| For part two of our year-end newsletter, we will consider David Ellison’s impact on Paramount, Netflix’s next about-face and ask media experts to name the best and worst leaders in the industry. If you missed part one, get your fix here. Who is the best CEO in media? Top answer: Ted Sarandos + Greg Peters (Netflix’s co-CEOs) The runners-up: Bob Iger (Disney), Brian Roberts (Comcast) It’s hard to argue with the performance of Netflix, which is now trading at more than $900 a share. Its market capitalization exceeds Disney and Comcast combined. That may be why Iger, who was the winner two years ago, is now a distant second. (For those who missed it, I profiled Peters earlier this year.) The case for Sarandos and Peters: “Netflix keeps moving in the right direction. Hasn't made many stumbles as it has grown and now leads.” The case for Iger: “After almost 20 years, Iger is still delivering successes: now even Disney+ is profitable.” UFC’s TV rights come up next year. Who will take them? Top answer: Netflix The runners-up: Amazon, Disney/ESPN The UFC has been pretty clear it wants to stick with ESPN. Then again, Netflix just took the rights to another sport, the Women’s World Cup. If we gave you $1 million to invest in any media company, and you can’t sell for five years, which would you pick? Top answer: Alphabet Runners-up: Amazon, Netflix Some readers objected to the inclusion of Alphabet. The owner of Google and YouTube makes almost all its money from monetizing our eyeballs with advertising. Ergo, media company. The case for Alphabet: “YouTube will continue to replace TV and drive ad dollars while engagement grows across mobile and large screen.” The case for Amazon: “The diversification of the business provides resilience pure-play media companies might not have.” Paramount’s market capitalization is about $8 billion. Will it be higher or lower after David Ellison is in charge? Top answer: Lower This was one of the tightest votes of any question. If you could invest up to $1 billion in one media industry outside the US, which would you pick? Top answer: Anime The runners-up: Latin music, Korean pop Sony is positioning itself as the dominant player in anime, but it’s now under attack from Netflix and Amazon, as my colleagues noted in their latest story. The case for anime: “Global Appeal, relatively low production cost, streaming boom, well established fan communities, proven sustainable track record.” The case for Latin music: “There has already been a history of Latin music in the US and the Latin population will continue to grow.” Will TikTok be sold next year? Top answer: No The Supreme Court will hear a challenge to the law banning TikTok early next month. What will Netflix change its mind about next (after advertising and sports)? Top answer: Movie theaters The runners-up: Syndication, News Readers couldn’t make up their mind. No answer got more than 25% of the vote! What will be the biggest movie of 2025? Top answer: Avatar: Fire and Ash The runners-up: Wicked 2, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning I probably should have included Minecraft and the next Captain America. Worth noting that all these movies are either sequels or reboots. What will be the biggest tour of 2025? Top answer: Beyoncé The runners-up: Oasis, Kendrick Lamar Beyonce has not actually confirmed a tour for next year. Do you trust Oasis to stay together for the full run of their tours? Who is the worst CEO in media? Top answer: David Zaslav The runners-up: Bob Iger, Ari Emanuel Zaslav was the runaway winner for the second year in a row. Keep in mind, his stock is up this year! The case against Zaslav: “We know at some point this will end badly. He’s tarnished HBO brand, he’s bungled NBA, and talent don’t care about him.” The case against Iger: “Yesterday’s thinking with unlimited ego.” The best of Screentime (and other stuff) | My year-end best of lists | Nobody reads this column for my opinions on the quality of art, but I do consume a lot more of it than the average person. In 2024, I’ve watched 100 movies and two dozen TV shows; I also spent about 550 hours listening to music, or so Spotify says. So here are my favorite movies, shows and albums of the year. The rankings are not in order and keep in mind that I haven’t seen everything; I have yet to catch The Nickel Boys and haven’t had time for Ripley or Slow Horses. Movies - Anora
- Challengers
- Conclave
- Didi
- Hit Man
- Kneecap
- My Old Ass
- Super/Man
- Wild Robot
TV Shows - Fallout
- Hacks
- Industry
- Nobody Wants This
- One Day
- Say Nothing
- Shogun
- True Detective: Night Country
- Tokyo Vice
Albums - Alligator Bites Never Heal, Doechii
- Chromakopia, Tyler, the Creator
- Cowboy Carter, Beyonce
- GNX, Kendrick Lamar
- Kiwanuka, Michael Kiwanuka
- Manning Fireworks, MJ Lenderman
- Phasor, Helado Negro
- Tigers Blood, Waxahatchee
- Whackworld, Tierra Whack
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