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. 5 DAYS AGO

    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
  2. 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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