Kirby argues that the streaming industry should categorize subscribers into three groups: wholesale, third-party direct, and true direct-to-consumer (DTC). This approach would offer more transparency and reveal the actual customer relationships media companies hold. However, Kirby contends that the industry…

Skip highlights the increasing frustration consumers feel with streaming platforms, as revealed by the Q2 2024 TiVo Video Trends Report. Viewers are abandoning bloated subscription models, and ad-supported streaming is emerging as the preferred option, with an 18% drop in…

Kirby spoke with Fred Godfrey, CEO of Origin, to discuss how the company is redefining CTV performance advertising through long-term client relationships and creative innovation. Using strategies like dynamic creative production (DCP) and real-time split-testing, Origin combats ad fatigue and…

The Streaming Madman goes after DirecTV and Dish Network in his no-holds-barred takedown of their merger, mocking the idea that combining two sinking ships will somehow save their pay-TV business. After ripping into the merger's flawed logic of "scale," he…

Plex is debuting its first-ever "Plexclusive" series, Ghost Show, on October 8th. While not an original, the show will be exclusively available on Plex, marking a major milestone for the FAST platform as it introduces exclusive content to differentiate itself…

Bango dropped a new report highlighting East Asia's dominance in subscription bundling, with 34% of consumers opting for third-party bundles. The report emphasizes that localized content and super bundling are key drivers of subscription growth in the region. Japan, South…

Jack explores the current role of AI in audience segmentation for CTV, highlighting how AI-driven analysis allows advertisers to deliver hyper-targeted ads to specific groups based on detailed behavioral insights, however he notes some challenges you need to be paying…

Disney has launched its own password-sharing crackdown following Netflix’s successful model, aiming to convert unauthorized users into paying subscribers. This strategy mirrors Netflix's approach, which led to significant subscriber and revenue growth. We explore why other platforms like Max are…

Free Live Sports, led by industry vets Cathy Rasenberger, Geoff Clark, Ryan James, and James Patrick, has launched with 68 channels, expanding to 102 by October. The platform offers a wide range of pro and amateur sports content via a…

DirecTV and Dish Network are merging in a $10 billion deal, creating the largest pay-TV provider in the U.S. DirecTV will acquire Dish's satellite business and Sling TV, with the transaction involving a $9.75 billion debt exchange. The merger aims…