Daniel Frankel and David Bloom close out a momentous 2025 with a wide-ranging Next TMT Talks episode covering the collision of AI, Hollywood consolidation, streaming wars, and legacy media economics.

From Netflix’s high-stakes battle with Paramount and Warner Bros to Disney’s surprising $1B partnership with OpenAI, this episode explores how power, money, and technology are reshaping entertainment faster than regulators — or studios — can react .

• Netflix faces bipartisan antitrust pressure as the Warner Bros deal drags on
• Paramount–Skydance’s hostile bid sparks DC scrutiny over foreign investors
• Disney invests $1B in OpenAI and integrates Sora — with heavy guardrails
• Why AI video is improving faster than anyone expected (Coca-Cola’s AI ads)
• The future of user-generated content in games, film, and TV (Overwolf)
• Why mid-budget adult dramas are disappearing — and why Netflix may save them
• Fallout from Golden Globes “shakedown” tactics and awards-season economics
• Pay TV posts its first growth quarter in years — is linear stabilizing?
• Cloud gaming, Samsung TVs, Fallout, GTA Online, and Microsoft’s big bet
• College football playoffs land on HBO Max — a new sports distribution reality

🎙 Hosted by Daniel Frankel & David Bloom
🗞 Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter → https://nexttmt.com

Chapter List:

00:00 Introduction to Next TMT Talks

01:17 Warner Brothers Acquisition and Regulatory Challenges

04:05 Disney's Investment in OpenAI and AI in Media

08:11 Coca-Cola's AI Christmas Ads and Video Evolution

10:33 The Future of Video Entertainment and Mergers

17:53 Antitrust Concerns and Foreign Investments in Media

21:34 The Decline of Mid-Budget Films and Industry Changes

25:25 The Golden Globe Controversy

29:32 The Impact of Awards on Film Careers

33:51 The State of Pay TV and Streaming

39:13 Emerging Trends in Streaming and Gaming

Daniel Frankel and David Bloom return for a special mid-week Next TMT Talks update — because the media world moved too fast this week to wait for Sunday.

From Netflix’s shifting stance on Warner Bros to David Ellison’s surprise hostile takeover bid, to AI’s impact on media valuations, to the Stranger Things theatrical finale, this episode breaks down all the chaos in real time.

💬 In this episode (from the transcript)
• Trump confirms a meeting with Ted Sarandos — and says Netflix shouldn’t be blocked
• David Ellison launches a hostile bid backed by Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds + Jared Kushner
• Netflix execs say they’re “super confident” regulators will approve the deal
• Laura Martin reverses herself — says Netflix doesn’t need Warner Bros’ “anchor” business
• Why Paramount MUST win or risk irrelevance
• Fallout of $6B “synergies” — massive layoffs baked into all scenarios
• Stoller’s theory: Netflix may be kneecapping competitors by tying them up in a mega-deal
• The real end of Hollywood 1.0 — legacy studios being “sold off for parts”
• AI summaries cut publisher traffic by 30%+, freezing media M&A
• Pay TV shows first growth in eight years — YouTube TV + Charter stabilize the sector
• Versant (Comcast spinoff) looks surprisingly healthy in a mature TV world
• HBO Max flubs Mad Men’s 4K release — visible rigs, vomit machines, mislabeled episodes
• AI “slop content” flooding YouTube
• Stranger Things 5 returns huge — and the series finale will debut in theaters on New Year’s Eve

🎙 Hosted by Daniel Frankel & David Bloom
🗞 Subscribe → https://nexttmt.com
📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube
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Tags / Keywords:
Netflix Warner Bros deal, David Ellison hostile takeover, Skydance Paramount bid, AI media valuations, Stranger Things theatrical release, pay TV growth YouTube TV Charter, Versant Comcast networks, HBO Max Mad Men 4K, AI slop content, Next TMT Talks, Daniel Frankel David Bloom, streaming wars 2025, Hollywood M&A

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Next TMT Talks

01:32 Warner Brothers Discovery Auction and Netflix's Bid

04:16 The Impact of AI on Media M&A

08:32 The Future of Paramount and Netflix

13:03 The End Stage of Hollywood

17:53 The Current State of Pay TV and Streaming

20:52 AI's Influence on Content Creation

21:48 Mad Men 4K Release and Quality Control

23:38 Stranger Things and Theatrical Releases

Daniel Frankel and David Bloom break down a massive week in media, tech, and telecom — including Netflix’s stunning move to buy Warner Bros (but not Discovery), what it means for Hollywood, and why linear cable might be showing the first signs of life in years.

From telecom drama to college football chaos to major leadership departures at Apple, this is a loaded episode of Next TMT Talks.

💬 In this episode
• Netflix buys Warner Bros — without Discovery
• Why the deal “slipped under the radar” Friday
• The Obama conspiracy narratives & WGA antitrust complaints
• Will Netflix merge HBO Max into its platform?
• The post-Hollywood era begins
• Warner Bros’ shrinking theatrical output & what it means for cinemas
• Why old IP won’t save anyone
• Netflix gaming: Hogwarts Legacy-size potential
• EchoStar stiffing its contractors & “act of Carr” defense
• AT&T dumps DEI → FCC magically approves spectrum
• Wireless Black Friday: T-Mobile gives away almost $2,000 in hardware
• Versant (Comcast’s spinoff) and the unexpected revival signs in linear TV
• College football playoff drama (Notre Dame, Texas Tech, Indiana)
• WBD sub-rights to CFP games → landing on HBO Max
• Huge leadership shake-up at Apple: AI head retiring, hardware leadership in flux, design chief jumps to Meta
• Early noise about Tim Cook’s succession planning

🎙 Hosted by Daniel Frankel & David Bloom
🗞 Subscribe → https://nexttmt.com
📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube
🎧 Listen on Spotify
📰 Weekly newsletter every Monday

Tags / Keywords:
Netflix buys Warner Bros, Warner Bros sale, WBD spinoff, Warner Bros Discovery split, HBO Max Netflix merger, Versant Comcast spinoff, linear TV comeback, EchoStar Dish news, AT&T FCC DEI, Apple leadership exits, Meta hires Apple designer, Netflix gaming strategy, Next TMT Talks, Daniel Frankel, David Bloom, media industry analysis 2025

chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Major Industry Changes

02:35 Warner Brothers Acquisition and Its Implications

04:55 Antitrust Concerns and Industry Dynamics

07:29 The Future of Theatrical Releases

10:29 The Impact of Streaming on Traditional Media

13:26 Netflix's Expansion into Gaming and Location-Based Entertainment

16:08 Curation and Content Strategy in Streaming

18:54 Advertising and Competition in the Streaming Space

21:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Industry Trends

23:15 The State of College Football Playoffs

25:22 Transformations in College Football Programs

27:02 Media Rights and Broadcasting Changes

27:55 The Future of Sports Networks

31:25 Diversity and Inclusion in Telecom

34:37 Wireless Carrier Strategies and Competition

37:45 Leadership Changes at Apple

43:00 Wrap-Up and Future Insights

Daniel Frankel and David Bloom break down a wild holiday week in tech, media, and telecom — short week, big news. From Warner Bros Discovery bidding wars to FCC battles, Netflix antitrust chatter, and even OpenAI’s nuclear-level power bill, it’s all here.

💬 In this episode (from the transcript)
• Who’s buying Warner Bros Discovery? Netflix flagged as an “antitrust concern” by the White House
• Why Skydance Ellison and Comcast are playing a trillion-dollar chess game
• State AGs complicating any WBD merger — CA, NY & TX take center stage
• Sinclair & Nexstar vs. FCC caps, Trump, and Newsmax pressure
• CBS News & Barry Weiss — and Trump’s new “media offender” list
• Regional sports networks: surprising DTC growth
• NFL Sunday Ticket jumps 37% on YouTube TV
• Netflix holiday rom-com takeover (“Champagne Problems”)
• OpenAI’s massive power consumption + nuclear energy debate
• SMRs / modular nuclear reactors and America’s unresolved waste problem
• Big Tech valuation surge — Google nears $4T, Nvidia $5T, Apple $4T

🎙 Hosted by Daniel Frankel & David Bloom
🗞 Subscribe (free): https://nexttmt.com
🎧 Full episodes on Spotify | 📺 Watch on YouTube

Tags / Keywords:
Warner Bros Discovery sale, Skydance Ellison bid, Netflix antitrust, Comcast strategy, Sinclair Nexstar FCC, CBS News Barry Weiss, OpenAI power usage, modular nuclear reactors, Google Gemini, Big Tech valuations, regional sports networks, NFL Sunday Ticket YouTube TV, Netflix holiday romcoms, Next TMT Talks, FAST, Streaming wars, Telecommunications, telecom

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Week's Topics

11:37 Sinclair and Nextar's Broadcast Ambitions

17:06 Barry Weiss and CBS News Direction

22:58 Direct-to-Consumer Strategies and Sports Network Dynamics

28:30 The Ethical Implications of AI and Mental Health

37:10 Nuclear Power's Future and Energy Demands

Daniel Frankel and David Bloom are joined by media analyst Brian Ring (Future of TV.live) to recap the Parks Associates Future of TV Conference and unpack the industry’s biggest shifts.

💬 In this episode:
• Laura Martin’s prediction that Ellison’s Skydance will buy Warner Bros Discovery — and why the deal may already be “greased.”
• FAST channels & Paramount’s next move: What happens to MTV, VH1, and Comedy Central in 2026?
• Charter’s comeback: How smart search and voice control are keeping pay TV alive.
• CuriosityStream is licensing its library to AI models — and making real money doing it.
• How AI training may reshape Hollywood IP value.
• Bill Maher’s new CNN slot, streaming bundles, and sports rights chaos in the Big Ten.

🗞 Subscribe → https://nexttmt.com
🎧 Spotify | 📺 YouTube | 🗞 Weekly Newsletter

Tags / Keywords:
Future of TV 2025, Warner Bros Discovery sale, Skydance Ellison deal, Laura Martin analysis, Paramount FAST channels, MTV reboot, CuriosityStream AI content, Next TMT Podcast, David Bloom Daniel Frankel, Brian Ring, Future of TV conference, streaming wars 2025, ad-tech trends, AI in Hollywood, media industry analysis

00:00 Introduction

02:18 Insights from the Future of TV Conference

07:36 The Changing Landscape of TV Consumption

12:33 Search and Recommendation Challenges

15:47 YouTube episodes of Joey, the Friends spinoff

16:25 Bidding Wars and Industry Predictions

23:15 The Impact of Mergers and Acquisitions in Media

26:27 Wealth Destruction in the Media Industry

27:35 Innovations in Content Licensing and AI

30:37 The Future of Streaming and Content Ownership

33:55 The Evolution of College Football and Media Rights

41:22 The Transfer Portal and Its Implications

46:09 Closing Thoughts and Reflections on Media Trends

Do you like smarty-pantsed middle-aged men talking to themselves about technology, media and telecom? Do we have a podcast for you!David Bloom and Daniel Frankel are joined by guest Jeff Fox, editor of The Independence Examiner in Missouri, for a conversation on the future of local journalism and the changing media landscape.💬 In this episode:• The slow collapse of local journalism — can nonprofit and hybrid models save small-town newspapers?• Netflix’s switch from MAUs to MAVs and what it means for advertisers.• Disney + YouTube truce: Alphabet wins the carriage war.• Apple TV & MLS — a new play for global sports streaming.• AI-generated fan content and Disney’s delicate balance between creators and IP control.• How gaming and interactive streaming are reshaping entertainment.• Hollywood’s awards season buzz: Clooney, Sandler, and Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague.🎙 Hosted by David Bloom & Daniel Frankel📰 Subscribe to the Next TMT newsletter → https://nexttmt.com

David Bloom and Daniel Frankel return with a packed episode of Next TMT Talks, breaking down the week’s biggest stories across tech, media & telecom.

💥 In this episode:
• Disney vs YouTube TV: 10 million viewers lose ESPN & ABC as the carriage standoff drags on.
• Sinclair & Nexstar’s next move: Local broadcast mergers and the FCC’s ownership caps.
• Disney fires its bookie: ESPN Bet flops — DraftKings and prediction markets move in.
• The Trade Desk’s “great quarter, bad stock” moment — and what Ventura TV OS really means for ad tech.
• Xperi’s TiVo One push and the scramble for connected TV OS market share.
• Grand Theft Auto 6 delay & why gaming still outpaces Hollywood.
• Apple TV’s Pluribus & the Breaking Bad legacy.
• Remembering Paul Tagliabue and the NFL’s broadcast power.

🎙 Hosted by David Bloom & Daniel Frankel
🗞 Subscribe free → https://nexttmt.com
🎧 Listen on Spotify | 📺 Watch on YouTube | 📨 Join our LinkedIn community

chapters:

00:00 Intro

02:08 Disney vs. YouTube TV

06:17 The Blame Game: Disney vs. YouTube TV

08:06 Disney, Betting and Draft Kings, Fan Duel etc.

10:39 Sinclair and Nexstar's plans to Borg the rest of localbroadcast television

13:49 The Evolution of Local Broadcast Television

16:03 Dhar Mann's Sean Atkins points out what went wrongwith legacy media;

20:57 The Trade Desk's really good quarter, and reallycrummy Wall Street prospects;

23:50 The Evolution of TV Platforms

24:12 Ventura competitors, Xperi

26:33 A Cable Provider That's Not Charter

29:38 The Anticipation of Grand Theft Auto VI

32:20 Pluribus, the new Vince Gilligan show on Apple TV, ishere

34:39 Emerging Commentary and Community Engagement

36:28 Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue dies at 84

🎧 Next TMT Talks: The Week in Tech, Media & Telecom

David Bloom and Daniel Frankel return with sharp insight and humor as they break down another week of high-stakes moves across the TMT landscape.

💥 This episode covers:
• Comcast–Warner Bros Discovery deal: Can another mega-merger really happen?
• YouTube TV–Disney blackout: Millions lose access — what this means for live sports and cable’s future.
• Charter & Comcast broadband losses: Is cable finally stabilizing?
• Paramount–Skydance layoffs and Taylor Sheridan’s Landman: Hollywood’s talent shuffle amid industry contraction.
• Adobe MAX 2025: AI tools reshape creativity — from Firefly to film production.
• Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague (Netflix): Awards buzz meets French New Wave nostalgia.
• Nvidia hits $5 trillion, Apple $4 trillion: Big Tech’s trillion-dollar showdown.
• Google Gemini AI & YouTube Shorts: How search, creators, and AI are converging.
• AI in Hollywood: From production pipelines to storytelling, the future is already here.

Hosted by David Bloom and Daniel Frankel, Next TMT Talks delivers weekly analysis of the global media, streaming, and telecom ecosystem — where creativity meets technology and money meets disruption.

🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter: https://nexttmt.com

#NextTMT #StreamingWars #MediaBusiness #TMTanalysis

chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Current Trends in Media and Tech

02:56 The Shifting Landscape of Cable and Streaming

05:53 The Impact of AI on Creative Industries

09:00 Corporate Strategies and Market Dynamics

11:52 The Evolution of Apple and Nvidia

15:03 Insights from Adobe Max Conference

18:00 Richard Linklater's Nouvelle Vague and Awards Season

21:01 The Future of Cable and Broadband Services

24:31 The Streaming Wars: Disney vs. YouTube

30:02 The Impact of Sports on Streaming Services

34:20 AI's Influence on the Future of Media

37:08 Earnings Insights: Alphabet and the AI Boom

40:42 Adobe and YouTube: A New Era of Content Creation

45:34 Wrap-Up: Trends in Telecom, Media, and Technology