The Media Odyssey

Evan Shapiro & Marion Ranchet
The Media Odyssey

Each week, two of media’s most influential thinkers, Evan Shapiro & Marion Ranchet, take on the hottest media topics with their hottest takes, helping their audience chart a course through the maelstrom that is today’s Media Odyssey. Based in the US, Evan Shapiro is the Media Industry’s official Cartographer, known for his well-researched and provocative analysis of the entertainment ecosystem in his must read treatises on Media’s latest trends and trajectories. Marion Ranchet, French expat based in Amsterdam, has become the industry’s go-to expert in all things streaming, building a following for turning even the most complex problems into easily digestible and actionable insights. Ranchet and Shapiro are known for their sharp-yet-accessible content on Media consumption, audience trends, and the shifting fundamentals of the business itself. Even during the toughest of topics, they each make talking about Media fun. Together every week, these two will offer entertaining, often humorous, and always educational content on today’s Media Odyssey.

Episodes

  1. SPORTING LIFE

    FEB 13

    SPORTING LIFE

    FLY, EAGLES FLY!After an electric Super Bowl victory, Marion and Evan return to their mics to explore how streamers like Netflix and Amazon are shifting to mass-market content in a bid to capture advertising dollars—raising the question of, "Are streamers becoming the new traditional broadcasters?" With insights into the challenges of live sports streaming and the evolving strategies of media giants, this episode is all about the way we watch our teams. TMO listeners receive a 100£ discount when they register for MIP London using the promo code:  MLONDAUOVIS-CClick HERE to get your ticket to the show TODAY! « According to the declarative study, 37% of those who watched Ligue 1 this season did so illegally, via pirate streams broadcast via IPTV, encrypted messaging services such as Telegram, social networks, websites... Even more strikingly, 27% of those who illegally watch the French Football Championship have started doing so since this season. » Since we recorded, DAZN shared their latest results and posted a 830M operating loss. Len Blavatnik injected another 827M$ into DAZN. Profitability feels like a distant future WATCH THE VIDEO POD ON OUR YOUTUBE - https://youtu.be/gcKfiFjy6ok 00:00 Cold Open and Introduction00:43 Super Bowl Victory and Episode Overview01:08 Shoutout to Los Angeles and World Central Kitchen01:52 Basketball Talk and Personal Stories02:52 Impact of Sports Rights on Streaming04:57 Netflix and the Changing Content Landscape11:34 Streamers Shifting to Traditional TV Models14:09 Sports Bundles and Market Fragmentation19:01 Fragmentation in Media and Sports Broadcasting20:14 The Impact of Streaming on Traditional Broadcasting22:07 Technical Challenges in Streaming Major Events26:08 The Rise of Women's Sports32:05 The Financial Viability of Sports Streaming Services36:05 Piracy and Pricing Issues in Sports Broadcasting36:53 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook Interested in sponsorship? https://forms.gle/2LCWfX2HBNT8mtpx8 Connect with us on Linkedin:Evan Shapiro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshap-media-cartographer/Marion Ranchet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionranchet/ Newsletters:Marion Ranchet - https://marionranchet.substack.com/Evan Shapiro - https://eshap.substack.com/

    41 min
  2. OVERCOMING FEAR OF FINDING OUT WITH CHANNEL 4

    FEB 6

    OVERCOMING FEAR OF FINDING OUT WITH CHANNEL 4

    BROADCASTERS x YOUTUBE In this special episode of The Media Odyssey, Evan and Marion welcome their first-ever guest, Matt Risley, Managing Director of 4Studio at Channel 4. Channel 4 has made a bold shift in its approach to YouTube—transforming it from a marketing tool to a primary broadcast and monetization platform. Matt shares - in an exclusive for The Media Odyssey - insights and data on how the network tested, adapted, and expanded its YouTube presence, the challenges faced, and the data-driven results that followed. YouTube strategy for traditional media, with a particular focus on public service media and broadcasters. Check out Channel 4's creator-led Youtube channel HERE! TMO listeners receive a 100£ discount when they register for MIP London using the promo code:  MLONDAUOVIS-CClick HERE to get your ticket to the show TODAY! WATCH THE VIDEO POD ON OUR YOUTUBE - https://youtu.be/78okh1F5-A0 Channel 4’s social audiences thrive, driven by YouTube and Channel 4.0   Channel 4 led British broadcasters’ embrace of social in 2024, as YouTube audiences for full episodes of hit shows such as First Dates, Murder Case: Digital Detectives and Grand Designs swelled by more than two-and-a-half times (+169% year on year).   Newly released data for 2024 highlights Channel 4’s social leadership: its main YouTube channel saw higher average views per video than equivalent channels from the BBC, ITV and Channel 5, as well as more views than ITV, Sky and Channel 5. Channel 4 News also drove higher average views per video on YouTube than ITV News and Sky News*.   The success helped Channel 4 amass more than 2.3 billion views across its social output in 2024, up 5.5% year on year, driving it towards the aim in its Fast Forward strategy of growing social views.   The data also reveals the success of Channel 4’s strategy to reach young viewers via YouTube, with views of full episodes up 169% year-on-year, surpassing 110 million organic views in the UK. Hit shows included Gogglebox and First Dates, drawing in 4.3 and 2.9 million views respectively, while its Channel 4 Documentaries channel drove interest from viewers with series such as Murder Case: Digital Detectives (4.2 million views), 60 Days On The Estates(2.7 million views) and To Catch A Copper (2.5 million views). Digital-first youth brand Channel 4.0 serves original digital content across YouTube and social platforms. It enjoyed a stellar year in 2024, with a doubling (+99% year on year) in growth across all social platforms - driven by series including Harry Pinero’s Worst In Class (8.4 million UK views), Minor Issues (7.9 million UK views) and Tapped Out (3.1 million UK views). Among all Channel 4 social platforms, TikTok - across the seven niche, genre-specific channels it now operates - posted the biggest annual audience growth with an 81% rise from 2023. Married At First Sight UK was one of big successes with multiple videos driving millions of views, including the series teaser earning 14.5 million UK views. This clip from 24 Hours in A&E drove 5.5 million UK views while 24 Hours in Police Custody pulled in 3.6 million UK views. Matt Risley, Managing Director, 4Studio, said: “Today’s news highlights Channel 4’s leadership on social, as we lead the way in extending the reach of public service media to digital natives, while delivering against our Fast Forward targets. The data also highlights the unique appeal of Channel 4’s social expertise to brands: driven by world-class content from our Commissioning team, unrivalled social expertise from 4Studio, Channel 4 Sales’ ability to match brands’ storylines to a social audience, plus the capability of our distribution team to curate innovative platform partnerships.”   Sacha Khari, Channel 4’s Head of Digital Commissioning, said: “In just two years, we’ve built a huge global fan base for British-made original content across YouTube and social platforms, delivering quality entertainment and factual programming wherever our viewers choose to watch. Growing this digital network has created incredible opportunities for my team to collaborate with UK producers, creators and brands - bringing Channel 4 values and award-winning content to young audiences. I’m excited to share more in the coming months about how we’re building on this success.”  Interested in sponsorship? https://forms.gle/2LCWfX2HBNT8mtpx8 Connect with us on Linkedin:Evan Shapiro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshap-media-cartographer/Marion Ranchet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionranchet/ Newsletters:Marion Ranchet - https://marionranchet.substack.com/Evan Shapiro - https://eshap.substack.com/ (00:00) - Introduction and Overview (00:33) - Welcoming the First Guest (00:48) - YouTube Strategy for Traditional Media (02:50) - Channel 4's YouTube Transformation (06:18) - Experimentation and Data-Driven Decisions (06:50) - Monetization and Sales Strategy (11:06) - Audience Engagement and Content Strategy (28:29) - Future Plans and Upcoming Reports (29:12) - Conclusion and Upcoming Events

    35 min
  3. WHY NETFLIX WILL STOP REPORTING SUBS

    JAN 30

    WHY NETFLIX WILL STOP REPORTING SUBS

    TMO listeners receive a 100£ discount when they register for MIP London using the promo code:  MLONDAUOVIS-CClick HERE to get your ticket to the show TODAY! In this episode of The Media Odyssey, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet tackle the latest in media and tech. They dive into the TikTok controversy and future ownership possibilities. The duo also unpacks Netflix’s Q4 earnings, discussing subscriber growth, the rise of creator-led content, and the company’s evolving ad business. Could Netflix acquire TikTok? Finally, Evan and Marion will be recording their first live podcast recording at the inaugural MIP London! WATCH THE VIDEO POD ON OUR YOUTUBE - https://youtu.be/ab6mmqBmcAw Interested in sponsorship? https://forms.gle/2LCWfX2HBNT8mtpx8 Connect with us on Linkedin:Evan Shapiro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshap-media-cartographer/Marion Ranchet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionranchet/ Newsletters:Marion Ranchet - https://marionranchet.substack.com/Evan Shapiro - https://eshap.substack.com/ (00:00) - Introduction and Hosts (00:59) - TikTok Controversy (04:19) - Social Media Rants (08:10) - Potential Buyers of TikTok (12:23) - Netflix Earnings Report (18:55) - Advertising Market Insights (19:54) - Netflix's Transparency Issues (21:34) - Impact of Live Sports on Netflix (24:09) - Netflix's Audience and Acquisition Strategies (26:30) - WWE and Netflix's Retention Strategy (30:18) - Future Prospects and Challenges for Netflix (32:38) - Upcoming Live Podcast Announcement

    38 min
  4. MERGING AHEAD

    JAN 23

    MERGING AHEAD

    Place your bets! FUBO-HULU ante up in the battle of streaming. Will ROKU cash out and sell? Will Apple ROLL THE DICE and hit the table? Who's ALL IN and who's BLUFFING?  Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet delve into the steaming pot of mergers and acquisitions in media. They'll explore the motivations, consequences, and implications of the latest deals shaping the industry. Today, the stakes have never been higher. Marion's Substack, Streaming Made Easy goes PREMIUM! Each week, Streaming Made Easy aims to equip you with insights and analysis that deepened your understanding of the European Streaming Video Landscape always with an eye on what was happening internationally. As listeners of this podcast, you can get Streaming Made Easy Premium for a year at 149.99€ (instead of 179.99€) here:  https://marionranchet.substack.com/themediaodyssey WATCH THE VIDEO POD ON OUR YOUTUBE - https://youtu.be/tEy7AQirDCQ Interested in sponsorship? https://forms.gle/2LCWfX2HBNT8mtpx8 Connect with us on Linkedin:Evan Shapiro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshap-media-cartographer/Marion Ranchet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionranchet/ Newsletters:Marion Ranchet - https://marionranchet.substack.com/Evan Shapiro - https://eshap.substack.com/ (00:00) - Introduction and Compliments (00:43) - Discussing the Fubo-Hulu Merger (02:45) - Disney's Strategic Moves (05:43) - International Implications of the Merger (08:12) - Vivendi and Canal Plus Spin-Off (10:39) - Challenges in Mergers and Acquisitions (14:07) - Advertising Agency Mergers (19:02) - Apple's Potential Acquisitions (19:16) - Roku's Market Position and Future (20:00) - Impact of Mergers and Acquisitions on Jobs (22:15) - Apple's Content Strategy and Warner Bros. Discovery (24:48) - Gaming Industry Mergers (26:57) - European Broadcasting and Telco Mergers (30:07) - Public Service Broadcasters in the UK (37:09) - Conclusion and Announcements

    41 min
  5. PREDICTING 2025 MEDIA (PART 1)

    JAN 9

    PREDICTING 2025 MEDIA (PART 1)

    Is YOUTUBE the new GOLD STANDARD of Entertainment? The Hard Bundle Strikes Back?  Is JAKE PAUL the new BRAD PITT?  This two-part discussion kicks off with hosts Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet's first 5 predictions of 2025, covering major trends and shifts in the ever-evolving and choppy seas of the media industry. From YouTube's growing dominance on television screens to Netflix's evolving strategies, to the rise of hard bundles in streaming, and to the future of collaboration between broadcasters and tech giants - Evan and Marion explore the innovations, partnerships, and consumer behaviors of the future. With insights from both European and North American perspectives, this episode offers a comprehensive look at what’s next in the chaotic world of media. Tune in next week for the continuation with five more predictions! Canal+ / StudioCanal data referenced in the episode... "Significant Share of Recurring Revenue - 85% of Retail Subscriber Base On A 1 or 2 Year Commitment In France & Poland | -50% Less Churn Compared To Overall Subscriber Base In France | STEADY Revenues During Covid-19 Pandemic and Hollywood Strike | 9,400 Titles In StudioCanal Library Providing A Recurring Source of Licensing Revenues" "85% of Canal+ Subscribers Base With A Commitment Contract" "46% Of Subscribers Loyal To Canal+ For Over 10 Years""25% Of Subscribers Loyal To Canal+ For Over 20 Years" WATCH THE VIDEO POD ON OUR YOUTUBE - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx1oIQG3HgQ&t=10s Interested in sponsorship? https://forms.gle/2LCWfX2HBNT8mtpx8 Connect with us on Linkedin: Evan Shapiro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshap-media-cartographer/Marion Ranchet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionranchet/ Newsletters: Marion Ranchet - https://marionranchet.substack.com/Evan Shapiro - https://eshap.substack.com/ (00:00) - Introduction and Welcome (00:49) - Predictions for YouTube in 2025 (06:04) - Netflix's Future and Innovations (09:51) - Major Reconfigurations in Entertainment (13:24) - The Rise of Hard Bundles in Streaming (19:00) - Free Streaming on Pay TV (23:26) - Collaborations and Co-Productions (28:20) - Conclusion and Next Week's Teaser

    29 min
  6. WRAPPING 2024 MEDIA

    JAN 2

    WRAPPING 2024 MEDIA

    In the inaugural episode of The Media Odyssey, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet delve into the evolving dynamics of the global media landscape. With Evan representing the U.S. perspective and Marion providing insights from Europe, this podcast explores the intersections and contrasts of media trends on both sides of the Atlantic. In this episode, Evan and Marion review and rate their media predictions for 2024. Marion elaborates on her forecast regarding European broadcasters' increasing adoption of AVOD (Ad-supported Video on Demand) and FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming Television) hubs, such as “M6’s collaboration with Pluto TV, JOIN’s extensive AVOD catalog in Germany, and ITVX’s expansion in the UK.” Evan adds U.S. parallels, discussing Sling and DirecTV’s moves in FAST, and the broader implications of these shifts for content distribution strategies. A major theme in the discussion is the convergence of media models, with AVOD, FAST, and subscription-based services blending to meet changing consumer expectations. Yet, there are challenges and opportunities presented by these transformations, including the influence of platforms like YouTube as a dominant service. An ongoing trend is the convergence of media and tech. Evan argues that Oracle's financial influence on Paramount signifies the beginning of a broader trend, with potential for more tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft to make significant acquisitions in the media space. The conversation expands to consider Netflix’s potential ventures into gaming or music, showcasing the strategic evolution of major players in the entertainment industry. Reflecting on surprises from 2024, Evan highlights Spotify’s unexpected profitability and operational resilience, plus the ongoing battle over sports rights, while Marion celebrates France’s thriving media market, citing examples like TF1 Plus, M6’s streaming relaunch, and the innovative coverage of the Paris Olympics. These reflections, AND MANY MORE included in the episode, underscore the diverse developments shaping global media. The episode concludes with a teaser for the next installment, where the hosts will make bold predictions for 2025.

    31 min
5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Each week, two of media’s most influential thinkers, Evan Shapiro & Marion Ranchet, take on the hottest media topics with their hottest takes, helping their audience chart a course through the maelstrom that is today’s Media Odyssey. Based in the US, Evan Shapiro is the Media Industry’s official Cartographer, known for his well-researched and provocative analysis of the entertainment ecosystem in his must read treatises on Media’s latest trends and trajectories. Marion Ranchet, French expat based in Amsterdam, has become the industry’s go-to expert in all things streaming, building a following for turning even the most complex problems into easily digestible and actionable insights. Ranchet and Shapiro are known for their sharp-yet-accessible content on Media consumption, audience trends, and the shifting fundamentals of the business itself. Even during the toughest of topics, they each make talking about Media fun. Together every week, these two will offer entertaining, often humorous, and always educational content on today’s Media Odyssey.

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