On today’s episode, Variety’s Todd Spangler and Gene Maddaus examine why OpenAI abruptly pulled the plug on its generative AI video creation model, Sora, and why Disney insiders are relieved that the Mouse House's character licensing deal with Sora has gone away, as has Disney's plan to invest $1 billion in OpenAI. Maddaus and Spangler explain what just happened -- and why SAG-AFTRA deserves to take a victory lap.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Todd Spangler and Gene Maddaus examine why <a href="https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/openai-shutting-down-sora-video-disney-1236698277/">OpenAI abruptly pulled the plug on its generative AI video creation model, Sora,</a> and why<a href="https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/why-openai-disney-ended-sora-deal-bob-iger-1236698901/"> Disney insiders are relieved that the Mouse House's character licensing deal </a>with Sora has gone away, as has Disney's plan to invest $1 billion in OpenAI. Maddaus and Spangler explain what just happened -- and why SAG-AFTRA deserves to take a victory lap.

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 – OpenAI Shuts Down Sora, Disney Dodges Video AI Bullet, For Now

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b6afc80b-97bc-4f7f-850d-b419012ef0a4/transcript

On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Brent Lang breaks down the numbers and a second-weekend sigh of relief at Amazon MGM Studios as “Project Hail Mary” hangs in at No. 1. And Michael Schneider speaks to daytime TV soap mogul Bradley Bell, the writer-producer who has launched a subscription app for diehard fans of CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

On today&rsquo;s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety&rsquo;s Brent Lang breaks down the numbers and a second-weekend sigh of relief <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/project-hail-mary-global-box-office-shatters-expectations-1236696281/">at Amazon MGM Studios as &ldquo;Project Hail Mary&rdquo; hangs in at No. 1.</a> And Michael Schneider speaks to daytime TV soap mogul Bradley Bell, the writer-producer who has launched <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/the-bold-and-the-beautiful-streaming-app-bbtv-1236696432/">a subscription app for diehard fans of CBS&rsquo; &ldquo;The Bold and the Beautiful.&rdquo;</a>

Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘Project Hail Mary’ Holds on Tight to No. 1; Why ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ is Launching a Streaming App

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c57114da-47df-45ee-95cc-b41d01697fec/transcript

On today’s episode, “Strictly Business” speaks with “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette” executive producers Brad Simpson and Nina Jacobson about the Ryan Murphy-FX drama that examines how a fairy-tale romance collided with the fearsome power of fame. The partners in the Color Force film and TV banner also assess the health of the film and TV sales marketplace, and the pair are frank about why they support the Producers United campaign.

On today&rsquo;s episode, &ldquo;Strictly Business&rdquo; speaks with <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/features/love-story-fx-jfk-jr-carolyn-bessette-sex-politics-1236648235/">&ldquo;Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette&rdquo;</a> executive producers <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/love-story-jfk-jr-brad-simpson-nina-jacobson-fx-ryan-murphy-1236701175/">Brad Simpson and Nina Jacobson</a> about the Ryan Murphy-FX drama that examines how <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/love-story-finale-jfk-jr-carolyn-plane-crash-deaths-1236701278/">a fairy-tale romance collided with the fearsome power of fame</a>.&nbsp;The partners in the Color Force film and TV banner also assess the health of the film and TV sales marketplace, and the pair are frank about why they <a href="https://variety.com/2025/film/features/movie-producers-united-hollywood-1236584944/">support the Producers United campaign.</a>

'Love Story' Producers Brad Simpson and Nina Jacobson on the Fateful Final Episode, Working With Ryan Murphy and FX and Why They Support Producers United

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c7649e9b-363f-4252-bfef-b41a012057a7/transcript

On today’s episode, we’re talking “Star Trek” and its future with Variety’s Joe Otterson. He broke the news that Paramount+’s “Starfleet Academy” will end after just two seasons and showrunner Alex Kurtzman is likely to pass the baton as the creative steward of the franchise for TV. Otterson unpacks what’s next for the beloved space opera in TV and film.

On today&rsquo;s episode, we&rsquo;re talking &ldquo;Star Trek&rdquo; and its future with Variety&rsquo;s Joe Otterson. He <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/star-trek-starfleet-academy-canceled-season-2-1236696816/">broke the news that Paramount+&rsquo;s &ldquo;Starfleet Academy&rdquo; </a>will end after just two seasons and showrunner Alex Kurtzman is likely to pass the baton as the creative steward of the franchise for TV. Otterson unpacks what&rsquo;s next for the beloved space opera in TV and film.

Daily Variety – Star Trek is Adrift: Why ‘Starfleet Academy’ is Folding After Two Seasons

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ba3bf191-abfb-48f7-b3aa-b41801310e0f/transcript

Daily Variety – OpenAI Shuts Down Sora, Disney Dodges Video AI Bullet, For Now

In 1 playlist(s)

Variety's Strictly Business

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips