09 May The Streaming Wars Are Over, and It’s Time for Media to Figure Out What’s Next [CNBC]
ALEX SHERMAN
May 9, 2023 | I’m calling it. The Streaming Wars are over. 2019-2023. RIP.
The race between the biggest media and entertainment companies to add streaming subscribers, knowing consumers will only pay for a limited number of them, is finished. Sure, the participants are still running. They’re just not trying to win anymore.
The current big media narrative is all about getting streaming to profitability. Warner Bros. Discovery announced last week its U.S. direct-to-consumer business turned a profit of $50 million in the quarter and will remain profitable this year. Netflix’s streaming business turned profitable during the pandemic. Disney on Wednesday announced streaming losses narrowed to $659 million from $887 million.
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