Entertainment Episodes

Streaming news and rumors, including the latest from companies like Netflix and Spotify.
Aug. 17, 2019

(Bonus) Is The Netflix Algo Broken? With Julia Alexander @loudmouthjulia

On a recent weekend longreads segment, I recommended a piece by The Verge’s Julia Alexander asking whether Netflix’s recommendation algorithms were broken, or maybe borked. We’re going to talk a bit about that today, but sinc...
Aug. 7, 2019

Wed. 08/07 - The Disney+ Bundle Is Nuts

We have a launch date for Disney+ and we also have confirmation of a wicked compelling bundle, FedEx officially breaks up with Amazon, Amazon trades accusations with CVS and Walgreens, iOS API changes make life difficult for ...
July 18, 2019

Thurs. 07/18 - Netflix's Numbers Visit the Upside Down

Netflix's growth disappoints, but Stranger Things have happened. The Democratic National Committee tells candidates to avoid the photo-aging simulator FaceApp. Don't expect driverless cars any time soon, despite the hype. Can...
June 5, 2019

Wed. 06/05 - YouTube Takes Action-ish

YouTube actually DOES make some changes, Peloton is going public, could Prime open Amazon up to anticompetitive scrutiny, more on that Sign in with Apple controversy, and why your local police department might want to buy you...
May 19, 2019

The Streaming Wars With Eric Jackson

Eric Jackson is an investor at EMJ Capital Ltd. He’s deep in the media space, he’s deep in the streaming wars, as I think I say in this episode, he’s shaped a ton of my thinking about the streaming wars. So… where are we? Who...
Guest: Eric Jackson
April 12, 2019

Fri. 04/12 - Uber's IPO and Disney+ Deets

Uber’s IPO filing is officially upon us and there was much rejoicing… or, at least, plenty of takes; Disney outlined its streaming video plans and in doing so it both put Apple to shame and fired a warning shot at Netflix, an...
March 28, 2019

Thu. 03/28 - Spotify Tests Subscriptions For Two

Facebook is charged with violations of the Fair Housing Act, the UK gives Huawei a pass but drags them at the same time, Spotify lets you share your account with your better half, and let’s take two on that Google podcast tra...
March 25, 2019

Mon. 03/25 - Apple Goes Hollywood!

The Apple event broken down piece by piece, YouTube wants out of the streaming video wars, Nintendo is working on two new Switch devices, is consolidation finally coming to the digital media space, and why you should know the...
March 13, 2019

Wed. 03/13 - Spotify Anti-Trust's Apple

Spotify files a pretty timely anti-trust complaint against Apple, Microsoft tries to get a jump on Google’s steaming video game announcement, is Google scaling back its hardware ambitions, what is Discord and why is it going ...
Feb. 10, 2019

The Economics of Spotify With Victor Luckerson of @ringer

Remember this longread piece? Is Spotify’s Model Wiping Out Music’s Middle Class? It's stuck with me because, a) I didn't quite understand how the math worked out and b) I thought it was an interesting take on the ARTIST side...
Jan. 26, 2019

(Bonus) The State of Digital Media With Rafat Ali @rafat

Given all the news of layoffs in the digital media space this week, I knew I couldn't sit on this interview with Rafat Ali any longer. Currently the founder and CEO of digital media company Skift—but also, if you weren’t awar...
Guest: Rafat Ali
Jan. 15, 2019

Tue. 01/15 - Netflix Raises Prices

Netflix raises prices, maybe the Apple battery replacement WAS a big deal after all, cops can’t force you to unlock your phone with your face, and Amazon is driving its retail competitors into the arms of Microsoft. Sponsors:...
Nov. 12, 2018

Mon. 11/12 - What Exactly Is TikTok?

SAP buys Qualtrics, the Galaxy S10 might be coming in February and the Galaxy F might be coming in March, what exactly is TikTok and why you should care, and Jony Ive has an exclusive new product design. Links: SAP to buy Q...
Oct. 5, 2018

Fri. 10/05 - Evan Spiegel's Plan For Snap's Survival

He said she said on that Bloomberg Bombshell, Evan Spiegel’s plan for survival, new Macs are un-repairable, why are Apple Watch faces such a mess, and the Weekend Longreads Suggestions. Stories from: @jsnell, @bizcarson Twee...
Oct. 2, 2018

Tue. 10/02 - Choose Your Own Adventure, But For Netflix

Amazon raises its minimum wage, Tesla’s hitting its Model 3 marks, another new California law could change the face of Tech Boards of Directors and Netflix wants us to choose our own adventure. Links: Amazon raises minimum ...
Aug. 21, 2018

Tue. 8/21 - Netflix "Tests" an End-Run Around iTunes

Microsoft uncovers more Russian political hacking, a possible MacBook Air successor, Netflix “tests” bypassing the App Store, and are you paying for Amazon’s electricity bill? Links:New Russian Hacking Targeted Republican Gro...
Aug. 17, 2018

Fri. 8/17 - The Secret Netflix Subcategories

A Google smart speaker with a screen, the crypto mining fad is fading, Silicon Valley has lost a piece of its history, the secret Netflix categories and the weekend longreads suggestions. Links:Google to debut display-equippe...
July 10, 2018

Tuesday, 7/10 - Netflix Smart Downloads

Microsoft unveils a new Surface tablet, police can probably still break into iPhones, YouTube fights fake news, the new silicon gold rush, and Netflix makes binging even easier. Links:Microsoft’s $399 Surface Go aims to stand...
June 15, 2018

Friday, June 15, 2018 - Oprah Signs With Apple

Oprah signs with Apple, but OLEDs aren’t working out for Apple, Netflix has a hidden source for teen comedy hits, the weekend longreads suggestions, and, if you can believe it, William Shatner’s new gig. Stories from: @mochi_...
May 17, 2018

Thursday, May 17, 2018 - YouTube Music

YouTube Music launches next week, Apple too is looking for a major new campus, Mobileye signs a big deal for autonomous car tech and the SEC creates honeypot to teach investors about scammy ICOs. Stories from: @JessConditt, @...
April 12, 2018

Thursday, Apr. 12, 2018 - ESPN+ Debuts

ESPN goes over-the-top, Apple’s Home Pod is reportedly “stumbling,” a final wrap-up of the Zuckerberg testimony, Snap testing commerce, and an AI doctor can diagnose on its own. Stories:How Android Phones Hide Missed Securit...
April 11, 2018

Wednesday, Apr. 11, 2018 - A Spotify/Hulu Bundle

Zuckerberg’s back on the hot seat, Spotify and Hulu have a new bundle, changes might be coming to Gmail, we might have new Spectacles soon, and Uber adds a car rental option. Stories from: @KaleighRogers, @sarahjeong Links:Fo...
April 3, 2018

Tuesday, Apr. 3, 2018 - Spotify's Stock Debut

Spotify debuts on the stock market, but it needs to depend less on record labels, Trump seems serious about Amazon, your favorite messaging app is changing, Panera has a data leak and Swedes turn against a cash-free future. L...
March 9, 2018

Fri. 03/09 - Obama to Netflix

Waymo joins the self-driving truck party, Twitter wants you to go verify yourself, Snap wants to break even, Facebook streams Major League Baseball, some weekend long-reads, and why that Obama going to Netflix story is a tech...