Should Apple buy Disney? Plus: Apple's $1B blockbuster bet and more with Lon Harris | E1831
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Today’s show:
Lon Harris joins Jason to discuss Apple’s major push into Hollywood blockbusters (1:38), their anti-Netlix, “auteur” approach (4:27), updates on the WGA+SAG-AFTRA strikes (29:11), film recommendations (46:10), and much more!
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Time stamps:
(0:00) Lon Harris joins Jason
(1:38) Apple’s major push into Hollywood blockbusters
(4:27) Apple's anti-Netflix, “auteur” approach
(6:11) Why is this timely? Approaches to film marketing and releases
(13:56) Masterworks - Skip the waitlist to invest in fine art at https://www.masterworks.com/twist
(15:21) Breaking down the budget for Apple's Killers of the Flower Moon
(18:13) Why is Netflix taking the opposite approach
(20:12) Sequels and audience burnout
(21:25) Movie budgets: Napoleon, Barbie, Oppenheimer
(27:45) Codecademy - Try Codecademy Pro FREE for 14 days at http://codecademy.com/TWiST
(29:11) Update on the WGA strike and AI's place in film
(38:01) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist
(39:31) Update on SAG-AFTRA negotiations
(43:53) Understanding the "auteur" approach and the significance behind original IP
(46:10) Film and Show Recommendations: Fall of the House of Usher, The Mill, The Diplomat, Mr. Inbetween, Past Lives, The Burial, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial
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$PTON & $SNOW earnings divergence + Streaming news with Lon Harris: HBO, MoviePass & more | E1544
Big show! First up J+M break down two pandemic darlings on two totally different paths: $PTON and $SNOW (2:26). Then, Lon Harris joins to talk about HBO's record breaking House of the Dragon premiere (27:12), MoviePass returning (47:16), and more!
(0:00) J+M tee up today's segments!
(2:26) Peloton earnings breakdown: it's getting grim, so J+M brainstormed on where the company can go from here, stock was down over 20%
(16:26) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist
(17:53) Snowflake earnings breakdown: massive quarter, stock was up over 20%
(25:37) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist
(27:12) Lon Harris joins to break down this week's streaming news! First up: HBO's House of the Dragon set a record for most-watched premiere with almost 10M viewers
(39:39) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist
(40:58) $WBD CEO David Zaslav continues to make cuts
(47:16) MoviePass is making a comeback and Lon gives some streaming picks
Apple's new feature & potential ads business + more HBO Max layoffs & chaos | E1538
New segment alert! J+M debut "Little Big Things" to highlight a unique new feature from Apple (1:46), before breaking down the company ramping up its ads business and what that means for consumers. (10:49) Then, Lon Harris joins to break down all things streaming. (21:20)
(0:00) J+M intro today's segments!
(1:46) New segment! Little Big Things: Apple News audio stories
(9:42) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist
(10:49) Apple's potential ads business: great for revenue, potentially bad for consumers
(20:08) Vanta - Get $1,000 off automating your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist
(21:20) Lon joins and Jason discusses Molly's appearance on the Pivot podcast!
(23:47 More chaos at $WBD: 14% RIF at HBO Max, 30+ titles getting canned off streaming, bad feelings with creators
(37:59) Revelo - Get 20% off the first 3 months by mentioning TWIST at https://revelo.io/twist
(39:20) Digital distribution rights, how Netflix changed the industry and how Warner Bros Discovery might use this recent move as leverage going forward
(43:20) New series premiering with massive budgets: House of the Dragon, Rings of Power; breaking down the math on why these shows cost $20M-$58M per episode
(55:32) Streaming overtakes cable viewership for the first time!
$DIS earnings, Disney vs Netflix & streaming strategies with Lon Harris + Ephemeral Tattoos | E1532
Lon Harris joins the show for a full streaming industry breakdown, including $DIS earnings, $WBD drama, streaming strategies, and more! (1:59) Then, Molly interviews Ephemeral CEO Jeff Liu on building a high-quality temporary tattoo solution. (1:09:00)
(0:00) Jason tees up today's segments!
(1:59) Jason welcome Lon Harris to talk misaligned media incentives and Trump coverage
(12:45) MicroAcquire - Sell your business with no fees at https://try.microacquire.com/twist
(14:05) Hulu's new film Prey is its largest streaming debut to date
(27:18) Vanta - Get $1,000 off automating your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist
(28:29 Why the Predator franchise is valuable IP for Disney, how streaming platforms should handle "auteurs"
(35:41) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist
(37:14) $DIS earnings, how Disney's streaming platforms overtook Netflix in terms of subscribers
(46:52 Breaking down $WBD and how it should handle various IP, streaming residuals upheaval
(51:25) Disney vs Netflix BOTE Math, Ezra Miller situation, strategies for Zaslav to take advantage of $WBD IP
(1:09:00) Molly interviews Ephemeral CEO Jeff Liu
$WBD shakeup, streaming earnings, Locket raises $12.5M, Lina Khan/FTC sues Meta | E1526
Lon Harris joins the show to break down the chaotic shakeup going on at Warners Bros. Discovery, what's happening with HBO Max, potential new roadmaps for the DCEU, and more. (2:46) Then, J+M break down a new intimate social app called Locket raising $12.5M (44:02) and Lina Khan taking action against Meta. (51:39)
(0:00) J+M intro today's topics!
(2:46) Lon Harris joins to break down what is going on at Warner Bros. Discovery
(14:05) Grammarly - Sign up for a free and get 20% Grammarly Premium at https://grammarly.com/TWIST
(15:22) Is streaming subscription revenue a viable business compared to big box office hauls? Is $WBD making a terrible move re: creative relationships?
(24:26) Indochino - Get $50 off any purchase of $399 or more by using code TWIST at checkout https://www.indochino.com
(25:48) Discovery vs. HBO branding, Roku/Paramount Plus subscriber counts
(38:11) Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Apply in 5 minutes, no funding required, sign up at https://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups
(39:34) Lon's crypto queen series update
(44:02) Social app Locket raised a $12.5M early-stage round of funding
(51:39) Lina Khan sues Meta over a ~$400M VR acquisition and tries to change the antitrust precedent
$AMZN acquiring One Medical, The Snyder Cut bot army, + maybe some Jay Trading | E1514
First up, Jason and Molly break down Amazon acquiring One Medical for $3.9B — what is the long-term strategy here (2:44)? And you know it’s Thursday, so you know we had to have Lon Harris on the show (16:36). We break down the Snyder Cut bot craziness (24:38), and Netflix’s path forward (37:25). There might even be a Jay Trade involved!
(0:00) Jason and Molly tee up the show!
(2:44) Amazon acquired One Medical for $3.9B
(14:20) Prometheus - Go to Prometheusalts.com or download it on the App Store and use the access code TWIST to sign up
(16:36) Lon Harris joins for This Week in Streaming: “Cryptoqueen” pilot
(22:31) Intercom - Get advanced Intercom features and Early Stage Academy at a 95% discount bit.ly/earlystage22
(24:38) Rolling Stone reported The Snyder Cut was fueled by a bot army
(32:43) Microsoft for Startups Hub - Apply in 5 minutes, no funding required, sign up at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups
(34:49) Thoughts on Amazon’s streaming service
(37:25) Jay Trading? Thoughts on Netflix’s path forward
(46:30) Wrapping up and picking a new show
(50:30) Outro
Obi-Wan finale + Healthcare’s hidden money pit with Capital RX CEO AJ Loiacono | E1491
Today we bring on Lon Harris to discuss the Obi-Wan Kenobi finale (2:23), then we do a quick hit on the FDA taking action against Juul (42:14). Finally, Molly chats with AJ Loiacono from Capital RX, who is laser-focused on increasing transparency in prescription drug pricing (55:26).
(0:00) Jason and Molly intro today’s show
(2:23) Lon Harris joins to recap the Obi-Wan Kenobi finale
(10:45) BairesDev - Go to https://www.baires.dev/twist and get $10k off when you sign your first contract
(11:58) Favorite scenes from the Obi-Wan finale
(27:21) Thorne - Personalized, scientific wellness. Go to https://Thorne.com/u/TWIST
(28:35) Thoughts on the Obi-Wan series and finale, will they make live-action clone wars?
(34:50) AdQuick - Visit https://adquick.com/twist and mention TWIST to get $1000 off your first campaign.
(36:07) Discussing the franchise value of Star Wars
(39:56) Jason’s previous Obi-Wan prediction
(42:14) FDA is banning the sale of Juuls in the US (other e-cigarettes will still be available though)
(54:05) Toss to Molly’s interview with AJ Loiacono
(55:26) AJ Loiacono, CEO of Capital RX, who is laser-focused on increasing transparency in prescription drug pricing
(1:40:14) Outro: coming up later this week
Apple & Disney’s sports streaming strategy, Facebook’s plan to be TikTok, Obi-Wan, Star Trek | E1486
It’s Thursday, so we talk all about streaming with our guy Lon Harris! Spoiler alert as we dive into Obi-Wan Kenobi E5 (1:53) and Star Trek E4-5 (34:48). We cover Disney losing cricket streaming rights in India (41:44) and Apple acquiring MLS soccer rights (50:48). Finally, we hit on an internal memo that shows Facebook plans to be more like TikTok (57:17).
0:00) Jason and Molly tee up today’s streaming news with Lon Harris!
1:53) Obi-Wan Kenobi E5: sharing thoughts on the episode (SPOILERS)
13:52) Vanta - Get $1,000 off automating your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist
15:03) Obi-Wan: plot holes or symmetry + murder of children in television shows
20:58) Ourcrowd - Check out the deal of the week at https://ourcrowd.com/twist
22:04) Clunkiness in Obi-Wan: is it because of their real-time virtual production technology?
33:44) Liquid I.V. - Feel better faster. Get 25% off at https://liquid-iv.com using promo code TWIST
34:48) Star Trek Strange New Worlds E4-5: thoughts on the show (SPOILERS)
41:44) Disney won bid to broadcast Indian cricket for $3B but lost streaming rights
50:48) Apple signed deal w/Major League Soccer to stream every match for 10 years starting in 2023
57:17) Facebook wants to be TikTok, revealed in an internal memo according to The Verge
Disney’s ambitious streaming goals with Lon Harris + Dressd Founder Capri Wheaton | E1481
Today, Lon Harris joins for This Week in Streaming and we talk about Obi-Wan Kenobi Episode 4 (1:49), then we cover some Disney news as they fire their head of General Entertainment Content, Peter Rice (43:05), and enter a bidding war to keep their rights to Indian Cricket (48:30). We wrap with a segment of OK Boomer: this week Producer Rachel sits down with Capri Wheaton, founder, and CEO of Dressd, a peer-to-peer clothing rental service (1:06:37).
(0:00) Jason and Molly tee up today’s show!
(1:49) This Week in Streaming with Lon Harris: “Obi-Wan Kenobi” ep. 4 (SPOILERS)
(13:06) Intercom - Get advanced Intercom features and Early Stage Academy at a 95% discount https://www.intercom.com/early-stage
(14:22) Predicting where “Obi-Wan Kenobi” is headed
(20:35) Gun.io - Get $250 off your first developer hire at https://Gun.io/twist!
(21:51) More predictions for “Obi-Wan Kenobi”
(34:33) Embroker - Get an extra 10% off insurance for your business at https://Embroker.com/twist
(35:48) What’s working with “Obi-Wan Kenobi”, what isn’t working?
(43:05) Disney has fired Peter Rice, who was Chairman of Disney’s General Entertainment Content (basically the head of Disney’s TV division)
(48:30) Disney is about to enter a bidding war to keep its rights to Indian cricket, which is HUGE for its Disney Plus subscriber count
(1:01:50) Toss to OK Boomer with Producer Rachel and Capri Wheaton
(1:06:37) OKB: Capri Wheaton, founder + CEO of Dressd (peer-to-peer clothing rental)
Sheryl Sandberg leaves Meta + This Week in Streaming with Lon Harris: Obi-Wan Kenobi | E1474
Today, we dive into Sheryl Sandberg leaving Meta (2:14), then Lon Harris joins for This Week in Streaming where we cover Kenobi episodes 1-3 (12:36). We talk about Disney’s response to racism (26:54), where the Star Wars sequels went wrong (36:00), and the Depp v. Heard trial coverage (51:00).
(00:00) Jason and Molly introduce today’s show!
(2:14) Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg leaving the company after 14 years
(11:25) Vanta - Get $1,000 off automating your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist
(12:36) This Week in Streaming w/Lon Harris: Obi-Wan Kenobi episodes 1-3
(25:37) Masterworks - Skip the waitlist to invest in art using promo code TWIST at https://Masterworks.io/twist
(26:54) Discussing Disney’s response to racism
(34:44) LinkedIn - Post your first job for free at https://linkedIn.com/twist
(36:00) More on Disney’s response to racism: where the sequels went wrong
(41:52) Filoni and Favreau filling in the holes for Star Wars
(45:40) Teasing next week: Star Trek Strange New Worlds, Amazon + 007?
(51:00) Depp v. Heard trial: fishing for views
Stripe launches Plaid competitor, Cameo layoffs, Elon raises $7B + Streaming news with Lon Harris | E1452
First we chat with Lon Harris from Inside Streaming about the latest Netflix news, strategy, exciting upcoming shows and the proliferation of ads on streaming services (2:23). Then we cover Plaid CEO insinuating that a Stripe PM probed their company for information before making a copycat (39:40), Cameo's round of layoffs that included 4 execs (53:08) and the latest on Elon Musk's Twitter acquisition (1:06:25).
(00:00) Jason and Molly tee up today’s show
(02:23) This Week in Streaming with Lon Harris
(10:55) iTrust Capital - Visit https://itrust.capital/twist to create your Crypto IRA today
(12:11) The Hollywood Reporter published an article on the craziness inside Netflix that led up to them losing users and the stock collapsing
(17:57) Nerding out on the upcoming Obi-Wan series and Star Wars
(22:54) Masterworks - Skip the waitlist to invest in art using promo code TWIST at https://Masterworks.io/twist
(24:02) More thoughts on what Disney will do with Star Wars and Marvel/DC
(31:52) Peacock will introduce dynamically inserted in-scene ads
(36:07) Microacquire - Sell your business with no fees at https://try.microacquire.com/twist
(37:30) Wrapping up with Lon
(39:40) Startup news: the Stripe mafia
(52:08) Cameo lay-offs include execs
(1:06:25) CNBC reports Elon Musk will serve as temporary Twitter CEO following takeover
(1:11:25) The money behind Elon's Twitter purchase
FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
WeCrashed & Severance finales w/ Lon Harris + Twitter follower changes w/ The Verge's Corin Faife | E1446
First up, Lon Harris joins to break down the finales of WeCrashed (1:52) and Severance (34:50), then The Verge's Corin Faife joins to discuss his research on the sharp changes in Twitter follower counts for right-leaning and left-leaning accounts. (1:07:39)
0:00 Jason & Molly intro today’s show with some Don Julio 1942
1:52 Jason and Molly catch up with Lon Harris
5:10 Toasting to the WeCrashed finale
10:03 OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist
11:23 Jason’s Jim Brooks wine story
16:50 “If you’re successful be generous”
20:00 LinkedIn Marketing - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups
21:26 Was the WeCrashed ending satisfying?
32:46 iTrust - Visit https://itrust.capital/twist to create your Crypto IRA today
33:48 Final thoughts on WeCrashed’s pacing
34:50 Breaking down Severance
42:54 Similarities between Severance and WeCrashed, general thoughts on their social commentary
1:05:42 Wrapping up with Lon
1:07:39 Twitter confirmed organic fluctuations in follower counts after the Elon Musk deal was announced, and Corin Faife joins to break down the numbers
1:32:22 Jason and Molly’s thoughts on Twitter follower fluctuations
FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons
FOLLOW Corin: https://twitter.com/corintxt
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
TSLA earnings + Streaming: WeCrashed & Severance review, CNN+ demise, Netflix’s future | 1440
First, Jason and Molly cover Tesla’s strong Q1 and gems from the earnings call (2:22), then Lon Harris joins (31:32) to discuss WeCrashed episode 7 (34:17), Severance episodes 1-3 (58:46), Netflix’s rough Q1 and quality drop off (1:13:35) and CNN+ shutting down (1:26:40).
(00:00) Jason and Molly intro today’s news topics and their chat with Lon Harris
(02:22) Tesla had a blowout quarter in Q1 earnings
(14:12) Rocket - Go to http://getrocket.com/twist and use promo code TWIST for 20% off your first placement.
(15:33) Thinking of ways Tesla’s robotaxis could work
(21:37) LinkedIn - Post your first job for free at https://linkedIn.com/twist
(22:52) The power of Optimus; OpenAI getting sentient?
(29:06) iTrust Capital - Visit https://itrust.capital/twist to create your Crypto IRA today
(31:32) Talking WeCrashed, Severance, Netflix, and CNN+ with Lon Harris
(34:17) WeCrashed ep. 7 (SPOILERS)
(58:46) Severance ep. 1-3 (SPOILERS)
(1:13:35) Lon on Netflix dropping subscribers for first time since 2011
(1:26:40) Lon on Warner Bros Discovery shutting down CNN+ April 30th
FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
Portfolio construction, Sequoia's transition & Fast with Acquired.FM + The Dropout: This Week in Streaming with Lon Harris | E1429
First, Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal from Acquired join Jason to talk portfolio construction (13:41), Roelof Botha succeeding Doug Leone at Sequoia (30:58), and to debate the takeaway from Fast's demise (52:22). Then Lon Harris from Inside Streaming joins to discuss the final two episodes of The Dropout (1:24:16)!
(00:00) Jason intros today’s show
(1:31) Catching up w/ the http://acquired.fm guys: David Rosenthal and Ben Gilbert
(12:25) Fiverr - Sign up for https://Fiverr.com/Business free for the first year and save 10% on your purchase with promo code JASON
(13:41) Ben on investing in tech
(21:39) Ourcrowd - Check out the deal of the week at https://ourcrowd.com/twist
(22:46) How David thinks about his capital allocation
(29:41) Notion - Get started for free at https://notion.com/thisweekinstartups
(30:58) Talking about Doug Leone’s retirement
(52:22) Talking about the elephant in the room: Fast.co shutdown
(1:24:16) Talking with Lon Harris about the finale of “The Dropout”
Check out Acquired: https://www.acquired.fm
FOLLOW Acquired:
https://twitter.com/gilbert
https://twitter.com/djrosent
https://twitter.com/AcquiredFM
FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons
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FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
NFT exclusive restaurant: FlyFish Club CEO David Rodolitz + Reviewing We Crashed & The Dropout with Lon Harris | E1423
Lon Harris joins us for This Week in Streaming to break down WeCrashed episode 4 AND The Dropout episode 6 (1:54). Then, we have David Rodolitz, the CEO and Co-Founder of FlyFish Club, which is NYC’s first NFT restaurant (45:20).
(00:00) Jason and Molly intro the show
(01:54) Lon Harris on WeCrashed
(12:23) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist
(13:33) The persuasive power of Adam Neuman
(16:09) Shifting to discuss The Dropout
(22:55) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist
(24:13) Lessons from The Dropout
(32:20) Gun.io - Get $250 off your first developer hire at https://Gun.io/twist!
(33:37) Lon’s thoughts on "the slap"
(44:59) Transitioning to our interview with David Rodolitz
(45:20) David Rodolitz, CEO of FlyFish Club
FOLLOW Lon Harris: https://twitter.com/lons
FOLLOW David: https://twitter.com/rodolitz
Check out FlyFish Club: https://www.flyfishclub.com/
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Streaming news! Breaking down WeCrashed E1-3 & The Dropout E5 with Lon Harris | E1417
Lon Harris joins Molly and Jason to talk WeCrashed, The Dropout and Super Pumped! First, they play a round of "Boff, Marry, Kill" between the three shows (1:16), before breaking down the first three episodes of WeCrashed (16:15) and the two lead performances (24:25). They finish with a quick chat on The Dropout and examine the potential of a "tech cinematic universe" (34:15).
Reacting to Super Pumped (Uber) & The Dropout (Theranos) with Lon Harris +OneShop CEO Nick McHenry | E1411
We chat film expert, podcaster, and Inside.com writer Lon Harris to talk about tech's latest streaming series The Dropout and Super Pumped! After that conversation, Molly sits down with LAUNCH founder Nick McHenry for a quick interview about his startup OneShop (1:08:00).
Show Notes:
(00:00) Jason and Molly intro today’s show: Reviewing shows “The Dropout” and “Super Pumped” with Lon Harris, interview w/Nick McHenry of OneShop
(02:07) Catching up w/OG TWiST cast member Lon Harris
(09:31) Vanta - Get $1,000 off automating your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist
(10:47) Jason and Molly talk to Lon about “The Dropout” (the Theranos show)
(23:16) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist
(24:26) Favorite scenes and performances in “The Dropout”
(39:05) Coda - The All-in-one doc for teams, get a $1,000 credit at https://coda.io/twist
(40:30) Discussing “Super Pumped” - is it realistic?
(01:08:00) Molly interviews Nick McHenry of OneShop on his LAUNCH journey and scaling E-commerce
FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons
FOLLOW Nick: https://twitter.com/nickmchenry
Check out one shop: https://oneshopretail.com/
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood