David Bloom
David Bloom of Words & Deeds Media is a Santa Monica, Calif.-based writer, podcaster, and consultant focused on the transformative collision of technology, media and entertainment. Bloom is a senior contributor to numerous publications, and producer/host of the Bloom in Tech podcast. He has taught digital media at USC School of Cinematic Arts, and guest lectures regularly at numerous other universities. Bloom formerly worked for Variety, Deadline, Red Herring, and the Los Angeles Daily News, among other publications; was VP of corporate communications at MGM; and was associate dean and chief communications officer at the USC Marshall School of Business. Bloom graduated with honors from the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
Latest articles by David Bloom
Why Didn't Comcast Pull the Trigger on Selling Its Stake in Hulu?
By David Bloom published
Some observers predicted the just completed carriage talks between Disney and Comcast might make a convenient container in which to resolve Hulu ownership. Why didn’t that happen?
Disney Unpacks Eye-Popping $33 Billion Programming Plan To Make Disney Plus and Hulu More Enticing
By David Bloom last updated
Disney next year will spend nearly twice as much on content as Netflix did in 2021
Bloom: What Streaming Services Should Be Giving Thanks for This Year
By David Bloom last updated
From WarnerMedia’s escape from a large telecom’s debtor’s prison to an ancient Hollywood studio’s multibillion-dollar Amazon delivery, the turkey will taste moist and delicious for a number of media-tech execs this weekend
Netflix and Riot Games' ‘Arcane’ Is All About Real Audience Engagement
By David Bloom published
Bloom: ‘Last week’s “Undercity Nights” event felt like a combination movie premiere, game-launch junket and theme-park opening, mashing up all that into one big brand extension, as Riot moves further into video, and Netflix moves further into games'
Connected TV Looks to Clean the Slate … and Reclaim Valuable Wasted Real Estate
By David Bloom last updated
The ‘We’ll be right back’ slate is stark evidence that a streaming service or one of its distribution partners couldn’t sell a targeted ad for that particular moment. It’s a sign of failure, of wasted opportunity
Ode to an OTT OG: The CW’s Streaming Chief, Rick Haskins, Takes Us Back to Where It All Started 15 Years Ago
By David Bloom last updated
Sure, ‘Gossip Girl’ was a linear flop at the time, but ’I noticed boys and girls were communicating on the couch by phone even when they were sitting next to each other,’ Haskins recalls
Disney Plus and Apple TV Plus Turn 2 Amid Changing Trajectories
By David Bloom last updated
It turns out that Apple TV Plus isn't so terrible at 2, while Disney Plus has lost much of that early momentum
Lionsgate Goes Hunting For Value with Starz Spinoff Plan
By David Bloom published
Could a Starz spinoff capitalize on the same market heat that has fueled recent deals for MGM, WarnerMedia and Moonbug?
Meta May Not Be Betta, But It Still Matters to Streaming Video’s Future
By David Bloom last updated
Bloom: ‘Personally, I lobbied for AltriaBook, invoking the rebranding by another notorious maker of toxic, addictive products we can’t quite kick. (SacklerBook was already taken)’
Trump’s $825 Million, SPAC-Fueled Streaming and Social App? It's 'Caveat Emptor' All the Way (Analysis)
By David Bloom published
Bloom: The money will very likely come from overeager and unsophisticated 'investors,' regardless of whether a planned social-media app and SVOD service succeed, or even launch
Roku Recommends ... You Keep Watching This Show, and a Bunch Of Others, Too
By David Bloom published
Bloom: The renewal of 'Roku Recommends' suggests not only more such programming for Roku, but also for other streaming companies trying to keep audiences engaged instead of overwhelmed
Netflix Stumbles Into New Normal Amid Trans-Chappelle Controversy
By David Bloom published
Bloom: Netflix has long prided itself on a unique culture of 'radical openness,' encouraging frank and constant internal feedback and criticism. When you foster that environment, you have to respond to it
‘Who’s on Fourth?’ That’s the Big Question in the Subscription Streaming Biz Right Now
By David Bloom published
Bloom: Why the slot just behind Netflix, Amazon and Disney is going to be worth billions of dollars to the companies fighting for market share in a brutal SVOD business
How Does ESPN Move Into a ‘Plus’-Sized Future While Clinging to Its Glorious Pay TV Past?
By David Bloom published
Bloom: Will Disney be able transition a platform built on domestic delicacies to global DTC audiences?
‘Squid Game,’ Shopping, and Netflix’s Ongoing Expansion into Everything Else
By David Bloom published
Seemingly hours after 'Squid Game' became one of the biggest Netflix shows ever, the streaming company and Walmart announced a digital storefront featuring merchandise from the horror/satire series and other big shows
Hulu Needs a New President, But Who Wants the Job?
By David Bloom published
Now, Hulu controlling partner, Disney, must install a new sucker, er, executive to run its oldest, most lucrative, and most widely used service while it continues to figure out just where Hulu fits in the Mouse House streaming future
Regrets, WarnerMedia's Jason Kilar Has a Few. But Should He?
By David Bloom last updated
Bloom: After reshaping a stubbornly backward-looking Hollywood studio for the streaming future, what could Jason KIlar possibly hang his head about?
Making FAST Video Crackle Again with Philippe Guelton and Chicken Soup for the Soul
By David Bloom published
‘Our whole strategy is we can still produce the high-value expensive stuff, and by managing windowing and international rights, we eventually get content that is almost paid for when it comes to Crackle,' says Guelton.
Bloom: Roku Goes Big For Small Fry with Shopify Ad-Tech Deal
By David Bloom published
Roku is launching a new app to help Shopify vendors buy and build targeted video advertising campaigns for their products on Roku video channels. Your retinas may bleed as a result, but it will be nothing if not fascinating to watch
Why Universal’s Poaching of Christopher Nolan Isn't as Big as Netflix Signing Dan Levy
By David Bloom published
To put it simply, one studio just won a talent war right out of 1996. The other just won a battle in the talent wars of 2021 and beyond
PBS Swings for Streaming Knockout with Ken Burns' ‘Muhammad Ali’ Doc
By David Bloom published
Burns' latest multipart project will unspool on the new 'PBS Documentaries' channel Sunday, bolstering PBS' for-profit initiatives led by Andrea Downing
Epic Apple Ruling Lets Billion-Dollar Companies Keep More Cash From Trillion-Dollar Companies
By David Bloom published
Or why even Epic Games’ CEO says the decision ‘isn’t a win for developers or for consumers’
Intel and NHK Stream 8K Video Through an 80 Mbps Broadband Connection
By David Bloom published
Tech companies see whoever ends up licensing 'NFL Sunday Ticket' next as one of their first potential customers
Redbox CEO Galen Smith: Why 40 Million ‘Late-Adopter’ Customers Will ‘Make the Digital Shift With Us’
By David Bloom published
Using a single-sign-on, single-password offering across FAST, AVOD, TVOD and ‘Channels’ services, especially for a tech-reluctant customer base like Redbox’s, could be a big differentiator
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