Strictly Business

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A message from "Daily Variety" host Cynthia Littleton about the episode for Monday, January 26.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On today’s episode, Variety’s Jazz Tangcay explains why the 98th annual Academy Awards may well mark a breakthrough moment for female cinematographers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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