In today’s episode, Cineverse CEO Chris McGurk and MicroCo CEO Jana Winograde join host Cynthia Littleton to discuss their new venture to bring super short, low budget drama series to the U.S. They gamely answer the question: How is this not Quibi? And Variety reporter Ethan Shanfeld details how AI tools are accelerating product placement in TV and film.

In today&rsquo;s episode, Cineverse CEO Chris McGurk and MicroCo CEO Jana Winograde join host Cynthia Littleton to discuss their new venture to bring super short, low budget drama series to the U.S. They gamely answer the question: How is this not Quibi? And Variety reporter Ethan Shanfeld details how AI tools are accelerating product placement in TV and film.

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 – Chris McGurk and Jana Winograde on Cineverse’s Big Plans for Micro Dramas; How AI is Fueling Product Placement in TV and Film

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/09169963-548f-4125-83c2-b33e0133413b/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

On today’s episode, Variety music mavens Jem Aswad, Chris Willman and Steven J. Horowitz unpack the first weekend of the Coachella music festival. The three discuss the experience of attending the desert festival in person versus taking it in as “Couchella” via the YouTube live stream, and they break down impressive sets from Karol G, Addison Rae, Sombr, Slayyter, Clipse, Wet Leg and Jamie xx, among others.

On today&rsquo;s episode,&nbsp;Variety music mavens Jem Aswad, Chris Willman and Steven J. Horowitz <a href="https://variety.com/2026/music/news/coachellas-best-performances-2026-dijon-laufey-fka-twigs-geese-1236720668/">unpack the first weekend of the Coachella music festival. </a>The three discuss the experience of attending the desert festival in person versus taking it in as &ldquo;Couchella&rdquo; via the YouTube live stream, and they break down impressive sets from <a href="https://variety.com/t/coachella/">Karol G, Addison Rae, Sombr, Slayyter, Clipse, Wet Leg and Jamie xx</a>, among others.

Daily Variety -- Coachella vs. Couchella -- Debating the Experience; Big Moments From Karol G, Addison Rae, Sombr, Slayyter, Clipse, Wet Leg, Jamie xx and More

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/81eaa046-b15c-4413-a1fa-b42c01400afc/transcript

On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Jack Dunn unpacks another big weekend for “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” as well as the art of analyzing Friday night box office numbers. And Marc Malkin brings us a Just for Variety interview with John Waters, the iconoclastic director who turns 80 on April 22.

On today&rsquo;s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety&rsquo;s Jack Dunn unpacks <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/box-office-super-mario-galaxy-movie-scores-second-weekend-you-me-tuscany-opening-1236719765/">another big weekend for &ldquo;The Super Mario Galaxy Movie&rdquo;</a> as well as <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/box-office-the-super-mario-galaxy-movie-you-me-amp-tuscany-1236719521/">the art of analyzing Friday night box office numbers.</a> And <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/columns/john-waters-oscars-chris-rock-will-smith-donald-trump-1236712921/">Marc Malkin brings us a Just for Variety interview with John Waters</a>, the iconoclastic director who turns 80 on April 22.

Daily Variety -- Box Office: 'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' Holds Strong for Universal; John Waters Cruises to His 80th Birthday

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/42d85367-19f9-4948-9bd2-b42b012017ce/transcript

Daily Variety – Chris McGurk and Jana Winograde on Cineverse’s Big Plans for Micro Dramas; How AI is Fueling Product Placement in TV and Film

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