Channels with Peter Kafka Kevin Reilly got to the top of the TV heap. Now he's in AI.
10 snips
Nov 19, 2025 Kevin Reilly, a veteran TV executive with a storied career across networks like HBO Max and FX, now leads the AI company Cartel. He discusses his experiences championing groundbreaking shows and reflects on why the TV industry failed to adapt to streaming's rise. Reilly critiques legacy media's distractions and missed opportunities, emphasizing the importance of balancing creativity with commercial pressure. He shares insights on Cartel's unique approach to AI in managing creative workflows and addresses creatives' concerns about the future of their roles in an AI-driven landscape.
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How The Sopranos Found Its Home
- Kevin Reilly recounts developing The Sopranos script for Fox before it landed at HBO and became a cultural icon.
- He emphasizes serendipity and championing distinctive creators early in a show's life.
Cable Freed TV From Old Rules
- Reilly links TV's creative leap to cable freeing shows from old broadcast rules like 'the good guy always wins.'
- He credits FX-era risks for enabling darker, risk-taking series that reshaped prestige TV.
Streaming Became Real When Money Followed
- Reilly says executives widely underestimated Netflix until it funded premium originals at scale.
- He realized original streaming marked a real existential threat once services adopted HBO's 'money cannon' approach.
