Chadd SJ Ciccarelli

Embracing the Streaming Revolution: Ad-Supported Tiers Drive Growth! The Australian entertainment subscription market continues its upward trajectory, growing by 5% to 52.3 million services in the past year. This demonstrates the insatiable demand for video, music, and gaming services in a rapidly evolving landscape. Within this dynamic market, the Subscription Video-on-demand (SVOD) sector stands out, with a robust growth rate of 4%, further cementing its significance in the digital entertainment realm. Netflix retains its throne as the leading streaming service, amassing 6.2 million subscriptions. Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Stan, Paramount+, Binge, Kayo Sports, and YouTube Premium also hold their ground, catering to a diverse range of entertainment preferences. What's driving this growth in SVOD? The advent of more affordable ad-supported plans has propelled subscriber numbers, accounting for a remarkable 11% of total SVOD services. Consumers are embracing the opportunity to enjoy their favourite content while optimizing their budgets—and the trend doesn't stop there! A recent study reveals that nearly half of SVOD users are interested in ad-supported plans. This consumer receptiveness opens exciting opportunities for more engaging and cost-effective streaming experiences in the future. A vibrant content ecosystem and the allure of Australian-produced content have captivated audiences across SVOD platforms. Drama, documentaries, and comedy have emerged as the favoured categories, with users yearning for even more locally-driven content and storytelling. Innovation is critical, with projections indicating a potential reach of over 30 million SVOD subscriptions by 2028. Robust content pipelines, the emergence of new players like HBO Max, and the increasing availability of ad-supported plans will shape the next phase of the streaming revolution. Get ready for exciting times ahead as ad-supported tiers reshape the streaming landscape, paving the way for immersive video experiences and unprecedented content variety. #StreamingRevolution #SVODGrowth #AdSupportedTiers #NetflixDominance

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This is absolutely worth a read for any brand looking to explore the RMN space and any advertiser assessing where to invest their dollars for the greatest impact in 2025.

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The stage was set at the NAB Show 2024. Hundreds of products battled for supremacy in the ever-evolving streaming video arena. Tensions were high as the industry's elite judging panel meticulously evaluated each offering. Then, a true champion emerged from the fray. Vimond's VIA App Builder captivated the experts with a perfect fusion of power and elegance. Features that dazzled: - Lightning-fast development capabilities that make deploying streaming services across devices a mere formality. - An interface so intuitive even a novice could wield its might. - Unparalleled content management that monetises like never before. In an epic clash of innovation, the VIA App Builder reigned supreme – conquering the "Next TV" category to seize the coveted Best of Show honour. A thousand competitors stood in awe. This was more than just an award. It was a statement of Vimond's unwavering commitment to streamlining video streaming for the modern era. An undisputed mark of quality that will shatter industry conventions. The victory horn has sounded. All others have been put on notice. Brace yourselves for the VIA App Builder's continued dominance, as it leads content creators to a new era of broadcast supremacy. https://lnkd.in/gssvefKG

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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

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If the FAST space was the Garden of Eden, Pluto TV is Adam. Thanks to major media companies like Paramount, FAST has the programming depth of cable for the monthly cost of Broadcast. With the variety of ways to access programming; from Streaming to Cable/Satellite, Main Street has a ton of choices and Madison Ave has a ton of questions. Hot take inspired by the article... Vanity v Sanity: - Vanity: Subs and MAUs, great that folks open the service, but in an ad supported industry, time spent creates supply. - Sanity: Who's the audience, how much inventory are they are generating, what are they actually watching (transparency) and how is it packaged? While we work in a business that trades time for treasure, there are nuances to how supply is bundled and sold.... vanity numbers allow us to rank and provide some type of order, but it's the sanity metrics that keep our marketplace healthy. Thanks to our company's mission of entertaining and informing the masses since 1912 we have: pioneered the motion picture, was 1 of 3 networks that brought sight, sound and motion into homes, personalized TV at the advent of Cable and entered the streaming battlefield in 2014 with Pluto and then CBS All Access, now Paramount+ ... so when I see the word "originals" as a reference point of quality and advantage I wonder beyond the "vanity" of it and think - Can we put our brand partners in the path of loyal fans, consuming long form content, across the entire pay model from Free to Paid, while making it easy and most importantly, successful? The answer is Yes, in part thx to our commitment to bulking up and marketing PlutoTV, but mostly b/c we have the endurance to produce popular content in volume and we know how to program in order to attract, retain and engage our audience 24/7/365... ultimately resulting in the "Sanity" of it all.. an enormous amount high thread count supply in well lit environments. cc: Paramount Advertising

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And Then There Was One Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder and non-executive chair of Paramount Global, is wavering on the potential sale of the media conglomerate, according to recent reports. Redstone has been exploring various options for Paramount, including a potential acquisition by Skydance Media. However, she has been sending mixed signals in recent days regarding her willingness to sell the company. What will be her final decision? #media #streaming #entertainment

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Streamline Your AdTech Stack - It's Time to Simplify! 💡 Targeting the right audience has never been more complex. Media companies need innovative solutions to bridge gaps in audience knowledge, but the temptation to add layers of tech to meet new ad formats and privacy regulations can be costly and complex. Covatic’s on-device technology provides a simple, cost-efficient, and highly effective solution with no need for cookies, IDs, or tracking. Find out how you can streamline your approach while still delivering results in my piece on overcoming signal-loss. ⬇ Learn more about Covatic’s technology here ▶ https://lnkd.in/ek8TaFvu #Marketing #Advertising #DataPrivacy #Innovation #AdTech #Media #Publishing #Marketing #Cookieless

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✅🖥️ Nielsen Gauge (12/11): “Streaming viewership increased 7.6% in the November interval and the category posted a record share of TV with 41.6% (+1.1 pt.). Some of this increase can be attributed to viewers seeking solace from the atypical, election-fueled news cycle covered by many traditional TV networks, and was also illustrated by the streaming category reaching 42.6% of TV viewing during the third week of the interval. Moreover, Netflix also exhibited peak viewership during week three when it hit 8.5% of TV (compared to its overall monthly share of 7.7%). This peak for Netflix coincides with the live-streamed Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match, and was also fueled by viewing to its original series The Lincoln Lawyer, which was the most watched streaming program this interval with 3.9B viewing minutes. There were also three streaming services that notched platform-best shares of TV in November, including The Roku Channel (up 12% to 1.9% of TV), Prime Video (up 10% to 3.7% of TV), and YouTube, which secured a new category record with 10.8% of TV. Peacock, while short of its Olympics-driven platform record, still drew the largest monthly increase among streamers for 1.5% of TV (+0.2 pt.). “ ⬇️ #streaming #ctv #tv #fast #avod #svod #tvos #programmatic https://lnkd.in/gye6FCNy

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✅🖥️ WSJ (7/19): “The streaming company added 8.05MM subs in Q2, compared with 5.89MM net new subs during the same period a year earlier. It expects new customer additions to be lower in the current quarter than the same period last year, when it began limiting password sharing in earnest. Revenue rose nearly 17% year over year to $9.56B in the second quarter, beating the company’s projections. Netflix raised its revenue growth forecast for 2024 to 14% to 15%, up from 13% to 15%. The strong performance is a sign that Netflix’s efforts to change its plan pricing and lineup, limit password sharing and expand the advertising tier of its service are bearing fruit. Netflix continues to lead the pack in streaming as entertainment companies such as Disney and WBD try to balance a decline in revenue and viewership of their traditional TV businesses while investing more in their streaming platforms. It ended the second quarter with 277.65MM customers globally. Netflix on Thursday said it would begin phasing out its lowest-cost, ad-free $11.99 a month basic plan in the U.S. and France. The company made similar moves in Canada and the U.K earlier this year. More than 45% of all sign-ups in countries in which the ad tier is available come from that plan, the company said.In May, the ad-supported plan had 40MM global MAUs, up from 5MM a year ago.” ⬇️ #streamingtv #ctv #ott #avod #svod #upfronts https://lnkd.in/e9su2saE

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Prime Video now understands “they need premium content and celebrities in order to attract advertisers,” said Jessica Brown, managing director of digital investment for media buyer GroupM. “Before, they had the reach and scale, but they didn’t have the content story." "You need to be culturally relevant,” she said. Over the past few years, Amazon has made astute strategic moves, significantly transforming its service from its nascent stages. Notably, their focus on female-oriented film and television, alongside calculated investments in high-profile intellectual property, has been particularly impressive. I firmly believe these two categories represent sound investments. Both have well-defined audiences, meaning that if executed proficiently, the associated risk is minimal. Moreover, should the target audience resonate with the projects, the potential for major success is substantial. As I have repeatedly emphasised, the female demographic remains not just undervalued, but profoundly so within the entertainment industry. An enormous opportunity that cannot be overstated. In terms of high-stakes investments, Amazon's strategy has been notably shrewd. Streaming, platforms were notorious for burning through budgets, paying exorbitant fees to talent for prestige limited series that often failed to attract significant viewership and lacked enduring appeal. However, Amazon, perhaps driven by the imperatives of its advertising model (i.e., content must attract and retain viewers), seems to have internalised a critical lesson: when making substantial financial commitments, the content must be commercially viable with broad audience appeal. While the ideal combination includes STRONG IP, flawless execution, and top-tier talent, it’s better to secure the first two and then align them with suitable talent. Amazon’s foresight in recognising the potential of video game IP ahead of many of its competitors is commendable. The Fallout series is a resounding success, with other similarly promising productions in the pipeline. In a significant challenge to traditional studios, Amazon plans to more than double its number of theatrical releases, increasing from six this year to as many as 16 by 2027, according to a report from Reuters. This level of output would place Amazon in direct competition with Hollywood's most prolific studio, Universal Pictures. Moreover, Prime Video has ramped up its spending, increasing its budget by $1.7 billion to $13.6 billion this year, as estimated by market researcher Ampere Analysis. This increased investment reflects Amazon's deepening commitment to its efforts to expand content production, even as other studios are tightening their content budgets. However, there remains some uncertainty surrounding Amazon’s theatrical strategy, and it will be intriguing to observe how this aspect of their approach develops. 💡

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Our creator ecosystem is powerful and the numbers show our consumers are choosing YouTube as their primary destination to consume this content. We are #2 in overall total TV time spent…and what is equally impressive about these numbers is that they do not even include YouTube TV!!! There is only ONE YouTube!! #youtube

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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

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The latest report from 2024-2031 Global Subscription Video Forecasts has just dropped some insights that will reshape the SVOD landscape as we know it. Here’s the inside scoop: 📈 The numbers don't lie: SVOD revenue is set to skyrocket by a staggering $117 billion over the next 8 years, marking a monumental shift in the industry's financial trajectory. 💰 From $109.6 billion in 2024 to a jaw-dropping $226.2 billion by 2031, the forecasted cumulative revenue growth paints a picture of unprecedented expansion and opportunity in the SVOD market. 🔍 Dive deep into the report, and you'll uncover a treasure trove of strategic foresight, illuminating key trends and growth patterns that will shape the industry's evolution in the coming years. 👴🏼 The secret sauce behind this revenue surge? It's all about those silver streamer (consumers aged 55+) adoption rates driving price increases that cater to their needs. It's time for the industry to tap into the potential of this demographic and watch the revenue soar. 🔥 But that's not all – the report highlights the crucial role of engaging and retaining younger consumers through innovative ad-supported models. This isn't just about today; it's about cultivating tomorrow's loyal subscribers. 💡 As the SVOD market matures, revenue growth is evident, surpassing the increase in subscriber accounts. The future lies in a sustainable market model that leverages efficient monetization strategies. 🌟 Tim Mulligan, lead video analyst at MIDiA Research, boldly declares that the unsung heroes of streaming TV – Apple, Comcast, and Paramount – are destined to outshine the rest. Paramount, in particular, is poised to beat the revenue growth rate by leaps and bounds, showcasing the power of premium IP and engagement tools in the quest for subscriber retention. 🔮 Looking ahead, Ben Woods, video analyst at MIDiA Research, foresees a pivotal shift towards profitability as TV streaming services explore ad-supported tiers to widen their revenue mix. The challenge? Captivate the entertainment spenders of the future and transform casual viewers into dedicated subscribers. In a world where content is king and streaming reign supreme, the SVOD realm is on the verge of an exhilarating transformation. Are you ready to ride this wave of innovation and disruption? 🌟📺🚀 ttps://https://lnkd.in/gfQGiztB

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Broadcast networks are estimated to have dropped 6.6% to $3.4 billion, while cable networks are estimated to be down 8.2% to $3.8 billion.

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TTD denied reports of creating their own TV OS. Today more details about partnering with Sonos to provide them with a TV OS. Insiders have known about TTD’s TV OS for the last 2 years. It’s called Project Bridgewater. TTD is trying to do in CTV what Google did with open web display advertising. They want to build a full stack for CTV akin to DoubleClick so they can control the market: content owners, data and pricing schemes. TV OS with better economics on the cover as the bait + content management system to control distribution (think Wurl/Amagi) + Identity/Authentication layer to control your data (UID2/Open Pass) + full stack adtech infrastructure (think DoubleClick stack). The playbook is clear and it's pure evil genius. If the Google case has proved anything, it’s that there is no disincentive to aim to be a monopoly but it requires other participants who aren't paying attention to what is going on and just want short term $. Publishers and advertisers should be aware. They saw what Google did with display. If they keep doubling down on full stack platforms, they will create another Google in CTV. The champion of the open internet wants to turn it into their own walled garden.

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Media Forecast Says AI Will Power 90% Of Ad Buying By 2029. As the FCC moves to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in advertising for the first time, a new analytical prediction from global ad buying agency WPP reveals that the majority of ad revenue will be AI-enabled by the end of the year. #AI #radioadvertising #programmaticadvertising #radioconsultingservices https://lnkd.in/dS7h5gwr

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