Podcast Summary: The Rundown

Host: Zaid Admani (Public.com)
Episode: Netflix Goes All-In on Podcasts, Instacart Probed by FTC for AI Pricing Tool
Date: December 18, 2025
Length: ~10 minutes

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Rundown, Zaid Admani delivers a brisk, insightful roundup of the latest market moves, focusing on:

• Surprising inflation data and broader macroeconomic implications
• Netflix’s new strategy of going all-in on video podcasts to challenge YouTube
• FTC’s investigation into Instacart for using an AI pricing tool that may result in dynamic, consumer-specific price differences
• Stock updates for Oracle, Micron, Lululemon, and others
• Netflix’s push into gaming, including casual FIFA and live trivia prize bumps

Zaid brings quick, actionable commentary in an upbeat, conversational style, keeping investors in the loop on evolving tech, economic, and consumer trends.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Stock Market Recap & Inflation Surprise

[00:12 – 02:10]

• Market Performance:\
  • S&P 500 down for fourth day (-1.2%).\
  • Nasdaq down 1.8%; AI-exposed stocks (Oracle, Nvidia, Broadcom, AMD, Google) down 4–5%.\
  • Oracle dropped 5% after losing AI data center financing from Blue Owl, though Blackstone may step in. The market remains highly sensitive to AI infrastructure news.
• Macro Update — CPI Shock:\
  • November CPI at 2.7% YoY; core CPI at 2.6% — both the lowest since early 2021, well under economist expectations (~3%).
  • This lower inflation may give the Federal Reserve room for early 2026 rate cuts to support the weakening job market.

Quote:

"Honestly, it's a shocker because economists were expecting numbers to be around the 3% range. So according to this latest data, inflation is easing and this might give the Fed more cover to cut interest rates in early 2026..." — Zaid [01:57]

2. Netflix Goes All-in on Podcasts; Streaming Wars Escalate

[02:14 – 04:24]

• Netflix’s Strategy:\
  • Announced exclusive deals with Barstool Sports and iHeartMedia for video podcast rights, starting 2026; similar deal with The Ringer recently closed.
  • Audio versions remain on all platforms, but video will be exclusive to Netflix subscribers — no more YouTube access for these.
  • Netflix aims to capture “pass-watching” audiences (those who play podcasts while doing other things), leveraging the efficiency and lower cost of podcast content over big-budget shows.
  • Over 30 video podcasts lined up for next year.

Quote:

"I think a lot of people listen to podcasts in the background on YouTube while working or studying, and Netflix is hoping to capture that pass watching audience. Plus, I bet signing these deals with these podcasters is way cheaper than creating a scripted TV show." — Zaid [03:07]

• Streaming War Perspective:\
  • Netflix is targeting YouTube more than other streamers, since YouTube accounts for 13% of U.S. TV viewing vs Netflix’s 8%.
  • YouTube is also moving into Netflix territory: the Oscars will stream exclusively on YouTube starting 2029.
  • The “two platform race” (YouTube vs Netflix) is heating up, with YouTube currently seen as the leader.

Quote:

"I see the streaming wars as a two platform race. At this point, it's YouTube and Netflix. And right now I think YouTube is in the lead." – Zaid [04:15]

3. Activist Pressure on Lululemon

[04:27 – 05:21]

• Elliott Management enters Lululemon:\
  • $1B stake (~4% of company); pushing for Jane Nielsen (formerly of Ralph Lauren) as CEO after Calvin McDonald’s recent departure.
  • Lululemon shares up 7% on the news; stock is down over 60% from peak.

4. Micron’s AI-Driven Memory Chip Boom

[05:23 – 06:17]

• Micron crushing expectations:\
  • Shares jump 13%+ on revenue projection of $18.7B (over $4B above estimates).
  • Demand for high performance memory (DRAM, NAND) is outpacing supply due to AI data center build-out.
  • CEO claims the “best competitive position in company history”; expects 20% shipment rise in 2026.

Quote:

"Micron says the demand for memory is outpacing supply across the entire industry, which is pushing up prices. And Micron doesn't see that changing anytime soon." — Zaid [05:35]

5. FTC Probes Instacart’s AI Pricing Tool

[06:19 – 07:33]

• Dynamic Pricing Controversy:\
  • FTC investigating Instacart following a study showing different shoppers may be charged up to 20% more for the same groceries, with an average 7% discrepancy.
  • The issue: Instacart’s AI (via 2022-acquired Eversight) is used for retailer price optimization, but Instacart claims retailers make final pricing decisions, conducting A/B tests and “dynamic pricing.”
  • This is particularly sensitive given ongoing grocery inflation; Instacart stock dropped over 6% on the news.

Quote:

"Instacart can call it A/B testing. Some people might call it dynamic pricing, where different shoppers pay a different price based on the data of that shopper, the traffic of the store, and other stuff. I think we're going to hear the word dynamic pricing a lot more moving forward." — Zaid [07:19]

6. Netflix’s Big Gaming Push: FIFA & Trivia

[07:36 – 09:35]

• FIFA on Netflix:\
  • Official FIFA video game coming to Netflix in 2026 (not the EA Sports version, but a casual, pick-up-and-play type).
  • Playable via TV with phone as controller; aligned to keep subscribers engaged.\
  • However, less than 2% of Netflix users have ever played a game on the platform; low awareness is a hurdle.

Quote:

"Netflix is ultimately competing for people's attention. Their goal is to keep people on their platform as long as possible, and they're hoping that games could be a way to do that. But I feel like Netflix has done a pretty bad job even informing their users that they even have games." — Zaid [08:27]

• Live Trivia Prize Pool Increase:\
  • Netflix responds to criticism of its “Best Guest Live” daily trivia show’s small prizes by raising the pool to $1M next week, with $500K on Friday (Dec 26).
  • Possible permanent increase if user engagement surges.

Quote:

"Netflix is bumping the prize pool to $1,000,000 total for next week...This is probably a temporary move, but hey, if they see a bump in numbers, maybe they'll make it permanent." — Zaid [09:11]

Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “Honestly, it's a shocker because economists were expecting numbers to be around the 3% range. So according to this latest data, inflation is easing and this might give the Fed more cover to cut interest rates in early 2026…” — Zaid [01:57]
• “I see the streaming wars as a two platform race. At this point, it's YouTube and Netflix. And right now I think YouTube is in the lead.” — Zaid [04:15]
• “Micron says the demand for memory is outpacing supply across the entire industry … And Micron doesn’t see that changing anytime soon.” — Zaid [05:35]
• “Instacart can call it A/B testing. Some people might call it dynamic pricing, where different shoppers pay a different price based on the data of that shopper, the traffic of the store, and other stuff.” — Zaid [07:19]
• “Netflix is ultimately competing for people's attention. Their goal is to keep people on their platform as long as possible, and they're hoping that games could be a way to do that.” — Zaid [08:27]

Notable Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:12] – Market/Inflation Recap
• [02:14] – Netflix Podcast Strategy & Streaming Wars
• [04:27] – Lululemon & Elliott Management
• [05:23] – Micron’s AI-driven Memory Surge
• [06:19] – Instacart FTC Investigation
• [07:36] – Netflix Gaming (FIFA & Trivia Prize Pools)

Tone & Style

Zaid maintains an energetic, relatable tone with occasional humor and asides, offering clarity for both novice investors and experienced listeners. He is candid about his opinions and always frames news in terms of broader trends and implications for listeners’ investment strategies.

Quick Takeaways

• The inflation surprise points to lower-than-expected near-term price pressures, possibly accelerating Fed rate cuts.
• Netflix’s podcast push and YouTube’s Hollywood moves signal a new chapter in the (increasingly two-horse) streaming wars.
• Instacart’s use of AI in pricing, now under FTC scrutiny, may mark the beginning of wider public debates on algorithmic “dynamic pricing.”
• Micron is riding the AI wave with surging demand for memory chips.
• Netflix’s bet on gaming (FIFA, trivia) faces awareness and user behavior challenges, but signals their ambition to widen their entertainment moat.