Read our latest daily deep dives, hot takes, and exciting updates about the entertainment world. Check out the latest insight from your favourite analyst, or search by coverage areas - music, entertainment and fandom, creator economy and social.

Addison Rae will not be owned: The pitfalls of the major label business model

Cover image for Addison Rae will not be owned: The pitfalls of the major label business model
Kriss Thakrar
TikTok stars are rejecting major labels. It is no secret that major labels are being outpaced by independent artists in the overall market. Addison Rae has a combined following of over 100 million between TikTok and Instagram alone, and she has leveraged her position to independently put together an all-star team for her first release.
min read
Read more …

The billion-dollar content play: Why Amazon is intentionally overpaying for its NFL rights

Cover image for The billion-dollar content play: Why Amazon is intentionally overpaying for its NFL rights
Tim Mulligan
Last Thursday , the sports ecosystem breathed a collective sigh of relief. The NFL, the world’s most valuable sports league, secured an 11-year broadcast deal worth a staggering $100 billion. This huge sum was secured despite the increasing disengagement of younger demographics with live TV sports viewing; less than 10% of US TV sports audiences are now 16-19 years old (source MIDiA Research Q4 2020 consumer survey).
min read
Read more …

Why Roblox is well set to withstand the COVID bounce effect

Cover image for Why Roblox is well set to withstand the COVID bounce effect
Karol Severin
Roblox has launched an initial public offering (IPO) this week. Timing-wise, the twice-delayed IPO aligns with the world getting closer to opening up, and out-of-home competitive pressures returning. This invites questions around how much of the current valuation is aided by a temporary, artificial COVID-related boost, as opposed to fundamental trends which will drive growth for Roblox during the ‘new normal’.
min read
Read more …

Recorded music revenues hit $23.1 billion in 2020, with artists direct the winners – again

Cover image for Recorded music revenues hit $23.1 billion in 2020, with artists direct the winners – again
Mark Mulligan
The global pandemic caused widespread disruption to the music business, in particular decimating the live business and impacting publisher public performance royalties. Although the recorded music business experienced a dip in the earlier months of the pandemic, the remainder of the year saw industry revenue rebound, making it the sixth successive year of growth.
min read
Read more …