The Powers That Be: Daily Media Monday: Netflix Truthers & Goodell's Mercy Killing
Feb 23, 2026
Two friends debate Ted Sarandos' media push around the Warner Bros. Discovery bid and how streaming fits into industry consolidation. They unpack rising NFL media-rights prices and whether streamers will chase premium football. They also discuss theatrical window politics, studio cost cuts, and why baseball’s labor stance matters for league health.
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Peter Interviewed An AI John Kelly For A Segment
- Peter Hamby jokingly interviewed an AI version of John Kelly produced by 11 Labs as a segment experiment.
- The bit highlighted AI's imitation quirks and played for light humor before the main media discussion.
Netflix Running A Focused PR Defense During Bid Window
- Netflix is intentionally doing selective public messaging to calm Hollywood fears during the Warner Bros bidding window.
- Ted Sarandos used platforms like Matt [Bellamy]'s Where Else? to argue Netflix isn't an existential threat and to reassure stakeholders during the seven-day reopened bid period.
Paramount Deal Would Be A Highly Levered Media LBO
- Paramount's proposed Warner Bros buyout carries massive leverage that would force years of cost cutting and industry layoffs if completed.
- John Kelly cites figures like seven times 2026 pro forma EBITDA and potential $16 billion in savings to reduce leverage to four times.