Tony Archibong

Here’s a bulleted list of key numbers and data points you should know from the week tied to profitability, losses, subscriber additions, ARPU, cord cutting and free cash flow of OTT platforms, MSOs and vendors: - Paramount ended Q1 with 71.2 million Paramount+ subs, with a DTC loss of $286 million in the quarter (https://lnkd.in/ermGD3QX) - Combined, Verizon, Comcast, Charter and Altice lost 1.33 million pay TV subscribers in Q1  - The courting hearing the Fubo lawsuit against Disney, FOX and WBD has set a hearing date of August 7, 2024 - Peacock ended Q1 with 34 million subs, on a loss of $639 million in the quarter (https://lnkd.in/er9Hqx5d) - Roku ended Q1 with 81.6 million active accounts, with a net loss of $50.9 million in the quarter (https://lnkd.in/egmrDMDD) - As of 5pm EST on April 30th, WBD channels are no longer available on Fubo as the companies could not agree to new content licensing terms (https://lnkd.in/eZxNvYgN) - In Q1, YouTube generated $8.1 billion in ad revenue, up 21% YoY and its highest Q1 total to date (https://lnkd.in/epY5mZSG) - Fastly’s stock closed the week down almost 35% after the company lowered full year guidance during Q1 earnings and had a Q1 net loss of $43.4M (https://lnkd.in/e5rDmaKG) - For the first time since 2019, Crunchyroll is increasing the pricing on their Mega Fan and Ultimate Fan subscription tiers in select countries by $2 a month - The growth rate of Amazon’s AWS business is now on a $100 billion annual revenue run rate - Just before the Paris Olympics, NBCUniversal will raise the price of Peacock by $2 per month for new subscribers. - Fubo ended Q1 with 1.5 million subs in the US, on losses of $56.6 million in the quarter (https://lnkd.in/e945g4sQ) - Bally Sports channels are no longer available via Comcast after Comcast and Bally's bankrupt operator, Diamond Sports Group, failed to agree on a new contract - Canada-based Netskrt raised about $7.2 million ($10 million CAD) in its series A round, to help deliver video to remote and rural communities

183

13 Comments

📺 **Battle for the Living Room**   The race to dominate the smart TV operating system (TV OS) market is heating up, with major players like Roku, Google, Amazon, Samsung, and LG vying to enhance user experience and capitalize on new business opportunities through data and advertising. Despite this fierce competition, a key question emerges: do consumers actually care about which OS their TV uses? 📊 **Market Potential**   At the StreamTV Show in Denver, experts discussed the benefits of owning a TV OS, such as controlling user data and enhancing ad revenue. Analyst Alan Wolk noted that around 40% of smart TVs globally lack a dedicated TV OS, presenting a significant market opportunity. Even small gains in market share can translate to substantial financial rewards, making the competition highly lucrative. 💡 **Consumer Preferences**   Panelists at the event debated whether consumers prioritize the TV OS in their purchasing decisions. Google’s Rob Caruso argued that factors like size and price still dominate, with the OS being a secondary consideration. However, Vizio's Katherine Pond and LG's Matt Durgin highlighted that content availability and user experience offered by the TV OS could influence consumer choices, particularly for those seeking quality and value. 🎬 **Content and User Experience**   Ultimately, while the current focus for consumers might not be on the specific TV OS, the content and seamless user experience provided by these systems are crucial. Companies like Vizio and Samsung emphasize the importance of offering desired content and a smooth interface, hoping that improvements in these areas will eventually drive consumer preferences toward specific TV OS platforms. #TV #TVOS #Streaming #SmartTV

3

As streamers begin to sell bundles packaging multiple services together, the landscape is beginning to look a lot like cable again.    "Why is Hollywood (and Silicon Valley) going bundle-crazy anyway? Despite their flaws (like a discounted pie being divvied up two or three ways), bundles are the best method this side of consistently great content to reduce churn — or a subscriber canceling their membership. Netflix has the industry’s best churn rate, which makes it a very attractive service to bundle with."   https://lnkd.in/gayZ_rDZ

1

“Apple Music is rolling out a new ‘premium’ data analytics toolkit for its record label and distributor partners. The new ‘Apple Music Partner Program’ features various tools for Apple Music’s partners to track trends on its streaming service as well as global radio plays using Shazam technology. According to the landing page for the platform, it offers “access [to] more tools to break the next talent, spot emerging trends, and uncover new insights about your content”. “Apple Music already runs another analytics platform in Apple Music For Artists, which was made available for every artist on Apple Music in August 2019. Apple Music For Artists allows artists to monitor the volume of their streaming plays on Apple Music, all within a data set that updates daily. Spotify launched its own Spotify For Artists app in 2017 (an evolution of the ‘Fan Insights’ tool it introduced two years earlier) to provide artists and their teams with information pertaining to their popularity on the service. Like Spotify for Artists, the Apple Music For Artists service is available as both a desktop interface and a standalone mobile app.” #Apple #AppleMusic #Artists #RecordLabels #Spotify #Fans #Fandom #Streaming #StreamingRoyalties #Royalties #RecordedMusic #StreamingServices #StreamingMedia #MusicTracks #MusicStreams #Music #MusicBusiness #Musica #MusicIndustry #Musique #Musik #MusicBiz

5

1 Comment

📺 Apple will introduce a new version of its streaming television operating system, tvOS 18, later this year, featuring character-driven data and a dialogue enhancer. 🎬 The new feature, InSight, allows streamers to see timely updates about actors, characters, and music offered through Apple TV Plus content, integrating directly with other Apple services like Apple Music. 🗣️ Enhanced Dialogue will utilize machine learning and computational audio to deliver greater vocal clarity over music, action, and background noise on various devices including Apple TV 4K, HomePod, iPhones, and iPads. 🌍 Other features in tvOS 18 include smarter subtitles, updated screen savers, a revamped Apple Fitness Plus app, better integration with smart home devices, support for 21:9 aspect ratio videos on projectors, and improvements to FaceTime and Continuity Camera for video conferencing. #svod #ai #apple #tv https://lnkd.in/eAgubRGC

10

Check out my latest article in TheWrap, highlighting the most anticipated TV shows of October! Leading the new releases is CBS’s reboot of Matlock, while the hit procedural Tracker tops the list of returning series. Dive into the full details here below...#StreamingAnalytics #EntertainmentIndustry #WhipMedia

3

“Sony Music Entertainment is set to acquire the catalog of legendary rock band Queen in a landmark deal worth GBP £1 billion (USD $1.27 billion at current exchange rates). That’s according to Hits, which reported on Wednesday (June 19), citing sources, that Sony Music has emerged as the winning buyer for Queen’s recording and publishing rights, as well as royalties from previous deals with Disney Music Group and Universal Music Group. Disney owns the band’s recorded music catalog in North America, while UMG has a global distribution agreement with Disney. Separately, Queen band members Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon – plus the Freddie Mercury estate – each own equal shares in the company Queen Productions Ltd, which owns the group’s recording catalog outside the US and Canada, Music Business Worldwide noted in a report last year. UMG, as Disney’s distributor, will reportedly retain distribution rights in North America, although Sony will receive the royalties. UMG’s worldwide distribution rights will then transfer to Sony in 2026 or 2027, making Sony Music the sole distributor and owner of all Queen content globally, Hits explained. The deal also reportedly includes name and likeness rights, opening doors for merchandise and other ventures. Meanwhile, Queen’s founding members, May and Taylor, who continue to tour with vocalist Adam Lambert, will reportedly retain control of revenue from live performances.” Read the full article for more: #Queen #SonyMusic #UMG #DisneyMusicGroup #UniversalMusicGroup #Music #MusicBusiness #Musica #MusicIndustry #Musique #Musik #MusicBiz #Creators #Artists

1

“How much do artists make per stream on the most popular streaming music services? Here’s a breakdown for Pandora, Napster, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and more (updated for 2022). Based on information directly received from artists and indie labels, as well as various published sources, we can rank streaming music services according to their per-stream rate. So how much do artists make per stream? Given extreme variations in payouts, the answer largely depends on the platform involved. Take a look.” Read the article for the details: #Streaming #Artists #Royalties #MusicRoyaties #Spotify #Napster #Pandora #AppleMusic #YouTube #Deezer #AmazonMusic #TIDAL #Beyonce #JayZ #Music #MusicBusiness #Musica #MusicIndustry #Musique #Musik #MusicBiz #DigitalRights #MusicRights #Songs

3

The Growing Importance of TV Operating Systems in the Media Market The significance of TV operating systems (OS) in the media market is increasing rapidly. While Google and Apple dominate the mobile sector, TV platforms evolve beyond their influence. TV manufacturers create their own ecosystems through proprietary OS, offering consumers more choices. Media professionals must understand each manufacturer’s TV OS to grasp the unique content and user experiences provided. Historically, TVs were broadcast receivers. Today, they are smart media hubs led by platforms like Samsung’s Tizen, LG’s WebOS, Hisense’s VIDAA, and the recently launched Titan OS by Philips TV in February 2024. While Netflix, Amazon, Disney Plus, and YouTube are still central, proprietary platforms from TV manufacturers are growing, creating new revenue streams. From a global perspective, this discussion excludes Amazon Fire TV and Roku. Samsung’s Tizen OS is known for its intuitive interface and extensive content. Samsung TV Plus offers free content, enhancing user satisfaction. Samsung has also adopted FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) and AVOD (Advertising Video on Demand) content, strengthening its platform. Similarly, LG’s WebOS, through LG Channels, provides diverse content with an OTT-like interface. LG has embraced FAST channels and AVOD content, offering a richer media experience. Their revenue model mirrors the advertising models of other OTT services, essentially providing free access to content. Hisense’s VIDAA OS, via VIDAA Channels, offers a wide range of free content, improving usability. However, Hisense lags behind Samsung and LG in adopting FAST and AVOD content. However, their growth has been the most remarkable recently. Meanwhile, Philips TV introduced Titan OS in February 2024, with user-customized content and a proprietary FAST platform. TCL uses various OSs, like Google and Roku, but also maintains proprietary platforms like TCL Channel and TCL TV+. These platforms offer unique content and services, differentiating user experiences through their ecosystems. Industry professionals must pay attention to TV manufacturers’ strategies. Leveraging these platforms is a critical opportunity for content distribution, opening new avenues for reaching audiences. TV OS has evolved to become central to the user experience. Major manufacturers like Samsung, LG, Hisense, Philips, and TCL offer distinct content and services through their OS. Samsung and LG, in particular, have enhanced their competitiveness by integrating FAST channels and AVOD content. As TV OS’s importance grows, understanding and utilizing these platforms will be essential for successful business ventures. #tvos #tizen #webos #vidaa #samsung #tcl #lg #hisense #titanos #philips

144

18 Comments

The digital streaming landscape continues to evolve, bringing unparalleled convenience and innovative content to consumers. However, recent high-profile streaming issues—such as those reported by Netflix during the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight—highlight a persistent challenge: overcoming technical hurdles that the #cable industry had years to refine. One of the most likely culprits behind Netflix's streaming difficulties is a Content Delivery Network (CDN) issue. CDNs are crucial for delivering #content efficiently to a global audience, particularly during high-demand events. Netflix, known for its technological sophistication, has invested heavily in its own proprietary CDN, Netflix Open Connect, to optimize on-demand streaming. However, it remains unclear whether this CDN is being utilized for live streaming or if a different infrastructure is in place (perhaps a third-party service). This raises important questions about the readiness and scalability of current #streaming services, including Netflix, to handle live, high-profile events. The issue of scalability, particularly during surges in demand for live content, is a hurdle streaming platforms must overcome. Traditional cable providers, with decades to optimize their infrastructure, (arguably) largely solved these challenges. Streaming services, by contrast, are navigating these complexities with far less time to mature their technologies. It’s also important to acknowledge that streaming, as a medium, is still relatively new. These "kinks" are part of the growing pains associated with a rapidly evolving industry. As more platforms venture into live and interactive offerings, having the right technology is critical. Ensuring a seamless experience during high-stakes events like this requires robust, next-generation solutions capable of handling unpredictable demand spikes. What’s particularly notable in this case is that Netflix, widely regarded as a leader in streaming technology, has encountered such challenges. If even Netflix struggles with live event streaming despite its proprietary CDN and years of innovation, other platforms that lag behind in technological sophistication are likely to face even greater challenges. The key takeaway for the industry is clear: pay attention to your technology stack. Streaming providers must ensure their business strategies are tightly aligned with technology investments to meet the ever-increasing expectations of consumers. https://lnkd.in/epE6KZxR #StreamingTech #LiveSports  #LITrendingTopics

40

1 Comment

Great article from Rob Wile at NBC News on why FAST services like Pluto TV or Tubi are already incredibly successful and why we are still scratching the surface of something way bigger🚀 💵 .Ross Compton, CFA provides a spot-on analysis that resonates with our vision a decade ago when we spearheaded the FAST market with Pluto TV. "It’s a repackaged version of the old method of distribution, noting that the original broadcast networks were all supported by advertising and the only investment a viewer had to make was in a TV set and an antenna. Now, it’s the same thing, just over the internet. The demand for FAST channels is sustainable — for one simple reason. You really can’t beat free." (Ross Compton, CFA) Free and easy access combined with high-quality content shaped the golden age of TV. The same ingredients are needed for FAST, even if we needed to rethink channel programming and curation in the new era of internet, social networks and the overabundance of video content. Same is true for advertising, it has funded so much of the best TV content over the decades. FAST advertising is like TV advertising but with more data, targeting and measurement! So YES, there is such a brillant future in front of the FAST business! 📺 #FAST #PlutoTV #Tubi #NBCnews #fastchannel #Avod #streaming

65