On today’s episode, Variety’s Michael Schneider breaks down the last lap of upfronts week as Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix and YouTube grab the megaphone. And Variety music chief Jem Aswad goes deep on the music of “Heated Rivalry” in a session with showrunner Jacob Tierney, composer Peter Peter and music supervisor Scotty Taylor. It was recorded May 7 at Toronto’ s Departure Festival for music creatives.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Michael Schneider breaks down the last lap of <a href="https://variety.com/t/upfronts/">upfronts week as Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix and YouTube</a> grab the megaphone. And Variety music chief <a href="https://variety.com/2026/music/news/heated-rivalry-jacob-tierney-music-team-sex-scenes-russia-1236745247/">Jem Aswad goes deep on the music of &ldquo;Heated Rivalry&rdquo;</a> in a session with showrunner Jacob Tierney, composer Peter Peter and music supervisor Scotty Taylor. It was recorded May 7 at Toronto&rsquo; s Departure Festival for music creatives.

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 – Upfronts 2026: What We Learned From TV's Biggest Platforms; Crafting the Music of ‘Heated Rivalry’

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6d924161-a9b1-4bc6-8c55-b44a01232151/transcript

With all the bells and whistles rumored to be a part of Disney's "super app" plans, there's one feature that can be ruled out at this time: the AI magic the company had been conjuring via its recently aborted partnership with OpenAI. Which begs a question: Will consumers ever be able to create videos that allow them to direct their favorite fictional characters? Jeremy Toeman, senior VP of AI innovation at JWX, helps sort through the possibilities.

With all the bells and whistles rumored to be a part of <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/disney-plus-immersive-interactive-digital-centerpiece-josh-damaro-1236739211/">Disney's "super app" plans,</a> there's one feature that can be ruled out at this time: the AI magic the company had been conjuring via its recently <a href="https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/openai-shutting-down-sora-video-disney-1236698277/">aborted partnership with OpenAI</a>. Which begs a question: Will consumers ever be able to create videos that allow them to direct their favorite fictional characters? Jeremy Toeman, senior VP of AI innovation at JWX, helps sort through the possibilities.

LISTEN: Did OpenAI Kill What Disney's 'Super App' Needs Most? 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b33d554a-8567-4bcc-87c7-b44b0099a907/transcript

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, we put the spotlight on “Survivor” as the reality stalwart hits Season 50. As detailed by Variety’s Emily Longeretta and Selome Hailu, CBS’ innovative and enduring unscripted juggernaut has set the standard for the reality-competition genre for 26 years and counting.

On today&rsquo;s episode, in our <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/features/survivor-50-editing-backlash-mike-white-lion-1236745458/">Cover Story segment, we put the spotlight on &ldquo;Survivor&rdquo;</a> as the reality stalwart hits Season 50. As detailed by&nbsp;Variety&rsquo;s Emily Longeretta and Selome Hailu, CBS&rsquo; innovative and enduring unscripted juggernaut has set the standard for the reality-competition genre for 26 years and counting.

Daily Variety -- ‘Survivor’ at 50: What Makes CBS’ Reality Franchise So Durable?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/bf20e60f-6be7-454e-8f04-b44901529cdc/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s Brian Steinberg reports on the triple-header kickoff of Upfronts week after attending Monday’s NBCUniversal, Fox and Amazon Prime Video presentations. He parses each platform's pitch to Madison Avenue. And we’ll hear from NBCUniversal Entertainment chief business officer Liz Jenkins on risk-taking in the time of disruption, in remarks delivered this month at SeriesFest in Denver. "We've found our cruising altitude again," she says.

On today&rsquo;s episode,&nbsp;Variety&rsquo;s Brian Steinberg reports on <a href="https://variety.com/t/upfronts/">the triple-header kickoff of Upfronts week</a> after attending Monday&rsquo;s NBCUniversal, Fox and Amazon Prime Video presentations. He parses each platform's pitch to Madison Avenue. And we&rsquo;ll hear from NBCUniversal Entertainment chief business officer Liz Jenkins on risk-taking in the time of disruption, in remarks delivered this month at <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/lord-of-the-flies-spartacus-house-of-ashur-seriesfest-1236723049/">SeriesFest in Denver.</a> "We've found our cruising altitude again," she says.

Daily Variety – Tech Talk, Streaming, Sports and Reboots Dominate Upfronts; NBCUniversal’s Liz Jenkins on Risk-Taking Amid Disruption

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/250afb19-9ad7-4647-97f7-b448013209fb/transcript

Daily Variety – Upfronts 2026: What We Learned From TV's Biggest Platforms; Crafting the Music of ‘Heated Rivalry’

In 1 playlist(s)

Variety's Strictly Business

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips