Strictly Business
'Grand Theft Auto' Veteran Dan Houser Builds Absurd Ventures to Create Expansive Transmedia Worlds
Dan Houser, co-founder and former head writer of Rockstar Games, details his vision for building a new kind of media company rooted in transmedia storytelling across games, TV, film and audio fiction. Houser is the mastermind of the original "GTA" and "Red Dead Redemption" gaming franchises.
27:53
Variety's Business of Broadway: Producer Sue Frost on Birthing Original Musicals: 'Somebody's Got to Do It'
On today's episode, as part of Variety's annual Business of Broadway celebration, veteran stage producer Sue Frost discusses her work in bringing original musicals to life, including such acclaimed Broadway productions as "Memphis" and "Come From Away." Frost, who is also chair-elect of the Broadwa…
18:09
The Delicate Art of Releasing a Hit Streaming Series
On today's episode, Andrew Wallenstein, chief insights officer of Variety's data and analytics sibling Luminate, and analyst Tyler Aquilina discuss how long gaps between seasons take a toll on original streaming series viewership. The two break down the findings in the latest Luminate report, "Rele…
24:34
Who Won, Who Lost and What’s Next Now That Paramount Has Settled the Antitrust Lawsuit With 12 States
On today’s “Strictly Business Daily,” Variety’s Matt Donnelly, Gene Maddaus and Todd Spangler break down the news of Paramount’s settlement of the antitrust lawsuit filed by California and 11 other states. The agreement puts Paramount on a glide path to close its hard-fought acquisition of Warner B…
20:16
The Future of Media Buying: Turning Buzz into Business With WPP Media’s Nancy Hall and Audible’s Tom McKenna
On today’s episode, host Cynthia Littleton and Corbin Bolies, Variety's AI beat reporter, talk about where the AI conversation is going in Hollywood after a day of discussions at Variety’s annual Entertainment and Technology Summit, held Sept. 17 in Beverly Hills. Nancy Hall, U.S. CEO of WPP Media,…
22:52
Lumiere Summit: Why Filmdom’s Top Players Gathered in France to Talk YouTube, AI and the Future of Art
On today’s special episode, recorded Sept. 7 at the Lumiere Summit in Saint Paul de Vence, France, luminaries from the entertainment industry -- including George Clooney, Donna Langley, Thierry Frémaux, Michael Barker, Lynette Howell Taylor, Maxime Saada, Michael O’Leary and more -- discuss the cen…
28:35
How Maria Taylor Juggles NFL, NBA, WNBA and More for NBC Sports
On today’s “Strictly Business Daily,” Maria Taylor, host of NBC’s “Football Night in America” talks about how she’s adjusted to big increase in her on-air duties with NBC’s addition of NBA and WNBA packages. Taylor also discusses her prep for the start of NFL season and what she’s looking forward t…
16:26
Who is Rob Bonta and Why is California's Attorney General Doggedly Pursuing Paramount?
On today's episode,Variety's Gene Maddaus interviews Rob Bonta, California's crusading Attorney General who is doggedly pursuing the antitrust case to block the Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Bonta details his background growing up in a family of social justice activists, attendi…
17:51
Holywater Tech Chief Bogdan Nesvit on the Explosive Growth of Microdramas: 'We Are Well Positioned to Win'
On today’s episode, Bogdan Nesvit, co-CEO and co-founder of Holywater Tech, walks through the explosive growth of the company’s My Drama and My Muse apps and details what he sees as the key to making vertical media more mainstream. “Studios and creators are knocking on our doors right now,” Nesvit …
23:13
It's Time to Say Goodbye to 'Daily Variety' and Hello to 'Strictly Business Daily'
On today's episode, host Cynthia Littleton,Variety's co-Editor in Chief, brings the curtain down on the "Daily Variety" podcast after 13 months and more than 200 episodes. Starting Sept. 8, this show will be rebranded "Strictly Business Daily" and feature a stronger emphasis on business analysis, d…
11:32