• Washington
  • Wall Street
  • A.I.
  • Hollywood
  • Media
  • Fashion
  • Sports
  • Art
  • Join Puck Newsletters What is puck? Authors Podcasts Gift Puck Careers Events
  • Join Puck

    Directly Supporting Authors

    A new economic model in which writers are also partners in the business.

    Personalized Subscriptions

    Customize your settings to receive the newsletters you want from the authors you follow.

    Stay in the Know

    Connect directly with Puck talent through email and exclusive events.

  • What is puck? Newsletters Authors Podcasts Events Gift Puck Careers
Elon’s Alliance, Trump Déjà Vu, The Ronny Revolution
 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
The Daily Courant
The Daily Courant

Elon’s Alliance, Trump Déjà Vu, The Ronny Revolution

Welcome back to The Daily Courant, our afternoon guide to what’s new at Puck.

Today, Julia Alexander breaks down why Disney’s industry-defining, Netflix-rivaling, Hulu-plus-ESPN all-in-one streaming package is at the center of one of the hottest debates in Hollywood.

Plus, below the fold: Julia Ioffe explains why Trump’s latest espionage drama is giving the Pentagon hives. Teddy Schleifer locates Elon Musk’s political alliance with Kevin McCarthy. And Bill Cohan joins Peter Hamby to discuss how Musk is wargaming Tesla’s stock pump.

Bob Chapek’s Funny Math on Streaming
Bob Chapek’s Funny Math on Streaming
No, Disney didn’t just surpass Netflix in total subscribers—unless you can justify 1+1=3. Inside the semantic-financial civil war over the most powerful number in streaming.
JULIA ALEXANDER JULIA ALEXANDER
It’s been a rocky road for Disney C.E.O. Bob Chapek, but he got a real victory lap moment last week after Disney reported that streaming subscriptions totalled 221.7 million, beating Netflix for the first time, exceeding Wall Street’s expectations, and causing Disney stock to jump nearly 10 percent. That milestone would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Bob Iger, despite his legendary business acumen and M&A masterstrokes, was late to the streaming game, only launching Disney+ in November 2019. Since then, however, Disney+ has grown at a startling rate of 22.1 million subscribers per quarter. That stat is a big reason why Chapek earned a new three-year contract from the Disney board.

But statistics hide all sorts of complexities about Disney’s numbers, and it’s no secret that the way the public narrative surrounding how the company calculates total subscribers to its “Streaming Services”—a business unit that encompasses Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+ HotStar, and Star+—is more than a little misleading. I want to be very explicit: I’m not suggesting that Disney’s streaming business is in trouble. If I had to bet on three services that will still be here in a decade, Disney+ would be included without hesitation. But how we talk about streaming is important in how we think about streaming success. Yes, Disney’s collection of services total more subscribers than Netflix, according to headlines everywhere. But that’s also not the whole story...

CONTINUE READING ONLINE
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
FOUR STORIES WE'RE TALKING ABOUT
Trump's Secret Stash
Trump's Secret Stash
News of the ex-president’s unsecured intel is triggering national security P.T.S.D.
JULIA IOFFE
Elon's G.O.P. Alliance
Elon's G.O.P. Alliance
Musk’s confab with Kevin McCarthy in Wyoming raises questions about his new political allies.
TEDDY SCHLEIFER & TINA NGUYEN
Tesla Liquidity Chronicles
Tesla Liquidity Chronicles
Bill joins Peter to discuss how Elon Musk is wargaming Tesla’s stock jump.
PETER HAMBY
Bored Apes, Nazis, & NFTs
Bored Apes, Nazis, & NFTs
A new lawsuit could influence the future of the NFT market.
ERIQ GARDNER
swash divider
Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn
You received this message because you signed up to receive emails from Puck

Was this email forwarded to you?

Sign up for Puck here

Sent to


Unsubscribe

Interested in exploring our newsletter offerings?

Manage your preferences

Puck is published by Heat Media LLC

227 W 17th St

New York, NY 10011

For support, just reply to this e-mail

For brand partnerships, email ads@puck.news

SEE THE ARCHIVES

SHARE
Try Puck for free

Sign up today to join the inside conversation at the nexus of Wall Street, Washington, A.I., Hollywood, and more.

Already a member? Log In


  • Daily articles and breaking news
  • Personal emails directly from our authors
  • Gift subscriber-only stories to friends & family
  • Unlimited access to archives

  • Exclusive bonus days of select newsletters
  • Exclusive access to Puck merch
  • Early bird access to new editorial and product features
  • Invitations to private conference calls with Puck authors

Exclusive to Inner Circle only



Latest Articles

conor McGregor
John Ourand • August 17, 2022
Searching for Conor McGregor
The UFC is at the beginning of a seven-year, $7.7 billion media deal, the envy of every other emerging sports outfit in the world, and about to reach the ultimate mark of Trump II cultural dominance with a much-hyped fight card on the White House lawn. So where are all its new stars?
Sen. Chuck Schumer
Leigh Ann Caldwell • August 17, 2022
Anti-Anti-Weaponizaton Blowback & What White Women Want
The G.O.P. mini-revolt continues, albeit with limited results. And a new poll shows that a crucial swing bloc is mighty concerned about corruption.
Sebastian Gorka
Julia Ioffe • August 17, 2022
Trump’s New Rules for Radicals
The State Department spent Tuesday trying to convince diplomats that antifa is the new Al Qaeda—but Foggy Bottom isn’t buying it.


luca de meo
Lauren Sherman • August 17, 2022
Luca’s People
Luca de Meo’s grand turnaround plan for Kering was met with skepticism in April. But insiders are starting to see his penchant for installing executives from outside the industry as the only path forward.
Sam Altman
Ian Krietzberg • August 17, 2022
The Great A.I. PAC Crackup
With public opinion—and a slew of presidential hopefuls—beating back A.I.’s “no rules” agenda, the lobbyist armies of Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI are suddenly supporting safeguards they rejected just a year ago.
Obsession
Scott Mendelson • August 17, 2022
Letters from the HollyTube Revolution
The breakout weekends for ‘Backrooms’ and ‘Obsession’ tell us something real about the origin of Hollywood’s next generation of talent—and something more complicated about its future.


Scott Pelley
Dylan Byers • August 17, 2022
The ‘60 Minutes’ Adult Daycare Era
Bari Weiss’s takeover of CBS News, just eight months ago, has somehow already produced a decade’s worth of mess, reaching embarrassing new lows with Scott Pelley’s self-mythologizing tantrum and subsequent firing. How long before David Ellison sends in a pro to clean up after her?


Get access to this story

Enter your email for a free preview of Puck’s full offering, including exclusive articles, private emails from authors, and more.

Verify your email and sign in by clicking the link we just sent.

Already a member? Log In


Start 14 Day Free Trial for Unlimited Access Instead →



Latest Articles

Rep. Randy Feenstra
Marianna Sotomayor • August 17, 2022
G.O.P. Jitters in Iowa and New Jersey
Trump’s endorsement streak comes to an end in the Hawkeye State, and an AWOL congressman gets an ex-Navy pilot challenger.
Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner
Leigh Ann Caldwell • August 17, 2022
Hill Rebellion & The Platner Files
The House rebukes the president on two separate bills, and Maine’s Graham Platner assures senators there isn't worse oppo to come.
Xavier Becerra
Peter Hamby • August 17, 2022
Revenge of the Normie Libs
In California’s primaries, voters mostly chose pragmatism over progressivism: Tom Steyer’s class crusade fizzled, Saikat Chakrabarti got Pelosi’d, L.A. rejected its wannabe Mamdani, and Spencer Pratt—yes, Spencer Pratt—is still in the running.


Jeremy Langmead and Toby Bateman
Lauren Sherman & Malique Morris • August 17, 2022
The Mr Porter Bloodletting & Prada’s Live Strategy
The online retailer laid off several editorial staffers as it and sister site Net-a-Porter continue to shrink. Plus, why Prada's events work.
Stephane de La Faverie
Rachel Strugatz • August 17, 2022
Martial Lauder
Now that ELC’s spring flirtation with Puig is over, investors would very much like it to get back to the long-promised turnaround. But finding buyers for its struggling brands is easier said than done. Plus, why the real narrative on the merger talks just won’t go away.
Jeff Immelt
William D. Cohan • August 17, 2022
The Emancipation of Jeff Immelt
The disgraced-ish former GE executive has been on a journey of personal discovery to reinvent his legacy and perhaps make amends—even when the facts don’t fit his new narrative. But not everyone who worked with him is ready to forgive or forget.


Sotheby's Art Auction
Marion Maneker • August 17, 2022
May Auction Report: Rational Exuberance
Lured by the optimistic tailwinds from last fall’s Lauder auction, high-value supply came back to the art market in May, with sales totaling $2.5 billion. But the comeback may not be quite as roaring as it appears: Unimpressive hammer ratios reveal buyers’ willingness to pay, but not more than they have to.
Get access to this story

Enter your email to get access to one article and free previews of our private emails from Puck authors and editors.

OR

Already a Member? Sign in



Latest Articles

Adam Selman
Lauren Sherman & Malique Morris • August 17, 2022
The Adam Selman Effect Is Working at Victoria’s Secret
The lingerie retailer saw a dramatic uptick in profits in its first quarter thanks to an overhaul by its chief creative officer. Plus, thoughts on the hottest stylist in Hollywood and the counterintuitive path to luxury success right now.
Blake Lively court
Eriq Gardner • August 17, 2022
The Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni Suit Could Be Headed for a Do-Over
While Lively elected to settle with her ‘It Ends With Us’ director, her search for attorneys fees and damages has vexed the judge overseeing the case. Will the solution be a new suit in a new venue?
Brendan Carr
Eriq Gardner • August 17, 2022
Disney Is Ready to Clobber Brendan Carr
The F.C.C. chairman is forcing a showdown with Disney over its D.E.I. policies—seemingly a thin pretext for punishing ABC News. But Carr, usually a savvy operator, has an unusually weak hand. And Disney’s lawyers have figured out exactly how to exploit it.


Chip Roy, Thomas Massie
Marianna Sotomayor • August 17, 2022
The Makings of a House YOLO Caucus
House Republicans are bracing for the return of members such as Thomas Massie and Chip Roy, who may come back as total renegades after losing primaries—and more Republicans may fall tonight.
Burke Magnus
John Ourand • August 17, 2022
The Magnus Carta
ESPN’s indomitable content chief, Burke Magnus, on losing talent to the NBA sidelines, the heat around the NHL, and what he learns from the way his kids watch sports.
Bill Pulte
Leigh Ann Caldwell • August 17, 2022
The G.O.P.’s Pulte Problem
It seemed like Donald Trump was trying to make amends with Republican senators after he backed off of some controversial demands. The bonhomie lasted about 18 hours.


Chris Murphy
John Heilemann • August 17, 2022
Murphy’s Law
A candid conversation with the junior senator from Connecticut, Chris Murphy, about the president’s slate of terrible Iran options and the blatant corruption that has marked his return to office.


  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Careers
© 2026 Heat Media All rights reserved.
Create an account

Already a member? Log In

CREATE AN ACCOUNT with Google
CREATE AN ACCOUNT with Google
OR YOUR EMAIL

OR

Use Email & Password Instead

USE EMAIL & PASSWORD
Password strength:

OR

Use Another Sign-Up Method

Become a member

All of the insider knowledge from our top tier authors, in your inbox.

Create an account

Already a member? Log In

Verify your email!

You should receive a link to log in at .

I DID NOT RECEIVE A LINK

Didn't get an email? Check your spam folder and confirm the spelling of your email, and try again. If you continue to have trouble, reach out to fritz@puck.news.

CREATE AN ACCOUNT with Google
CREATE AN ACCOUNT with Google
CREATE AN ACCOUNT with Apple
CREATE AN ACCOUNT with Apple
OR USE EMAIL & PASSWORD
Password strength:

OR
Log In

Not a member yet? Sign up today

Log in with Google
Log in with Google
Log in with Apple
Log in with Apple
OR USE EMAIL & PASSWORD
Don't have a password or need to reset it?

OR
Verify Account

Verify your email!

You should receive a link to log in at .

I DID NOT RECEIVE A LINK

Didn't get an email? Check your spam folder and confirm the spelling of your email, and try again. If you continue to have trouble, reach out to fritz@puck.news.

YOUR EMAIL

Use a different sign in option instead

Member Exclusive

Get access to this story

Create a free account to preview Puck’s full offering, including exclusive articles, private emails from authors, and more.

Already a member? Sign in

Free article unlocked!

You are logged into a free account as unknown@example.com

ENJOY 1 FREE ARTICLE EACH MONTH

Subscribe today to join the inside conversation at the nexus of Wall Street, Washington, A.I., Hollywood, and more.

START 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

  • Daily articles and breaking news
  • Personal emails directly from our authors
  • Gift subscriber-only stories to friends & family
  • Unlimited access to archives
  • Bookmark articles to create a Reading List
  • Quarterly calls with industry experts from the power corners we cover