MediaTalk

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S&P Global Market Intelligence analysts and reporters take a deep dive into issues facing the evolving media landscape. Tune in for interviews with industry insiders and analysts as well as brief outlooks for the TMT sector. If you are interested in learning more about TMT/SPGMI offerings, please visit https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/campaigns/tmt

  1. GenAI Foundation Model Funding Records and Data Center Power Debates

    4 HR AGO

    GenAI Foundation Model Funding Records and Data Center Power Debates

    Funding for the generative AI sector has shattered records in just two months of 2026, surpassing all of 2025. OpenAI's staggering $120 billion funding round, alongside Anthropic's $30 billion and X.AI's $20 billion, signals unprecedented confidence in AI's transformative potential. But the story extends beyond foundation models. As traditional venture capital firms find themselves priced out of mega-rounds, capital is flowing into the application and infrastructure layers, particularly code generation — currently AI's most proven use case. Meanwhile, the SaaS sector faces an existential reckoning as investors question whether AI-native businesses can deliver superior customer value at lower marginal costs. The infrastructure race intensifies as hyperscalers like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google compete for AI supremacy, driving data center valuations into the stratosphere. Yet power constraints loom large — 2026 may mark the first year a data center project fails purely due to energy shortages. With gas turbine manufacturers booked through 2030, the question isn't just about capital availability, but physical infrastructure capacity. This episode explores what happens when unprecedented capital deployment for AI funding collides with fundamental resource constraints and energy supply reality.  More S&P Global content: GenAI VC Funding: A 2026 Outlook Datacenter Dealmaking: Can the Record-Breaking Momentum Continue in 2026? Featured experts: Iuri Struta, senior reporter at S&P Global Market Intelligence  Credits: Host/Author: Mike Reynolds Producer/Editor: Sarah James www.spglobal.com www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

    21 min
  2. How Brands Are Balancing Human Authenticity and AI Efficiencies

    26 FEB

    How Brands Are Balancing Human Authenticity and AI Efficiencies

    "MediaTalk" host Mike Reynolds sits down with Mike Donoghue, CEO and co-founder of Subtext, to discuss how AI is reshaping brand-consumer relationships in today's cluttered digital landscape. Subtext, a short message service marketing platform, recorded remarkable growth last year, notching a more than 100% revenue increase in 2025. Donoghue emphasized that while AI is inevitable, its proper application is critical. Rather than replacing human voices, Subtext uses AI to analyze consumer responses and generate actionable insights. "People want to talk through machines, not to machines," he explained, highlighting that brands foregoing genuine human connection risk losing relevance in an increasingly automated world. As email marketing faces AI-driven disruption similar to what search experienced, more publishers are turning to SMS to maintain direct audience relationships without big tech gatekeepers. This episode explores what the balance between AI efficiency and human connection will look like in 2026 and 2027, and how brands are preparing for the AI-driven transformation of traditional communication channels. Are direct, unfiltered connections an essential strategy to stand out in an increasingly automated world? More S&P Global content: Technology, Media, & Telecoms GenAI VC Funding: A 2026 Outlook Featured experts: Mike Donoghue, CEO and co-founder of Subtext Credits: Host/Author: Mike Reynolds Producer/Editor: Sarah James www.spglobal.com www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

    18 min
  3. Wired vs. Wireless: The Convergence Trends Reshaping Telecom in 2026

    19 FEB

    Wired vs. Wireless: The Convergence Trends Reshaping Telecom in 2026

    "MediaTalk" host Mike Reynolds is joined by three analysts from S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan to discuss the evolving landscape of mobile and broadband markets across the US and Europe in 2026. The discussion highlighted how connectivity has become the central focus for telecommunications providers, with streaming service aggregation emerging as the new strategic approach for traditional operators seeking to maintain relevance in an increasingly competitive marketplace. The conversation revealed contrasting trends in pay TV markets, with the US showing some resilience in 2025 after years of decline, particularly through virtual providers like YouTube TV. European markets have experienced less dramatic subscriber losses due to stronger bundling strategies and robust free-to-air options that continue to satisfy consumer demand. These regional differences underscore how market structures and consumer preferences continue to shape telecommunications business models differently across geographies. The analysts emphasized how the convergence of fixed and mobile services is fundamentally reshaping competition in the telecommunications sector. T-Mobile's strategic expansion into fiber, cable companies' growing mobile service offerings, and the acceleration of fixed wireless access are creating new competitive dynamics that blur traditional industry boundaries. Meanwhile, the media landscape continues to transform as telecommunications companies increasingly divest content assets that are being consolidated by dedicated media companies. These shifts suggest a fundamental restructuring of how telecommunications services will be packaged, marketed and delivered to consumers in the coming years. More S&P Global content: Technology, Media, & Telecoms Fixed wireless subscribers by state  Featured experts: Lynnette Luna, senior research analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan. John Fletcher, principal research analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan. Mohammed Hamza, principal research analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan. Credits: Host/Author: Mike Reynolds Producer/Editor: Sarah James www.spglobal.com www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

    27 min
  4. 2026 Box Office Outlook: Streaming-Theatrical Battle Just Heating Up

    12 FEB

    2026 Box Office Outlook: Streaming-Theatrical Battle Just Heating Up

    For better or worse, the domestic box office is changing. While the pre-pandemic film calendar was dominated by super hero movies, the current box office calendar has more room for director auteurs and A-list actors to make their marks. This episode explores how expectations around theatrical windows are changing — as "Zootopia 2" enjoys an especially long and lucrative run in theaters. Meanwhile, Netflix is trying to buy Warner Bros. while simultaneously flip-flopping on a 7 vs. 17 vs. 45-day window for films in theaters.  This "MediaTalk" episode makes the case for the unique role that theaters play for audiences and filmmakers. What will 2026 bring? How are studios adapting their release and marketing strategies in a streaming-first world?  More S&P Global content: MediaTalk | Season 2 EP 14 - The Summer Box Office Begins - https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/podcasts/mediatalk-s2-ep-14 Featured experts: Wade Holden, senior research analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan Mac Mathews, associate director of editorial, design and publishing at S&P Global Credits: Host/Author: Mike Reynolds Producer/Editor: Sarah James

    24 min
  5. Will Super Bowl 60 Set New Viewership Records or Fall Short?

    5 FEB

    Will Super Bowl 60 Set New Viewership Records or Fall Short?

    Super Bowl 60 is not just the biggest NFL game of the year — it is arguably the single biggest media and advertising event on the sports calendar. "MediaTalk" host Mike Reynolds is joined by a panel of S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan analysts to unpack how NBC's presentation of the big game across NBC, Telemundo and Peacock turns the matchup into a cross-platform showcase designed to maximize reach and ad yield. The episode examines the NFL's strong regular-season audience and how recent Nielsen measurement changes — especially "Big Data + Panel" and expanded out-of-home tracking — matter when interpreting year-over-year growth. The discussion also touches on streaming's continued momentum and how premium live sports can scale outside traditional TV, even as linear remains the dominant mass-reach environment. On the ad side, the headline is pricing: the most expensive 30-second spots reportedly fetched $10 million this year, with the average around $8 million. Advertisers remain willing to pay up for the cultural impact and attention that is hard to replicate elsewhere. The group also flags the expected surge of AI-themed Super Bowl advertisers and debates whether this year can match last season's 127.7 million record audience. More S&P Global content: The Business of Sports  Moneyball: The impact of sports media rights on the US video market Featured experts: Justin Nielson, head of Kagan Research at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Scott Robson, principal analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan. Michael Johnson, research analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan. Credits: Host/Author: Mike Reynolds Producer/Editor: Sarah James www.spglobal.com www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

    23 min
  6. Mapping NBC's Production and Profit Plans for the Winter Games

    29 JAN

    Mapping NBC's Production and Profit Plans for the Winter Games

    With the Winter Olympics quickly approaching, expectations are high — both in terms of the potential US medal count and the viewership and revenue opportunities for US rightsholder NBCUniversal.  "MediaTalk" host Mike Reynolds is joined by Gary Zenkel, president of NBC Olympics to discuss his outlook for this year's Winter Games. NBC anticipates strong audience interest, robust advertiser participation, and a Peacock experience that converts Olympic demand into sustained streaming usage. The network says Olympic ad inventory was sold out about a month before opening day, reinforcing the Games' status as a scarce, brand-safe property and extending the momentum NBC saw in Paris. Operationally, Zenkel describes a large-scale, efficiency-driven production model that blends on-site coverage in Italy with expanded remote production from Stamford, Connecticut. The approach reflects pandemic-era acceleration of technology-enabled workflows, designed to control costs while still delivering comprehensive coverage across platforms. Peacock is positioned as the centerpiece of the consumer experience and the growth engine for streaming engagement. NBCUniversal plans to offer the broadest access through Peacock — live events, replays, sport deep dives, and curated viewing options — while using NBC's prime-time show as a story-forward package that drives mass reach and daily buzz. Zenkel notes that total distribution across streaming and linear will exceed 3,000 hours, underscoring Peacock's role in delivering breadth and personalization. More S&P Global content: How Sports Media Rights Are Changing the Game for Fans and Networks Featured experts: Gary Zenkel, President, NBC Olympics Credits: Host/Author: Mike Reynolds Producer/Editor: Sarah James www.spglobal.com www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

    16 min
  7. Global Streaming Preview 2026: Bundles, Ads, and Local Partnerships

    22 JAN

    Global Streaming Preview 2026: Bundles, Ads, and Local Partnerships

    "MediaTalk" host Mike Reynolds is joined by S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan analysts Seth Shafer and Michail Chandakas to explore the streaming landscape in the US and Europe as we look ahead to 2026. The conversation explores how leading platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, and Paramount+ are evolving amid market saturation, M&A activity and shifting consumer habits. Seth Shafer highlights the maturation of the US streaming market, where growth is slowing and consolidation is becoming a strategic necessity. He points to the increasing role of bundled offerings and the challenge of sustaining subscriber growth as households juggle multiple services. Michail Chandakas provides a European perspective, noting Netflix's dominant market share and the launch of HBO Max in new territories. He observes that partnerships between US streamers and local broadcasters are becoming more aggressive, helping both sides reach broader audiences and meet local content quotas. Sports streaming is another hot topic, with both analysts agreeing that live sports rights are crucial for driving engagement — but also create fragmentation as fans chase content across platforms. The rise of ad-supported streaming is a key driver of growth, particularly in Europe, though monetization remains a challenge. More S&P Global content: Implications of the Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery deal for the APAC region Featured experts: Seth Shafer, principal analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan. Michail Chandakas, analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan.  Credits: Host/Author: Mike Reynolds Producer/Editor: Sarah James www.spglobal.com www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

    23 min
  8. The New AI, Robots, TVs and Regulation Changing Consumer Tech

    15 JAN

    The New AI, Robots, TVs and Regulation Changing Consumer Tech

    "MediaTalk" listeners get an insider's view of the CES 2026 through the eyes of S&P Global Market Intelligence's Neil Barbour and Stefan Modrich. The pair provide an in-depth look at the latest advancements in robotics and AI showcased at the annual consumer tech trade show. The discussion highlights the capabilities and limitations of the newest robots, which can perform tasks like serving coffee, playing ping pong, and even taking Polaroid snapshots. Despite these advancements, the episode questions whether robots are ready to enter our homes, noting they remain slow, clunky, and prone to errors, making them more suited for industrial settings for now. On the policy front, the episode explores the evolving landscape surrounding AI, touching on federal and state-level debates over regulation. What are the implications of the AI executive order and the federal preemption of state laws? How will policies impact tech giants like Nvidia, especially regarding international trade and semiconductor supply chains? This episode offers a critical look at how policy and technology intersect, shaping the future of AI and robotics in 2026 and beyond. More S&P Global content: Data & Dimensions | Ep. 1 -The Future of XR Hardware at Work and Play Featured experts: Neil Barbour, S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan analyst Stefan Modrich, tech policy reporter for S&P Global Market Intelligence  Credits: Host/Author: Mike Reynolds Producer/Editor: Sarah James www.spglobal.com www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence

    18 min
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About

S&P Global Market Intelligence analysts and reporters take a deep dive into issues facing the evolving media landscape. Tune in for interviews with industry insiders and analysts as well as brief outlooks for the TMT sector. If you are interested in learning more about TMT/SPGMI offerings, please visit https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/campaigns/tmt

Information

  • Channel
    S&P Global
  • Creator
    S&P Global Market Intelligence
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2020
  • Show Website
    MediaTalk

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