Pink's Bottom Line on Media, Money and Sports
Top streaming series, savings in America and a compelling baseball trade
In today’s newsletter, I discuss the most popular streaming content, how much Americans are saving and an overlooked trade in major league baseball.
MEDIA: Top Streaming Series
There’s more evidence that shows the popularity of original series produced by Netflix, according to data from Nielsen released earlier this week.
The Mandalorian from Disney+ was the only original series not produced by Netflix that cracked the top ten most streamed last year, according to Nielsen data.
Interestingly, when it comes to the most viewed acquired series, all of the top ten most popular were on the Netflix platform, according to Nielsen.
Pink's Bottom LineThis Nielsen data suggests that while original content produced by Netflix is indeed resonating with viewers, it appears that the video streaming service also has been able to deftly choose outside produced content that drives viewership.
However, some of that acquired content could soon be on other platforms as the number of video streaming services increase and the demand for that content grows. For example, The Office, the most viewed acquired series in 2020, no longer streams on Netflix but runs on Peacock instead.
As such, the importance of originally produced programming for Netflix becomes even more vital for the video streaming service for the foreseeable future.
MONEY: Savings in America
There is a real possibility that many Americans will receive additional fiscal stimulus checks in the first few weeks of the Biden administration.
If that happens, it could create a boost to the overall economy if those check recipients spend that money, as consumer spending accounts for upwards of 70% of all economic activity in the United States.
However, if the recent rate of personal saving is any indication, many Americans might choose to save that money instead of spend it.
Pink's Bottom LineAmericans saved 12.9% of their disposable income in November, according to a government report. (Note: That is the most recent data available.)
From August through October, the monthly personal saving rate was even higher — it hit 15% in August.
As such, while additional stimulus checks will undoubtedly provide much needed help to many Americans and should provide some overall boost to the US economy, expect the positive economic impact from those stimulus checks to be muted as many Americans will simply pocket that money as savings rather than spend it.
SPORTS: Baseball Trade
As much of the US sports world focuses on professional and college football and the start of the new NBA season, one trade in major league baseball has been getting overlooked.
Namely, the New York Mets traded for Francisco Lindor, a shortstop from the Cleveland Indians, last week.
If you don’t know much about Lindor, he has been an all-star four times since he broke into the majors in 2015, and he is one of the best all-around players in baseball.
Pink's Bottom LineThe trade is significant for two reasons.
First, it indicates that new Mets’ owner Steve Cohen, a hedge fund billionaire, is willing to make roster moves and to spend significant amounts of money. Lindor is set to be a free agent at the end of the 2021 season, and expectations are that the Mets will sign him to a lucrative long-term deal.
Second, the trade for Lindor brings a shot of excitement to the New York area, baseball’s biggest market.
That means three of baseball’s most intriguing teams — the Mets, the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers — are in the country’s biggest and most influential cities, which could help generate more — and much needed — nationwide interest in the game.
Jeremy Pink is COO of Geniecast, a leading virtual content and experience company, and he is also currently an advisor to companies in the media and financial tech sectors. Jeremy 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, and 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)