Strictly Business

Gamefam founder Joe Ferencz breaks down the metaverse game developer and publisher's strategy for harnessing and monetizing popular IPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 SummitSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amblin TV chiefs Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey detail why Steven Spielberg‘s television company decided to move aggressively into documentary and unscripted programming.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thanks in large part to top seller Bad Bunny, Latin music sawexplosive growth in 2022, exceeding $1 billion in U.S. revenues forthe first time, and up nearly 25% from 2021. Amazon Music is on asimilar path as it relates to Latin music and its many subgenres.Leading the charge: Rocío Guerrero, a veteran of Spotify and WarnerMusic Group whose role as Amazon’s Global Head of Latin Music runsacross multiple digital and physical offerings at the retail giant.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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."  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.'See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.” Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachel Ghiazza, Audible's U.S. head of content, discusses content strategy amid podcast competition on Variety's Strictly Business podcast. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.”   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.” Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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—." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.” Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.   Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.” Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dawn Ostroff reflects on seven years of working to bring the magazine giant's marquee brands into the digital age. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.” Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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." Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.” Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.