To make its animated Netflix series "Arcane," Riot Games didn't follow the typical Hollywood rules. Marc Merrill, co-founder and president of games, and Shauna Spenley, head of entertainment, discuss how they are trying to take a company known for gaming sensations like "League of Legends" into brand-new territory. 

To make its animated Netflix series "Arcane," Riot Games didn't follow the typical Hollywood rules. Marc Merrill, co-founder and president of games, and Shauna Spenley, head of entertainment, discuss how they are trying to take a company known for gaming sensations like "League of Legends" into brand-new territory.

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

Riot Games Tackles TV Production Its Own Way

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6bdb180d-916e-4a01-97a1-af48000c821d/transcript

On a special episode of Variety's "Strictly Business" podcast, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos speaks out as the streaming giant fight to complete its quest to buy Warner Bros. and HBO, even as Paramount Skydance has secured a seven-day shot at impressing the WBD board with a better offer. Sarandos, in a wide-ranging discussion, is not shy about calling out what he sees as “misinformation” spread by the Paramount Skydance team. “It's probably cheaper to make noise than it is to raise your bid,” he says.

On a special episode of&nbsp;Variety's "Strictly Business" podcast, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos speaks out as the streaming giant fight to complete its quest to buy Warner Bros. and HBO, even as Paramount Skydance has secured a seven-day shot at impressing the WBD board with a better offer. Sarandos, in a wide-ranging discussion, is not shy about calling out what he sees as &ldquo;misinformation&rdquo; spread by the Paramount Skydance team. &ldquo;It's probably cheaper to make noise than it is to raise your bid,&rdquo; he says.

Ted Sarandos Fights to Seal Warner Bros. Deal: Netflix Co-CEO on Battling ‘Misinformation,’ the Future of HBO Max and His ‘Blood Oath’ for Theatrical Exhibition

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/45f60a3c-a05c-42fb-b711-b3f80028cb93/transcript

On today’s episode, Sheila Ducksworth, executive producer of the CBS daytime soap “Beyond the Gates” and president of the CBS Studios/NAACP content venture, explains why the partners were determined to launch the first new daytime soap in decades and why it has taken root as "Beyond the Gates" marks its one-year anniversary.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Sheila Ducksworth, executive producer of the CBS daytime soap &ldquo;Beyond the Gates&rdquo; and president of the CBS Studios/NAACP content venture, explains why the partners were determined to launch the first new daytime soap in decades and why it has taken root as "Beyond the Gates" marks its one-year anniversary.

Sheila Ducksworth on Year One of 'Beyond the Gates' Taking Root With Fans in Daytime TV

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a2f49b87-2a2b-4935-9e4e-b3f70151ed02/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s Jazz Tangcay explains how she pulled off the “Kpop Demon Hunters” summit held Feb. 17 at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood in tandem with the publication of Variety’s standalone special issue on the animated musical smash. Includes highlights from the screening and panel that brought together the six actors and singers -- EJAE, Ji-young Yoo, Audrey Nuna, Arden Cho, May Hong and Rei Ami -- for the first time to discuss how the Netflix-Sony Pictures hit has touched their hearts and changed their careers.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Variety&rsquo;s Jazz Tangcay explains how she pulled off the <a href="https://variety.com/2026/music/news/women-kpop-demon-hunters-rejection-golden-success-1236658705/">&ldquo;Kpop Demon Hunters&rdquo; summit held Feb. 17 at the Egyptian Theatre</a> in Hollywood in tandem with the publication of Variety&rsquo;s standalone special issue on the animated musical smash. Includes highlights from the screening and panel that brought together the six actors and singers -- EJAE, Ji-young Yoo, Audrey Nuna, Arden Cho, May Hong and Rei Ami -- for the first time to discuss how the Netflix-Sony Pictures hit has touched their hearts and changed their careers.

 Daily Variety – 'Kpop Demon Hunters' Unite: Stars and Singers Gather to Celebrate the Movie’s Success and Significance 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b1076b29-c48e-42ee-bb80-b3f60125cf2f/transcript

Riot Games Tackles TV Production Its Own Way

In 1 playlist(s)

Variety's Strictly Business

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips