Making predictions about an inherently unpredictable media world is a bit of a fool's errand. But potentially looking like an idiot has never gotten in the way of me weighing in on a topic. So with all of that, here are some (mostly) serious predictions about what 2025 will bring for the television and media business.
* Despite a lot of hyping from investors, Warner Bros Discovery will not be engaged in an M&A with anyone. But not for lack of trying from WBD CEO David Zaslav and primary advisor John Malone.
* The Penske Media Corporation will consolidate its Hollywood trade publication business, including cutting back the scope of The Hollywood Reporter's print business, completely shuttering one title (IndieWire?) and instituting a soft paywall for Variety.com
* CNN and MSNBC will continue to make headlines pursuing differing visions of the same ill-fated goal - to be seen as "non-partisan" by bringing more Trump-friendly voices onto the network.
* One of the major FAST platforms will launch a nightly live talk show, but it will more closely resemble the old Bob Costas talker Later than a traditional broadcast late night talk show.
* Comcast will make a deal with the producers of Sesame Street to produce a new season of the show for Peacock, as well as license content for a Sesame Street FAST channel as well as catalog episodes for Peacock and the Xumo Play app.
* One of big three broadcast networks will decide to return the 10:00 pm primetime hour to its affiliates.
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