

Downstream
Relay
Jason Snell and a rotating group of experts break down the present and future of television. Hosted by Jason Snell.
Episodes
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Mar 28, 2024 • 1h
65: More Serotonin
Lots of Disney this time! We talk Disney's big succession question, Taylor Swift's Disney+ numbers, and Disney's deal in India. Also, a quick Sports Corner on NFL streaming rights, Spulu, and ESPN as a streaming aggregator.
This episode of Downstream is sponsored by:
Good Chop: High-quality American meat & seafood. Get $120 off your first 4 boxes with code downstream120.
Links and Show Notes: Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback No One Is Ever Ready to Be the Next CEO of Disney - Bloomberg How Disney Makes Money: Media, Entertainment, Parks, and Experiences 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour' Most Watched Music Film Disney+ 4.6M Views Disney had big plans in India — here's why it's pulling back NFL announces two exclusive streaming games for 2024 season, including one postseason game ESPN Integrates Regional Sports Network Streams Into Its Main App And Website

Mar 6, 2024 • 29min
64: Still Do Everything
Someone new is in charge of Netflix's film output, which lets us ponder the company's past and future film strategy. [Downstream+ members get: Max's new Harry Potter approach, and lessons we could learn from The CW's mid-budget approach to superhero TV.]
Links and Show Notes: Video version of the show is on YouTube.
Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback Dan Lin to Replace Scott Stuber as Netflix Film Boss Walt Disney Movie President Sean Bailey Exits; David Greenbaum Takes Over Will AI Video Replace Hollywood? - Puck

Feb 23, 2024 • 1h 7min
63: Everyone Loves a Bundle
Fallout from the "Spulu" announcement from Disney, Fox, and WBD continues; picking apart HBO's "Last Week Tonight" YouTube strategy; and what does Peacock have in common with the New York Jets?
This episode of Downstream is sponsored by:
Good Chop: High-quality American meat & seafood. Get $120 off your first 4 boxes with code downstream120.
Links and Show Notes: Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback Fubo sues Fox, Disney, and Warner Bros. to block their combined sports streaming app - The Verge Iger’s ‘Spulu’ Starter Marriage - Puck The Sports Bundle Holy Wars Have Begun - Puck An Interview with Michael Nathanson About Netflix and the Media Industry – Stratechery by Ben Thompson HBO Delays Last Week Tonight With John Oliver Clips Posted on YouTube YouTube dominates TV streaming in US, per Nielsen’s latest report Taskmaster - YouTube

Feb 9, 2024 • 50min
62: Spulu
Disney, Fox, and WBD come together to create a sports streaming joint venture, but what does it all mean? [Downstream+ subscribers also get to hear us discuss Disney's Epic investment, Sports Corner updates, and the most streamed originals of last year.]
This episode of Downstream is sponsored by:
Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door.
Links and Show Notes: Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback ESPN, Fox, WBD to team up ESPN, Fox, WBD to team up (Apple News)

Jan 18, 2024 • 1h 14min
61: A Collector of Sports
Subtitle: Sports PentagonAfter some Apple Vision Pro opinions, it's time for a veritable Sports Pentagon of topics, including: Regional sports streaming alliances, the NFL cozying up to ESPN, Amazon cozying up to Diamond Sports, and the value of Peacock's streamed playoff game.
Links and Show Notes: Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback Julia uses Vision Pro NFL in advanced talks with ESPN to acquire equity stake in network: Sources - The Athletic The NFL May Buy a Stake in ESPN. Is This the Death of the Network’s Journalism? | The Nation Diamond Sports to receive Amazon investment in bankruptcy plan: What does it mean for MLB, NBA, NHL? - The Athletic What the new Diamond-Amazon deal means for MLB, NBA, NHL - ESPN Peacock’s Pyrrhic NFL Victory - Puck Dunkey's Guide to Streaming Services - YouTube

Dec 29, 2023 • 47min
60: You Heard It Here First
The fate of Paramount Global hangs in the balance, and our favorites of the year. [Downstream+ subscribers get an extra half hour, including RSN collapses and potential streaming solutions, and our predictions for 2024.]
This episode of Downstream is sponsored by:
Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door.
Links and Show Notes:
Favorite movies: "Godzilla Minus One" (JA) and "Oppenheimer" (JS)
Favorite TV shows: "Succession" (JA) and either "The Bear" or "Strange New Worlds" (JS)
Favorite books: The Subprime Attention Crisis by Tim Hwang, Otaku: Japan’s Database Animals by Hiroki Azuma, and Hiroshima by John Hersey (JA) and The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler and My Murder by Katie Williams (JS)
Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback What Is Paramount Actually Worth? - Puck Cortex #150: 2024 Yearly Themes - Relay FM (3) Your Theme - YouTube Paramount’s Sale, YouTube’s Trojan Horse & Netflix’s Next Gamble - Puck

Dec 14, 2023 • 1h 21min
59: Netflix's Spreadsheet
Netflix's public viewing data, Disney+ integrating Hulu, potential acquisition of Paramount Global, Pixar movies getting theatrical releases, Netflix's strategy of rotating libraries, Disney's streaming strategy, impact of reduced revenue from RSNs on MLB teams, and Apple and Netflix data sharing.

Dec 1, 2023 • 34min
58: Christmas Is the Franchise
The podcast discusses the significance of holiday films in the streaming era, the popularity of Christmas movies on Netflix, the success of low-budget hallmark style movies, the rise of niche streamers and building strong fan relationships, and the branding strategies of Disney and Hulu.

Nov 17, 2023 • 1h 9min
57: Challenging! But Fun
Disney's acquisition of Hulu, Apple's opportunity in the streaming industry, the power of platforms, Disney's experimentation with Marvel, the future of digital advertising, the movie Napoleon's visuals and humor, and expanding the distribution of Marvel shows.

Nov 2, 2023 • 28min
56: "The Crown" Presented By Crown Royal
Netflix adapts to selling ads, and your letters! [Downstream+ subscribers also got: Apple TV+ cancelling Jon Stewart and raising prices, YouTube's news challenge and the value of YouTube culture, and Jason Kilar's big idea.]
This episode of Downstream is sponsored by:
Get Downstream+! - No ads and extra content every other week.
Links and Show Notes: Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback Netflix, Pushing Into AVOD Fray, Plans New Ad Formats, Sponsorships One Year Into Netflix Ads - About Netflix Upgrade #482: It’s Covered in Soap! - Relay FM Apple’s Price Hike Economics - Puck YouTube wants to get you watching more news from ‘authoritative sources’ - The Verge Investing in a multi-format news watching experience How Hollywood Can Create its Biggest Hit Ever


