Pink's Bottom Line on Media, Money and Sports
Presidential inauguration viewership, Apple earnings and the Baseball Hall of Fame
In today’s newsletter, I discuss the ratings of Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration, Apple’s strong earnings report and the Baseball Hall of Fame.
MEDIA: Presidential Inauguration Viewership
More viewers tuned in to the presidential inauguration of Joe Biden on television than watched the inauguration of Donald Trump four years ago, according to data from Nielsen.
Interestingly, the largest increase in viewers came in the 35 to 54 year-old demographic as about 14% more viewers in that demo watched this year’s inauguration than the one in 2017, according to Nielsen.
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That 35 to 54 year-old demographic is an important demo for advertisers, and it suggests that major live events on television like the inauguration still command a large national audience among those viewers.
However, the viewership of the inauguration in the 18 to 34 year-old demo was essentially flat in 2021 compared to 2017, according to Nielsen.
As such, all of this Nielsen data again reflects the fact that the traditional television audiences skew older, and that the younger, emerging audience is likely turning to digital platforms for content.
MONEY: Apple Earnings
With the S&P 500 suffering a hefty 2.5% loss for the day, many investors probably breathed sighs of relief as Apple reported a strong quarter after the market closed.
Apple reported record revenue in its latest quarter, and that revenue topped the $100 billion mark in a single quarter for the first time. Earnings per share grew 35% year over year.
The company showed revenue growth among its key products, including the iPhone, and in its services segment.
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In its most recent quarter, Apple began selling the iPhone 12, its first line of phones with 5G, the high-speed, latest generation of wireless.
As 5G becomes more widely available nationally, Apple’s iPhone sales could continue to grow nicely, and perhaps accelerate the upgrade cycle for consumers.
In any case, Apple’s earnings report today shows that the company remains a juggernaut even against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic and an uncertain global economy.
SPORTS: Baseball Hall of Fame
For the first time since 2013, there will be no new inductees to the National Baseball Hall of Fame as chosen by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA).
Pitcher Curt Schilling came the closest to making it — he earned 71% of the BBWAA electors’ votes, falling just short of the necessary 75% to make the Hall of Fame.
(Note: Players can still get chosen for the Hall of Fame if they fail to get voted in by the BBWAA. The Hall of Fame’s Eras Committees consider players for the Hall who didn’t get chosen by the BBWAA.)
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Notably, outfielder Barry Bonds and pitcher Roger Clemens, who played during the steroid era in baseball, also failed again this year to garner the necessary votes to get inducted.
As such, it does appear that the BBWAA has taken the position to exclude those associated with the steroid era from the Hall of Fame.
Still, next year’s voting will be fascinating as Alex Rodriguez, who admitted to using performance enhancing drugs during his career, will appear on the BBWAA ballot for the first time.
Jeremy Pink is currently COO of Geniecast, a leading virtual content and experience company. He is the former CEO of private-equity backed Broadcast Sports International where he helped lead the company to a successful sale and exit during his tenure there. He is also a former CNBC television executive in New York, London and Singapore.
The information contained in this communication is strictly for general informational and entertainment purposes and is not meant to be construed as financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. This communication is not a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. I am not a financial advisor or offering professional advice of any kind. Users should not act upon the content or information found within this communication without first seeking professional advice appropriate for their individual situation. Decisions based on information contained in this communication are the sole responsibility of the user, and use of this communication and its contents constitutes an explicit understanding and acceptance of the foregoing disclaimers.
(Newsletter Editor: Karina Pink)