Strictly Business

Marco Bassetti, CEO of Banijay and brains behind hits like MasterChef, discusses navigating the production landscape at Mipcom. He shares insights on Banijay's focus on profits, the complexities of integrating Endemol Shine during COVID, and the strategic importance of retaining IP for negotiation leverage. Bassetti also tackles the challenges of launching new original content in today's market, Banijay's cautious steps into film production, and their exciting foray into the creator economy with new initiatives.

Celebrate Johnny Carson's centennial as his transformation from a local TV host to a national icon unfolds. Discover the beginnings of his career, including his early show and initial coverage by Variety. Delve into his sharp political humor and critiques of American television. Unearth the fierce competition for The Tonight Show and the behind-the-scenes contract negotiations. Finally, relive the poignant moments of his farewell, marked by tributes from star-studded guests. A nostalgic look at a legendary figure.

Brent Lang, an entertainment reporter for Variety specializing in film festivals, shares insights on the future of the Sundance Film Festival as it prepares for its last hurrah in Park City before relocating to Boulder in 2027. He discusses the festival's evolving mission amid the streaming boom, venue changes, and the financial motivations behind the move. Additionally, the conversation explores the rising trend of adapting vintage board games like Monopoly and Catan into TV shows, highlighting creative strategies for successful adaptations.

Rebecca Rubin, Senior Film and Media Reporter at Variety, dives into the success of 'Black Phone 2' and its role in horror's record-breaking box office, reaching $1.2 billion in 2025. She discusses Blumhouse's strong track record in profitable horror franchises and analyzes the genre's significant contribution to year-to-date earnings. Additionally, Todd Spangler provides insights into Q3 earnings predictions for major players like Netflix and Disney, highlighting shifts in subscriber focus and the evolving landscape of streaming services.

Jack Buser, Director of game industry solutions at Google Cloud, shares insights from his extensive background in gaming, including roles at PlayStation and as a Stadia founder. He discusses how AI is transforming the gaming landscape, enhancing development speed, and creating new gameplay experiences. Jack reflects on lessons learned from Stadia and Google Cloud's vision of 'living games' that continuously evolve. Additionally, he reveals his favorite current games and his excitement for AI-driven projects like Seed.

Investigative entertainment reporter Gene Maddaus explores the testing of AI script-coverage tools versus human analysts, revealing AI's strengths in summarizing but weaknesses in capturing nuance. He discusses industry concerns about AI's potential to overlook hidden gems and highlights the role of the Editors Guild. In a lively roundtable on MIPCOM, international veterans share insights on YouTube’s presence and the rise of microdramas, emphasizing the evolving landscape of content and collaboration in the creative sector.

Kate Aurthur, a Variety editor known for her in-depth coverage of 'Stranger Things,' shares fascinating insights into the show's final season and the creative dynamic of its creators, Matt and Ross Duffer. She reveals their unique twin relationship and collaborative process, which has shaped the series. The conversation also touches on the Duffers' future plans with Paramount and how 'Stranger Things' has transformed streaming culture. Plus, French YouTuber Inoxtag discusses his cinematic inspirations and the challenges of balancing social media with news consumption.

Amidst the buzz at Mipcom, insights emerge on how Mattel is transforming beloved toys into cinematic experiences, highlighted by Robbie Brenner's ambitious plans. The success of Barbie raises the stakes for Mattel's future projects. Meanwhile, Marco Bassetti of Banijay discusses the critical Endemol Shine acquisition for scaling operations and controlling IP. The rising influence of Asian content at Mipcom showcases a dynamic shift in the global entertainment landscape, while the optimism among European companies signals new opportunities.

On today’s episode, Variety's Brent Lang unpacks disappointing opening weekends for “Tron: Ares,” “Roofman” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” And international editor Elsa Keslassy reports on the buzz by the sea in Cannes as the annual Mipcom content market begins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anne Sweeney, former co-chair of Disney Media Networks, reminisces about her pivotal role in the groundbreaking Disney-Apple deal that reshaped media. She discusses the industry's landscape in 2005, full of challenges and skepticism. Sweeney reveals insights from her initial discussions with Steve Jobs, his impactful demo, and the deal's complexities. She highlights how this partnership revolutionized consumer access to digital content, curbing piracy and paving the way for future tech collaborations, while also reflecting on lessons learned from negotiating with the visionary Jobs.