Interpret: 5G home internet gaining momentum, but still niche
While Comcast’s Xfinity and Charter’s Spectrum service have accounted for the lion’s share of home internet access across the US for years, there’s a growing push from wireless firms like T-Mobile and Verizon to persuade consumers that their 5G, satellite-based home internet offerings are a viable substitute for cable-based counterparts. Some have labeled the recent […]
As Twitter rebrands to X, can it win back advertisers?
When tech billionaire Elon Musk purchased Twitter last October for $44 billion, there was plenty of skepticism about the brand and Musk’s vision for the platform. Musk’s own actions and series of changes to the social platform – including rolling back moderation rules (which some feel has fostered more hate speech), reinstating the previous US […]
Overwatch League’s future hazy as teams get ready to vote on operating agreement
As we’ve discussed on Interpret Insights previously, esports teams and leagues are dealing with the harsh reality of a market gone soft, or what some have been calling an “esports winter.” Many teams, even with a pivot to lifestyle branding (e.g., FaZe Clan) and a focus on content creation beyond competitive gaming, are struggling for […]
Disney seeking strategic partner to transition ESPN to streaming hub
Disney is looking to pivot strategy with its struggling sports brand, ESPN, as the economics of live sports distribution becomes increasingly problematic. As the cord-cutting trend has deepened, ESPN has seen declining revenues as more people shift away from cable. ESPN’s cable channels are some of the most expensive in the industry, and the company […]
Roblox bolstering game’s economy by allowing developers to offer subscriptions
Last month, executives at Roblox laid out a new vision for the game’s economy, boasting that the platform’s GDP has already become “as big as some countries,” thanks to its 66 million daily visitors. The company wants to make Roblox’s economy seamless for anyone to become “a buyer, creator, seller, curator, or IP owner.” Creators […]
Smart clothing may one day replace smartwatches and smartphones
For most consumers, smartphones have become an indispensable part of their daily lives, enabling them to communicate, work, shop, play games, listen to music, and more. And for a large slice of consumers, smartwatches like the Apple Watch are nearly as important. In fact, according to Interpret’s New Media Measure®, there’s been an increasing trend […]
Metaverse hype has cooled, but brands still find Roblox, Fortnite attractive
The metaverse hype bubble that formed in 2021 may have finally burst in 2023, but that doesn’t mean that the underlying technologies won’t play a critical role for years to come. Early metaverse expectations, as with virtual reality back in 2016-2017, were simply far too high. That said, platforms like Roblox and Fortnite continue to […]
Can livestreaming platform Kick supplant incumbents like Twitch?
While most consumers in the US likely look to Twitch when they’re seeking esports or gaming content, there’s a new player in town that’s causing quite the buzz. Kick launched in January of this year as an alternative to Twitch, positioning itself as a much more attractive option for creators who were feeling the pinch […]
Disney can right the ship, but the waters remain choppy
Walt Disney Studios has long been a powerhouse in the entertainment industry. It has strong cross-media influence that spans over-the-air television, streaming, theme parks and events, video games, and merchandising. But even giants stumble sometimes, and Disney has encountered several bumps in its path for multiple aspects of its core businesses. Theatrical hits aren’t hitting […]
Interpret: 40% of Nintendo Switch owners are Minecraft fans
Microsoft’s acquisition of Minecraft developer Mojang Studios in 2014 may have been one of the company’s best investments in the gaming space. In an era where Microsoft is on the cusp of closing a deal to purchase Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, the $2.5 billion cost to acquire Mojang nearly a decade ago feels like […]
