Laurent Hubert

Fascinating insights from the latest industry forecast across the media landscape: Box Office Dynamics: While box office revenues are expected to rise, this increase is likely to stem from higher ticket prices rather than more admissions. Analyst Spiegel suggests that by 2028, admissions will still fall short of pre-pandemic figures by 1.5 billion. Advertising Boom: Advertising revenues are seeing robust growth across various platforms, especially in digital media and gaming. By 2026, total advertising revenue is expected to reach $1 trillion, doubling by 2028 from 2020. This sector is anticipated to drive over half of the growth in the entertainment and media industries in the next five years. Streaming Saturation: The growth in streaming service subscriptions and revenues is beginning to plateau, prompting companies to pivot towards ad-driven revenue models and enhance cost efficiency. Gaming Industry Explosion: The gaming sector remains one of the fastest-growing segments, with total revenue reaching $227.6 billion in 2023, a 4.6% increase. PwC projects that gaming revenue will top $300 billion by 2027, nearly doubling since 2019. AI in Advertising: The use of AI in advertising is evolving, creating new opportunities for content creation and summary generation, particularly in sports media. The potential for AI to transform user experiences and open new revenue streams is vast and promising. As traditional media giants grapple with layoffs and losses, a new era in media emerges, brimming with opportunities for innovation, growth and creativity. 🎥📊                Explore the full report for more in-depth analysis:  https://lnkd.in/gV5qa5bi

228

2 Comments

With the proper execution, this script has the potential to secure an Oscar nomination.

2

5 Comments

Is "THE FUTURE SO BRIGHT"...that "I GOTTA WEAR SHADES"? FYI - Per PwC’s annual “Global Entertainment & Media Outlook (link attached below), the Global box office and total cinema revenue are predicted to surpass pre-COVID-19 levels in 2026, but admissions won't recover within the next five years. Streaming services will see a 5.6% annual growth rate in subscriptions from 2023 to 2028, with revenue growth trailing at 4%. Advertising revenue will exceed $1 trillion in 2026, becoming the fastest-growing revenue segment in entertainment and media. PwC’s annual report also highlights a shift towards business model reinvention, driven by technological disruption, economic challenges, and the potential of generative AI.   https://lnkd.in/gsvFxinQ   https://lnkd.in/gqrft4UE

7

STREAMING VIDEO: Despite being a market where broadcasters are making great strides in moving to a streaming model, and with TV manufacturers such as SAMSUNG reporting that a high percentage of TVs sold in Australia are never connected to an antenna, Australian consumers wanting to migrate fully to IP still face some restrictions. Even whilst Hubbl's current marketing is promoting TV without cumbersome coax cables, those attempting to watch free TV in Australia without a digtal terrestrial antenna or satellite TV service may find their sports viewing options are somewhat limited. Anyone trying to watch AFL games on Channel 7 via IP, be that via a PC browser, via the 7Plus app on smart TVs, streaming devices or a Hubbl that's not connected to DTT are greeted instead with repeats of Border Patrol with this scrolling message: 'Sorry! We don't currently have the rights to stream the AFL on 7plus. To watch the game, tune in on broadcast via your aerial, or find more of your favourite shows on 7plus. Stay tuned - the AFL rights are coming, live and free, from season 2025'. Sometimes I think it is useful to flag and illustrate these occasional exceptions so we can better understand the challenges of legacy sports and other content rights agreements in a rapidly changing TV landscape. 7plus (seen via an IP connected Hubbl) June 2024 #7plus #afl #iptv #sportsrights #streamingvideo #samsung #australia

1

1 Comment

Talpa Studios' The Floor secures major international renewals Following the recent announcement of a second and third season in the USA, Talpa Studios hit show The Floor continues its global success with recommissions in three major territories: Italy, France and Germany. Blu Yazmine will produce the show for RAI2 in Italy, and Satisfaction Group will handle production for France Télévisions. In Germany, Cheerio Entertainment will oversee production, and the show will air on SAT.1. As with the first season, the second German season will be recorded at Talpa Studios' local production hub in the Netherlands. The Floor's ongoing success is attributed to its innovative structure, high play-along factor and continuous format revisions that keep it fresh and exciting. Its flexible structure has allowed it to thrive in both daily and weekly schedules, catering to diverse viewing habits. Sebastian van Barneveld, Director of Global Distribution at Talpa Studios: “The outstanding success and enthusiastic reception of The Floor across various territories highlight the format's remarkable adaptability and the strength of its straightforward, thrilling gameplay, where survival is at stake in every duel.” Since its initial launch in the Netherlands in 2023, The Floor has captivated audiences worldwide, leading to its sale in 15 diverse markets. These include prominent television territories such as the USA, France, Spain, Germany and Italy, as well as emerging markets like Ukraine, Romania, Hungary and Argentina. About #TheFloor In The Floor, 100 quiz fanatics face off in quiz duels on a giant LED floor divided into one hundred equal squares, each representing its own field of knowledge. The goal is to conquer the entire floor and take home a huge cash prize. The rules are simple. A random contestant challenges an adjoining opponent in a quiz duel. They play against each other in the category of the opponent's square. Categories range from 'famous athletes' to 'Hollywood actors' and from ‘iconic buildings’ to 'mammals'. Some questions are visually supported by photographs, others by sound, while other duels focus on open questions, multiple choice, association: the possibilities are endless. The winner of a duel conquers his opponent's square, gaining more ground - the loser leaves the game. The further the game progresses, the more exciting the duels become and the higher the stakes. After eight episodes, who will be the last person standing on The Floor, winning a huge cash prize? The Floor is a format created and distributed by Talpa Studios.

144

3 Comments

STREAMING BUNDLES: Is the cable box making a comeback!? Subscriber churn remains an issue for SVOD services – 42% of US streaming subscribers report that they “'regularly subscribe, cancel and resubscribe,” according to Ampere’s Media Consumer survey covering 1Q24. But bundling streaming services can have a significant impact on mitigating the issue. Ampere cites Disney subscribers as an example: Consumers who had previously churned and then returned to take the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ bundle are 59% less likely to churn within 12 months than those who take Disney+ alone, based on 1Q23 sign-ups. Ampere also found that US resubscribers skew younger (aged 18-44), are more likely to be in family households, and are typically avid media consumers. And with that wide media diet, the cohort is 40% more likely than average to exhibit signs of subscription fatigue and 21% more likely to desire unified access to content across different services. Which makes bundles, Ampere concludes, a key strategy in subscriber retention. The cable box is making a comeback! This time, it's on your mobile device$!

3

2 Comments

I have no doubt that eventually, a relatively reliable system will be figured out to ensure that TV advertisers know whether they’re reaching their most appropriate, potential customers. Since streamers are unlikely to widely share proprietary viewing info, can Mr. Norton and Mr. Nadler’s EDO Company approach be it? Or at least, a fresh-and-viable start? Hmmm… A few vital pieces seem to be missing from EDO Co’s plan as relayed in this brief article, most notably how the referenced “tie” between a specific commercial/program and subsequent search-related data actually functions. Then, how that linkage further relates to sales. Advertisers *need* to be assured that more online searches about a product consistently lead to increased sales/revenue. Though that likely depends on whether a preponderance of top search results 👍 or 👎 their product. Sadly, these judgements could have nothing to do with ads, but arise from the perceived quality of a product via folks who’ve tried it IRL and felt strongly enough about their experience to post it on the internet. “Star” influencers can affect the market, but IMO exceedingly few of them have the reach or longevity to truly compete with television over time. For folks who make/distribute the shows, I guess the crux is whether a spike in searches about a particular episode’s narrative/cast significantly reveals that more eyeballs consumed any particular ad. Perhaps these search-spikes might, since the searching folks seem to have been paying enough attention to the story/characters to want to learn more. Though perhaps some of these online searchers heard about a really cool plot twist from a friend and never watched the show — or saw any ads — at all… There are so many variables in this erratically evolving aspect of the biz! That said, successful “disrupters” inevitably need to stop (mostly) disrupting and get down to the business of business. This means consistent metrics — and a more level playing field — has gotta emerge… Eventually. #entertainment #tv #television #streaming #streamingtv #adsupportedtv #adsupportedstreaming #tvratings #tvmetrics #tvadmetrics #internetsearches #fasttv

1

2 Comments

📺 **Battle for the Living Room**   The race to dominate the smart TV operating system (TV OS) market is heating up, with major players like Roku, Google, Amazon, Samsung, and LG vying to enhance user experience and capitalize on new business opportunities through data and advertising. Despite this fierce competition, a key question emerges: do consumers actually care about which OS their TV uses? 📊 **Market Potential**   At the StreamTV Show in Denver, experts discussed the benefits of owning a TV OS, such as controlling user data and enhancing ad revenue. Analyst Alan Wolk noted that around 40% of smart TVs globally lack a dedicated TV OS, presenting a significant market opportunity. Even small gains in market share can translate to substantial financial rewards, making the competition highly lucrative. 💡 **Consumer Preferences**   Panelists at the event debated whether consumers prioritize the TV OS in their purchasing decisions. Google’s Rob Caruso argued that factors like size and price still dominate, with the OS being a secondary consideration. However, Vizio's Katherine Pond and LG's Matt Durgin highlighted that content availability and user experience offered by the TV OS could influence consumer choices, particularly for those seeking quality and value. 🎬 **Content and User Experience**   Ultimately, while the current focus for consumers might not be on the specific TV OS, the content and seamless user experience provided by these systems are crucial. Companies like Vizio and Samsung emphasize the importance of offering desired content and a smooth interface, hoping that improvements in these areas will eventually drive consumer preferences toward specific TV OS platforms. #TV #TVOS #Streaming #SmartTV

3

SiriusXM reported its Q1 earnings this morning, and the headlines are justifiably focused on its loss of subscribers (nearly 500k). Like all radio, its subscription business is highly vulnerable with the move to digital audio, especially in cars. But a bright spot? If you paid attention to Spotify's earnings, you wouldn't be surprised: "off-platform revenue." For SXM, this includes Pandora and podcast revenue, which saw a 7% revenue increase. During their investor call, they signaled the growth for podcasts, explicitly saying, "Podcasting revenue saw a 22% year-over-year lift in the quarter, while programmatic podcast revenue increased 12% sequentially and 97% year over year." I'd love to see SXM break out the podcast numbers even further, but if you look at what they do provide, it's easy to conclude that podcast revenue is growing much faster than other segments. For example, Pandora continues to bleed users (64k paid subs in Q1 alone), so podcast revenue seems to be the tide lifting all "off-platform" boats. When asked about their podcast initiatives, Scott Greenstein said, "One is, you know, the podcast thing and industry is really still in the second or third inning, so it's evolving." He is 100% right. SXM also signaled that it will continue to license more podcast content and is not closing the book on exclusive content. One more fun nugget: On today's call, podcasts were mentioned 30 times. Pandora was only mentioned ten times, SmartLess nine times, and Howard Stern... zero point zero. Where do you think their priorities are moving forward? Read more: https://lnkd.in/eRQTM2Kq ---- I'm the CEO and founder of DWNLOAD Media, a fund focused on acquiring majority stakes in podcast companies. With continued audience and revenue growth, podcasting continues to be the most under-valued medium, making it time to invest in audio. If you're interested in investing in the podcast space, DM me! #podcasting #audio #siriusxm #sxm #earnings #investor #investing #podcasts

96

20 Comments

Global Music Trends: How Streaming Is Shaping Genre Popularity 🎶 Dive into the beats of change with our latest piece on 'Global Music Trends'! 🌍 Discover how streaming is remixing genre popularity. Tune in, turn up, and stay ahead of the curve with us! 🎧✨ #wcgblogs #wcgeneration #wcgempire #wcgentertainment #MusicTrends #StreamingSounds #GenreEvolution #HitPlay #Trendsetters

1

#UnHollywood: The Golden Age of Indie Film The Indie Film Revolution has begun! We are all captivated by the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. As aspiring filmmakers and theater artists, we've grown up dreaming of reaching the major studio levels, Broadway, and fantasizing about leaving our mark on the stage and screen. However, as much as we adore and admire Hollywood, it's crucial to recognize that the movie industry has increasingly prioritized commercial success over story and creativity, forcing many of us to reevaluate our paths. This reality has led to the rise of a new era – the Golden Age of Indie Film! An electrifying period that celebrates authentic storytelling, diverse perspectives, and creative freedom. The Indie Film Revolution champions the artists who dare to challenge the major studio system and redefine the future of filmmaking. While Hollywood may not always open its doors to the incredible talent that exists beyond its gates, the Golden Age of Indie Film reminds us that there's another way to make our dreams come true. By joining forces and embracing the power of independent artistry, we can create opportunities and forge a path that values creativity and originality above all else. Together, we can build a world where independent filmmakers and theater artists thrive and push the boundaries of storytelling in ways never seen before. We believe in the power of authentic storytelling and its ability to connect us on a deeper level. IFT Network's infrastructure is designed to support the entire journey of independent film and theater production: • The IFT Network Writing Room: A dedicated virtual space for script development and collaboration. • Producer Community: A network of talented producers ready to bring projects to life. • Streaming Platform: A global stage that offers independent filmmakers and theater artists an opportunity to showcase their work to audiences worldwide. • Marketing and Promotion: A comprehensive support system, including the IFT Network Marketing Agency, that assists independent artists in amplifying their projects' visibility and connecting with their target audiences. • Community Share Program: A system that shares revenue with each film and show on the platform, ensuring mutual success within the IFT Network community. Our long-term vision includes expanding our infrastructure even further: • Indie FIlm Theater Fund: A future venture fund tailored specifically for indie film and theater projects within our ecosystem. • Physical Studio: A dedicated space for production and collaboration, fostering innovation and growth. • Theater Partnerships: Partnering with or owning theater venues to provide opportunities for live performances. Join us as we redefine the future of storytelling and prove that the power of authentic, independent artistry cannot be ignored.

2

As Paramount Global evaluates its strategy for all of its linear and streaming assets, multiple sources tell me that Pluto TV’s co-founder and current CEO of Paramount Streaming has been in discussions with the company about repurchasing it. These discussions started before the Skydance deal was announced, but I’m told no valuation has been placed on Pluto TV, and no official offer numbers have been exchanged. Interestingly, during the Paramount Global all-hands meeting on June 25th, employees say the company didn’t mention or include any reference to Pluto TV during the newly announced go-forward plan. Those who sat in smaller internal meetings also say the brand was absent from the discussions. Since the Skydance deal was announced, Skydance has featured Pluto TV as one of the six core pillars of the company on slide ten of its presentation. However, that doesn’t guarantee that Pluto TV, or any other content brand, will be part of the company going forward. During a call with investors after the Skydance deal was announced, Jeff Shell stated, “Current management is also talking about a couple of transactions that, if they get the right price, we’ll be supportive of.” So Paramount Global’s current management team can sell off assets and make deals they think will help the new management team as long as the new management team is consulted. Full story: https://lnkd.in/eNuRDyxi

68

3 Comments

A new high: streaming represented 40% of TV usage in June! Growth from almost all platforms is attributed to younger viewers, which makes sense since school is out. Let's also acknowledge some of the recent great streaming releases, like Supercell and Bridgerton, which are viewed by multiple demographics. #streaming #growth #numbers #television

10

1 Comment

Is Leadership in Media in Crisis today? The media industry is facing huge challenges. Old business models are broken, conventional management philosophy is outdated, layoffs are massive, and CEO compensation packages remain bloated despite shocking losses in shareholder value and human capital. The media business is in disarray and confidence in media leadership is at an all time low. On May 22nd, I will be moderating a panel at #StreamingNYC called “No Company for Old Fashioned Leadership Now” with Jennie Baird Mark Garner Francesca Barber Wes Gould to examine the challenges confronting leadership in media today; explore the changing roles and responsibilities for media leaders; identify the skills and attributes required for success; and discuss how to prepare the next generation of visionary leaders for tomorrow. Come join us for a “no holds barred” conversation you won’t want to miss with some of the smartest leaders in news, entertainment and tech. Register today to join: https://bit.ly/4dlewq4

43

8 Comments

The Future of Music Streaming: Predictions and Trends 🎶 Ready to ride the wave of the future with your tunes? 🚀 Dive into our latest take on music streaming evolution - it's where beats meet bytes! 🎧 Don't miss out on trends that'll rock your playlist. #MusicStreamingFuture #AudioInnovation #StreamingTrends #NextGenMusic #wcgblogs #wcgeneration #wcgempire #wcgentertainment

1

📈 Streamflation Alert: Subscription prices are rising again! In 2024, platforms are boosting prices for the second time in two years. Streaming services like Peacock, Max, and Spotify are increasing costs, often coinciding with major events or new content launches. 💡 Why the price hikes? Streaming platforms are adding more content and employing strategic moves to drive users towards ad-supported tiers, which generate higher revenue. For example, Peacock raised prices right before the Paris Olympics, and Max did so ahead of the new season of House of the Dragon. Bundling services are also on the rise, with companies like Disney and Verizon offering attractive package deals to reduce subscriber churn and enhance value. 📊 What's next? Analysts believe these price hikes are just the beginning, expecting more increases by the end of the year. The goal is to boost margins and gently push consumers towards ads and bundles, supporting the company's larger financial objectives. #TV #svod #streaming #bundle https://lnkd.in/e8-uYitV

8