Small independent TV companies are an endangered species at a time when media’s largest conglomerates are focused on the streaming wars and global expansion. In separate interviews, Paula Madison, CEO of The Africa Channel, and Bill Rouhana, chairman-CEO of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, offer insights into why they zig when others zag and where they see opportunity ahead. 

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Small independent TV companies are an endangered species at a time when media’s largest conglomerates are focused on the streaming wars and global expansion. In separate interviews, Paula Madison, CEO of The Africa Channel, and Bill Rouhana, chairman-CEO of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, offer insights into why they zig when others zag and where they see opportunity ahead.  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

Small independent TV companies are an endangered species at a time when media’s largest conglomerates are focused on the streaming wars and global expansion. In separate interviews, Paula Madison, CEO of The Africa Channel, and Bill Rouhana, chairman-CEO of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, offer insights into why they zig when others zag and where they see opportunity ahead.

Niche TV Players Find Their Lanes in the Streaming Wars

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f10178f5-383a-41a9-929a-ae32000d7d76/transcript

On today’s episode of Variety’s “Strictly Business” podcast, Havas Play executives Andrea Isaac and Juliet Tierney share insights on reaching Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers – and the differences that distinguish them. The senior leaders of the branded content and experiential marketing unit of Havas discuss the sea change in marketing priorities and the need for brands to resonate in culture and across a range of fan communities. The key for the biggest marketers is learning to “understand strategy from a culture standpoint” in ways that are radically different from past practices, says Isaac, who is Havas Play’s managing partner for North America.

On today&rsquo;s episode of Variety&rsquo;s &ldquo;Strictly Business&rdquo; podcast, Havas Play executives Andrea Isaac and Juliet Tierney share insights on reaching Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers &ndash; and the differences that distinguish them.&nbsp;The senior leaders of the <a href="https://variety.com/2026/biz/news/variety-entertainment-marketing-summit-recap-1236727891/">branded content and experiential marketing unit of Havas discuss the sea change in marketing priorities </a>and the need for brands to resonate in culture and across a range of fan communities. The key for the biggest marketers is learning to &ldquo;understand strategy from a culture standpoint&rdquo; in ways that are radically different from past practices, says Isaac, who is Havas Play&rsquo;s managing partner for North America.

When Cultures Collide: What Big Brands Need to Reach Gen Z and Gen Alpha Consumers 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5051f3da-40a3-429b-860d-b452004a8e26/transcript

On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin explains why Lionsgate’s “Michael” made a surprise return to No. 1 in a weekend that marks the calm before the start of summer blockbuster season next week with Disney’s “The Mandalorian and Grogu” opening over Memorial Day weekend.

On today&rsquo;s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety&rsquo;s Rebecca Rubin explains why Lionsgate&rsquo;s <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/box-office-michael-reclaims-first-place-obsession-starts-strong-1236751550/">&ldquo;Michael&rdquo; made a surprise return to No. 1 in a weekend </a>that marks the calm before the start of summer blockbuster season next week with Disney&rsquo;s &ldquo;The Mandalorian and Grogu&rdquo; opening over Memorial Day weekend.

Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘Michael’ Returns to No. 1 as Exhibitors Brace for ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ and the Start of Summer Blockbuster Season

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3de3af67-ae3a-4be1-a095-b44e01357742/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.

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

Niche TV Players Find Their Lanes in the Streaming Wars

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