Ten industry insiders reflect on the upheaval of producing news and topical shows during the harsh early months of COVID. 'The idea that America would essentially shut down was just shocking,' says ABC News' Chris Dinan.

Ten industry insiders reflect on the upheaval of producing news and topical shows during the harsh early months of COVID. 'The idea that America would essentially shut down was just shocking,' says ABC News' Chris Dinan.

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

How COVID Changed TV Production Forever

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/aea5abb2-4f55-49ee-8b88-b3870117d274/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, 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.

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

How COVID Changed TV Production Forever

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