Strictly Business

Daily Variety – COVER STORY: Oscars Rewind With Nicole Kidman as She Revisits Her 2003 Best Actress Win for 'The Hours'

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:49:57 +0000

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety’s Matt Donnelly details his sit-down in Nashville with Nicole Kidman for Variety’s pre-Oscars issue, published today in print and online. Kidman revisits the whirlwind experience of her best actress Oscar win for “The Hours” in 2003.

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Daily Variety -- The Collab Behind Variety's 10 Creators to Watch List; Why Bars are Hosting More TV Watch Parties

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:14:50 +0000

On today’s episode, we’ll hear from Variety’s Antonio Ferme and Harper Mays on how the two assembled Variety’s 10 Creators to Watch list this year reflecting fast-rising, entertainment-centered social media stars. And Variety’s Payton Turkeltaub explains why so many people are taking their TV with cocktails and friends as watch party events for fan-favorite shows proliferate in bars and restaurants.

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Daily Variety -- 'Hoppers' Tops the Box Office While 'The Bride' Gets Jilted

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 20:11:41 +0000

On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Brent Lang unpacks what went wrong for Warner Bros.’ “The Bride” and what went right for Pixar’s “Hoppers” this weekend. And then we step into the Wayback Machine for a look at the stories and personalities who were making news in Daily Variety on March 9, 1976.

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Radial Entertainment Shops for Content Libraries as Pluto TV and Paramount Alum Jeff Shultz Takes Over as CEO

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 16:07:42 +0000

On today’s episode, Radial Entertainment CEO Jeff Shultz explains why he’s shopping for content libraries now that the Pluto TV and Paramount alum has taken the reins of the TV and film venture backed by OakTree Capital Management. Radial was formed last year through OakTree’s combination of FilmRise and Shout Studios.

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Daily Variety -- Hollywood Gets Ready for Oscars; Hanging With 'Baywatch' Hopefuls

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 19:52:53 +0000

In today’s episode, we’ll hear from Variety’s Marc Malkin on how the somber mood in Hollywood and geopolitical uncertainty will affect this year’s Oscar week celebrations leading up to the Academy Awards on March 15. And Ethan Shanfeld paints a colorful picture of all that he observed while attending a “Baywatch” open casting call.

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Daily Variety – Keke Palmer Makes a Career Turn as ‘I Love Boosters’ Heads for SXSW

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 17:57:29 +0000

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety’s Selome Hailu details her profile of actor Keke Palmer, star of “I Love Boosters,” the Boots Riley comedy that is set to open the SXSW festival next week.

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Daily Variety -- It’s HBO: What Will the Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger Mean for TV’s Premium Pioneer?

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 20:08:47 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Michael Schneider examines the questions swirling around HBO as the storied brand braces for Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery. Casey Bloys and Co. are waiting on word of how the premium TV pioneer will operate under Paramount Skydance, if the $110 billion acquisition is completed.

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Daily Variety -- 'Scream 7' Turns Up the Box Office Volume; Business and Politics Collide in Warner Bros. Discovery Saga

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 19:30:15 +0000

On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin breaks down the weekend that roared with the opening of Paramount’s “Scream 7.” And Reilly Steel, associate professor at Columbia Law School, discusses how the fight between Netflix and Paramount Skydance over Warner Bros. Discovery reflects the collision of troubling business, legal and political trends.

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How the Creator Economy Has Changed Marketing and 'Democratized the Launch of Consumer Products'

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 00:55:47 +0000

On today’s episode, Bill O’Dowd, founder and CEO of Dolphin Entertainment, offers a deep dive into the art and science of the creator economy. The leader of the parent company of PR heavyweights 42West and Shore Fire Media explains how the heat among social media personalities is changing everything about marketing and advertising, and how it has bulldozed traditional barriers to launching consumer products.

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Daily Variety -- 'We're a Sprint': Actor Awards EP Jon Brockett on Producing the Live Kudocast for Netflix

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 19:31:23 +0000

On today’s episode, we’ll hear from Jon Brockett, executive producer and showrunner of Sunday’s Actor Awards. The kudocast veteran discusses producing a live event without strict time limit considerations for Netflix, showcasing host Kristen Bell, paying tribute to Harrison Ford’s long career and invoking vintage Hollywood glamour.

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Daily Variety -- Who is Josh D'Amaro and What's Next for Disney?

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 19:05:48 +0000

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety’s Brent Lang takes a long look at Disney’s incoming CEO Josh D’Amaro and the challenges that await the parks and experiences veteran as he takes the helm of the Mouse House next month.

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Daily Variety -- Bill Lawrence on the Relaunch of 'Scrubs' and Rise of 'Rooster'

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 19:30:13 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Michael Schneider speaks to “Ted Lasso” and “Shrinking” exec producer Bill Lawrence on the relaunch of “Scrubs” on ABC and Hulu. Lawrence explains how he’s busier than ever in his career – after surviving “a couple of five- and eight-year gaps when I couldn’t get anything going on TV.”

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Daily Variety -- Box Office Monday: 'GOAT' Unmoors 'Wuthering Heights' From No. 1; Revisiting Overlooked Black TV Gems

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:37:46 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin explains why Sony Pictures’ family film “G.O.A.T” topped the box office and how Elvis in Imax can still pack ‘em in. And Aramide Tinubu discusses some of the overlooked gems on her list of the best Black-led TV series of the past 10 years.

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Ted Sarandos Fights to Seal Warner Bros. Deal: Netflix Co-CEO on Battling ‘Misinformation,’ the Future of HBO Max and His ‘Blood Oath’ for Theatrical Exhibition

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 02:48:45 +0000

On a special episode of Variety's "Strictly Business" podcast, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos speaks out as the streaming giant fight to complete its quest to buy Warner Bros. and HBO, even as Paramount Skydance has secured a seven-day shot at impressing the WBD board with a better offer. Sarandos, in a wide-ranging discussion, is not shy about calling out what he sees as “misinformation” spread by the Paramount Skydance team. “It's probably cheaper to make noise than it is to raise your bid,” he says.

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Sheila Ducksworth on Year One of 'Beyond the Gates' Taking Root With Fans in Daytime TV

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 22:00:00 +0000

On today’s episode, Sheila Ducksworth, executive producer of the CBS daytime soap “Beyond the Gates” and president of the CBS Studios/NAACP content venture, explains why the partners were determined to launch the first new daytime soap in decades and why it has taken root as "Beyond the Gates" marks its one-year anniversary.

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Daily Variety – 'Kpop Demon Hunters' Unite: Stars and Singers Gather to Celebrate the Movie’s Success and Significance

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 18:00:12 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Jazz Tangcay explains how she pulled off the “Kpop Demon Hunters” summit held Feb. 17 at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood in tandem with the publication of Variety’s standalone special issue on the animated musical smash. Includes highlights from the screening and panel that brought together the six actors and singers -- EJAE, Ji-young Yoo, Audrey Nuna, Arden Cho, May Hong and Rei Ami -- for the first time to discuss how the Netflix-Sony Pictures hit has touched their hearts and changed their careers.

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Daily Variety – What’s Next for Warner Bros. Discovery’s M&A Love Triangle?; Remembering Robert Duvall’s ‘Symphonic’ Talent

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:35:20 +0000

On today’s episode, we’ll hear from Variety’s Todd Spangler on the latest developments in the three-way M&A love triangle between Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix and Paramount Skydance. And Owen Gleiberman pays tribute to the “symphonic” talent of Robert Duvall.

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Daily Variety – ‘Wuthering Heights’ Extends Warner Bros.' ‘Fabulous’ Box Office Streak

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:11:13 +0000

On today's episode, Variety's Rebecca Rubin breaks down a solid weekend at the box office with a diverse mix of new titles, led by Emerald Fennell's buzzy "Wuthering Heights" from Warner Bros. and animated family film "GOAT" from Sony Pictures.

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New Funko CEO Josh Simon is Determined to Make Culture Pop for Collectibles Firm

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Josh Simon, the Netflix alum who took the reins of Funko as CEO in September, discusses his vision for growing the pop culture brand and collectibles maker. The company aims to improve its speed-to-market on timely trends, pursue new markets in Asia and Latin America and generally expand the scope of Funko's thinking as a business. "How do we turn every product into a canvas for storytelling," Simon tells Variety's Jennifer Maas.

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Daily Variety -- What's Happening in Hollywood's Contract Talks; Remembering James Van Der Beek

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 19:37:06 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Gene Maddaus offers the latest on SAG-AFTRA’s contract negotiations with Hollywood’s largest studios and streamers. And Emily Longeretta pays tribute to James Van Der Beek, an actor who came to help define his generation of TV and movies.

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Daily Variety -- 'The Simpsons' Celebrates 800 Episodes and Takes Aim at 1,000: 'It's a Gift'

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 18:11:04 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Michael Schneider discusses “The Simpsons” reaching another astounding industry milestone, Episode No. 800. He details his reporting with producers and longtime cast members on how the beloved animated series defies the gravity of its years to stay strong in Season 37.

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Daily Variety -- France Adds Above the Line Costs to Production Tax Incentives; Variety Artisans Awards at Santa Barbara Film Festival

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:39:01 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Elsa Keslassy explains the significance of the big move by France to expand its national production tax incentive and why it matters to the U.S. And Jazz Tangcay reports on Variety’s Artisans Awards that were handed out at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.

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Daily Variety -- Super Bowl Stomps Domestic Box Office, 'Zootopia 2' Rules Global Turnstiles; Ted Sarandos Has Confidence in WBD Deal

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 18:41:56 +0000

On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin breaks down a typically weak Super Bowl weekend at the turnstiles in the U.S., and she examines “Zootopia 2’s” staying power at the international box office. Marc Malkin presses Netflix’s Ted Sarandos about the fate of the Warner Bros. Discovery deal at the Directors Guild Awards.

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DGA Chief on TV and Film's Downturn, Fighting for a Federal Production Tax Incentive and Hollywood's Health Plan Problems: 'Our No. 1 Priority is 'Jobs, Jobs, Jobs'

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 17:29:26 +0000

On today’s episode, Russell Hollander, national executive director of the Directors Guild of America, gives a wide-ranging interview as Hollywood contract negotiations begin Feb. 9 with SAG-AFTRA sitting down with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Hollander addresses the precipitous drop in TV and film employment, efforts to secure a federal production tax incentive, "raging healthcare inflation," what the guild wants to achieve on AI and why the DGA is not first up at the table with the AMPTP this time around.

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Daily Variety -- COVER STORY: 'Love Story' Revisits JFK Jr., Carolyn Bessette and the Kennedy Mystique; Top D&D Game Masters Meet

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 21:43:28 +0000

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety’s Daniel D’Addario details his behnd-the- scenes reporting on “Love Story,” the latest installment of the FX franchise, this time focusing on the romance between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. And Jennifer Maas explains how she pulled off a meeting of great minds of D&D -- Brennan Lee Mulligan and Matthew Mercer -- for a video that is burning up Variety’s YouTube page.

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Daily Variety -- It's Heigh-Ho Time After Regime Change at Disney; Netflix's Ted Sarandos Survives Grilling in Senate

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:16:52 +0000

On today’s episode, host Cynthia Littleton unpacks the big leadership transition news out of Disney and what it means for Josh D’Amaro and Dana Walden. Plus, highlights from Ted Sarandos’ politically charged grilling in the Senate as the Netflix co-CEO fights for the Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition.

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Daily Variety -- Box Office Monday: 'Melania' Surprises, 'Iron Lung' Soars; Disney's 'Healthy Competition' as CEO Transition Looms

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:51:53 +0000

On today episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety's Rebecca Rubin breaks down the weekend numbers with “Melania” surprising, “Send Help” leading and “Iron Lung” setting a new bar for DIY creator films at the multiplexes.

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The Real 'Heated Rivalry': The Competitive State of Streaming Originals

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:46:24 +0000

Luminate analysts Andrew Wallenstein and Tyler Aquilina break down the Luminate Year-End Film & TV Report 2025, examining the viewership numbers and trends for streaming originals on Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon, Peacock, Disney+ and more.

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Daily Variety -- Why NBC is Reviving Pilot Season; Breaking Down Luminate's Year-End Streaming Originals Report

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 18:32:07 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Joe Otterson explains the recent burst of pilot orders at NBC and why the network is returning to a TV tradition. And Luminate’s Andrew Wallenstein gives a preview of Friday’s “Strictly Business” podcast episode, which goes deep on Luminate’s just-released Year-End Film and TV Report tracking viewership of streaming originals across all major platforms.

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Daily Variety -- Voices of Sundance With Natalie Portman, Gregg Araki, Daniel Kwan, Judd Apatow and More

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 18:38:44 +0000

On today’s episode, Natalie Portman, Rob Lowe, Daniel Kwan, Kiernan Shipka, Judd Apatow, Salman Rushdie, Gregg Araki and more sound off on industry issues in interviews conducted at Variety’s Sundance Film Festival studio, presented by Audible. Music legends Kim Gordon and Kathleen Hanna also talk about the music business then and now in connection with Tamra Davis’ Sundance doc “The Best Summer.”

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Daily Variety -- The Sundance Flu and a Message About Today's Episode

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:43:13 +0000

A message from "Daily Variety" host Cynthia Littleton about the episode for Monday, January 26.

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AGC Studios Chief Stuart Ford on What the Independent Film Business Needs Now More Than Ever

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 23:36:39 +0000

Stuart Ford, chairman and CEO of AGC Studios and a longtime player in the global movie business, offers a blunt assessment of the problems facing independent film, and he offers thoughts on the adjustments to financial models for production and distribution that would greatly help the sector. Ford explains how AGC has managed to grow over the past seven years with investments in original ideas with commercial potential, and by expanding into television.

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Daily Variety -- Investors Fret But Netflix Fights for Warner Bros. Discovery Deal

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 17:49:42 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Todd Spangler breaks down Netflix’s Q4 2025 earnings report and what the numbers reveal about the streamer’s business momentum. And he reads between the lines on what co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters had to say about the status of Netflix’s $83 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.

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Daily Variety -- On Oscar Nominations Eve, the Politics and the Receipts for 2025's Top Contenders

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 19:57:07 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin and Clayton Davis break down the art, the science and the bottom line of Academy Award nominations and how box office receipts influence film awards season.

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Daily Variety -- Sundance Film Festival to Pay Tribute to Robert Redford at its Last Waltz in Park City

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:23:28 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Brent Lang, Peter Debruge and Owen Gleiberman discuss getting ready as film pros for the Sundance Film Festival, which begins Jan. 22. These Sundance veterans give us the long-term view of the festival and its profound impact on the film industry as the annual gathering in Park City, Utah prepares for a big move to Boulder, Colo., in 2027.

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Hannah Stocking and Creator Economy Leaders on How Digital Natives Hustle for Clicks, Likes and Bucks

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:42:56 +0000

Creator Hannah Stocking and executives from Tubi, Smosh, Betches Media, RHEI and LV8 detail how digital natives hustle for clicks, likes and bucks. Recorded live on Jan. 8 at Variety's Business of Creators Summit held at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

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Daily Variety – BTS, Bruno Mars, Rush and the 2026 Outlook for Music Tours; How Martin Luther King Jr. Emerged as a National Media Figure

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 19:23:57 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Jem Aswad analyzes the prospects for BTS’ massive world tour plans and other big treks in music. And in advance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, host Cynthia Littleton looks back at how King emerged as a media figure on the national stage, as covered by Variety.

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Daily Variety – AI, Health Care and Streaming Residuals: Hollywood Union Contract Negotiations Come into Focus

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 18:41:47 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Gene Maddaus breaks down the issues and the schedule for Hollywood union contract negotiations that are set to begin Feb. 9 when SAG-AFTRA sits down with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. AI, health care benefits and streaming residuals will surely be on the agenda.

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Daily Variety –- Paramount Takes the Fight for Warner Bros. Discovery to Court; WWE Takes a Victory Lap With Netflix

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 19:18:56 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Todd Spangler explains the latest wrinkle in Paramount Skydance’s pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery with its lawsuit filed in Delaware. And Joe Otterson takes the pulse of WWE viewership and fandom one year after the storied grappling franchise moved to Netflix.

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Daily Variety -- 'Primate,' 'No Other Choice' Help January Box Office; What CES and the Golden Globes Had in Common

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 20:03:41 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety's Rebecca Rubin breaks down the weekend box office and encouraging starts for Paramount’s “Primate” and Neon’s “No Other Choice.” And host Cynthia Littleton offers reporter's notebook observations after a week that started with the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and ended with the Golden Globe Awards swirl in Hollywood.

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CES 2026 Highlights: Simon Helberg and Billy Magnussen Talk AMC Network's 'The Audacity'; Roku Chief Anthony Wood

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 19:04:37 +0000

Today's episode includes highlights from Variety’s two-day summit at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Actors Simon Helberg and Billy Magnussen preview AMC Network’s Silicon Valley-set dramedy “The Audacity,” and a rare one-on-one conversation with Roku founder and CEO Anthony Wood.

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Daily Variety -- COVER STORY: Jodie Foster on Fame, Family and Pursuing Her Artistic Passions

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 20:55:42 +0000

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety’s Daniel D’Addario discusses his revelatory profile of Jodie Foster. And Marc Malkin has a Red Carpet Rundown from the Golden Globes' Golden Eve celebration of Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Mirren.

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Daily Variety -- How Misinformation Has Complicated L.A.'s Recovery From 2025's Firestorm

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 19:32:23 +0000

On today’s episode, as Los Angeles marks the one-year anniversary of the devastating Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires, NBC News correspondent Jacob Soboroff details the cathartic process of writing his new book, “Firestorm: The Great Los Angeles Fires and America’s New Age of Disaster.”

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Daily Variety -- Why Female Cinematographers are Poised for Triumph This Awards Season

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 17:10:56 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Jazz Tangcay explains why the 98th annual Academy Awards may well mark a breakthrough moment for female cinematographers.

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Daily Variety – 2025 Ends With Bountiful Box Office; Industry Predictions for 2026

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 21:39:14 +0000

On today’s episode, we’ll break down the holiday box office with Variety’s Rebecca Rubin. It was a bountiful end of the year for exhibitors. And Todd Spangler does some crystal ball gazing with Variety’s predictions for 2026.

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Israeli Entertainment Industry Confronts Its Crisis at New Festival

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 14:00:00 +0000

"Strictly Business" co-host Andrew Wallenstein traveled to Israel last month to take part in Jerusalem Sessions, a first-time festival where local TV and film pros discussed how to contend with the dark cloud that has been cast over their industry since Oct. 7, 2023.

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Vaudeville, Burlesque, Legit Theaters and Saloons: What Entertainment Was Like in 1905

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:17:55 +0000

On today’s episode, showbiz historians David Monod and Peter Rader describe the entertainment marketplace as it existed in 1905, the year Variety began publishing in New York. The pair have great insights into how the past has informed the present in the world that Variety has covered for 12 decades and counting.

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Daily Variety -- Why YouTube's Deal for Oscar TV Rights is Neal Mohan's Master Stroke; Connor Storrie on His Big Break in 'Heated Rivalry'

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 21:05:46 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Clayton Davis and Michael Schneider unpack Hollywood’s latest big surprise – the Oscar telecast’s move to YouTube starting in 2029. And Marc Malkin gets the details from "Heated Rivalry" star Connor Storrie about how his big break happened and what he advised his mother about watching the HBO Max hockey drama.

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Daily Variety – Inside Variety’s 120th Anniversary Issue: How We Tackled 12 Decades of Hollywood’s Highs and Lows

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 19:05:27 +0000

On today’s episode, we dive into the creation of Variety’s 120th anniversary issue with deputy editor Trish Deitch and design director Ted Keller. The two discuss how we tackled 12 decades of showbiz history – and why the discovery of a long-forgotten photo of Liberace and Michael Jackson sparked joy in the newsroom.

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Happy 120th Birthday, Variety! When Vaudeville, Gramophones, Caruso and Bernhardt Ruled Entertainment

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:19:14 +0000

On today’s episode, we go back in time to December 16, 1905, to celebrate Variety’s 120th birthday. Showbiz historians David Monod and Peter Rader explain what the entertainment marketplace was like at the time Variety was born.

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Daily Variety –- Rob Reiner’s Long Legacy on Screen and in California; ‘Hamnet’ Impresses on a Ho-Hum Box Office Weekend

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 21:49:50 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Marc Malkin helps put Rob Reiner’s legacy and impact in Hollywood into perspective. And Rebecca Rubin breaks down the weekend box office as “Zootopia 2” reclaims the No. 1 spot and “Ella McKay” stumbles.

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Cinema United Chief Michael O’Leary on Why Exhibitors Fear Netflix Buying Warner Bros. and Why Gen Z Might Save Moviegoing

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 16:25:51 +0000

On today’s episode, Cinema United CEO Michael O’Leary addresses the alarm among exhibitors at the prospect of Netflix acquiring Warner Bros. and HBO. He also discusses the state of moviegoing and points to some positive signs that have emerged amid a rocky year at the box office.

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Daily Variety – Sundance 2026 Lineup Blends New Discoveries and Nostalgia; How The Game Awards Blend Kudos and Ballyhoo

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 17:10:28 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Peter Debruge and Matt Donnelly break down the Sundance lineup and what to expect at the festival’s nostalgic final outing in Park City, Utah. And Jennifer Maas previews The Game Awards to explain how the event has grown into the Oscars for video games by blending kudos and ballyhoo.

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Daily Variety – Cinema United Chief Michael O’Leary on the Threat to Moviegoing Posed by Netflix Buying Warner Bros.: ‘We Cannot Survive Only on Blockbusters’

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 17:53:05 +0000

On today’s episode, Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of Cinema United, discusses the state of moviegoing and the reaction among exhibitors to the Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery news. He unpacks why movie theater owners are so worried about Netflix taking the keys to Hollywood’s biggest producer of theatrical films.

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Daily Variety – Unions, Industry Groups Assemble to Fight Netflix-Warner Bros. Deal; Red Sea Film Festival and Saudi Arabia’s Changing Landscape

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 18:15:33 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Gene Maddaus discusses the opposition in the entertainment industry that has assembled to fight Netflix’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. and HBO. And Alex Ritman reports on the scene at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

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Daily Variety – David Ellison Tries to Pry Warner Bros. and HBO From Netflix; ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s 2’ Impresses at Box Office

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 18:37:09 +0000

On today’s episode, Paramount Skydance goes hostile for Warner Bros. Discovery. Will David Ellison bust up WBD’s engagement to Netflix? And Variety's Brent Lang breaks down the weekend box office as “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” adds another win for video game adaptations on the big screen.

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'Apt.' Co-Writer Theron Thomas on the Competitive Business of Songwriting

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 16:00:00 +0000

'Apt.' co-writer Theron Thomas discusses the ins and outs of being one of the music industry's most consistently successful songwriters. He reminisces on his early days making music in his native St. Thomas, and he traces his career trajectory to the present day.

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Daily Variety – Exploring How Spirituality and People of Faith are Portrayed in Pop Culture; Richard Gere on his Dalai Lama Doc ‘Wisdom of Happiness’

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:24:33 +0000

On today’s episode, we hear from Brooke Zaugg, executive director of Faith & Media Initiative, on the coalition’s work to influence portrayals of spirituality and people of faith in media and pop culture. And Variety’s Marc Malkin talks with Richard Gere about his new documentary on the Dalai Lama, “Wisdom of Happiness.”

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Daily Variety -- The Hitmakers Parade: Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan and More; Will Warner Bros. Discovery Try for Round 3 of Bids?

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 17:08:18 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Jem Aswad details our annual Hitmakers issue, featuring cover star Sabrina Carpenter. He details the year-long effort that goes into assembling the survey of the year’s top 25 tunes. And Todd Spangler gives us an update on the state of bidding for Warner Bros. Discovery.

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Daily Variety -- Microdramas Go Mainstream with TelevisaUnivision and JCPenney; How Record Store Day Fosters Fandom and Community

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:31:18 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Brian Steinberg details a deal between TelevisaUnivision and JCPenney to produce microdramas and microdrama branded content. And Chris Willman discusses the unique pleasures of standing in line with fellow music lovers on Record Store Day, Black Friday Edition.

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Daily Variety – ‘Zootopia 2’ Muscle Sets Box Office Up for a Strong Finish; Jeremy Allen White Turns His Attention Back to ‘The Bear’

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 17:15:40 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety's Rebecca Rubin unpacks the Thanksgiving feast at the box office with “Zootopia 2” and “Wicked: For Good” lighting up screens around the world. And Marc Malkin sits down with Jeremy Allen White as the actor turns his attention back to filming “The Bear.”

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Daily Variety – Marlo Thomas on the St. Jude Story and Advancing Her Father’s Mission to Save Children’s Lives

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 17:08:16 +0000

On a special Thanksgiving Day edition, the legendary Marlo Thomas revisits the remarkable story of how – and why -- her father, entertainer Danny Thomas, launched St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. And we take a Vintage Variety look back at how St. Jude's origins played out in our pages.

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Daily Variety – 'The Studio' Star Ike Barinholtz Tubthumps for the MPTF: ‘It Comes Very Natural to Me to Ask People for Money’

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 18:27:13 +0000

On today's episode, "The Studio" star Ike Barinholtz discusses his tubthumping campaign to raise money for the Motion Picture and Television Fund. And we take a Vintage Variety look back at the birth of the MPTF as covered the pages of Variety.

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Daily Variety – Laugh Factory: Owen Gleiberman and Peter Debruge on Variety's 100 Best Comedy Movies of All Time List

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 17:51:02 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s chief film critics Owen Gleiberman and Peter Debruge detail the how and the why behind their selections for Variety’s 100 Greatest Comedy Movies of All Time list.

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Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘Wicked: For Good’ Soars to Fourth-Highest Opening of 2025; HBO Preps for Busy 2026 Amid WBD M&A Drama

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 18:02:49 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin unpacks Universal Pictures’ risky decision to break “Wicked” in two parts, and how it paid off with a record haul. And Jennifer Maas gives us an update on the mood at HBO as the parent company slides into sale mode yet again.

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UTA's Blair Kohan and Jason Heyman on the Business of Comedy: 'If You Don't Build It, They Won't Come'

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 18:24:37 +0000

On today’s episode, UTA board members and partners Blair Kohan and Jason Heyman have a deep conversation about where the heat and the headwinds are in the business of comedy.

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Daily Variety -- Revisiting Martin Scorsese’s ‘Casino’ With Owen Gleiberman; Turmoil on ‘Tulsa King’

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 20:46:06 +0000

On today’s episode, we’ll hear from Variety‘s Owen Gleiberman about his rediscovery of an under-appreciated Martin Scorsese classic, 1995’s “Casino.” And Joe Otterson unpacks his reporting on the turmoil behind the scenes on Sylvester Stallone’s “Tulsa King” series as the Taylor Sheridan drama shoots Season 4 in Atlanta.

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Daily Variety – Cover Story: Producers Stand United to Fight Money Problems and Credit Disrespect; Jonathan Wang and Laura Lewis Unpack the Issues

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:41:09 +0000

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety’s Matt Donnelly unpacks his reporting on Producers United and its quest to address the dilemmas and the disrespect that contemporary producers battle. Donnelly is joined by Producers United members Jonathan Wang and Laura Lewis who put a human face on the issues.

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Daily Variety -- Nonunion Microdrama Production Grows Fast in the U.S.; Takeaways From AFM With Elsa Keslassy

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 18:14:20 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Gene Maddaus talks about the rapid growth of microdrama production activity in L.A. and other areas of the U.S. SAG-AFTRA wants to have a say. And Elsa Keslassy discusses the themes and takeaways from her dogged coverage of the American Film Market.

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Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘The Running Man’ Stumbles as ‘Now You See Me’ Conjures the Win; Focus Features Chief Peter Kujawski on Moviegoing and Fandom Psychographics

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 16:58:27 +0000

On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Brent Lang breaks down Paramount’s stumble with “The Running Man” and Lionsgate’s magic with “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.” And Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski talks about the intersection of moviegoing and fandom.

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Tetris CEO on Teaming With Red Bull for Dubai World Finals, Next-Gen Games

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Maya Rogers on expanding iconic brand Tetris for today's audiences and new partnerships with Red Bull, Amazon, Netflix and more.

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Daily Variety – Los Angeles TV Legend Pat Harvey on Four Decades of This Just In; Variety’s Angelique Jackson Feted by NABJLA

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 16:30:53 +0000

On today’s episode, Los Angeles TV legend Pat Harvey reflects on changes in news and in Southern California over her long tenure as she is honored by the National Association of Black Journalists Los Angeles. And we’ll take a look at the work of Variety’s Angelique Jackson as she is recognized by NABJLA with its excellence in entertainment media honor.

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Daily Variety – Cover Story: Dwayne Johnson Feels Reborn With ‘The Smashing Machine’; George Clooney Talks AI on Red Carpet Rundown; Business Managers Elite

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 17:52:55 +0000

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety’s Daniel D’Addario steps into the ring to capture the backstory of “The Smashing Machine” and Dwayne Johnson’s metamorphosis. Marc Malkin has a Just for Variety Red Carpet Rundown with George Clooney. And Todd Longwell makes the business case for business managers.

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Daily Variety – Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery and the Swirl that is Roiling Hollywood; Red Carpet Rundown With Catherine Zeta-Jones

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 18:35:33 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Matt Donnelly discusses the swirl in the industry around Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery and the future of film and television. And Marc Malkin brings us a Red Carpet Rundown with Catherine Zeta-Jones.

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Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘Predator: Badlands’ Bags Bucks for Disney; Edgar Wright Takes a Big Swing With ‘The Running Man’

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:13:03 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin breaks down the weekend box office and the surprising strength of “Predator: Badlands.” And Jordan Moreau details his profile of “The Running Man” writer-director Edgar Wright.

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Wonder Project CEO Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten on 'House of David,' 'Sarah's Oil' and a Purpose-Built Media Brand

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 19:05:32 +0000

Wonder Project CEO Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten discusses the launch last month of the company's subscription streaming platform with Amazon and how it reinforces the indie studio's content brand.

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Daily Variety -- SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin Talks Jimmy Kimmel, Tilly Norwood, Bryan Cranston vs. Sora 2 and Microdrama Boom

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 16:32:08 +0000

On today's episode, actor Sean Astin discusses the recent Jimmy Kimmel drama, the Tilly Norwood flap, Bryan Cranston vs. OpenAI's Sora 2, the rise of microdrama as a mainstream format and more in Astin's first extended interview since he was elected president of SAG-AFTRA in September.

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Daily Variety -- Cover Story: Tatiana Siegel on David Ellison’s America-First Overhaul of Paramount; Chris Willman on Palm Springs’ New Concert Hot Spot

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 17:02:55 +0000

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Tatiana Siegel details Variety’s investigative report that asks a straightforward question: What Does David Ellison Want? And Chris Willman explains why he has fallen for a certain concert venue near Palm Springs.

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Daily Variety – AI Drives Big Tech Layoff Bloodbath; Indie Streamer Dropout Raises Price and Fans Cheer

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 17:48:44 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Todd Spangler weighs in on the collision of AI and Big Tech jobs as layoff notices fly. And Jennifer Maas discusses the growth of indie streamer Dropout.

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Daily Variety – Box Office: What Went Wrong on 2025’s Worst Weekend; Mark Walter is the New King of L.A. Sports; Red Carpet Rundown With Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 18:10:28 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin unpacks what went wrong after the year’s worst weekend at the box office. Cynthia Littleton reflects on the power wielded by new king of L.A. Sports, Mark Walter. And Marc Malkin has a Just for Variety Red Carpet Rundown with Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber.

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How COVID Changed TV Production Forever

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:20:10 +0000

Ten industry insiders reflect on the upheaval of producing news and topical shows during the harsh early months of COVID. 'The idea that America would essentially shut down was just shocking,' says ABC News' Chris Dinan.

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Daily Variety – Profits or Bust: What to Expect for Media and Entertainment in Q4 and Beyond

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 17:44:05 +0000

On today's episode, Naveen Sarma, managing director of S&P Global and sector lead for U.S. media and telecom, unpacks his recent report on the second half of the year, which has some good news and some concerning news for Hollywood and related sectors.

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Daily Variety -- Meet the Women Behind Power of Women’s Stunning Visuals; ‘The Pitt’ Season 2 Gets ‘Disgusting’

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 17:32:44 +0000

On today's episode, Variety's Haley Kluge and Jennifer Dorn discuss how they produce Variety’s amazing Power of Women visuals year after year. And Marc Malkin brings us updates on "disgusting" things happening on Season 2 of “The Pitt” in a Red Carpet Rundown with stars Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa.

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Daily Variety -- What Awaits Sean Combs After Prison; Red Carpet Rundown With Hilary Duff

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 19:25:04 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety reporter Ethan Shanfeld discusses the unusual place in pop culture that Sean "Diddy" Combs now occupies and what may await him upon his release from prison in May 2028. And Variety's Marc Malkin has fun with Hilary Duff in a Red Carpet Rundown.

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Daily Variety – Box Office: Why ‘Chainsaw Man’ Cleared a Path at the Turnstyles; Lucca Comics & Games Brings Cosplay to Medieval Italian Town

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:57:37 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety's Rebecca Rubin explains why “Chainsaw Man” topped “Deliver Me From Nowhere” to lead the box office this weekend. And Nick Vivarelli reports on the scene in Lucca, Italy, where he’s covering a fan event that is bigger than San Diego Comic-Con.

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Daily Variety – COVER STORY: How Rachel Sennott Planted Roots With ‘I Love L.A.’; Sarah Michelle Gellar Dishes on ‘Buffy’ Reboot; What Superfans See in ‘Love is Blind’

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 15:12:33 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety reporter Selome Hailu details her cover story on Rachel Senate, the multihyphenate behind HBO’s new comedy “I Love L.A.” Marc Malkin has a Red Carpet Rundown with Sarah Michelle Gellar dishing about Hulu’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” reboot. And reporter Giana Levy explains what superfans see Netflix’s “Love Is Blind.”

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Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti on Producing in U.S. vs Europe, Pilots With Digital Creators and More

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:01:44 +0000

Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti has a wide-ranging conversation on with Elsa Keslassy, Variety’s international editor, at the Mipcom content market in Cannes on Oct. 13. Bassetti details the Euro production group’s focus on profits over kudos, its experiments with digital creators and the pros and cons of working in Europe versus the U.S.

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Daily Variety -- Johnny Carson Centennial: Tracing His Path to ‘The Tonight Show’ Through the Pages of Variety

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:32:23 +0000

On the day of his 100th birthday, a special Vintage Variety episode traces the arc of Johnny Carson’s early career and his rise to becoming an American icon, as chronicled day-by-day for five decades in the pages of Variety.

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Daily Variety -- Sundance Film Festival Preps for Final Frame in Park City; TV Rolls Dice on Board Games

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:27:23 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety's Brent Lang discusses the Sundance Film Festival’s future as it prepares for its final outing in Park City, Utah in January before moving to Boulder, Colo., in 2027. And Joe Otterson weighs in on why vintage board games – think Clue, Monopoly, Catan – are hot properties for TV development.

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Daily Variety -- Box Office: 'Black Phone 2' Connects for Blumhouse in a Record Year for Horror; Q3 Earnings Preview for Netflix, Disney and More

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:42:38 +0000

On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin explains why “Black Phone 2” made a connection with moviegoers, and she dissects the record tally for the horror genre at the box office this year. And business editor Todd Spangler offers a Q3 earnings preview on what to expect for Netflix, Comcast, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount.

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Google Cloud Gaming Boss on the Virtues of AI and Learnings From the Rise and Fall of Stadia

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 07:34:30 +0000

Jack Buser, Google Cloud's director of game industry solutions, breaks down tech giant’s far reaching plans for future of live service gaming. He also weighs in on how AI is poised to change everything for the gaming sector.

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Daily Variety -- AI Vs. Script Readers – Who Does the Job Better?; Microdramas, Creators and YouTube Dominate Mipcom Buzz

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 17:49:52 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Gene Maddaus details recent efforts to test AI-powered software against professional script readers. The results only raise more questions. Plus, a roundtable on the biz and buzz at the Mipcom global content market in Cannes with Variety international veterans Elsa Keslassy, John Hopewell and Leo Barraclough.

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Daily Variety – Cover Story: Go Deep Inside the Hive Mind of Matt and Ross Duffer and the Final Season of ‘Stranger Things’; French YouTuber Inoxtag Scales New Heights

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:26:27 +0000

On today's episode, Variety's Adam B. Vary and Kate Aurthur talk about going deep inside the upside down for their cover story on the final season of "Stranger Things" and the twin brothers who are the brains behind it, Matt and Ross Duffer; plus host Cynthia Littleton has an eye-opening discussion with French YouTuber Inoxtag at Mipcom.

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Daily Variety -- Mattel's Robbie Brenner, Banijay's Marco Bassetti and All the Buzz From the Mipcom Content Market

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 19:39:13 +0000

On today's episode, Variety's Leo Barraclough talks about the mood and the buzz along the Croisette on Day 2 of the Mipcom content market in Cannes, France. He also details his sit-down with Mattel Studios president Robbie Brenner. Plus, highlights from Variety's C-Suite Conversations session with Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti, who was honored at Mipcom with the Variety Vanguard Award for contributions to the global television industry.

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Daily Variety -- Box Office Yawns as 'Tron: Ares,' 'Roofman' and 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' Disappoint; What's Making Waves at Mipcom

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 16:50:42 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety's Brent Lang unpacks disappointing opening weekends for “Tron: Ares,” “Roofman” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” And international editor Elsa Keslassy reports on the buzz by the sea in Cannes as the annual Mipcom content market begins.

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20 Years After a Landmark Disney-Apple Deal, Anne Sweeney Recalls Negotiating With Steve Jobs

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Former Disney TV chief Anne Sweeney revisits the Disney-Apple video iPod content licensing pact that stunned the industry 20 years ago this week. "This literally tilted our media world on its axis," Sweeney says.

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Daily Variety -- Tatiana Siegel on Bari Weiss and What Her New Job Means for CBS News; Rome Media Market Heats Up

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 16:17:01 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Tatiana Siegel discusses her deep dive on Bari Weiss and what her new role as editor-in-chief means for CBS News. And longtime international correspondent Nick Vivarelli weighs in on the pulse of the media biz in Italy as he covers the Rome Media Market.

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Daily Variety -- Jason Blum on the Frights, Fights and Fandoms That Fuel Blumhouse; Variety's Horror Impact List: Who Made the Cut?

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 16:54:22 +0000

On today’s episode, the Cover Story segment features Variety’s Matt Donnelly discussing his sit-down interview with Jason Blum, who will receive Variety’s first-ever Horror Impact Award. And William Earl, Variety’s executive digital director and resident horror expert, details the research that went into Variety’s inaugural Horror Impact list.

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Daily Variety -- Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves on the Journey From 'Bill & Ted' to 'Waiting for Godot'; Paying Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 15:15:56 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Brent Lang interviews Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves as they breathe new life into “Waiting for Godot" on Broadway. And Ellise Shafer in London reflects on how the U.K. is paying tribute to a native son as the documentary “Ozzy: No Escape From Now” premieres.

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Daily Variety – Box Office: Taylor Swift Leaves ‘Em Wanting More; Celebrating Variety’s 10 Broadway Stars to Watch

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 17:11:31 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin breaks down the Taylor Swift effect on the box office as her album release party for “Life of a Showgirl” hit the multiplexes for one weekend only. And Variety’s legit editor Gordon Cox explains this year’s selections for our annual 10 Broadway Stars to Watch list.

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Digital Native Creatives Talk Shop, Compare Notes on Social Media Platforms

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 16:18:55 +0000

On today’s episode, hear highlights from Variety’s Entertainment and Technology Summit including a lively session with digital native creatives Nicole Byer, Erin Foster, Sara Foster, Matt Rogers, Jake Shane and Benito Skinner, moderated by Variety’s Marc Malkin. Plus, highlights from a session with John Stamos and Zeam CEO Jack Perry detailing their build-out plans for the live streaming platform.

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Daily Variety – COVER STORY: How Charlie Hunnam Transformed into a ‘Monster’ for Netflix; Showbiz News Reverb From the Variety Archives

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 16:48:47 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Daniel D’Addario goes inside the mind of a man who is playing a serial killer, “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” star Charlie Hunnam, for our Cover Story segment. And host Cynthia Littleton dives into the Variety archives to revisit a front page from October 1956 full of headlines that resonate today.

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Daily Variety -- Why Electronic Arts is Taking the Private Equity Route; Bad Bunny’s Going to the Super Bowl

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 20:39:27 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Jennifer Maas explains the $55 billion buyout deal that will see Electronic Arts be taken over by three private equity firms. And music reporter Thania Garcia discusses Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show gig and why it’s such a significant decision for the Puerto Rican superstar.

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Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘One Battle After Another’ Banks on Word of Mouth; San Sebastián Film Festival Scene

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 19:34:34 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin breaks down the opening weekend for “One Battle After Another” at the box office. And veteran international correspondent John Hopewell reports from San Sebastián in Spain where the annual film festival drew Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lawrence and more.

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Top TV and Studio Leaders on Why Streamers Want to Experiment With Broadcast Series Norms

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 17:02:42 +0000

On today’s episode, hear from top industry executives on the latest shifts in streaming and linear strategies, the rise of YouTube and savvy IP management. The full opening session from the Variety Entertainment & Technology Summit features Starz’s Alison Hoffman, NBCUniversal’s Lisa Katz, Amazon MGM Studios’ Laura Lancaster, Warner Bros. TV Group’s Brett Paul, Sony Pictures TV’s Katherine Pope and Fox’s Michael Thorn.

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Daily Variety — Los Angeles Film School Accused of Massive Student Loan Fraud; Scopely Banks Mobile Gaming Moolah

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 17:54:38 +0000

On today's episode, Variety's senior media reporter Gene Maddaus about his investigative report on Los Angeles Film School. The private business is facing allegations of massive student loan fraud. Variety’s gaming chief Jennifer Maas has the scoop on mobile gaming company Scopely.

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Daily Variety -- Sterlin Harjo Embraces Tulsa Noir in 'The Lowdown'; Christopher Nolan Takes Side Job at DGA

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:31:52 +0000

On today's episode, Variety TV chief Michael Schneider speaks to showrunner Sterlin Harjo, whose new series "The Lowdown" bows today on FX. Clayton Davis, Variety's chief awards editor, discusses the surprise news that Christopher Nolan has taken on a side gig as president of the Directors Guild of America.

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Daily Variety — Owen Gleiberman on Why 'One Battle After Another' is a Movie for Our Moment; Sylvia Rhone's Impact

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 18:31:28 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety chief film critic Owen Gleiberman explains why the new Paul Thomas Anderson drama “One Battle After Another” is a movie for our times. And music chief Jem Aswad reflects on the legacy of Sylvia Rhone as the music industry veteran announces her retirement.

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Daily Variety 9/22/25 - Box Office: What Went Wrong With ‘Him’ and ‘A Big Bold Beautiful Journey’; What’s Next for Jimmy Kimmel and Disney

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 16:14:06 +0000

On today’s episode, Variety box office chief Rebecca Rubin explains the weak starts for “Him” and “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey,” and why Taylor Swift is a friend to exhibition. Brian Steinberg, Variety’s senior TV editor, breaks down the five-way brawl among Jimmy Kimmel, Disney, the FCC, Nexstar and Sinclair.

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VideoAmp’s Jenny Wall on Challenging Nielsen and What It Takes to Measure Modern TV Audiences

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:21:02 +0000

The CMO of content ratings firm details how VideoAmp leverages first-party data to measure audiences across platforms. She explans how it has partnered with multiple media giants — including the NFL — to provide what it says is a more accurate picture of cross-platform viewership.

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Julia Roberts Gets Provocative in Luca Guadagnino's 'After the Hunt'; Revisiting the Days of Lilith Fair in Hulu's New Documentary

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:45:06 +0000

Variety co-Editor in Chief Ramin Setoodeh tells all in our Cover Story segment about his sit down with Julia Roberts and the cast of Luca Gaudagnino’s provocative new film “After the Hunt.” And chief music critic Chris Willman revisits a moment in time that defines an era: Lilith Fair.

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Daily Variety 9/17/25 — Shari Redstone on Why She Invested in Israel's Sipur; Why Paramount Wants to Pounce on Warner Bros. Discovery

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 16:35:25 +0000

In today's episode, former Paramount Global majority owner Shari Redstone details her new investment in Israeli production banner Sipur. Variety business editor Todd Spangler and TV news editor Joe Otterson break down the latest on Redstone’s old shop as Paramount prepares a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery.

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Religion of Sports CEO Ameeth Sankaran on Teaming With Coco Gauff and Building a Content Powerhouse

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0000

The leader of the production company behind "Simone Biles Rising," "Aaron Rodgers: Enigma" and many more sports-related series details the company's business strategy and how it has navigated the content marketplace as an independent. Sankaran also discusses the company's new partnership with tennis star Coco Gauff and her IROC media venture.

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Daily Variety — Fifth Season Chiefs on 'Severance,' Emmys and Building an Indie Studio; A Bold Proposal for the Next Emmy Awards TV Contract

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 17:47:40 +0000

In today's episode, Fifth Season co-CEOs Chris Rice and Graham Taylor talk "Severance" and what its Emmy noms haul means for the business. And TV editor Michael Schneider has a big idea for the new Emmy Awards TV contract.

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Daily Variety – COVER STORY: The Transformation of Kathy Bates; Variety TV Producers Impact Report: Who Made the Cut?

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 17:01:35 +0000

In today’s episode, Variety TV editor Michael Schneider details his sit-down with Kathy Bates, the “Matlock” star who graces the cover of Variety’s annual pre-Emmy Awards issue. And Emily Longeretta details the movers, shakers and influential creatives who made Variety’s annual TV Producers Impact Report.

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Daily Variety – AI Legal Jousting in Hollywood Intensifies; ‘Saturday Night Live’ Sets Season 51 Cast Amid Comedy’s ‘Mad Dash’

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 17:33:28 +0000

In today’s episode, Variety’s Todd Spangler and Gene Maddaus discuss the latest legal moves for AI heavyweights Anthropic and Midjourney in their copyright infringement battles. And Variety’s Ethan Shanfeld describes comedy’s annual “mad dash” as “Saturday Night Live” finalizes its Season 51 cast.

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Daily Variety – Box Office Monday: ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ Slays; Giancarlo Esposito, Shawn Hatosy at Creative Arts Emmys

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 18:12:41 +0000

In today’s episode, Variety’s box office chief Rebecca Rubin breaks down the impressive numbers from “The Conjuring: Last Rites” and how it extends Warner Bros.’ box office streak to record territory. And Michael Schneider and Jazz Tangcay weigh in from backstage at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, where Giancarlo Esposito and Shawn Hatosy spoke from the heart about the state of showbiz.

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Pushkin Industries Revs Up Fall Slate with 'The Big Short' Audiobook and Companion Podcast

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Eric Sandler, chief strategy officer for Pushkin Industries, details the business vision for the premium audio studio that was founded in 2018 by Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Weisberg. It’s home to great series such as Gladwell’s "Revisionist History" and “Against the Rules,” hosted by author Michael Lewis. Sandler details the company’s creator-first strategy of nurturing shows and talent.

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Daily Variety – Michael Lewis Revisits ‘The Big Short’ as Part of Pushkin’s Fall Podcast Slate; Variety’s Jem Aswad Goes Inside the Brain of David Byrne

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 18:17:47 +0000

In today’s episode, Eric Sandler, chief strategy officer for Pushkin Industries, details the audio studio’s fall slate, which includes a look back at “The Big Short” with Michael Lewis and Pushkin co-founder Malcolm Gladwell taking on an infamous Alabama murder case on “Revisionist History.” Also, Jem Aswad, Variety’s executive editor of music, details his recent sit-down with the inimitable David Byrne.

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Daily Variety – How Channing Tatum and Derek Cianfrance Raised ‘Roofman’; Lowdown on the Lido Fest With Elsa Keslassy

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 17:28:35 +0000

In today’s episode, Daniel D’Addario, Variety’s chief correspondent, details for our Cover Story segment how Channing Tatum and director Derek Cianfrance revisited a true-crime tale for our times in “Roofman.” And international editor Elsa Keslassy breaks down the important buzz for the biz coming out of the Venice Film Festival.

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Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘Weapons’ Impresses as Summer Haul Stays Flat; Why Telluride Film Festival is the Ultimate Binge for Movie Lovers

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:29:10 +0000

In today’s episode, Brent Lang, Variety’s executive editor, breaks down an impressive week 4 box office performance for “Weapons” and a less-than-impressive industry-wide B.O. haul for the summer frame. Peter Debruge, chief film critic for Variety, details the reaction to Bruce Springsteen biopic “Deliver Me From Nowhere” at the Telluride Film Festival, and why this particular high-altitude gathering is a movie lover’s dream.

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The Trade Desk’s Matthew Henick Talks Ventura, the OS Looking to Change the Smart TV Game

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 11:00:00 +0000

The SVP of the Ventura TV operating system for The Trade Desk lays out the digital ad giant’s vision for the forthcoming OS, the challenges facing the business and how TTD hopes to rewrite the rules for CTV.

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Dr. Orna Guralnik Reflects on the Ethics of Practicing 'Couples Therapy' on TV

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 11:00:00 +0000

For the past four seasons on Showtime, Dr. Orna Guralnik has showcased the benefits of the talking cure to help relationships in crisis. In this revealing interview, she talks about why she was motivated to pull back the curtain on what's always been a private practice, and how she grapples with the ethics of psychoanalysis for public consumption.

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Daily Variety – The Wizardry of Industrial Light and Magic; Netflix’s ‘Long Story Short’ Celebrates the Jewish American Experience

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 18:57:47 +0000

In today’s episode, Jazz Tangcay, Variety’s senior artisans editor, details her report on visual effects stalwart Industrial Light and Magic on its 50th anniversary. TV critic Alison Herman explains why she’s given the coveted Critics Pick seal of approval to the new Netflix comedy “Long Story Short.” And Tatiana Siegel previews the final installment of her podcast “Variety Confidential: The Life and Legend of River Phoenix.”

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Daily Variety – COVER STORY: How Guillermo del Toro, Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac brought ‘Frankenstein’ to Life; Gamescom Boots Up in Germany; ESPN’s Big Send Off for Streaming App

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:56:04 +0000

In today’s episode, the Cover Story segment features Variety’s Brent Lang and Ramin Setoodeh detailing director Guillermo del Toro’s $120 million bet on a new vision for “Frankenstein” with help from Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac. Variety’s Jennifer Maas reports on the Sun Valley of gaming that is underway in Cologne, Germany. And Brian Steinberg sets the scene for ESPN’s big send off for the streaming app that launches Aug. 21.

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Daily Variety – Chris McGurk and Jana Winograde on Cineverse’s Big Plans for Micro Dramas; How AI is Fueling Product Placement in TV and Film

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 18:49:55 +0000

In today’s episode, Cineverse CEO Chris McGurk and MicroCo CEO Jana Winograde join host Cynthia Littleton to discuss their new venture to bring super short, low budget drama series to the U.S. They gamely answer the question: How is this not Quibi? And Variety reporter Ethan Shanfeld details how AI tools are accelerating product placement in TV and film.

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Daily Variety – Box Office Monday: ‘Weapons’ Flexes in Week 2; Lowdown on Upfront Ad Sales; Truth Seekers Highlights With Jake Tapper, Ronny Chieng, Amber Ruffin and Roy Wood Jr.

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 17:51:38 +0000

In today’s episode, we talk box office with Variety’s Rebecca Rubin about “Weapons” week 2 and a ho-hum start for “Nobody 2.” Brian Steinberg has the lowdown on the final tally of this year’s upfront advertising sales. And Tatiana Siegel sets the scene that unfolded at Variety’s Truth Seekers conference, including highlights from sessions with Jake Tapper, Ronny Chieng, Amber Ruffin, Roy Wood Jr. and more.

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CAA Insiders Talk Agency’s Leadership Evolution, Social Media ‘Game-Changers’ and Content Marketplace Expansion: ‘Our Job Description Has Expanded So Much’

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Encore Episode: Original air date: May 8, 2025

In a rare roundtable interview, six senior leaders at CAA discuss the evolution of the agency and its leadership following the ICM Partners acquisition. The group discusses how the rise of social media has changed the game for clients and how the work of agenting has expanded along with the scale of the entertainment industry.

The participants are:

** Tiffany Ward (Managing Director and Scripted Television Agent)

** Jennifer Joel (Literary Agent and Co-Head of CAA Books)

** Lisa Joseph Metelus (CAA Board member and Head of Athlete Brand Strategy & Entertainment for CAA Sports)

** Maha Dakhil (Managing Director and Motion Picture Agent)

** Arleta Fowler (Digital Media Agent and Head of Digital Media Lifestyle Talent)

** Lara Sacket (Co-Head of Production Department)

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Daily Variety – David Ellison and Paramount’s New Regime Meets the Media in L.A. and New York; The Backstory on Variety’s 10 Storytellers to Watch

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 17:40:43 +0000

In today’s episode, host Cynthia Littleton and Variety business editor Todd Spangler compare notes on Paramount Skydance and the vibes and vision shared by CEO David Ellison and his new regime at media Q&A sessions in New York and L.A. And Jenelle Riley, deputy awards and features editor, explains how Variety selected this year’s 10 Storytellers to Watch honorees.

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Daily Variety — COVER STORY: Clayton Davis Remembers Everything About His Time With Tramell Tillman; Sharon Stone Talks ‘Euphoria’ on ‘Nobody 2’ Red Carpet

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 18:26:43 +0000

In today’s episode, Variety chief awards editor Clayton Davis unpacks his interview with “Severance” star Tramell Tillman in our Cover Story segment. Marc Malkin dishes with Bob Odenkirk and Sharon Stone on the “Nobody 2” Red Carpet. And host Cynthia Littleton offers a tutorial on Variety slanguage superlatives boffo, whammo and socko.

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Daily Variety -- 'Grand Theft Auto 6' and the Gaming Debate Over Pricing; Inside Variety's Emmy Extra Editions

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 18:59:22 +0000

In today’s episode, Jennifer Maas, Variety’s senior business writer for TV and gaming, discusses the debate in gaming over the pricing of premium titles, as well as the anticipation building for next year’s release of “Grand Theft Auto 6”; Emily Longeretta, senior TV features editor, details how Variety assembles its annual baker’s dozen Emmy Extra Edition issues.

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Daily Variety — Box Office Monday: ‘Weapons,’ ‘Freakier Friday’ Impress as Superhero Alternatives; Why the Locarno Film Festival Punches Above its Weight

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 17:56:07 +0000

On today’s episode Variety executive editor Brent Lang explains why the strong opening for “Weapons” and “Freakier Friday” are a good sign that mid-budget movies can still be superhero counter-programming at the box office. And Variety international veteran John Hopewell weighs in from Locarno on why mid-sized European film festivals are more important to the industry and movie marketing than ever before.

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Accelerate the Positive: How Michael Nyman is Building a New Breed of Marketing and Communication Firms

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 16:39:01 +0000

The founder and CEO of Acceleration Community of Companies explains the vision behind the collection of marketing, communications, branding and live event firms that he has acquired since 2018. Nyman offers insights into how the media consumption habits of Gen Z and Gen Alpha will radically change the shape of entertainment in the coming years.

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Daily Variety – A Deep Look at Paramount Pictures: What’s Next for the House that Adolph Zukor Built and David Ellison Just Bought

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 11:00:00 +0000

A special Paramount-themed episode as Skydance Media completes its $8 billion takeover after a yearlong battle to acquire the storied studio. Hollywood historian Jeanine Basinger, Variety chief film critics Peter Debruge and Owen Gleiberman and MoffettNathanson analyst Robert Fishman join host Cynthia Littleton to examine the pioneering film factory’s past, present and future.

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Daily Variety -- COVER STORY: Inside the Power of Young Hollywood Issue; WGA 2026 Contract Priorities Take Shape

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 19:34:34 +0000

In today's episode, Ramin Setoodeh, Variety's co-Editor in Chief, breaks down the Power of Young Hollywood Issue and why Tyla, Sam Nivola and Finn Wolfhard are this year's honorees. And Gene Maddaus, Variety's senior media reporter, details the WGA West's upcoming election and the priorities that are emerging for the guild's 2026 contract talks.

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Daily Variety -- Eva Longoria on 'Necaxa' and Building Hyphenate Media Group; Hello Hank and Peggy, 'King of the Hill' is Back

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 18:32:58 +0000

In today's episode, Eva Longoria previews her FX sports-docu series "Necaxa," and she discusses Hyphenate Media Group content venture with business partner Cris Abrego. Joe Otterson, Variety's TV news editor, weighs in on the return of Hank and Peggy Hill et al as Hulu revives "King of the Hill" for a new era in America.

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Daily Variety -- Box Office: 'The Fantastic Four' Stumbles; KCON Lights Up K-Pop Fandom; Jason Momoa Triumphs in 'Chief of War'

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 18:25:47 +0000

In today's episode, Rebecca Rubin analyzes week 2 of "Fantastic Four: First Steps" and three new wide releases: "Bad Guys 2," "The Naked Gun" and "Together." Host Cynthia Littleton journeys deep into K-pop fandom at the KCON festival, and TV critic Aramide Tinubu explains why she's so high on Jason Momoa's new drama "Chief of War."

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The Key Changes Rocking the Music Industry in 2025

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Luminate Intelligence analyst Rob Steiner shares insights from Luminate's newly released special report on the state of the music business as growth slows for Spotify and other leading DSPs in developed markets, the concert scene cools off a bit and AI begins to make its impact.

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Daily Variety — Tatiana Siegel Sits Down With Trump-Loving Superman Alum Dean Cain; Sports Fuels Upfront Sales as Disney, NBCU and Fox Wrap the Haggle

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 18:47:27 +0000

In today’s episode, Tatiana Siegel, Variety’s executive editor of film and media, details her interview with actor Dean Cain, who bucks the trends in Hollywood in more ways the one. And Brian Steinberg, senior TV editor, gives detail on upfront ad sales as Disney, NBCUniversal and Fox call it a wrap on advance advertising commitments for the coming season.

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Daily Variety — Harrison Ford Speaks! Behind the Scenes of Variety's Cover Story With the Industry Legend

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 18:26:39 +0000

Today's Cover Story segment features Variety's Angelique Jackson, senior entertainment writer, telling all about her experience interviewing Harrison Ford about the sweep of his career as he celebrates his first-ever Emmy nomination, for Apple TV+ comedy "Shrinking." Todd Spangler, business editor, also analyzes the latest moves in the cable TV divorces pending at NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Discovery.

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Daily Variety — Unpacking the Sony Pictures Shakeup as Josh Greenstein Heads to Paramount; Tubthumping and a Tutorial on Variety Slanguage

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 18:29:26 +0000

In today's episode, Brent Lang, Variety's executive editor, analyzes the recent executive moves and Sony Pictures and Paramount, and he discusses the mood in the broader film business amid encouraging signs from the summer box office. And host Cynthia Littleton offers a tutorial on Variety's famous "slanguage," starting with "tubthump."

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Daily Variety — Box Office: Good First Steps for ‘Fantastic Four’; Cosplay Soars at Quieter Comic Con

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 20:19:52 +0000

Marvel gets off on the good foot with the opening weekend of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Michael Schneider breaks down four days of Comic Con that had more cosplay and less big Hollywood news than in recent years. He explains why.

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How the Streaming Ad Market Is Changing for Better and Worse with Wurl’s Dave Bernath

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 07:01:00 +0000

The General Manager of the Americas at CTV advertising company Wurl breaks down the new challenges and opportunities facing the streaming ad business, from YouTube’s growing dominance to Prime Video’s impact on the marketplace.

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Daily Variety — Skydance Media Offers Olive Branches to FCC; Why Steve Stoute is Variety's Music Mogul of the Year

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 18:56:06 +0000

In today's episode, Todd Spangler, Variety business editor, breaks down Skydance's deal pledges to the FCC as it seeks to close the Paramount Global deal. And music chief Jem Aswad explains why UnitedMasters founder Steve Stoute was the choice for Variety's Music Mogul of the Year honor.

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Daily Variety — How Noah Hawley and FX brought 'Alien: Earth' to Life; Kevin Feige Gets Candid as Comic Con Approaches

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 18:07:14 +0000

Daniel D'Addario, Variety chief correspondent, details his reporting on FX's massive bet on the sci-fi series "Alien: Earth," tapping into the franchise launched with the 1979 Ridley Scott film "Alien." Adam B. Vary, senior entertainment writer, offers a curtain-raiser on what to expect — and what not to expect — at San Diego Comic Con this year. He also discusses Marvel chief Kevin Feige's mea culpa to fans for getting overextended with movies and TV series.

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Daily Variety — Venice Film Festival Lineup Blends Hollywood Star Power and World Cinema

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 18:41:54 +0000

Nick Vivarelli, Variety's Rome-based correspondent, and international editor Elsa Keslassy break down the significance of the Venice Film Festival lineup highlighted by Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" and A24's "The Smashing Machine" starring Dwayne Johnson. The pair discuss the increased competition for Hollywood awards contenders between Venice and the Cannes Film Festival as distributors seek to reach international voters. And they reflect on Venice Film Festival chief Alberto Barbera's work to raise the fest's profile as a key launch pad for films on the world stage.

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Daily Variety — 'Saiyaara' Lights Up Bollywood Box Office; 'Superman' Hangs Tough in Week 2

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 19:26:28 +0000

Naman Ramachandran gives a report on the biggest rom-com to hit Bollywood in years, "Saiyaara," and how its performance reflects India's changing movie market. Rebecca Rubin details "Superman's" week 2 performance at the box office. And Brian Steinberg discusses the fallout from CBS' decision to ax "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" after next season.

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From the Pitch to Pitch Decks: Alex Morgan Wants to Help Female Athletes Become Owners and Entrepreneurs

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Alex Morgan, the recently retired soccer superstar, and her business partner Dan Levy discuss Morgan's recent moves as a partner in the women's sports brand Togethxr and other endeavors. Morgan explains that she wants to help other athletes build wealth and navigate career transitions in a conversation recording during Variety's annual Sports and Entertainment Breakfast, held July 17 in West Hollywood.

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Daily Variety — ESPY Awards Score Despite Host Shane Gillis; Happy 70th Birthday Disneyland

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 18:25:41 +0000

Today's episode features a rundown of the ESPYs and ESPN chief Jimmy Pitaro on how the Worldwide Leader is pitching its upcoming streaming app as a big evolution for sports. And Variety's Jazz Tangcay and Carole Horst discuss their deep dive into Walt Disney Imagineering and its work in Disney parks as Disneyland marks its 70th anniversary.

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Daily Variety – Netflix Q2 Earnings Preview; Cover Story: Unpacking Trump’s War on Truth

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 17:56:56 +0000

Senior business writer Jennifer Maas discusses what to expect from Netflix’s second quarter earnings report on Thursday. Business editor Todd Spangler details the “frog boiling in water” factor in his cover story on President Trump’s aggressive attacks on news media and First Amendment protections.

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Daily Variety — Parsing the Emmy Nominations, Revisiting 'Nashville' After 50 Years

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 23:43:29 +0000

Variety's Michael Schneider and Clayton Davis discuss the surprises and the final tallies for the 77th annual Emmy Award nominations. Owen Gleiberman, Variety's chief film critic, revisits Robert Altman's "Nashville" on its 50th anniversary and recalls how the movie changed his life.

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Welcome to Daily Variety — a Strictly Business Spinoff

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 18:52:42 +0000

Variety previews "Daily Variety," a new podcast featuring conversations with Variety journalists and guests about news, personalities and trends making headlines in the entertainment industry. It's hosted by Cynthia Littleton, co-editor in chief of Variety and host of Variety's "Strictly Business" podcast.

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ESPN's Chiney Ogwumike Holds Court Amid a Hectic Hoops Summer

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0000

ESPN on-air analyst for both men and women's pro and collegiate hoops discusses the current state of NBA and WNBA as media properties, as well as her new Disney Plus show "Vibe Check" and her recent foray into scripted series production for Peacock.

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Inside the Courtroom for the Sean Combs Trial Verdict

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 23:02:21 +0000

On a bonus episode of Variety's Strictly Business podcast, Variety reporter Ethan Shanfeld describes the scene and the reaction after Sean Combs was acquitted on the most serious charges in his federal sex trafficking, racketeering and prostitution case that has made headlines for the past two months.

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Financing Film & TV Isn't What It Used to Be

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0000

The financing of film and TV production has changed dramatically compared with how it was in previous decades. And no one knows that better than Daisy Stall, EVP & group head of entertainment finance at California Bank & Trust. Drawing on three decades of experience in this area , she outlines how traditional funding models have been disrupted by streaming services and broader changes in content consumption.

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Strictly Business Live From Cannes Lions with UTA CEO David Kramer

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0000

The newly appointed leader of one of Hollywood’s largest talent agencies sketches out his vision of the fast-changing entertainment landscape and what it means for the talent represented by his firm.

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Scopely Exec on 'Monopoly Go's' $5B Milestone, Closing 'Pokemon Go' Deal

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Scopely's senior vice president of publishing Eric Wood breaks down how the mobile gaming company has reached staggering success with "Monopoly Go" and plans for new acquisition "Pokemon Go."

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Strictly Business Live From Cannes Lions: How Deloitte and AWS are Harnessing AI Tools

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Variety hosts a conversation during the Cannes Lions festival with Michelle McGuire, principle and chief commercial officer of Converge by Deloitte, and Ruba Borno, VP, global specialists and partners for Amazon’s AWS. The two discuss how their companies are harnessing AI tools and data analytics to guide sports marketing expenditures for blue-chip brands. The pair reflect on how their experiences working together underscore that even the biggest corporate players need partners to help drive the AI productivity revolution.

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Canadian Media Myths Debunked With Bell Media’s Sean Cohan

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0000

The president of Bell Media is a native New Yorker and veteran TV executive who took the reins of one of Canada’s largest media conglomerates in 2023. He’s determined to raise the company’s profile as player in global content and platforms.

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How I Made It with Invent.TV Founder Sergio Alfaro

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0000

The founder and CEO of the production banner that delivers high-volume unscripted hits including "Dr. Pimple Popper" and "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" explains how he rose from humble beginnings to become a business owner.

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How Gamers and Category Experts Are Shaping the Creator Economy

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Marketing veterans Angelique Hernandez and Jarell Thompson discuss their innovative venture Havas Play, which connects brands with online gaming communities and social media creators. From the talent management perspective, ARC Collective CEO Shab Azma explains how creators and expert influencers are making a living through brand deals, ecommerce and instructional courses.

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‘Mountainhead’ Mines AI Anxieties at Just the Right Time

Wed, 28 May 2025 20:34:40 +0000

Strictly Business host Andrew Wallenstein offers a commentary on the new HBO movie “Mountainhead,” from “Succession” creator Jesse Armstrong, comparing the two productions and speaking to the film’s satirical take on AI and the moguls deploying the technology.

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The Value of Videogame IP in Post-'Minecraft' Hollywood

Wed, 21 May 2025 07:00:00 +0000

With 'The Minecraft Movie" in striking distance of the billion-dollar mark at the global box office, there's no better time to check in on the state of the videogame industry, with an emphasis on its intersection with Hollywood. Kaare Eriksen, author of a recent Variety Intelligence Report on these subjects, tackles everything from the shadow Trump-era tactics could cast over Nintendo's Switch 2 console to the shift of "Grand Theft Auto 6" to 2026.

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Jeffrey P. Jones on Why the Peabody Awards are America’s Archive of TV Excellence

Wed, 14 May 2025 07:00:00 +0000

The executive director of the Peabody Awards and professor at the communications school at the University of Georgia explains the uniqueness of the Peabody Awards and its process. He also discusses the difficulties of categorizing content these days and how electronic media is meeting the challenge of covering Trump 2.0.

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CAA Insiders Talk Agency’s Leadership Evolution, Social Media ‘Game-Changers’ and Content Marketplace Expansion: ‘Our Job Description Has Expanded So Much’

Thu, 08 May 2025 07:00:00 +0000

The participants are:

** Tiffany Ward (Managing Director and Scripted Television Agent)

** Jennifer Joel (Literary Agent and Co-Head of CAA Books)

** Lisa Joseph Metelus (CAA Board member and Head of Athlete Brand Strategy & Entertainment for CAA Sports)

** Maha Dakhil (Managing Director and Motion Picture Agent)

** Arleta Fowler (Digital Media Agent and Head of Digital Media Lifestyle Talent)

** Lara Sacket (Co-Head of Production Department)

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How to Make Money with Content: A Ben Silverman Explainer

Thu, 01 May 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Ben Silverman, Co-CEO and Chairman of Propagate Content, goes deep on how a modern independent studio generates profit from TV series, documentaries and original digital and audio content. As it marks its 10th year, Propagate has added social media creators, brand and management dealmaking into the mix. Silverman, a veteran producer and former head of NBC Entertainment, reflects on how industry dealmaking has changed in discussing where the content business is headed. Plus a bonus segment: Writer Bill Prady shares a memory that involves John Oliver, Jim Henson, “Nightline” and the 1987 stock market crash.

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Wheelhouse Entertainment's Courtney White on How Streaming Has Changed Unscripted TV

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Courtney White, president of Wheelhouse Entertainment, discusses the high-wire act of managing seven production labels and juggling a portfolio of unscripted content under Brent Montgomery's Wheelhouse umbrella. The cable TV veteran explains why Wheelhouse has invested in the "Ladies Who Launch" networking events for creatives, and why she wants to recreate the "walk to the elevator moment" in a world of Zoom pitch meetings.

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Tom Rogers on How Stock Market Volatility is Hitting Hollywood

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 18:39:30 +0000

On a bonus episode, media industry veteran Tom Rogers weighs in on another few days of wild swings in the U.S. equities markets and how it's affecting Hollywood. Plus Variety business editor Todd Spangler unpacks the anti-trust issues that Google and Meta are fighting in Washington, D.C. courtrooms.

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Gov. Phil Murphy on New Jersey's Courtship of Content Creators: 'This Has Been an Absolute, Cold-Blooded, Focused Strategy'

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Gov. Phil Murphy details the arc of New Jersey's campaign to bring film and TV production to the Garden State. Murphy also discusses the state of the Democrats and the alarming rise of politically motivated violence aimed at public officials.

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The TikTok-ification of TV is Coming

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0000

A humorous but insightful commentary in which host Andrew Wallenstein discusses the personal experience of developing a TikTok habit so powerful it displaced TV as “his go-to media habit for the past 50 years.” Describes his months of immersion on the platform, he likens it to a religious conversion that left him with prophetic visions of media's future, which he shares in detail (before the men in white coats come for him).

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On the Ground at CinemaCon in Tense Times for Exhibitors and Studios

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Brent Lang, Variety's executive editor overseeing film and media coverage, shares his observations about this year's CinemaCon gathering of movie theater owners and Hollywood studios. The tension is palpable as the sector is struggling to return to its pre-pandemic heights. He also weighs in on the story of the moment — the fate of Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy as leaders of Warner Bros. Pictures. And Pat Saperstein, Variety's deputy editor of film, details her recent list of the 21 Coolest Movie Theaters in the World.

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Revolt CEO Detavio Samuels Rebuilds a Black-Owned Media Brand

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Samuels unpacks the recapitalization and revitalization process of the cable channel and digital platform launched in 2013 by Sean Combs, who exited the business entirely last year as his legal problems increased. Samuels led the complicated process of turning Revolt into an employee-owned company, a rarity for a sizable media brand. In a separate interview, BET founder Robert Johnson gives his perspective on the state of Black-owned media, and whether he regrets selling BET in 2001.

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Griffin Gaming Partners’ Peter Levin Talks AI, Market Trends, Emerging Markets & Hollywood Interest Amid GDC

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Managing $1.5 billion in assets, Griffin Gaming Partners is a VC firm tailored to the video games space. Peter Levin, managing director and co-founder of Griffin, discusses the rush of AI interest into gaming, why emerging markets are so crucial to the industry and ongoing adaptations of gaming IP on the Hollywood side — all as the global games business gathers in San Francisco for GDC.

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How COVID Changed Television Production Forever

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Five years ago, the TV industry rose to the occasion to keep news programs, talk shows, late-night and live-to-tape entertainment shows on the air during the harshest months of lockdown and quarantines at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews with 10 industry insiders – including ABC News’ Linsey Davis, CBS News’ Tony Dokoupil and Fox News’ Bill Hemmer – are woven together to take a long look back at the technological innovation, ingenuity and the inevitable on-air mishaps that characterized the ominous early months of the pandemic. The discussion also explores the lasting changes that have taken root long after social distancing mandates have gone away.

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Kickstarting Kickstarter into High Gear with Professional Filmmakers

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Taylor K. Shaw, newly hired as senior outreach lead for film at Kickstarter, details why the crowdsourcing site feels the time is right to court established filmmakers, producers and writers. The fundraising service can help pay for projects and it can be an engine for engaging with and cultivating dedicated fans.

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Legion M CEO on 'My Dead Friend Zoe' Release and Building First Fan-Owned Media Company

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 08:05:00 +0000

Legion M CEO on 'My Dead Friend Zoe' Release and Building First Fan-Owned Media Company

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'Kugel' Marks Big Moment for Israeli Streamer Izzy

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Nabbing exclusive rights to the prequel to "Shtisel," the series Netflix made popular around the world, is more than just a financial opportunity for Izzy CEO Nati Dinnar to put his fledgling streaming service on the global map. "Kugel" represents a chance to advance the interests of his homeland's reputation amid war in the Middle East, not to mention its struggling TV industry.

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The Future of TV & Film Production After LA Fires

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Fresh off the release of their new Variety Intelligence Platform research study "Production Pipelines: Film & TV in Flux," analysts Tyler Aquilina and Kaare Eriksen share their insights on how the unfolding tragedy in the heart of the entertainment industry alters the outlook for Hollywood long-form content output.

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TV Volume Declines, Box Office Rebounds: 2024 By the Numbers

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 08:00:00 +0000

How do you measure a year? Audience research firm Luminate does just that in its newly released 2024 Film & TV Year-End Report. Two top Luminate executives – Marc Hoebich, executive VP and head of film and TV, and Carolyn Finger, senior VP of consumer success and product – break down the report and its findings.

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Social Video Diverts Audience Time Away From TV, Films? This Study Suggests the Opposite

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 08:00:00 +0000

When Warner Bros. Discovery research chief Natasha Hritzuk first began studying short-form video, the conventional wisdom was that platforms like TikTok and YouTube were having a cannibalizing effect on TV and film consumption. But as she shares in her latest study, the deeper she explored audience behavor, the more she saw that social video served as a potent discovery tool for the very programming to which it seemed to pose a competitive threat.

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Exploring the Wide World of Webtoons

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 08:00:00 +0000

David J. Lee, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of Webtoon Entertainment, discusses the rapid growth of webtoons as a digital entertainment medium during a session held as part of the Variety Entertainment Summit at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. And prolific webtoon creator Brandon Chen, author of "Just a Goblin" and many other titles, explains the appeal of the graphic novel-like format as a creative outlet and training ground for budding storytellers.

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Leadership and a Few Laughs in a Moment of Crisis

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 06:05:00 +0000

Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Ravi Ahuja gives his first interview since taking the reins of the studio. The conversation was held Jan. 8 at Variety’s Entertainment Summit at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, as firestorms were raging across Los Angeles County. Later that day, NBCUniversal ad sales chief Mark Marshall and NBC Sports host Maria Taylor brought some levity with a freewheeling session previewing what Marshall calls “the greatest 730 days that any media company has ever had” given the Super Bowl, Winter Olympics, NBA coverage and more on tap for 2025 and 2026.

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Dice CEO Phil Hutcheon on a Decade of Fighting Dynamic Pricing in the Ticketing Industry and Why the Mid-Market Is Their 'Superpower'

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Phil Hutcheon, the CEO of London-based ticketing software company Dice, sat down with Strictly Business to reflect on 10 years of revolutionizing the ticketing industry. Dice's fan- and artist-forward mission takes a strong stance against scalping and dynamic pricing, which earned it a loyal following in the U.K. before expanding to the U.S. and Canada. Next stop: the world.

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Vim, Vigor and Verve: Talent Agency Partners Talk Industry Turmoil, Transitions and Surviving 15 Years in Hollywood

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Verve talent agency partners Liz Parker, Bryan Besser, Adam Levine and Adam Weinstein discuss the arc of the mid-sized firm's journey as its 15th anniversary approaches in 2025. The foursome address the end of packaging fees, the contraction in the creative community, finding IP in unexpected places and growth opportunities in animation.

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I Defended Publishing the Sony Hack Emails 10 Years Ago. Now I Regret It.

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Strictly Business co-host Andrew Wallenstein looks back on the rationale he laid out a decade ago as co-editor-in-chief of Variety for publishing the contents of the Sony hack and shares his misgivings about a difficult decision and why he made it.

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Chappell Roan Collaborator Daniel Nigro on the Evolving Role of the Writer-Producer in Pop

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Nominated for producer of the year at the Grammys, Daniel Nigro has become one of the top writer-producers in the pop thanks to his collaborations with Chappell Roan and Olivia Rodrigo, who became superstars on his watch. He talks about why he thinks of himself more of a band member with these artists than a traditional producer.

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John Landgraf Wrestles with the Entertainment Industry’s ‘Really Big Reckoning’

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 12:01:00 +0000

John Landgraf, the respected chairman of FX, engages in a wide-ranging conversation about the precarious state of TV and film and the content industry in general. Coming off a banner year for FX, Landgraf explains how the edgy cable brand found a home within Disney and is navigating the transition from linear to streaming.

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Nebula Builds Streaming Platform with A24 Vibes

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000

CEO Dave Wiskus details the growth ambition of the four-year-old streamer that is home to the buzzy original series "Jet Lag" and backed by management company Standard with a minority stake held by Curiosity Stream.

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Why Riot Games’ Entertainment Ambitions Stalled Beyond ‘Arcane’

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000

With the long-awaited second season of the Emmy-winning Netflix series "Arcane" debuting Nov. 9, producers Riot Games may be better known for videogame phenomena like "League of Legends," but they've proven they can make great entertainment, too. But the company has struggled to expand further into scripted entertainment as inexperience has kept anything else from getting off the ground.

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Delphi Interactive’s Leadership on Challenging Gaming’s ‘Publisher Industrial Complex’

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 11:01:00 +0000

Delphi Interactive is a new company licensing some of the biggest franchises in entertainment and partnering them with independent gaming studios to bring those properties to life as new AAA video games. CEO Casper Daugaard and President Andy Kleinman joined Strictly Business to discuss what they refer to as the “publishing industrial complex” and their plans to circumvent gaming’s biggest entities to deliver new experiences for the unpredictable console and PC gaming market.

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Cenk Uygur Shares the Young Turks' 'Dangerous Strategy' for Covering Presidential Election

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 11:01:00 +0000

The founder, CEO and lead anchor of the insurgent progressive news brand shares his pre-election outlook on what it's been like covering the 2024 presidential race and discusses the state of the TYT business from his days as a YouTube pioneer more than two decades ago.

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Masters of Message: Marketing leaders on AI, TikTok, Metrics That Matter and What Consumers Want

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 05:01:00 +0000

Marketing and advertising leaders from Disney, Warner Bros., NBCUniversal, Google, Nvidia, CVS, Ford, Pintrest and other blue-chip firms share insights on how to break through in a moment of transition from media and tech. HIghlights from the Variety Ad Week studio presented by Canva include conversations with creatives engaged in marketing and advertising pursuits including Terry Crews, Common and Camila Cabello.

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Gamefam CEO on Roblox Brand Building for 'Barbie,' 'My Hero Academia,' New Coldplay Album and More

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Gamefam founder Joe Ferencz breaks down the metaverse game developer and publisher's strategy for harnessing and monetizing popular IP

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Cosm CEO Jeb Terry Shares His Vision for Eye-Popping Immersive Content

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:00:00 +0000

To see the future of immersive mediat today, get to know the business of Cosm with its CEO, Jeb Terry. The NFL veteran has just begun an ambitious plan to build out dozens of state-of-the-art venues where fans can watch live sports and innovative entertainment on gigantic curved screens. He walks through the financial and technical aspects of Cosm and what sets it apart from Sphere, a similar venture making waves in Las Vegas.

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Strictly Business Live with Laura Martin, Hernan Lopez, Adam Aron, Channing Dungey, Peter Safran, Lamorne Morris, Whitney Cummings Iliza Schlesinger and More

Sat, 28 Sep 2024 07:01:00 +0000

A special live episode of Strictly Business recorded Sept. 26 in West Hollywood at Variety’s Entertainment and Technology Summit. Laura Martin, entertainment and internet analyst for Needham & Company, joins hosts Cynthia Littleton and Andrew Wallenstein for a conversation about the future of media and entertainment. Owl & Co consulting founder Hernan Lopez also weighs in for a deep dive into the economics of streaming content. Plus other conference highlights from the summit.

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‘The Last of Us’ Creator Neil Druckmann Talks Adapting Games for TV and Film, Clicking With Craig Mazin and Orchestrating Season 2

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 07:01:00 +0000

Neil Druckmann, creator of “The Last of Us” game franchise and head of development for Naughty Dog gaming studio, gives a wide-ranging interview at the Variety Presents: Gaming on TikTok Leadership Summit

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Disney TV Group chief Craig Erwich on Managing a ‘Pot Luck Dinner’ of Content, Lessons From the Strike and Hulu’s Push into Standup Comedy

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 07:01:00 +0000

The industry veteran who came to Disney after years at Fox and Warner Horizon Television discusses the demands of managing content at an unprecedented scale across multiple platforms. The executive who oversees Hulu Originals, Disney Branded Television, ABC Entertainment and Freeform talks about the rebirth of procedural dramas, the surprise that was ‘The Golden Bachelor’ and why Hulu is elbowing its way into the standup comedy special arena.

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'The Business of Television' Author Updates His Book for a Very Different Era

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 11:00:00 +0000

In the six years since writing the definitive book on dealmaking in the TV industry, Ken Basin has had to rethink plenty before updating his masterwork for a second edition. This veteran of business-affairs at some of the leading content companies discusses how disruption in Hollywood has changed his strategic outlook, but also outlines his prescription for getting showbiz back on track.

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Box Office Overview: Why Summer Will Make You Rethink the State of the Film Biz

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 11:00:00 +0000

No better time for a roundtable discussion on the future of the movie industry to make sense of the strange 2024 we've seen so far: The first five months of the year couldn't have looked grimmer, yet that didn't stop the summer from a very strong rebound. Can the momentum continue long enough to prompt the bleak prognosis theaters have been hearing long before COVID and the strikes made things even worse? We'll look ahead at all the films that will put this notion to the test in the coming months and into 2025.

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‘Black Love’ Producer Tommy Oliver on Navigating the Post-Peak TV Marketplace, Paying a ‘Black Tax’ in Hollywood and Banking on BIPOC Stories

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 16:00:00 +0000

The founder and CEO of Los Angeles-based Confluential Company explains how he’s found success in a challenging environment for independent film and TV producers. Oliver, co-creator and producer of the OWN unscripted series “Black Love,” details how he has diversified the company with a recent capital investment and why he’s determined to invest in BIPOC storytellers.

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'The Challenge' of Managing Reality-TV Mega Franchises with Julie Pizzi

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 11:00:00 +0000

"The Challenge" and "Below Deck" aren't just TV brands; they're practically the unscripted-TV version of cinematic universes, spanning multiple series that run for many years. Which is a challenge in its own right for Julie Pizzi, who produces those franchises as president of Bunim/Murray and 51 Minds, two different production companies owned by French media giant Banijay. She discusses the state of reality TV during a challenging period for Hollywood.

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The Future of Sports is Female

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 07:00:00 +0000

Top athletes and executives from ESPN, Amazon, NBCUniversal, YouTube, Turner, Roku, the National Women’s Soccer League gathered July 12 in Beverly Hills for Variety and Sportico’s annual Sports and Entertainment Summit. Here are highlights from two key conversations examining the unprecedented growth in women’s sports and the future of live game coverage.

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Snapchat's Quest for Olympic Gold Relies on Creators

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Jim Shepherd, director of content and global creator partnerships at Snap, details his company's efforts to partner with NBCUniversal, advertisers and top influencers like Olivia Dunne and Kai Cenat on the ground in Paris to cover the Olympics with greater access than it ever has before. He also shares insights on Snapchat's place in the booming creator economy and how the platform distinguishes itself in a crowded social category.

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Skibidi Toilet: Inside the Internet Phenomenon's Hollywood Plans

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Is Skibidi Toilet ready for its closeup? The animated YouTube sensation is being prepped for a potential move to film and TV, according to this week's guest, the film-industry veteran Adam Goodman, who is working alongside director Michael Bay to guide creator Alexey Gerasimov as they plot the future of the controversial character Generation Alpha already considers an icon.

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Netflix CTO Elizabeth Stone on Streamer’s New AI Project, Gearing Up for Live NFL Games, Evolving the Culture and More

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Netflix chief technology officer Elizabeth Stone talks about the streamer's new generative-AI skunkworks project, how her team is prepping for live NFL games, where she sees the need to evolve the company’s famous “no rules” corporate culture and more. She has a background in economics, which is very unusual for a top tech exec — but she says she brings that economics expertise to bear in her current role almost every day.

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How 'Exploding Kittens' Founders Turned Their Best-Selling Card Game Into a Netflix TV Series and Mobile Game

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 11:00:00 +0000

"Exploding Kittens" co-creators Matthew Inman and Elan Lee break down how they continue to expand their popular tabletop gaming brand while expanding primary business into TV series and mobile gaming with Netflix.

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Cannes Lions Festival: Global Marketing Mavens Talk AI, Industry Headwinds, the Allure of ‘Cultural Moments’ and America’s Armpits

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 07:01:00 +0000

More than a dozen top executives tackle burning subjects for the global marketing and advertising sector in interviews recorded at the Cannes Lions Festival, held June 17-21. Hear highlights of conversations on brand building, audience targeting and navigating a fractured media landscape from leaders at Disney, NBCUniversal, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, Spotify, Colgate-Palmolive, Volkswagen, Roku, Wondery, Group M, iHeartMedia, Mattel, American Express and more.

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Xbox Game Studios Chief Matt Booty on Showcase Success, Game Pass Strategy, More ‘Fallout’ and Studio Closures

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 01:12:26 +0000

Fresh off the Xbox Games Showcase during June’s Summer Game Fest season, Xbox president of gaming content and studios Matt Booty discusses upcoming titles, doubling down on subscription gaming, the surge of interest in “Fallout” and the difficulty of shutting down studios like Tango Gameworks.

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Howdy Partner: How Nonprofit Rideback Rise Aims to Nurture Creators of Color

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Diana Mogollón, CEO of Rideback Rise, explains how the nonprofit venture launched by producer Dan Lin is designed to support mid-career creators from underrepresented backgrounds with the lofty goal of driving cultural change through inclusive storytelling. The organization offers annual fellowships, creative support and networking opportunities at its ranch-themed facility, built in what was an abandoned post office in Los Angeles’ vibrant Historic Filipinotown neighborhood.

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Independent Investor Finds Opportunity in the Entertainment Industry’s Tumultuous Transition

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Sherrese Clarke Soares, founder and CEO of Newark, N.J.-based investment firm HarbourView Equity, explains why she’s motivated to invest in media at a time when the industry’s largest companies are struggling mightily with the transition to streaming. Clarke Soares explains why she sees a right-sizing of the business underway as well as a dawning appreciation for the value of engagement versus mass appeal in entertainment.

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Radical Advice for Media Companies in Desperate Need of Reinvention

Wed, 29 May 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Accenture consultant John Peters specializes in tough love for media companies: his new "Thrive Index" lays out 50 strategic options for executives in need of bold solutions to survive tumultuous times. He applies his innovative principles to the current predicaments facing businesses including Paramount, Disney and more.

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Samsung TV Plus Builds a New Kind of TV Bundle

Wed, 22 May 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Takashi Nakano, senior director of content for Samsung TV Plus, explains why the South Korean electronics giant embraced the fast-growing arena of FAST channel distribution. Samsung is building a new kind form of a cable bundle that is available directly through the operating system of its more than 600 million connected TV sets sold in 24 countries.

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Roblox Global Brand Partnerships VP Stephanie Latham Talks Engagement, IP Hubs, Catering to Younger Demographics & More

Thu, 16 May 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Roblox isn't just a game you watch your kids play on your computer or console, but a platform in and of itself for tons of interactive experiences, many of which are created by users themselves. With Hollywood relying on Roblox heavily to promote films, series and other media experiences, global brand partnerships VP Stephanie Latham stopped by to discuss how these deals come together and how Roblox works to strike a balance between its user-created content and experiences developed for all sorts of different brands.

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NBCUniversal Ad Sales Chief Mark Marshall Talks Upfronts, Paris Olympics and Why NBCU is Becoming a Technology Company

Wed, 08 May 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Will casual sports fans tune into the Summer Olympics in Paris this summer? Will TV advertising’s traditional upfront sales protocol endure? And why does NBCUniversal see itself increasingly becoming a technology company? Mark Marshall, NBCUniversal’s chairman of global advertising and partnerships, details how the company is bringing linear and streaming ad sales efforts together in groundbreaking ways and why it will make Olympics content available for programmatic sales for the first time.

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Paris Hilton Takes Time Out From 11:11 Media to Talk Business

Wed, 01 May 2024 11:00:00 +0000

With a new single out from her forthcoming album, a book partly about her own life just optioned for a docuseries and a new baby daughter to parent, Paris Hilton is plenty busy. But she's also nearly three years into launching her own company, 11:11 Media, along with co-founder Bruce Gersh, who serves as president and COO. They stopped by Variety's Entertainment Marketing Summit last week to talk about juggling it all.

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Is There a Hollywood Use Case for Crypto and Blockchain Tech?

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 11:00:00 +0000

As cryptocurrency markets rebound and slowly but surely become more mainstream, two experts discuss the potential for blockchain tech to be embraced by entertainment dealmakers as an antidote to the age-old problems of Hollywood accounting. Tarun Chitra, founder and CEO of research and advisory firm Gauntlet and co-host of “The Chopping Block” podcast, and Duke University professor Lee Reiners bring vastly different perspectives to this question.

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'Abigail' Horror Flick Puts Project X to the Test

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 11:00:00 +0000

As its success with the "Scream" franchise can attest, Project X Entertainment knows its way around the horror genre. But now the indie production outfit is back in theaters with untested IP in the form of "Abigail." Nevertheless, Project X principal William Sherak is confident lightning will strike twice.

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Why the Movie Business is Poised for a New Golden Age of Filmmaking

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 07:01:00 +0000

Think the market for adult-focused specialty films is dead? Peter Kujawski, chairman of Focus Features, explains why you’re wrong. As the film industry gathers in Las Vegas this week for CinemaCon, Kujawski talks about the state of moviemaking, exhibition, and walks through key lessons from the strike-challenged 2023 box office (takeaway No. 1 – originality sells).

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Futurific Studios’ Ari Wallach and Kathryn Murdoch Give a Brief History of PBS Docu Series ‘A Brief History of the Future’

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Premiering April 3, the six-part series hosted by futurist Ari Wallach seeks to counter pop culture’s dystopian view of life in the coming centuries with visits to real-world entrepreneurs, inventors, artists and activists who are pursuing hopeful and innovative solutions for a range of social ills.

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High Fidelity: Audible Seizes the Moment to Grow with Original Content

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 05:01:00 +0000

Audible's Rachel Ghiazza (chief content officer), Kate Navin (head of creative development for North America) and Pat Shah (head of content acquisition and development) discuss the company's unique position in the audio marketplace and why they are revving up original content for the Amazon-owned subscription platform.

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TikTok Execs Reveal How Films & TV Shows Go Viral

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0000

As Congress debates the future of TikTok in the U.S., here's an encore episode of Variety's "Strictly Business" podcast from August 2023 that examines how the social media platform has become essential for promoting movies and TV shows.

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Dealmaking in the Post-Peak TV Landscape

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 07:01:00 +0000

There may be far fewer TV shows being made in Hollywood these days than in the salad days of the peak-TV era, but that just means there's more hustling being done to get writers, producers, directors and actors staffed on a development season that goes on year-round. For the past 10 years, Grandview Management co-founders Jeff Silver and Matt Rosen have navigated dealmaking for their roster of writers and producers for top series like "Ozark" and "House of the Dragon" with considerable savvy. But this year they describe an industry environment quite different than what they've experienced in seasons past.

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Betting on the Oscars: Why More States Allow Movie Fans to Place Wagers on Hollywood’s Big Night

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:01:00 +0000

Bill Speros, senior betting analyst for Bookies.com, explains why legal betting on the Oscars has grown in recent years thanks to changes in state gambling laws. The veteran analyst and journalist also discusses the rise of sports wagering as an audience engagement strategy and profit driver for media companies.

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Confronting Sora: How Hollywood Should Heed Tyler Perry's AI Warning

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:01:00 +0000

Ever since OpenAI gave the world a glimpse of its upcoming new text-to-video software, the entertainment industry has been in a state of alarm—particularly Tyler Perry, who paused an expansion on his Atlanta studio, citing the industry job losses he predicts Sora will cause. Steven Zeitchik, who writes about the implications of AI at mindandiron.substack.com, joins this week's episode to discuss what the potential impact Sora could have on Hollywood.

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Anime Streamer Crunchyroll Is a Rare SVOD Success Story

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 08:01:00 +0000

Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini explains how the Sony-owned, Japanese anime-focused streaming service has found success through serving a so-called niche market and its plans for further expansion.

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“We’ll Be the French Fries to Anyone’s Happy Meal”: AMC Networks CEO Kristin Dolan Adapts Cable Channels for the Streaming Era

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:01:00 +0000

AMC Networks CEO Kristin Dolan offers a candid look at how the boutique owner of AMC, SundanceTV, WeTV, IFC and BBC America is adapting its programming and distribution strategies for the streaming era. The longtime Cablevision senior executive came full circle in 2023 when she returned to lead the company where she began her career as a marketing executive.

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Paramount Just the Start of Media's 2024 M&A Mysteries

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 08:01:00 +0000

Who is going to buy Paramount Global? Is M&A best done before or after the presidential election? Can anyone compete with Netflix? These are just a few of the big dilemmas Naveen Sarma, managing director of S&P Global Ratings, tackles in his return visit to Strictly Business as he wrestles with some of the questions vexing Wall Street right now regarding the media sector.

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Food Network Chief and Warner Bros US Networks CMO on Future of Linear Business and Effects of M&A

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 08:01:00 +0000

Warner Bros. Discovery executives Betsy Ayala and Karen Bronzo break down big plans for Food Network, HGTV and the company's other linear networks in 2024 and how a potential Paramount deal could affect assets.

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YA Media Star Alloy Entertainment is Ready to Grow Up

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 16:55:59 +0000

Alloy CEO Leslie Morgenstein, TV chief Gina Girolamo and film leader Elysa Koplovitz Dutton, leaders of the company behind such TV and film hits as “Gossip Girl,” “Pretty Little Liars,” “You,” “Vampire Diaries” and “You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah” explain how they’ve thrived in the YA space and why they are now looking to grow up a bit.

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Emmy Ratings Low Delivers Awards-Show Gut Check

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 08:01:00 +0000

Just when last week's ratings resurgence for the Golden Globes had us all feeling good, along comes the Emmy Awards to deliver an all-time audience low to shake our confidence in awards show all over again! What happened Jan. 15? Did Anthony Anderson not make us laugh enough? Should we be worried about the upcoming Grammys and Oscars, which are coming off their strongest telecasts in several years? Fear not, says Andrew Wallenstein, who analyzes why 2024 was a singularly bad year for Emmys due to a perfect storm of factors beyond its control.

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CES 2024: Variety Gazes into the Future with Top Executives, Innovators and TikTok Creator Leenda Dong

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 08:01:00 +0000

Produced on the ground at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Variety’s Cynthia Littleton and Todd Spangler and Variety Intelligence Platform’s Andrew Wallenstein and Audrey Schomer analyze the trends, rumors and surprises that emerged during the tech industry’s annual gathering. Also, highlights from Variety Entertainment Summit conversations with Roku’s Charlie Collier, TikTok creator Leenda Dong, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, TalkShopLive’s Bryan Moore and more.

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Strictly Business 2023 in Review: AI Bites, Hollywood Strikes, Streaming Wars Turn Ugly and Taylor Swift Takes All

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 08:01:00 +0000

Co-hosts Cynthia Littleton and Andrew Wallenstein look back at the year that was and ahead at what’s to come for the business of media and entertainment. The hosts share highlights from some of their favorite episodes of 2023, including interviews with Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz, HBO and Max content chief Casey Bloys, Nigerian entrepreneur Mo Abudu, South Korean producer Nah Yung Suk and Barstool Sports chief Erika Ayers.

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Telly Founder Ilya Pozin Previews 2024's First New Features

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 08:01:00 +0000

Perhaps the most audacious new consumer-electronics product of 2023 was Telly, a new TV set that nearly half a million U.S. consumers got for free with a few strings attached, including a second smaller screen attached showing non-stop commercials. Founder Ilya Pozin discusses plans to scale Telly next year, including new interactive functionality that will allow consumers to interact with the advertising and more.

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Disney Gaming Chief on 'Dreamlight Valley' and 'Spider-Man 2' Success, Marvel's 'Blade' Plans and the Ups and Downs of User Generated Content

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 08:01:00 +0000

Disney's head of gaming Sean Shoptaw gives a deeper look at the Mouse House's top 2023 titles and reveals big plans for capitalizing on IP next year.

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TV’s new math: Amblin Moves into Documentary and Unscripted Content

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 08:01:00 +0000

Amblin TV chiefs Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey detail why Steven Spielberg‘s television company decided to move aggressively into documentary and unscripted programming.

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Aaron Dessner, Producer for Taylor Swift and Member of the National, on Navigating Both Sides of the Mixing Board

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 19:58:44 +0000

Aaron Dessner’s Grammy-winning band the National has been one of the mainstays of rock ’n roll for a quarter-century now. But when most musicians were taking a time-out early in the pandemic, Dessner got called in by Taylor Swift to help create her perception-changing “Folklore” album, soon followed up that same year by “Evermore.” Ever since, he’s been one of the most sought-after producer/co-writers in the business — even as the National has gotten busier with the resumption of touring, and two albums of their own in 2023. His 2023 production efforts have included two new albums with superstar Ed Sheeran, and a breakthrough album with up-and-comer Gracie Abrams that led to her getting a best new artist Grammy nomination.

How does Dessner juggle these demanding roles? Partly by working with artists in his own home-adjacent studio (the name of which, Long Pond, has become famous in its own right, due to being the setting for a Swift special). For stars, or would-be stars, who want to establish themselves with a more homegrown-sounding approach — either as first-timers, like Abrams, or veterans making a left turn, like Swift and Sheeran — Dessner is the man. At least for as long as he can keep his band's tour bus at bay.

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Donald Passman, author of ‘All You Need to Know About the Music Business,' Talks About the State of Today's Industry

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 18:31:05 +0000

If there is a bible for the music industry, it’s Donald Passman’s book, “All You Need to Know About the Music Business.” Since the first edition came out more than 30 years ago, it has guided countless musicians and executives, and has prevented many of them from making decisions they’d later regret.

Passman, of course, is one of the most successful and experienced attorneys in music business history, with a client list that over the years has included Taylor Swift, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Adele and many more. Here, he gets deep about AI, new streaming models, and what's next for the industry.

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Nebula Builds Streaming Platform with A24 Vibes

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 08:01:00 +0000

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Schmoozing with Chaiflicks CEO Neil Friedman About His First Original Series

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 07:01:00 +0000

Leave it to a streaming service that caters to a Jewish audience to make its first original series about food: "Schmoozing and Cruising" is the latest sign that CEO Neil Friedman wants to grow the brand he built that super-serves films, TV shows and docs in five global markets and more on the way. He also dishes about life as a niche streamer in an industry dominated by larger services and how not to be divisive covering hot-button issues.

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Why Europe Sees Opportunity as Hollywood Struggles

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 07:01:00 +0000

Global TV trends were evident as industry heavyweights gathered in Cannes for the annual Mipcom market and conference. Host Cynthia Littleton offers her observations on a changing business, including highlights from her on-stage interviews with Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish, Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada, Eva Longoria and producer Cris Abrego and Dori Media CEO Nadav Palti.

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There's More to the 2023 Concert Business Boom Than Just Taylor Swift, Beyonce

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 07:01:00 +0000

When Variety Intelligence Platform (VIP+) teamed up with UTA IQ, the research, analytics and insights division of the UTA talent agency to conduct a consumer survey in August to understand the market forces driving the explosion in the live-music industry, they learned a lot more was at play than just the success of Taylor Swift and Beyonce. UTA IQ global head Joe Kessler and VIP+ analyst Heidi Chung discuss their groundbreaking study, which can be found at Variety.com/livemusic.

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How Studio71 Helps Creators ‘Become Their Own Media Company’

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:43:01 +0000

Adam Boorstin and Matt Crowley, co-CEOs of Studio71, offer insights on the growth trajectory of the creator economy from their perch as leaders of a top firm that provides support services for social media creators. The pair discuss how emerging talent is increasingly tapping into professional tools and a higher level of advertising and sponsorship deals to make social media a robust and profitable medium unto itself.

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The Creator Economy Grows Up: How Jellysmack Helps Talent Gain Scale

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 14:48:15 +0000

Sean Atkins, a TV and digital veteran who is president of Jellysmack, explains how demand for the company’s talent development, marketing and content distribution services are signs that the creator economy is maturing. It’s a business rooted in media and content, but the moneymaking opportunities also transcend media. “The creator space will impact everything in the GDP,” Atkins predicts.

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Barbie, Shmarbie: Mattel CEO's Media Strategy is More Than Just One Movie

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 07:01:00 +0000

The message from Ynon Kreiz's keynote Q&A at the Variety Entertainment & Technology Summit is that while "Barbie" may be a huge opening salvo in his plan to turn toy brands into media IP, it's just the beginning of a versatile long-term strategy that will extend far beyond the cinema to TV and gaming for the likes of "Monster High" and "Hot Wheels"

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Mo Abudu: EbonyLife Group CEO on ‘Local for Global’ Strategy to Grow Nigeria’s Media Infrastructure

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 07:01:00 +0000

The Nigerian entrepreneur and producer discusses the birth and growth of her EbonyLife Group content production business, known for the Netflix drama series “Blood Sisters.” Abudu details her vision for expanding Africa’s media infrastructure to allow local producers to capture the region’s vibrant art and culture scene from what she describes as a “local for global” lens.

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Reinventing the CW Network

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 07:01:00 +0000

Dennis Miller and Brad Schwartz, the new leaders of the CW Network, detail the major strategy overall at the broadcast network that has been known for DC superhero fare and teen soaps. Under Nexstar's ownership, the network's priorities have taken a hard turn to sports and unscripted content.

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Producer Nah Yung Suk on Korea's Rise in the Global TV Marketplace

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 11:57:32 +0000

Nah Yung Suk, a seasoned producer whose latest hit is the Amazon Prime Video reality series “Jinny’s Kitchen,” talks about the growth of South Korea’s TV and film industry and the globalization that is energizing the content business. In Korea, the new dynamism in the marketplace can be defined as “before Netflix” and “after Netflix,” he explains. The producer affiliated with Korea’s CJ ENM also weighs in on his experience with having his hit unscripted format “Grandpa Over Flowers” adapted by NBC as 2016’s “Better Late Than Never.”

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Scooter Braun Gets Free Advice in a 'Mogul Memo' Monologue

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 07:01:00 +0000

After a rough week in which the manager said adieu to his biggest clients including Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, Strictly Business host Andrew Wallenstein brings his Mogul Memo column to the podcast and offers some counterintuitive counsel. Plus: An interview with Paramount CTO Phil Wiser at the Collision Tech Conference.

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TikTok Execs Reveal How Films & TV Shows Go Viral

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 07:01:00 +0000

Long before “Barbie” exploded at the box office this summer, it was clear on TikTok that the movie was going to be a big deal. Whether through studio marketing or organic fan activity, entertainment properties new and old take on a life on their own on the Bytedance-owned platform. Reia Davidson, US Head of Media and Entertainment, and Catherine Halaby, Head of Entertainment for North America discuss their strategies in this episode.

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Twitch CMO Rachel Delphin on Fostering Community Alongside Platform Safety

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 07:01:00 +0000

Twitch has been the leading livestreaming platform for nearly a decade. While its command of community is tough to beat, continuing to hold such a leading position requires a lot of balance between fan and creator engagement, brand partnership and especially safety. Twitch's chief marketing officer Rachel Delphin is immersed in all three and discusses how to maintain that balance in the face of new competition, among other topics like the specter of AI in just about every media space.

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Blake Griffin, Ryan Kalil Make the Jump From Pro Athletes to Producers

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 07:01:00 +0000

One's a current Boston Celtic, the other a former Carolina Panther. Together, they are partners in Mortal Media, a production company with a first-look deal at Sony Pictures with a packed portfolio of film and TV projects ranging from the "White Men Can't Jump" reboot at Hulu to the Apple TV+ series "Hello Tomorrow," and they're just getting started. Hear about how they've made the transition even during a tricky time during an industry-wide strike.

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Imagine Entertainment’s Justin Wilkes on Pushing into Premium Nonfiction, How Streaming Marketplace Terms are Changing and the Double-Strike Impact on Indies

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 12:43:55 +0000

The president of Imagine Entertainment details the company's recent growth with documentary and nonfiction content, kids and family, branded creative advertising and marketing. He also offers insights into how the market for streaming content is slowly changing in ways that benefit large-scale independent producers such as Imagine.

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Virtual Franken-stars: Part 2 of Soul Machines CEO Interview

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 07:01:00 +0000

In the second of a two-part interview that began on last week's episode, Soul Machine's CEO Greg Cross casts his eye toward the future of how his business marrying state-of-the-art animation with artificial intelligence will be utilized in the world of Hollywood celebrity.

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Ready for AI-Fueled Franken-stars? Soul Machines CEO Says Yes

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Imagine being able to interact with a CGI simulation of your favorite celebrity powered by artificial intelligence. That day is already here thanks to Soul Machines, a company led by tech vet Greg Cross, who has lined up an eclectic group of famous folks from golf legend Jack Nicklaus to K-pop sensation Mark Tuan to lead the way. This is the first of a two-part hour-long conversation that continues next week.

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Media Stocks Midyear Assessment

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 14:01:32 +0000

With the leading media moguls hunkered down in Sun Valley this week for the annual Allen & Co. conference just a week ahead of the start of the Q2 earnings season, there's no better time for a frank discussion of how these companies' stocks are faring. Strictly Business hosts Cynthia Littleton and Andrew Wallenstein are joined by Variety Intelligence Platform analyst Heidi Chung for a chat about Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix, Comcast and much more.

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Foot Soldiers of the Creator Economy: Social Media Entrepreneurs Talk Shop at Vidcon 2023

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 07:00:00 +0000

How do people actually make a living in social media? Hear from seven entrepreneurs in the trenches of the influencer and creator economy as they hawk their wares at the Vidcon conference in Anaheim, Calif. The responses from leaders of independent firms involved in distribution, technology and visual effects, e-commerce, marketing and promotion speak volumes about how this emerging marketplace is taking shape.

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The ROI of Made in NY and How it Changes Lives

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 07:00:00 +0000

In 2006, the Bloomberg mayoral administration in New York decided to fund a job training program, Made in NY, offering low-income residents the chance to work as production assistants in film and TV. More than 15 years later, former New York City film commissioner Katherine Oliver and alumni from the program gather to measure Made in NY’s powerful long-term impact on their lives and the city at large.

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HBO Chief Casey Bloys on ‘Succession,’ AI, ‘The Last of Us’ and the Rebirth of Max

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Casey Bloys, the content leader of HBO and Max, engages in a wide-ranging discussion about HBO’s recent streak of pop culture hits, from “Succession” to “The Last of Us” to “The White Lotus” and more. Bloys also offers his view of the limits of AI and its use in entertainment, and he explains how HBO and Max can live together and separately under one streaming roof. Recorded June 7 at Variety’s TV FYC Fest held at the 1 Hotel in West Hollywood.

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DeVon Franklin: ‘Flamin’ Hot’ Producer on His Mission to Uplift and Expand the Scope of Faith-Based Content

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 23:48:43 +0000

The veteran film and TV producer behind the Searchlight/Hulu release details the purpose that has driven his unconventional career in Hollywood. Franklin discusses why Hollywood has shied away from faith-infused properties in recent years and how he hopes to change that with mainstream movies and TV shows rooted in moving and meaningful themes. “The only thing that matters is a great story, period,” he says.

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Wiip CEO Paul Lee: How to Streaming Deals are Changing Amid the Great Correction

Wed, 31 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000

The end of the great streaming content boom has brought with it a responsibility by the entertainment industry to address the compensation issues presented by the digitial transition to the creative community, as reflected by the writers strike. So says Paul Lee, CEO of Wiip, the production banner behind “Mare of Easttown,” “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” “The White House Plumbers,” “Dickinson" and more. In a candid interview, the Disney veteran discusses who the tightening in the content marketplace will be good for independent producers in the long run.

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Unpacking the Upfronts: How TV’s Big Week Reflected Broader Industry Turmoil

Wed, 24 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Variety’s team of television reporters offer a debrief on the 2023 programming presentations in New York. It was an upfronts week like no other with Writers Guild of America pickets outside of all the major events. Behind the velvet rope, there were plenty of signals of the industry’s difficult transition from linear to streaming. Variety’s Jennifer Maas, Joe Otterson, Todd Spangler and Brian Steinberg offer highlights and insights from Disney, Netflix, NBCUniversal, Fox, YouTube and more.

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Bose CEO Lila Snyder on Perfecting Sound and Silence

Wed, 17 May 2023 16:57:57 +0000

Lila Snyder, CEO of Bose Corporation, oversees all aspects of the company’s consumer electronics, automotive and related businesses and leads a global staff of 6,000. Her guiding principle: that “sound is not an accessory. It is everything we do; it's in the center.”

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Toonstar Brings Web3 Entertainment to Strike-Era Hollywood

Wed, 10 May 2023 17:13:32 +0000

At a time when many showbiz scribes couldn't be more disillusioned with the traditional studio system, along comes Toonstar with a blockchain-powered business model for entertainment that lets creators bypass the usual modes of content distribution. Toonstar co-founders John Attanasio and Luisa Huang discuss their Web3 story studio on the eve of its latest series premiere, "Space Junk."

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Fandom CEO Perkins Miller on the Importance of IP as Hollywood Cuts Costs

Wed, 03 May 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Perkins Miller, the CEO of entertainment company Fandom and subsidiaries Fandom.com, Metacritic, GameSpot, Giant Bomb and TV Guide, advises on where Hollywood should be putting its limited cash in this uncertain economy.

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Latin Music Goes Global With Amazon’s Rocío Guerrero

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Thanks in large part to top seller Bad Bunny, Latin music saw
explosive growth in 2022, exceeding $1 billion in U.S. revenues for
the first time, and up nearly 25% from 2021. Amazon Music is on a
similar path as it relates to Latin music and its many subgenres.
Leading the charge: Rocío Guerrero, a veteran of Spotify and Warner
Music Group whose role as Amazon’s Global Head of Latin Music runs
across multiple digital and physical offerings at the retail giant.

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Carlyle Group’s David Rubenstein on why Hollywood is a ‘uniquely American enterprise’

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 11:00:00 +0000

The co-founder and co-chairman of the private equity giant shares his observations on the changing nature of Hollywood and how that moniker became synonymous with the global entertainment business. In discussing the motivation behind his new PBS series “Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories,” which premieres April 26, Rubenstein describes the world of studio smoke and mirrors “a uniquely American enterprise” that has become part and parcel of the American dream.

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Fire TV More Than Just An Entertainment Strategy for Amazon's Daniel Rausch

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Daniel Rausch, VP of entertainment devices and services at Amazon, provides an update on expansion plans for the Fire TV business, which aims to be a hub for the smart-home experience, as well as a status check on the company's cloud-gaming offering, Luna.

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Home is Where the Art is for 'Restored' Preservationist Brett Waterman

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 11:00:00 +0000

The Magnolia Network series "Restored" has returned for a seventh season with host Brett Waterman, who isn't doing just another cable-TV house-flipping show; this series is a serious look at the historic preservation of houses from a wide range of architectural styles.

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Jeremy Garelick Gets a Hall Pass From 'American High' to Direct 'Murder Mystery 2'

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 11:00:00 +0000

The Netflix sequel featuring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston represents the highest-profile gig yet for this veteran helmer. But it's more like an extracurricular activity outside of the Syracuse school building he bought to shoot a teen-film franchise for Hulu.

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Voices of SXSW: How ‘Adult Spring Break’ Helps Keep Austin Weird

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 11:00:00 +0000

SXSW 2023 participants and Austin locals talk about the annual gathering that brings together the worlds of film, TV, music, digital media, marketing and more to the Lone Star state’s capital city. “It’s like you meet one year's worth of people in this short, compressed timeline. And everyone's open-minded,” says RJ, who is chief executive of streaming media tech startup Zync.

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Evan Bogart Talks Writing Songs for Beyonce and Rihanna, and the "Spinning Gold" Biopic About His Dad, Casablanca Records Founder Neil Bogart

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 17:13:41 +0000

Evan Bogart is a first-class multitasker who's written hit songs for Beyonce and Rihanna, owns a publishing company that recently acquired the Christopher Cross catalog, is the chair of the Grammy Songwriters Wing and was executive music producer for "Spinning Gold," the biopic of his father Neil, who founded Casablanca Records, the label that brought the world Kiss, Donna Summer, Parliament-Funkadelic and the Village People. He talks about all of the above and more here.

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‘I Produce Money’: Why a CBS Veteran Left the C-Suite to Become a Media Entrepreneur

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 16:32:01 +0000

TV distribution executive Scott Koondel details the launch of his Sox Entertainment banner and why it is well-positioned to take advantage of massive disruption across the media landscape. He offers insights on the evolution of the streaming marketplace, having orchestrated important early Netflix and Hulu licensing pacts for the CBS and the CW. And he explains how a phone call from Judith Sheindlin led to the creation of Freevee’s “Judy Justice.”

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It’s a Wonderful Life for Specialty Content Distributor Fathom Events

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 15:44:37 +0000

Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Events, explains how the Denver-based firm has managed to buck the box office downtrend with a roster of special events, classic Hollywood titles, the spectacle of the Metropolitan Opera and indies such as “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey.” Nutt details the business models and market-timing strategies that allow Fathom releases to complement the multiplex menu offered by the distributor’s three parent companies, exhibition chains AMC Entertainment, Regal Cinemas and Cinemark.

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In the Groove With Verve Records' Jamie Krents as Label Racks Up Grammys

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 12:00:00 +0000

Jamie Krents, a 25-year veteran of Universal Music Group, runs the Verve, Impulse! and Verve Forecast imprints, original home to Ella Fitzgerald, then Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Velvet Underground and Frank Zappa. Today, jazz remains a core genre of the company with Grammy winner Samara Joy finding a new (read: younger) audience.

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'Unscripted' Book Authors Offer Lessons on Redstone Succession Drama

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 12:00:00 +0000

Pulitzer Prize-winning authors James B. Stewart and Rachel Abrams of The New York Times discuss their investigations into the downfalls of Sumner Redstone and Leslie Moonves in their new book "Unscripted: The Epic Battle for a Media Empire and the Redstone Family Legacy."

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Super Bowl Kicks Off Pivotal Time for Barstool Sports Head Coach Erika Ayers

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 12:00:00 +0000

Barstool Sports CEO Erika Ayers returns to Strictly Business to discuss a big month for her company, which is set to be wholly acquired this month by casino operator Penn Entertainment. She addresses her brand's foray into sports betting and the many different activations Barstool has going at Sunday's Super Bowl.

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Fine-Tuning TV: Top Executives on Content and Distribution Strategies for the Streaming Transition

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 18:11:31 +0000

Pearlena Igbokwe, chairman of Universal Studio Group, and Erin McPherson, chief content officer of Verizon Consumer Group, discuss how their businesses are evolving as the streaming marketplace matures. Igbokwe details her focus on building library assets for the long haul; McPherson explains Verizon's goal to become a friendly-but-not-competitive portal to help Hollywood with content aggregation.

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Lead Execs At Netflix Ads, Pinterest Content Share Their Strategies

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 16:57:12 +0000

Netflix president of worldwide advertising Jeremi Gorman and Pinterest chief content officer Malik Ducard split a double-interview episode recorded earlier this month at the Variety Entertainment Summit at CES. Both execs discuss what it's like to take established businesses in new directions.

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The Mind Behind Hartbeat, Kevin Hart's Media Venture

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 18:14:47 +0000

Thai Randolph is CEO of Hartbeat, the production company Kevin Hart founded with an eye on creating comedy across media platforms. She discusses how she's led the company after a $100 million investment aimed at taking Hartbeat to its next phase of growth.

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State of the Song Trade With Warner Chappell Music Publishing Co-Chair Carianne Marshall

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 16:47:12 +0000

As the Grammy Awards prepares to present its first ever Songwriter of the Year honor, Warner Chappell Music Publishing Co-Chair Carianne Marshall runs down massive strides in royalty rates and the challenges ahead for the business of songs.

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Deals, Disruption and Drive: Strictly Business 2022 in Review

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 17:23:36 +0000

Our 2022 retrospective highlights favorite guests, moments and most significant industry trends in media and entertainment, as selected by Cynthia Littleton, Andrew Wallenstein and Shirley Halperin, hosts of Variety’s weekly podcast Strictly Business.

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The St. Jude Story: How Hollywood Stars and Immigrants Came Together to Save Lives

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Producer Tony Thomas tells the story of how his father, entertainer Danny Thomas, pulled together Hollywood stars and Lebanese and Syrian immigrant communities to build a hospital in the deep South. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital thrives today, a testament to the organization’s philosophy of treating children with catastrophic illnesses regardless of their ability to pay.

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Startup Story: Range Media Partners Builds a New Model Talent Management Firm

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 18:57:28 +0000

Peter Micelli and Jack Whigham of Range Media Partners outline their vision for the startup representation firm that aims to reinvent talent management for the Web3 era — with backing from billionaire Wall Street wiz Steven A. Cohen.

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Hollywood Talent Agency APA Takes a Big Swing at 60

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Jim Gosnell and Jim Osborne, CEO and president of APA, discuss the dramatic changes that have swept across the content business and Hollywood’s creative community. The pair discuss their bid to become the strongest mid-sized player after the Big Three agencies (CAA, WME and UTA) as APA heads into its 60th anniversary year in 2023. The “Jims,” as they’re known, also get candid about the marketplace for talent and their experience dealing with Justice Department lawyers probing the merger of CAA and ICM Partners.

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‘Stranger Things’ Happened: Sony Music Publishing’s Amy Coles on Resurrecting the Kate Bush Classic; It’s ‘About Damn Time’ Lizzo Producer Ricky Reed Got His Due as an Entrepreneur

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 16:53:22 +0000

How did Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” become one of the most-consumed songs of 2022, 37 years after its original release? “Stranger Things” happened, Sony Music Publishing’s VP of Creative Amy Coles explains of the long road to clearing the song’s use on the Netflix hit. Also: In the studio with Grammy-winning producer and entrepreneur Ricky Reed, who breaks down his work on Lizzo’s hit “About Damn Time.”

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“It’s All Upside”: A Hollywood Veteran Mines for Gold at Wattpad Webtoon Studios

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 12:00:00 +0000

David Madden, global head of entertainment for Wattpad Webtoon Studios, discusses his mandate to develop TV and film projects based on new forms of storytelling that are wildly popular in Asia and gaining steam around the world. The seasoned Hollywood executive details the blend of data, math and talent scouting for new author voices that yields prospects for broader development. Contrasting his many years at top networks, studios and most recently with Greg Berlanti Prods., “I feel like I’m working for a 21st century company,” Madden says.

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There's Life After ‘Dead’ for Skybound Entertainment

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 12:00:00 +0000

The TV megahit "The Walking Dead" will end its historic run on AMC this week, but that conclusion doesn't mark the end of the franchise. There's a slew of current and forthcoming extensions of the zombie-happy brand, says Skybound Entertainment CEO David Alpert, and a lot more other IP in the works at this innovative company.

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Riot Games Tackles TV Production Its Own Way

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 12:00:00 +0000

To make its animated Netflix series "Arcane," Riot Games didn't follow the typical Hollywood rules. Marc Merrill, co-founder and president of games, and Shauna Spenley, head of entertainment, discuss how they are trying to take a company known for gaming sensations like "League of Legends" into brand-new territory.

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Wondery CEO Jen Sargent Explains Amazon Prime's Podcast Push

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 11:00:00 +0000

It's another double-dose episode on the podcast this week about...podcasts. First, Jen Sargent gives us an inside look at how Amazon Prime is expanding its audio offerings. Second: Audacy chief digital officer J.D. Crowley offers his vision for the company's strategy in which podcasts play a big part.

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Hollywood's "Picks and Shovels": Why Hudson Pacific is Investing Big in Studio Space and Production Services

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Jeff Stotland, executive VP of global studios for Hudson Pacific, explains why the real estate investment trust has been buying up studio lots in Los Angeles and other production hubs around the world. Stotland explains the ins and outs of managing soundstages and related services amid the exponential growth of TV and film production.

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Now That You've Bought a Multi-Million Dollar Music Catalog, What Are You Going to Do With It? Primary Wave's Larry Mestel Explains

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and many others have sold song catalogs for hundreds of millions of dollars. Primary Wave founder Larry Mestel — whose company handles the catalogs of Whitney Houston, Bob Marley, James Brown, Stevie Nicks and dozens more, and just got a $2 billion investment — talks about how to maximize the value of those catalogs.

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Rick Caruso’s Power Point for Hollywood: ‘The Future of L.A. is Tied to the Future of the Entertainment Industry’

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 11:00:00 +0000

The Los Angeles mayoral candidate discusses his policy agenda for the creative community, keeping production jobs in Hollywood’s backyard, making the city more hospitable to freelance workers and smoothing red tape for business activity. The L.A. native and prominent commercial real estate developer vows to address the city's growing ranks of unhoused residents through better coordination of existing resources and “tough” and “humane” decisions.

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Former WWE Insider Sees Life After Vince McMahon

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 19:00:00 +0000

From Vince McMahon to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, TV executive Brian Gewirtz has worked with more than a few wrestling legends, an experience he recounts in his new book, "There's Just One Problem: True Tales from the Former One-Time 7th Most Powerful Person in WWE." He also has a new Vice TV doc out this week, "Tales From the Territories."

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Women in Charge: CNBC’s Julia Boorstin on How Female Leadership Changes Companies, Moves Markets and Drives Profit-Focused Innovation

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 19:09:32 +0000

Julia Boorstin, CNBC’s senior media and technology correspondent, discusses her upcoming book, “When Women Lead: What They Achieve, Why They Succeed and How We Can Learn From Them.” Boorstin explains her interest in studying how female leaders differ from their male counterparts, and how those differences translate into bottom-line performance. She also calls out the venture capital sector for the woefully insufficient amount of investment dollars that flow into female-led and female-founded business startups.

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Down On the Movie Business? Don't Be, Says Jason Blum

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 14:25:44 +0000

A special doubleheader edition of the podcast begins with Kareem Daniel, chairman of Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, and concludes with Jason Blum and Abhijay Prakash, the top execs at Blumhouse (Q&A starts at 28:36). Both interviews were conducted at Variety's Entertainment & Technology Summit on Sept. 15, 2022.

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Richard Gottehrer Talks Producing Blondie and the Go-Gos, Writing '60s Hits and 25 Years of the Orchard

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 14:56:06 +0000

Producer, songwriter and label executive Richard Gottehrer talks about working with Blondie and the Go-Gos, co-founding Sire Records and the Orchard, and writing songs like 'I Want Candy' and 'My Boyfriend's Back.'

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Hearst Television Goes Deep on Hyper Local Streaming Content

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Andrew Fitzgerald, senior vice president of streaming video services for Hearst Television, details the broadcast TV station group’s growing investment in hyper-local streaming content for its Very Local platform. The ad-supported free service is a hub for time-delayed access to local newscasts ON Hearst's major markets including Boston, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Milwaukee and Omaha, Neb. Very Local is an effort to reach the expanding number of broadband-only homes who have lost access to local broadcast stations as well as to deepen engagement with dedicated viewers of the mothership stations in each market.

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Lakers Owner Jeanie Buss is Making Moves Off the Court

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 11:00:00 +0000

She may be best known in the NBA, but Jeanie Buss is making a name for herself in Hollywood, with a Hulu documentary out now about her legendary franchise, a potential comedy in the works based on her life and the relaunching of her venture WOW: Women of Wrestling.

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Voices of KCON: How K-pop Fans are Fueling the Business of Fandom

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 11:00:00 +0000

K-pop can’t be denied. That was abundantly clear in downtown Los Angeles in August as thousands of die-hard fans gathered for KCON 2022, a celebration of K-pop and other aspects of South Korean pop culture. On the-ground-conversations with KCON attendees offer insights into how this niche fandom has grown around the world. The conversations also demonstrate how the fundamentals of K-pop and the emphasis on direct fan interaction reflect larger trends in media and entertainment.

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K-Drama-Rama: How the Global Streaming Boom Ignited Demand for Content From Asia

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Sam Wu, CEO of the Rakuten Viki streaming service, discusses the surging demand for Korean dramas and other content from Asia. He details the company’s growth as the streaming arm of the Japanese retail giant, and he muses on the reasons for the burst of interest in South Korean pop culture in recent years. “It’s easy to fall in love with K-dramas,” Wu says.

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Sports Brand Overtime Revises Its Playbook with New Funding

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Flush with a Series D round amounting to $100 million, Overtime CEO Dan Porter talks the Xs and Os of growing his innovative basketball and football leagues featuring teenage athletes. He looks ahead to attracting media-rights deals and invading other sports but the investment will fuel growth of existing properties.

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What Putting on 10,000 Concerts Has Taught Peter Shapiro About Life and the Live Music Business

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 21:48:33 +0000

Peter Shapiro, veteran concert promoter, venue owner and author of the new book “The Music Never Stops: What Putting on 10,000 Shows Has Taught Me About Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Magic,” talks about his lifelong love of the Grateful Dead, how he set out to succeed as an entrepreneur and his thoughts on the controversial dynamic pricing model for concert tickets.

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ESPN Chief Jimmy Pitaro on the Future of Sports Television

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 17:06:31 +0000

The leader of the Worldwide Leader weighs in on the state of the sports giant that has been the tip of the spear for the transformation of media in the streaming era. Speaking at Variety’s Sports and Entertainment breakfast July 21, Pitaro gamely engages in rapid-fire questions about ESPN’s long-term runway as a linear channel, the upcoming NBA TV rights talks, the influence of social media and how Peyton and Eli Manning’s alternate “Monday Night Football” telecast opened the door to innovation in live event coverage.

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Cobwebs, Walkers and Lace: AMC Networks Has Franchise Fever with Anne Rice and ‘The Walking Dead’

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Dan McDermott, president of entertainment for AMC Networks and AMC Studios, details the world-building process that began after the company struck a wide-ranging deal with the estate of famed novelist Anne Rice. McDermott, a veteran executive and producer, explains the new TV math of developing programs and characters designed to support interlocking characters across multiple platforms that to play out over a decade or more. McDermott discusses the pros and cons of aiming so high and why it’s such a departure from pilot season of old.

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‘Everywhere All at Once’: How to Launch an Original Kids TV Franchise

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Cyma Zarghami, founder and CEO of MiMo Studios, discusses the changing state of children’s media and burgeoning efforts to create a kid-friendly metaverse. The former leader of Nickelodeon details the launch of her New York-based independent production banner and how she is approaching development and production for a new generation of media.

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At CMT, A Voice for Change in a Genre That Stubbornly Resists Equal Representation

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 17:05:39 +0000

In country music, the more issues like parity for female artists and people of color get talked about, the more they stay the same, it often seems. But for the better part of a decade, Leslie Fram, CMT’s senior VP of music & talent, has been pretty much the first name you hear when you hear about execs who are making a difference. That’s been within the network, with the Next Women of Country initiative and an Equal Play pledge to program at least 50% female artists, and outside it, with some extracurricular diversity programs she’s co-founded. Fram joins us to talk about those issues and also discuss subjects like “The CMT Awards” moving upstairs to CBS, and Pluto TV and Paramount Plus allowing for more of the music programming that doesn’t always have a big place on CMT itself.

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Voices of Vidcon: How the Next Generation of Super Fans are Reinventing Entertainment Experiences

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Recorded on the ground at Vidcon 2022, this episode takes a deep dive into the minds of teenagers and twenty-somethings who attended the annual fan gathering in Anaheim, Calif. You'll hear first-hand from the next generation of consumers about why they're drawn to watch TikTok but rarely turn on a TV set. These are the rabid fans of social media creators who are the tip of the spear, forging a new form of entertainment that is largely produced outside of mainstream Hollywood.

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'Peaky Blinders' Is Over. But It's Really Just Begun

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 11:00:00 +0000

The hit series "Peaky Blinders" is wrapping up its celebrated run having just premiered its sixth and final season on Netflix in the U.S. But as executive producer Caryn Mandabach explains, "Peaky" is poised to live on in many other forms besides a TV show including a virtual-reality experience, a ballet performance and an alcoholic beverage, just to name a few.

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The Ins and Outs of Music Catalog Sales: Experts Explain the Copyright Acquisition Boom at the 2022 Milken Institute Global Conference

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 06:59:20 +0000

The songs of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon sold for astronomical sums In 2021, when investors spent $5.3 billion on acquisitions of recorded music catalogs, publishing and other royalties -- up 180% from 2020. Will these deals pay off? During a panel discussion at the 2022 Milken Institute Global Conference, music industry professionals Marc Cimino (UMPG), Sherrese Clarke Soares (HarbourView Equity Partners), Harvey Mason jr. (Recording Academy) and Scott Pascucci (Concord) explained what’s driving Wall street’s interest in songs as assets. The talk, titled “Drop the Mic: The Business of Music,” was moderated by Variety executive editor Shirley Halperin.

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What the Bear Market Means for the Media Sector

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 11:00:00 +0000

While there's little debate that the global economy is facing a serious downturn, what's less clear is how that could impact the media and entertainment business. S&P Global Ratings senior director Naveen Sarma discusses myriad consequences that could impact movie theaters, advertising, cord-cutting, dealmaking and so much more.

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Amazon’s Inclusion Playbook: One Year Later, What Has Changed?

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 15:16:49 +0000

Latasha Gillespie, Head of Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Amazon’s Prime Video, Amazon Studios and IMDB, discusses the progress made in the year since the company established its Inclusion Policy Playbook. The corporate behemoth made a statement with expansive DE&I guidelines for producers and partners who work for the studio or Prime Video. Gillespie explains the importance of making it an open-source document free to all via online, and the importance of ensuring that creative teams have enough "lived experience" credentials for the stories they opt to tell. "We all measure ourselves by our intentions, but others may measure us by our impact," Gillespie says.

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Funny Or Die 3.0: New Owner Henry Muñoz III on Harnessing Humor’s Power to Connect, Inspire and Motivate

Wed, 25 May 2022 11:00:00 +0000

The entrepreneur and activist who last year acquired the digital comedy venture founded by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay in 2007 details his vision for growing Funny Or Die and its content production arm by emphasizing young talent and diverse voices. Muñoz goes deep on his journey as a gay Latinx man from Texas to becoming a respected architect, civic leader and health care executive. “I’m a person who has undertaken change in many industries,” Muñoz says.

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'Downton Abbey' Masterminds See Long Future for Franchise Beyond New Sequel

Wed, 18 May 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Julian Fellowes, the Emmy-winning writer of the period-drama megahit, and Gareth Neame, executive chairman of Carnival Films, discuss their collaboration on six seasons and two films, including hopes that the "New Era" sequel will help bring adults back to movie theaters.

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From ‘La Bamba’ to Bad Bunny: How Latin Music Conquered America, With CAA’s Bruno Del Granado

Wed, 11 May 2022 16:04:25 +0000

Latin music tips the spear of media consumption for Spanish-speaking Americans, asserts Bruno Del Granado, the head of Latin music touring at CAA. A former executive at MTV and manager of Ricky Martin, the Miami-based industry veteran traces the genre’s arrival on U.S. shores — from ‘La Bamba’ to Selena, “Despacito” and Bad Bunny — as it stands poised to surpass $1 billion in recorded music revenue in 2022.

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Pachinko' Producer on the Future of Series for Global Audiences

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 00:21:18 +0000

When Michael Ellenberg left HBO to start his own production company, In Media Res, five years ago, the streaming wars had barely reached full steam. But he's learned plenty since then about what it takes to launch series like "Pachinko" and "The Morning Show" for consumers far beyond the U.S.

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When Worlds Collide: A Dealmaker’s View of the Emerging Metaverse Economy

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Carlos Jimenez, managing director of Moelis & Co., explains his view that the entertainment economy is in the midst of a massive transformation into a “metaverse” where entertainment, media, gaming, sports and other activities merge. “All of these worlds are colliding – it’s the future,” Jimenez says. He also weighs in on the content spending boom and where investors see opportunity amid the turmoil in media.

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Billie Eilish's Longtime Agent Tom Windish on Booking Coachella, Touring Post-COVID and Working at Wasserman

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 18:05:00 +0000

Ahead of the thrice-rescheduled Coachella music festival, Billie Eilish’s longtime agent Tom Windish talks about his star client’s growth as a live artist, COVID’s disruption of touring and joining Wasserman Music as head of business development and A&R.

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Mid-Budget Films Are Dead? The Producer of 'Scream,' 'Ambulance' Begs to Differ

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 19:46:00 +0000

William Sherak and his partners at Project X Entertainment think there's room for success in movie theaters beyond Marvel franchises; they've already proven it this year with the revival of the 'Scream' brand, and they're out to do it again with a Michael Bay action movie. But that's just the beginning for this ambitious company intent on pursuing M&A in hopes of becoming Hollywood's next mini-major.

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Dr. Seuss Enterprises CEO Susan Brandt Expands a Beloved Brand That ‘Really Represents Childhood’

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 11:00:00 +0000

The longtime leader of Dr. Seuss Enterprises discusses the responsibility that comes with managing the valuable vault of books and IP left by the author and illustrator of such indelible children’s books as “The Cat in the Hat,” “Green Eggs and Ham” and “Horton Hears a Who.” She details the company’s approach to expanding with content beyond the original Seuss canon, and she outlines the reasoning behind the recent flurry of new Suess-related movies, TV shows and books.

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'Content Influences Everything': Kevin Mayer and Michael Kassan on Media's New Roadmap

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Candle Media co-CEO Kevin Mayer and Medialink chief Michael Kassan offer a 30,000-foot view of making deals and building businesses in the emerging "creator economy" during the SXSW 2022 conference keynote session. The industry veterans also discuss the entertainment industry's changing economics and offer a few predictions for the future.

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Producer Charles Roven Takes ‘Uncharted’ Path Through a Changing Movie Business

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 11:00:00 +0000

The Atlas Entertainment chief details the 13-year journey to bring the popular PlayStation video game to life on the big screen as the start of a family-friend adventure franchise. The producer -- who made his name with on big-budget blockbusters such as “The Dark Knight” trilogy, “Suicide Squad” and “Wonder Woman” -- discusses the evolving landscape for the film business as the streaming revolution takes root. “I'd certainly rather have a buoyant market than a market where there’s no money to make movies,” he says.

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How Fox's Blockchain Creative Labs is Unlocking Media's Web3 Future

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 12:00:00 +0000

CEO Scott Greenberg and COO/president Melody Hildebrandt discuss how they've built an NFT-focused unit within the Fox conglomerate, exploring the disruptive potential of digital ownership for properties as varied as "The Masked Singer," WWE and SXSW.

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Kara DioGuardi Conquered the Music Business, and Has the Battle Scars to Prove It

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Kara Dioguardi is a songwriter, producer, music publisher, former artist, scholar, advocate for creators, two-season “American Idol” judge, label executive and talent scout. Her latest discovery: newcomer Gayle, whose “ABCDEFU” is a No. 1 radio hit. She looks back at her road to success, and ahead to a future where tech is working for creators as opposed to underpaying them.

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Mattel’s Makeover: CEO Ynon Kreiz Reshapes the Toy Giant as a Content Factory

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 19:16:48 +0000

The media veteran who took the reins of Mattel in 2018 outlines the toymaker’s recent turnaround strategy and his focus on mining the IP value locked up in Mattel’s “treasure trove” of toy and game brands. Kreiz is drawing on his deep background as a TV and digital entrepreneur (Fox Kids Network, Endemol, Maker Studios) to guide Mattel through new creative partnerships with Margot Robbie, Tom Hanks, Greta Gerwig, Lena Dunham, Vin Diesel, among other notable stars. Kreiz has grand ambitions of building a Marvel-like universe out of Mattel’s family friend assets. “We’re not making movies to sell more toys,” Kreiz says. “We’re making movies people want to watch.”

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WetaFX CEO on Growing Peter Jackson’s Production Empire: ‘We’re a Household Name in Households That Make Movies’

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Prem Akkaraju is leading the charge to transform Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh’s Weta Digital visual effects firm into a full-fledged production company delivering original content. Akkaraju explains how the New Zealand-based Weta businesses have evolved during the past two years and where they see opportunity for the company in the increasingly crowded entertainment marketplace.

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Kevin Liles on 300 Entertainment's $400 Million Warner Deal, Mary J. Blige and Gunna's Big Looks and More

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 17:00:22 +0000

After holding top posts at Def Jam and Warner Music and managing Mariah Carey and D'Angelo, Kevin Liles went back into the label world a decade ago as co-founder of 300 Entertainment — which was sold to Warner for a reported $400 million in December, after scoring big hits with Megan Thee Stallion, Young Thug and Gunna. He talks about his career, what's next for him and 300, and Mary J. Blige's new album and Super Bowl Halftime appearance.

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Saltbox TV Isn't Your Father's Streaming Service. More Like Your Grandfather's

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 16:49:34 +0000

A new video-streaming service targeting senior citizens is betting that advertisers will finally wake up to the purchasing power of a demographic Madison Avenue has largely ignored. CEO Jerry Goehring explains how Saltbox TV customizes its product to meet the unique needs of a very big but underserved market.

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Why Audible Is Courting Celebrities for Its Original Podcast Slate

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 19:36:15 +0000

Rachel Ghiazza, Audible's U.S. head of content, discusses content strategy amid podcast competition on Variety's Strictly Business podcast.

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Electronic Arts’ Laura Miele on Gaming’s Big Moment: ‘We Have Significant Runway Ahead of Us’

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 15:23:44 +0000

Laura Miele, chief operating officer of Electronic Arts, details how the video game giant is leveraging disruption to expand the reach and appeal of gaming. The 25-year company veteran, who helped launch EA’s long-running partnership with Lucasfilm on “Star Wars” titles, explains how EA works best with Hollywood IP and how gaming fits into the streaming wars. “I love (the) position that games have. It's incredibly engaging. It is interactive. And it's very social,” she says.

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Chip and Joanna Gaines Renovate Their TV Business With Magnolia Network Launch

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 17:59:00 +0000

Allison Page, president of Magnolia Network, offers behind-the-scenes details of how HGTV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines returned to TV with the Jan. 5 launch of the Magnolia Network. She explains the business rationale why it makes sense for the lifestyle mavens and Discovery to invest in a linear channel even at this time of streaming transformation. “We gave a lot of people a cozy sweatshirt,” she says of the "comfort food TV" that Magnolia aims to provide.

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Soundtracking Music’s Creator Economy With Splice Founder/CEO Steve Martocci

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 17:33:00 +0000

Even if you’ve never heard of the online music marketplace Splice, you’ve certainly heard its sounds in hit songs by Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, Justin Bieber and more. Founder and CEO Steve Martocci talks about his entrepreneurial journey and the DNA of his company, which has paid out more than $55 million to music creators since launching in 2015.

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How Hollywood's Top Films Benefit From Audience Testing Revealed in New Book

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 16:22:42 +0000

Kevin Goetz, founder and CEO of audience-research firm Screen Engine/ASI, has written a book, "Audience-ology: How Movie-goers Shape the Films We Love," that looks back on three decades of using test screenings to help studios and other clients fix their films before release.

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How Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Tony Vinciquerra Realigned the Studio for the Streaming Future

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 12:00:00 +0000

The studio chief details the moves he’s made since 2017 to sell or shutter underperforming assets and to bulk up in content production and anime. Vinciquerra explains how the studio has sought to reposition itself for the streaming future and the disruption in Hollywood that he saw coming after decades of experience in television and media.

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‘The Door is Open’: Industry Veteran Pens a Writers’ Guide to the TV Business

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 12:00:00 +0000

Kelly Edwards, a TV writer-producer and a former executive at UPN, HBO and NBCUniversal, divulges the secrets every aspiring TV writer needs to know to navigate Hollywood in her new book “The Executive Chair: A Writers Guide to TV Series Development.” Edwards offers insights that writers need to know on everything from pitching to production. Here she explains how crafting the book helped her gain perspective on a fast-changing industry.

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Lana Del Rey and Dua Lipa's Managers on the Success of 'Future Nostalgia,' Handling Haters and Music-Biz Misogyny

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 12:00:00 +0000

TaP Music's Ed Millett and Wendy Ong oversee the careers of some of the most popular and powerful female artists in the business, including Lana Del Rey, Dua Lipa and Ellie Goulding. They also see first-hand the online abuse female artists receive, which is far worse than it is for male counterparts. Here, they talk about keeping their artists focused and positive — and the decision to release Dua Lipa's party-themed "Future Nostalgia" right when the world entered lockdown.

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TikTok’s Bryan Thoensen on Building the App’s Entertainment Future

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 12:00:00 +0000

Bryan Thoensen, head of content partnerships at TikTok, talks about expanding the popular short-video app’s work with creators and entertainment companies — to capitalize on its recent momentum. TikTok now has 1 billion monthly active users, challenging the likes of YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat for viewing time with its personalized video feed.

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SPAC Speculation in Hollywood and Beyond From Harry Sloan

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 12:00:00 +0000

If there's two things Harry Sloan knows, it's special purpose acquisition companies (SPAC) and the media business. He co-founded a record seven SPACs as the co-founder of Eagle Equity Partners, including the most successful such venture to date: sports-betting hub DraftKings, and is also a well-known name in Hollywood, where his highest-profile stints including chairman/CEO of MGM.

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ViacomCBS Streaming Chief Tom Ryan Sees 'Squid Game'-Sized Hit Potential

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 12:00:00 +0000

The head of Paramount+ and Pluto TV offers an optimistic update for the growth prospects of his streaming services as the parent company expands its overseas capabilities. Meanwhile, Ryan sticks up for sticking with Amazon Channels and touts the early success of kids programming from "Paw Patrol" to "iCarly."

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The State of the Music Industry, Fall 2021

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Nearly 20 months into the pandemic, how is the music industry doing? The short answer? Finding silver linings everywhere it can. For the Mondo NYC conference last month, Variety assembled four people — rising singer-songwriter Brittney Spencer, WME agent Lucy Dickins, artist manager Binta Niambi Brown and Sony Music Publishing VP Kristina Hedrick — for a far-reaching and inspiring talk about how they, their businesses, their colleagues and/or their artists have adapted, and in some cases thrived.

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The Operator: Joe Ianniello Carves a New Path With a Media-Focused SPAC

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 11:00:00 +0000

The longtime CBS executive has reteamed with a handful former colleagues to launch Argus Capital Corp., which has about $300 million in funding so far to acquire media properties. Ianniello explains he’s on the hunt for corporate carve-outs, or assets that media giants may be ready to shed as they plow resources into new streaming platforms. Argus brings an experienced management team that aims to be a bolt-on solution for newly public entities. Ianniello hopes the focus on operating expertise will set his venture apart from other SPACs.

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Conde Nast's Pam Drucker Mann Ready to Double Down on Livestream Events

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 23:21:00 +0000

Vogue's exclusive Met Gala red carpet live stream in September has set a template for parent company Conde Nast to repeat its success at future events, according to chief revenue officer Pam Drucker Mann.

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Steve Ballmer Builds a Basketball Mecca for the Future

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 14:00:36 +0000

Los Angeles Clippers chairman Steve Ballmer outlines his vision for his “mecca” of basketball with team’s new arena that is scheduled to open in Inglewood, Calif. in 2024. Ballmer enthusiastically describes the cutting-edge tech touches and focus on sustainability that went into the design. And he weighs in on the future of NBA’s television rights deals at the national and local levels.

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Why Business is Booming for Hollywood Life Rights Deals

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 19:16:07 +0000

Jason Richman and Keya Khayatian, co-heads of United Talent Agency's media rights group, scour the world for news books, long-form journalism, podcasts and individual life rights to find source material for your next streaming obsession. The industry veterans discuss the growth in demand for life rights, the supreme power of the suburban book club and how media rights sales have help keep talent agencies afloat during the pandemic.

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Attorney Dina LaPolt Tackles the Music Industry’s Historic Wrongs, Scoring Big Wins for Songwriters, Black Artists and the Recovery Community

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 15:12:52 +0000

Attorney Dina LaPolt founded her own firm 20 years ago and went on to represent music stars like Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, rappers 21 Savage and Cardi B and the Tupac Shakur estate. As her practice grew, so did LaPolt’s conviction for righting the music ecosystem’s wrongs. She’s tackled songwriters’ rights and access to digital royalties; she campaigned for federal COVID relief to help music creators and independent contractors; and she’s currently advocating to eliminate the use of triggering terms like “master recording” in contracts. A Variety ‘Power of Women’ honoree, the openly gay, loudly sober industry trailblazer lets ‘Strictly Business’ into her world of advocacy.

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Bob Shaye Joins Brat TV as Strategic Investor

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 11:00:00 +0000

New Line Cinema founder and Hollywood legend Bob Shaye talks about why he joined the board of directors at Brat TV, a producer of scripted series targeting Gen Z on myriad digital platforms, along with Brat co-founder Rob Fishman, who gives an update on his company's progress.

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Stacey Snider Builds ‘Fiercely Independent’ Sister Content Banner

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 11:00:00 +0000

The Hollywood veteran details the steps that led her to partner with Elisabeth Murdoch and producer Jane Featherstone to form the content banner Sister in 2019. Snider reflects on how her years of experience as head of Universal Pictures, DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox is helping her to build a nimble operation with financing and resources to nurture projects from writers and directors “who have something to say.”

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Quality Control’s Coach K Talks Migos, Lil Baby and How a Drake Cosign Helped Him Launch Hip-Hop’s Biggest Indie

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 15:24:07 +0000

Kevin Lee, better known as Coach K, is cofounder of Quality Control, the multifaceted Atlanta-based label and management company that in just eight years has brought the world Migos, Lil Baby, Lil Yachty, City Girls and more, and also manages many athletes. Coach talks about how old-school “street marketing” and a cosign from his friend Drake helped launch the company, the gunshot injury that ended his sports career but set him on this path, and much more.

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Big-Budget TV in a Bubble: How Arthur Smith Kept ‘American Ninja Warrior’ and ‘Titan Games’ in Production Despite COVID

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Prolific producer Arthur Smith discusses the explosive growth of the content marketplace and the many challenges COVID has created for production. The industry veteran, who is also chairman of Tinopolis Group U.S., explains why he loves the high-wire act of large-scale unscripted TV shows. And while he marvels at the spike in global demand, Smith misses the days when series deals were sealed on the basis of a title and a handshake. "The business has become more business-like," he observes.

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Tinder Chases Gen Z Users With ‘Swipe Night’ and Multimedia Frills

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 15:00:00 +0000

Tinder CEO Jim Lanzone explains why the dating app is embracing streaming video applications and other multimedia tools to keep its Gen Z user base engaged. He discusses the origin of its original series “Swipe Night” and how the show's choose-your-own-adventure format helps facilitate matches for Tinder users. The former CEO of CBS Interactive who launched CBS All Access in 2014 also weighs in on the state of play in Big Media's streaming wars.

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Think Global, Act Local: Discovery International Chief JB Perrette on How to Win the Worldwide Streaming Race

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 19:56:34 +0000

The executive who sits atop Discovery’s portfolio of more than 200 international channels discusses the potential of the pending WarnerMedia-Discovery merger and the empire of entertainment, lifestyle, sports and news content to be brought together under one roof. Perrette weighs in on the rollout of Discovery Plus and how the unusual Tokyo summer Olympics performed for Discovery’s Eurosport streaming platform.

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The Arms Race Fueling the Creator Economy

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Dan Weinstein, co-founder of Underscore Talent, a new management firm representing influencer talent, explains how companies like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter have escalated their battle in recent months to court a new generation of digital-native celebrities.

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Niche TV Players Find Their Lanes in the Streaming Wars

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 02:01:52 +0000

Small independent TV companies are an endangered species at a time when media’s largest conglomerates are focused on the streaming wars and global expansion. In separate interviews, Paula Madison, CEO of The Africa Channel, and Bill Rouhana, chairman-CEO of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, offer insights into why they zig when others zag and where they see opportunity ahead.

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The Changing Role of a Music Manager With Three Six Zero's Mark Gillespie and Range Media's Michele Harrison

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 21:08:03 +0000

Music managers Mark Gillespie, of Three Six Zero, and Michele Harrison, of Range Media Partners, discuss representing hitmakers Calvin Harris and Justin Tranter, respectively, and how their roles as advisors have changed over the years.Music managers Mark Gillespie, of Three Six Zero, and Michele Harrison, of Range Media Partners, discuss representing hitmakers Calvin Harris and Justin Tranter, respectively, and how their roles as advisors have changed over the years.

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Making Sense of Sensical, a New Digital Video Hub for Kids

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Common Sense Networks CEO Eric Berger unveils Sensical, a new kid-centric app that gives parents peace of mind by offering a safe alternative to the bigger video platforms that have gotten a bad reputation for serving up algorithmically driven content that may not be in their best interest to watch.

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Inside CNN+: An Exclusive First Look at the New Streaming Service

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0000

CNN Worldwide chief digital officer Andrew Morse shares the game plan for what he calls the biggest launch in the network's history since Ted Turner first brought the brand to cable TV in 1980. He addresses what to expect from its programming mix, how CNN+ will be different from the TV network and how interactivity with subscribers will be part of the content.

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The State of the Media Sector Midway Through 2021

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Six months into 2021, and the profound financial impact the pandemic had on the media industry is just beginning to be truly understood. Naveen Sarma, senior director of S&P Global Ratings, has closely studied the myriad ways the sector has been shaken up.

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Stacey Bendet Eisner on the Sun Valley Scene, Female CEOs and Her Tech Startup Creatively

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 16:17:00 +0000

The CEO and creative director of fashion juggernaut Alice + Olivia takes a break from the Allen & Co. moguls conference in Sun Valley to talk about the post-pandemic business landscape and why the ranks of female CEOS remain stubbornly low. Bendet Eisner also details her vision for Creatively, the startup professional network designed to help employers connect with freelancers in a range of creative fields.

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Inside Twitter’s Strategy to Bring Celebs, Media Companies Into its Social Conversation

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Twitter execs Sarah Rosen and Lara Cohen break down how the company teams up with talent and media firms to maximize reach and engagement — while acknowledging work the social platform still needs to do.

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Scooter Braun, the Music Industry’s MVP, Is Playing the Long Game

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 19:27:34 +0000

Scooter Braun’s business savvy and mentorship of top artists like Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande have netted him a fortune — but not without drama. Variety’s Music Mogul of the Year lays bare his management philosophy, addresses misconceptions about his character and reveals his future plans with South Korean entertainment giant HYBE.

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Making Addressable Accessible: ViacomCBS, Dish Execs Explain An Advertising Innovation

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 15:22:45 +0000

ViacomCBS' Seema Patel and Dish's Tim Myers go deep on addressable TV, and how businesses like theirs have partnered together to tackle the challenge of getting the industry to adopt the tools that enable targeted commercials.

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Global Video Gaming Continues to Accelerate with UTA Along for the Ride

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Amounting to nearly $180 billion in 2020, the global video games market continues to ascend to new heights. Ophir Lupu, a partner and head of video games at UTA, discusses his involvement in several gaming sectors through his oversight of a diverse range of clients and negotiating of capital investment for new studios, along with how his division adapted to the pandemic and continued to foster virtual collaboration across UTA's other units.

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Tribeca’s Jane Rosenthal on the Festival's Return, Media Mergers and the Fate of Moviegoing

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 19:29:04 +0000

Jane Rosenthal, founder and CEO of Tribeca Enterprises, offers her perspective on how the entertainment industry is slowly but surely coming back to life. She details the massive effort that went into planning for this year’s 20th anniversary Tribeca Film Festival across New York’s five boroughs. The film veteran also weighs in on the cyclical nature of media M&A and the fate of old-fashioned movie-going.

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WWE’s Stephanie McMahon on Building the Next Generation of the Brand She Grew Up With

Wed, 26 May 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Stephanie McMahon, WWE’s chief brand officer, discusses the pro wrestling firm's evolution into a TV and digital content powerhouse over the past decade. The daughter of WWE chairman-CEO Vince McMahon and former WWE chief Linda McMahon details the “circuitous” path she took to learn every aspect of the business in preparation for her current role. She makes no apologies for the company’s forays into markets like Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi to expand the boundaries of what women can do publicly in entertainment and sports settings.

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They Heart Audio: Radio, Podcasts and the New Listener Economy With Media Vet John Sykes and Influential Curator Lisa Worden

Wed, 19 May 2021 17:11:10 +0000

As radio’s reach holds firm among a slew of streaming options, broadcasting veteran John Sykes, president of entertainment enterprises for iHeartMedia, expounds on the importance of curation, looks back at the company’s pandemic pivot and assesses an exploding podcast market, astutely identified by his boss, Bob Pittman, while still in its infancy. Named chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, Sykes also talks about the Class of 2021 class, which includes Tina Turner, Jay-Z and the Foo Fighters, among others. Elsewhere in the iHeart empire: Lisa Worden, brand manager for rock and alternative and program director of Los Angeles radio station Alt. 98.7, reflects on a career spent soundtracking Southern California’s rock-loving airwaves.

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From Upfronts to NewFronts, Madison Avenue Faces Its Post-COVID Future

Tue, 11 May 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Amid weeks of presentations from media brands to advertisers, there's no better time to check in on the state of the advertising business with Brian Wieser, global president of group intelligence at media-buying giant GroupM. From connected TV to e-commerce, he touches on all the biggest trends shaping how tens of billions of promotional dollars are being spent.

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How LL Cool J’s Media and Commerce Venture is Creating Hip Hop’s Version of Classic Rock

Wed, 05 May 2021 08:00:00 +0000

James Cuthbert, president of Rock the Bells, discusses the company’s growth plans following its successful recent fundraising round of $8 million. The former BET and Coca-Cola marketing executive sees big potential for the legendary hip hop star’s company to craft a media and lifestyle brand that speaks to a multi-generational swath of consumers. Cuthbert discusses the company’s evolution into e-commerce, content production and live experiences and the importance of working to “uplift the culture.”

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PBS Chief Paula Kerger Makes the Case for Public Broadcasting Amid Peak TV1

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 15:55:00 +0000

Paula Kerger, longtime president of PBS, says pandemic conditions have underscored the importance of PBS and its mission. Kerger discusses how PBS stations partnered with districts to help with remote learning and how the network known for prestige TV is faring in the chase for top content. Separately, Weigel Broadcasting's Neal Sabin tells the backstory of why the company was so early on the multi-cast boom with channels such as Me TV.

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Lyor Cohen: YouTube’s Global Head of Music on the Video Giant’s “Destiny,” the Role of Record Companies Today and Who Should Run Def Jam

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Lyor Cohen started his career as a roadie for Run DMC and went on to head Def Jam Records when it was home to the likes of Jay-Z and DMX. With that experience, followed by a chief executive gig at Warner Music Group through 2012, he helped create the soundtrack that would play an important role in propelling hip-hop music from niche to mainstream to everywhere. Now coming up on 5 years as YouTube’s global head of music, Cohen shares his views on the place of record companies today, including who should be running Def Jam, and offers his thoughts on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame contender LL Cool J, the recent passing of rapper DMX and of Cardi B's "Wet Ass P—."

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How MasterClass Founder David Rogier Brought Star Power to Online Learning

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 15:19:00 +0000

The CEO of the popular instructional service discusses the company’s launch in 2015 and how its growth was turbo-charged during lockdown conditions. Rogier details the uphill climb to convince notables such as Dustin Hoffman and Serena Williams to teach the first courses. He offers his wish list for future MasterClass instructors, and the former venture capitalist speaks candidly about the hardest parts of being an entrepreneur. “By nature you’re choosing to do pursue an idea that most people think is impossible,” he says.

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Avalon CEO Laura Kennedy Flexes Indie Muscle on Both Sides of the Pond

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 15:55:46 +0000

The CEO of the management-production company behind such series as “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” and “Breeders” discusses the company’s strategic advantages as an independent outfit with roots in the U.K. and U.S. Kennedy addresses the challenges and opportunities that talent representatives have at a time of enormous change for the industry. “We were a talent management company first — that’s really the DNA of the company,” she says.

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Scripps Co. Bets Big on Broadcast Bandwidth as Key to TV’s Future

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Scripps Co. CEO Adam Symson explains why he doubled down on TV station acquisitions at a time when all eyes are on the transition to streaming media. The leader of the Cincinnati-based media firm with deep roots in mass media discusses the rationale behind the company’s $2.65 billion purchase of Ion Media. He also details how Scripps wound up enlisting Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway as a partner in the transaction.

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UTA’s Sam Wick Talks Building Businesses for Talent ‘Accelerators’

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 15:54:09 +0000

Sam Wick, head of UTA Ventures, discusses the booming marketplace for talent and business partnerships, from startups to equity ventures. Brands are becoming savvy about making connections with celebrities, influencers and creative talent at a time when millennial consumers are increasingly focused on companies with “founder-led stories.” The alumnus of Maker Studios, MySpace and MP3.com also offers thoughts on the media M&A environment and sectors to watch in the coming year.

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Wayne Brady Wants to Build an Improv Empire

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 08:00:00 +0000

The “Let’s Make a Deal” host talks about his ambition to build a consulting business based on the tenets of comedy improv: active listening, openness to collaboration and the ability to think fast on your feet. Brady, also a regular on “Whose Line Is It Anyway,” sees the “Yes and” philosophy of improv as a framework for helping youths develop self-confidence and critical thinking skills. He draws from his own story to explain why he is working to open youth-focused improv centers in Los Angeles and his hometown of Orlando, Fla.

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Rob Stringer: The Sony Music Group Chairman Talks Grammys, Industry Challenges and Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 16:47:00 +0000

The Sony Music lifer has met more than his share of challenges since assuming the chairmanship in 2019: from making the right hires to see the company’s vision through to banking on talent and not just “hits” to segueing to a subscription-driven business to getting through a global pandemic and responding to the call for social justice -- all this as borders cease to exist in this new global music economy. Bonus: a talk with Grammy-winning mastering engineer Emily Lazar.

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Geoffrey Zakarian: An Iron Chef Adds Content Production to His Menu

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 09:00:00 +0000

The celebrated chef and “Chopped” star discusses his growing Corner Table Entertainment banner that is busy producing TV shows for Food Network and other outlets, in addition to podcasts, charity telethons and a Tribeca Enterprises documentary about the pandemic’s devastation of New York’s restaurant scene. Zakarian offers his thoughts on the differences between launching a restaurant and launching a TV show — and for him it’s no contest as to which one is the harder job.

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Virtual Production Takes Hold of Hollywood with Epic Games' Unreal Engine

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 17:01:15 +0000

The cutting edge of film and TV production technology is getting cornered by the videogame biz. Miles Perkins and Connie Kennedy of Epic Games, creator of the global phenomenon "Fortnite," discuss how their Unreal Engine software is increasingly being used during the pandemic to shoot with a new set of tools loosely known as virtual production.

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How Cameo Cashed in on Celebrity Videos

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 18:43:52 +0000

Cameo CEO Steven Galanis says his company is part of a rising wave of direct-to-fan platforms enabling a much broader range of talent beyond A-listers to make money online. He explains how Cameo built a booming business by selling bespoke video shout-outs recorded by its roster of tens thousands of celebs.

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‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ Producer on Building a Business That Uplifts Storytellers of Color

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Charles King, CEO and founder of Macro, explains how the content company behind “Judas and the Black Messiah” has grown quickly with a focus on creating opportunities for underrepresented storytellers. King details the business deal that Macro and partners made with Warner Bros. on “Judas” and how he feels about the film’s day-and-date premiere in theaters and on HBO Max.

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A Frank Conversation About “The Expanse” and the Future of Film with Veteran Producers Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 18:51:05 +0000

The co-founders and leaders of Alcon Entertainment detail the business backstory of the Syfy/Amazon fantasy drama “The Expanse,” a series that Alcon owns outright thanks to savvy dealmaking by the seasoned producer-financiers. Kosove and Broderick, known for movie hits including “The Blind Side,” “The Book of Eli” and “Dolphin Tale,” also speak frankly about the state of the film marketplace and what happens post-pandemic. It’s an insightful session with two producers in the trenches.

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Joy and Creativity: Why TikTok's Popularity Exploded During the Pandemic

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Blake Chandlee, VP of global business solutions and head of ad sales for TikTok discusses the social media platform's meteoric rise and how its many tools kept more than 100 million users engaged during lockdown conditions. He details TikTok's unique ability to connect its creators with blue-chip marketers to generate new innovative forms of advertising.

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Roku's Scott Rosenberg Dishes on the Warner Media, Quibi Deals

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Hear more about big deals the senior VP of its platform business landed with Warner Media, paving the way for subscribers to enjoy HBO Max, and Quibi, which will bring the defunct mobile app's content to Roku. It's all a part of the company's big effort to evolve ad monetization on its platform, particularly through the fast-growing Roku Channel.

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Pandemic Conditions Accelerate a ‘Metaverse’ of Media Deal Opportunities

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Bart Spiegel, U.S. entertainment and media deals leader for PWC, offers his 2021 outlook on dealmaking in an industry that has buffeted and buoyed by pandemic conditions. Spiegel points to the rise of videogame usage and a “repositioning” of assets held by traditional media giants as trends to watch in the year ahead.

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Introducing 'Must Watch: Netflix Edition'

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Each week, Observer senior entertainment reporter Brandon Katz and Hollywood Reporter contributor Jean Bentley highlight the new Netflix titles they're excited about. Recent guests: Daniel Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter, Joanna Robinson from Vanity Fair, and Megan Vick from TV Guide.

Click Must Watch: Netflix Edition to follow the show on your podcast app.

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Aryeh Bourkoff: How Big Media Can Change the Narrative in 2021

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 09:00:00 +0000

Aryeh Bourkoff, CEO of LionTree, offers insights into how the pandemic has reshaped the marketplace and what that means for media dealmaking in the near term. The veteran investment banker, who is on speed dial for such notable, media moguls as John Malone and Shari Redstone, weighs in on the convergence trends that he sees coming for Big Media and Big Tech, and he explains why LionTree is closely watching the gaming arena.

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Making Sense of a Wild Year in the Streaming Wars

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Instead of the usual guest interview, this episode features co-host Andrew Wallenstein offering his no-holds-barred assessment of everyone who competed in streaming video in 2020, from the stratospheric rise of Disney+ to the ignominious end of Quibi.

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How Jessica Lessin Built a Digital Media Business by Covering Digital Media

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Jessica Lessin, founder and editor-in-chief of The Information, discusses the growth of the eight-year-old outlet that has distinguished itself through deep-dive reporting, analysis and scoops in the tech and media worlds. Lessin also offers her perspective on trends for the coming year at Facebook, Google, TikTok, and she weighs in on the prospect of some Silicon Valley stalwarts facing regulatory action next year, at home and abroad.

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How Hollywood Dealmaker Thomas Dey Views the Streaming Wars

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Thomas Dey, president and CEO of ACF Investment Bank, discusses the dealmaking landscape in media and entertainment, predicting that networks and services stuck between those with massive scale and those with niche audiences will get "washed away."

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How Producer Brent Montgomery Went From ‘Pawn Stars’ to Hype House

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 01:54:54 +0000

The veteran unscripted TV producer and entrepreneur behind Wheelhouse discusses the building blocks of his three-year-old venture. Montgomery, the producer behind “Pawn Stars” and other cable hits, explains why Wheelhouse has expanded beyond TV production to investing in tech startups, digital media, marketing and merchandising efforts for promising talent talent such as TikTok phenoms Hype House.

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How Philo Keeps Pace in the Virtual MVPD Race

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +0000

For just $20 a month, Philo offers consumers more than 60 cable channels. It's a simple value proposition that has helped this venture stand out in a crowded marketplace of so-called virtual MVPDs. And as Philo CEO Andrew McCollum explains, he's not about to make the mistake that has the prices of many of his competitors soaring.

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Sinclair's STIRR Bets That All TV Viewing is Local

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Sinclair Broadcast Group has taken the streaming wars to local markets. The TV station giant is expanding its ad-supported STIRR platform designed to help its nearly 200 stations better monetize digital viewing of newscasts and syndicated programming. Adam Ware, Sinclair's VP and general manager of national networks and platforms, talks about the growth of the streaming service and why local TV is poised to prosper in the free streaming arena.

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Universal Pictures Marketing Chiefs Look Back on a Year of Bold Moves

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Michael Moses and Dwight Caines reflect on how they rewrote the theatrical promotional playbook over the course of the global pandemic as the first studio to bypass theaters, strike the only deals with major exhibitors to shorten the theatrical window, and introduce a new hybrid window.

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Investor Mellody Hobson: 'If It Matters, It's Counted

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Mellody Hobson, co-CEO and president of Ariel Investments, explains why she’s bullish on the media sector at a time of great transition for traditional TV and film giants. The respected investor and former DreamWorks Animation board chair asserts that the most important way for media giants to pursue diversity and inclusion goals is to start by counting. "If it matters, it’s counted," she says of establishing an honest benchmark for measuring workforce diversity goals.

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How Women With Agency Run Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Lauren Neustadter, head of film and TV for Hello Sunshine, discusses the growth of Reese Witherspoon’s content production banner. One of the company’s first employees, Neustadter explains the guiding principles for projects tackled by the company – including Apple’s “The Morning Show” and Hulu’s “Little Fires Everywhere” -- and how Hello Sunshine has navigating the exploding global marketplace for content.

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Larry Wilmore Navigates His New Show Through the Trump Era

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 08:00:00 +0000

The veteran comedy writer/producer/performer is back with another talk show on the Peacock streaming network, where he's up to the challenge of finding the humor amid bleak political headlines. Wilmore also traces his evolution through a 30-year TV career.

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Ted Sarandos on Netflix’s Five Years of Global Growth, Controversy Over ‘Cuties’ and Management Changes

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Netflix’s co-CEO and chief content officer discusses the global scope of the streaming giant’s business during a wide-ranging Q&A. Sarandos details how the company decides when to invest big in local language production, and the metrics that Netflix uses to evaluate the success of original and acquired content. The long-serving Netflix executive also weighs in on the controversy in the U.S. over the French film “Cuties,” the challenges of filming during the coronavirus pandemic and recent changes in the company’s senior management ranks.

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How Carlos Watson Built a Media Brand to Discover ‘The New and the Next’

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Carlos Watson, co-founder and CEO of Ozy Media, started his company in 2013 as a digital magazine venture that was dubbed by one reader “the love child of Vice and the Economist.” Watson’s ambition for Ozy Media has grown to include TV series, podcasts and a traveling festival featuring top thinkers and entrepreneurs. The former McKinsey & Co. analyst turned journalist discusses how his San Francisco-based company plans to grow even in pandemic times and how he attracted top investors, including Laurene Powell Jobs’ Emerson Collective and Marc Lasry.

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How Wattpad’s Aron Levitz Mines User-Generated Stories for Movie, TV Hits

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Wattpad Studios head Aron Levitz and his team comb through the nearly 1 billion stories that members of Wattpad’s 80 million-plus monthly users have shared on the app. His goal: to find the unique narratives that resonate with fans, and then turn them into TV shows, movies and books.

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How Dare I Not Succeed? How ‘Love and Hip Hop’ Producer Mona Scott-Young Hit Big by Channeling Her Passions

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Mona Scott-Young, CEO of Monami Entertainment and the steward of VH1’s “Love and Hip Hop” franchise, discusses the growth of the company she launched in 2008. Scott-Young details the preparation and the lucky breaks that allowed her to seize the moment to segue from her background in music management to TV and media. She credits the seminal influence of her hard-working mother for helping her realize her strengths and her potential. “I have so many tools at my disposal – how dare I not succeed,” Scott-Young says.

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Reliving 'Green Book' History Through a New Podcast and Apple Maps

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Recently recreated in an Oscar-winning film, the travel route African-Americans used in the segregated south is being revisited not only as a new podcast, but as an audio guide thanks to a new integration between Apple Podcasts and Apple Maps. MacMillan Publishers VP of podcasting Kathy Doyle describes "Driving the Green Book" and shares her perspective on the broader podcast business.

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VENN Founders Eye TV’s Big Game With Streaming Network Launch

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Ariel Horn and Ben Kusin, co-founders and co-CEOs of VENN, discuss how the “white space” in TV for content aimed at videogame enthusiasts drove them to launch the Videogame Entertainment & News Network streaming platform. The digital entrepreneurs detail the steps they took to the Aug. 5 launch and how they plan to fund up to 50 hours of original programming through sponsorships and distribution partnerships with Twitch, YouTube and others.

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Disney TV’s Craig Hunegs on Steering 3 Studios and Forging a New Path for Talent Deals

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Craig Hunegs, president of Disney Television Studios, details how the Disney-21st Century Fox mergers create a TV production behemoth and why studio chiefs decided it was important to maintain three distinct imprints: 20th Television, ABC Signature and Touchstone Television. He also discusses the studio’s new approach to compensation formulas for creative talent at a time when Hollywood’s traditional profit models are in flux.

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Clive Davis on Producing a Biopic That Captures ‘the Whitney Houston That I Have Known’

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 08:00:00 +0000

The music biz legend discusses how he teamed with “Bohemian Rhapsody” screenwriter Anthony McCarten to develop a biopic of Whitney Houston, the singer whose career Davis shepherded to great heights before her tragic death in 2012. Davis details how they shaped the script, raised the financing and then held a vigorous auction for the property with Hollywood’s major studios. Davis also offers his thoughts on the state of the pandemic-rocked music industry and his advice for aspiring music moguls.

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Understanding Snapchat's Role in Political Coverage With Peter Hamby

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 08:00:00 +0000

With the political conventions set for next week, the presidential campaign is ready to take yet another unpredictable turn. 'Good Luck America' host Peter Hamby gives his POV on what to expect next on the road to the election and his own role translating politics for Snapchat's Gen Z audience.

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How New York Plans to Restart TV and Film Production

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Anne del Castillo, commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, discusses how New York City plans to gradually get TV and film production back in action amid the pandemic. “It’s been very hard to see these industries that are really so definitive of New York City just (struggling) to find a way forward,” del Castillo says.

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Hollywood's Big Challenge: Resuming Production in a Pandemic

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 08:00:00 +0000

The dealmaking required to get studios, networks and guilds on the same page has gotten more complex than ever amid COVID-19, but that's what it will take to ensure the creation of more TV shows and movies. Ken Basin, head of business affairs at Paramount TV, gives an inside look at the issues people like him are confronting now to make things happen.

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CW Chief Mark Pedowitz on TV’s Year of Disruption

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 08:00:00 +0000

CW chairman-CEO Mark Pedowitz discusses how the network has revamped its fall launch plans amid the upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The executive who moved CW into the ad-supported streaming area nearly a decade ago also weighs in on the fate of linear TV, the growth of on-demand competition and why the end of CW’s output deal with Netflix has been a good thing for the network. And he gets a little sentimental about the final bows of stalwart CW series "Arrow" and "Supernatural."

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How Big Brands Blow It: Multicultural Marketing Startup Guides Companies Through Anti-Racist Movement

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Lori Hall and Jessica Lane Alexander, co-founders of the newly launched multicultural marketing firm Pop’N Creative, discuss their Atlanta-based startup. The entertainment veterans who worked together at Turner Broadcasting and at TV One talk about the tone-deaf and “offensive” marketing pitches that inspired them to go into business for themselves with the goal of helping to guide big brands through unfamiliar waters and uncomfortable conversations about race in America.

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LA's Laemmle Theatres Shares Its Struggle to Survive Amid COVID

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 08:00:00 +0000

CEO Greg Laemmle describes what it has been like to keep his chain of seven arthouse theaters afloat as they remain dark for a fourth month amid a COVID-induced shutdown. Having already laid off nearly 200 employees, he has begun to explore selling some of his properties to keep the 82-year-old family business going. Regardless, Laemmle believes moviegoing will return post-COVID and he is also hopeful his budding foray into virtual cinema will be there for the long term.

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Richard and Demi Weitz

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 08:00:00 +0000

When the coronavirus lockdwon began in march, WME partner Richard Weitz was like any father looking to find a way to celebrate his daughter Demi’s 17th birthday amid the pandemic. From that humble start, the two have built the Quarantunes franchise that has raised $6.7 million for coronavirus-related relief efforts around the country. Here the Weitzes discuss the spark for the fundraising effort, the hurdles they overcame and how they recruited partners such as Goldman Sachs and Alliance Bernstein to help drive big-dollar donations.

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The 'Watch Party' Trend Sweeping the Video World Amid Lockdown

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 08:00:00 +0000

One key trend to emerge during the pandemic era is "watch parties," enabling socially distanced users to share a viewing experience. To explore this phenomenon, we spoke with Joe Braidwood, COO of Scener, which has differentiated itself from the many players in this space with an HBO partnership.

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An Investor’s Guide to Navigating the Content Business

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 08:00:00 +0000

James Moore, managing partner and CEO of Vine Alternative Investments, discusses the asset management firm’s approach to building a diversified portfolio of content, production and IP holdings. The parent company of Village Roadshow has been slowly amassing a library through acquisitions. As Moore explains, Vine hopes to help fill the void for global TV buyers as Hollywood’s largest studios focus on funnelling content into vertically integrated streaming platforms.

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A Blueprint for How to Restart TV and Film Production in NYC

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Blair Breard, a longtime New York City-based producer, details the steps that a coalition of producers are taking to prepare for the resumption of production in New York. Breard, known for her work on auteur-driven comedy series including “Louie,” “Baskets,” “Better Things” and “One Mississippi,” discusses the coalition of New York-area production veterans who came together to develop COVID-19 safety guidelines in order to make sure the industry is shovel-ready to return to work once the greenlight comes from state and local health officials. “We’re problem solvers,” she says. “That’s what we do.”

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Starz CEO Jeff Hirsch Doesn't Need to Finish First to Win the Streaming Wars

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 08:00:00 +0000

With the streaming wars in full swing, Starz finds itself in a crowded market alongside bigger ventures from HBO Max to Netflix. But as Starz CEO Jeff Hirsch explains, his company is content to be a second or third option behind other larger players as the streaming space evolves toward more bundled offerings.

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How WarnerMedia Built HBO Max

Wed, 27 May 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Bob Greenblatt, chairman of WarnerMedia Entertainment and Direct to Consumer, gives a behind-the-scenes look at the creative and technical development of the HBO Max streaming service, which debuts May 27. He details the reasoning and rationale behind the service’s curation focus, the depth of its content library and how its user interface was designed to stand out from the rest of the streaming pack. Greenblatt also weighs in on the hard decision to delay the planned “Friends” reunion special that was to have launched the service because of the coronavirus lockdown.

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'Snowpiercer' Producers Forge TV Deals of Tomorrow

Wed, 20 May 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Tomorrow Studios leaders Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements discuss their efforts to blaze their own path through the global content landscape with backing from ITV Studios. The pair detail the circuitous journey that the new TNT/Netflix drama thriller "Snowpiercer" took the screen and how they got Netflix to agree to break its binge rule for the international release of the series. Adelstein, who was a partner in the early years of the Endeavor talent agency, and Clements, who had a long tenure at Brillstein-Grey Television, weigh on chasing hot IP prospects around the world, what it takes to bring a series to fruition as well as the state of play in the creative community in general and the talent agency business in particular.

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Lily Singh Balances Late-Night TV with YouTube Stardom

Wed, 13 May 2020 16:00:00 +0000

Fresh off a second season renewal for her NBC late-night show, Singh candidly discusses the growing pains of her first season in a new medium while somehow managing to keep her Internet presence going. It wasn't easy but she says she's slowly figuring it all out.

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Growth Curve: How Paramount Television Studios is Handling the Shutdown

Wed, 06 May 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Nicole Clemens, president of Paramount Television Studios, discusses the “triage” process of adjusting the division’s operations to the realities of the coronavirus lockdown. The industry veteran who was part of the team at FX Networks and spent 16 years as an agent at ICM reflects on how dealmaking has changed in TV and why studios need to think about a portfolio approach to managing content rosters.

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Britbox CEO Soumya Sriraman Stands Her Ground Amid the Streaming Wars

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Britbox super-serves super fans of British TV series in the U.S., UK and Australia via a streaming service that has more than 1 million subscribers. CEO Soumya Sriraman shares her strategy for standing out in the cluttered streaming marketplace and the pandemic's role in changing that marketplace.

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Entertainment Bankers Debrief on Paycheck Protection Program Loan Blitz

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Three top entertainment industry bankers go deep on the details of the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program loans. Martha Henderson, Stephanie Dalton and Lori Badgett of City National Bank describe two weeks of round-the-clock loan processing on behalf of clients in the pandemic crisis loan program designed to help companies with 500 employees or less keep workers on the payroll for at least two months. The trio describe the footrace to secure as much money for clients before the $349 billion fund ran dry, and they discuss the prospects for Congress approving additional funding for SBA relief programs.

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How ABC Reconfigured 'American Idol' Amid the Pandemic Lockdown

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Rob Mills, ABC's head of alternative series, specials and late-night programming, explains why the network embraced "the show must go on" mantra to salvage "American Idol's" live performance episodes amid the coronavirus shutdown. Mills also discusses the return of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" with Jimmy Kimmel, his desire to get "The Bachelor" back in production as soon as possible and why the economics of game shows make them so attractive to networks.

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WarnerMedia, Spotify, NBCU Execs Discuss Coronavirus Industry Impact

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 08:00:00 +0000

The media business is starting to absorb "the new normal" of life amid the coronavirus crisis, as reflected by a panel discussion held Monday in the Variety screening room webinar featuring executives from WarnerMedia, Spotify, NBCUniversal and PwC, who shared their outlook for the industry.

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Dealmaker John Sloss Builds Cinetic into a 21st Century Media Company

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 08:00:00 +0000

John Sloss has negotiated every kind of deal and navigated every aspect of the independent film business, from lining up financing to advising on marketing and awards campaigns. Today, he’s expanded the company’s purview to include television development, talent management, and a branded content joint venture with filmmaker David Gordon Green. In this wide-ranging discussion about media and entertainment, Sloss explains why he “somewhat bombastically” sees Cinetic as a media conglomerate for the 21st century.

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Can a Card Game Become the Next Big Media Brand?

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Exploding Kittens is the biggest sensation in tabletop gaming these days, but that's not the only reason the Chernin Group invested $30 million in the venture, started by this week's guest, former Xbox designer Elan Lee. Learn from Lee about how the plan is to translate his company's quirky intellectual property into TV shows, movies and even theme park rides.

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New Prism: How Gamechanger CEO Effie Brown Hopes to Level the Playing Field in Content Investment

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 08:00:00 +0000

The veteran film producer doesn’t hold back in a conversation about race, money, movies and why said yes to leading an the ambitious Gamechanger investment venture. The company aims to make creatives from diverse backgrounds -- women, people of color, LGBTQ and the disabled -- equity owners of content. And she wants to dramatically widen the circle of financial backers for film and TV content by bringing in investors who also represent a greater array of diverse voices. “If we don’t bet on us, nobody will,” Brown says. The producer of indie hits such as “Dear White People” and “Real Women Have Curves” also gives her candid opinion about what has and hasn’t changed in Hollywood when it comes to diversity and inclusion in the wake of #MeToo, #OscarsSoWhite and other movements.

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Birth of the Mentor: How Documentary Veteran Stanley Nelson Supports Rising Stars and Mid-Career Filmmakers

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 08:00:00 +0000

The director-producer behind the new “American Masters” documentary “Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool” discusses his non-profit Firelight Media venture, which offers a Documentary Lab program to help promising filmmakers develop projects. Nelson, a 2002 recipient of a MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant, explains how a community of documentarians has emerged from the lab program, and why he decided this year to add the William Greaves Fund program to support directors with more experience.

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The 100th Episode 'Strictly Business' Retrospective

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 09:00:00 +0000

As Variety's weekly podcast hits its 100th episode milestone, hosts Cynthia Littleton and Andrew Wallenstein revisit some of their most intriguing discussions with top industry executives, producers, technologists and entrepreneurs. Interview highlights featured in this special installment include Disney's Dana Walden, former HBO chief Richard Plepler, Discovery's David Zaslav, Spotify's Dawn Ostroff, comedian Kevin Hart, Barstool Sports' Erika Nardini and Revolt TV's Roma Khanna.

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How One TV Startup Thrived in a Shrinking Syndication Market

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Debmar-Mercury principles Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein discuss the origins of the production-distribution company that is now part of Lionsgate. The pair detail why they remain bullish on the first run syndication business, so much so that they are launching two new series -- a talk show from Nick Cannon and magazine series "Central Ave" from producer Will Packer -- in the fall.

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How A+E Networks Bucked the Trend and Fell Back in Love With Lifetime Movies

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Rob Sharenow, president of programming for A+E Networks, discusses the exercise is “brand focus” that led to the revitalization of A&E Network and History amid the general downturn in viewership for ad-supported cable channels. The longtime cable executive also weighs in on how Lifetime has grown by shifting its efforts away from the extremely competitive world of scripted drama series to a broad slate of made-for-TV movies -- yes those kind of Lifetime movies.

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The Secret to Keeping 'Kardashians' Kontinuing on TV

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 09:00:00 +0000

How has America's most famous family stayed on E! for 18 seasons? Bunim/Murray CEO Gil Goldschein has the secret to producing the long-running series. He also shares his take on the latest trends in the unscripted TV category, a business changing dramatically in the age of streaming.

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Why New TV Formats Present Challenges for Awards Mavens

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Adam Sharp, president-CEO of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, discusses how the digital revolution in television presents challenges for industry awards shows. He details NATAS’ response to questions raised about the eligibility of certain programs considered in the 2018 Daytime Emmy Awards competition. The process of looking into what went wrong helped the organization develop uniform standards and best practices to protect the integrity of the Emmy statuette.

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Pam Wasserstein Brings Her New York State of Mind to Vox Media

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Now that she's a few months into the integration of her magazine business with Vox Media, she shares what the process has been like and how the newly combined company is navigating the treacherous waters of the publishing business. With 13 brands from Vulture to Polygon in the portfolio, Wasserstein discusses her diversification strategy, from podcasts to licensing intellectual property.

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Mark Cuban is Bullish on AI, 5G, TikTok and...Movie Theaters!?

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 09:00:00 +0000

The "Shark Tank" star pulls no punches on a wide variety of subjects pertaining to the tech world, from the importance of artificial intelligence in today's business world to his misadventures in the film industry, where he believes theaters will stand the test of time.

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Endemol Shine’s Cris Abrego on Embracing TV for the Americas

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Endemol Shine North America CEO Cris Abrego explains why the company decided to integrate activity on Spanish-language programs with the rest of the core Los Angeles-based development team. Abrego details the growth of the company’s Mexico City-based Endemol Shine Boomdog operation and the lessons learned from working outside the U.S. He also weighs in on how changes in major Latin American TV markets are opening doors for all producers.

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CES 2020: A Very Special Episode of Strictly Business

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Join Strictly Business hosts Cynthia Littleton and Andrew Wallenstein as they make the rounds at the Consumer Electronics Show. Listen for insights on the convergence of digital media and entertainment, streaming wars, AI and what's next from Jeffrey Katzenberg, Meg Whitman, Mark Cuban, UTA's Brent Weinstein, Pluto TV's Tom Ryan and other movers and shakers.

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Chuck Lorre: A New Chapter for the King of TV Comedy

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 09:00:00 +0000

Chuck Lorre, one of the most successful writer-producers in the history of television, developed new writing muscles and found a fresh source of joy as he branched out into streaming series with Netflix’s “The Kominsky Method” and CBS’ single-camera comedy “Young Sheldon.” Here Lorre compares the creative process in streaming and broadcast TV. He also offers frank thoughts about the prolonged battle between the Writers Guild of America and Hollywood’s largest talent agencies.

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Los Angeles' $10 Billion Gamble on SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 09:00:00 +0000

Construction is underway in Los Angeles on Hollywood Park, a nearly 300 acre complex that will be the site of the city's NFL teams, SoFi Stadium. But this isn't just another development project. Jason Gannon, managing director of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment District, oversees a $10 billion build poised at the cutting-edge of live entertainment.

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Two Film Financiers and a TV Producer Walk Into a Bar …

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 09:00:00 +0000

Evan Shapiro, president of National Lampoon, discusses the effort to revive National Lampoon as a comedy content studio, starting with the Dec. 19 relaunch of "The National Lampoon Radio Hour" as a podcast. Shapiro details the plan to embrace National Lampoon’s storied legacy to generate a new breed of "twisted mainstream" comedy projects in various media. Shapiro also details the company’s recent struggles and how his partners at PalmStar Media aim to restore the lost luster of the company that inspired (and staffed) the original "Saturday Night Live."

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Inside HBOMax's Streaming Strategy with WarnerMedia CTO Jeremy Legg

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 09:00:00 +0000

WarnerMedia's CTO shares his perspective on what it takes to launch a massive streaming platform in a cluttered competitor environment. He discusses balancing the many brands under AT&T's umbrella as well as making space for human curation inside HBO Max, which launches next May.

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How One Talent Agency Is Surviving the Writers Guild Standoff

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 09:00:00 +0000

Abrams Artists Agency chairman Adam Bold discusses why his company signed the WGA code of conduct that allowed his employees to resume representing writers, his broader observations on the standoff, and why he decided to get into the talent agency business just over a year ago.

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How Social Media Has Changed the PR Game

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 01:27:43 +0000

The megaphone of social media has brought dramatic changes to the business of public relations. Sean Cassidy, president of New York-based public relations and marketing firm DKC, discusses the new rules of engagement in image-making -- and image protecting -- for individuals and corporate brands. “This is not an industry for people who panic,” Cassidy says.

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Why Fox Television Stations Have Embraced Trial and Error in Daytime

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 21:57:10 +0000

Local broadcast TV stations are struggling to draw big audiences in daytime as fragmentation and an ever-growing number of programming options takes its toll. Frank Cicha, executive VP of programming for Fox Television Stations, discusses how one of the industry’s largest station groups adjusted its approach to program development in response to big shifts in the marketplace. Cicha also weighs in on the growth of the digital multicast network business and how life at Fox Corp. has changed since Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox.

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Can the Internet Handle the Imminent Streaming Explosion?

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 09:00:00 +0000

Akamai CEO Tom Leighton illuminates the complexities of working with media companies to transmit their content to consumers as quickly as possible. While Akamai may be seeing record Internet traffic now, he notes that the future of digital transmission has barely begun.

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Feel-Good TV Fights for Shelf Space in Land of the Giants

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 09:00:00 +0000

Bill Abbott, president and CEO of Hallmark Channel parent Crown Media Family Networks, has the difficult job of navigating the independent cable TV group through unprecedented upheaval in the pay TV marketplace. He speaks candidly about the competitive disadvantage that Crown Media faces against larger competitors who have greater sway with distributors. The business climate has only gotten tougher following the latest burst of mega media M&A deals. “If we have a difficult time seeing a path forward in this linear environment than there’s something wrong with the system,” he says.

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NBCU's Linda Yaccarino on Peacock's Potential for Rethinking Ads

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 08:00:00 +0000

When the upcoming new streaming service Peacock launches next year, NBCUniversal will find itself with an opportunity to rethink how advertising works freed of the constraints of the legacy linear TV world. The company's ad czar is joined by Accenture's Mike Chapman for a conversation about how innovation is changing NBCU's approach from its CFlight initiative to next year's Summer Olympics.

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Barstool Sports CEO Erika Nardini Learns From Digital Media's Past Mistakes

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 08:00:00 +0000

As a veteran of faded Internet giants like AOL and Yahoo, Erika Nardini knows all too well where the digital advertising business went wrong. And now that she's leading a brash content brand of her own, she's determined to steer Barstool away from the kind of bad practices she fears could rear their head again in the podcast space while also breaking new ground in other areas including merchandise and sports betting.

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The NBA Playbook for Changing How Games Are Watched

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 08:00:00 +0000

With the new NBA season scheduled to tip off Oct. 22, basketball fans have no shortage of options for how they take in the action on the court. But there's an expanding range of viewing experiences beyond linear TV that are evolving in fascinating ways under the oversight of Jeff Marsilio, senior VP of new media for the league, from social media to virtual reality.

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Level Forward’s Abigail Disney and Adrienne Becker on Sparking the Change They Want to See in the Industry

Wed, 09 Oct 2019 20:47:07 +0000

Abigail Disney and Adrienne Becker joined forces to launch content studio Level Forward in early 2018. The pair have vowed to run Level Forward as a socially conscious, artist friendly banner that strives to open doors for women and people of color through storytelling. The partners discuss the philosophy that underlies the business and the reason why they think the time is right for their approach. Abigail Disney, who is the granddaughter of Walt Disney Co. co-founder Roy O. Disney, also addresses her recent criticism of the Disney company and what she sees as unreasonably high compensation packages for CEO Bob Iger and others.

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Listen: Jon Favreau on Maximizing VFX While Minimizing Disruption

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 08:00:00 +0000

Jon Favreau has enjoyed a varied career as an actor, producer and writer of some of the most memorable films from the past few decades. But it's his work as a director that showcases his innovative side, particularly his usage of cutting-edge visual effects in films like 'The Lion King' and the upcoming Disney+ series 'The Mandalorian.' In this interview he discusses how he's pioneered new practices without disrupting traditional filmmaking jobs.

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Debra Lee: What I Saw at the Cable Revolution

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 17:57:48 +0000

Debra Lee had a front row seat to the explosive growth of cable television during her 32 years at BET Networks. After making her mark as a leader and as one of only a few African-American female CEOs in media, she’s had some time to reflect on the changing content marketplace since her retirement in 2018. In recent months, Lee has joined the board of AT&T and become CEO of Leading Women Defined, an invitation-only conference series. In a wide-ranging conversation, Lee speaks candidly about how cable missed the threat posed by streaming and the importance of grooming and retaining executives from diverse backgrounds.

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How Gunpowder & Sky Makes Movies for Millennials

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 20:51:47 +0000

On the eve of the Toronto International Festival, Variety's Brent Lang sits down with Gunpowder & Sky co-founders Van Toffler and Floris Bauer to discuss the indie film landscape, the need to be flexible when it comes to distributing content, and why it's getting harder to convince young people to buy tickets.

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A Showbiz Lawyer Satirizes Hollywood In His New Novel

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 08:00:00 +0000

Kevin Morris is a respected veteran in Hollywood's legal circles for clients like Matthew McConaughey. But he has also carved out a nice side gig for himself in recent years as a critically acclaimed writer of fiction. And his new novel, "Gettysburg," offers a satirical take on a world he knows all too well: Hollywood.

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Comfort Food TV: Discovery’s Kathleen Finch on Nurturing Lifestyle Brands

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 08:00:00 +0000

Kathleen Finch, chief lifestyle brands officer for Discovery Inc., might best be described as the executive in charge of comfort food TV. She oversees 11 brands in the Discovery universe, from Food Network and HGTV to TLC and ID. Finch discusses the opportunities for programming linear lifestyle channels in an on-demand world, and she addresses the tensions in the marketplace between Discovery and some of its independent producer partners.

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Revolt CEO Roma Khanna on How to 'Super-Serve a Super-Niche' Audience

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 15:44:34 +0000

The head of Sean Combs' media business discusses the challenges of running the independent company that aims to be a hub for hip-hop culture in all its permutations. Khanna, an alumnus of NBCUniversal and MGM Television, details Revolt's plans to expand its reach with comedy programming and live events.

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How CBSN Steers Clear of the Polarized News Climate

Wed, 07 Aug 2019 08:00:00 +0000

While 24-hour news networks like Fox News Channel go heavy on opinion, CBSN EVP/GM Christy Tanner discusses how her operation takes a different tack to reach viewers. Not only is CBSN streaming instead of being available on cable TV, but the 5-year-old venture sticks to the facts instead of pandering to partisan viewpoints. That approach has also freed up energy to go deep on substantive topics like climate change and consumer privacy.

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How Walden Media Keeps Mid-Budget Films Alive in a Mega-Movie Era

Wed, 31 Jul 2019 08:00:00 +0000

New to theaters in August, "Dora and the Lost City of Gold" is just the kind of family-friendly movie you'd expect to see from Walden Media. But while the company is as dedicated as ever to inspirational fare, the strategies CEO/president Frank Smith has employed to keep Walden in the game have evolved considerably in recent years.

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Jon Steinberg: Why Digital Media has Become Akin to the ‘Drug Discovery Business’

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 08:00:00 +0000

Jon Steinberg, founder and CEO of digital business news startup Cheddar, discusses the company’s recent sale to cable operator Altice USA for $200 million. Steinberg outlines Altice’s ambition in the competition TV news arena and his new role as president of Altice News. The Buzzfeed alum also discusses what he did — and what he didn’t do — to build Cheddar into a brand.

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Starz COO Jeffrey Hirsch Spots An Opening in the Global Streaming Market

Wed, 17 Jul 2019 08:00:00 +0000

Streaming content is about as competitive as a business gets these days, but don't tell that to Starz COO Jeffrey Hirsch. He's aggressively moving to establish the Lionsgate-owned premium programmer forward around the world while the window is still open for his company to stake its claim.

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Anatomy of a Reboot: How MTV Found New Gold in 'The Hills'

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 08:00:00 +0000

Jacqueline Parkes, chief marketing office and executive vp of digital studios for Viacom's MTV VHI CMT and Logo Group, breaks down the marketing campaign for MTV’s relaunch of "The Hills." Parkes details the process that began with social media teases and other bread crumbs for fans in the spring 2018, well before MTV announced the show was coming back, and led to the strong premiere of "The Hills: New Beginnings" on June 24. Parkes also reflects on how the discipline of marketing has changed dramatically just in the three years since she joined MTV after a 21-year career with Major League Baseball.

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How Scopely Turns Hollywood IP Into Videogame Gold

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 08:00:00 +0000

Star Trek, The Walking Dead and Wheel of Fortune are more than just iconic TV brands; they’re the intellectual property powering mobile games on course to reach $100 million each. And they’re all produced by Scopely, an LA-based video game business led by co-CEO Walter Driver, who discusses how he's made a specialty of adapting from one medium to another.

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Can a Studio Make Movies for VR?

Wed, 26 Jun 2019 08:00:00 +0000

STX Entertainment is best known for movies like "The Upside" and "Ugly Dolls," but it also has a division dedicated to creating virtual-reality movies like the recent action short "The Limit." STXsurreal chiefs Rick Rey and Andy Vick talk about the art of adopting narrative storytelling to new technology, and what it will take for VR to achieve mass appeal.

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Disney's Dana Walden on tackling TV's 'existential crisis'

Wed, 19 Jun 2019 17:39:16 +0000

Dana Walden was already one of the industry’s most powerful television executives when she was co-head of Fox television Group prior to Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox. Now she’s leading the charge for Disney in primetime series production and also steering the ship at ABC. Here Walden offers candid insights into how Disney is managing what she described as television’s “existential crisis." And she speaks from the heart about the importance of maintaining a healthy workplace culture in a the post-#MeToo era.

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Cannes Lions Preview with MediaLink's Michael Kassan

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 18:29:04 +0000

The Cannes Lions festival will get underway next week at a time when media industry turbulence is at its peak, according to MediaLink CEO Michael Kassan, a longtime industry observer who has turned the event into a crucial meeting place for the media, marketing, finance and technology worlds.

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Mass Appeal CEO on building a hip-hop brand and content factory

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 03:00:52 +0000

Mass Appeal CEO Peter Bittenbender discusses the relaunch of the one-time hip-hop fanzine as a content business active in music, digital, film and TV. The company is riding a wave of momentum created by the success of its Showtime docu-series “Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men.” Bittenbender details the vision for making Mass Appeal live up to the lofty expectations of its name and avoid the business potholes that have hurt Vice Media and other similiarly situated ventures.

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Fixing Hollywood's Supply Chain with Data and Deals

Wed, 29 May 2019 02:30:00 +0000

Producer Jeff Valdez discusses his detailed study examining the root causes of the dearth of U.S.-born Latinx creative talent working in film and TV. He's been on an informational tour with corporate leaders to emphasize the market power of the U.S. Hispanic population. He's also launched a production venture, New Cadence, to help solve what he sees as the entertainment industry's supply chain problem.

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Listen: Spielberg's Amblin Chief on Making 'Movies in the Middle'

Wed, 22 May 2019 18:58:33 +0000

Amblin Partners co-CEO Jeff Small oversees a bustling production powerhouse alongside Steven Spielberg that manages to make movies like the new sequel "A Dog's Journey" that can hold their own in cineplexes alongside more blockbuster fare. But it's not getting any easier in a consolidating media marketplace that often favors scale over quality.

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Listen: 'Catch-22' Producer's Plan to Go Big on Limited TV Series

Wed, 15 May 2019 02:30:00 +0000

Between HBO's "True Detective" and Hulu's upcoming "Catch-22," producer Richard Brown has proved his mastery of the limited-series TV format. Now he's looking to double down on the genre as he exits his home for the past 13 years, Anonymous Content, where he learned the business from the recently departed Steve Golin.

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"The Audience is the Boss of Me": How Refinery29 has evolved amid the digital downturn

Wed, 08 May 2019 01:37:15 +0000

Amy Emmerich, chief content officer and president North America for Refinery29, details the digital lifestyle brand's focus on organic audience growth as it builds out an ambitious video and multiplatform strategy to reach its target audience of young women. "We've birthed a generation with technology where they are all creators the minute they get a phone in their hand," Emmerich says of the unique challenges of engaging the Refinery29 demo.

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The Future of Facebook With the App's New Lead Exec, Fidji Simo

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 08:00:00 +0000

There's been no shortage of turbulence at Facebook given the myriad issues the company faces, from data privacy and misinformation to election integrity and hate speech. To meet those challenges head on, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has turned to Fidji Simo, who is charged with charting the course for a very different future for the app.

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"How Gabrielle Union Bet On Herself - And Changed Her Brand"

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 08:00:00 +0000

Prolific actress and emerging producer Gabrielle Union has been on a hot streak with projects like the sleeper hit "Breaking In," a female reboot of the "Bad Boys" franchise called "L.A.'s Finest" and a new platform as host of the reality competition series "America's Got Talent." But It was her design and endorsement deal with fashion house New York and Company that taught Union to see herself in a new light, and reinvent her brand for the benefit of underrepresented women everywhere.

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Sarah Barnett: ‘Killing’ It at AMC Networks

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 18:24:41 +0000

The executive who oversees AMC, BBC America, SundanceTV and IFC discussed the tangible and intangible benefits that come from fielding a sleeper hit like BBC America's "Killing Eve." The AMC Networks entertainment president also discusses the company’s use of "forensic" audience tracking data to better understand how to make the most of its programming across its linear and digital platforms. Barnett says her goal after being promoted in November to the group-level role is to keep AMC Networks "punching above its weight" as a purveyor of high-end content.

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'Game of Thrones' Marketing No Mean Feat for Final Season

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 18:40:55 +0000

Enjoy an inside look at the promotional game plan behind the final season of TV's biggest hit from Chris Spadaccini, executive VP and head of marketing at HBO. He details everything from the surprising Bud Light partnership at the Super Bowl to the network's reaction to President Trump borrowing from the show for one of his more infamous tweets.

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Imax CEO Richard Gelfond Bets on the Biggest Screen

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 08:00:00 +0000

As the film industry gathers this week for the annual CinemaCon conference in Las Vegas, the longtime Imax leader discusses the new demand for exhibitors to focus on the business of providing “destination entertainment” experiences. In the interview with Brent Lang, Variety's executive editor of film and media, Gelfond also weighs in on the record-busting success of “Captain Marvel” and what it says about the state of the superhero film.

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Univision's Jessica Rodriguez on Shaking Up a Traditional TV Brand

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 08:00:00 +0000

Under new leadership, Univision is taking big strides toward bringing a new look and feel to its primetime schedule for the growing U.S. Hispanic audience. CMO Jessica Rodriguez details the many ways the company is doing things differently.

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National Geographic Leader Sees Growth Ahead Under Disney Ownership

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 08:00:00 +0000

National Geographic Partners chairman Gary Knell outlines his vision of the growth opportunities ahead for the gold-plated brand as it and other 21st Century Fox assets transition to Disney’s control. Knell also gives a final salute to Fox, calling the parting “bittersweet” and praising the Murdochs for being good stewards of the brand. If it weren’t for Nat Geo’s move into television more than 20 years ago with Fox, “there’s a good chance National Geographic wouldn’t be around today,” Knell says.

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Steve Mosko on Transitioning From Studio Life to Startup Mentality at Village Roadshow

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 08:00:00 +0000

Steve Mosko, the former head of Sony Pictures Television and newly appointed CEO of Village Roadshow Entertainment Group, talks about his mission to build out the company to produce its own movies and TV shows for the first time. He also speaks candidly about making the shift from studio boss to the leader of a lean and scrappy startup operation.

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How John Penotti Could Get 'Crazy Rich' Beyond Asia

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 09:00:00 +0000

He may be best known for producing the 2018 hit "Crazy Rich Asians," but that film was actually something of an aberration for John Penotti. He's busy building a mini-studio that cranks out local-language films and TV shows in seven countries including Mexico, Indonesia and India, where his upcoming Netflix series "Delhi Crime" could deliver his next global hit.

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The 'R' Word: What Would a Recession Mean for Media Business?

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0000

With many economists predicting a recession could hit the U.S. economy in the coming months, the media business could be in for rough ride. But as S&P Global Markets senior direct Naveen Sarma explains, there's a lot more roiling this sector right now that must be taken into account to understand what the future might bring.T

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Red Bull Practically Invented Branded Entertainment. What's Next?

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 19:29:28 +0000

While known best for its line of energy drinks, Red Bull has been a pioneering force in branded entertainment. But in a rapidly changing media world, Red Bull Media Network CEO Gerrit Meier has evolved the beverage maker's strategy, including an exploration into taking the brand into scripted entertainment.

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A Radical, Community-Based Approach to Independent Production

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 19:38:34 +0000

Radical Media is an independent company that is a stalwart of the New York film and TV production scene. Radical chairman-CEO Jon Kamen discusses how diversification into unscripted series, branded content, experiential entertainment and commercials has been crucial to the company's survival. He also details Radical's unusual "community"-based approach to partnering with filmmakers and other artists.

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Ben Silverman and Howard T. Owens: Building a Startup with Scale

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 09:00:00 +0000

The producers and partners behind Propagate discuss their plan to compete in the global TV market against much larger rivals. After an investment from Raine Group and the acquisition of Electus, 2019 is the year Propagate’s leaders have to bring all the pieces together to grow the company. Owens and Silverman also detail the pitching environment for producers, regrets over “Planet of the Apps” and why they have no desire to return to the ranks of network executives.

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TV Has Been Good to Steve Harvey. Just Not Good Enough.

Tue, 29 Jan 2019 09:00:00 +0000

Though Steve Harvey may be one of the most omnipresent stars on TV across his many shows ("Family Feud," "Little Big Shots," "Showtime at the Apollo," etc.), he is looking to take his career to the next level by doing more than just being a performer. New opportunities range from investments far from the entertainment world to apps, where he has turned a game from his talk show, "Harvey's Hundreds," into a mobile experience.

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How to Make a Deal at Sundance

Tue, 22 Jan 2019 20:28:58 +0000

As the indie film world converges on Park City, Utah, buyers and sellers are getting ready to wrangle at the Sundance Film Festival. In this conversation with Variety’s Brent Lang, Paul Davidson, executive VP of film and television for the Orchard, discusses his approach to dealmaking, why documentaries are all the rage again and how the independent distributor distinguishes itself from the competition.

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CEO Bob Bakish Shares His Game Plan for Keeping Viacom Vital

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 09:00:00 +0000

Though the media world is rapidly consolidating all around Viacom, CEO Bob Bakish believes his company can thrive without a "transformational deal" such as its oft-speculated merger with CBS Corp. He discussed how his turnaround strategy has been playing across Viacom, from the rejuvenation at Paramount Pictures to the focus on "flagship" cable brands like Nickelodeon.

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NBCUniversal's Quest to Shake Up Audience Measurement

Tue, 08 Jan 2019 09:00:00 +0000

NBCUniversal has long been the media world's most vocal proponent for reforming just about everything involved in tracking consumption of its TV shows. Kavita Vazirani, executive VP of insights and measurement, shares the company's game plan for commercials running in optimal environments and ensuring eyeballs are properly counted across all screens.

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How Ellen DeGeneres Translates Her TV Brand to Digital

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 09:00:00 +0000

She may be best known for her daytime TV show, but Ellen DeGeneres also has a sprawling digital presence across social, video and gaming apps. Ellen Digital Ventures is run by Michael Riley, a cable-business veteran who wants to take her brand to the next level as a global force capable of introducing her fans to other talent and new formats from podcasts to augmented reality.

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How Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Duse Invented Celebrity Culture

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 09:00:00 +0000

The new biography “Playing to the Gods: Sarah Bernhardt, Eleonora Duse and the Rivalry That Changed Acting Forever” details how the legendary actors were pioneering female entrepreneurs who instinctively capitalized on their fame and storied rivalry. Author Peter Rader discusses how Bernhardt and Duse helped forget the template for actors as superstars and bucked 19th century norms as women who ruled their own businesses.

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Jeffrey Katzenberg, Meg Whitman Share Their Plan to Shake Up Mobile Media

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 09:00:00 +0000

One's a legend in entertainment, the other in technology. But together Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman plan to bring the best of both worlds to their new venture, Quibi, which will enlist some of Hollywood's top names to produce for an untested format: super-premium short-form entertainment. Quibi's top execs discuss how they plan to hook consumers on a whole new way to consume content on mobile.

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How to Survive Digital Media with Kin Community's Michael Wayne

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 09:00:00 +0000

Michael Wayne is no newbie to the digital content biz, having put his company through numerous pivots over the past decade. Today Kin Community has weathered the storm in the sector by shifting focus to TV stars and putting them in online series that rival the audience levels at cable channels.

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In the Ring With UFC’s Lawrence Epstein

Tue, 27 Nov 2018 09:00:00 +0000

The chief operating officer of UFC talks about a big year ahead for the MMA leader, starting with the kickoff of its broad TV pact with ESPN. He offers a behind-the-scenes look at the sale process that lead to the company’s acquisition by Endeavor, and he explains why the growing number of MMA competitors is good thing for the sport overall.

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Pocket.watch Disrupts Kiddie Toy Biz This Holiday Season

Tue, 20 Nov 2018 09:00:00 +0000

Multibillion-dollar franchises like "SpongeBob SquarePants" used to require traditional media like TV or film as launch pad. But Chris Williams, CEO of the new kid-targeted brand Pocket.watch, is proving with YouTube sensation Ryan's World that the Internet can also be the breeding ground for a consumer-products phenomenon. No wonder he's attracted some big backers from UTA to Robert Downey Jr. to Viacom, which could learn a thing or two from Pocket.watch for figuring out the future of its own kids brand, Nickelodeon.

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David Zaslav: Why Brands and IP Matter More Than Channels

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 09:00:00 +0000

The president-CEO of Discovery Inc. offers a candid assessment of the state of traditional TV in a wide-ranging interview. He talks M&A prospects and gives a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes story of Discovery’s $14 billion acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive. Zaslav also discusses how the management mindset at Discovery changed five years ago thanks to a profound question posted by major shareholder John Malone.

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E!'s Adam Stotsky on Taking Over the People's Choice Awards

Tue, 06 Nov 2018 09:00:00 +0000

After 44 years on CBS, the People's Choice Awards will move over on Nov. 11 to E!, where the network's president, Adam Stotsky, has led a re-imagination of the franchise. It's one of many changes transforming E! under Stotsky's watch, including a return to topical talk shows and more unscripted series in the mold of reigning hit "Keeping Up with the Kardashians."

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How the World's Largest Magazine Company Approaches Video Content

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000

With its acquisition of Time Inc. earlier this year, Meredith Corp. is home to more iconic magazine titles than ever, from People to Better Homes & Gardens. But as the company's president, Jon Werther, explains, he's as focused on translating these publications to video and building out other revenue streams as he is continuing the core print product.

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Why the TV boom makes life harder, not easier, for independent producers

Tue, 23 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000

Assembly Entertainment CEO Christina Wayne discusses the dealmaking challenges that producers face even at a time of incredible demand for TV content. The producer first made her mark as the AMC development executive who championed “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad.” Wayne goes deep into the nitty gritty of selling shows in the current landscape. She also talks about how her range of experience as a buyer and seller inspired the launch of her Television School subscription venture.

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How Joe Biden Helps ATTN: Aim to Be the 'HBO of Mid-Form'

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 08:00:00 +0000

While the nation waits to hear whether former Vice President Joe Biden will join the 2020 presidential race, he's not quietly sitting on the sidelines. He just launched an episodic series on Instagram's new IGTV created by ATTN:, a company devoted to making its "purpose-driven" content entertaining on digital platforms. ATTN co-founder, Matthew Segal, explains how the Biden projects fuels his ambition to make his company the "HBO of mid-form" programming.

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Indie Evolution: Producer Gigi Pritzker on Staying Nimble and Embracing Risk

Tue, 25 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000

Gigi Pritzker, CEO of MWM, details the evolution of her company, formerly OddLot Entertainment, from an indie film production banner to an IP-centric approach embracing TV, digital, VR and AR, live events and theater. Pritzker explains how the seismic shifts in the entertainment marketplace spurred her to focus on stories and franchises that be adapted across multiple mediums.

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Viacom's Kelly Day: Buying AwesomenessTV 'Bargain of a Lifetime'

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 21:46:06 +0000

The digital studio's president gets candid about the acquisitions she's made in her first year on the job, as well as Viacom's efforts to attract young eyeballs to original content across digital platforms.

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John Landgraf on the Future of Television

Tue, 11 Sep 2018 08:00:00 +0000

The FX Networks CEO discusses the strategic rationale behind the union of Disney and 21st Century Fox and the industry’s embrace of direct-to-consumer distribution platforms. He also muses He also muses about how the insatiable global demand for original content has rocked the entertainment industry’s competitive landscape.

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How Far Funny Or Die Has Come From Its Viral-Video Days

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 20:07:23 +0000

It was hysterical short videos like "The Landlord" that made the Funny Or Die brand an overnight household name when it began 11 years ago. But its business has since evolved tremendously, explains CEO Mike Farah, as evidenced by the 20 TV series the company currently has in various stages of production or development, including Hulu's "I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman" and Netflix's "American Vandal."

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Studio71's Reza Izad Gets Real About Digital Video's Challenges

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 08:00:00 +0000

Izad is candid about navigating an ecosystem that has been reeling from one challenge to the next, from the brand safety issues that left marketers skittish to the disappearance of long-form content buyers from the marketplace.

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Navigating Hollywood’s New World Order for Writers

Tue, 21 Aug 2018 08:00:00 +0000

Lowell Peterson, executive director of the Writers Guild of America East, discusses the guild’s growth during a dynamic period for the entertainment industry. Peterson details a busy agenda that includes lobbying for a diversity production tax credit in New York state, organizing among digital media outlets, and negotiating new rules governing the working relationship between talent agents and writers.

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David Nevins: How Streaming Has Changed the Premium TV Game for Showtime

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 08:00:00 +0000

Showtime’s president and CEO talks about new economics of direct-to-consumer streaming and how the transformation of the premium TV business has changed the way Showtime operates. In this wide-ranging conversation, he also offers insights into the origins of Sacha Baron Cohen’s controversial series “Who Is America” and his thoughts on the coming final season of “Homeland.”

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Timur Bekmambetov: Crafting New Filmmaking Tools via Screenlife

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 08:00:00 +0000

The Russian director behind "Night Watch,” “Wanted” and “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" is eagerly promoting a new filmmaking software for what he calls “Screenlife." Bekmambetov explains why he thinks this is a wave of the future. He also offers his thoughts on Russia's media marketplace and the resurgent Cold War between the U.S. and his homeland.

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The New Book 'The Business of Television'

Tue, 31 Jul 2018 08:00:00 +0000

Ken Basin gives an inside look at how Hollywood dealmaking is changing in the peak-TV era, from the exorbitant salary increases top talent has been getting to the growing clout of tech companies doing most of the spending.

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Josh Sapan: Small is Beautiful for AMC Networks

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 08:00:00 +0000

AMC Networks CEO Josh Sapan discusses the company’s transition from a collection of cable channels — AMC, SundanceTV, IFC, WeTV, and BBC America — to a content-focused enterprise that is experimenting with new forms of distribution and expansion overseas. Sapan likes the hand he’s playing even if it has to engage in the arm’s race for talent and it is becoming dwarfed by larger competitors.

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Stephen Curry's Right-Hand Man in Hollywood

Tue, 17 Jul 2018 08:00:00 +0000

How does a basketball legend team up with Sony to translate his brand into TV and film content? He turns to Jeron Smith, a veteran of Nike and the Obama-era White House, who explains how Curry is focusing on family, faith and sports as core themes to their strategy to crack the entertainment marketplace.

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New York Television Festival

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 08:00:00 +0000

The New York Television Festival was ahead of the curve in recognizing the need for independent producers and TV fans to have a forum for celebrating the small screen. On the eve of the festival's 14th edition, founder and CEO Terence Gray talks about its evolution and growth.

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Pluto TV's Tom Ryan on the Power of Free OTT

Tue, 03 Jul 2018 08:00:00 +0000

The crowded competitive set of streaming services hasn't kept Pluto TV from growing its audience quickly. CEO Tom Ryan explains how his game plan has gotten Pluto TV this far, and what lies ahead for his company.

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Inside Dawn Ostroff's Last Days at Conde Nast Entertainment

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 08:00:00 +0000

Dawn Ostroff reflects on seven years of working to bring the magazine giant's marquee brands into the digital age.

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Byron Allen: A Born Entrepreneur Fights for ‘Economic Inclusion’

Tue, 19 Jun 2018 08:00:00 +0000

Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios, founded in 1993 in Allen’s living room, has grown rapidly during the past decade, expanding into cable programming and film distribution. Allen offers an inside look at his recent $300 million acquisition of the Weather Channel, and he discusses his provocative legal strategy to fight for “economic inclusion” for persons of color.

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Ep11 - Tyra Banks: How she became a boss in Hollywood and built her brand on her own terms.

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 08:00:00 +0000

Supermodel-turned-entrepreneur Tyra Banks discusses her path from modeling in the early 1990s to becoming one of the new breed of media mavens who are a brand unto themselves. Banks recalls the early life lessons from her mother about embracing her strengths -- and a "booty" that didn't conform to catwalk standards -- and gave her the confidence to shift from modeling to expanding her horizons as a TV host, producer, entrepreneur, author, college professor, and more.

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Ep10 - Raze Wants to Be the Next Univision

Tue, 05 Jun 2018 08:00:00 +0000

Spanish-language TV giants Univision and Telemundo aren't meeting the programming needs of young Latino audiences, says Raze CEO Emiliano Calemzuk, which opens up a huge opportunity for his company. One year into the relaunch of the venture, Calemzuk looks back on how Raze has managed to make progress selling scripted series into Netflix and TNT while moving aggressively to establish his brand both in the U.S. and Latin America.

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Ep8 - Colin Callender: Turning the world into his Playground

Tue, 22 May 2018 21:52:15 +0000

Producer Colin Callender is known for his excellent taste and strong relationship with stars, but he's also been an innovator in the financing and distribution of international co-productions. After more than 20 years with HBO, Callender launched Playground in 2012. The company has a big presence in TV this year with the adaptations of “Howard’s End” for Starz and the BBC, “King Lear” for the BBC and Amazon, and “Little Women” for the BBC and PBS. Here he discusses the ins and outs of international co-productions and his work in theater, which includes Broadway smash “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”

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Ep7 - Group Nine's Ben Lerer on Breeding New Media Brands

Tue, 15 May 2018 23:50:09 +0000

The founder of Group Nine, a portfolio of digital brands including Thrillist, NowThis and Seeker, reflects on his company's first year with the backing of Discovery Communications. While he feels he's bringing the best of traditional and new media together, Lerer is still finding his way as he contends with the challenges of dealing with powerful platforms like Facebook and producing his venture's first TV shows.

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Ep6 - HBO CEO Richard Plepler on Winning the Streaming Wars

Tue, 08 May 2018 08:00:00 +0000

HBO's top executive gets candid about what it takes to hold his own against fast-growing streaming services like Netflix and Amazon as he navigates one of the fiercest competitive environments in his company's 45-year history. He also discusses what the future has in store for top hits including "Game of Thrones" and "Big Little Lies."

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Ep5 - Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz: Building SMAC Entertainment from the ground up.

Tue, 01 May 2018 08:00:00 +0000

Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz are business partners in the production and management company SMAC Entertainment. Michael is all over TV these days as the co-anchor of “Good Morning America,” as a football analyst for Fox, and as host of ABC’s “$100,000 Pyramid.” Behind the scenes, Michael and Constance develop and produce a wide range of content, and SMAC is the management home to talent ranging from Wiz Khalifa to Erin Andrews to Deion Sanders. Here the two talk about the steady growth of SMAC, where the company motto is: “Hustle like you’re broke.”

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Ep4 - CNBC's David Faber on Covering Media and Moguls

Tue, 24 Apr 2018 08:00:00 +0000

The veteran business reporter who broke the news of Disney's courtship of 21st Century Fox talks about the state of media M&A, the growing threat posed by tech giants to traditional Hollywood, and his take on what happens next at CBS and Viacom.

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Ep3 - The Heroine Behind Marvel's Marketing Super Powers

Tue, 17 Apr 2018 08:00:00 +0000

A key piece of the massive marketing machinery behind Marvel blockbusters like "Avengers: Infinity War" and "Black Panther" are the partnerships struck with consumer brands as varied as American Airlines and Lexus to help get the word out. Mindy Hamilton, senior VP of global partnerships and marketing at Marvel, discusses how she puts the 'art' in partnerships.

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Ep2 - ICM Partners’ Esther Newberg: How the Book Biz Intersects with Hollywood

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 08:00:00 +0000

The longtime book publishing agent discusses the state of the book business, the increasing importance of film and TV licensing, the mysteries of working the Amazon, and how she shopped passion projects for everyone from Prince to Bob Iger to Tom Hanks.

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Ep1 - Kevin Hart Interview: The Making of a Mogul

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 02:14:47 +0000

Actor-comedian Kevin Hart looks beyond his movie career in an interview that explores his ambitions to follow in the footsteps of Jay Z and Ellen DeGeneres by making the transition from talent for hire to owner of a growing empire of media properties like digital content venture Laugh Out Loud and production company HartBeat.

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