Pink's Bottom Line on Media, Money and Sports

Acquisition of a podcasting news service, business travel and the NFL season opener

In today’s newsletter, I discuss the acquisition of a podcasting news service, business travel and the NFL season opener.

MEDIA: Podcasting News Service Sold

Vox Media, a digital media company with a variety of brands, is acquiring Hot Pod, a news service covering the podcasting industry.

Vox is reportedly looking to expand the scope of its offerings, and it will continue charge $7 for a monthly subscription to Hot Pod, according to a story in Variety.

Pink's Bottom Line

Notably, the deal essentially marries two of the hottest items in digital media these days — podcasting and subscription-based products.

It also shows further consolidation in digital media, but this acquisition differs from many recent others in the space — the acquirer is a digital first media company this time, not a big media or big tech firm.

MONEY: Business Travel

Business travel, which has declined because of the pandemic, looks like it might not rebound any time soon, according to a recent survey conducted on behalf of the American Home & Lodging Association. (AHLA).

According to that survey, 52% of business travelers surveyed said they will likely cancel current travel plans, and they aren’t going to reschedule them.

Pink's Bottom Line

Additionally, 67% of those surveyed said they probably will take fewer business trips, and 68% said they probably will take shorter trips.

Notably, more than seven in ten of those surveyed said they also plan to go to fewer in-person events.

As such, that lack of business travel and the potentially lower attendance of in-person events will have widespread effects — particularly among airlines, hotels, venue spaces and car rental companies.

SPORTS: NFL Season Opener

The NFL’s regular season kicks off Thursday night when the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Dallas Cowboys.

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Bucs are a 7.5 point favorite over the Cowboys, and the over-under for the game is 52.

Pink's Bottom Line

Tampa has all of its starters returning from its championship team, and it is playing at home in front of its fans for the first time since the pandemic began.

Meanwhile, Dallas will play without one of its top offensive lineman, and it will mark the return of quarterback Dak Prescott who has been sidelined since early last year due to injury.

As such, look for Tampa Bay to win this game in convincing fashion — probably by more than two touchdowns.

Dallas will also struggle to score points with Prescott playing for the first time since last season while Tampa’s defense should resume its dominant form from last year — so I would also go with the under for this game.

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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)