Weekly Wrap: ??? It's Tourist Season

I’m Kirby, founder of 43Twenty and The Streaming Wars. Every week, I handpick the best news, insights, and analysis from our FAST-paced industry (yes, pun intended). My mission? To make all this industry chaos easy to consume, no fluff, no filler. If this was forwarded, you can grab the newsletter here.

In today’s edition:

• Skip breaks down Netflix’s Q3 earnings and tells us to “stop crying in our pudding”
• The Streaming Wars went inside the trenches to debunk some myths about direct-to-consumer video. We learned about the growing tension between media companies and app platforms.
• The Streaming Madman absolutely goes off on Advertising Week
• Jack tells us how privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA are reshaping media
• We explore the history of Crunchyroll in our new column, From the Archives

TSW SPOTLIGHT

Skip highlights Netflix’s strong Q3, adding 5 million subscribers, while Netflix takes digs at rivals like Disney+ and Hulu for their bundling tactics. Netflix claims its vast content makes bundling unnecessary despite essentially being a bundle itself. Right??

He also notes Netflix’s ad-tier growth and revenue projections, and drops the idea that Netflix could launch a Channels business—bundling other streamers under its brand—which would be a total mic drop. The Streaming Wars

Our latest column, From the Archives, highlights Crunchyroll's rise from its 2006 launch by UC Berkeley grads to a global anime leader. The service has built a flywheel model that drives loyalty and sustained engagement, offering a blueprint for other companies aiming to build habitual user bases. The Streaming Wars

The Streaming Madman skewers Advertising Week 2024 as a self-congratulatory tech and AI spectacle, where creativity is replaced by empty jargon. He mocks CTV advertising as a buzzword-filled mess, with participants faking expertise. Despite the hype, traditional advertisers remain unconvinced, and the industry’s efforts to adapt are falling flat. The Streaming Wars

Jack Wagner ?? breaks down how evolving privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA are reshaping the media industry, especially with AI and blockchain tech on the rise. He highlights the shift away from third-party cookies and the push for privacy-first business models, stressing the need for media companies to stay adaptable and build trust with users. The Streaming Wars

Reporting from inside the trenches, The Streaming Wars discovered a growing contention between streaming services and platform gatekeepers over “platform taxes.” As a result, media companies are increasingly pursuing direct sign-ups through their websites and exclusive bundles to circumvent these charges and reclaim control over their revenue and customer data. The Streaming Wars

FROM THE FRONTLINES

Jeff Shell (Former NBCU CEO) is expected to become president of Paramount Global after its merger with Skydance Media in 2025. Shell will oversee daily operations alongside Skydance CEO David Ellison, focusing on transforming Paramount through cost-cutting and expanding its streaming and sports portfolio. Link

Cox is now offering the Xumo Stream Box to Internet-only customers for $60. The device developed by Comcast and Charter gives access to streaming services, live TV, and FAST content. Link

Comcast will offer live sports from NBC regional sports networks on Peacock by 2025, giving fans access to NBA, NHL, and MLB games without a cable subscription. Link

Diamond Sports has named FanDuel as the new naming rights partner for its RSNs, replacing Bally Sports. FanDuel may also purchase up to 10% equity in Diamond Sports. Link

Warner Bros. Discovery is launching its Max streaming service in multiple Asian markets on November 19, replacing HBO Go in the region. Link

Paramount Plus is now available in select BMW and Mini vehicles in the U.S., U.K., and Europe through in-dash infotainment systems powered by TiVo. Link

The NBA is upgrading its app for the 2024-25 season, adding AI-powered insights, multiview options, customizable game recaps, immersive 8K experiences, and localized features. Link

Crunchyroll and Bango just partnered up, and The Streaming Wars explains why this matters for both companies and the greater industry. The Streaming Wars

Amazon is expanding Prime Video ads to five international markets by 2025, including Brazil and India, with increased ad volume in the U.S., positioning Prime Video for global dominance in ad-supported streaming. We question whether the service will become profitable in 2025? The Streaming Wars

43TWENTY

The only reason I’ve been able to expand The Streaming Wars beyond its newsletter format is because of my team of subject matter experts at 43Twenty – many of whom are deeply embedded in the streaming industry.

Since 2018, 43Twenty has built an A+ team of content strategists and digital marketers who don’t just know the industry and its zillions of acronyms, but we live and breathe it every day. We’re in the trenches, solving the challenges you face.

That’s why B2B companies in the OTT and CTV space trust 43Twenty to elevate brand awareness, generate leads, and drive revenue with custom marketing strategies that work.

What we do:

• Content Strategy & Development: We create high-quality content—blogs, gated assets, newsletters, webinars—that boosts visibility and establishes your brand as a thought leader, driving leads and conversions.
• SEO: Our comprehensive SEO strategies boost your online visibility, driving organic traffic and improving your rankings to attract and convert customers.
• Paid Media: We leverage Google Ads and LinkedIn to generate high-quality MQLs with targeted ad campaigns that increase traffic, engagement, and conversions.
• Digital PR: We amplify your brand through strategic media outreach and partnerships that captivate audiences and drive meaningful media coverage.

We’re your dedicated OTT and CTV marketing agency—whether working independently or alongside your existing team. We’ve got you covered. Learn more.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Recent analysis suggests that direct-to-consumer (DTC) video subscriptions will remain the dominant model for U.S. streaming services. But the reality is, they’re far from dominating today. In conversations with folks from the inside, The Streaming Wars discovered that, on average, only 16% of a company’s streaming subscriptions are truly pure DTC. The Streaming Wars

Janko Roettgers continues his deep dive into Redbox, revealing outdated privacy practices. Redbox kiosks store rental data and partial payment information without proper encryption, especially when offline, leaving customers at risk. Despite the company's bankruptcy, many kiosks remain active, potentially holding sensitive customer info. Link

The Hollywood Reporter looks at how Overtime has leveraged sports IP to position itself as a key player in the sports media landscape. The company builds its own leagues, like Overtime Elite, and secures partnerships with brands such as the NFL and NBCUniversal to engage Gen Z through digital storytelling and NIL deals. Link

The LA Times reports that AI companies like OpenAI have pitched Hollywood studios on the potential of AI tools to streamline the production of films and TV shows, but major partnerships have yet to materialize. Despite a high-profile deal between Lionsgate and AI startup Runway, broader adoption is delayed due to legal, regulatory, and intellectual property concerns and resistance from creatives fearing job losses. While AI promises to reduce production costs, studios are cautious, awaiting clearer legal frameworks and audience acceptance. Link

Sony and Disney execs recently sounded off on how they’re using TikTok and influencers to boost audience engagement, emphasizing TikTok's algorithm and influencer partnerships to build fan communities and drive marketing success. Link

ICYMI

Coca-Cola has appointed Netflix's Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria, to its board of directors. Bajaria brings media expertise and oversight of Netflix’s $17 billion content budget. Link

Spotify is expanding its music video feature to 85 new markets for premium users, allowing seamless switching between audio and video on mobile and desktop. Link

Philo has expanded its distribution, launching its live and on-demand TV service on LG Smart TVs, offering its $28-a-month package with 70+ channels and 75,000+ on-demand titles. Link

These weekly wrap ups will drop on Linkedin every Tuesday. If you'd like them 3 days sooner, plus our Daily Wrap, some original insights and curated job listings, consider signing up for The Streaming Wars newsletter directly.