Co-hosts Cynthia Littleton and Andrew Wallenstein look back at the year that was and ahead at what’s to come for the business of media and entertainment. The hosts share highlights from some of their favorite episodes of 2023, including interviews with Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz, HBO and Max content chief Casey Bloys, Nigerian entrepreneur Mo Abudu, South Korean producer Nah Yung Suk and Barstool Sports chief Erika Ayers.

Co-hosts Cynthia Littleton and Andrew Wallenstein look back at the year that was and ahead at what’s to come for the business of media and entertainment. The hosts share highlights from some of their favorite episodes of 2023, including interviews with Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz, HBO and Max content chief Casey Bloys, Nigerian entrepreneur Mo Abudu, South Korean producer Nah Yung Suk and Barstool Sports chief Erika Ayers.

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

Strictly Business 2023 in Review: AI Bites, Hollywood Strikes, Streaming Wars Turn Ugly and Taylor Swift Takes All

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/864b2bce-d3da-4985-a8a8-b0eb0145d679/transcript

On today’s episode, Russell Hollander, national executive director of the Directors Guild of America, gives a wide-ranging interview as Hollywood contract negotiations begin Feb. 9 with SAG-AFTRA sitting down with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Hollander addresses the precipitous drop in TV and film employment, efforts to secure a federal production tax incentive, "raging healthcare inflation," what the guild wants to achieve on AI and why the DGA is not first up at the table with the AMPTP this time around.

On today&rsquo;s episode, Russell Hollander, national executive director of the Directors Guild of America, gives a wide-ranging interview as Hollywood contract negotiations begin Feb. 9 with SAG-AFTRA sitting down with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Hollander addresses the precipitous drop in TV and film employment, efforts to secure a federal production tax incentive, "raging healthcare inflation," what the guild wants to achieve on AI and why the DGA is not first up at the table with the AMPTP this time around.

DGA Chief on TV and Film's Downturn, Fighting for a Federal Production Tax Incentive and Hollywood's Health Plan Problems: 'Our No. 1 Priority is 'Jobs, Jobs, Jobs'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5b557d41-b6f7-4601-8d12-b3e9011d8ca3/transcript

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety’s Daniel D’Addario details his behnd-the- scenes reporting on “Love Story,” the latest installment of the FX franchise, this time focusing on the romance between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. And Jennifer Maas explains how she pulled off a meeting of great minds of D&D -- Brennan Lee Mulligan and Matthew Mercer -- for a video that is burning up Variety’s YouTube page.

On today&rsquo;s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety&rsquo;s Daniel D&rsquo;Addario details his behnd-the- scenes reporting on &ldquo;Love Story,&rdquo; the latest installment of the FX franchise, this time focusing on<a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/features/love-story-fx-jfk-jr-carolyn-bessette-sex-politics-1236648235/"> the romance between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.</a> And Jennifer Maas explains how she pulled off a meeting of great minds of<a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/brennan-lee-mulligan-matthew-mercer-critical-role-dimension-20-1236644036/"> D&amp;D -- Brennan Lee Mulligan and Matthew Mercer -- for a video</a> that is burning up Variety&rsquo;s YouTube page.

Daily Variety -- COVER STORY: 'Love Story' Revisits JFK Jr., Carolyn Bessette and the Kennedy Mystique; Top D&D Game Masters Meet

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/790fc27f-9420-4739-9bd0-b3e801636267/transcript

On today’s episode, host Cynthia Littleton unpacks the big leadership transition news out of Disney and what it means for Josh D’Amaro and Dana Walden. Plus, highlights from Ted Sarandos’ politically charged grilling in the Senate as the Netflix co-CEO fights for the Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition.

On today&rsquo;s episode, host Cynthia Littleton unpacks the big leadership transition news out of <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/dana-walden-disney-josh-damaro-ceo-president-intertwined-1236651846/">Disney and what it means for Josh D&rsquo;Amaro and Dana Walden</a>. Plus, highlights from Ted Sarandos&rsquo; <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/ted-sarandos-senate-hearing-netflix-warner-bros-deal-1236651030/">politically charged grilling in the Senate as the Netflix co-CEO fights</a> for the Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition.

Daily Variety -- It's Heigh-Ho Time After Regime Change at Disney; Netflix's Ted Sarandos Survives Grilling in Senate 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a80c8e1e-7352-42dc-88da-b3e800010153/transcript

Strictly Business 2023 in Review: AI Bites, Hollywood Strikes, Streaming Wars Turn Ugly and Taylor Swift Takes All

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