The Dan Rayburn Podcast

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

This week, I cover the messy RSN business, which is only getting worse for NHL fans as six NHL teams will stream on Prime Video for in-market fans, but not all will be free. I also cover Netflix's price increase in the UK, its tenth since the service launched in 2014. I also talk about how, after price increases from Apple, Roku, and Amazon on streaming devices, the Google TV Streamer has risen from $99.99 to $149.99. 

On the content side, I detail new deals, with DAZN securing the rights to broadcast Spain’s top-tier football tournament, LaLiga EA Sports, across Sub-Saharan Africa for the next three seasons, and Warner Bros. Discovery launching HBO Max in Japan through deals for distribution on Nippon TV-owned Hulu Japan and Amazon Prime Video in Japan. 

Also, NBCU Telemundo secured the exclusive U.S. Spanish-language rights to the Serie A Championship, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana, locking down the football market. In addition, Sony launched more than 100 live FAST TV channels on the PS5 in the U.S., but none of the content is exclusive, and Disney has added to its content deal with Groupe M6, bringing "several hundred" episodes of four shows from the French broadcaster to the service. 

Finally, I cover Jio Platforms, Reliance Industries' digital platform, having received approval from market regulator SEBI to float India’s largest-ever IPO, aiming to raise about $4 billion. 
Podcast produced by Security Halt Media