The Media Odyssey

Evan Shapiro & Marion Ranchet
  • 4.6 (10)
  • TV & FILM
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. WHO WILL WIN 2026?

    4D AGO

    WHO WILL WIN 2026?

    The media industry isn’t heading for a clean recovery but bracing for another year of pressure, recalibration, and structural change. Welcome back to The Media Odyssey Podcast with a special thanks to Spectrum Reach! In this first part of their 2026 predictions, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet lay out what the coming year will likely bring for media, technology, and entertainment. They cover ongoing layoffs, fragile ad markets, the rise of global distribution strategies, and a new phase of AI-driven discovery. 2026 will test which companies have truly adapted and which are still relying on outdated assumptions. 2026 is not a breakout year, but a proving ground, where survival depends on cost discipline, platform fluency, and the ability to monetize audiences directly rather than through legacy intermediaries. Key Takeaways: 1. 2026 Will Be Another Brutal Year for Media Economics Evan predicts that advertising markets will remain soft, public service media will continue to face funding pressure, and layoffs will persist across the industry. There will be no broad recovery, only isolated winners and many organizations forced to do more with less. 2. Discovery Will Matter More Than Content Volume Marion predicts that success in 2026 will be defined by distribution and discoverability, not by how much content companies produce. Media organizations that don’t adapt to YouTube, FAST, social, and AI-driven discovery will struggle to reach audiences at all. 3. The AI Bubble Will Pop Both predict that generative AI and large language models will reshape discovery, navigation, and search long before they meaningfully change creative workflows. The biggest short-term impact of AI will be invisible but existential for traffic-driven media, but the hype and direct-to-consumer models are unsustainable.  4. GEO Will Undermine Traditional SEO-Based Media Models Evan predicts that Generative Engine Optimization will replace classic SEO as search engines move from links to answers. Media companies built on referral traffic will see declining reach unless they rethink how their content surfaces in AI-driven environments. 5. FAST Will Become More Crowded and Less Forgiving Marion predicts continued FAST channel proliferation without equivalent ad growth. The result: more fragmentation, lower yields, and fewer viable players with success limited to brands with strong IP, live content, or true differentiation. 6. Media Companies Will Be Forced to Think Globally by Default Growth will increasingly come from international audiences, not domestic ones. Both predict that companies without global distribution strategies will hit growth ceilings faster in 2026. 7. Experimentation Will Be a Core Survival Requirement The final prediction is cultural: organizations that don’t test formats, platforms, and monetization aggressively will fall behind. In 2026, waiting for clarity will be a losing strategy. Thank you to Spectrum Reach! https://www.linkedin.com/company/spectrum-reach/  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/ The Media Odyssey Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-media-odyssey-podcast (00:00) - Introduction and Hosts (00:57) - First Prediction: AI Bubble Burst (04:03) - Debate on AI's Future (10:01) - Second Prediction: Micro Drama Bubble (14:22) - Third Prediction: Outcome-Based Advertising (17:01) - Fourth Prediction: Midterm Election Advertising (19:19) - Fifth Prediction: Social Media Politicians (21:51) - Sixth Prediction: New Generation of Media CEOs (25:56) - Seventh Prediction: Media Mergers and Acquisitions (27:06) - The Largest Leverage Buyout in Corporate History (27:21) - The Role of Saudis in American Media (27:38) - Mergers and Acquisitions in Advertising (29:00) - Cultural Clashes in Mergers (29:56) - Netflix's Strategic Moves (31:23) - The Future of European Media (31:57) - Predictions for Media Mergers (34:30) - The Rise of YouTube and Social Media (39:09) - The Impact of AI on Media (43:18) - The Extinction of Ad-Free Viewing (49:55) - Final Thoughts and Predictions

    51 min
  2. REGIFTED: THE CTO PLAYBOOK FOR SURVIVING FRAGMENTATION

    JAN 1 · BONUS

    REGIFTED: THE CTO PLAYBOOK FOR SURVIVING FRAGMENTATION

    Happy New Year from The Media Odyssey podcast!  We're regifting this episode hosts Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet recorded live from IBC with Simon Farnsworth (ITV) and Adde Granberg (SVT), two CTOs (or as they call it, “Chief Transformation Officers”) reshaping European public broadcasting. The conversation explores how legacy broadcasters can adapt to a digital-first, fragmented world while facing off against trillion-dollar tech giants. They discuss the shift from “doing digital” to “being digital,” how generative AI and cloud-based workflows can unlock beyond-human-scale production, and the biggest challenge broadcast is facing is mindset. Both guests stress that the real battle is cultural, not technical: broadcasters must abandon outdated standards, embrace platforms like YouTube and TikTok, and put audience needs, not legacy processes, at the center. Key Takeaways: From Tech to TransformationFor Farnsworth and Granberg, a CTO’s role is less about gadgets and more about changing mindsets—translating the power of technology to boards and teams, and shifting organizations from “doing digital” to truly “being digital.” Cloud, AI, and Beyond-Human ScaleGenerative AI, cloud production, and 5G enable content creation and distribution at scales humans can’t manage alone. From using AI to cast Love Island more efficiently, to producing Sweden’s iconic Vasaloppet ski race with drones over 5G, both ITV and SVT show how tech can cut costs, lower carbon footprints, and improve the creative product. Break the Walled GardensToo many broadcasters still cling to the idea that their own platform is the only destination. Farnsworth argues that distribution on YouTube, TikTok, and even Disney+ is additive, not cannibalistic—and essential to reaching younger audiences. Mindset Over StandardsThe biggest barrier isn’t tech, it’s culture. Both CTOs stress the need to ditch outdated broadcast standards and industry obsessions with hardware, replacing them with audience-first, software-driven, cross-platform strategies. Without this shift, public broadcasters risk irrelevance. Collaboration or DeclineEurope’s broadcasters must collaborate more deeply, from projects like Freely in the UK to shared production and distribution tools. Competing with “death stars” like Google, Amazon, and TikTok requires pooling resources, not building new silos. 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/ The Media Odyssey Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-media-odyssey-podcast Simon Farnsworth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-farnsworth-26521253/  Adde Granberg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/addegranberg/?originalSubdomain=se  (00:00) - Introduction to Media Odyssey Podcast (00:08) - What is IBC? (00:56) - Marion's IBC Experience (01:36) - Generational Divide in Media (04:59) - The Affinity Economy (06:15) - Redefining Broadcasting (07:35) - Introduction to Whale TV (08:03) - Whale TV's White Label Journey (09:44) - The Shift to Streaming (11:39) - Whale TV's Business Model (19:48) - Whale TV Plus Explained (21:59) - Advertisers and Connected TV Challenges (22:32) - Whale TV's Unique Advertising Opportunities (23:59) - Emerging Advertising Categories (25:34) - Balancing User Experience and Monetization (26:03) - Innovative Ad Formats (29:25) - Global Reach and Collaboration (30:56) - Industry Challenges and Future Directions (36:41) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    46 min
  3. REGIFTED: TURNING STRUGGLE INTO SCALE WITH DHAR MANN

    12/25/2025 · BONUS

    REGIFTED: TURNING STRUGGLE INTO SCALE WITH DHAR MANN

    Happy holidays from The Media Odyssey podcast!  We're regifting this episode where hosts Marion Ranchet and Evan Shapiro sit down with Dhar Mann, one of the most successful independent creators in the world, to unpack what it really means to build an owned-and-operated media empire in the age of platforms. With over 70 billion views across social media, Dhar has mastered the art of storytelling at scale without relying on traditional Hollywood systems. In a sharp, insightful conversation, Dhar shares the mechanics behind his studio’s meteoric rise, the values that drive his content, and why creators should think like CEOs. From data-driven production to brand-safe storytelling, this episode offers a rare look into what it takes to succeed at the intersection of commerce, creativity, and community. Key Takeaways: 1. Dhar Mann Studios Operates Like a Scalable, Independent Media CompanyDhar built his studio from scratch with full vertical integration: in-house scripting, production, post, and distribution. Producing more than 100 episodes a year with over 100 full-time employees, he’s proving that creator-led companies can compete with and outperform traditional studios. 2. Storytelling is Engineered for ImpactThe key to Dhar’s success is emotional storytelling. Every script is optimized through data, test reads, and feedback loops. His team analyzes performance daily, adjusts thumbnails, titles, and narrative arcs in real time and shoots with Shorts and long-form in mind across YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, and beyond. 3. Brand Safety Doesn’t Mean BoringDhar Mann’s content is deeply family-friendly and advertiser-safe, which makes it attractive to brands. But it’s not sanitized—it tackles real issues like bullying, poverty, and prejudice through emotionally resonant narratives that audiences connect with. 4. Platform Diversification is StrategicFrom Facebook and YouTube to Snapchat, TikTok, and even theatrical releases, Dhar doesn’t rely on one platform. His team adapts content formats to fit algorithmic behaviors—using Shorts for reach and long-form for retention and monetization. 5. Creators Should Think Like CEOs Dhar’s biggest advice to creators: treat your channel like a business. Build teams, invest in infrastructure, understand your audience, and create repeatable systems. Virality is nice—but building a long-term, sustainable operation is the real win. Thank you Dhar Mann for joining the pod! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dharmann/ 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 (00:35) - Creators at Cannes Lion (01:21) - Dhar Mann's Backstory (01:55) - The Hero's Journey in Storytelling (03:28) - From Struggles to Success (04:19) - Transition to Content Creation (04:56) - Accidental Filmmaking (11:21) - Scaling Up and Staying Scrappy (19:39) - Economic Model and Community Focus (22:02) - Balancing Mission and Economics (22:36) - Exploring Ad-Supported and SVOD Models (22:54) - YouTube's Dominance and Competitors' Strategies (25:36) - Ownership and Analytics in Content Creation (27:27) - The Power of Community and IP (28:18) - Partnership with Samsung and Production Speed (34:24) - Future Opportunities and Nonfiction Content (38:00) - Advice for Aspiring Creators (43:20) - Concluding Thoughts and Final Reflections

    47 min
  4. FRONTLINE PUTS PBS ON YOUTUBE

    12/18/2025

    FRONTLINE PUTS PBS ON YOUTUBE

    Public service media isn’t outdated, instead, it’s fighting for relevance, trust, and survival in a fractured global information ecosystem. Welcome back to The Media Odyssey Podcast. In this episode, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet sit down with Raney Aronson-Rath, Executive Producer of Frontline and Editor-in-Chief of Documentaries at GBH, for a conversation on the future of public media. From political pressure and funding cuts to platform expansion and audience trust, the discussion explores why public broadcasters must be everywhere audiences are without sacrificing journalistic integrity. Through Frontline’s transformation into a broadcast-plus-streaming powerhouse, the episode examines how YouTube, social video, theatrical releases, and global distribution have become essential tools for sustaining factual storytelling in an era of misinformation and declining institutional trust. Key Takeaways:  1. Public Media’s Survival Depends on Platform Expansion, Not RetrenchmentPublic broadcasters can no longer rely solely on linear TV. To stay relevant and trusted, they must meet audiences on YouTube, social platforms, streaming, and in theaters. They need to be wherever public conversation is happening. 2. YouTube Is Additive, Not Cannibalistic for Public Service MediaFrontline’s experience shows that YouTube doesn’t replace broadcast audiences. In fact, YouTube extends reach over time, attracts younger viewers, and builds long-tail viewership that linear TV alone cannot sustain. 3. Streaming Requires a Long-Term Mindset ShiftUnlike broadcast’s appointment viewing, streaming rewards longevity. Frontline films often grow for years, accumulating millions of views with high watch time, forcing teams to think beyond premiere-night metrics. 4. Community and Trust Are the Core Competitive AdvantagesPublic media’s strength isn’t scale but credibility. Building engaged, thoughtful communities around factual content is essential in a media ecosystem flooded with misinformation. 5. Short-Form Is Editorial, Not Promotional To reach younger audiences, Frontline treats social video and shorts as a serious journalistic format with its own language instead of marketing cutdowns of long-form work. 6. Global Distribution Is Both a Mission and a StrategyWith one-third of Frontline’s audience outside the U.S., platforms like YouTube enable public media to reach global audiences including countries where traditional broadcasters refuse to air critical journalism, but where audiences need to see it most. 7. Public Media Must Be Everywhere Both In Person and OnlineFrom YouTube to theaters to festivals, Frontline Features reflects a belief that storytelling is more powerful when audiences can experience it both collectively and individually. 8. The Cost of Absence Is Being Replaced by Worse InformationIf trusted public media doesn’t fill digital spaces, misinformation will. The choice isn’t whether to engage platforms like YouTube, it’s whether to leave them to actors with lower standards. 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/ The Media Odyssey Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-media-odyssey-podcast Thank you, Raney Aronson-Rath for joining the pod! Raney Aronson-Rath: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raney-aronson-0343aa8/ Frontline: https://www.linkedin.com/company/frontline-pbs/ Headshot credit: Michael Buckner/Deadline (00:00) - Introduction to the Media Odyssey Podcast (00:09) - Public Media Under Pressure (00:55) - BBC Controversy and Public Trust (02:58) - Challenges Faced by Public Broadcasters (04:02) - Public Media Funding Issues (04:47) - The Role of Public Media in Democracy (05:59) - Public Broadcasting in the US (07:25) - Embracing Digital Platforms (09:13) - Introducing Raney Aronson from Frontline (11:16) - Frontline's Digital Transformation (15:43) - Impact of YouTube on Frontline's Reach (23:56) - Simultaneous Broadcast and Streaming Strategy (26:22) - The Evolution of PBS Viewership (27:10) - Leadership and Digital Expansion (28:08) - Global Reach and YouTube Strategy (29:05) - Commitment to Journalistic Standards (31:14) - Frontline Features and Theatrical Impact (34:18) - Challenges in Documentary Distribution (39:42) - International Co-Productions and Self-Distribution (43:44) - The Importance of Public Media

    49 min
  5. GRADING 2025: WERE WE RIGHT?

    12/11/2025

    GRADING 2025: WERE WE RIGHT?

    Media is not shifting, it’s revealing which predictions actually mapped the year and which trends will define what comes next. Welcome back to The Media Odyssey Podcast! In this special “Predictions Wrapped” episode, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet revisit the forecasts they made a year ago and grade themselves on accuracy. They discuss YouTube’s explosive rise on CTV, Netflix’s unexpected innovation, creator-driven cultural dominance, the slow grind of CTV fragmentation and more. They break down the bets they nailed and the ones that missed the mark. The conversation also surfaces the biggest forces shaping 2025: global broadcaster collaboration, a reshaped M&A landscape, a creator economy that has become central to mainstream media, and an AI boom that is both overhyped and quietly transformative behind the scenes. Key Takeaways:  1. YouTube’s Transformation Into the No. 1 TV Channel Was the Prediction of the Year Evan’s call that YouTube would finally be recognized as true television proved spot-on: it became the #1 TV channel in the U.S. for months, dominated industry conversation, and strengthened global partnerships.  Lean-back YouTube viewing is now mainstream. 2. Netflix Proved More Open and Innovative Than Expected Marion’s prediction that Netflix needed to evolve beyond its walled garden came true through major deals with TF1, Spotify, creators, and new M&A exploration. The company is clearly signaling a shift toward becoming a broader entertainment hub. 3. 2025 Really Was the Year of the Creator Creator-led programming defined industry conversations everywhere from MIPCOM to Cannes Lions. Big media invested heavily in creator partnerships and creators like MrBeast built full-blown media empires. Creators are sitting at the center of the cultural and business agenda. 4. Some Big Bets Didn’t Materialize Marion’s expectation of an aggressive, high-stakes fight among CTV operating systems didn’t happen. Instead, the space stagnated: incremental partnerships, UI improvements, and slow expansion replaced the “vicious competition” anticipated. 5. AI Was Both Boringly Effective and Wildly Overhyped Evan’s call that AI would be simultaneously underwhelming and inflated proved true. The real impact was invisible backend optimization at major tech companies, while valuations, hype cycles, and consumer expectations outpaced real-world product maturity. 6. Broadcasters in Europe Became More Collaborative Than Ever Marion’s prediction about unprecedented cooperation among European broadcasters wasn’t just correct, it overperformed. With TF1 and Netflix, FranceTV and Prime Video, Sky and ITV, and MFE’s acquisitions, 2025 became a landmark year for cross-border, cross-platform partnerships. 7. M&A Defined the Year and Will Shape 2025 Even More Evan’s expectation of massive consolidation was validated by Paramount and Skydance, NBCUniversal and Omnicom Media Group, MFE, the WBD bidding saga, and political forces now influencing dealmaking. The industry’s next chapter will be written through mergers rather than standalone growth. 8. The Job Market Was Worse Than Expected and Still Getting Tougher The darkest but most accurate prediction: 2025 saw more media layoffs by October than all of 2024. With more M&A ahead, layoffs are expected to continue, making reinvention, networking, and career resilience essential for 2025. Interested in sponsorship? https://forms.gle/2LCWfX2HBNT8mtpx8 Check out the full Substacks grading all of last year's predictions: Evan Shapiro - https://eshap.substack.com/p/youtube-is-tv  Marion Ranchet - https://www.streamingmadeeasy.com/p/my-2025-predictions-the-mbappe-report The Media Odyssey Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-media-odyssey-podcast (00:00) - Introduction and Podcast Overview (01:07) - Grading Predictions: YouTube's Dominance on TV (04:16) - Grading Predictions: Netflix's Innovations (09:32) - Grading Predictions: The Rise of the Creator Economy (19:16) - Grading Predictions: AI's Impact and Future (25:14) - Grading Predictions: European Broadcasters' Collaborations (30:10) - Media Landscape Predictions (30:49) - Mergers and Acquisitions Impact (31:57) - Corporate America and Government Influence (33:11) - European Media Market Shifts (34:53) - Streaming Services and Consolidation (40:36) - Ad-Supported Streaming Future (45:15) - Job Market Challenges in Media (46:33) - Advice for Facing Job Loss (53:28) - Reflecting on Predictions and Future Plans

    57 min
  6. BREAKING NEWS: Netflix x WBD

    12/06/2025 · BONUS

    BREAKING NEWS: Netflix x WBD

    Hollywood isn’t just consolidating, it’s entering a new era where politics, regulation, and financial pressure determine who survives. Welcome back to The Media Odyssey Podcast! In this emergency episode, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet break down the stunning news that Netflix has emerged as the leading bidder for Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio and streaming divisions. They unpack why the offer makes financial sense, why it’s already triggering political backlash, and how the deal could reshape theatrical windows, global streaming strategy, and the balance of power in Hollywood. Key takeaways:  1. Netflix’s Bid Makes Financial Sense but Faces Political Turbulence While Netflix’s all-cash offer is firm on the numbers, political reaction (especially in California) creates real uncertainty about whether the deal can actually close. 2. California Is the Biggest Obstacle, Not Classic Antitrust Law State officials argue the acquisition would hurt jobs and local production, making Sacramento a more immediate threat to approval than Washington. 3. A Deal Would Accelerate Hollywood’s Shift Toward Blockbusters If Netflix gains WBD’s film assets, mid-budget movies and secondary franchises risk being sidelined in favor of tentpole IP and global retention drivers. 4. Max’s International Launch Is Colliding With Merger Chaos WBD’s major European rollouts are happening at the worst possible moment, creating instability for teams and confusion around the service’s future. 5. Even in the Best Case, the Path Ahead Is Long and Painful Hearings, investigations, and political battles would dominate the next year — and Netflix leadership would be pulled deep into the process. 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/ The Media Odyssey Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-media-odyssey-podcast (00:00) - Introduction and Current Events (00:20) - Breaking News: Netflix Acquires Warner Bros. Discovery (01:10) - Controversy and Reactions (03:32) - Deal Approval Challenges (04:26) - Financial and Consumer Implications (05:02) - Regulatory and Political Hurdles (08:05) - Potential Outcomes and Industry Impact (08:48) - Speculations on Future Leadership (10:11) - International Launch and Timing Issues (11:09) - Impact on Studio and Theatrical Business (16:40) - The Future of Independent Films (17:41) - Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

    21 min
  7. FANDOM > AUDIENCE

    12/04/2025

    FANDOM > AUDIENCE

    Modern media isn’t just transforming, it’s rebuilding itself around fandom, experimentation, and platform-native storytelling. Welcome back to The Media Odyssey Podcast! In this episode, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet sit down with Holly Graham, Chief Commercial Officer, and Ben Arnold, SVP of Commercial Operations, of Little Dot Studios, one of the most influential digital operators in global entertainment.  With more than 1,000 channels across YouTube, FAST, TikTok, and social platforms, plus a massive network of owned brands, Little Dot has become a blueprint for how media companies build fandom, monetize digital ecosystems, and reinvent themselves for a two-way, audience-driven world. From Gordon Ramsay’s 13-year rise into a digital-first global brand to Prime Video’s fandom-led multi-IP strategy, Holly and Ben break down why scale, creative experimentation, and audience listening now outperform legacy programming instincts. They also show why digital success requires trust, patience, and a willingness to let creators and fans shape how IP lives across platforms. Key Takeaways: 1. Fandom Is the Strategy, Not the Output Little Dot builds everything around fandom, treating it as the engine that drives reach, creativity, and long-term engagement. Their teams are staffed with true super-fans who understand the language, culture, and behavior of each IP, making authenticity the core ingredient of every channel they run. This approach transforms digital from a promotional outlet into a genuine community hub. 2. YouTube Has Become Television on CTV Two-thirds of Little Dot’s YouTube viewing now happens on connected TVs, turning long-form uploads, compilations, and multi-episode drops into lean-back viewing experiences. For audiences, YouTube isn’t competing with television anymore because it is television, except that it also offers personalization, lower ad loads, and a two-way feedback loop that traditional TV never did. 3. Scale and Experimentation Outperform Planning With more than 1,000 channels, Little Dot’s scale gives them platform intelligence no single studio can build alone. They test formats, edits, lengths, narrative styles, and platform behaviors in real time, learning faster than legacy teams who rely on strategy decks instead of iteration. The Little Dot belief: you won’t think your way into success, you test your way into it. 4. Letting Go Is a Competitive Advantage Holly and Ben emphasize that brands must have the courage to let creators interpret their IP and fans influence direction. The companies that win are those willing to invite new voices into the ecosystem and trust experts who understand platform culture. Transformation only happens when studios stop over-engineering and start collaborating. 5. Monetization Is a Flywheel, Not a Single Revenue Stream Ads matter, but they’re only one part of the business. Little Dot helps partners build revenue holistically from subscriptions and watch-time to fandom-driven merch, licensing, gaming skins, and cultural relevance that boosts performance across TV, streaming, and social. Digital becomes the funnel that powers the entire IP ecosystem, not merely a place to chase views. 6. Patience and Persistence Beat Virality Digital success isn’t instant; rather, true growth comes from long-term audience development, consistent experimentation, and evolving strategy over years, not weeks. Many of Little Dot’s partnerships last a decade because real transformation requires time, trust, and a steady willingness to learn. 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/ The Media Odyssey Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-media-odyssey-podcast Little Dot Studios - https://www.linkedin.com/company/little-dot-studios-limited/  Holly Graham - https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-graham-ba616b104/?originalSubdomain=uk  Ben Arnold - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benoarnold/  (00:00) - Introduction and Episode Overview (00:32) - Insights from the International Emmys (02:51) - The Importance of Fandom in Modern Media (04:18) - Challenges in Media Transformation (07:29) - Introducing Little Dot Studios (07:59) - Little Dot Studios' Approach to Digital Platforms (09:07) - Scaling and Monetizing Content (14:06) - The Role of Fandom in Content Strategy (26:01) - Gordon Ramsay's Digital Transformation (26:43) - Strategic Content Evolution (27:36) - Engaging with Fandoms (31:00) - Prime Video's Multi-Fandom Strategy (32:04) - YouTube's Creator-Centric Approach (36:21) - Monetization Strategies and Challenges (41:01) - Advice for Traditional Studios (42:43) - The Importance of Patience and Trust (48:03) - Closing Thoughts and Reflections

    52 min
  8. BBC STUDIOS + YOUTUBE A PARTNERSHIP CASE STUDY

    11/26/2025

    BBC STUDIOS + YOUTUBE A PARTNERSHIP CASE STUDY

    Global media isn’t just transforming, it’s reorganizing itself around fandom, creators, and direct-to-audience ecosystems. Welcome back to The Media Odyssey Podcast! In this special episode from MIPCOM Cannes, Evan Shapiro sits down with Pedro Pina, VP of YouTube in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and Jasmine Dawson, SVP of Digital at BBC Studios, for a panel on BBC Studios’ success on YouTube and how traditional media and creator platforms are rewriting the rules of international entertainment. From YouTube’s rise as a global television network to BBC Studios’ creator-native reinvention, Pedro and Jasmine reveal why the next era of growth will be driven by companies that think and act like creators. The conversation unpacks how YouTube fuels global fandom, how BBC Studios turned brands like Bluey, BBC Earth, and Top Gear into multi-format ecosystems, why audience-first strategy now beats commissioner-first strategy, and how experimentation is becoming the most valuable competency in modern media. Key Takeaways: 1. Fandom Is the New Distribution Strategy BBC Studios no longer thinks about audience in terms of reach, but in terms of fandom. YouTube has become a hub for building that fandom globally, which in turn boosts performance everywhere else: CTV, streaming partners, traditional broadcast, consumer products, and even e-commerce. 2. YouTube Isn’t Replacing TV, It’s Expanding It The panel debunks a persistent myth: YouTube doesn’t cannibalize TV. BBC Earth and Bluey grow viewership across broadcast and streaming as their YouTube fandom grows. It’s incremental, not competitive, where YouTube acts as a widening funnel for premium IP. 3. The Audience Is the Buyer, Not the Commissioner Evan frames the shift perfectly: the market’s new “buyer class” is the consumer themselves. Instead of pitching to gatekeepers, studios can reach fans directly, monetize them in dozens of ways, and use feedback loops to continuously experiment, refine, and grow. 4. Hiring Creators Is a Competitive Advantage And a Necessity  BBC Studios has creators in leadership roles and runs a formal “Creators in Residence” program. Creators bring real-time instincts for platform behavior, format experimentation, and data fluency that traditional media teams simply do not have. 5. Success Requires a Mindset Shift: From Push to Pull Legacy media is built on push distribution: make a show, send it out, wait for ratings. YouTube is a pull ecosystem driven by community, watch time, and algorithmic reinforcement. The only way to “win” the algorithm is to deeply understand and serve your audience. 6. Experimentation Beats Perfection Both Pedro and Jasmine emphasize the same principle: experiment constantly. A/B test, try new formats, abandon what doesn’t work, scale what does. YouTube lowers the cost of experimentation and speeds up learning if companies embrace it and approach YouTube analytics as data scientists. 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/ The Media Odyssey Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-media-odyssey-podcast Pedro Pina - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pedro-pina-06a413/?originalSubdomain=uk  Jasmine Dawson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminesdawson/  (00:00) - Welcome and Introduction (00:37) - YouTube's Presence at MIPCOM (01:10) - Exploring the YouTube-BBC Studios Partnership (06:02) - Case Study: BBC Earth on YouTube (08:38) - The Creator Economy and Audience Engagement (13:31) - Practical Insights and Strategies (20:03) - Challenges and Opportunities in the Digital Era (25:22) - Final Thoughts and Takeaways

    28 min
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4.6
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10 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.

Information

  • Creator
    Evan Shapiro & Marion Ranchet
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © (c) 2025 The Media Odyssey

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