NEPO PRINCES, KILL LISTS, AND SUCCESSION
Download MP3Welcome back to the Media Odyssey Podcast!
In the first episode of Season 2, hosts Marion Ranchet and Evan Shapiro return from summer break to unpack the biggest stories shaping the media landscape on both sides of the Atlantic.
They cover everything from NBCUniversal’s cable spin-off and MSNBC rebrand, to European consolidation led by MFE and ProSiebenSat.1, and the growing dominance of YouTube on TV screens. They also examine Roku’s pivot into subscription video and debate who should take the reins as Channel 4’s next CEO.
In the first episode of Season 2, hosts Marion Ranchet and Evan Shapiro return from summer break to unpack the biggest stories shaping the media landscape on both sides of the Atlantic.
They cover everything from NBCUniversal’s cable spin-off and MSNBC rebrand, to European consolidation led by MFE and ProSiebenSat.1, and the growing dominance of YouTube on TV screens. They also examine Roku’s pivot into subscription video and debate who should take the reins as Channel 4’s next CEO.
Key Takeaways:
1. NBCUniversal’s Strategy Vacuum
Evan critiques Comcast/NBCUniversal’s decision to spin off cable networks into a new entity, Versant, and rebrand MSNBC as “MSNow”—calling it mismanaged, brand-confusing, and emblematic of leadership by “nepo babies” failing upwards. He recalls their costly misstep with The Office and Netflix, underscoring the company’s lack of coherent long-term strategy.
Evan critiques Comcast/NBCUniversal’s decision to spin off cable networks into a new entity, Versant, and rebrand MSNBC as “MSNow”—calling it mismanaged, brand-confusing, and emblematic of leadership by “nepo babies” failing upwards. He recalls their costly misstep with The Office and Netflix, underscoring the company’s lack of coherent long-term strategy.
“Nepo baby” is shorthand for industry leaders who inherit power or rise through connections rather than merit. In this case, Evan points to executives like Comcast CEO Brian Roberts as examples of privilege trumping strategy.
2. The “Kill List” Era of Media Layoffs
At Paramount, new president Jeff Shell used the term “kill list” to describe a planned round of 3,000 layoffs. Evan calls this emblematic of poor leadership, where executives fail upward while employees bear the brunt of their mistakes. Marion and Evan stress that professionals must prepare for disruption by owning their personal brands on platforms like LinkedIn and being ready to pivot careers.
3. European Media Consolidation Accelerates
Marion highlights MFE’s (Media for Europe) successful bid to take majority control of ProSiebenSat.1. This move positions MFE as a pan-European broadcaster across Italy, Spain, and Germany. While cultural differences and political scrutiny present execution challenges, the consolidation trend mirrors moves in the U.S. and could expand further to markets like the UK and France.
Marion highlights MFE’s (Media for Europe) successful bid to take majority control of ProSiebenSat.1. This move positions MFE as a pan-European broadcaster across Italy, Spain, and Germany. While cultural differences and political scrutiny present execution challenges, the consolidation trend mirrors moves in the U.S. and could expand further to markets like the UK and France.
4. YouTube’s Growing Share of TV Viewing
YouTube now accounts for 13.5% of all U.S. television viewing, surpassing Disney and closing in on broadcast combined. In the UK, BARB’s first YouTube channel measurement shows Peppa Pig leading, with MrBeast also ranking high. The hosts debate whether YouTube should be seen as “TV” and stress that broadcasters must adapt and embrace YouTube as a distribution and monetization platform rather than resisting it.
YouTube now accounts for 13.5% of all U.S. television viewing, surpassing Disney and closing in on broadcast combined. In the UK, BARB’s first YouTube channel measurement shows Peppa Pig leading, with MrBeast also ranking high. The hosts debate whether YouTube should be seen as “TV” and stress that broadcasters must adapt and embrace YouTube as a distribution and monetization platform rather than resisting it.
5. Roku Experiments with Subscription Video
Roku has launched a low-cost $3 SVOD alongside its free Roku Channel, a diversification play as advertising headwinds grow. The hosts note that much of the content overlaps with free offerings, raising questions about strategy, but agree it reflects the need for multi-revenue models in today’s market.
Roku has launched a low-cost $3 SVOD alongside its free Roku Channel, a diversification play as advertising headwinds grow. The hosts note that much of the content overlaps with free offerings, raising questions about strategy, but agree it reflects the need for multi-revenue models in today’s market.
6. Who Should Lead Channel 4?
With CEO Alex Mahon stepping down, Marion and Evan propose successors ranging from internal candidate Jonathan Allan to YouTube leaders Pedro Pina and Alison Lomax, as well as BBC’s Jasmine Dawson. Their picks emphasize the need for a digital-native, next-generation leader to future-proof Channel 4.
With CEO Alex Mahon stepping down, Marion and Evan propose successors ranging from internal candidate Jonathan Allan to YouTube leaders Pedro Pina and Alison Lomax, as well as BBC’s Jasmine Dawson. Their picks emphasize the need for a digital-native, next-generation leader to future-proof Channel 4.
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Connect with us on Linkedin:
Evan Shapiro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshap-media-cartographer/
Marion Ranchet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionranchet/
The Media Odyssey Podcast - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-media-odyssey-podcast
- (00:00) - Introduction to Season Two
- (00:03) - Summer News Highlights
- (00:57) - YouTube's Rising Dominance
- (01:33) - Channel Four's Leadership Vacancy
- (02:07) - Welcome Back to the Media Odyssey Podcast
- (02:46) - Summer Break Recap
- (03:29) - Upcoming Events and Presentations
- (05:24) - Exciting Season Ahead
- (06:17) - MSNBC Rebranding Discussion
- (14:52) - European Media Consolidation
- (21:22) - YouTube's Television Impact
- (25:17) - YouTube TV's Impact on Traditional Networks
- (25:41) - Predictions for YouTube's Future Dominance
- (26:17) - The Role of YouTube in the Media Ecosystem
- (28:18) - Barb's Measurement of YouTube Channels
- (31:54) - Challenges and Opportunities for Advertisers on YouTube
- (37:11) - Roku's Evolution and Strategy
- (40:20) - Speculations on Channel 4's Next CEO
- (45:42) - Podcast Wrap-Up and Future Plans
Creators and Guests
Host
Evan Shapiro
Based in the US, Evan Shapiro is the Media Industry’s official Cartographer, known for his well-researched and provocative analysis of the entertainment ecosystem in his must read treatises on Media’s latest trends and trajectories.
Host
Marion Ranchet
Marion Ranchet, French expat based in Amsterdam, has become the industry’s go-to expert in all things streaming, building a following for turning even the most complex problems into easily digestible and actionable insights.
