UFC Rights Deal & Paramount Plus - Paramount Global secures a 7-year, $7.7 billion rights deal for all UFC matches, including numbered fight nights (approximately 13) and broader fight nights (approximately 30) [2] - The UFC rights deal is valued at $1.1 billion, signaling David Ellison's commitment to the media industry [3] - Paramount Plus aims to increase its subscriber base from 77 million to 90-100 million by leveraging UFC content [4] - CBS's linear TV reach is crucial for the UFC to monetize its content, balancing advertising revenue with Paramount Plus subscriptions [4][5][6] CBS & Streaming Strategy - The strategy for the Ellisons is to leverage linear channels like CBS for profit and reach while investing in streaming properties like Paramount Plus [9][10] - CBS News is considered a separate entity with plans for unbiased transparency [9][10] - CBS maintains major properties like NFL, golf, and 60 Minutes, attracting millions of viewers [11] Potential Mergers & Acquisitions - There is speculation about a potential merger between Warner Bros' studio and streaming aspects with Paramount [13] - Peacock and Max are interesting potential rollup joint venture partners for streaming scale [14][15] - The Ellison's are focused on investing to achieve streaming scale independently [16]

Streaming Strategy - ESPN is launching a new app to enter the streaming era [1] - The new app aims to make cable TV irrelevant [1]

Media Landscape & Consolidation - Regulatory changes are expected to loosen broadcast ownership rules, enabling streamlined ownership and scale in broadcast stations [2] - Scale is crucial in today's media world, with local broadcasting playing a major role in ensuring news remains a key element of the local media diet [3][4] - NextStar's potential acquisition of Techno would be a major transaction, helping to preserve local media [6] - Potential mergers by other major groups may occur, with NextStar leading the industry [6] Paramount Sky Dance & Streaming Strategy - Paramount Sky Dance is signaling aggressive spending, moving away from short-term earnings to long-term growth in the streaming market [8] - Owning major sports rights is critical for growth, as demonstrated by legacy firms [9] - Paramount is likely to see aggressive spending in sports, entertainment, and technology [10] - Paramount's acquisition of UFC rights makes UFC more accessible to viewers through Paramount Plus, with a monthly subscription fee of $77.99 on an advertising supported basis, and major events on CBS [6][13] Sports Rights & NFL Negotiation - The NFL contract, the most significant of all sports rights, is up for renegotiation, potentially establishing new pricing for sports [14][15]

Deal Highlights - Paramount and TKO reached a 7-year agreement worth $11 billion, making Paramount Plus the exclusive US home for UFC starting in 2026 [1] - The annual average value (AAV) of the deal is $11 billion, which is two times the value of the previous deal [4] - The deal came together in 48 hours after multiple players showed interest in different configurations of content, including pay-per-views and fight nights [2] Strategic Rationale - TKO's strategy focuses on maximizing the value of its rights and finding the right platform for future growth [4] - CBS will play a significant role, with Simo casts on many fights and likely all numbered events (formerly pay-per-view) [5] - The broadcast network aims to drive subscriptions to Paramount Plus, leveraging CBS's reach and brand [7] - Integrating sports betting is a key part of enhancing the fan experience for UFC [10] - The goal is to increase Paramount Plus subscribers from 77 million to 300 million and retain them with consistent premium fights [11] Business Model Shift - TKO aims to move away from the old pay-per-view model, which is considered antiquated and a barrier for fans [14][15] - The new model offers UFC content on Paramount Plus with ads for $8, providing a more accessible option for fans [13] - TKO is purpose-built for the streaming market, focusing on big events and international reach [14]

RT threadguy (@notthreadguy)Today I'm announcing @CounterPartyTV. The next chapter of the Threadguy stream.@macdegods and I are building this together.CounterParty is the evolution from a janky stream with a webcam and a whiteboard background to the next generation of finance media.“Round one” of the Threadguy stream saw genuine traction and PMF. it was obvious there was demand for the product and I realized I loved doing it.Interviewing and platforming the brightest traders, founders and thinkers making mo ...

Content Strategy - The company's top priority is to win on content by becoming the number one destination for talented artists, filmmakers, and important sports rights [1] Technology & Streaming - The company aims to be the most technologically capable media company [2] - Paramount Plus is considered incredibly important to the company's business as a scale streaming service [2] - The company currently operates three independent streaming services on three separate tech stacks across multiple clouds, which is deemed ineffective and expensive [2] - The company plans to converge all streaming platforms onto one unified tech stack in one cloud to improve customer experience [3] Operational Efficiency - Consolidating platforms onto a unified tech stack is expected to deliver a better customer experience [3] - Unifying the tech stack is expected to reduce operational costs [2][3]

Business Strategy & Restructuring - Paramount aims to restructure its business for greater efficiency and invest in growth areas like studios, streaming, and sports [3] - The company is focused on long-term value creation rather than short-term stock price management [4] - Paramount needs to become a scaled streaming service to replace its cable business, requiring investment in content and technology [6] Financial Performance & Synergies - Paramount has announced $2 billion in synergies and expects to significantly exceed that number [2] - Cutting costs alone is not a viable growth strategy [3] Streaming Service (Paramount Plus) - Paramount Plus has approximately 77 million subscribers and is considered subscale [7] - The company aims to improve the user experience and tech stack of Paramount Plus to increase engagement [9][10] - Increasing engagement on Paramount Plus requires more content and a better platform [10] Content & Partnerships - Paramount's content engines, including those from Skyens, have contributed significantly to top original content rankings [9] - The company highlights the quality of its content, particularly mentioning Taylor Sheridan's work and sports partnerships with the NFL [8] Linear TV - Broadcast, particularly CBS, is not declining as rapidly as cable [5] - Cable is being replaced by direct-to-consumer services [6]

Core Viewpoint - AMC Networks is facing ongoing challenges in the cable network industry but does not plan to sell or spin off its assets like some competitors [1][2]. Company Performance - AMC Networks reported a revenue decline to $600 million from $625.9 million year-over-year, despite exceeding analysts' forecasts [5]. - The company experienced an 18% year-over-year decline in advertising revenue, totaling $123 million, attributed to linear ratings declines and lower marketplace pricing [10]. - Affiliate revenue decreased by 12% to $151 million, due to basic subscriber declines and contractual rate decreases [9]. - Streaming revenue increased by 12% year-over-year to $169 million, with a slight increase in subscribers to 10.4 million [9]. Financial Outlook - The company anticipates strong cash flow, projecting it to reach $250 million this year [4]. - Despite a 6% drop in shares initially, the stock later rose by 21% on above-average trading volume, although it has fallen more than 25% year-to-date [4]. Strategic Positioning - AMC Networks differentiates itself from competitors like Versant and Warner Bros. Discovery by emphasizing its streaming business, which is expected to comprise the majority of revenue by 2025 [2]. - The CFO highlighted the company's diverse assets, including a studio and a robust streaming portfolio, which work synergistically [6]. - The Dolan family's control over AMC Networks suggests motivations beyond purely financial considerations, as the company is a smaller part of a larger empire that includes valuable assets like Madison Square Garden [7].

what's going on with Warner Brothers. >> Hey Andrew Warner Brothers discovery out with earnings this morning. Earnings coming in at $0.63% a share.Revenue 9.8% billion. That was ahead of expectations. Total adjusted EBITDA grew 9% to $2 billion over the prior year, driven by growth in streaming and studio segments.Streaming numbers reached 125.7% million. That's slightly ahead of estimates. Joining us now is Rich Greenfield Lightshed partners.Rich, great to have you with us. What's your first reaction to th ...

Disney's (DIS -2.55%) recent earnings report, including deals with the NFL and WWE, signal a big shift toward becoming a streaming giant. The company's potential to generate more streaming revenue than Netflix after ESPN's streaming app launches could help Disney stock. *Stock prices used were end-of-day prices of Aug. 6, 2025. The video was published on Aug. 6, 2025. Disney's deal with the NFL could catapult it to the lead in streaming. ...