The Media Machine Stuart Snyder on Building a Billion-Dollar Network: From Rick and Morty to WWE
In the season one finale of The Media Machine, Johanna Salazar sits down with veteran media executive Stuart Snyder, former President of Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang, and WWE. Together, they unpack decades of creative risk, cultural influence, and business reinvention across television, streaming, live events, and Broadway.
Snyder shares what it took to greenlight shows like Rick and Morty, Adventure Time, and Steven Universe, and how creative instinct, timing, and team culture fueled Cartoon Network’s rise into a billion-dollar powerhouse. He opens up about leading the WCW-to-WWE acquisition, championing The Clone Wars, and why live entertainment continues to be a timeless force.
The conversation also touches on Stuart’s current ventures - from producing Broadway hits like Hell’s Kitchen, Suffs, and Water for Elephants, to owning the beloved Beal’s Lobster Pier in Maine - and what he sees next for content, culture, and connection in a post-cable world.
In this episode we discuss:
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How Rick and Morty was greenlit
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The mindset behind billion-dollar leadership
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What it takes to sustain a hit
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The future of unscripted, live events, and streaming
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Why he still bets on live experiences
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Reinventing across industries, from network president to Broadway producer
SHOWS NOTES
00:00 The Importance of Creative Team Excitement
00:52 Introduction to Stuart Snyder
02:16 Stuart's Diverse Career Path
04:40 The Beal's Lobster Pier Story
08:12 Creative Instincts and Spotting Potential
11:33 Scaling Businesses in the Media Industry
14:40 Challenges in Today's Media Landscape
17:29 Industry Consolidation and Future Trends
21:06 Exploring New Ventures in Sports
22:39 Content Acquisition Strategies
24:27 The Clone Wars Acquisition
27:04 Wrestling Acquisition and WCW
32:31 Live Entertainment Evolution
35:37 Broadway Ventures
39:58 Future Projects and Personal Insights
41:28 Conclusion and Contact Information
CREDITS
The Media Machine is hosted by Johanna Salazar. Our producers are Johanna Salazar and Mia Vinciguerra.This episode was edited by Adriana Saravia. Our show art was designed by Gabriel Pareja. This episode features music, graphics and visuals from Envato Elements.
WEBSITE LINK
https://mediamachinepodcast.com
SOCIALS LINKS
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Facebook: @themediamachinepodcast
PODCAST LINKS
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-media-machine/id1805996037
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/66NrkMVorc47Ov6qDsvfwn
Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d9671a97-b026-45a5-8cf0-1e389f052b9e/the-media-machine
YOUTUBE
ABOUT THE PODCAST
This is The Media Machine - where media, business and innovation intersect. Host Johanna Salazar will explore the future of content, technology, and entertainment through the lens of four key pillars - process, profits, people and planet. Through insightful conversations with visionaries, disruptors, and pioneers, The Media Machine unpacks the challenges and opportunities shaping the next era of media.
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