With the long-awaited second season of the Emmy-winning Netflix series "Arcane" debuting Nov. 9, producers Riot Games may be better known for videogame phenomena like "League of Legends," but they've proven they can make great entertainment, too. But the company has struggled to expand further into scripted entertainment as inexperience has kept anything else from getting off the ground. 

With the long-awaited second season of the Emmy-winning Netflix series "Arcane" debuting Nov. 9, producers Riot Games may be better known for videogame phenomena like "League of Legends," but they've proven they can make great entertainment, too. But the company has struggled to expand further into scripted entertainment as inexperience has kept anything else from getting off the ground.

Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment.

Strictly Business

Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment on Variety's weekly interview series.

Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment on Variety's weekly interview series.

Variety's Strictly Business

Why Riot Games’ Entertainment Ambitions Stalled Beyond ‘Arcane’

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Aleen Dreksler, CEO and founder of Betches Media, details the digital media brand's origin story and why it blossomed into a hub for comedy and community designed for women. The episode also features a separate conversation from the SXSW festival that highlighted Variety's recent 10 Creators to Watch list.

Aleen Dreksler, CEO and founder of <a href="https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/nfl-betches-media-partnership-women-1236248686/">Betches Media, </a>details the digital media brand's origin story and why it blossomed into a hub for comedy and community designed for women. The episode also features a separate conversation from the SXSW festival that highlighted&nbsp;<a href="https://variety.com/lists/creators-to-watch/">Variety's recent 10 Creators to Watch list.</a>

Betches Media Founder and CEO Aleen Dreksler on Building a Digital Hub for Women With Comedy and Community 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/48251162-19b3-4853-99c9-b42f011c704a/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s Todd Spangler details the growing opposition within media and entertainment to Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. And Marc Malkin talks to documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville about his Focus Features documentary “Lorne,” about the enigmatic “Saturday Night Live” leader.

On today&rsquo;s episode,&nbsp;Variety&rsquo;s Todd Spangler details the<a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/mark-ruffalo-blasts-paramount-warner-bros-merger-senate-hearing-1236722756/"> growing opposition within media and entertainment to Paramount Skydance&rsquo;s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery</a>. And Marc Malkin talks to documentary filmmaker <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/columns/lorne-michaels-staurday-night-live-uk-smarter-funnier-cooler-1236721839/">Morgan Neville about his Focus Features documentary &ldquo;Lorne,&rdquo;</a> about the enigmatic &ldquo;Saturday Night Live&rdquo; leader.

 Daily Variety – Hollywood Marshals Opposition to Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger. Will It Matter?; ‘Lorne’ Measures the Man Behind ‘SNL'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a7a681f8-30e5-4175-8fdc-b42e01250ee1/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s Gene Maddaus details the Writers Guild of America’s four-year contract agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers that will be sent out to members for a ratification vote on April 16. This time around, the guild’s focus was all about shoring up its health care plan.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Gene Maddaus details the <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/wga-deal-321-million-health-fund-residuals-ai-1236711731/">Writers Guild of America&rsquo;s four-year contract agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers</a> that will be sent out to members for a ratification vote on April 16. This time around, the guild&rsquo;s focus was all about shoring up its health care plan.

Daily Variety – What Did the Writers Guild of America Achieve in its Four-Year Contract With Studios and Streamers?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a395c867-a7a1-4f8a-a8a5-b42d010aaa08/transcript

Why Riot Games’ Entertainment Ambitions Stalled Beyond ‘Arcane’

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