Joining us right now is Rich Greenfield, Lightshed Partners. Uh you've probably now had some opportunity to go through uh the document that Warner Brothers put out. You've seen what Netflix had to say about it.Which in your mind is the better deal, Rich. Putting aside whether we get to a bidding war, which I'm sure we will, but or or we may at least right now. >> I mean, I don't even think it's close, Andrew.I mean, think about the things that you learned in this document. I mean, just right off the bat, th ...

Group 1 - The early trading indicates that the cable-network spinoff is being valued conservatively, which may have implications for the Warner Bros. Discovery takeover battle [1]

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Skydance's hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery has created significant management uncertainty for CNN and its associated cable networks, potentially leading to a prolonged period of instability [1][2][11]. Group 1: Management and Ownership Changes - CNN experienced a brief sense of relief when Netflix announced it would acquire Warner's studio and streaming businesses, as CNN would not be included in that deal [2]. - The announcement of Paramount's bid has reintroduced uncertainty, with the potential for a merger between CNN and CBS News if the bid is successful [2][9]. - CNN's management has acknowledged the ongoing uncertainty, with CEO Mark Thompson indicating that the transformation of CNN remains a priority despite the challenges [7]. Group 2: Market Position and Performance - CNN's television ratings have significantly declined, positioning it as the third-rated cable news network behind Fox News Channel and MSNBC [6]. - The growth of streaming services has rendered traditional cable networks less attractive, prompting Warner Bros. Discovery to consider spinning off its cable television networks, including CNN [5]. Group 3: Regulatory and Future Outlook - The regulatory landscape is expected to delay any resolution regarding CNN's ownership, with experts predicting that the Netflix deal could face over a year of regulatory hurdles [11]. - Regardless of which bidder ultimately acquires CNN, the network is anticipated to remain in a state of limbo for the foreseeable future [12].

Summary of Versant's Inaugural Investor Day Company Overview - **Company**: Versant - **Event**: Inaugural Investor Day - **Date**: December 4, 2025 - **Key Speaker**: Marc Lazarus, CEO Core Industry Insights - **Industry**: Media and Entertainment - **Market Position**: Versant aims to be an industry-changing force in sports, news, and entertainment, with a diversified portfolio of 11 well-known brands [10][12][30] Key Financial Projections - **Fiscal 2025 Expectations**: - Revenue: $6.6 billion - EBITDA: $2.2 billion - Free Cash Flow: $1.4 billion [14] Strategic Focus Areas 1. **Diversified Portfolio**: Versant operates across four large growing markets: - Business news and personal finance - Political news and opinion - Golf and athletics participation - Sports and genre entertainment [15][30] 2. **Live Programming**: - 62% of Versant's audience comes from live programming, which is a significant driver of viewership [21][23] - Exclusive live events across sports, news, and entertainment enhance audience engagement [23][37] 3. **Digital Expansion**: - Plans to grow digital platforms like GolfNow and Fandango, and to develop new offerings [25][44] - Acquisition of Free TV Networks to reach non-pay-TV households [40][43] 4. **Audience Growth**: - Targeting both existing pay-TV subscribers and non-subscribers through various distribution channels [39][40] - Emphasis on reaching younger, digitally native audiences through partnerships and new services [56] Market Opportunities - **Business News and Personal Finance**: - Market size: $20 billion - CNBC is the leading global business media brand, with a 40% increase in retail investors since 2019 [16] - **Political News and Opinion**: - Audience growth of 35% since 2019, with MSNBC leading in ratings and digital presence [17] - **Golf Industry**: - Market size: $45 billion, with Versant capturing 40% of all golf hours watched [18] - **Sports and Entertainment**: - Market size: $200 billion, with 700 billion hours watched in the industry [19] Competitive Advantages - **Brand Strength**: Versant's brands have near-total awareness and strong loyalty among audiences [19][20] - **Exclusive Content**: The company focuses on exclusive, high-quality content that drives viewership and engagement [31][33] - **Experienced Management**: A seasoned management team with a strong vision for growth and innovation [14][15] Future Growth Strategies - **Investment in Premium Content**: Continuing to leverage brand strength to deliver exclusive content [31][32] - **Expansion Beyond Pay-TV**: Exploring new distribution channels and experiences to reach a broader audience [39][40] - **Acquisitions**: Strategic acquisitions like Free TV Networks and Indie Cinema to enhance service offerings and audience reach [26][46] Conclusion - Versant is positioned to capitalize on significant growth opportunities in the media and entertainment industry, leveraging its strong brand portfolio, exclusive content, and strategic investments to drive shareholder value and audience engagement [30][32][47]

Core Insights - AMC Networks is transitioning from linear TV to streaming, announcing a 5% reduction in its global workforce of 1,800 employees through voluntary buyouts [1][2] - The company reported mixed quarterly results, with advertising revenue down 17% and streaming revenue up 14% [1][2] - CEO Kristin Dolan emphasized the importance of this transition, describing the quarterly performance as a key milestone in becoming a global streaming and technology-focused content company [2] Company Overview - AMC Networks operates several cable networks including AMC, IFC, Sundance TV, We TV, and BBC America, along with niche streaming services such as AMC+, Shudder, and Acorn TV, totaling 10.4 million subscribers [3] Industry Context - The downsizing at AMC Networks reflects a broader trend in the entertainment sector, with other companies like Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Disney also implementing significant layoffs [4] - The impact of artificial intelligence advancements is leading to job cuts in various sectors, including Big Tech, with Amazon recently announcing a reduction of 14,000 corporate employees [5]

Group 1 - Charter Communications has experienced a significant decline in share value, decreasing by 56% over the past five years, indicating challenges faced by traditional cable networks [1] - The article emphasizes the shift away from traditional cable networks, suggesting they are becoming obsolete in the current market landscape [1] Group 2 - The focus is on identifying companies with durable economic resilience, pricing power, and capital efficiency, which are essential for long-term value creation [1] - The sectors of interest include Technology, Industrials, and Financials, with an emphasis on scalable business models and mission-critical offerings [1] - The analysis includes capital allocation strategies, margin trajectories, and unit economics to evaluate the sustainability of growth and returns [1]

Core Insights - Versant, a spinoff from Comcast, is preparing for its public offering on Nasdaq under the ticker "VSNT" [1] - Versant's financial performance has shown a decline in revenue and net income over the past few years [2] Financial Performance - In the last fiscal year, Versant generated $7 billion in revenue, a decrease from $7.4 billion in 2023 and $7.8 billion in 2022 [2] - The net income attributable to Versant was $1.4 billion last year, down from $1.5 billion in 2023 and $1.8 billion in 2022 [2] Industry Context - Traditional media companies, including cable networks, are experiencing financial pressures due to a shift in viewer preferences from pay TV to streaming platforms, leading to reduced advertising spending [3] - Comcast's strategy to create Versant aims to separate the declining cable business from its more profitable internet and streaming services, allowing Versant to focus on adapting its brands for a streaming-centric market [4] - Approximately 65 million households still receive some form of cable service, indicating a significant but declining market [4]

Streaming Services - Disney's ESPN and Fox Corp launched new streaming services [1] - The new services make cable networks' offerings available for a monthly subscription [1]

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].

Group 1 - Comcast announced the expected board members for its cable networks spinout, Versant, which will include individuals from media, technology, finance, and other industries [1][2] - Versant will serve as the parent company for NBCUniversal's cable networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel, as well as digital platforms like Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes [2] - The spinoff of Versant is anticipated to be completed by the end of this year [2] Group 2 - The proposed board members for Versant include Mark Lazarus, David Novak, Rebecca Campbell, Creighton Condon, Michael Conway, David Eun, Gerald L. Hassell, Scott Mahoney, Maritza Montiel, and Len Potter [3]