Paramount Global and WB Discovery in merger talks

[Scribe]

Chesterton's Fence.

Expecting reason, logic, and understanding would seem to be a non-starter these days.

 

[Homicidal_Squirrel]

By the way Pluto TV has completely flipped the script on streaming.

Isn't Pluto TV owned by Paramount?

 

[Mistwell]

Isn't Pluto TV owned by Paramount?

Yes. It's what is keeping them afloat. Paramount Plus is losing money, though it's heading in the right direction at least and is losing less money each year. CBS is the top of the broadcast charts but broadcast overall is shrinking.

 

[Homicidal_Squirrel]

Yes. It's what is keeping them afloat. Paramount Plus is losing money, though it's heading in the right direction at least and is losing less money each year. CBS is the top of the broadcast charts but broadcast overall is shrinking.

How much content overlap is there? Are they just competing with themselves?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

This is the closest thing we have to a Girls5eva thread. Finally watching it on Netflix and I laugh out loud multiple times each episode. A great combination of rapid-fire topical jokes, absolute nonsense and character-driven dramedy.

Stuff like a final shot of a hearthrob musician who faked his own death opening his mouth to show that it's full of fox teeth is so insane and so hilarious -- and impossible to explain without context. I love this Tina Fey-inflected brand of comedy like 30 Rock and Kimmi Schmidt. I hope we see more of it in the future, on a streamer people will actually watch in sufficient numbers.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

Interesting to note Paramount+ still exists. As does WB Discovery.

Beginning to wonder if some proportion of this "streaming services don't make money" stuff is just typical Hollywood accounting, where they always make an on-paper loss on everything, yet mysteriously keep on making money.

 

[FrogReaver]

Interesting to note Paramount+ still exists. As does WB Discovery.

Beginning to wonder if some proportion of this "streaming services don't make money" stuff is just typical Hollywood accounting, where they always make an on-paper loss on everything, yet mysteriously keep on making money.

I think for the short term there’s alot of levers that can be pulled, that will aid in the short term but will likely lead to eventual demise.

You can always produce cheaper shows. You can buy the rights to stream good but cheaper shows. You can license some of your exclusive content to other streaming networks or purchase fewer exclusive rights. Etc. the problem is that most of these decisions make attracting new and retaining customers harder over time.

 

[payn]

Interesting to note Paramount+ still exists. As does WB Discovery.

Beginning to wonder if some proportion of this "streaming services don't make money" stuff is just typical Hollywood accounting, where they always make an on-paper loss on everything, yet mysteriously keep on making money.

Definitely a lot of pivots. Asking, "how can we get ads back into streaming TV" going back to syndication on Netflix, etc..

 

[Zardnaar]

Interesting to note Paramount+ still exists. As does WB Discovery.

Beginning to wonder if some proportion of this "streaming services don't make money" stuff is just typical Hollywood accounting, where they always make an on-paper loss on everything, yet mysteriously keep on making money.

Hollywood accounting is more for screwing over others who signed up for a cut of the profits vs cut of the gross box office).

TBV shows are easier to conceal vs movies.

 

[Stalker0]

Interesting to note Paramount+ still exists. As does WB Discovery.

Beginning to wonder if some proportion of this "streaming services don't make money" stuff is just typical Hollywood accounting, where they always make an on-paper loss on everything, yet mysteriously keep on making money.

Yeah, so after resurrecting this thread from a year and a few months ago, have there been any big shakeups in the streaming business?