HAPPY NEW YEAR War & Peaceniks!
Ready to get Pod‽ Welcome to the first-ever episode of my new podcast: The Media Odyssey.
What is The Media Odyssey?
Each week, IN A HALF AN HOUR OR LESS, Marion Ranchet & Evan Shapiro (that’s me) take on the hottest media topics with their hottest takes, helping their audience chart a course through the maelstrom that is today’s Media Odyssey.
If this is in your inbox, hopefully you know who I am. Marion Ranchet is a brilliant French expat based in Amsterdam, who’s become a go-to industry expert in all things streaming, because she turns even the most complex problems into easily digestible, actionable insights.
If you like my newsletter, then this pod is for you - contextualizing my takes with Marion’s distinctly different and especially European point of view. Together, we offer you a complete global perspective on how Media is transforming and how that will affect you.
WHAT’S IN EPISODE #1: WRAPPING MEDIA 2024? (Transcript)
In the inaugural episode of The Media Odyssey, Evan (aka me) and Marion delve into the evolving dynamics of the global media landscape. With Evan (moi) representing the U.S. perspective and Marion providing insights from Europe, this pod explores the intersections and contrasts of media trends on both sides of the Atlantic.
In this first episode Evan & Marion will review and rate their media predictions for 2024.
I even admit I was wrong about something, making this episode somewhat landmark, while Marion elaborates on her prediction about European broadcasters' increasing adoption of AVOD (Ad-supported Video on Demand) and FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming Television) hubs, such as “M6’s collaboration with Pluto TV, John’s extensive AVOD catalog in Germany, and ITVX’s expansion in the UK.” Evan adds U.S. parallels, discussing Sling and DirecTV’s moves in FAST, and the broader implications of these shifts for content distribution strategies.
A major theme of our discussion is the convergence of media models, with AVOD, FAST, and subscription-based services blending to meet changing consumer expectations. Yet, there are challenges and opportunities presented by these transformations, including the influence of platforms like YouTube as a dominant service.
We also discuss the accelerating convergence of media and tech. Evan (me again) argues that Oracle's financial influence on Paramount signifies the beginning of a broader trend, with potential for more tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft to make significant acquisitions in the media space.
The conversation expands to cover Netflix’s potential ventures into gaming or music, showcasing the strategic evolution of major players in the entertainment industry.
Reflecting on surprises from 2024, Evan highlights Spotify’s unexpected profitability and operational resilience, plus the ongoing battle over sports rights, while Marion celebrates France’s thriving media market, citing examples like TF1 Plus, M6’s streaming relaunch, and the innovative coverage of the Paris Olympics.
2024 was pure chaos in Media. In this very first episode, we help it make sense. I am thrilled to be working with Marion. I am really proud of this project. I truly hope you enjoy it.
If you want to subscribe in some other place you get your pods, please do! All the links to all those places is at this link: The Media Odyssey.
Episodes will always drop here on Thursdays. Until next time…
Enjoy the New Year! ☮️
ESHAP
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