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

Variety journalists and industry leaders converse about news and trends in media and entertainment. "Daily Variety" episodes offer entertainment business headlines and news analysis, published Monday through Thursday. "Strictly Business" episodes, published on Friday, feature long-form interviews with the newsmakers, movers and shakers who drive the business of entertainment.

Variety journalists and industry leaders converse about news and trends in media and entertainment. "Daily Variety" episodes offer entertainment business headlines and news analysis, published Monday through Thursday. "Strictly Business" episodes, published on Friday, feature long-form interviews with the newsmakers, movers and shakers who drive the business of entertainment.

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 Todd Spangler analyzes the latest moves in Paramount Skydance's quest to close its deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for $110 billion. And Dodger great Orel Hershiser talks baseball, broadcasting, business and faith as he prepares to receive his Hollywood Walk of Fame star on Aug. 13 for his work as a sportscaster.

On today's episode, Variety's Todd Spangler analyzes <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/david-ellison-move-paramount-out-of-california-states-antitrust-lawsuit-1236831936/">the latest moves in Paramount Skydance's quest to close its deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery</a> for $110 billion. And Dodger great Orel Hershiser talks baseball, broadcasting, business and faith as he prepares to receive his Hollywood Walk of Fame star on Aug. 13 for his work as a sportscaster.

Will Paramount Bail on the Golden State? Dodger Great Orel Hershiser on Broadcasting, Baseball and Faith

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/71c65732-87d0-4ceb-ab0b-b4a40180a817/transcript

On today's episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety's Rebecca Rubin reports that the good news keeps on coming for the movie biz as "Spider Man: Brand New Day" soars in weekend two and "The Odyssey" becomes Christopher Nolan's highest-grossing film. Most important, the summer tally to date has already reached the $4 billion benchmark that was the norm pre-COVID.

On today's episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety's Rebecca Rubin reports that the good news keeps on coming for <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/spiderman-brand-new-day-box-office-near-record-second-weekend-1236830807/">the movie biz as "Spider Man: Brand New Day" soars in weekend two and "The Odyssey" </a>becomes Christopher Nolan's highest-grossing film. Most important, the summer tally to date has already reached the $4 billion benchmark that was the norm pre-COVID.

Daily Variety -- Summer Box Office Will Surpass the $4 Billion Benchmark

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/779e4057-fef7-4d65-81f3-b4a20154b86b/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s Corbin Bolies reports from Las Vegas where he is covering the AI4 conference with a slew of top leaders and true believers. The excitement around generative AI is still as hot as the temperature in Sin City, but the polarizing effect of the technology is evident as well, Bolies reports.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Corbin Bolies reports from Las Vegas where he is <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/inside-googles-efforts-creatives-hooked-on-ai-1236827944/">covering the AI4 conference with a slew of top leaders</a> and true believers. The excitement around generative AI is still as hot as the temperature in Sin City, but the polarizing effect of the technology is evident as well, Bolies reports.

Daily Variety -- Fear, Loathing and Endless Potential: AI4 Conference Takes Stock of Transformative Technologies

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/81c40db9-a998-46ff-90ce-b49e0117f57e/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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