Strictly Business

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.

Gene Maddaus, Senior Media Writer at Variety, dives into the pressing issues of Hollywood's upcoming union negotiations. He highlights AI's rising threat to actors, especially with concerns over deepfakes and compensation for existing content. Maddaus also discusses the challenges of streaming residuals and how studio consolidations affect bargaining power. Health benefits emerge as a focal point, with urgent changes urged by unions. As negotiations approach, the dynamics within AMPTP's leadership and their impact on industry standards are critically examined.

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.

Rebecca Rubin, Senior Film and Media Reporter at Variety, dives into the weekend box office, celebrating the successful debuts of Paramount’s "Primate" and Neon’s "No Other Choice." She discusses the patterns of weekday versus weekend attendance and how marketing can influence box office results. With insights on the awards buzz surrounding various films and the implications for upcoming releases, Rubin offers a comprehensive look at the current state of the film industry, along with a sneak peek at thrilling January titles.

In this session, Dan McDermott, head of programming for AMC Networks, discusses the vision behind the dramedy The Audacity. Billy Magnussen shares his journey in preparing to play a tech CEO, revealing the character's depth and the show's exploration of modern themes. They emphasize the importance of relatable storytelling over tech glamor. The podcast also highlights Roku founder Anthony Wood's insights on streaming evolution and the significance of their new ad-free service, Howdy, which aims to bridge gaps in content accessibility.

Dive into a captivating profile of Jodie Foster, exploring her complex relationship with her mother and the artistic influence it had on her career. Discover why she took a decade-long break from acting to safeguard her creativity. Hear about her thoughtful comeback in the film A Private Life and the enigmatic nature of her 2013 Golden Globes speech. Plus, Sarah Jessica Parker hints at future possibilities for Sex and the City, all while celebrating the achievements of remarkable actresses like Parker and Helen Mirren at the Golden Globes.

Jacob Soboroff, NBC News correspondent and author of "Firestorm: The Great Los Angeles Fires and America’s New Age of Disaster," dives into the chaotic world of misinformation during the 2025 L.A. firestorm. He discusses how disinformation muddled evacuation efforts and hindered recovery. Jacob reflects on the political tensions that emerged among leaders like Newsom and Biden as the fires raged. He also examines the struggles of the entertainment industry, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and the personal toll of loss amidst such disasters.

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.