Debmar-Mercury principles Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein discuss the origins of the production-distribution company that is now part of Lionsgate. The pair detail why they remain bullish on the first run syndication business, so much so that they are launching two new series -- a talk show from Nick Cannon and magazine series "Central Ave" from producer Will Packer -- in the fall. 

 Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Debmar-Mercury principles Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein discuss the origins of the production-distribution company that is now part of Lionsgate. The pair detail why they remain bullish on the first run syndication business, so much so that they are launching two new series -- a talk show from Nick Cannon and magazine series "Central Ave" from producer Will Packer -- in the fall.  Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>

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

Debmar-Mercury principles Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein discuss the origins of the production-distribution company that is now part of Lionsgate. The pair detail why they remain bullish on the first run syndication business, so much so that they are...

How One TV Startup Thrived in a Shrinking Syndication Market

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e106576b-3b39-44f1-9d52-ae32001d5094/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s Gene Maddaus breaks down the issues and the schedule for Hollywood union contract negotiations that are set to begin Feb. 9 when SAG-AFTRA sits down with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. AI, health care benefits and streaming residuals will surely be on the agenda.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Gene Maddaus breaks down the issues and the schedule for <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/hollywood-unions-bargaining-dates-1236626773/">Hollywood union contract negotiations that are set to begin Feb. 9 </a>when SAG-AFTRA sits down with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. AI, health care benefits and streaming residuals will surely be on the agenda.

Daily Variety – AI, Health Care and Streaming Residuals: Hollywood Union Contract Negotiations Come into Focus

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f1de6daa-82f3-4803-bd1c-b3d201306e73/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s Todd Spangler explains the latest wrinkle in Paramount Skydance’s pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery with its lawsuit filed in Delaware. And Joe Otterson takes the pulse of WWE viewership and fandom one year after the storied grappling franchise moved to Netflix.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Todd Spangler explains the latest wrinkle in <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/paramount-skydance-sues-warner-bros-discovery-netflix-deal-1236629324/">Paramount Skydance&rsquo;s pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery with its lawsuit filed in Delaware.</a> And Joe Otterson takes the pulse of <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/wwe-monday-night-raw-netflix-ratings-2025-1236629652/">WWE viewership and fandom </a>one year after the storied grappling franchise moved to Netflix.

Daily Variety –- Paramount Takes the Fight for Warner Bros. Discovery to Court; WWE Takes a Victory Lap With Netflix

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d08f3497-d7e1-47cb-8127-b3d10139ded6/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety's Rebecca Rubin breaks down the weekend box office and encouraging starts for Paramount’s “Primate” and Neon’s “No Other Choice.” And host Cynthia Littleton offers reporter's notebook observations after a week that started with the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and ended with the Golden Globe Awards swirl in Hollywood.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety's Rebecca Rubin breaks down&nbsp;<a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/box-office-avatar-fire-and-ash-leads-fourth-weekend-1236628272/">the weekend box office and encouraging starts for Paramount&rsquo;s &ldquo;Primate&rdquo; and Neon&rsquo;s &ldquo;No Other Choice.&rdquo; </a>And host Cynthia Littleton offers reporter's notebook observations after a week that started with the <a href="https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/ces-takeaways-ai-sports-creators-1236627388/">Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas</a> and ended with the Golden Globe Awards swirl in Hollywood.

Daily Variety -- 'Primate,' 'No Other Choice' Help January Box Office; What CES and the Golden Globes Had in Common

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/dee9d33a-cbef-4ef9-90c5-b3d001454cce/transcript

How One TV Startup Thrived in a Shrinking Syndication Market

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