Weekly Recap: Pink's Bottom Line on Media, Money and Sports
Top items and takeaways from the week
Here are the top items and takeaways from this week’s newsletter.
MEDIA
In a remarkable day in US history last week as a mob infiltrated the nation’s Capitol, viewers watched the events unfold on television in record numbers. CNN said that it had its biggest day of viewership in its history as more than five million total viewers on average tuned in to the network to watch those events. While many digital media news outlets also reported large audience numbers from last Wednesday, the strong cable news viewership attests to the enduring importance of traditional linear media like television.
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 on of its services for $1.99 per month, compared to its regular price of $5.99. 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.
There’s more evidence that shows the popularity of original series produced by Netflix, according to data from Nielsen released earlier this week. Nielsen data shows nine of the ten most popular original series streamed last year came from Netflix. Interestingly, when it comes to the most viewed acquired series, all of the top ten most popular streamed on Netflix , according to Nielsen. Here’s what that could mean for Netflix in the future.
MONEY
The country’s hot housing market could be cooling off, at least according to one report. Fannie Mae’s Home Price Sentiment Index (HPSI) showed that Americans were less sanguine about future prospects in the nation’s housing market as the index slipped in December, its second consecutive monthly decline to hit its lowest level since May. That doesn’t bode well for the housing market or for the economy as a whole in the coming months.
Against the backdrop of a nationwide pandemic, this country’s small businesses are not very optimistic, according to a new survey. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index slumped in December. It hit a level of 95.9, below the index average of 98, and down from a level of 101.4 from November’s reading. If small business doesn’t rebound and business owners don’t become more optimistic about the future, it could undoubtedly prolong the economic malaise in the United States.
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, expect the positive economic impact from those stimulus checks to be muted as many Americans will simply save that money.
SPORTS
It is the stout defense of the Los Angeles Rams that emerged to me as one of the most intriguing stories of the NFL Playoffs so far. If the Rams’ offense improves during this postseason — that assumes quarterback Jared Goff sufficiently recovers from a thumb injury and rookie running back Cam Akers maintains his rushing excellence — then Los Angeles, a team led by defense in this record-setting offensive season in the NFL, just might be poised to make a deep run in the playoffs.
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 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. It’s a fascinating contrast.
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. Here’s why that trade is so significant.
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)