Media Giants Clash: Who Truly Needs Warner Bros. Discovery?
Related Episodes
Hollywood Consolidation: Bidding Wars, Netflix Fears, and Creative Freedom
Filmmaker Shawn Levy reveals the creative freedom of original "Star Wars," "Stranger Things'" cinematic finale, and why focusing on one great project matters most in Hollywood's painful contraction.
View Episode Notes →
AI Agents Unsuitable for Real-Time Programmatic Ad Buying
AI agents are too slow and prone to error for real-time ad buying, risking brand reputation. Focus AI on ideation and setup, not autonomous execution.
View Episode Notes →
Nvidia-Synopsys Deal: AI's Intertwined Future Unveiled
Nvidia's $2 billion Synopsys investment, market "circular financing" fears, and a hawkish Bank of Japan trigger a global "risk-off" shift, impacting tech and crypto valuations.
View Episode Notes →
AI-Driven Demand Disconnect Complicates Federal Reserve Policy
AI and robust demand are decoupling hiring from growth, complicating Fed policy and potentially prolonging the path to 2% inflation.
View Episode Notes →
Paramount's Hostile Bid Challenges Netflix for Warner Bros.
Paramount's $100 billion hostile bid challenges Netflix, forcing shareholders to weigh all-cash certainty against streaming dominance and differing synergy projections.
View Episode Notes →
Trump's Political Influence Shapes Media Consolidation Deals
Political influence, not market economics, may decide Warner Bros. Discovery's fate, with Trump acting as a power broker shaping Hollywood's future.
View Episode Notes →Resources
Books
- "House of Cards" - Mentioned as an example of content that moved to Netflix because they paid more than HBO was willing to.
Videos & Documentaries
- "Shark NATO 10" - Mentioned humorously in the context of Comcast owning the franchise.
- "60 Minutes" - Mentioned in the context of the President appearing on the show and applauding Paramount's management.
Research & Studies
- Nielsen Charts - Referenced as a source for viewership data, showing Netflix and YouTube at the top.
Tools & Software
- Oracle - Mentioned as the company founded by Larry Ellison, indicating a potential connection to technology and business strategy.
- Pixar - Mentioned in relation to John Lasseter and his move to run Paramount's animation business, highlighting its significance in animation.
Articles & Papers
- The Free Press - Mentioned as a publication that could potentially be acquired by Comcast to shift the perception of NBC News.
- The Bullwork - Mentioned as a publication that could potentially be acquired by Comcast to shift the perception of NBC News.
People Mentioned
- David Ellison (Paramount) - Referenced as a key player in the race for Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) assets.
- Brian Roberts (Comcast NBC Universal) - Referenced as a key player in the race for WBD assets and discussed for his potential strategic moves.
- Erica Kirk - Mentioned as a hypothetical candidate for an editor-in-chief role at NBC News, part of a discussion about shifting the perception of the news organization.
- Charlie Kirk - Mentioned as the husband of Erica Kirk.
- Ben Shapiro - Mentioned as a potential candidate to shift the perception of NBC News.
- Tucker Carlson - Mentioned as a potential candidate to shift the perception of NBC News.
- Jeff Bezos (Amazon) - Mentioned in the context of Amazon's potential acquisition of WBD and regulatory hurdles.
- Andy Jassy (Amazon) - Mentioned in the context of Amazon's potential acquisition of WBD and regulatory hurdles.
- Barry Weiss - Mentioned in the context of 60 Minutes and leadership, noting she is not a direct Trump supporter.
- Laura Loome - Mentioned as a figure that Barry Weiss has been misconstrued as.
- Bob Iger (Disney) - Referenced in a discussion about what creates value for Disney, comparing Star Wars, ESPN, and ABC News.
- Greg Peters (Netflix) - Mentioned in relation to Netflix's stance on M&A.
- Ted Sarandos (Netflix) - Mentioned as co-CEO of Netflix alongside Greg Peters.
- Cindy Holland (Netflix) - Mentioned for her role in hiring and her impact on Netflix content like "Stranger Things."
- John Lasseter (Pixar) - Mentioned for his move to run Paramount's animation business.
- Jay Ouskanazi (Roku) - Mentioned as the new Chief Revenue Officer at Paramount, hired from Roku.
- Adam Silver (NBA) - Mentioned in the context of NBA games on Peacock and subscriber numbers.
- David Zaslav (WBD) - Referenced as the head of WBD and his board's decision-making process regarding potential deals.
Organizations & Institutions
- Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) - The central company being discussed in terms of potential acquisition.
- Paramount - A company interested in acquiring WBD assets.
- Comcast NBC Universal - A company interested in acquiring WBD assets.
- Netflix - A company reportedly looking at WBD assets.
- Amazon - A company reportedly looking at WBD assets.
- HBO - Mentioned as a scarce resource and part of WBD's assets.
- Whole Foods - Mentioned as Amazon's largest acquisition to date.
- MGM - Mentioned as a previous acquisition by Amazon.
- FTC (Federal Trade Commission) - Mentioned in the context of regulatory hurdles for Amazon.
- Disney - Referenced in discussions about its acquisition of Fox and its stock performance.
- Fox - Referenced in discussions about its acquisition by Disney.
- Meta - Mentioned in the context of companies capitulating to political pressure.
- Tubi - Mentioned as a FAST platform offering free content.
- UFC - Mentioned as an acquisition by Paramount.
- Skydance - Mentioned as a company built by David Ellison and a step in his strategy.
- Roku - Mentioned as a potential acquisition target for Paramount, a leading CTV platform.
- Take-Two - Mentioned as a potential acquisition target for Paramount, specifically highlighting Grand Theft Auto.
- Roblox - Mentioned as an example of high engagement in the interactive world.
- Duffer Brothers - Mentioned as talent acquired by Paramount.
- South Park - Mentioned as content that moved to Netflix due to higher offers.
- Taylor Sheridan - Mentioned as talent that Paramount showed restraint in overpaying for.
- Apple TV+ - Mentioned as a streaming service that emerged during a different consumer interest period.
- Bancorp Bank - Mentioned as a bank providing banking services for Chime.
- Stride Bank - Mentioned as a bank providing banking services for Chime.
Courses & Educational Resources
- Banking Smarter 101 with Chime - A course mentioned by Jason Momoa, focusing on financial services offered by Chime.
Websites & Online Resources
- mintmobile.com - Website for Mint Mobile, offering premium wireless plans.
- getcanopy.co - Website for Canopy Humidifier, offering discounts and filter subscriptions.
- chime.com - Website for Chime, a financial technology company.
- chime.com/feesinfo - Specific page on the Chime website providing details on fees.
- chime.com/credit-building - Specific page on the Chime website for information on credit building.
- optum.com/redefinerx - Website for Optum's RedefineRx, focusing on pharmacy system transformation.
- lowes.com - Website for Lowe's, advertising Black Friday deals.
- puck.com - Mentioned as a partner for The Grill Room podcast.
Other Resources
- Chime Visa Credit Card - An optional service offered by Chime for building credit.
- UFC - Mentioned as an acquisition by Paramount, relevant to sports content.
- Grand Theft Auto - Highlighted as a powerful franchise from Take-Two, relevant to video games.
- Peacock - Mentioned as a streaming service for NBC Universal, discussing its financial losses and potential merger with HBO.
- Hulu - Mentioned in the context of Disney's acquisition of Fox assets.
- Paramount+ - Mentioned in the context of its current programming and algorithm.
- HBO Max - Mentioned as a streaming service that could merge with Peacock.
- DC (Comics) - Mentioned as intellectual property within WBD that could drive price.
- NBA - Referenced in discussion about media rights and partnerships.
- Premier League - Referenced in discussion about media rights and partnerships.
- NFL - Referenced in discussion about media rights and partnerships.