Is Disney now at war with Netflix? Is Facebook video relevant? What happened with SeeSo? With special guest Andy Beach.
CordKillers: Ep. 183 – Hi-Ho SeeSo
Recorded: August 14 2017
Guest: Andy Beach
Intro Video
Primary Target
- The Walt Disney Company to Acquire Majority Ownership of BAMTech
– Disney announced it is buying a majority stake in BAMTech, the streaming-video company founded by Major League Baseball that powers services like the NHL, MLB, and HBO now. Disney also announced it plans to launch an ESPN-branded streaming service in early 2018, with broadcasts not aired on other ESPN channels, and a new Disney and Pixar streaming service in 2019. Disney will end its agreement with Netflix for Disney and Pixar movies at the end of 2018, though Netflix is still negotiating to renew a deal for Marvel and Lucasfilm content. - Disney won’t renew Netflix deal
- Disney has a streaming service called Disney Life in the UK
- Disney wants to make a huge shift in its business model — but it’s not ready to do it yet
- Your favorite Disney movies will be leaving Netflix. This is where (some of them) are going.
- Netflix doesn’t want to be a better streaming service — it wants to be Disney
- Marvel and Star Wars streaming services still being considered.
- Star Wars and Iron Man may not disappear from Netflix in 2019 after all
- Netflix signs Shonda Rhimes away from ABC in huge coup
– Shonda Rhimes’ production company Shondaland signed a multi-year deal to produce new content for Netflix. Rhimes told the Wall Street Journal, “I’m thrilled by the idea of a world where I’m not caught in the necessary grind of network television.” - David Letterman is joining forces with Netflix for a new show
– David Letterman has agreed to host 6 episodes of a talk show for Netflix to arrive in 2018. Each episode would be an hour long with a longform interview with one guest as well as segments shot outside the studio. In a statement Letterman said, “Here’s what I have learned, if you retire to spend more time with your family, check with your family first. Thanks for watching, drive safely.” - Netflix lands the Coen Brothers’ Western TV series
– The Coen Brothers will produce, write and direct their first television show called “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” for Netflix. It will be a western anthology with six stories centered around Scruggs. The cast includes Tim Blake Nelson as Buster Scruggs, as well as Ryne Daley, James Franco, Zoe Kazan. - Netflix snags an Alan Arkin, Michael Douglas comedy series
– Netflix announced a project called The Kominsky Method starring Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin. The series will be written and produced by Big Bang Theory co-creator Chuck Lorre. Chuck Lorre’s series Disjointed starring Kathy Bates premieres August 25th.
How to Watch
- Facebook launches Watch tab of original video shows
– Facebook is rolling out a new version of its video section, renamed Watch, to select users in the US. Some videos are episodic and broken down into categories like “Most Talked About” or “What’s Making People Laugh”. Users can subscribe to updates from favorite shows, chat with other viewers while watching, and connect with creators through Groups. Facebook has funded some of the shows, but anyone can create one and get 55% of the revenue generated. Shows come from places like Tastemade, Major League Baseball, Mike Rowe, Billboard Magazine, National Geographic and more. - Seeso shutting down
– NBC will shut down its Seeso comedy streaming service later this year. The service launched in January 2016, but laid off staff in June. Seeso originals “HarmonQuest,” “My Brother, My Brother and Me,” “Hidden America With Jonah Ray,” and “The Cyanide and Happiness Show” will move to the VRV streaming service.
What to Watch
- Netflix renewed GLOW for a second season, no word on when it will arrive.
- Netflix takes on JFK in ‘The Crown’ season two December 8th
– The Crown returns to Netflix December 8. It will be the last season with Claire Foy playing Queen Elizabeth II. Michael C. Hall and Jodi Balfour will play John F. Kennedy and wife Jackie. - Sony’s Spider-Man spinoff Silver and Black will hit theaters in 2019
– Sony announced that Silver and Black, a Spider-man cinematic universe film featuring Black Cat and Silver Sable will arrive February 8th, 2019. Venom arrives October 5th, 2018. - Comedians Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson are bringing their hit podcast 2 Dope Queens to HBO as four one-hour comedy specials in 2018.
What We’re Watching
- Brian: Preacher, Firefly, Rick and Morty, Game of Thrones, Last Week Tonight
- Tom: Preacher, Firefly, Twin Peaks, Dunkirk, Game of Thrones, Rick and Morty
- Andy: Rick & Morty, Difficult People, Ozark (just finished), Pure, The Sinner, Detroit
- On the Lookout: VRV
Front Lines
- Pandora names Sling TV founding CEO Roger Lynch as new CEO and president
– Pandora announced Sling TV founder Roger Lynch will become the new Pandora CEO. Former head of Sony Pictures, Michael Lynton also joined the Pandora board. Pandora founder Tim Westegren told the Verge in March that video was on Pandora’s list. - Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman signs deal to develop TV for Amazon
– Robert Kirkman’s Skybound has a new deal to create TV projects for Amazon Prime Video. Kirkman has Walking Dead on AMC, has Outcast on Cinemax and film version of Invincible headed to Universal, so we’re not sure yet what Kirkman might bring to Amazon. - Michael Sheen, David Tennant to Star in Neil Gaiman’s ‘Good Omens’ at Amazon
– Variety reports Michael Sheen and David Tennant have been cast in the lead roles for an Amazon/BBC co-produced 6-episode series based on the book Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. It will premier first on Amazon Prim then on BBC and be distributed by the BBC in all markets where Amazon does not offer service. - Amazon is shutting down its DVD by mail service LoveFilm on October 31st. Subscribers will get a discount on an Amazon Fire TV stick.
- The latest no-frills Roku TVs start at $250
– Roku and RCA announced a new lineup of Roku-enabled HDTVS. A 32-inch model costs $249.99, a 43-inch model is $379.99, and the top-end 50-inch model is $499, available now. - Vizio added the Google Play Movies & TV app to its VIA+ and D-series Smart TVs. It recently added apps like Netflix and Amazon.
Dispatches from the Front
What do you think will happen with Star Trek Discovery if the first episode is a huge hit on CBS television, but the subsequent streaming only episodes are a bomb? Does it move to CBS television? Will they let if fail as a streaming only show? If they move it to television, what will this do for future streaming only series? Will people buy in to CBS All Access if they think there is a chance that streaming only shows will eventually show up on CBS television for free?
– Ken
Morning Tom and Brian,
Last show, Mickey Neumann made a great point I wish would have moved into discussion. His comment was following the conversation of how CBS moves it’s properties around like pawns — Mickey said he didn’t feel “it respects the creator of the art”.
Particularly from Brian, who’s produced shows (and even reneged his cable cutting tacit agreement so he could watch himself on cable tv)… and no longer controls the distribution of them. I’ve heard Brian mention in passing he doesn’t know where the shows are or how to get them.. so it sounds like he’s just let go. I’d love to hear more about that end of the deal process to letting go of your art
– Joe
Is there a way to request a company to start streaming some of their back catalog? HBO GO/HBO Now does not have some major pieces of their library:
The Tom Hanks produced From the Earth to the Moon mini series…
The Golden Globe winning Don King: Only in America movie…
The classic David Mamet directed magic special Ricky Jay and his 52 Assistants…
And all of the past Young Comedian Specials…
Is it because these things were all filmed and produced for 4×3 television screens that they remain mothballed and not available to stream?
Thanks for any guidance…
– Shannon
Links