Pink's Bottom Line on Media, Money and Sports

Video streaming services, Bitcoin and NFL quarterbacks

In today’s newsletter, I discuss a special offer from Hulu, the price of Bitcoin and generational quarterbacks in the NFL.

MEDIA: Hulu College Discount

As video streaming becomes more competitive, Hulu is looking to attract a younger audience with a new offer.

Hulu says that college students can now sign up for its service for $1.99 per month, compared to its regular price of $5.99. (Note: This offer is for its offering with ads.)

Pink's Bottom Line

As I have written recently, I suspect that 2021 will be the year when consumers either balk at price increases from video streaming services or pare down the number of different subscriptions that they hold.

While Hulu’s offer might simply be a way to build a loyal young subscriber base, I expect that we’ll see other video streaming services making discounted offers soon — and not just to college students.

In other words, expect pricing power among video streaming services to begin to erode this year.

MONEY: Bitcoin Warning

It’s been a wild ride for investors of Bitcoin as the price of the cryptocurrency seemingly gyrates almost every day.

The price of the Bitcoin reached a record level just last week week only to fall sharply from that high though it has since recovered some of those losses.

(Note: For excellent coverage of Bitcoin — and other cryptocurrencies — check out a publication called CoinDesk.)

Pink's Bottom Line

Interestingly, a UK regulator called the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Monday warned investors about investing in cryptoassets in general.

The FCA wrote, “Investing in cryptoassets, or investments and lending linked to them, generally involves taking very high risks with investors’ money. If consumers invest in these types of product, they should be prepared to lose all their money.”

That warning comes as more institutional investors have been embracing Bitcoin as an investment — Bitcoin has been popular among some retail investors for a while.

It will be fascinating to see if a high-risk investment like Bitcoin will remain a popular choice among retail investors especially if we see more sharp downward movements like we saw recently.

SPORTS: Playoff Quarterbacks

With now only eight teams left in the NFL Playoffs, you could say that the quarterbacks remaining in the AFC represent the new, younger generation while the NFC boasts the older, more established signal callers.

In the AFC, Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City, Josh Allen of Buffalo, Lamar Jackson of Baltimore and Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield — all first round draft choices in the past few years — are leading their teams in the playoffs this weekend.

Meanwhile, in the NFC, Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady, Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints will lead their teams — all are Super Bowl winners and Rodgers, 37, is the youngest of the three. (Note: Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams is the fourth quarterback who will also play in the NFC games this weekend though he is a younger quarterback.)

Pink's Bottom Line

This weekend, look for both the Chiefs and the Ravens to win, which means Mahomes will play against Jackson in the AFC championship.

In the NFC, I like Tampa Bay and Green Bay to win their games, which means Brady will face off against Rodgers in the NFC title game.

If we get both of those games for the conference championships, we will be guaranteed to see a Super Bowl featuring a great quarterback from the new generation play against a legendary quarterback from the older generation — that game would appeal to anyone in any generation.

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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)