On today’s episode, Variety’s Jennifer Maas reports on Summer Game Fest, the gaming industry’s annual product showcase. Xbox and Paramount made news with strategic shifts and an executive appointment. Overall, Maas observes that the mood among insiders was better at this year’s event compared to last year, when the games sector was hit by layoffs and disappointing releases.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Jennifer Maas reports on <a href="https://variety.com/t/summer-game-fest/">Summer Game Fest, the gaming industry&rsquo;s annual product showcase</a>. Xbox and Paramount made news with strategic shifts and an executive appointment. Overall, Maas observes that the mood among insiders was better at this year&rsquo;s event compared to last year, when the games sector was hit by layoffs and disappointing releases.

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 -- 'GTA 6,' Xbox Exclusives, Paramount Revs Game Studio and More From Summer Game Fest

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/83be0a1c-8394-4d54-bcc6-b4640110453d/transcript

On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin weighs the opening weekend of Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day." And Todd Spangler breaks down the surprise news of Fox Corp.’s acquisition of Roku.

On today&rsquo;s episode,<a href="https://variety.com/p/daily-variety-podcast/"></a> in our Box Office segment, Variety&rsquo;s Rebecca Rubin weighs <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/spielberg-disclosure-day-box-office-opening-masters-of-the-universe-huge-drop-obsession-shatters-expectations-1236780872/">the opening weekend of Steven Spielberg&rsquo;s &ldquo;Disclosure Day."</a> And Todd Spangler breaks down the <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/fox-acquiring-roku-1236781308/">surprise news of Fox Corp.&rsquo;s acquisition of Roku.</a>

Daily Variety -- 'Disclosure Day' Adds to Summer Box Office Momentum; Why Fox is Buying Roku

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/72eb0e70-a56d-4745-af76-b46a014d0a32/transcript

On today's episode, Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, gives a wide-ranging interview on the evolution of Amazon’s media strategy, how the MGM acquisition has changed the company, why the streamer is investing heavily in sports and why Amazon has no regrets about the Melania Trump documentary film and upcoming docu-series. Hopkins also touches on the Amazon channels business and the boom in bundling, AI, Amazon MGM’s approach to theatrical film and, of course, the future of James Bond.

On today's episode, <a href="https://variety.com/t/mike-hopkins/">Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, </a>gives a wide-ranging interview on the evolution of Amazon&rsquo;s media strategy, how the MGM acquisition has changed the company, why the streamer is investing heavily in sports and why Amazon has no regrets about the Melania Trump documentary film and upcoming docu-series. Hopkins also touches on the Amazon channels business and the boom in bundling, AI, Amazon MGM&rsquo;s approach to theatrical film and, of course, the future of James Bond.

Mike Hopkins on Prime Video’s Evolution, the Bundling Boom, How MGM Changed Amazon, the Future of Bond and No Regrets on 'Melania'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/64cda20d-909f-4492-976f-b4670116b14c/transcript

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety’s Daniel D’Addario details his time with David Harbour as the actor tries to navigate that trickiest of transitions – moving on from a career-making role after five seasons as Jim Hopper on Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” And Marc Malkin brings us a Red Carpet Rundown with Taylor Swift and Joan Cusack from Disney’s “Toy Story 5” premiere.

On today&rsquo;s episode, in our Cover Story segment, <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/features/david-harbour-interview-lily-allen-mental-breakdown-1236769990/">Variety&rsquo;s Daniel D&rsquo;Addario details his time with David Harbour </a>as the actor tries to navigate that trickiest of transitions &ndash; moving on from a career-making role after five seasons as Jim Hopper on Netflix&rsquo;s &ldquo;Stranger Things.&rdquo; And <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/columns/taylor-swift-toy-story-5-premiere-i-knew-it-i-knew-you-1236770359/">Marc Malkin brings us a Red Carpet Rundown with Taylor Swift </a>and Joan Cusack from Disney&rsquo;s &ldquo;Toy Story 5&rdquo; premiere.

Daily Variety – David Harbour Finds a Port in the Storm in ‘DTF St. Louis’; ‘Toy Story 5’ Red Carpet Rundown

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/209409bc-6efb-487d-9f25-b466010f6902/transcript

Daily Variety -- 'GTA 6,' Xbox Exclusives, Paramount Revs Game Studio and More From Summer Game Fest

Strictly Business

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