Explore every episode of the podcast Downstream

We break down the arrival of Mark Thompson as CNN's new boss. Also, there's a mega letters segment! [This episode was recorded September 7. See you in two weeks!]

Does the battle between Disney and Charter augur the end of the cable business model as we know it? Is the entertainment industry going bankrupt slowly, then all at once? It's time for an all-Sports Corner episode of Downstream! (Downstream+ listeners also get to hear about Fox and Comcast's post-linear possibilities, and our predictions about if Netflix will ever consider doing live sports.)

The CNN streaming era re-begins--and we're still trying to figure out how TV news adapts to the streaming era. Also: Netflix makes a franchise bet on Zach Snyder, but is it shooting itself in the foot? And are streaming sports rights worth the high cost?

Disney alters the deal (namely the price of its streaming services)--pray they don't alter it further. But is Disney suffering from franchise fatigue, and is aggressively bunding Hulu with Disney+ the solution? Also: Jason's sad about Apple's failed college football deal. [Downstream+ members also got to hear us discuss Paramount+ changing its programming philosophy, Disney's prodigal princes returning, whether Apple might buy Disney, and Max getting into sports streaming.]

Did Netflix lure the rest of the streaming industry into quicksand? We explore the difference between being an entertainment retailer and wholesaler. Then it's time to talk about the man, the legend, the human topic: Disney's Bob Iger.

In a tale as old as time, we try and fail to understand the Emmy Awards. Also: Breaking down Netflix's new ratings math. (Downstream+ subscribers get an extra 30 minutes about the up and coming world of free ad-supported streaming services and why Prime Video is like CBS.)

CNN rises to the top of the conversation again, Netflix gets the ball back, Paramount sells some crown jewels, Sports Corner travels to Utah, and we answer four listener letters!

The head of CNN is out, but the larger issue is: what's the future of TV news in the age of streaming? (Downstream+ subscribers also heard: YouTube is still top dog, the age of consolidation brings the need for better content discovery, a Bob Iger check-in, and Netflix falls into Sports Corner.)

The Max launch and prioritizing tech stacks; Netflix's ad viewers and the future of ad-free streaming; and in Sports Corner the regional sports network collapse has begun. Also, we announce our own plus--Downstream+!

Julia's back at last, so we blast through discussing HBO Max becoming Max, Hulu going inside the Disney+ app, the WGA's "streaming strike", the NFL's Peacock playoff game, and ESPN plotting its inevitable over-the-top service.

Jason's former co-host from another TV podcast, Tim Goodman, drops by to discuss his decision to be a TV writer at the very end of the Peak TV era, the challenges of TV criticism, and his return to writing about TV on his own terms via Substack.

Sitcoms are one of the most popular genres of television, yet streaming services tend to do better repurposing someone else's catalog rather than creating their own. What's behind this trend, and what will the future hold? Also, College Sports Corner and more letters!

Marvel hits the brakes, Apple embraces theatrical releases, Netflix can make anything a hit, two combat sports combine forces, and Major League Baseball keeps fans confused about when you're allowed to watch a ballgame.

HBO has another hit, Jason Kilar has some advice for Bob Iger about the future of Hulu, and Sports Corner returns to discuss the ongoing saga of regional sports networks bankruptcies and the future of streaming sports.

Jason returns from New Zealand as a better wizard, just in time for Zaz to announce new "Lord of the Rings" films. Has it been done, or can you not keep a good Hobbit down? Also, Netflix explores lower prices in some markets, Sports Corner ponders the Bally Sports bankruptcy, and we answer some of your questions!

Susan Wojcicki steps down as YouTube CEO, what will her legacy be? Ant-Man performs well at the box office, but do reviews indicate 'Marvel Fatigue'? And guest-host Myke Hurley quizzes Julia on why he has to wait for shows to premiere in the UK.

Disney's first financial results of the Iger II era make us consider the future of Hulu and ESPN. Discovery+ pulls a fast one, Showtime can't dodge its fate, Peacock looks surprisingly robust, and everyone's mad about Netflix cracking down on password sharing--but Downstream listeners learned all about it nearly a year ago.

Netflix shows Disney how CEO transitions happen, as Reed Hastings is elevated to chairmanship and Greg Peters becomes co-CEO. Julia has analysis of Netflix's earnings report, we discuss streaming Oscar nominees, there's some Hulu follow-up, and we answer an amazing crop of your letters!

It's a new year, so it's time to consider the lessons of 2022 and make some predictions for streaming trends in 2023. Plus: was "Glass Onion" a success for Netflix? Is your next workout coming from Netflix? And to Julia's delight, Sports Corner is back!

In a very special (and silly) end-of-year episode, Julia and Jason create tier lists for everything with a plus. Happy New Year!

What's the point of HBO Max if it doesn't have all the HBO shows on it? Julia ponders the strange goings on at HBO and WarnerMedia. We also discuss Jason Kilar's predictions for the future of streaming, the BBC, and how studios handle self-dealing.

Bob Chapek is out and Bob Iger is back in! What does this mean for the future of Disney? We don't have the answers, but we have lots of questions! Also discussed: "Strange World" and the future of Disney animation, whether Disney should buy Hulu, and Netflix's strange "Glass Onion"s strategy.

Disney's latest financial results lead us to ponder where we are in the dramatic change from old-school media to the streaming world. We discuss "Hocus Pocus 2" as the ultimate direct-to-streaming movie, and why "Glass Onion" makes sense going to theaters before Netflix. Also, Warner Bros. Discovery claims to have all its franchises in order, but that doesn't seem remotely realistic. (And yeah, this means we have to talk about J.K. Rowling again.)

Peacock pivots, Netflix gets to know itself, "Doctor Who" is on the move, "Andor" teaches some important lessons, and Sports Corner returns!

Is "Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story" the real winner of the battle between "House of the Dragon" and "Lord of the Rings"? Also: Netflix opens itself up to viewership ratings in the UK, Sports Corner covers Apple's negotiations with the NFL, and we discuss the merits of Paramount's content library and Hulu's overall value as a streaming service. Plus plus plus, your letters!

An accidental Sports Corner, understanding Peacock's slow growth, EPIX becomes MGM+, a "House of the Dragon" / "Rings of Power" check-in, Apple's "Luck", Julia and Parrot provide data to creators, and a listener explains Canadian TV quirks.

Julia's under the weather, so Jason asked our editor, Steven, to join him to talk about Amazon's NFL broadcast, Apple TV+ exclusivity of MLB record-breaking games, the insolvency of Bally Sports, and the mystery of NFL Sunday Ticket. Yep, it's Sports Corner with a little bit of bonus Canadian content.

"The Rings of Power" has arrived, but do Amazon's viewing numbers mean anything? Also: Netflix's weird identity crisis, NBC might give up its 10pm time slots, the difficulty of making sitcom hits, and your letters!