In today’s episode, host Cynthia Littleton and Variety business editor Todd Spangler compare notes on Paramount Skydance and the vibes and vision shared by CEO David Ellison and his new regime at media Q&A sessions in New York and L.A. And Jenelle Riley, deputy awards and features editor, explains how Variety selected this year’s 10 Storytellers to Watch honorees. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 14, 2025•16 min•Ep. 20
In today’s episode, Variety chief awards editor Clayton Davis unpacks his interview with “Severance” star Tramell Tillman in our Cover Story segment. Marc Malkin dishes with Bob Odenkirk and Sharon Stone on the “Nobody 2” Red Carpet. And host Cynthia Littleton offers a tutorial on Variety slanguage superlatives boffo, whammo and socko. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 13, 2025•15 min•Ep. 19
In today’s episode, Jennifer Maas, Variety’s senior business writer for TV and gaming, discusses the debate in gaming over the pricing of premium titles, as well as the anticipation building for next year’s release of “Grand Theft Auto 6”; Emily Longeretta, senior TV features editor, details how Variety assembles its annual baker’s dozen Emmy Extra Edition issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 12, 2025•15 min•Ep. 18
On today’s episode Variety executive editor Brent Lang explains why the strong opening for “Weapons” and “Freakier Friday” are a good sign that mid-budget movies can still be superhero counter-programming at the box office. And Variety international veteran John Hopewell weighs in from Locarno on why mid-sized European film festivals are more important to the industry and movie marketing than ever before. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Aug 11, 2025•19 min•Ep. 17
The founder and CEO of Acceleration Community of Companies explains the vision behind the collection of marketing, communications, branding and live event firms that he has acquired since 2018. Nyman offers insights into how the media consumption habits of Gen Z and Gen Alpha will radically change the shape of entertainment in the coming years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 08, 2025•21 min•Ep. 380
A special Paramount-themed episode as Skydance Media completes its $8 billion takeover after a yearlong battle to acquire the storied studio. Hollywood historian Jeanine Basinger, Variety chief film critics Peter Debruge and Owen Gleiberman and MoffettNathanson analyst Robert Fishman join host Cynthia Littleton to examine the pioneering film factory’s past, present and future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 07, 2025•28 min•Ep. 16
In today's episode, Ramin Setoodeh, Variety's co-Editor in Chief, breaks down the Power of Young Hollywood Issue and why Tyla, Sam Nivola and Finn Wolfhard are this year's honorees. And Gene Maddaus, Variety's senior media reporter, details the WGA West's upcoming election and the priorities that are emerging for the guild's 2026 contract talks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 06, 2025•18 min•Ep. 15
In today's episode, Eva Longoria previews her FX sports-docu series "Necaxa," and she discusses Hyphenate Media Group content venture with business partner Cris Abrego. Joe Otterson, Variety's TV news editor, weighs in on the return of Hank and Peggy Hill et al as Hulu revives "King of the Hill" for a new era in America. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 05, 2025•14 min•Ep. 14
In today's episode, Rebecca Rubin analyzes week 2 of "Fantastic Four: First Steps" and three new wide releases: "Bad Guys 2," "The Naked Gun" and "Together." Host Cynthia Littleton journeys deep into K-pop fandom at the KCON festival, and TV critic Aramide Tinubu explains why she's so high on Jason Momoa's new drama "Chief of War." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 04, 2025•20 min•Ep. 13
Luminate Intelligence analyst Rob Steiner shares insights from Luminate's newly released special report on the state of the music business as growth slows for Spotify and other leading DSPs in developed markets, the concert scene cools off a bit and AI begins to make its impact. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 01, 2025•31 min•Ep. 379
In today’s episode, Tatiana Siegel, Variety’s executive editor of film and media, details her interview with actor Dean Cain, who bucks the trends in Hollywood in more ways the one. And Brian Steinberg, senior TV editor, gives detail on upfront ad sales as Disney, NBCUniversal and Fox call it a wrap on advance advertising commitments for the coming season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 31, 2025•16 min•Ep. 12
Today's Cover Story segment features Variety's Angelique Jackson, senior entertainment writer, telling all about her experience interviewing Harrison Ford about the sweep of his career as he celebrates his first-ever Emmy nomination, for Apple TV+ comedy "Shrinking." Todd Spangler, business editor, also analyzes the latest moves in the cable TV divorces pending at NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Discovery. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jul 30, 2025•18 min•Ep. 11
In today's episode, Brent Lang, Variety's executive editor, analyzes the recent executive moves and Sony Pictures and Paramount, and he discusses the mood in the broader film business amid encouraging signs from the summer box office. And host Cynthia Littleton offers a tutorial on Variety's famous "slanguage," starting with "tubthump." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 29, 2025•14 min•Ep. 10
Marvel gets off on the good foot with the opening weekend of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Michael Schneider breaks down four days of Comic Con that had more cosplay and less big Hollywood news than in recent years. He explains why. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 28, 2025•19 min•Ep. 9
The General Manager of the Americas at CTV advertising company Wurl breaks down the new challenges and opportunities facing the streaming ad business, from YouTube’s growing dominance to Prime Video’s impact on the marketplace. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 25, 2025•29 min•Ep. 378
In today's episode, Todd Spangler, Variety business editor, breaks down Skydance's deal pledges to the FCC as it seeks to close the Paramount Global deal. And music chief Jem Aswad explains why UnitedMasters founder Steve Stoute was the choice for Variety's Music Mogul of the Year honor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 24, 2025•13 min•Ep. 8
Daniel D'Addario, Variety chief correspondent, details his reporting on FX's massive bet on the sci-fi series "Alien: Earth," tapping into the franchise launched with the 1979 Ridley Scott film "Alien." Adam B. Vary, senior entertainment writer, offers a curtain-raiser on what to expect — and what not to expect — at San Diego Comic Con this year. He also discusses Marvel chief Kevin Feige's mea culpa to fans for getting overextended with movies and TV series. See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...
Jul 23, 2025•20 min•Ep. 7
Nick Vivarelli, Variety's Rome-based correspondent, and international editor Elsa Keslassy break down the significance of the Venice Film Festival lineup highlighted by Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" and A24's "The Smashing Machine" starring Dwayne Johnson. The pair discuss the increased competition for Hollywood awards contenders between Venice and the Cannes Film Festival as distributors seek to reach international voters. And they reflect on Venice Film Festival chief Alberto Barbera's w...
Jul 22, 2025•12 min•Ep. 6
Naman Ramachandran gives a report on the biggest rom-com to hit Bollywood in years, "Saiyaara," and how its performance reflects India's changing movie market. Rebecca Rubin details "Superman's" week 2 performance at the box office. And Brian Steinberg discusses the fallout from CBS' decision to ax "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" after next season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 21, 2025•20 min•Ep. 5
Alex Morgan, the recently retired soccer superstar, and her business partner Dan Levy discuss Morgan's recent moves as a partner in the women's sports brand Togethxr and other endeavors. Morgan explains that she wants to help other athletes build wealth and navigate career transitions in a conversation recording during Variety's annual Sports and Entertainment Breakfast, held July 17 in West Hollywood. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jul 18, 2025•26 min•Ep. 377
Today's episode features a rundown of the ESPYs and ESPN chief Jimmy Pitaro on how the Worldwide Leader is pitching its upcoming streaming app as a big evolution for sports. And Variety's Jazz Tangcay and Carole Horst discuss their deep dive into Walt Disney Imagineering and its work in Disney parks as Disneyland marks its 70th anniversary. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 17, 2025•16 min•Ep. 4
Senior business writer Jennifer Maas discusses what to expect from Netflix’s second quarter earnings report on Thursday. Business editor Todd Spangler details the “frog boiling in water” factor in his cover story on President Trump’s aggressive attacks on news media and First Amendment protections. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 16, 2025•15 min•Ep. 3
Variety's Michael Schneider and Clayton Davis discuss the surprises and the final tallies for the 77th annual Emmy Award nominations. Owen Gleiberman, Variety's chief film critic, revisits Robert Altman's "Nashville" on its 50th anniversary and recalls how the movie changed his life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 15, 2025•21 min•Ep. 2
Variety previews "Daily Variety," a new podcast featuring conversations with Variety journalists and guests about news, personalities and trends making headlines in the entertainment industry. It's hosted by Cynthia Littleton, co-editor in chief of Variety and host of Variety's "Strictly Business" podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 14, 2025•16 min•Ep. 1
ESPN on-air analyst for both men and women's pro and collegiate hoops discusses the current state of NBA and WNBA as media properties, as well as her new Disney Plus show "Vibe Check" and her recent foray into scripted series production for Peacock. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 09, 2025•32 min•Ep. 376
On a bonus episode of Variety's Strictly Business podcast, Variety reporter Ethan Shanfeld describes the scene and the reaction after Sean Combs was acquitted on the most serious charges in his federal sex trafficking, racketeering and prostitution case that has made headlines for the past two months. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 02, 2025•14 min•Ep. 375
The financing of film and TV production has changed dramatically compared with how it was in previous decades. And no one knows that better than Daisy Stall, EVP & group head of entertainment finance at California Bank & Trust. Drawing on three decades of experience in this area , she outlines how traditional funding models have been disrupted by streaming services and broader changes in content consumption. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jul 02, 2025•24 min•Ep. 374
The newly appointed leader of one of Hollywood’s largest talent agencies sketches out his vision of the fast-changing entertainment landscape and what it means for the talent represented by his firm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 27, 2025•21 min•Ep. 373
Scopely's senior vice president of publishing Eric Wood breaks down how the mobile gaming company has reached staggering success with "Monopoly Go" and plans for new acquisition "Pokemon Go." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 25, 2025•31 min•Ep. 372
Variety hosts a conversation during the Cannes Lions festival with Michelle McGuire, principle and chief commercial officer of Converge by Deloitte, and Ruba Borno, VP, global specialists and partners for Amazon’s AWS. The two discuss how their companies are harnessing AI tools and data analytics to guide sports marketing expenditures for blue-chip brands. The pair reflect on how their experiences working together underscore that even the biggest corporate players need partners to help drive the...
Jun 23, 2025•36 min•Ep. 371
