Media Industry Predictions for 2026: Anonymous Executives Forecast Major Shifts
Summary
CNBC gathered anonymous predictions from 16 top U.S. media, sports, and entertainment executives for 2026. The forecasts cover major potential mergers and acquisitions, significant shifts in sports media rights, and key leadership changes, highlighting a year of potential transformation for the industry.
Key Predictions
- M&A Mania: Multiple executives predict Comcast will sell NBCUniversal, with potential buyers including Apple, Amazon, or YouTube. Other M&A forecasts include Paramount buying Warner Bros. Discovery, and Comcast acquiring Roku.
- Sports Media Reshuffle: The NFL is expected to extend deals with current partners (CBS, NBC, ABC/ESPN, Fox) to fend off tech rivals. Amazon may acquire a new international NFL package. MLB and NHL could accelerate their own rights talks.
- Cost-Cutting for Sports: Traditional media companies may severely cut entertainment spending on linear networks to afford rising costs for NFL and other sports rights.
- Leadership & Programming: Disney is predicted to name Josh D’Amaro as its next CEO. CBS News’ Bari Weiss may get her own show. A mass Hollywood boycott of “digital trades” is also forecast.
2026年媒体行业预测：匿名高管预见重大变革
摘要
CNBC收集了16位美国顶级媒体、体育和娱乐高管的匿名预测。这些预测涵盖了潜在的重大并购、体育媒体版权的重大转变以及关键领导层变动，预示着行业可能迎来变革之年。
关键预测
- 并购热潮：多位高管预测康卡斯特将出售NBC环球，潜在买家包括苹果、亚马逊或YouTube。其他并购预测包括派拉蒙收购华纳兄弟探索公司，以及康卡斯特收购Roku。
- 体育媒体洗牌：预计NFL将与现有合作伙伴（CBS、NBC、ABC/ESPN、Fox）续约以抵御科技公司的竞争。亚马逊可能获得新的NFL国际赛事包。MLB和NHL可能会提前进行版权谈判。
- 为体育削减成本：传统媒体公司可能大幅削减线性网络的娱乐节目支出，以支付NFL和其他体育版权上涨的费用。
- 领导层与节目：预测迪士尼将任命乔什·达梅罗为下一任CEO。CBS新闻的巴里·韦斯可能会拥有自己的节目。还预测好莱坞将大规模抵制”数字行业媒体”。
Original Article Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/18/2026-media-predictions-anonymous-executives.html