On today’s episode, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin unpacks Universal Pictures’ risky decision to break “Wicked” in two parts, and how it paid off with a record haul. And Jennifer Maas gives us an update on the mood at HBO as the parent company slides into sale mode yet again.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Rebecca Rubin unpacks Universal Pictures&rsquo; risky decision to break &ldquo;Wicked&rdquo; in two parts, and how it <a href="https://variety.com/2025/film/box-office/wicked-for-good-box-office-opening-weekend-record-1236590025/">paid off with a record haul.</a> And Jennifer Maas gives us an update on <a href="https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/hbo-casey-bloys-warner-bros-sale-harry-potter-timeline-1236586785/">the mood at HBO </a>as the parent company slides into sale mode yet again.

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

Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘Wicked: For Good’ Soars to Fourth-Highest Opening of 2025; HBO Preps for Busy 2026 Amid WBD M&A Drama 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3d76000a-3f1d-496f-a84f-b39f012679c2/transcript

On today’s episode of “Daily Variety” podcast, Rand Getlin, director-executive producer of the HBO documentary “U.S. Against the World: Four Years With the Men’s National Soccer Team,” discusses the road to the World Cup and the rising popularity of men’s and women’s soccer in America.

On today&rsquo;s episode of <a href="https://variety.com/p/daily-variety-podcast/">&ldquo;Daily Variety&rdquo; podcast,</a> Rand Getlin, director-executive producer of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2026/04/usmnt/us-against-the-world-introducing-the-players-hbo-documentary-fifa-world-cup">the HBO documentary &ldquo;U.S. Against the World: Four Years With the Men&rsquo;s National Soccer Team,&rdquo;</a> discusses the road to the World Cup and the rising popularity of men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s soccer in America.

Daily Variety -- 'The U.S. Against the World' Director-Producer Rand Getlin Documents the Road to the World Cup

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/12e8d93c-695b-4c20-8262-b4580140405d/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s Gene Maddaus tries to make sense of California’s fractious electoral politics as the June 2 primary approaches. He explains why incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is hoping that the primary leaves her in a runoff against reality star Spencer Pratt, and why so many top contenders opted to sit out the state’s gubernatorial race.

 

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Gene Maddaus tries to make sense of California&rsquo;s fractious electoral politics as the June 2 primary approaches. He explains why incumbent <a href="https://variety.com/2026/politics/news/karen-bass-iatse-endorsement-mayor-1236754365/">Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass </a>is hoping that the primary leaves her in a runoff <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/spencer-pratt-hills-persona-created-mayor-run-real-1236759752/">against reality star Spencer Pratt, </a>and why so many top contenders opted to sit out the state&rsquo;s gubernatorial race.
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Daily Variety -- Karen Bass, Spencer Pratt and the Brawl in the L.A. Mayoral Race

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4c92da51-37af-41b2-a935-b457011f6796/transcript

On today's episode, in our box office segment, Variety's Rebecca Rubin carefully measures the turnout over the Memorial Day weekend holiday for Disney's “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” It was a big test for Disney and Lucasfilm and the strength of the Star Wars franchise at the turnstiles. Meanwhile, Focus Features' horror pic "Obsession" had a strong sophomore weekend outing.

On today's episode, in our box office segment, Variety's Rebecca Rubin carefully measures the turnout over the <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/memorial-day-weekend-box-office-mandalorian-grogu-debut-1236758284/">Memorial Day weekend holiday for Disney's &ldquo;The Mandalorian and Grogu.&rdquo;</a> It was a big test for Disney and Lucasfilm and the strength of the Star Wars franchise at the turnstiles. Meanwhile, <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/obsession-box-office-breakout-hit-horror-1236757946/">Focus Features' horror pic "Obsession"</a> had a strong sophomore weekend outing.

Daily Variety -- 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' and a Magnificent 'Obsession' Drive Holiday Box Office

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ed11cf3f-4ff9-46f2-b945-b456014c7aec/transcript

Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘Wicked: For Good’ Soars to Fourth-Highest Opening of 2025; HBO Preps for Busy 2026 Amid WBD M&A Drama

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