The annual Kagan Media and Telecom Summit in New York is in the books and it not only covered a lot of market activity, but it was also surrounded by a number of media and sports rights headlines. Justin Nielson, Eric Keith, Scott Robson and Seth Shafer joined host Eric Hanselman to look at what was covered in the expansive event and the time around it. There were big shifts in media rights and a couple of sports team sales that led to lively discussions. Networks are balking at some of the lofty prices for sports media rights in the face of streaming services’ higher demand. The realignment of regional sports coverage is still shaking out, as well.

Media consolidation keeps hovering, but will it always be next year’s prospect? Macroeconomic uncertainty seems to be playing a role and the pendulum on cord cutting seems to be swinging back around.

In broadband, the reset of the BEAD program has states scrambling to reapply under the new, much tighter deadline. Will this drive fixed wireless access (FWA)? Satellite is still a possibility in remote regions, but costs may hold it back. Private equity activity in fiber networks could be reaching a tipping point, as their investments mature and operators’ partners shift strategies. There was a lot in store and much more to come.

More S&P Global Content:

• Kagan Media and Telecom Summit event link

For S&P Global subscribers:

• A sneak preview of the Kagan Media & Telecom Summit 2025
• See it in charts: TV Networks, June 2025
• Comcast strikes sports network deal; Streaming services expand sports viewing
• New media rights deal a slam dunk for the NBA
• Kagan Media & Telecom Summit 2025: Broadband panel discussion

Credits:

• Host/Author: Eric Hanselman
• Guests: Justin Nielson, Erik Keith, Scott Robson, Seth Shafer
• Producer/Editor: Adam Kovalsky
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Kyra Smith