527,040 Minutes*

The Year Ahead, in 39 Minutes

Happy Boxing Day War & Peaceniks! ICYMI: 2024 is a *Leap Year which means 1440 extra minutes to get through. So, let’s get started!

Last week I posted my Top Ten Media Predictions for 2024. The list is now the most-popular Media War & Peace article in our two-plus years. Thanks for that!

Perhaps that was due to the slew of M&A predictions I made before Zaslav leaked his silly idea to merge WBD with Paramount (which I dubbed Mt. Disco Bros). It could be the post did well because of prognosis for Netflix’s (lack of) ad business, or for how I handicapped the 2024 Upfront. Maybe the list got clicks because of my forecast of the Media Job Market. Regardless, it was nice to end this weird year on such a high note.

2023 was a lot.

But, for me at least, this forum was an oasis from the chaos. Working in this safe space on this serialized thesis about the evolution of the Media Universe, helped me make sense of it all.

Doing it for, and among, such smart, thoughtful, empathetic peers as you gives me the strength to (once again) question everything in the year ahead and the positive energy to start 2024 with a renewed sense of humor and even optimism.

(BREAKING: I’ve decided to bring optimism back for 2024.)

There’s a lot packed into the Top Ten. To unpack it all, last week I held my monthly zoominar for premium subs. We dug into the data behind the prognostications, we answered many questions about the analysis, and we shared some end-of-year holiday cheer!

You could read the Top Ten here (no paywall). Or you can join the party and watch us rip through all ten predictions in under an hour, in the video below.

If you see the video, thank you for being a premium Peacenik. Your support literally and figuratively powers this publication.

If, however, below my signature you see a paywall, now’s the perfect time for you to join the fun and join the community. Premium subs meet up once a month for our zoominars (btw: next month will be a doozy!), and many Peaceniks reach out to meet with me one-on-one throughout the year - to brainstorm ideas, pick brains, and ask advice.

However you consume Media War & Peace, please know that I appreciate you. I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year filled with strength, joy, humor, and wisdom.

ESHAP

ESHAP’S TOP 10 MEDIA PREDICTIONS FOR ‘24