1 00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:12,400 Speaker 1: Welcome to Strictly Business, Varieties weekly podcast featuring conversations with 2 00:00:12,520 --> 00:00:16,239 Speaker 1: industry leaders about the business of media and entertainment. I'm 3 00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:20,600 Speaker 1: Cynthia Littleton, co editor in chief of Variety. Today's guest 4 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:25,000 Speaker 1: on Strictly Business are Perlina Ibokwe, Chairman of Universal Studio Group, 5 00:00:25,280 --> 00:00:29,360 Speaker 1: and Aaron McPherson, Chief Content Officer for Verizon Consumer Group. 6 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:34,159 Speaker 1: Both conversations were drawn from the entertainment summit that Variety 7 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:37,640 Speaker 1: produced in conjunction with the Consumer Electronics Show in Las 8 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:41,839 Speaker 1: Vegas in early January. Ibokwe is one of Hollywood's most 9 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:45,960 Speaker 1: prominent television executives, and she's clearly a rising star in 10 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:51,200 Speaker 1: the Comcast NBC Universal universe. Ibokwe and I spoke about 11 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:55,320 Speaker 1: the exponential growth of series produced under the Universal umbrella. 12 00:00:55,960 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 1: She details how Universal strategy is to sell content far 13 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:02,800 Speaker 1: and wide to outside platforms in addition to feating the 14 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:07,080 Speaker 1: many hungry mouths within NBC Universal. These days, it's hard 15 00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:09,720 Speaker 1: for Universal TV to keep count of all the shows 16 00:01:09,760 --> 00:01:13,040 Speaker 1: it produces. As you'll hear at the start of our conversation, 17 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:16,680 Speaker 1: don't go anywhere. We'll be right back after this break 18 00:01:16,880 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 1: with Universal's Carlina Ibokwe, and we're back with a conversation 19 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:34,920 Speaker 1: with Universal Television's Perlina ibo Kwe. Obviously, two year was 20 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:38,360 Speaker 1: a tough year for the business. In aggregate, it was 21 00:01:38,760 --> 00:01:40,399 Speaker 1: it was a difficult year. It was difficult year for 22 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:43,200 Speaker 1: the business on Wall Street. Difficult year of there's been 23 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:45,679 Speaker 1: some reckoning. I think it's at some companies, not as 24 00:01:45,760 --> 00:01:50,480 Speaker 1: much a Comcast, but we've definitely we've definitely seen some retrenchment, 25 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:54,320 Speaker 1: but some some re reevaluation, reevaluation. But when we spoke 26 00:01:54,360 --> 00:01:57,280 Speaker 1: a few weeks ago in preparation, you were saying something 27 00:01:57,320 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 1: that you said really stuck with me. That you said 28 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:01,760 Speaker 1: that that this as an aura of doom and gloom 29 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:04,880 Speaker 1: that you just don't see or feel or even or 30 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:07,600 Speaker 1: since I wanted to hear about them, or I don't 31 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:11,359 Speaker 1: want to perpetuate you know, Um, you know, it's it's 32 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:13,360 Speaker 1: a little bit of people, you know, are like, well, 33 00:02:13,639 --> 00:02:16,920 Speaker 1: we think we're headed towards a recession, and so everyone 34 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:19,760 Speaker 1: is immediately acting as if we're there and and and 35 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:23,520 Speaker 1: there's all this belt tightening and they're laying off you know, 36 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:27,359 Speaker 1: thousands of people, and I and I and I go, well, 37 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:29,760 Speaker 1: are we there yet? We're not there yet. This is 38 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:32,640 Speaker 1: all on the fears that it's going to happen, and 39 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:36,120 Speaker 1: once everyone starts acting that way, it feels like a 40 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:40,200 Speaker 1: self fulfilling prophecy, you know. Um, but you know, I've 41 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:44,280 Speaker 1: been asked that question. Are people going to stop buying shows? 42 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:47,720 Speaker 1: People are not going to stop buying TV shows. They 43 00:02:47,720 --> 00:02:49,960 Speaker 1: need TV shows. They need things for you know, the 44 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:54,359 Speaker 1: streamers need things for you to watch because you're subscribing 45 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:57,239 Speaker 1: and you're paying, and so they're going to be making things. 46 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:00,360 Speaker 1: And that's why I love being on the studio side, 47 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:03,160 Speaker 1: is where you know where the people making things, and 48 00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:07,119 Speaker 1: if you're making good things and good shows, there will 49 00:03:07,120 --> 00:03:10,000 Speaker 1: be a marketplace for it. Let me ask you about 50 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:14,600 Speaker 1: just again, even in your tenure at Universal, um, just 51 00:03:14,680 --> 00:03:17,760 Speaker 1: the volume has increased immensely. How have you dealt with 52 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:21,360 Speaker 1: that on a structural level? Do you have more people 53 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:26,920 Speaker 1: working in development and creative? No? My sense was that 54 00:03:26,960 --> 00:03:30,040 Speaker 1: you have not added, you know, the commensurate number of people. 55 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:33,120 Speaker 1: So so what has what has helped you? Just manage 56 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 1: the process? Because ensure sure right under Universal Studio Group 57 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:41,320 Speaker 1: we have four studios, right, there's Universal Television, u u 58 00:03:41,360 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 1: c P, Universal Content Productions, are alternative studio UTAHS and 59 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:48,640 Speaker 1: we have a studio based in the UK in London 60 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:56,400 Speaker 1: UM And while they operate you know, independently creatively, we're 61 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:59,320 Speaker 1: all housed under this umbrella group of universal studio group 62 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 1: that allow hows us to collaborate and share ideas and 63 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:07,800 Speaker 1: and have more leverage in the marketplace as we're negotiating 64 00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:10,880 Speaker 1: deals and and things like that and even terms of 65 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:14,120 Speaker 1: you know, from a production standpoint in terms of volume buying. 66 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:17,400 Speaker 1: So we think that that helps us in terms of efficiency. 67 00:04:17,600 --> 00:04:20,120 Speaker 1: But also you said, it's you know, it's the same 68 00:04:20,200 --> 00:04:23,880 Speaker 1: number of people, but we just really love what they 69 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:27,840 Speaker 1: do and it is important. You know. It's not just 70 00:04:29,360 --> 00:04:31,760 Speaker 1: it's not just Okay, this is my job, this is 71 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:33,800 Speaker 1: what I do. This is these are people who love 72 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:36,600 Speaker 1: what they do and but think about it. We make television. 73 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 1: I mean, I say to you all the time, I 74 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:43,800 Speaker 1: get to make TV. You know, I'm I am a 75 00:04:43,880 --> 00:04:46,280 Speaker 1: child of immigrants. I'm an immigrant myself. I came here 76 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:48,840 Speaker 1: when I was six years old. Watching television is how 77 00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:52,000 Speaker 1: I learned about the American culture. You know. I was 78 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:55,400 Speaker 1: fascinated by everything, and you know, and I think so 79 00:04:55,480 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 1: much of what we watch it inherently teaches people what 80 00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:03,839 Speaker 1: to aspire to, want to value and what's important. And 81 00:05:03,839 --> 00:05:06,599 Speaker 1: and so the fact that I get to be someone 82 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:09,839 Speaker 1: who's now making shows that can have that kind of 83 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:14,719 Speaker 1: impact on other people. It feels like nothing, but you know, 84 00:05:14,839 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 1: a privilege and the most wonderful thing in the world. 85 00:05:17,520 --> 00:05:20,680 Speaker 1: So you know, we try to have, you know, work 86 00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:25,279 Speaker 1: with people who also realize that it's fun, and you know, 87 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:29,360 Speaker 1: we're in a very privileged position, and you know, try 88 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:32,520 Speaker 1: to have the no assholes policy because the work is 89 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:38,520 Speaker 1: very hard, and so you know, we don't need that, uh, 90 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 1: making it worse. The best producers always always recognized the 91 00:05:43,279 --> 00:05:46,200 Speaker 1: privilege of I was going to say time slot and 92 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:48,680 Speaker 1: date myself, but the privilege of having an hour of 93 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:51,800 Speaker 1: somebody's time and being on an error. And and there 94 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:54,359 Speaker 1: is I do think there is. Broadcast networks. You know 95 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:57,479 Speaker 1: they are you know, despite what you may have heard, 96 00:05:57,520 --> 00:05:59,479 Speaker 1: they are still they are still turning out. You know, 97 00:05:59,480 --> 00:06:03,440 Speaker 1: you put the right football game on people, people will 98 00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:05,360 Speaker 1: come to it. That shows you the pipe still work. 99 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:09,039 Speaker 1: But there is still also even with entertainment content, there's 100 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:12,640 Speaker 1: a new world of of how people access how people 101 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:16,320 Speaker 1: access it, But you do still you still find your 102 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:19,880 Speaker 1: pockets of audience, it's just measured in a different way. 103 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:24,839 Speaker 1: Has that measurement has been such a subject of debate 104 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:28,640 Speaker 1: and and and sort of turmoil in internally. Are you 105 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:33,679 Speaker 1: seeing are you seeing better well? Better analytics? Obviously people 106 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:36,080 Speaker 1: are there, people are a lot smarter about how you 107 00:06:36,200 --> 00:06:38,920 Speaker 1: how you measure things across different platforms. But are you 108 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:43,000 Speaker 1: seeing more sophisticated data that is helping you? I know, 109 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:45,360 Speaker 1: I know that data can never tell you what script 110 00:06:45,360 --> 00:06:48,080 Speaker 1: to green light? But is there something and I know 111 00:06:48,120 --> 00:06:50,640 Speaker 1: you feel very strong there might have been a panel earlier, 112 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 1: aim panel that was might have been trying to do that, 113 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:58,680 Speaker 1: but no data cannot do that, you know. I think 114 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:00,560 Speaker 1: at the end of the day, what we do is 115 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:03,719 Speaker 1: we try to be in business with the best storytellers, 116 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:08,280 Speaker 1: um you know, the best writers and producers, and we 117 00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:12,239 Speaker 1: get behind their vision. We may, like I said, maybe 118 00:07:12,240 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 1: try to help shape some of it. We may give 119 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:18,200 Speaker 1: them some input based upon what we here that certain 120 00:07:18,240 --> 00:07:22,400 Speaker 1: networks may want. But even then, what a network wants 121 00:07:22,440 --> 00:07:24,720 Speaker 1: and what ends up being the biggest hit isn't always 122 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:29,280 Speaker 1: the doesn't always correlate, but it's it's it's really an art, 123 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:33,640 Speaker 1: not a science as to how you develop UM And 124 00:07:33,680 --> 00:07:36,560 Speaker 1: I was just saying that someone earlier today. You really 125 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:41,680 Speaker 1: can't chase something, you can't create it in a lab. Um. 126 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 1: You just have to have a holy original idea that 127 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:47,720 Speaker 1: people haven't seen before, that's executed at its highest level, 128 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:53,360 Speaker 1: and that people connect to. None of that can you predict, right, 129 00:07:53,520 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 1: And that's that's the fun thing about our business. That's 130 00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 1: the lightning in a bottle. It's a lightning in the bottle. 131 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:02,120 Speaker 1: I was looking over. You have just an incredible murderers 132 00:08:02,200 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 1: row of talent. Jordan Peel. You know that that you 133 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:09,200 Speaker 1: are doing business with currently, Jordan Peele, Seth McFarlane, Tina Fey, 134 00:08:09,320 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 1: Amy Poehler, a very well known it was a very 135 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 1: well known producer by the name of Dick Wolfe. With 136 00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:17,760 Speaker 1: a lot of folks there, Seth McFarland, Amy Polar, Tina fee. 137 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:20,160 Speaker 1: You have people that I'm Jordan Peel as well. I 138 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:23,320 Speaker 1: mean people that are a tourist, they're they're not they're 139 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:25,560 Speaker 1: comfortable in front of the camera. They have that experience. 140 00:08:25,960 --> 00:08:28,720 Speaker 1: Is that that is really We're seeing a lot more 141 00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:32,200 Speaker 1: of that in television now, even the even the folks 142 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:34,520 Speaker 1: on Hacks Paul Downs is one of the creators and 143 00:08:34,559 --> 00:08:38,840 Speaker 1: he plays the terrific agent. Um how is that does 144 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:42,400 Speaker 1: that influence? I mean obviously that those folks bring something 145 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:44,680 Speaker 1: to from the very get go and understanding of the 146 00:08:44,720 --> 00:08:46,800 Speaker 1: writing in the structure, but how is that kind of 147 00:08:46,800 --> 00:08:49,800 Speaker 1: the autour? The rise of the autour has change the 148 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:52,280 Speaker 1: way you develop and the kind of shows that you 149 00:08:52,320 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 1: can get, especially like an Amy Poehler is producing scripted 150 00:08:55,960 --> 00:09:00,400 Speaker 1: comedies unscripted. She's in her Drawing a Blank on the 151 00:09:00,400 --> 00:09:02,440 Speaker 1: the NBC show that she does with the Crafts with 152 00:09:02,520 --> 00:09:05,120 Speaker 1: Nick Offerman, that's making it, making it. She's also doing 153 00:09:05,160 --> 00:09:09,960 Speaker 1: Baking It on Peacock um uh. And she also you know, 154 00:09:10,080 --> 00:09:13,320 Speaker 1: produced Russian Doll for us and she execut produces Harlem 155 00:09:13,400 --> 00:09:18,120 Speaker 1: for us on on on Amazon. But that's also Amy. 156 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:21,520 Speaker 1: You know, that is Amy Poehler who is a true 157 00:09:21,679 --> 00:09:25,880 Speaker 1: amazing producer and she loves storytelling. And I think people 158 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:28,719 Speaker 1: know Amy from being in front of the camera. But 159 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:33,320 Speaker 1: her real gift, I think is that being able to 160 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:37,360 Speaker 1: connect with other storytellers and help them bring their vision, 161 00:09:37,760 --> 00:09:42,079 Speaker 1: you know, um, you know, to light so um. Yeah, 162 00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:44,800 Speaker 1: I don't know that we've necessarily gone after you know, 163 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:49,880 Speaker 1: tours or former performers. You know, I think there are 164 00:09:49,880 --> 00:09:53,680 Speaker 1: some performers who have a great ability to with story 165 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 1: and know what how to connect to audiences and some don't. 166 00:09:57,679 --> 00:10:00,720 Speaker 1: You know. Um, But I, as I said, I think, 167 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:03,920 Speaker 1: you know, for us, it's really about do we believe 168 00:10:04,160 --> 00:10:09,440 Speaker 1: in the talent, you know that we're working with that person? 169 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:13,200 Speaker 1: Um uh. Question for you obviously in the in the 170 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:15,199 Speaker 1: world of what I hope does not become a self 171 00:10:15,240 --> 00:10:17,160 Speaker 1: fulfilling prophecy. But I do kind of have to ask 172 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:19,640 Speaker 1: you do you think there's a lot of talk in Hollywood? 173 00:10:19,640 --> 00:10:21,880 Speaker 1: There are there are some big issues on the table. 174 00:10:21,960 --> 00:10:24,960 Speaker 1: There are big issues in the content business, and there 175 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:28,839 Speaker 1: is there are very important labor contracts coming up for 176 00:10:29,040 --> 00:10:31,760 Speaker 1: Hollywood in the first half of this year with the 177 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:35,040 Speaker 1: Writer's Guild of American Director's guild SAG after. You can't 178 00:10:35,080 --> 00:10:37,960 Speaker 1: produce a show without people that are in those unions. 179 00:10:39,320 --> 00:10:41,160 Speaker 1: I definitely do not want to be a doomsayer, but 180 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:43,560 Speaker 1: what what would you say is the dynamic right now? 181 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:46,040 Speaker 1: Do you have any sense of where the unions are, 182 00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:49,000 Speaker 1: where the industry is, where we're where we're going to see? Well, 183 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:52,360 Speaker 1: this is another one of those like potential self fulfilling prophecies. 184 00:10:52,400 --> 00:10:53,920 Speaker 1: I mean, there's a lot of people you ask and 185 00:10:53,920 --> 00:10:56,200 Speaker 1: they're like, oh, there's going to be a strike. So 186 00:10:56,880 --> 00:11:00,079 Speaker 1: if if that's the attitude, I guess there's gonna be 187 00:11:00,120 --> 00:11:03,640 Speaker 1: a strike if that's the attitude. But what I would 188 00:11:03,679 --> 00:11:10,199 Speaker 1: say is, look, the issues on both sides very important, right, Um, 189 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:14,040 Speaker 1: But having just come out of where there was a 190 00:11:14,080 --> 00:11:16,760 Speaker 1: six month work stoppage and there are a lot of 191 00:11:16,760 --> 00:11:23,360 Speaker 1: people who could not work, who could not make a living, Um, 192 00:11:23,400 --> 00:11:26,640 Speaker 1: I would really like to not go back to that again. 193 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:29,000 Speaker 1: And we couldn't make TV shows, and there were a 194 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:31,719 Speaker 1: lot of networks who didn't have product, and so I 195 00:11:31,960 --> 00:11:33,520 Speaker 1: I think, you know, I think there are a lot 196 00:11:33,559 --> 00:11:35,440 Speaker 1: of people who would like to just you know, hope 197 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:37,960 Speaker 1: that we can sit down at the table and figure 198 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:42,319 Speaker 1: out the issues so that people can continue working. And um. 199 00:11:42,360 --> 00:11:44,640 Speaker 1: And I think that's the thing that people should not 200 00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:49,199 Speaker 1: forget is that there's a lot of you know, below 201 00:11:49,240 --> 00:11:52,280 Speaker 1: the line, you know, people who this will affect. Yes, 202 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:56,920 Speaker 1: it's some key unions like the Writer's Guild and other unions, 203 00:11:56,920 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 1: but it also means that you know, there's some guy 204 00:12:00,040 --> 00:12:05,839 Speaker 1: who's pulling cable for a show who won't work right 205 00:12:05,960 --> 00:12:09,120 Speaker 1: who delivers bagels, delivers bagels or just works in the office. 206 00:12:09,559 --> 00:12:12,520 Speaker 1: So I think it's for me. When people said, do 207 00:12:12,520 --> 00:12:13,920 Speaker 1: you think there's going to be a strike, my answer 208 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:16,920 Speaker 1: is I absolutely hope not, and I absolutely hope you know, 209 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:20,240 Speaker 1: and and we're very supportive of let's figure out, you know, 210 00:12:21,120 --> 00:12:24,760 Speaker 1: what these end resolve whatever the issues are to everyone's satisfaction. 211 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:28,360 Speaker 1: I can't believe that it's been actually fifteen years since 212 00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:31,679 Speaker 1: the previous one. And I definitely as you talk to people, 213 00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:34,439 Speaker 1: people that remember and lived through the previous one versus 214 00:12:34,440 --> 00:12:36,880 Speaker 1: those that are newer to the industry, I hope that 215 00:12:36,920 --> 00:12:40,280 Speaker 1: they listen to the elders because a strike the last 216 00:12:40,280 --> 00:12:42,600 Speaker 1: time around, it was not pretty. It was not good 217 00:12:42,640 --> 00:12:46,960 Speaker 1: for anybody. Yeah, yeah, and I remember, Yeah, I remember that. 218 00:12:47,440 --> 00:12:52,120 Speaker 1: I guess I'm one of the elders. Um, but uh, yeah, 219 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:54,959 Speaker 1: I do hope we can learn from the past. I 220 00:12:55,280 --> 00:12:58,040 Speaker 1: don't think, I don't know that people inherently just want 221 00:12:58,120 --> 00:13:00,800 Speaker 1: to strike. I think people want to feel heard and 222 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:03,480 Speaker 1: get their issues resolved, and that's what we need to do. 223 00:13:04,400 --> 00:13:06,600 Speaker 1: I know. Um, let's leave this on an up note. 224 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:10,040 Speaker 1: I know that one one area of focus for you, 225 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:12,240 Speaker 1: not just because there could be a little issue with 226 00:13:12,320 --> 00:13:20,000 Speaker 1: those pesky writers, but um that I didn't call them. Sorry. 227 00:13:20,080 --> 00:13:23,200 Speaker 1: As a writer, I can I can say um but um. 228 00:13:23,280 --> 00:13:26,640 Speaker 1: But a big goal for you is to is to 229 00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:31,080 Speaker 1: grow your alternative studio your That is very much one 230 00:13:31,120 --> 00:13:33,080 Speaker 1: of you know, our big goals. Um. You know, we 231 00:13:33,240 --> 00:13:37,679 Speaker 1: just launched a show called Uh, That's My Jam, um 232 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:41,000 Speaker 1: that Jimmy Fallon produces and aunts on NBC and it's 233 00:13:41,040 --> 00:13:42,960 Speaker 1: a great show. If you haven't seen it, check it out. 234 00:13:43,320 --> 00:13:46,600 Speaker 1: But we've also launched you know, UM That's My Jam 235 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:48,840 Speaker 1: UK and you know, we sold that format in the 236 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:52,680 Speaker 1: UK and multiple territories. And we're also expanding. You know, 237 00:13:52,720 --> 00:13:54,839 Speaker 1: we were very much a studio that did a lot 238 00:13:55,080 --> 00:13:59,160 Speaker 1: of we call shiny floor shows, you know, like World 239 00:13:59,160 --> 00:14:03,680 Speaker 1: of Dance, you know, UM and and or or you 240 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:06,560 Speaker 1: know the Wall, and we're going to continue to do that. 241 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:09,920 Speaker 1: But we're also expanding into documentaries. You know, we have 242 00:14:10,240 --> 00:14:14,880 Speaker 1: this great doc called The America's Um that's coming out 243 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:19,760 Speaker 1: UH next year. And I was in London, went over 244 00:14:19,760 --> 00:14:21,520 Speaker 1: to the BBC where we're doing it with the BBC, 245 00:14:21,680 --> 00:14:24,040 Speaker 1: and I saw some of the footage and it was incredible. 246 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:28,240 Speaker 1: Never before seeing footage that they've captured, like like the 247 00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:32,520 Speaker 1: Natural World, Natural World. It's incredible, um, but also expanding 248 00:14:32,560 --> 00:14:34,960 Speaker 1: you know into you know, docuseries. You know, I'd love 249 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:38,160 Speaker 1: to find like what's the next iteration of these relationship 250 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:40,360 Speaker 1: shows that people seem to not get enough of, from 251 00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:43,720 Speaker 1: nine d Fiance to Love at First Sight, to Love 252 00:14:43,800 --> 00:14:47,480 Speaker 1: is Blind, to The Bachelor, to you know, to the 253 00:14:47,560 --> 00:14:50,280 Speaker 1: latest one. I just saw Milf Island, you know, like 254 00:14:50,360 --> 00:14:54,880 Speaker 1: I you know, people seem to you know, love watching 255 00:14:54,920 --> 00:14:59,280 Speaker 1: other people grapple with relationships that we can find the 256 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:01,840 Speaker 1: next literation sh and of that. I'd love to I'd 257 00:15:01,920 --> 00:15:05,960 Speaker 1: like to do that searching for couples in crisis, right, 258 00:15:06,240 --> 00:15:09,360 Speaker 1: couples in crisis leading to love right, Pearlina, thank you 259 00:15:09,400 --> 00:15:11,760 Speaker 1: so much for your time, thank you for your thoughts, 260 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:14,960 Speaker 1: and truly I am just I'm excited to see what 261 00:15:15,040 --> 00:15:17,040 Speaker 1: comes from your group in this coming year. I know 262 00:15:17,120 --> 00:15:19,800 Speaker 1: you have a ton of stuff coming, a lot of 263 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 1: great talk, you have a lot of great stuff. We 264 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:24,920 Speaker 1: just came off of, um, you know, The Best Man, 265 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:30,800 Speaker 1: which just broke some records for Peacock one woo, thank you. Um. 266 00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:33,880 Speaker 1: But we've got you know, second season of Dr death 267 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:37,680 Speaker 1: coming and it's another great but unbelievable story. We've got 268 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:40,600 Speaker 1: based on a true story. Um that's the title, based 269 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:43,080 Speaker 1: on a true story that kayleie Quoco is starting in. 270 00:15:44,160 --> 00:15:47,680 Speaker 1: We've got Pete Davidson's new show called Bupkiss and it 271 00:15:47,920 --> 00:15:52,000 Speaker 1: is as outrageous as Pete and Seth mcfauland is doing 272 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:55,640 Speaker 1: a TV adaptation of Ted. So just you know a 273 00:15:55,680 --> 00:15:58,480 Speaker 1: couple of the you know, a new show, great wonderful 274 00:15:58,480 --> 00:16:01,280 Speaker 1: comedy called Primo that's coming of Free V. And these 275 00:16:01,320 --> 00:16:05,200 Speaker 1: are all you know on different networks. Um uh, you 276 00:16:05,280 --> 00:16:07,520 Speaker 1: know around the I was gonna say dial but that 277 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:14,160 Speaker 1: just dated me too. Right, don't go anywhere. We'll be 278 00:16:14,320 --> 00:16:25,280 Speaker 1: right back with a conversation with Verizon's Aaron McPherson Horizons. 279 00:16:25,320 --> 00:16:28,400 Speaker 1: Aaron McPherson is an executive who has straddled the world 280 00:16:28,480 --> 00:16:31,200 Speaker 1: of digital media and Hollywood for most of her career. 281 00:16:31,840 --> 00:16:34,320 Speaker 1: That's certainly the case now in her role as head 282 00:16:34,320 --> 00:16:38,720 Speaker 1: of Content for Verizon. Here in this interview with Todd Spengler, 283 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:41,960 Speaker 1: my great colleague, who is Varieties New York digital editor 284 00:16:42,120 --> 00:16:45,640 Speaker 1: and to semi regular guest host to this podcast, Aaron 285 00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:50,960 Speaker 1: explains what Verizon is and isn't doing in Hollywood and 286 00:16:51,040 --> 00:16:54,720 Speaker 1: why that matters. Listen up to one of the industry's 287 00:16:54,720 --> 00:16:59,760 Speaker 1: savvat players. I'm just six years at Verizon UM after 288 00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:03,160 Speaker 1: career in media and entertainment, and UM I was very 289 00:17:03,200 --> 00:17:09,040 Speaker 1: specifically recruited to drive the content strategy, which changed significantly. 290 00:17:09,080 --> 00:17:12,400 Speaker 1: You're right, the Verizon had its own app UM some 291 00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:16,359 Speaker 1: really amazing content, and I think UM early ahead of 292 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:21,359 Speaker 1: its time, perhaps in mobile viewership habits, which five G 293 00:17:21,520 --> 00:17:24,800 Speaker 1: will help. I'll even throw myself on the five G 294 00:17:25,560 --> 00:17:28,200 Speaker 1: sword that Cynthia wanted to ask about, which is how 295 00:17:28,200 --> 00:17:31,159 Speaker 1: does five G change things? And I think that it 296 00:17:31,280 --> 00:17:36,120 Speaker 1: will proliferate the ease of mobile viewing and wireless internet. 297 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:39,600 Speaker 1: One of the easiest, most immediate changes I think we'll 298 00:17:39,600 --> 00:17:44,159 Speaker 1: see is high speed internet available wirelessly, and we're already 299 00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:48,160 Speaker 1: seeing that right the proliferation of our fixed wireless access business, 300 00:17:48,160 --> 00:17:53,720 Speaker 1: and our competitors are selling wireless, self installed home home 301 00:17:53,760 --> 00:17:58,679 Speaker 1: connectivity that can power all of your needs work, play, gaming, entertainment. 302 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:01,240 Speaker 1: That's just a very easy example. We like to talk 303 00:18:01,240 --> 00:18:04,200 Speaker 1: about a r v R and immersive experiences and all 304 00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:08,080 Speaker 1: the cool stuff that UH, five G will do, and 305 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:10,600 Speaker 1: it will But if you really think about the most 306 00:18:10,640 --> 00:18:14,960 Speaker 1: immediate I think impact for many consumers would be very 307 00:18:15,119 --> 00:18:19,800 Speaker 1: viable wireless connectivity solutions for your house I speed not 308 00:18:19,960 --> 00:18:23,520 Speaker 1: just at home, but but anywhere anywhere. And you know, 309 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:26,320 Speaker 1: work play, since a lot of people are now working 310 00:18:26,359 --> 00:18:30,680 Speaker 1: at home, work play, stream video, your kids are streaming upstairs, 311 00:18:30,760 --> 00:18:34,800 Speaker 1: you're working, you know, your partner is doing something else 312 00:18:34,840 --> 00:18:38,000 Speaker 1: in the other room, all available wirelessly. That will be 313 00:18:38,600 --> 00:18:42,320 Speaker 1: one of the I think, you know, early outputs of 314 00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:46,480 Speaker 1: this enhanced connectivity that we're experiencing across the United States. 315 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:48,640 Speaker 1: So do you know, in your opinion, do you think 316 00:18:48,640 --> 00:18:51,719 Speaker 1: five G is taken longer to take root? And you know, 317 00:18:51,880 --> 00:18:56,359 Speaker 1: cause this evolution than we we previously thought for sure, 318 00:18:56,680 --> 00:18:59,639 Speaker 1: it would you know, be fake not to say that 319 00:18:59,720 --> 00:19:03,919 Speaker 1: it has taken longer. It has, and it is um 320 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:07,639 Speaker 1: you know, I think first of all, the excitement around 321 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:11,919 Speaker 1: it was palpable, and there was the excitement that we 322 00:19:11,960 --> 00:19:15,200 Speaker 1: had as an industry globally that was matched by media 323 00:19:15,280 --> 00:19:17,960 Speaker 1: coverage of it and the reality as it takes a 324 00:19:17,960 --> 00:19:22,600 Speaker 1: long time to build out a national network of that level, 325 00:19:22,920 --> 00:19:25,720 Speaker 1: and so we're all getting there and we will get there, 326 00:19:26,160 --> 00:19:29,520 Speaker 1: and then all of those other immersive, amazing next gen 327 00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:34,680 Speaker 1: experiences will also be possible with five G. But as 328 00:19:34,720 --> 00:19:38,159 Speaker 1: I said, the first immediate side would be seamless viewing 329 00:19:38,320 --> 00:19:43,240 Speaker 1: of high definition content from your phone anywhere, the ability 330 00:19:43,280 --> 00:19:46,640 Speaker 1: to have interactive experiences right there. So I think sports 331 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:51,280 Speaker 1: betting or you know, real time trading. We've already seen 332 00:19:51,359 --> 00:19:56,480 Speaker 1: those instances where a millisecond matters. Um that that through put, 333 00:19:56,800 --> 00:19:59,800 Speaker 1: you know that increased through put will you know, and 334 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:03,600 Speaker 1: already is having immediate immediate consumer benefits. And then, as 335 00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:06,479 Speaker 1: I said, the home wireless, we have a fixed wireless 336 00:20:06,520 --> 00:20:09,439 Speaker 1: access product that is self installed, so you don't have 337 00:20:09,480 --> 00:20:13,200 Speaker 1: to wait the eight hour window for the cable installer. 338 00:20:13,240 --> 00:20:15,320 Speaker 1: I don't if you've lived through that, right, will come 339 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:19,680 Speaker 1: between eight am and eight pm maybe tomorrow. This is 340 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:22,400 Speaker 1: this is sent to you and and even I could 341 00:20:22,440 --> 00:20:26,600 Speaker 1: install it. It's starting to take share from cable broadband, 342 00:20:26,600 --> 00:20:30,199 Speaker 1: which is then, yes, that's right, pretty dominant. That's right. 343 00:20:30,280 --> 00:20:32,399 Speaker 1: So I think that if Cynthia, if we've gotten to 344 00:20:32,480 --> 00:20:35,120 Speaker 1: my question, that's what I would say. The thing we're 345 00:20:35,160 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 1: calling five G, which is what I'm saying, is enhanced connectivity, 346 00:20:40,080 --> 00:20:44,120 Speaker 1: wireless connectivity across the United States will have that impact. Yeah. Now, 347 00:20:44,240 --> 00:20:47,320 Speaker 1: and and so your group specifically has been looking at 348 00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:51,399 Speaker 1: what are the creative possibilities that open up with a 349 00:20:51,440 --> 00:20:54,800 Speaker 1: five G platform. Um, you've been looking at this for years. 350 00:20:54,800 --> 00:20:58,879 Speaker 1: You've got this creators series looking at new forms of storytelling. 351 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:01,840 Speaker 1: One of the cool things was The Green Eyed Monster 352 00:21:02,320 --> 00:21:05,560 Speaker 1: from Viola Davis is an a R musical retelling of 353 00:21:05,560 --> 00:21:10,320 Speaker 1: Shakespeare's Othello What Yes? Um? And then you've got an 354 00:21:10,359 --> 00:21:14,560 Speaker 1: a R rom com yes Saying from Paul Fig called 355 00:21:14,640 --> 00:21:20,480 Speaker 1: Mr Roster Right. Um. I I love that because UM, 356 00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:26,920 Speaker 1: generally new paradigms, new technologies can be male. I think 357 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:30,600 Speaker 1: skew male. Um. Now, granted there's a huge, massive female 358 00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:34,920 Speaker 1: gaming audience, but sometimes the subject matter can skew mail. 359 00:21:35,080 --> 00:21:39,280 Speaker 1: And Mr Wright is very definitely produced by Win partnership 360 00:21:39,280 --> 00:21:43,200 Speaker 1: with Paul FIG's company, UM about building the perfect Man. 361 00:21:43,680 --> 00:21:46,240 Speaker 1: Not that that's that's male and female. I know that 362 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:49,040 Speaker 1: we're in a non binary world, but it's a very 363 00:21:49,119 --> 00:21:52,800 Speaker 1: cute rom com that would skew to a more female 364 00:21:52,840 --> 00:21:55,679 Speaker 1: skewing audience. And that's part of why we loved it 365 00:21:55,760 --> 00:21:59,400 Speaker 1: is we want to serve diverse interests, both sci fi 366 00:21:59,520 --> 00:22:04,879 Speaker 1: and gaming, traditional gaming and rom coms and Viola's piece, 367 00:22:04,920 --> 00:22:08,720 Speaker 1: which is a really really creative take on Othello and 368 00:22:08,760 --> 00:22:12,560 Speaker 1: the effect that jealousy Iago the character that personified the 369 00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:16,000 Speaker 1: green eyed monster jealousy. Um. We that was a Tribeca 370 00:22:16,080 --> 00:22:21,720 Speaker 1: Filmfest nominee. So we are dabbling, I would say, in 371 00:22:22,640 --> 00:22:26,320 Speaker 1: funding content when it demonstrates the capabilities of five G 372 00:22:26,600 --> 00:22:28,159 Speaker 1: what does it let you do that you can't do? 373 00:22:28,640 --> 00:22:32,280 Speaker 1: Say on Netflix, you know as a as A, as 374 00:22:32,320 --> 00:22:36,000 Speaker 1: a wall Garden or whatever. Um well are so our 375 00:22:36,040 --> 00:22:41,560 Speaker 1: originals are specific to building out new models for for 376 00:22:41,680 --> 00:22:44,879 Speaker 1: five G. So think of it this way. We're partnered 377 00:22:44,920 --> 00:22:47,399 Speaker 1: with Snap on a lot of this. Maybe Snap is 378 00:22:47,440 --> 00:22:50,000 Speaker 1: the distribution window. That's where it would be different. These 379 00:22:50,000 --> 00:22:53,120 Speaker 1: shows aren't going on Netflix, although they could. They're being 380 00:22:53,160 --> 00:22:57,640 Speaker 1: experienced through Snap through snap are lenses, and we're experimenting 381 00:22:57,680 --> 00:23:02,000 Speaker 1: with you know, customers buy something like Iago of Viola 382 00:23:02,080 --> 00:23:05,760 Speaker 1: Davis original, will they pay for a gamified version of 383 00:23:05,760 --> 00:23:09,919 Speaker 1: Building The Perfect Man with Mr Wright? Um, we're just 384 00:23:10,119 --> 00:23:13,879 Speaker 1: early days figuring out what do people want to experience 385 00:23:13,960 --> 00:23:16,800 Speaker 1: in an immersive or interactive way on their phone? What 386 00:23:16,880 --> 00:23:19,359 Speaker 1: are they willing to pay for? What's an add on 387 00:23:19,760 --> 00:23:23,399 Speaker 1: the early obvious ones of sports betting and a R 388 00:23:23,480 --> 00:23:27,320 Speaker 1: maps and concerts. Those were also working with Live Nation. 389 00:23:27,480 --> 00:23:30,840 Speaker 1: We're working with the NFL. But these examples you've just named, 390 00:23:30,920 --> 00:23:36,240 Speaker 1: i'd say, are more creative um tests around what's possible 391 00:23:36,320 --> 00:23:39,600 Speaker 1: and what's great is we see the same excitement in 392 00:23:39,840 --> 00:23:43,720 Speaker 1: Hollywood that I remember seeing early days of web video. 393 00:23:43,760 --> 00:23:47,960 Speaker 1: I'm dating myself, but um, you know Web two point 394 00:23:47,960 --> 00:23:51,280 Speaker 1: oh building out short form content, getting Tom Hanks and 395 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:55,560 Speaker 1: you know, uh, Jack Black excited about short form. That's 396 00:23:55,560 --> 00:23:58,040 Speaker 1: what it felt like around two thousand six, two thousand 397 00:23:58,119 --> 00:24:02,520 Speaker 1: seven YouTube just starting. It feels that way really with 398 00:24:02,560 --> 00:24:06,879 Speaker 1: the with the metaverse web three. Well, so the hypothesis, 399 00:24:06,960 --> 00:24:09,320 Speaker 1: right is that this will be more engaging because it's 400 00:24:09,359 --> 00:24:13,640 Speaker 1: more immersive. You give the viewer a chance to participate 401 00:24:14,359 --> 00:24:17,160 Speaker 1: in building this or writer whatever it is. Exactly. It's 402 00:24:17,160 --> 00:24:19,600 Speaker 1: not linear storytelling in the way we think of it. 403 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:24,360 Speaker 1: And it's not, um, choose your own adventure. Not that 404 00:24:24,440 --> 00:24:26,639 Speaker 1: I love the attempts that have been made band or 405 00:24:26,640 --> 00:24:31,000 Speaker 1: Snatch and others around how can we involve the audience 406 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:33,840 Speaker 1: in picking their own ending. It's not like that. It 407 00:24:34,040 --> 00:24:38,080 Speaker 1: is more I describe it more as a game with narrative, 408 00:24:38,119 --> 00:24:41,159 Speaker 1: which many great games have narrative. So that's where I 409 00:24:41,200 --> 00:24:45,280 Speaker 1: feel that's where we've seen the creative land to date 410 00:24:45,440 --> 00:24:48,199 Speaker 1: is in a game. It's safe to say these are 411 00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:52,720 Speaker 1: proof of concepts, proofs of concept, proofs of concept, and 412 00:24:52,720 --> 00:24:55,200 Speaker 1: I would not take away from this that we are 413 00:24:55,320 --> 00:25:00,920 Speaker 1: in the content production arena. We really are embracing our 414 00:25:01,240 --> 00:25:05,600 Speaker 1: our expertise as a distribution and marketing partner. And that's 415 00:25:05,600 --> 00:25:08,680 Speaker 1: where the Netflix is and the hbos and the Disneys 416 00:25:08,680 --> 00:25:12,679 Speaker 1: come in is with plus Play, which is just launched 417 00:25:12,680 --> 00:25:16,120 Speaker 1: in open beta about a week ago. That's my next question. 418 00:25:16,119 --> 00:25:18,919 Speaker 1: Thank you. Yeah, taken over and see the clock. The 419 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:21,760 Speaker 1: clock is is draining and now the audience is here. 420 00:25:22,240 --> 00:25:28,399 Speaker 1: Um plus Play is our direct to consumer store that 421 00:25:28,440 --> 00:25:30,879 Speaker 1: we've launched last week in open beta, and we'll be 422 00:25:30,960 --> 00:25:37,480 Speaker 1: launching commercially we expect sometime late Q one March time frame, 423 00:25:37,840 --> 00:25:41,040 Speaker 1: and I'm really excited about it. It's the result of 424 00:25:41,080 --> 00:25:44,480 Speaker 1: a lot of years of internal work to get the 425 00:25:44,520 --> 00:25:47,120 Speaker 1: company I think in a good place to really see 426 00:25:47,440 --> 00:25:50,639 Speaker 1: that we are poised to be a partner of choice 427 00:25:50,720 --> 00:25:53,879 Speaker 1: for all of these spots coming to market. What is 428 00:25:53,920 --> 00:25:56,040 Speaker 1: going to be different in the commercial launch versus what 429 00:25:56,320 --> 00:25:58,960 Speaker 1: is there now we're enhancing So if you go find 430 00:25:58,960 --> 00:26:01,520 Speaker 1: it now, it lives on for eising dot com. It's 431 00:26:01,560 --> 00:26:06,840 Speaker 1: not in our app, it's for Verizon customers. To soft 432 00:26:06,920 --> 00:26:10,840 Speaker 1: launch will be enhancing features and functionality, making things prettier 433 00:26:10,920 --> 00:26:14,080 Speaker 1: and and taking friction points away a little bit in 434 00:26:14,119 --> 00:26:16,600 Speaker 1: the buy flow. Um, if you just think about that, 435 00:26:17,040 --> 00:26:19,280 Speaker 1: a company like Google does that all the time in 436 00:26:19,320 --> 00:26:22,879 Speaker 1: their sleep. We are embracing that. And you know, as 437 00:26:22,880 --> 00:26:25,440 Speaker 1: a network company, we don't fail when we put out 438 00:26:25,520 --> 00:26:29,199 Speaker 1: our network. We have to be fool proof. But we 439 00:26:29,240 --> 00:26:32,800 Speaker 1: are launching this very obviously and overtly in beta to 440 00:26:32,920 --> 00:26:35,960 Speaker 1: test it and also get feedback from our customers. And 441 00:26:36,119 --> 00:26:40,080 Speaker 1: the launch offer, which we've announced publicly is really exciting. 442 00:26:40,520 --> 00:26:43,639 Speaker 1: We're going to offer a number of s fods to 443 00:26:43,680 --> 00:26:47,200 Speaker 1: our customers and if they buy one, they get Netflix 444 00:26:47,320 --> 00:26:52,080 Speaker 1: on us for a year, Netflix Netflix Premium for stream 445 00:26:52,160 --> 00:26:55,479 Speaker 1: high definition, Netflix on Us for a year. So we 446 00:26:55,520 --> 00:27:00,639 Speaker 1: are really committed to giving our customers more and showing 447 00:27:00,680 --> 00:27:04,680 Speaker 1: them that we are a great place for them to discover, manage, 448 00:27:05,320 --> 00:27:09,679 Speaker 1: and um get great deals on content and services. So 449 00:27:09,680 --> 00:27:11,960 Speaker 1: how does that word do you eat the cost of 450 00:27:12,160 --> 00:27:17,480 Speaker 1: Netflix for a year. Well, for marketing, we are underwriting 451 00:27:18,080 --> 00:27:20,840 Speaker 1: some of that, yes, But then as we go on 452 00:27:20,920 --> 00:27:23,560 Speaker 1: forward with Netflix, we're going to be doing other exciting 453 00:27:23,600 --> 00:27:27,480 Speaker 1: things um in the in the space as far as 454 00:27:27,880 --> 00:27:30,800 Speaker 1: think about where we go with next gen perhaps next 455 00:27:30,840 --> 00:27:33,680 Speaker 1: gen bundling and other types of offers with all of 456 00:27:33,720 --> 00:27:37,600 Speaker 1: our partners, we've got great trials. Think of it as 457 00:27:37,760 --> 00:27:42,320 Speaker 1: our way of providing our customers with more value. Now 458 00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:44,000 Speaker 1: did I did I hear you say this will be 459 00:27:44,040 --> 00:27:47,760 Speaker 1: open to or uh plus play will be available to 460 00:27:47,880 --> 00:27:52,719 Speaker 1: non Verizon customers as well, or this will be at 461 00:27:52,760 --> 00:27:58,399 Speaker 1: first four Verizon wireless customers, eventually opened up you know, 462 00:27:58,520 --> 00:28:01,160 Speaker 1: to everyone you know down the road. But we're starting 463 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:05,520 Speaker 1: out with our customer base, and we've got a roughly 464 00:28:05,640 --> 00:28:12,080 Speaker 1: twenty premium subscription services on the just added Stars just 465 00:28:12,119 --> 00:28:16,000 Speaker 1: announced that will be growing and adding, probably by end 466 00:28:16,040 --> 00:28:19,280 Speaker 1: of this year, up to about fifty. It's not our 467 00:28:19,320 --> 00:28:22,800 Speaker 1: intent to aggregate the world's apps though, That's not what 468 00:28:22,840 --> 00:28:26,919 Speaker 1: we're about doing. It's going to always remain a curated selection, 469 00:28:27,359 --> 00:28:30,920 Speaker 1: and our hope is also to push the industry forward 470 00:28:31,080 --> 00:28:37,640 Speaker 1: by creating consumer centric bundles and offers in with with 471 00:28:37,720 --> 00:28:42,040 Speaker 1: these services. Think about again, none of this is announced 472 00:28:42,120 --> 00:28:45,640 Speaker 1: yet but think about a bundle where a customer could get, uh, 473 00:28:46,440 --> 00:28:50,240 Speaker 1: get a video subscription service something to do with health 474 00:28:50,240 --> 00:28:54,120 Speaker 1: and wellness. Since we offer you know, Peloton and Calm, 475 00:28:54,880 --> 00:28:58,360 Speaker 1: we might start to work with delivery services, anything that's 476 00:28:58,360 --> 00:29:02,680 Speaker 1: a monthly subscription. Um. So let me ask this. There's 477 00:29:02,720 --> 00:29:09,720 Speaker 1: a natural tension here because the those those providers want 478 00:29:09,760 --> 00:29:13,560 Speaker 1: to maintain a direct relationship with their customers. Here comes 479 00:29:13,760 --> 00:29:18,800 Speaker 1: Verizon as the disintermediator, right or reaggregate or however you 480 00:29:18,840 --> 00:29:22,360 Speaker 1: want to put it, and you're taking over part of 481 00:29:22,400 --> 00:29:27,080 Speaker 1: that direct relationship. How does that tension resolve? I mean 482 00:29:27,120 --> 00:29:28,920 Speaker 1: there's got to be a win win on both sides 483 00:29:28,960 --> 00:29:34,080 Speaker 1: of this. Yeah. Absolutely. We conducted extensive research um as 484 00:29:34,120 --> 00:29:36,880 Speaker 1: part of the launch and strategy of plus Play. And 485 00:29:37,720 --> 00:29:41,960 Speaker 1: what is notable is every spot, even the biggest ones, 486 00:29:42,200 --> 00:29:45,960 Speaker 1: need third party distribution. So right now, that ecosystem is 487 00:29:46,000 --> 00:29:51,200 Speaker 1: healthier with a variety of distribution points, right, And I 488 00:29:51,240 --> 00:29:54,840 Speaker 1: think any ecosystems healthier with a variety of players. You know, 489 00:29:55,400 --> 00:30:00,040 Speaker 1: we now have some dominant distribution platforms out there. We 490 00:30:00,040 --> 00:30:02,320 Speaker 1: we'd add to the mix and hope to just be 491 00:30:02,360 --> 00:30:06,360 Speaker 1: giving consumers more choice. To your point, um, I think 492 00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:08,720 Speaker 1: if you're looking at it from the programmer's perspective. They've 493 00:30:08,720 --> 00:30:10,960 Speaker 1: got their own and operated which they want to keep 494 00:30:10,960 --> 00:30:14,480 Speaker 1: really healthy. They're keeping all of that revenue presumably, but 495 00:30:14,520 --> 00:30:18,160 Speaker 1: they have acquisition costs when they go get get subscribers. 496 00:30:18,200 --> 00:30:23,320 Speaker 1: So we're helping lower acquisition cost and we're really helping 497 00:30:23,360 --> 00:30:26,120 Speaker 1: reduce churn and life cycle marriage. Whatever that formula is, 498 00:30:26,200 --> 00:30:29,640 Speaker 1: it should work out exactly that the revenue they're sharing 499 00:30:29,680 --> 00:30:33,040 Speaker 1: back with us is you know that that equation is 500 00:30:33,040 --> 00:30:35,200 Speaker 1: a win win and it's a bit different from the 501 00:30:35,240 --> 00:30:40,000 Speaker 1: Amazon Prime Channels model, right because you're not actually slip 502 00:30:40,040 --> 00:30:43,240 Speaker 1: streaming it into Thank you for noting that and integrated. 503 00:30:43,720 --> 00:30:47,440 Speaker 1: I mean, is that a big deal for your partners um? 504 00:30:47,840 --> 00:30:50,280 Speaker 1: I think it is. It's also for our customers. So 505 00:30:50,360 --> 00:30:54,400 Speaker 1: what this means is we are about finding the stuff 506 00:30:54,440 --> 00:30:57,000 Speaker 1: that you want to watch or maybe discovering new stuff. 507 00:30:57,360 --> 00:31:00,400 Speaker 1: We're about helping you manage those subscriptions and so we 508 00:31:00,440 --> 00:31:02,560 Speaker 1: have managed tools that will show you what am I 509 00:31:02,600 --> 00:31:05,800 Speaker 1: even spending every month? Have I even watched that? Should 510 00:31:05,840 --> 00:31:08,800 Speaker 1: I cancel it? Should I subscribe to something new? And 511 00:31:08,840 --> 00:31:12,200 Speaker 1: then we're also about providing great deals like a year 512 00:31:12,200 --> 00:31:16,640 Speaker 1: of Netflix. What we're not doing is controlling your consumption, 513 00:31:16,760 --> 00:31:21,040 Speaker 1: your streaming experience. So continue watching on Apple, on Amazon, 514 00:31:21,480 --> 00:31:24,960 Speaker 1: that would be a big difference, and on Roku wherever 515 00:31:25,000 --> 00:31:27,320 Speaker 1: you want to watch. Were agnostic as to that, and 516 00:31:27,360 --> 00:31:31,360 Speaker 1: it's a huge differentiator for not just our partners, but 517 00:31:31,480 --> 00:31:35,160 Speaker 1: for consumers since right now it's a fragmented world. Many 518 00:31:35,200 --> 00:31:39,920 Speaker 1: households are research indicated are watching on multiple different devices 519 00:31:39,920 --> 00:31:49,120 Speaker 1: and access points. Thanks for listening, be sure to leave 520 00:31:49,200 --> 00:31:51,800 Speaker 1: us a review at Apple Podcast. We love to hear 521 00:31:51,800 --> 00:31:54,960 Speaker 1: from listeners. Please go to Variety dot com and sign 522 00:31:55,040 --> 00:31:58,880 Speaker 1: up for our free Strictly Business newsletter, and don't forget 523 00:31:58,920 --> 00:32:02,320 Speaker 1: to tune in next week for another episode of Strictly Business. 524 00:32:09,040 --> 00:32:09,080 Speaker 1: M