The YouTube colossus rumbles on as new data shows YouTube with 51 million viewers in the UK in Q4 ’25, just edging out the BBC with 50.8 million viewers. The caveat is that this is for three minutes only, with an expanded 15 minute definition still showing the BBC ahead. 

Meanwhile ad-tier usage among paid streaming services continue to increase across the board. Netflix has 40% of its active accounts using its ad plan, while Disney+ has 44% and HBO Max has 28%, all up year-over-year. Last we discuss the impact of Peacock of losing Versant content. 

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In our first podcast of 2026 we discuss Comcast’s spinoff of Versant, which was finalized earlier this week. So far Wall Street has been cool to the stock, indicating further concern about cable networks’ future. Next, Colin shares his observations on news from CES related TV OEMs and AI. The NFL continued its streak of record viewing on Christmas with Netflix, and on Thursday Night Football with Amazon. Last, we explore Disney’s plan to sunset the Hulu app.


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YouTube will begin streaming the Oscars globally in 2029 per a new deal with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. As Colin and I discuss, it’s another indicator that streaming platforms’ financial clout and distribution reach have become critical differentiators for marquee events. 

Next we discuss Netflix’s further push into video podcasts following announcements with iHeartMedia and Barstool Sports this week. Finally, we explore Google and YouTube’s return to Movies Anywhere and the ongoing WBD acquisition saga. 

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In a bold move, Disney has licensed 200 of its characters for use in OpenAI’s Sora. In today’s podcast we discuss the benefits and risks of the deal, which opens a new chapter of collaboration between rights holders and AI platforms. We like Disney’s openness to user-generated content to better compete with YouTube, but are cautious about the effectiveness of the proposed guardrails in deterring misuse of Disney’s prized characters. 

Then we shift focus to the battle to own Warner Bros. Discovery. Colin thinks Netflix is likely to prevail, while I think Paramount has the edge. We explain why. 

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