Cre8tiveSHFT

Category: Tech

  • Streaming Wars: Can Tubi’s Exponential Growth Challenge Netflix’s Dominance

    Streaming Wars: Can Tubi’s Exponential Growth Challenge Netflix’s Dominance

    As the streaming wars continue to heat up, a new contender has emerged, threatening to dethrone the reigning king of the industry, Netflix. Tubi, a relatively unknown streaming service, has been quietly gaining steam, with a viewership that is steadily climbing and a user base that has recently exploded.

    Despite its subpar content, Tubi has been making waves in the industry, with 51 million active users and a record-breaking 3.6 billion hours watched in 2022. This growth has caught the attention of industry insiders, who are now asking the question: can Tubi really take on the behemoth that is Netflix?

    On the surface, it may seem like an impossible feat. Netflix, with its deep pockets and vast library of content, seems like an unbeatable force. But Tubi has a few things going for it that could give it an edge in this battle for streaming supremacy.

    For one, Tubi is free. While Netflix requires a monthly subscription fee, Tubi is completely free, like free free, to use. This makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious viewers who may not be willing to shell out money for a Netflix subscription.

    But perhaps more importantly, Tubi has a unique business model that sets it apart from other streaming services. Unlike Netflix, which creates and produces its own content, Tubi is a platform that licenses content from other studios and networks. This means that Tubi has a massive library of movies and TV shows from a variety of different sources, all available to stream in one place.

    While the quality of Tubi’s content may not be on par with Netflix’s original programming, it does have a lot of popular titles in its library, including classics such as The Terminator and Rocky, as well as more recent hits like Lovecraft Country.

    But can a platform that relies on licensed content really compete with the likes of Netflix, which has invested billions of dollars in creating its own original programming? That remains to be seen. However, Tubi’s growing user base and impressive viewership numbers suggest that there is definitely a market for a free, ad-supported streaming service that offers a wide variety of content.

    One thing is for sure: the streaming wars are far from over. As new players continue to enter the arena, and existing services fight to stay on top, the landscape of the streaming industry is constantly shifting. Only time will tell if Tubi can really dethrone Netflix, but one thing is certain: it’s a battle that is far from over.

  • Meta Introduces Paid Verification Subscription for Instagram and Facebook Accounts

    Meta Introduces Paid Verification Subscription for Instagram and Facebook Accounts

    Can we blame Elon? Because Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is introducing a new subscription service called “Meta Verified” which offers users a blue verification badge, increased visibility, prioritized customer support and more. The feature is rolling out in Australia and New Zealand this week, costing $11.99 per month on web and $14.99 per month on mobile.

    To sign up, users must meet minimum activity requirements, be at least 18 years old, and submit a government ID that matches the name and photo on their Facebook or Instagram accounts. While the service has been compared to Elon Musk‘s $8 per month Twitter Blue, Meta says it won’t make any changes to accounts that have been verified using the company’s previous requirements, such as notability and authenticity.

    Users who sign up will also receive exclusive stickers for Stories and Reels and 100 free stars per month, the digital currency used to tip creators on Facebook. However, businesses cannot apply for a Meta Verified badge, and users cannot change their profile name, username, birthday or profile photo without going through the verification process again.

  • Yahoo Braces for Major Shake-Up as Layoffs Loom

    Yahoo Braces for Major Shake-Up as Layoffs Loom

    In a stunning announcement that sent shockwaves through the tech industry, Yahoo revealed plans to lay off more than 20% of its total workforce as part of a major overhaul of its ad tech division. With nearly 50% of ad tech employees set to lose their jobs by the end of the year, including nearly 1,000 this week, the cuts are expected to impact a significant portion of the company’s workforce.

    According to reports, Yahoo’s new focus will be on its flagship ad business, known as the demand-side platform (DSP), as it aims to streamline operations and boost growth. The move comes as private equity firm Apollo Global Management acquired 90% of Yahoo from Verizon for $5 billion in September 2021.

    Given the new focus of the new Yahoo Advertising group, we will reduce the workforce of the former Yahoo for Business division by nearly 50% by the end of 2023,” a Yahoo spokesperson told CNBC on Thursday. “The Yahoo for Business segment’s strategy struggled to live up to our high standards across the entire stack.”

    Yahoo joins the growing list of tech giants announcing significant layoffs in 2023. In January, Alphabet laid off 12,000 workers, or about 12% of its workforce, and in November, Facebook‘s parent company Meta cut 11,000 jobs. As the tech industry continues to evolve and adapt, it remains to be seen what impact these workforce reductions will have on the companies and their employees.

  • Elon Musk’s Bold Move: Twitter’s Verified Check Marks Up for Grabs

    Elon Musk’s Bold Move: Twitter’s Verified Check Marks Up for Grabs

    The new king of social media is looking for cash and it seems he’s found a way to get it. Elon Musk‘s Twitter is asking businesses to pay a hefty $1,000 per month, plus an additional $50 per affiliated sub-account, to keep their gold check-mark verification badges. This new pricing falls under Twitter’s new service, Twitter Blue for Business, which was introduced in December and allows businesses to distinguish themselves and link affiliated individuals, businesses, and even movie characters with a small badge next to their profile picture.

    However, this move doesn’t come as a surprise. After acquiring Twitter for $44 billion, Musk accumulated $12.5 billion in debt and is looking to increase subscription revenue to meet these obligations. This new pricing strategy also follows Twitter’s announcement last month of partnerships with brand-safety analytics vendors to attract back marketers who have been hesitant to spend on the platform since Musk’s chaotic takeover.

    Twitter Blue for Business customers will eventually be the only ones with verified status as Twitter plans to discontinue all legacy verified check-marks within the next few months. Musk has previously stated that the way in which these check-marks were given out was “corrupt and nonsensical”.

    Twitter Blue for individuals, which includes a blue check-mark, costs $8 per month purchased on the web and $11 per month through Apple’s iOS. To prevent impersonators from flooding the platform, Twitter relaunched the program in December with new safeguards.

    On a related note, Musk recently announced that Twitter will start sharing ad revenue with creators for ads that appear in their reply threads starting February 3rd, but provided no additional details on how the program will work or how much users can expect to be paid. The split in revenue will only be with creators who subscribe to Twitter Blue.

    Aside from being the CEO of Twitter, Musk is also the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX. On Friday, a federal jury found him not liable for Tesla investor losses over tweets he made in 2018, which led to a lawsuit by the SEC. Following the verdict, Musk tweeted, “Thank goodness, the wisdom of the people has prevailed! I am deeply appreciative of the jury’s unanimous finding of innocence in the Tesla 420 take-private case.”

  • Spotify’s Focus on Podcasts, not Music, for Profitable Growth

    Spotify’s Focus on Podcasts, not Music, for Profitable Growth

    Amidst the endless cacophony of digital streaming services, Spotify stands tall as a veritable colossus, with a staggering 205 million paying users and a grip on the audio market that shows no signs of loosening. Yet, despite this dominance, the Swedish-born behemoth has struggled to find financial stability, with a string of losses and controversies weighing heavy on its shoulders. But there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon – one that may just change the tune of Spotify’s narrative. The company is banking on podcasts.

    Amidst a landscape littered with layoffs and cutbacks, Spotify’s CEO, Daniel Ek, has come out in defense of the company’s podcasting business, citing its contributions to the platform’s retention of paying customers. The latest earnings report was a surprising turnaround, with Ek presenting podcasts as the driving force behind a 14% increase in advertising revenue. The podcasting world has been a turbulent one for Spotify, with the departure of key executives and the recent Joe Rogan controversy. However, Ek and his team are optimistic, predicting profitability in podcasting to improve by 2023.

    Spotify’s push into podcasts is a calculated move to diversify its audio offerings and reduce its dependence on music licensing, which faces stiff competition from the likes of Amazon, Apple, and Google‘s YouTube. As Arielle Nissenblatt, founder of EarBuds Podcast Collective, notes,

    “Spotify is already so many people’s first choice for music, and if podcasting is positioned correctly within the app, it can turn many non-podcast listeners into loyal podcast listeners.”

    The company’s shares rose by 12% following the latest earnings report, which outperformed analysts’ expectations, and there is a sense of newfound optimism on Wall Street. However, this optimism is tempered by the recent announcement of 600 layoffs, representing 6% of the company’s global workforce, and the departure of Dawn Ostroff, the “key architect of Spotify’s podcast strategy”.

    Despite its struggles, Spotify remains a key player in the world of celebrity-driven podcasts, with multi-million dollar deals with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Joe Rogan, and Nasir Jones. However, not all these deals have proven successful, with Archetypes, the podcast produced by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, struggling to reach its full potential.

    As the world of digital streaming continues to evolve, Spotify is gambling on the power of podcasts to steer the company towards financial stability and profitability. Whether this bet will pay off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the future of audio streaming is as uncertain as ever.

  • Peacock Drops Free Plan, NBCUniversal Pivots to Premium & Original Content

    Peacock Drops Free Plan, NBCUniversal Pivots to Premium & Original Content

    In a bid to remain competitive in the ever-evolving world of streaming, Peacock, the NBCUniversal platform, is dropping its free subscription tier for new users. However, current consumers need not fret as they will still have access to the unpaid option.

    With a focus on its $5 Premium offering, Peacock aims to increase its average revenue per user (ARPU) while continuing to grow its scale. The Premium Plus offering, which is priced at $10, comes with additional perks like offline downloading.

    Peacock predicts reaching a content library of 100,000 hours, featuring live sports events, new original series, Universal Pictures films, library titles, breaking news, and next-day programming from NBC and Bravo. The platform is looking to reposition its brand identity amid a challenging economic landscape and a saturated market, much like its smaller streaming peers.

    In a surprising move last October, Netflix acquired Girls5Eva, one of Peacock’s best-known original series, renewing it for a third season and now co-sharing global streaming rights for the first two seasons, with the third season streaming solely on Netflix.

    This news was first reported by TheStreamable.

  • Exploring the Rise of Dru Riley’s Trends.vc Newsletter: From Zero to 50K+ Subscribers

    Exploring the Rise of Dru Riley’s Trends.vc Newsletter: From Zero to 50K+ Subscribers

    In the world of digital media, email newsletters have emerged as a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs and businesses alike. The recent sale of Morning Brew to Insider Inc. for a reported $75 million has put a spotlight on this growing market. But what does it take to launch and grow a successful newsletter business? We turn to Dru Riley, founder of Trends.vc, for insight into his journey and tips for success in the newsletter space.

    A former software engineer, Riley left his comfortable job in 2017 to take a chance on himself. With $250,000 saved, he embarked on a journey to explore new ideas and start his own business. However, after two and a half years, Riley found himself running low on funds. That’s when he began working on a business idea that would eventually become Trends.vc.

    Launched in 2020, Trends.vc quickly gained traction among entrepreneurs looking for insights on new markets and ideas. Today, the newsletter boasts over 50,000 subscribers and over 1,000 paid members. But Riley’s journey was not without challenges. In the beginning, he struggled with monetizing his business, despite its growing popularity. Eventually, he found success by offering free reports and charging for deeper insights.

    Product Hunt also played a crucial role in Trends.vc’s growth. By leveraging the platform, Riley was able to increase his subscriber count from 6,000 to 25,000. However, he cautions that success on Product Hunt requires careful planning and a strategic approach.

    So what’s the secret to building a successful newsletter business? For Riley, it’s all about highlighting others and putting them in the spotlight. By doing so, you can boost your brand and create meaningful relationships with your subscribers. With a combination of hard work, strategic thinking, and a little bit of luck, anyone can launch and grow a successful newsletter business, just like Riley did with Trends.vc.

  • Paramount+ Set to Integrate Showtime and Rebrand

    Paramount+ Set to Integrate Showtime and Rebrand

    There’s another shakeup. Showtime will soon be rebranded and integrated into the streaming service, Paramount+. The new moniker, Paramount+ with Showtime, will embody the premium tier of the platform and the Showtime linear network in the United States. This move marks a significant shakeup in the world of television and streaming, as Paramount+ aims to become the leading multiplatform brand in the industry.

    The integration of Showtime into Paramount+ is a natural next step in the company’s strategy to become a single, global content company powered by IP. The move will undoubtedly lead to further changes within the network, including the cancellation of several shows, such as American Gigolo, Let the Right One In, and Three Women. However, the Showtime studio will continue to operate under the leadership of Chris McCarthy, who will work closely with Streaming President and CEO Tom Ryan.

    In a memo to employees, Paramount Global CEO and President Bob Bakish pledged to be as transparent and thoughtful as possible during the process, stating that additional details would be shared in the coming weeks. A town hall scheduled for the week of February 23 will provide further insight into the changes and how they will strengthen the company’s focus on content, redirect increased investment into Showtime’s strengths, and provide a more integrated platform.

    This news follows the departure of Showtime’s former head, David Nevins, who left the company in October, leaving the responsibilities of the network to McCarthy and Ryan. The possibility of phasing out Showtime altogether and shifting its premium programming into Paramount+ was part of the company’s consideration of new content strategies in the streaming era.

    By further integrating Showtime into Paramount+, the network aims to deliver a seamless, fully integrated multiplatform premium service with more of the original, culture-shaping content that audiences love. The enhanced offering will serve both audiences and creative partners, providing an even greater ability to scale franchises and build hits across the Paramount+ universe.

    This rebrand and integration marks a new chapter in the world of television and streaming, and Cre8tiveSHFT is excited to see how it will shape the future of entertainment.

  • Netflix’s Next Frontier, Expand its Ads Biz with Free Streaming ‘FAST’ Channels

    Netflix’s Next Frontier, Expand its Ads Biz with Free Streaming ‘FAST’ Channels

    Netflix recently reported its Q4 2022 financial results, and is considering adding a free ad-supported TV (FAST) option to its platform, a move that many media companies are currently exploring as more consumers shift to FAST services. In a recent earnings call, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said,

    We’re open to all these different models that are out there right now, but we’ve got a lot on our plate this year, both with the paid sharing and with our launch of advertising and continuing to this slate of content that we’re trying to drive to our members. So, we are keeping an eye on that segment for sure.”

    While a Netflix FAST channel offering probably won’t happen anytime soon, Sarandos isn’t dismissing the possibility that there’ll be one in the future. When and if Netflix goes through with a FAST option, the move will most likely boost its ad business significantly. According to nScreenMedia, the FAST industry will reach 216 million monthly active users in 2023, driving $4.1 billion in ad revenue.

    Netflix is known to be slow to follow industry trends, having taken many years before former co-CEO Reed Hastings even considered launching a cheaper ad-supported plan. Other streaming services such as Hulu have offered an ad-supported tier for over a decade. But the streaming giant is counting on its ad business to be a big source of income. Overall, it estimates $8.17 billion in revenue for Q1 2023. However, it’s looking like Netflix’s “Basic with Ads” plan isn’t paying off as much as it anticipated, according to a recent Kantar report. Despite being satisfied with the growth of its ads business, which President of Worldwide Advertising Jeremi Gorman noted during an interview that Netflix’s “Basic with Ads” now accounts for only 12% of its subscriber base.

    As the streaming industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see if Netflix chooses to pursue a FAST option and how it could potentially impact the company’s ad revenue and subscriber base. The streaming giant has a lot on its plate this year, with plans to launch paid sharing and continue building its ads offering, but the potential for a FAST option could be a game-changer for Netflix’s future growth. Only time will tell if the streaming giant will take the leap and enter the FAST market, but it’s clear that they are keeping a close eye on this rapidly growing segment.