Netflix and Paramount continue their battle for Warner, why Ted Sarandos might not be the villain he's painted to be, plus letters and TV picks. (Downstream+ listeners also get: YouTube's letter, Oscar noms, Star Search, and Heated Rivalry.) This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Ecamm : Powerful live streaming platform for Mac. Guest Starring: Josef Adalian Links and Show Notes: TV Picks: Joe: All Creatures Great and Small (PBS) Jason: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO Max) Get Downstrea...
Jan 23, 2026•38 min•Ep. 111
Jason helps guest Casey Liss figure out what his cord-cutting strategy might be. We also discuss his Callsheet app, touch on the rise of CanCon including "Heated Rivalry," and offer some very nice TV picks. This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Factor : Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code downstream50off Guest Starring: Casey Liss Links and Show Notes: Our Picks: Jason: Down Cemetery Road (Apple TV), The Pitt (HBO Max) Casey: Shoresy (Hulu) Get Downstream+ and don...
Jan 08, 2026•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 110
Tim Goodman pops down the chimney again to reunite with Jason and discuss the Oscars on YouTube, finding balance in the TV review game, the rise of international content, episode deconstructions, "Pluribus," and his top shows of the year. Guest Starring: Tim Goodman Links and Show Notes: Shows mentioned: Black Summer (Netflix), Severance (Apple TV), The Studio (Apple TV), Families Like Ours (Denmark; Netflix), Pluribus (Apple TV), The Diplomat (Netflix), The Bear (Hulu), Asura (Japan; Netflix), ...
Dec 18, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 109
Bob Iger burnishes his legacy by... making a deal with OpenAI? Also, TV picks and a Listener Letter Challenge! (Downstream+ subscribers also get to hear us talk at length about the potential Netflix purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery.) This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Factor : Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code downstream50off Guest Starring: Josef Adalian Links and Show Notes: Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback Disney Agrees to Bring ...
Dec 12, 2025•28 min•Ep. 108
Veteran TV critic Alan Sepinwall joins Jason to discuss the current state of TV criticism, the future of scripted TV, why streamers can't make sitcoms, the difference between recaps and reviews, and the best shows of the year. This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Factor : Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code downstream50off Guest Starring: Alan Sepinwall Links and Show Notes: Good TV shows mentioned: The Pitt, Ludwig, Severance, Adolescence at the top, then: Pluri...
Nov 20, 2025•59 min•Ep. 107
Taylor Sheridan signs a free agent deal with NBCU, Warner Bros. Discovery might have many interested bidders, and we answer your letters! (Downstream+ subscribers also get: Google/Disney carriage, Dancing With the Stars, Apple/F1, and Disney/Doctor Who.) This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Claude : Get 50% off Claude Pro, including access to Claude Code. Guest Starring: Josef Adalian Links and Show Notes: TV Picks: Joe: Pluribus (Apple TV) Jason: Seth Meyers Corrections (YouTube) Get Dow...
Oct 31, 2025•34 min•Ep. 106
Hulu goes worldwide, Apple drops the plus and explores a relationship with Formula 1, the Lakers get immersive, the NBA is everywhere all at once, and our TV Picks. This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Claude : Get 50% off Claude Pro, including access to Claude Code. Factor : Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code downstream50off Guest Starring: Will Carroll Links and Show Notes: TV Picks: Will: Passenger Princess (YouTube) Jason: Travel Man with Richard Ayoade (You...
Oct 16, 2025•58 min•Ep. 105
We dive into the aftermath of the Jimmy Kimmel affair and the strange balance between TV networks and local affiliates. [Downstream+ subscribers also get: Streaming price hikes, Prime Video's future, and David Letterman's streaming strategy.] Guest Starring: Josef Adalian Links and Show Notes: TV Picks: Joe: The Marlow Murder Club (PBS), High Potential (ABC) Jason: The Lowdown (FX/Hulu), Alien: Earth (FX/Hulu) Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback Bob Iger’s Jimmy Kimmel Choi...
Oct 03, 2025•45 min•Ep. 104
The possibility of David Ellison buying Warner Bros. Discovery to add to his collection, the threat and promise of spread-out sports rights, sponsorships that might become forbidden fruit, Netflix live boxing success, TV picks, and your letters! This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Claude : Get 50% off Claude Pro, including access to Claude Code. Factor : Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code downstream50off Guest Starring: Will Carroll Links and Show Notes: TV Pic...
Sep 18, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 103
Now that David Ellison owns Paramount, what's next? Also, your letters and our TV picks! [Downstream+ subscribers also get: K-Pop Demon Hunters, Wheel and Jeopardy and Sesame Street stream, Apple TV+ price hike, and binging "The Paper."] This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Relay for St. Jude Guest Starring: Josef Adalian Links and Show Notes: TV Picks Joe: Irish Blood (Acorn TV), Leanne (Netflix) Jason: Platonic (Apple TV+) Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback...
Sep 06, 2025•47 min•Ep. 102
ESPN has left the exclusivity of the cable bundle at long last, and we break down what it all means. Also: TV Picks and your letters! (Downstream+ listeners also get: MLB's complex new TV deals, and can Jason cut the cord for real?) This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Factor : Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code downstream50off Guest Starring: Steven Schapansky and Will Carroll Links and Show Notes: TV Picks: Will: Video Nasty (BBC) Steven: Old World Series (You...
Aug 22, 2025•51 min•Ep. 101
To celebrate our 100th episode, we draft streaming services! Guest Starring: Will Carroll , Steven Schapansky , and Josef Adalian Links and Show Notes: Draft picks: Joe: Apple TV+ Steven: MLB.tv Will: YouTube Premium Jason: HBO Max Joe: Prime Video Steven: BritBox Will: Disney+ Jason: Hulu Joe: Acorn TV Steven: Kanopy/Hoopla Will: Netflix Jason: Paramount+ Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback...
Aug 06, 2025•56 min•Ep. 100
The real motivators behind CBS's cancellation of The Late Show; why the current era of late-night talk is ending; CBS makes a South Park deal; the future of PBS; why 'Pulse' was not 'The Pitt'; a Peacock price hike; and Jessica Fletcher vanishes. This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Jiiiii : All your anime stream schedules in one place. Free to download, unlock your anime-watching-superpowers today! Factor : Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Guest Starring: Josef Adalia...
Jul 23, 2025•59 min•Ep. 99
Why American sports is so dominated by gambling content, DAZN and the Club World Cup, TNT gets spun off but may still bid for sports rights, Netflix gets into French broadcast TV, the NFL faces an existential crisis in court, and our TV picks. This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Factor : Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Guest Starring: Will Carroll Links and Show Notes: TV Picks Will: Alone (History) Jason: Dark Winds (AMC+, Netflix) Get Downstream+ and don't miss a s...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 98
Zaz splits WBD, the neverending Paramount sale, listener letters, and TV picks! [Downstream+ subscribers also get: Apple TV stasis, Clooney on CNN, and the Great Netflix User Migration.] This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Factor : Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Guest Starring: Josef Adalian Links and Show Notes: TV Picks: Joe: Murderbot and Stick (Apple TV+) Jason: Dept. Q (Netflix) Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback...
Jun 16, 2025•44 min•Ep. 97
The dominance of YouTube, Disney grabs more kids content, TV's mumbling problem, Amazon's identity, the fate of SpinCos, and our TV picks. This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: TRMNL : Clarity, at a glance. Get $15 off for 1 week only. Guest Starring: Josef Adalian Links and Show Notes: TV Picks Joe: Netflix comedies: The Four Seasons, Running Point, Nobody Asked for This, A Man on the Inside Jason: “Welcome to Wrexham” (Hulu) Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback CoCom...
May 30, 2025•56 min•Ep. 96
The rise of sports as a driver in streaming, NBC's big 2026, and Netflix's live reality moves. Plus: our TV picks. [Downstream+ subscribers also get: ESPN and WB's solid branding decisions and Fox's smart strategy.] This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Factor : Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Guest Starring: Will Carroll Links and Show Notes: TV Picks: Will: Top Chef (Peacock) Jason: Long Way Home (Apple TV+) Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback N...
May 16, 2025•39 min•Ep. 95
Shōgun gets another season, Match Game re-revived, binge behavior calculated, bonus content promoted, Netflix results parsed, Apple TV+ losses pondered, and our TV picks explained. Guest Starring: Josef Adalian Links and Show Notes: TV Picks: Joe: The Studio (Apple TV+), Running Point (Netflix) Jason: Andor (D+) Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback ABC Reboots Match Game With Martin Short as Host 'Shogun' Season 2 Ordered at FX, Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis Are You Happy Wi...
Apr 30, 2025•54 min•Ep. 94
Will Carroll joins Jason to discuss MLB's big television plans, the ratings challenge for the NBA Playoffs, and our TV picks. [Downstream+ subscribers also get: Vision Pro at Yankee Stadium, made-for-TV leagues, threats to MLS, and Zombie Vin Scully.] This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Factor : Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Guest Starring: Will Carroll Links and Show Notes: Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback Major League Baseball exploring M...
Apr 15, 2025•40 min•Ep. 93
Netflix and Amazon prepare to celebrate NFL Christmas, the PVOD vs. Theatrical debate rages on, Gunsmoke is having a moment, Max rebrands again, Jason watched some Netflix ads, and did we mention that Julia is back? Guest Starring: Julia Alexander Links and Show Notes: Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback NFL to air 3 games on Christmas Day 2025, Netflix partnership continues: Source - The Athletic Sources: NFL ‘Virtual Lock’ to Opt Out of Media-Rights Deals New York Yankees...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 92
MLB is trying to open up local streaming, but it doesn't solve the problem of reaching casual fans. Also: a weird café in Korea and our TV picks. (Downstream+ listeners also get: British TV vs. streamers, deep programming thoughts, and Looney Tunes.) This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Memberful : Best-in-class membership software for independent creators, publishers, educators, podcasters, and more. Get started now, no credit card required. Guest Starring: Josef Adalian Links and Show N...
Mar 21, 2025•31 min•Ep. 91
The MLB/ESPN separation and the future of ESPN, the Nationals escape from MASN, Fox's sports streaming service quandary, interesting tidbits from the Sloan Sports Conference, and our TV picks! This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Factor : Healthy, full-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code FACTORPODCAST for 50% off plus free shipping on your first box. Guest Starring: Will Carroll Links and Show Notes: TV Picks: Will: "Fear" on Prime Video Jason: "Shoresy" on Hulu Get Downstream+...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 90
Super Bowl streaming, NFL dreams, and TV picks from us and listeners. (Downstream+ subscribers also get: Seeking "Paradise" on broadcast TV, Netflix taunts Apple TV users, and a SNL50 triumph.) This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Factor : Healthy, full-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code FACTORPODCAST for 50% off plus free shipping on your first box. Guest Starring: Josef Adalian Links and Show Notes: Listener picks: The Recruit, Boiling Point, Last Tango in Halifax, Happy Val...
Feb 21, 2025•36 min•Ep. 89
Will Carroll returns on Super Bowl week, and we discuss Super Bowl 4K, Tubi, and the enduring power of communal live events. Also: ESPN Flagship and Fox's streaming play, a new RSN is heard from, Apple and MLS make tweaks, your letters, and TV picks! This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Memberful : Best-in-class membership software for independent creators, publishers, educators, podcasters, and more. Get started now, no credit card required. Guest Starring: Will Carroll Links and Show No...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 88
Joe Adalian joins Jason to discuss Netflix's big moves, price hikes, and what drove Jason to cancel it. Also we answer your letters and make some TV picks! (Downstream+ members also get: the return of CNN+, death of Venu, and Tubi spikes the football.) This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Factor : Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Guest Starring: Josef Adalian Links and Show Notes: TV Picks: Joe: New Hollywood Squares (CBS/P+); The Pitt (Max) Jason: Severance (Apple TV+...
Jan 24, 2025•48 min•Ep. 87
Will Carroll joins for a mega Sports Corner: Fubo meets Hulu to enable Venu, Netflix goes full force into live sports, how football dominates American TV, NFL announcers, and our TV picks! This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Memberful : Best-in-class membership software for independent creators, publishers, educators, podcasters, and more. Get started now, no credit card required. Factor : Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Guest Starring: Will Carroll Links and Show No...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 86
Down the chimney comes Tim Goodman, reuniting with Jason to discuss his super-secret insider TV reviews, streaming's influence in the rise of international TV here in the U.S., and Jason's top TV shows of the year. This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Trakt.tv : Track shows and movies you watch. Discover what's hot and where to stream it. Get 50% off your first year. Guest Starring: Tim Goodman Links and Show Notes: Jason mentioned: Shogun (Hulu), Dark Matter (Apple TV+), Bad Monkey (Appl...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 85
How Disney's strategy has led to ESPN inside the Disney+ app, Disney and Netflix content strategies, Warner Bros. Discovery and Comcast make a deal, the ramifications of Comcast's "SpinCo," crafting a theatrical hit out of a Disney+ TV show, and TV picks! This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Trakt.tv : Track shows and movies you watch. Discover what's hot and where to stream it. Get 50% off your first year. Factor : Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Guest Starring: Jose...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 84
Apple's movie mistakes, Comcast pushes cable channels onto the ice floe, Diamond exits bankruptcy, Netflix goes live, the holiday season as a streaming opportunity, and our TV picks! This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Trakt.tv : Track shows and movies you watch. Discover what's hot and where to stream it. Get 50% off your first year. Guest Starring: Natalie Jarvey Links and Show Notes: Natalie mentioned: A Man on the Inside (Netflix), No Good Deed (Netflix), Squid Game (Netflix), The Ag...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 83
Monday Night football on ABC, streaming delays, and more TV picks. (Downstream+ subscribers also get: an Unrivaled new sports TV product; Amazon's deal with the NBA; and pondering the limits of the NFL.) This episode of Downstream is sponsored by: Trakt.tv : Track shows and movies you watch. Discover what's hot and where to stream it. Get 50% off your first year. Guest Starring: Will Carroll Links and Show Notes: Get Downstream+ and don't miss a segment! Submit Feedback ESPN’s Delicate Streaming...
Nov 14, 2024•32 min•Ep. 82
