Pink's Bottom Line on Media, Money and Sports
Cable news viewership, Amazon Prime Day and NBA title favorites
In today’s newsletter, I discuss cable news viewership, Amazon Prime Day and NBA title favorites.
MEDIA: Cable News Viewership
Not surprisingly, the three biggest cable news networks — CNN, Fox News and MSNBC — all suffered steep primetime viewership declines last month compared to May 2020.
During May 2020, news viewership soared because it was the near the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic so that’s why this year’s lower numbers weren’t surprising.
For May of this year, Fox News had the biggest audience of the three networks in primetime both in total viewers and among viewers in the important 25 to 54 year-old demographic, a key demographic for advertisers to reach. (Click here for TVNewser’s coverage of viewership numbers for all three networks.)
Pink's Bottom LineAdditionally, last month cable news networks still performed well compared to other linear cable networks so traditional television viewership of CNN, Fox News and MSNBC remains solid.
However, as US consumers continue to cut the cord by stopping their cable and satellite subscriptions, the universe of potential viewers will get smaller for all traditional pay television networks including news networks.
As such, that’s why CNN, Fox News and MSNBC are all creating content for video streaming to ensure that they continue to reach as wide of an audience as possible.
MONEY: Amazon Prime Day
While the Prime Day sales event began only in 2015, it has emerged as one of the biggest shopping events of the entire year in all of global retail.
This estimate from Digital Commerce 360 puts sales at more than $10 billion for Amazon during the Prime Day event in 2020 when it was held in October.
Pink's Bottom LineOnline sales have increased dramatically in the past 15 months as consumers embraced e-commerce during the pandemic, and Amazon has been a major beneficiary of this trend.
As such, the Prime Day sales event this year could be a good proxy to determine just how strong the adoption of e-commerce has become.
I expect Prime Day sales to approach or top last year’s numbers, which will indicate enduring strength in e-commerce.
SPORTS: NBA Title Favorites
The Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Lakers last night to take a three games to two lead in their best-of-seven first round playoff series — and that Phoenix victory also dealt a blow to the NBA title chances of the Lakers.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Lakers are currently +1400 to win the NBA title, which makes them now the seventh favorite to win it all — the Suns are the sixth favorite at +1300.
The Brooklyn Nets remain the clear favorites to win the title at +165 followed by the Utah Jazz at +390, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Pink's Bottom LineJust a few days ago, the Lakers led their series with the Suns two games to one, and looked like they might sail through the first round.
However, with injuries to superstar Anthony Davis in the Phoenix series and with LeBron James likely still feeling the lingering effects of his late regular season ankle injury, the Lakers suddenly look very vulnerable.
Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets and their three superstars — Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving — are finally all healthy after the three struggled through their own injury-riddled regular season.
In other words, superstar health of might just be the biggest factor in determining this year’s NBA champion.
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)