Show overview
Downstream has been publishing since 2021, and across the 5 years since has built a catalogue of 118 episodes. That works out to roughly 110 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.
Episodes typically run an hour to ninety minutes — most land between 44 min and 1h 9m — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language TV & Film show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 2 weeks ago, with 8 episodes already out so far this year. Published by Relay.
From the publisher
Jason Snell and a rotating group of experts break down the present and future of television. Hosted by Jason Snell.
Latest Episodes
View all 118 episodes117: Love to Your Mothers
116: Ceramic Dalmatian
Ep 115115: Everything's British
Sports Corner! Jason and Will discuss Apple and F1, the FCC and "free" TV sports, World Cup issues, and then we make some TV picks. [Downstream+ subscribers also got to hear us talk a lot about baseball!]
Ep 114114: Ted Sarandos Says a Lot of Things
We break down the aftermath of the Warner Bros. Discovery sale, including positives for Netflix and questions for Paramount Skydance.
Ep 113113: Just Get an Antenna
Main Street goes bust, the Super Bowl soars, the Winter Olympics rule, and the Great Rebundling proceeds apace. Plus: our TV picks! [Downstream+ subscribers also get: Big changes at Disney, and the lastest on WBD/Netflix/Paramount.]
Ep 112112: Marshawn on the Golf Cart
It's Super Bowl week and the start of the Olympics, so Will Carroll joins Jason to discuss Peacock's almost-make-or-break moment, streaming fights and wrestling, and the fate of a clutch of Regional Sports Networks and other cable channels.
Ep 111111: Think of Netflix as Pac-Man
Netflix and Paramount continue their battle for Warner, why Ted Sarandos might not be the villain he's painted to be, plus letters and TV picks. (Downstream+ listeners also get: YouTube's letter, Oscar noms, Star Search, and Heated Rivalry.)
Ep 110110: I See Spreadsheets In My Future
Jason helps guest Casey Liss figure out what his cord-cutting strategy might be. We also discuss his Callsheet app, touch on the rise of CanCon including "Heated Rivalry," and offer some very nice TV picks.
Ep 109109: Another Holiday Visit from Tim Goodman
Tim Goodman pops down the chimney again to reunite with Jason and discuss the Oscars on YouTube, finding balance in the TV review game, the rise of international content, episode deconstructions, "Pluribus," and his top shows of the year.
Ep 108108: Darth Vader Versus Ariel
Bob Iger burnishes his legacy by... making a deal with OpenAI? Also, TV picks and a Listener Letter Challenge! (Downstream+ subscribers also get to hear us talk at length about the potential Netflix purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery.)
Ep 107107: A Thanksgiving Visit from Alan Sepinwall
Veteran TV critic Alan Sepinwall joins Jason to discuss the current state of TV criticism, the future of scripted TV, why streamers can't make sitcoms, the difference between recaps and reviews, and the best shows of the year.
Ep 106106: Strike While My Leverage Is Hot
Taylor Sheridan signs a free agent deal with NBCU, Warner Bros. Discovery might have many interested bidders, and we answer your letters! (Downstream+ subscribers also get: Google/Disney carriage, Dancing With the Stars, Apple/F1, and Disney/Doctor Who.)
Ep 105105: Another Piece of Red Yarn
Hulu goes worldwide, Apple drops the plus and explores a relationship with Formula 1, the Lakers get immersive, the NBA is everywhere all at once, and our TV Picks.
Ep 104104: Like a Vaccination
We dive into the aftermath of the Jimmy Kimmel affair and the strange balance between TV networks and local affiliates. [Downstream+ subscribers also get: Streaming price hikes, Prime Video's future, and David Letterman's streaming strategy.]
Ep 103103: Apologies to Yugoslavia
The possibility of David Ellison buying Warner Bros. Discovery to add to his collection, the threat and promise of spread-out sports rights, sponsorships that might become forbidden fruit, Netflix live boxing success, TV picks, and your letters!
Ep 102102: Just Like Television
Now that David Ellison owns Paramount, what's next? Also, your letters and our TV picks! [Downstream+ subscribers also get: K-Pop Demon Hunters, Wheel and Jeopardy and Sesame Street stream, Apple TV+ price hike, and binging "The Paper."]
Ep 101101: Do They Not Know It's ESPN Day?
ESPN has left the exclusivity of the cable bundle at long last, and we break down what it all means. Also: TV Picks and your letters! (Downstream+ listeners also get: MLB's complex new TV deals, and can Jason cut the cord for real?)
Ep 100100: The Streaming Service Draft
To celebrate our 100th episode, we draft streaming services!
Ep 9999: Stephen, If You're Listening...
The real motivators behind CBS's cancellation of The Late Show; why the current era of late-night talk is ending; CBS makes a South Park deal; the future of PBS; why 'Pulse' was not 'The Pitt'; a Peacock price hike; and Jessica Fletcher vanishes.
Ep 9898: You Couldn't Pay Me To Go Camping
Why American sports is so dominated by gambling content, DAZN and the Club World Cup, TNT gets spun off but may still bid for sports rights, Netflix gets into French broadcast TV, the NFL faces an existential crisis in court, and our TV picks.