The Business of Television & Streaming

This course provides a broad overview of the rapidly changing landscape of television and streaming video platforms, including SVOD, CTV, FAST, social video, creator-led media, sports, and AI-enabled video experiences. We will take an in-depth look at the video business, from content creation to final distribution and monetization through detailed analyses of major players in the industry. The course will also examine the major strategic tensions shaping the industry, including subscription versus advertising models, owned-and-operated platforms versus third-party distribution, original versus licensed content, human creativity versus AI-enabled production, and scale versus profitability. Through case studies, industry articles, and guest lectures, The Business of Television & Streaming will expose students to every step in the value chain involved in bringing Hollywood and TV to the consumer. Over six 3-hour classes, students will be required to prepare cases, participate in debates and discussions, read industry news articles, and complete a final innovation pitch presentation. The innovation pitch presentation will require students to pitch a new TV series, content franchise, creator-led format, sports/media partnership, AI-enabled product, advertising solution, product feature, business line, or service/product. Students may develop ideas for a network, streaming service, technology platform, sports/media company, or digital video brand. By the end of the course, students will understand the strategic and financial decision-making needed to manage, grow, and reposition a TV network, streaming platform, or digital video business. This course is for students preparing to enter (or advise) the entertainment industry, or students who are interested in gaining a broad overview of how the industry operates. This course builds upon the MBA foundation and provides a more focused approach that will assist with moving toward a management role at a TV network or streaming platform.