaries between linear and streaming TV are becoming increasingly blurred. Yet, the industry continues to treat them as distinct entities, selling ad inventory separately for each platform. Some brands and agencies even lump streaming in with digital video and buy them that way.  This approach is not only inefficient but also fails to align with the way consumers actually view content. A Unified Approach: Premium vs. Non-Premium Inventory Consumers don’t differentiate between “linear” and “streaming” or “TV” and “digital.” To them, it’s all just “TV.” Given this, it’s time to rethink how we sell advertising inventory so that it aligns with the way viewers see it. Instead of the outdated dichotomy of linear versus streaming, we need to categorize inventory into “premium” and “non-premium” across both platforms. This is not as crazy as it sounds—it has been proven to increase CPMs and thus profitability. But first, a little on how it would work. “Premium inventory” e.g., top-rated originals, library hits and prime-time slots, would continue to be sold via direct sales. This method ensures publishers will continue to get top dollar for their best content, maintaining the profitability of their premium offerings. Direct sales offer a level of control and personalization that is crucial for high-profile offerings, whether those offerings are on linear or on streaming. The latter is key for two reasons: more and more viewers are becoming “streaming first” viewers, even if they still do keep a linear subscription, and more and more streaming services are rolling out originals and picking up sports rights. The combination means there is more premium content on streaming and that more people are watching it. All the more reason to sell it directly. Non-premium inventory, OTOH, is better suited for programmatic – or at least automated - sales. Automated buying excels at targeting specific audiences, making it an ideal solution for monetizing non-premium content. By leveraging data and automation, programmatic sales can connect niche audiences with the advertisers who are looking for them, thus maximizing value, fill rates, and utilization. Automated audience-based trading has long been the go-to for streaming inventory, but it’s time for linear services to adopt it too, at least for their non-premium inventory. This is not as painful as it sounds. Spot buying is notoriously inefficient for low-value inventory and uses up needless resources. Automating it has been proven to drive up profitability while also lowering trading costs. And by “proven” I mean “proven with real-world examples in markets outside the US.” READ THE REST ON TVREV https://lnkd.in/erJDT_3n

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In the rapidly evolving world of Connected TV (CTV) and Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) Channels, one thing has become abundantly clear: the ad-tech landscape is fraught with challenges. Content owners and broadcasters are finding themselves at the mercy of exorbitant ad-tech fees and monthly commitments that drive exclusivity but deliver subpar performance. The question on everyone’s mind is: are they being held to ransom? The answer, unfortunately, is a resounding yes. https://lnkd.in/eJF2H9JK #adtech #adfraud #ads #programmatic #ctv #ott #ottx #streamingmedia #broadcastmedia

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If you are a CTV Channel ( Legacy #FASTCHANNEL) or a CTV Platform then why are you paying high fees for ad-tech? If the tech worked it should be adbosrbed in the upside, #FAST and #CTV #adtech fraud is alive in both the SaaS side and the ad-trading side. Stop paying for tech we will add platforms and channels on to our Network without any Ad-tech fees for eiether party as we know we can deliver 100% fill. Stop playing with the kids and work with the best - https://lnkd.in/e7W8gjMS #broadcastmedia #streamingmedia #programmatic #dsp #ssp #contentstrategy

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FAST Channel Monetization: Content Kings Were Over Promised, and It Under Delivered. In recent years, Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) channels have emerged as a popular avenue for distributing content. Promised as a lucrative opportunity for content owners, the reality has been far less impressive. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dT2A-B8A

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The Meaning of vinyl outselling CDs • Physical sales keep growing but there is a hidden problem about streaming music that labels are about to address. • 3 strategic ideas music radio stations can employ to get in on the trend. • How young consumers are in the midst of changing the way they enjoy music (again). • The user-generated tools that will soon become available to allow music fans to control the speed of the music they hear and these other factors. • TikTok and Instagram Reels have forced a new approach that will make sure labels get paid. https://lnkd.in/eX4aKwQc

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In the world of Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST) channels, a seamless and dynamic viewing experience is crucial. As viewers' expectations align more with traditional TV experiences, the need for sophisticated channel playout solutions becomes undeniable. Check out this article on the importance of advanced channel playout selection for FAST channels: https://lnkd.in/d5S7xnGd #FAST #television #viewingexperience

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New 'Top Publishers on Social Media' report from NewsWhip out today. "ABC News is perhaps the most successful of the big US cable publishers on TikTok in H1 2024." Especially love this part: "Its success wasn’t limited to viral soft news clips..." Congrats to the best social team in the biz! #news #digital #social #tiktok #digitalmedia #streaming #socialmedia

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We're seeing a steady increase in the number of consumers and advertisers gravitating toward CTV and streaming. It's the fastest-growing advertising channel right now and is expected to reach $30.1 billion in spending this year. To succeed during this shift, advertisers will need to leverage their first-party data, focus on smart buying practices through premium channels, and embrace sound measurement solutions. #Advertising #DigitalAdvertising #CTV

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Addressing the Pain Points in CTV FAST Channels: How Kapang is Revolutionizing the Industry Connected TV (CTV) and Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) channels have become increasingly popular, offering viewers a wide array of content without the need for a subscription. However, despite their growing audience, content creators and broadcasters face significant challenges that make the FAST business model less viable. Here, we explore three major pain points in the CTV FAST ecosystem and how Kapang is addressing them to create a more sustainable and profitable platform for content studios and broadcasters. https://lnkd.in/ebYeYqCZ

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The television broadcasting landscape is changing rapidly, and digital streaming channels are at the forefront of this shift. However, the promise of quick growth through revenue shares of 30-50% may come with a hidden cost. Check out this article to learn more about why content owners and broadcasters should stop giving away their value to bootstrap the future of TV. #television #digitalstreaming #broadcasting #revenueshare #futureofTV

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How Comcast got from cord-cutting to exploring cable networks spinoff Sarah James of S&P Global writes Like others in the pay TV universe, Comcast's cable networks have seen significant declines in subscribers in recent years. For instance, NBCUniversal Media LLC's @Bravo (US) and @Syfy (US) each had over 80 million subscribers in 2020, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence #Kagan data. In 2025, Kagan estimates the networks will both be down to about 61 million subscribers, representing a 24% decline. Similar declines are projected for #E! (US) and USA (US). Read more https://lnkd.in/ggyR3V39 Andy Abramson Jeff Pulver Mark A. Daley Jon Arnold #Technology, #Media & #Telecom

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with apologies to accountants everywhere

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Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery's Writedowns May Signal the Future of Network TV Recent billion-dollar writedowns by Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery highlight a significant shift in the media landscape. These financial decisions underscore the declining value of traditional TV assets, driven by the drop in cable-TV subscribers, reduced ad revenue, and a broader shift toward digital and streaming platforms. As these media giants face shrinking profitability in traditional TV, they are being forced to reevaluate their strategies for the future. https://lnkd.in/gncF7eGC Both companies have signaled that the future profitability of linear TV is in jeopardy. The decrease in cable subscriptions and ad revenue shows that traditional networks are becoming less valuable, as viewers increasingly cut the cord and migrate to streaming services. The acknowledgment by Warner Bros. that its cable channels are now worth less than during the Discovery merger reflects a broader trend. The traditional cable model, reliant on advertising and subscription fees, is crumbling as audiences move en masse to digital platforms. This shift has led to significant cost-cutting measures, with Paramount and Warner Bros. both reducing their workforces by around 2,000 positions. These layoffs highlight the need to adapt to a media landscape where traditional TV margins are shrinking. Competition is also intensifying. Warner Bros.’ loss of NBA broadcasting rights to The Walt Disney Company, Comcast, and Amazon underscores the growing importance of securing streaming and digital broadcasting deals, further eroding the value proposition of traditional TV networks. The future for media companies lies in transitioning to streaming as the central focus. This will involve investing in streaming platforms, creating digital content for online consumption, and possibly raising prices to balance subscriber growth with profitability. At Havas Edge, we’re not just reacting to these changes—we’re leading the way. By reallocating budgets to digital and streaming, mastering new measurement tools, crafting platform-specific content, and embracing innovative ad formats, we ensure our clients not only adapt but thrive in this new media landscape. #MediaTransformation #StreamingWars #DigitalInnovation #FutureOfTV

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The latest Radio World eBook includes a great QA with Chris Gould of All In Media (part of Xperi Inc.) on how its Rapid solution fits into the metadata ecosystem. As Chris explains, Rapid enables broadcasters to "manage the creation, synchronization, and distribution of metadata associated with their audio services across broadcast and IP platforms." He further explains how "metadata is the key that ensures a listener has the best experience while consuming the station's content." For more insight read the article, starting on page 27: https://lnkd.in/ep7RFTnr #Radio #automotive #connectedcars #cars #broadcastradio #BroadcastIndustry #hybridradio

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