Meaningless Metrics📈

Presented by 43Twenty

Samsung debuts three new ad offerings and boosts TV Plus Experience

Samsung Ads is aggressively leaning into its new suite of experiences across native connected TV and smart TV inventory this upfront, as the advertising arm of Samsung Electronics now reaches consumers across 45 million households. The company first announced three new ad experiences last week, and spent its NewFronts presentation this week urging advertisers to increase their spending in the connected TV space. Link

The average consumer nearing 6 different video sources in the home

New data from Hub Research finds that the typical consumer accesses 5.7 different sources of TV content, including traditional pay-TV service, all available streaming services, and over-the-air reception through an antenna. That number jumped by nearly one full service since 2020 and is almost twice as high as it was in 2019. Link

Crackle to complete its biggest UI overhaul since 2015

At its virtual NewFronts presentation, Crackle Plus will relaunch in the second half of this year with a new UI, an effort to make finding content easier and to provide viewers improved search recommendations. The redesign includes a linear guide, a better search and recommendations algorithm, and a more informative content description page. There will also be a content calendar to show users what’s coming up. Link

Amazon’s exclusive rights to 'Thursday Night Football' to begin a year early

Beginning in 2022, Amazon will have rights to the NFL’s “Thursday Night Football.” Previously, the company was set to gain access in 2023. Fox’s rights to broadcast Thursday night games will come to an end with the 2021-2022 season. For the past few years, the games have been available to watch on Fox, Amazon, and NFL Network. Amazon will show the Thursday night games through the 2032 season with this new agreement. Link

YouTube could soon equal Netflix in revenue

Google's YouTube is already the world's largest online video platform. If continues growing the way it has the last several quarters, it could also match Netflix in revenues by year's end. Link

The EU is cracking down on Apple’s App Store. Is Congress next?

On Friday, the European Commission announced its preliminary conclusion that Apple has violated European antitrust laws by imposing onerous rules and high prices on app developers seeking to get their apps in front of the vast market of iOS device users. The EU is often the first mover when it comes to regulating Big Tech. Now all eyes will turn to the U.S. and Senator Amy Klobuchar’s antitrust subcommittee. Link

Cinedigm announces the World's first NFT film label

The company launched “Fandor Selects”, a new NFT-based film label dedicated to releasing limited editions of significant classic, contemporary, and world cinema. The Company is utilizing the recent acquisition of Fandor®, the leading global independent film subscription streaming service, which the Wall Street Journal called "The Netflix for Indie Film," to anchor the initiative. Link

Prime Video was streamed by 175m Prime members in the past year

In Amazon’s Q1 Shareholder Letter, Jeff Bezos said that “as Prime Video turns 10, over 175 million Prime members have streamed shows and movies in the past year, and streaming hours are up more than 70% year over year.” In April, Amazon announced that they had surpassed 200 million Prime Members, meaning that over 85% of Prime Members are using Prime Video. Link

Tubi branching into originals

More than 140 hours of new original programming will arrive on Tubi later this year, covering the genre gamut: thrillers, horror, sci-fi, romance, westerns, and Black cinema. Link

Peacock Hits 42 million signups in the first quarter

Sign-ups? Really? I don’t know so many streaming services are reporting on BS metrics like sign-ups, monthly active users, total activations, and users with the first name Matt. But Comcast did say that Peacock crossed 1 billion total viewing hours watched, which is an actual metric that’s worth something. So congrats on doubling your initial expectations guys. Link | Link

WarnerMedia plans to charge $9.99 per month for ad-supported HBO Max

WarnerMedia plans to charge $9.99 per month for its advertising-supported HBO Max service, set to launch in June. The ad-free version of HBO Max, which debuted nearly a year ago, costs $14.99 per month. Link

Discovery Counts 15 million total streaming subscribers

Since the end of 2020, Discovery+ has added about 10 million new paying streaming subscribers across its portfolio. In total, Discovery had 13 million total paying direct-to-consumer subscribers globally at the end of the first quarter. Growth is continuing at a rapid pace: As of last Wednesday, the company had a combined 15 million subscribers, driven primarily by Discovery+ subscriber growth. Link

INSIGHTS

WarnerMedia DTC chief Andy Forssell on finding streaming mojo, Warner Bros day-and-date takeaways, AVOD plan & more. Link

What Roku and Google are fighting about: Video codecs, voice search and millions of eyeballs. Link

Streaming Wars casualties: Cable TV channels are on the chopping block. Link

How DAZN and the World Surf League are making the most of original storytelling. Link

Inside Amazon’s Battle Plan for the Streaming Wars. Link

Can niche streaming services co-exist with the giants of OTT? Link

Inside Netflix’s “Play Something” feature. Link

Shudder Knows What You’ll Stream This Summer. Link

Which streaming services added the most content so far in 2021? Link

Lionsgate tried to buy ViacomCBS' Showtime but was rejected, sources say. Link

Almost 6 in 10 watch ad-supported streaming services. Link

U.S. consumers will spend more on streaming than pay-TV by 2024. Link

How Netflix Fumbled India. Link

Who does the YouTube TV standoff hurt most: Google or Roku? Link

A MESSAGE FROM 43TWENTY

We help (DTC) streaming services and (B2B) solutions providers accelerate business outcomes. 43Twenty is an OTT growth consultancy and digital marketing agency. We help media, entertainment, and technology companies unlock customer growth and revenue.

Discover more here or send us email to schedule a meeting.

VENDORS

UK-based Mirriad is using artificial intelligence to insert new products and ads into content, including old movies — and the tech could come to streaming platforms. Link FuboTV taps LiveRamp for an addressable advertising boost. Link Zype wins third Stevie Award for customer service and support. Link Magnite & SpotX are now one company. Link SpotX integrates TVSquared for ad measurement, attribution. Link Developer-focused video platform Mux achieves unicorn status with $105M funding. Link Verizon Media and Vizio deal aims to offer next-level CTV ad targeting. Link Accedo announces support for AWS for media & entertainment initiative. Link Disney+ global expansion built on AWS infrastructure. Link ViacomCBS renews TV measurement deal with Comscore. Link Motorvision launches global motorsports streaming app in partnership with OTT service OTTera. Link

Have a story or announcement that you’d like us to share? Email us at TheStreamingWars@43twenty.tv.

JOIN THE RANKS

Here's a list of some available opportunities within the media and entertainment space. If you have any job listings that you'd like us to share, contact TheStreamingWars@43twenty.tv.

Sr. Data Engineer, AdSmart NBCUniversal Media New York City Director, Digital Programming MotorTrend Group Remote Senior Analyst, Media Planning ViacomCBS New York City Senior Product Manager, Roku ViacomCBS New York City Senior Manager, Creative Production Strategy, Planning & Analysis - Product Creative Netflix Los Angeles, CA

Senior Manager of Product Innovation - Creative Algorithms

Netflix

Los Gatos, CA

Director of Product Management, SVOD - Funimation

Sony Pictures Entertainment

Culver City, CA

Sr. Product Manager - HBO Max

WarnerMedia

New York City

Director of Program Management

fuboTV

New York City

Senior Project Manager, Marketing Technology, Peacock

Peacock TV

New York City

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Ebook: Optimizing the OTT Customer Journey: Keys to maintaining Direct-to-Consumer Video Growth

We dropped an ebook called "Optimizing the OTT Customer Journey." It explains how streaming video services can increase awareness, inbound traffic, conversions, CLV, and more.

What you can expect to learn includes:

1. Why media companies need to start thinking like software companies

2. Why engagement and retention should be your biggest priorities

3. Nine engagement & #retention KPIs you should be tracking regardless if you're an ad-supported or subscription-based service.

4. How the OTT marketing funnel works

Deck: How to keep your subscribers from hurling their remote at the TV

We recently presented a workshop titled "How to keep your subscribers from hurling their remote at the TV". To attract, grow, and retain subscribers on platforms you own, scaling empathy across each touchpoint, including marketing campaigns, not only keeps consumers from launching the remote, but it is also the key to surviving the streaming wars.

Come grab a copy of the deck we presented, which delves into:

1. Why OTT brands must focus on product experiences vs. relying on distribution or become faced-with both revenue leakage and data loss

2. Why MAU is a vanity metric & how to grow subscribers/viewers with customer-centric KPIs

3. Specific examples citing who is doing it right, and which brands have ample room for improvement

To explore partnership opportunities with The Streaming Wars newsletter, contact TheStreamingWars@43twenty.tv