ESG Preview: The First Hard Lessons of 2022
Plus an exclusive piece of data about 'Hamilton'
Let me be honest, I’m not perfect. This may come as somewhat of a shock, since the preferred mode of an internet commentator is to insist on their own infallibility, approaching Jesus Christ-like levels of prognostication.
(Who am I talking about? I don’t know, just go on Twitter or CNBC and look for anyone saying, “I called it!” loudest.)
Frankly, the entertainment business could use more humility. I listened to one 2021 “Year in Review” podcast episode that was all about Netflix’s inevitable domination of all media. But I didn’t get around to listening to it until late January, after Netflix’s very bad fourth quarter. Which made it a bit surreal knowing what was coming.
It's time for a bit of ESG humility. Here’s what I got right and wrong for the year so far. But since I’m still pretty egotistical, let’s start with what I got spot on.
What I Got Right: Oscar Viewership Prediction
First off, I’m being robbed. When we first set out the terms of our bet, I thought Richard and I were betting on a sandwich at the annual Ankler Oscar gala. As Richard wrote this week, that has since been downgraded to a frozen yogurt. I was upset, but Richard says I get unlimited toppings. So it’s all good.
Anyway, I predicted that with slightly more popular movies this year, the Oscars would see a ratings rebound. And rebound they did, up to 16.6 million viewers in the “live and same day” numbers.
Having said that, I’m now convinced that focusing on live numbers makes no sense! Basically, this annual list in Deadline is the reason we are all tearing our hair out. That decline looks precipitous. And indeed it is.
This has been a sneak preview of today’s edition of The Ankler, the industry’s secret newsletter. To read the rest of this issue, subscribe today for just $17 a month and don’t miss out on who’s in the hot seat next!
New on The Ankler:
The latest on ABC’s efforts to get to the bottom of the Grey’s Anatomy writer scandal.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Will Smith Did a Bad Bad Thing
As Time Passes, The Slap Still Stings: Richard Rushfield’s thoughts as concerns deepen and Hollywood sends all the wrong messages as outlined in.The Show, The Slap and the Big Shrug.
It is going to HBO, and someone offered Matt and Ben a nine-figure fund!
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