The Dan Rayburn Podcast

This week, I cover why many articles about Netflix's Q3 earnings are delusional: they use false data, make up quotes executives never said, cite numbers with no source, and use snippets of comments without context. I explain why we shouldn't trust third-party data that doesn't disclose the region and devices measured, has a conflict of interest, or includes no methodology for what it measured. 

I also discuss the news from Disney's rollout of 4K HDR in the U.S. across Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited, which is now being tested across all platforms, for ESPN productions of Monday Night Football, NBA and NHL, as Disney prepares to have the first Super Bowl ever to be streamed in native 4K HDR. 

Finally, I detail the numbers from Comcast's Q3 earnings, which saw Peacock add no net new subs from Q2 and lose 274,000 pay TV subs, as well as the news that Prime Video and Paramount+ will release new apps for the larger iPhone Duo screen.
Podcast produced by Security Halt Media

This week, we cut through the noise around Netflix's recent layoffs with facts, as many incorrectly claim Netflix's business is "collapsing" and "struggling." We note that, according to Netflix's data, engagement was up 2% in the first half of 2026, not down as many suggest, and that Netflix reconfirmed it remains on track to deliver its full-year financial forecast. We also discuss Netflix's announcement that it secured the rights to the 2030 FIFA World Cup in Spain and Andorra and will stream all 104 matches.

We cover the news that Disney will stream the 2027 Super Bowl on Disney+ (English and Spanish language broadcasts) in the U.S. and more than 55 international markets, marking the first time a broadcaster has the rights to stream the Super Bowl outside the U.S. We also debate who the market is for Apple's latest 4th-generation Apple TV 4K box, considering it retails for $300, making it out of reach for most consumers. 

Finally, we discuss the challenges of collecting CMCD data, Bending Spoons shares rising 47% after news that Berkshire Hathaway invested an additional $330 million in the company, and what it might take for Paramount+ and HBO Max to combine into one service.
Podcast produced by Security Halt Media

This month, Eric Black and Dan Rayburn discuss how the consumer sports streaming experience could be impacted by Skydance now owning all of the sports content under both WBD and Paramount, consisting of NFL, MLB, NHL, March Madness, the Masters, NASCAR, UFC, UEFA, and several major college sports conferences. They also discuss the technical challenges Paramount faces in merging multiple DTC services into a single consumer offering.

They also discuss Disney's plans to stream the Super Bowl in the U.S. and in more than 55 international markets on Disney+, a first for any broadcaster with rights outside the U.S., and a newly announced deal to bring seven NFL games per week to Disney+ in Sweden via ESPN. Other Disney news includes recent price increases for ESPN Unlimited and ESPN Select, as well as Hulu+ Live TV, which now costs $100 per month.

Finally, they cover DAZN having acquired local rights to 19 teams across MLB, the NBA, NHL, and WNBA, as well as Netflix becoming the new home for WWE programming in Japan and FuboTV now offering 35 local RSN options as part of an add-on package to Fubo Sports subscriptions.
Podcast produced by Security Halt Media

This week, with the Skydance and WBD deal done, we detail some of the business's challenges, including nearly $80 billion in combined debt, uncertainty over who will be impacted by layoffs, and the work required to combine multiple streaming services into one offering.

We also cover the latest price increase for Hulu + Live TV, now $100 per month, and news that the Disney+ and Hulu bundle will also get more expensive. We discuss the new agreement that will bring select Disney-owned movies and television shows to Netflix globally, and Netflix becoming the new home for WWE programming in Japan. 

Finally, we cover Dish's announcement that it is discontinuing Sling TV's Sling Pass, FuboTV's announcement of the launch of RSN add-on packages, why NBC Sports no longer breaks out viewership for Peacock, and Nielsen's announcement that it will once again change viewership methodology next year.
Podcast produced by Security Halt Media

This week, I cover the latest in the Paramount/WBD merger, with rumors that Paramount and 12 state attorneys general could reach a deal in the next few days. In other Paramount news, Comcast and Paramount, which owns SkyShowtime, are reviewing strategic options for the business, including shutting down the service.  

I also question whether content owners will re-encode their video libraries to take advantage of the new iPhone Duo's square-like aspect ratio and resolution similar to QHD tablet screens, which isn't HD or 4K, but rather 2K+. I cover the latest infrastructure news from Oracle, including a new round of layoffs, its Q1 FY2027 earnings, and its $30 billion in additional AI cloud deals it closed in Q1.

I cover the latest NFL news and viewership numbers for games across Netflix and NBC/Peacock, and explain why NFL viewership is no longer comparable year over year, since methodologies and definitions vary so much, with NBC Sports already altering how it measures and reports its NFL viewership for the 2026/2027 season. Finally, I cover what happens when brands use AI to try to make an experience faster, more efficient and easier to scale without understanding what customers actually value, using the news that McDonald's will put a renewed focus on the human side of the experience, with plans to retrain more than 2 million workers on hospitality. 
Podcast produced by Security Halt Media