Ari Emanuel on the Future of Entertainment: Hollywood, AI, Creator Economy, YouTube vs Netflix

Overview

This episode features Ari Emanuel, CEO of Endeavor, discussing the evolution of the entertainment industry, the impact of AI, the future of content creation, and the global expansion of sports entertainment. Emanuel shares insights into his career, the changing landscape of media, and his vision for the future of live events and content ownership.

Notable Quotes

- I think the podcasting business is going to turn into the syndication business that used to be on the broadcast and the station groups. – Ari Emanuel, on the future of podcasting.

- If you have a show that goes into syndication and it gets $6 million an episode, you can't make 5, $600 million anymore. But you can do very, very well. – Ari Emanuel, on the changing economics of intellectual property ownership in entertainment.

- If you have AI over there, the opposite bet on AI is not data centers. It's humans wanting connection. – Ari Emanuel, on the enduring value of live events in the age of AI.

🎥 The Evolution of Entertainment and Content Distribution

- Ari Emanuel reflects on his journey from earning 15 cents per mile in Los Angeles to building Endeavor into a multi-billion-dollar company.

- He highlights the shift from traditional cable networks to infinite distribution models, including streaming platforms, social media, and podcasts.

- Emanuel credits George Gilder's vision of infinite distribution and the value of diverse content forms as a guiding principle in his career.

- He emphasizes the importance of owning content assets rather than just representing them, citing successful acquisitions like UFC and Professional Bull Riders.

🎙️ The Future of Podcasting and Creator Economy

- Emanuel predicts that podcasting will evolve into a modern version of the syndication model, similar to the era of Oprah, Dr. Phil, and Dr. Oz.

- He encourages creators to consider owning equity in their ventures, as seen with examples like MrBeast's chocolate bar company and Tucker Carlson's Alps product.

- The conversation touches on the shift from traditional advertising to equity-based sponsorships and product ownership as a more lucrative model for creators.

🤖 AI and the Role of Live Entertainment

- Emanuel discusses the potential of AI in production and operations but emphasizes his focus on live content as a counterbalance to AI's rise.

- He predicts a societal shift toward shorter workweeks, which will increase demand for live entertainment and human connection.

- Endeavor is investing heavily in live events, with Emanuel positioning them as a key growth area in the entertainment industry.

⚾ The Future of Sports Entertainment

- Emanuel highlights the need for sports to adapt to changing consumer behaviors, such as shorter attention spans and the rise of clip culture.

- He praises innovations like baseball's reduced game times and emphasizes the global expansion of sports, citing UFC events in Shanghai and Abu Dhabi as examples.

- He notes that sports like UFC and WWE are well-suited for modern audiences due to their fast-paced, engaging formats.

🌍 Globalization and Personal Insights

- Emanuel discusses the internationalization of live events, pointing to the success of NFL games in Brazil and MLB games in Japan.

- He shares personal anecdotes about his competitive family dynamic and his long-standing friendship with Elon Musk, including plans for a potential UFC-style robot fight.

- Emanuel reflects on his career, his fighter's reputation, and the importance of owning assets to reshape the entertainment industry.