Downstream

Will Carroll, sports and injury analyst known for Injury Territory, talks F1, streaming sports and media shifts. They dig into Apple’s F1 strategy, international feeds and technical tradeoffs. They also tackle FCC concerns about games moving off broadcast, World Cup logistics, and make sharp TV picks.

We break down the aftermath of the Warner Bros. Discovery sale, including positives for Netflix and questions for Paramount Skydance. Guest Starring: Josef Adalian Links and Show Notes: TV Picks: Joe: Traitors UK (Peacock) Jason: Shrinking (Apple TV) Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback

Joe Adalian, West Coast editor at Vulture and author of the Buffering newsletter, dissects sports rights, streaming strategy, and industry shakeups. They tackle the Super Bowl streaming choices, Olympic coverage and UX quirks, the mess of fragmented sports access, and what rebundling and studio deals mean for the future of TV.

Will Carroll, sports-injury expert and writer behind Under the Knife, joins to unpack sports and streaming crossroads. They debate Peacock’s high-stakes sports strategy. They explore alt-broadcasts, new camera tech, prediction-market risks around the Super Bowl, shifts in combat-sports rights, and the collapse of regional sports networks.

Joe Adalian, West Coast editor at Vulture and TV business reporter, breaks down the Netflix vs Paramount battle for Warner. They debate financing, content ownership, and why Netflix’s strategy looks like a relentless bid for attention. Short takes on theatrical strategy, cable valuations, and TV picks round out the conversation.

Casey Liss, software developer and creator of the CallSheet app, chats about cord-cutting and streaming strategies. He describes CallSheet’s spoiler-protection and streaming lookup features. They debate antenna and HDHomeRun setups, DVR options like Channels and Plex, sports and bundle tradeoffs, and pick must-watch shows.

Tim Goodman pops down the chimney again to reunite with Jason and discuss the Oscars on YouTube, finding balance in the TV review game, the rise of international content, episode deconstructions, "Pluribus," and his top shows of the year. Guest Starring: Tim Goodman Links and Show Notes: Shows mentioned: Black Summer (Netflix), Severance (Apple TV), The Studio (Apple TV), Families Like Ours (Denmark; Netflix), Pluribus (Apple TV), The Diplomat (Netflix), The Bear (Hulu), Asura (Japan; Netflix), The American Revolution (PBS), Slow Horses (Apple TV), Adolescence (Netflix), Department Q (Netflix), Ludwig (BBC/Britbox), Nine Puzzles (Korea; Hulu), Deli Boys (Hulu), The Trunk (Korea; Netflix), Karma (Korea; Netflix), Trigger (Korea; Netflix), My Name (Korea; Netflix), Extracurricular (Korea; Netflix). Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback Downstream #85: A Holiday Visit from Tim Goodman - Relay Stream International TV: Mystery, Drama Programming | MHz Choice Blog

Josef Adalian, West Coast editor at Vulture and TV journalist, joins to analyze TV industry moves. They unpack Bob Iger’s deal with OpenAI and why it echoes his iTunes-era gambits. Conversation covers licensing Disney characters, AI guardrails and creative risks. They also share TV picks and react to a listener letter about broadcast edits.

Alan Sepinwall, veteran TV critic and founder of What's Alan Watching, talks TV criticism, why recaps differ from reviews, and the trouble streamers have making sitcoms. He weighs weekly versus binge releases, how critics pick shows, and the future of scripted TV. Short takes on standout series round out the conversation.

Join Josef Adalian, West Coast editor at Vulture and author of the Buffering newsletter, as he dives into the intricacies of the TV industry. Discover why Taylor Sheridan's pivot to NBCU could reshape Paramount's future. Explore the risks of long-term deals in Hollywood and how Comcast's spending spree is changing the game. Adalian also shares insights about potential bidders for Warner Bros. Discovery and the impact of political dynamics on media mergers, making for an engaging and informative discussion.