

Strictly Business
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Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 8, 2025 • 21min
Accelerate the Positive: How Michael Nyman is Building a New Breed of Marketing and Communication Firms
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 7, 2025 • 28min
Daily Variety – A Deep Look at Paramount Pictures: What’s Next for the House that Adolph Zukor Built and David Ellison Just Bought
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 6, 2025 • 18min
Daily Variety -- COVER STORY: Inside the Power of Young Hollywood Issue; WGA 2026 Contract Priorities Take Shape
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 5, 2025 • 14min
Daily Variety -- Eva Longoria on 'Necaxa' and Building Hyphenate Media Group; Hello Hank and Peggy, 'King of the Hill' is Back
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 4, 2025 • 20min
Daily Variety -- Box Office: 'The Fantastic Four' Stumbles; KCON Lights Up K-Pop Fandom; Jason Momoa Triumphs in 'Chief of War'
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.

12 snips
Aug 1, 2025 • 31min
The Key Changes Rocking the Music Industry in 2025
Rob Steiner, an analyst at Luminate Intelligence and author of a pivotal report on the music industry, dives into the future of music in 2025. He discusses the slow growth of major streaming platforms and the cooling concert scene. Steiner highlights the increasing tensions between major and indie labels, while exploring AI's rise and its potential to disrupt traditional roles in music. The conversation sheds light on the challenges new artists face, heightened ticket prices, and evolving dynamics that could reshape how fans engage with music.

Jul 31, 2025 • 16min
Daily Variety — Tatiana Siegel Sits Down With Trump-Loving Superman Alum Dean Cain; Sports Fuels Upfront Sales as Disney, NBCU and Fox Wrap the Haggle
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 30, 2025 • 18min
Daily Variety — Harrison Ford Speaks! Behind the Scenes of Variety's Cover Story With the Industry Legend
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 29, 2025 • 14min
Daily Variety — Unpacking the Sony Pictures Shakeup as Josh Greenstein Heads to Paramount; Tubthumping and a Tutorial on Variety Slanguage
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 28, 2025 • 19min
Daily Variety — Box Office: Good First Steps for ‘Fantastic Four’; Cosplay Soars at Quieter Comic Con
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.