Ankler Agenda

Elaine Low introduces a dynamic new format that dives into Hollywood's latest trends and the evolving creator economy. Co-hosts Sean McNulty, Natalie Jarvey, and Richard Rushfield join her to analyze the headlines shaping entertainment. Expect expert insights and lively discussions about creativity and culture. With new content on YouTube every Thursday, this podcast is your backstage pass to the business of showbiz!

Join entertainment reporter Natalie Jarvey as she dissects the implications of Warner Bros. Discovery putting itself up for sale. Natalie dives into which potential buyers could reshape Hollywood, suggesting a Paramount merger might finally rival Netflix. The hosts also explore the strategic fallout of a sale, touching on whether consolidation is the industry’s future or a recipe for disaster. From tech giants to piecemeal asset sales, the conversation heats up as they draft coveted assets like HBO and DC Comics, pondering the fate of a storied studio.

A show filmed in real time, airing almost daily, and pulling in billions of viewing minutes a week? Prestige TV could never. But Love Island USA and other reality juggernauts are proving America is enamored again with the once declining genre. Elaine Low, Natalie Jarvey and Sean McNulty break down the market forces leading to this TV plot twist worthy of The Traitors: the genres working, what Netflix has to do with it and why it’s thriving when scripted isn’t. Plus: Ankler writer Matthew Frank joins to preview Crowd Pleaser, our upcoming Letterboxd collaboration, and his ambitious plan to visit more than 50 movie theaters across the country in just two weeks. And Elaine and Natalie unpack what SAG-AFTRA’s new microdrama contract could mean for the booming world of vertical video. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lesley Goldberg, a TV reporter and Ankler colleague, joins to share her insights on the most influential showrunners shaping today's television landscape. She reveals how industry execs and agents helped curate the ranking and discusses surprising omissions. The group also digs into the increasing adoption of GPT-5 by writers and producers, contemplating its potential to reshape creative roles and how guilds prepare for the evolving landscape of AI-generated content. Their analysis highlights the balance between market influence and traditional creative storytelling.

The hosts dive into the impact of Trump's proposed tariffs on foreign films and the blurry definition of what constitutes 'Made in America.' They discuss how Gen Z discovers content differently, favoring clips and streaming over traditional schedules. Taylor Swift's box-office showdown with Hollywood heavyweights highlights generational blind spots in audience engagement. The conversation also touches on how clip channels fuel discovery and how delayed viewing shapes audience ratings, reshaping the entertainment landscape.

Richard Rushfield, an entertainment insider and founder of The Ankler, and Sean McNulty, a media business analyst, delve deep into the six days that turned Disney and late-night TV upside down. They discuss Jimmy Kimmel's controversial return and the implications for free speech amid FCC threats. The duo analyzes political pressures from figures like Trump and their impact on affiliate deals. They explore Disney's internal decision-making and how these events might reshape talent relationships and Kimmel's future at ABC.

In this engaging discussion, Natalie Jarvey shares insights on the reactions from political creators following Jimmy Kimmel's suspension, while Sean McNulty breaks down the ramifications of Nexstar and Sinclair's decisions to pull the show. Lesley Goldberg offers an insider's view of Disney's internal discussions and the regulatory pressures at play, and Katie Rich highlights the historical precedents and potential impacts on Hollywood culture. These perspectives shed light on the evolving landscape of entertainment amidst controversy.

Explore the explosive rise of microdramas, those 60-second soap operas capturing Gen Z's attention. Hear discussions about the competition between streaming giants and the new vertical drama market growing in China. Could these bite-sized stories be the next big thing or just another Quibi? Plus, Richard Rushfield's delightful updates from TIFF paint a picture of the festival’s relaxed vibes, with insights into the best films and a memorable Sydney Sweeney selfie. The future of entertainment is unfolding!

Katie Rich, the Awards editor at The Ankler and a self-proclaimed Prestige Junkie, dives into the fascinating world of film festivals. She shares insights from Venice to New York, discussing how these events shape box office trends and influence Oscars. The crew humorously examines a disappointing summer box office and speculates on the potential saviors of 2026 films. With a spotlight on original songs in movies and the growing significance of betting markets for awards predictions, it’s a captivating analysis of cinema's future.

And here you thought Hollywood might coast into Labor Day. Instead, summer’s final days delivered both the inevitable — Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement — and the unexpected: Netflix OG veteran Peter Friedlander’s exit after 14 years. Elaine Low, Natalie Jarvey and Sean McNulty break down the business stakes of both before running through the five biggest stories of the summer you need to know into the fall, from the ongoing rise of microdramas to Paramount’s high-stakes reboot with Cindy Holland, to Gen X as Hollywood’s Rodney Dangerfield generation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices