Channels with Peter Kafka

HBO boss Casey Bloys on the strikes, the bundle and AI

Sep 28, 2023

HBO and HBO Max Content boss Casey Bloys discusses the impact of recent strikes, TV's attempt to re-bundle the bundle, and the benefits of HBO shows on Netflix. He also shares his dislike for AI TV shows and clarifies the difference between HBO and Max shows.

29:18

Episode guests

Casey Bloys

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Key creators like writers and directors need to feel they've gotten a good deal in order to produce quality shows.

HBO/Max content boss Casey Bloys is not a fan of AI-written TV shows and believes in the importance of human creativity in creating high-end scripted drama and documentaries.

Deep dives

The Importance of Maintaining a Strong Writer-Actor Relationship

In this podcast episode, Peter Kafka interviews HBO/Max content boss Casey Bloys about the recent writer and possible actor strikes. Bloys emphasizes the importance of having the key creators like writers and directors available to promote their work. He wants everyone involved in the production to feel that they've gotten a good deal and are ready to get back to work. While the deals might lead to higher costs, Bloys doesn't believe it will affect the kinds of shows they make, as ultimately, a good show is a good show.

Introduction

2min

The Resolution of the Writer Strike and Negotiations with the Screen Actors Guild

13min

Differentiating HBO, Cable Bundles, Sponsor Ads, and Netflix's Adoption of HBO Shows

2min

HBO's Approach to Putting Shows on Other Platforms

6min

The Decision to Add a Naked Dating Show to the Programming Lineup

2min

Clarifying the Difference Between HBO and Max Shows

5min

The Hollywood writers’ strike is over and there’s hope the actors guild and studios will also settle their differences soon. So people like HBO and HBO Max Content boss Casey Bloys (@caseybloys) may be able to start making shows again shortly. But how will new deals affect what he makes… and what he doesn’t make? Bloys talks to Peter Kafka about that and much more: TV’s attempt to re-bundle the bundle, why “Max” makes sense as a brand (and as a container for HBO), why HBO shows on Netflix help HBO and what he thinks of AI TV shows. Spoiler! He’s not a fan. Recorded live at the 2023 Code Conference in Laguna Niguel, Calif.

Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode

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Channels with Peter Kafka

HBO boss Casey Bloys on the strikes, the bundle and AI

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Importance of Maintaining a Strong Writer-Actor Relationship

The Role of AI in TV Production

The Evolution of Streaming and Bundling in the Entertainment Industry

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts