On The Rock
Top Themes of the Week
Greetings,
Super Bowl Sunday looms, and with it, the question on many minds: where to watch the NFL's biggest game? Unlike a decade ago, the television landscape has fragmented, making finding the Super Bowl more complex. The Super Bowl's cultural impact is undeniable. This year's matchup promises even more intrigue, with captivating narratives surrounding both teams. Look out for those great ads as well!
Tech Titans: Streaming, gaming, AI, and more
YouTube GOOG 0.00%↑ is gearing up for the Super Bowl with new ad formats like "First Position Moments" and "Content Takeover" to help brands capture the massive viewership. Meanwhile, their Vision Pro app remains elusive, with no confirmed timeline despite initial murmurs. YouTube TV continues to dominate the internet-streaming subscription TV market with over 8 million subscribers. They also rolled out new features like improved multiview and enhanced picture quality, further solidifying their position in the market. Additionally, Google One introduced their AI Premium plan, offering AI-powered tools for writing, organizing, and productivity at $19.99 per month.
Apple AAPL 0.00%↑ unveiled a robust slate of original scripted series for Apple TV+ at the TCA Winter Press Tour, including exciting titles like "The New Look" and "Constellation." They also acquired German AI startup Brighter AI to bolster privacy features on Apple Vision Pro, showcasing their commitment to user data protection. However, users locked out of their Vision Pro headsets currently need to visit an Apple store for a fix, highlighting a potential snag in user experience.
Netflix NFLX 0.00%↑ is making waves on two fronts: partnering with Expedia as their first global advertising client, offering targeted ads to ad-supported viewers, and teaming up with Major League Baseball for two Boston Red Sox projects, including a "Drive to Survive"-style docuseries on their 2024 season and a commemorative documentary on their historic 2004 championship win. Additionally, they will start adding the Florida state sales tax (5.07%) to monthly bills starting February 15th.
Microsoft MSFT 0.00%↑ is expected to shed light on their multi-platform gaming strategy next week, potentially bringing Xbox exclusives like Hi-Fi Rush to PS5 and Switch consoles. This move aligns with their recent leaks hinting at the inclusion of the upcoming Indiana Jones game on PS5.
Amazon subscribers to their MGM streaming service will see a price increase in their next bill, with monthly subscriptions jumping to $6.99 and yearly subscriptions to $58.99.
A Tale of Two Halves for Crypto
January was a rollercoaster ride for the cryptocurrency ecosystem, marked by the highly anticipated approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs. In the first half, the market continued the Q4 rally fueled by this expectation, but the mood shifted after the ETFs launched on January 10th. Following a classic "sell the news" scenario, most major coins ended the month flat, with altcoins taking the brunt of the losses.
Despite the lack of overall price movement, trading activity remained healthy. January volumes were slightly higher than year-end 2023, and the NFT market also exhibited stronger resilience than token prices. However, it's important to note that both volume and activity are still significantly down compared to past years.
While Bitcoin dominated the narrative throughout the latter half of 2023 and January 2024 due to the ETF excitement, it's now time to shift our focus to Ethereum. The network is currently undergoing crucial improvements in its distribution model and protocol, which could have significant implications for the future of the entire ecosystem
