Next TMT Talks: The Intersection of Technology, Media and Telecom

Next TMT: Insights into Media, Telecom, Tech, Streaming Wars & FAST Channels

Next TMT is the leading voice at the intersection of technology, media, and telecom, delivering sharp insights, executive interviews, and trend analysis on the forces reshaping the global media landscape. From streaming wars and FAST channels to AI in broadcasting, advertising innovation, broadband infrastructure, sports media, and telecom transformation, Next TMT keeps industry leaders ahead of the curve. Co-founded by media veterans Daniel Frankel and David Bloom, Next TMT combines decades of expertise with an eye on the future of content, distribution

  1. FEB 11

    YouTube TV readies a $65 sports bundle, Netflix gets targeted by the Project 2025 guys, and Oracle gets over its hyperscaled skis

    Vertical dramas are no longer an experiment — they’re becoming a real business. In this episode of Next TMT Talks, hosts David Bloom and Daniel Frankel sit down with Dana Posyschak, a writer, director, producer, and founder of the LA Vertical Drama Market, to break down why short, vertical storytelling is exploding across Hollywood. From low-cost production to new monetization models, this conversation explores how vertical dramas are reshaping content creation, talent pipelines, and studio strategy — and why this moment feels like a gold rush. Topics covered: Why vertical dramas are gaining traction in Hollywood How this market differs from Quibi — and why it’s working Monetization models: subscriptions, coins, and in-app purchases SAG-AFTRA’s new contract for low-budget vertical productions How creators use verticals as a testing ground for IP Budget realities, crew sizes, and production economics The influence of Chinese vertical drama models vs. U.S. filmmaking What comes next for studios, apps, and independent creators Next TMT Talks delivers smart conversations at the intersection of media, technology, telecom, and entertainment economics. 👉 Subscribe for more industry analysis📰 Get the free newsletter at nexttmt.com 00:00 The Rise of Vertical Dramas 02:32 Monetization and Market Dynamics 05:01 Cultural Differences in Content Creation 07:54 The Evolution of Vertical Dramas 10:24 Production Insights and Budgeting 12:39 The Future of Vertical Dramas 15:02 Industry Reactions and Cultural Commentary 22:53 Global Expansion of Sports and Entertainment 25:48 Market Dynamics and Antitrust Issues 28:03 The Murdoch Media Empire 33:44 Disney's Strategic Moves in Gaming 39:23 Challenges in the Data Center Market 44:39 Skepticism Towards Elon Musk's Ambitions

    46 min
  2. FEB 2

    Shorts, AI & the Super Bowl Olympics: How Streaming, Marketing & Media Are Colliding | Next TMT Talks

    Short-form video, AI, and live sports are colliding — and the streaming business is being reshaped in real time. In this episode of Next TMT Talks, hosts David Bloom and Daniel Frankel are joined by Paul Pastor, executive at Quickplay, to break down how shorts, micro-dramas, and AI-driven content tools are transforming media, marketing, and monetization. The conversation covers: Why short-form and micro-dramas are exploding globally How AI metadata, discovery, and social clipping are changing content strategy What the Super Bowl + Olympics convergence signals for advertisers and streamers The real economics behind Peacock, Charter, Comcast, and bundled distribution How creators are becoming the next IP pipeline for studios Sundance’s move from Park City — and what it says about festivals, brands, and scale Paul Pastor explains how AI-powered workflows are helping streamers and studios identify high-impact moments, publish faster across platforms, and compete in the attention economy. Next TMT Talks delivers smart, insider conversations at the intersection of media, technology, telecom, streaming, and advertising — built for executives, investors, and decision-makers. 🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes📰 Read the newsletter: nexttmt.com 00:00 Introduction to Quick Play and the Entertainment Landscape 02:54 The Rise of Short Form Content 05:47 AI's Role in Content Creation and Distribution 08:29 Navigating the Super Bowl Olympics and Branding Trends 11:23 The State of Streaming Services and Market Dynamics 16:54 Sundance's Last Run and Future of Film Festivals 23:49 Exploring Park City and Boulder: A Cultural Shift 26:30 The Future of Sundance: Growth and Accessibility 27:37 Pay TV's Resurgence: Bundling Strategies and Consumer Experience 30:13 Miami's Boom Town Energy: A New Media Hub 36:43 The Role of AI in Content Creation: Innovations and Challenges 41:33 Closing Thoughts: The Future of Media and Community Engagement

    42 min
  3. JAN 26

    Netflix Beats Earnings, Wall Street Shrugs — and Larry Ellison Looms

    Netflix delivered strong earnings — rising revenue, expanding margins, and growing scale — and the market barely blinked. In this episode of Next TMT Talks, David Bloom and Daniel Frankel unpack why Wall Street continues to punish Netflix even as its fundamentals improve, how the Warner Bros and Paramount–Skydance deal pressure is weighing on the stock, and why CEO Ted Sarandos is now openly framing YouTube and TikTok as real TV competitors. The conversation widens to Larry Ellison’s growing media footprint, including TikTok and CBS News, and the uncomfortable questions raised about surveillance, AI, and centralized data power. From Super Bowl and college football ratings to the collapse of broadcast TV production, immersive media pullbacks, and AI’s growing role in advertising, the episode captures an industry in flux — where performance no longer guarantees confidence. This is a wide-ranging look at who actually holds power in media now, and why investors, regulators, and audiences may all be paying attention to different signals. Topics Covered Netflix earnings vs Wall Street reaction Why strong fundamentals didn’t move the stock Netflix’s Warner Bros strategy and deal overhang Larry Ellison’s growing influence in media TikTok, data power, and surveillance concerns AI’s expanding role in media and advertising Who controls distribution, data, and attention YouTube and TikTok as “real TV” competitors Sports ratings, Super Bowl, and streaming scale The shifting balance of power in media and tech Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Next TMT and Current Events 01:11 Larry Ellison and Surveillance Concerns 05:48 Netflix's Earnings and Market Reactions 09:02 The Competition: YouTube TV and Streaming Landscape 10:43 Super Bowl Matchups and Ratings Predictions 13:04 College Football Playoff Changes and Financial Implications 21:30 The Launch of the California Post and Media Landscape 26:36 The Financial Viability of Media Ventures 28:52 The Impact of Celebrity Projects on Media 32:23 The Decline of Traditional Television 35:01 The Future of Talk Shows and Political Discourse 37:50 The Role of AI in Advertising 40:28 The Evolution of Immersive Experiences in Entertainment

    48 min
  4. JAN 22

    Netflix's Bold Moves: Earnings and Acquisitions

    Netflix has gone all cash in its bid for Warner Bros — but investors aren’t convinced. In this Media Play News × Next TMT episode, Daniel Frankel and David Bloom break down why Wall Street is questioning Netflix’s strategy even as the company doubles down. Larry Ellison has stepped in to personally guarantee financing on the Paramount–Skydance side, lawsuits are flying as discovery tactics ramp up, and a key tender-offer deadline is approaching — yet uncertainty keeps growing. The conversation digs into why CNBC investors say they “don’t get it,” what Netflix’s stock reaction signals about market confidence, and why this moment feels less like a traditional merger debate and more like a structural shift in the media business. The hosts also explore how AI-driven content economics are quietly reshaping the value of long-form media, complicating consolidation just as deals get bigger and riskier. Key topics include: Netflix’s all-cash Warner Bros bid Investor skepticism and stock-market reaction Paramount–Skydance lawsuits and discovery strategy Larry Ellison’s personal financing guarantee Tender-offer timing and deal pressure points Why this feels like Netflix’s next existential moment How AI is changing the logic behind media consolidation Chapters 00:00 Netflix's Earnings and Strategic Moves 05:26 The Impact of AI and User-Generated Content 11:17 Warner Brothers Acquisition and Market Reactions

    14 min
  5. JAN 20

    California Pushes Back on the FCC as Disney, Netflix and AI Reshape Media

    This week on Next TMT Talks, Daniel Frankel and David Bloom unpack a fast-moving media and telecom landscape where regulation, streaming strategy, AI, and franchises are all colliding. The conversation begins with California pushing back on the FCC, as state regulators reinsert DEI-related conditions into Verizon’s $20B acquisition of Frontier — setting up a broader fight between federal authority and state power. From there, the episode moves through Hollywood, Wall Street, and Silicon Valley, examining how legacy franchises, streaming economics, and AI tools are reshaping the business. Along the way, the hosts dig into Netflix’s theatrical strategy and earnings scrutiny, Disney’s Star Wars reset after Kathleen Kennedy’s exit, the growing influence of AI tools like Claude, and why streaming platforms are now delivering audiences once thought exclusive to linear TV. The episode closes with reflections on Wikipedia’s role in a fact-fragmented world, Sundance’s AI reckoning, Paramount+’s breakout hit Landman, and what record-setting NFL streaming audiences signal for the future of sports media. Topics: California vs. the FCC and state-level regulatory power Verizon–Frontier $20B acquisition and DEI conditions Federal preemption vs. state oversight Disney’s Star Wars franchise after Kathleen Kennedy Avengers trailers and franchise-driven attention Netflix’s theatrical strategy and earnings pressure Investor skepticism and Wall Street signals AI in media, including Anthropic’s Claude AI guardrails, warfighting concerns, and regulation Sundance and the unanswered questions about AI Wikipedia at 25 and the fight over shared facts Paramount+’s Landman and streaming visibility metrics Record-breaking NFL and college football streaming audiences The shifting economics of sports, streaming, and attention Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Technology, Media, and Telecom News 01:43 Verizon finally getting California approval to buy Frontier, DEI Policies 06:09 Star Wars franchise with the departure of Kathleen Kennedy 10:49 Netflix's Theatrical Strategy and Filmmaking Challenges 12:55 Disney's eye popping attention from a set of Avengers trailers 14:32 Netflix, Ted Sarandos commits to winning in theatrical exhibition 15:33 Matt Damon grouses that he and Ben Affleck had to tweak their script for The Rip for Mobile users 17:37 quarterly earnings today Netflix and three guesses what everyone's going to want to talk about 18:30 It's Wikipedia's 25th birthday 20:40 Sundance starts this week with an interesting doc on all the questions we should be asking about AI but aren't. 21:08 Pete Hegseth wants to know why he can't use Anthropix Claude AI tools to commit war like he wants 23:22 The Success of 'Landman' on Paramount Plus 23:47 Looper Insights says Paramount Plus's Landman, is the show of the month 25:52 Critique of Character Development in 'Landman' 29:41 The Evolution of Sports Broadcasting

    38 min

About

Next TMT is the leading voice at the intersection of technology, media, and telecom, delivering sharp insights, executive interviews, and trend analysis on the forces reshaping the global media landscape. From streaming wars and FAST channels to AI in broadcasting, advertising innovation, broadband infrastructure, sports media, and telecom transformation, Next TMT keeps industry leaders ahead of the curve. Co-founded by media veterans Daniel Frankel and David Bloom, Next TMT combines decades of expertise with an eye on the future of content, distribution