Who is going to buy Paramount Global? Is M&A best done before or after the presidential election? Can anyone compete with Netflix? These are just a few of the big dilemmas Naveen Sarma, managing director of S&P Global Ratings, tackles in his return visit to Strictly Business as he wrestles with some of the questions vexing Wall Street right now regarding the media sector.

Who is going to buy Paramount Global? Is M&amp;A best done before or after the presidential election? Can anyone compete with Netflix? These are just a few of the big dilemmas Naveen Sarma, managing director of S&amp;P Global Ratings, tackles in his return visit to Strictly Business as he wrestles with some of the questions vexing Wall Street right now regarding the media sector.

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

Paramount Just the Start of Media's 2024 M&A Mysteries

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0b2afc8a-51cf-4c70-9f88-b10e0178810f/transcript

From 'Kpop Demon Hunters' to the upcoming BTS album, Kpop is well into its global domination phase. But as analyst Robert Steiner explores in his new Luminate special report, the Korean music phenomenon is really just part of a bigger movement across Asia, where markets like Japan, India and China are poised to follow in Kpop's footsteps.

From 'Kpop Demon Hunters' to the upcoming BTS album, Kpop is well into its global domination phase. But as analyst Robert Steiner explores in his <a href="https://luminatedata.com/reports/asia-global-force-in-music/">new Luminate special report,</a> the Korean music phenomenon is really just part of a bigger movement across Asia, where markets like Japan, India and China are poised to follow in Kpop's footsteps.

How Kpop is Widening the Funnel for an Asian Music Boom

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a73ac2e3-76a5-4173-9cfa-b40c0056545b/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s Gene Maddaus offers an update on the contract negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the major studios and streamers. The Writers Guild of America is next up at the table starting March 16.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Gene Maddaus offers an update on the c<a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/sag-aftra-amptp-negotiations-studios-ai-1236681268/">ontract negotiations between SAG-AFTRA</a> and the major studios and streamers. The&nbsp;<a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/wga-ai-training-amptp-talks-1236684012/">Writers Guild of America is next up at the table</a> starting March 16.

Daily Variety – Hollywood Labor Negotiations: What to Expect as the WGA Heads to the Bargaining Table

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fe11c3dc-1cf6-4d86-88e8-b40b0124cc40/transcript

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety’s Matt Donnelly details his sit-down in Nashville with Nicole Kidman for Variety’s pre-Oscars issue, published today in print and online. Kidman revisits the whirlwind experience of her best actress Oscar win for “The Hours” in 2003.

On today&rsquo;s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety&rsquo;s Matt Donnelly details his sit-down in Nashville with <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/features/nicole-kidman-oscars-practical-magic-2-female-directors-1236683554/">Nicole Kidman for Variety&rsquo;s pre-Oscars issue, published today in print and online</a>. Kidman revisits the whirlwind experience of her best actress Oscar win for &ldquo;The Hours&rdquo; in 2003.

 Daily Variety – COVER STORY: Oscars Rewind With Nicole Kidman as She Revisits Her 2003 Best Actress Win for 'The Hours'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5032d4b7-880e-48e9-b347-b40a0134ef54/transcript

Paramount Just the Start of Media's 2024 M&A Mysteries

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