1 00:00:07,880 --> 00:00:12,000 Speaker 1: Welcome to Strictly Business Variety's weekly podcasts featuring conversations about 2 00:00:12,039 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: the business of media and entertainment. I'm TV business writer 3 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:20,520 Speaker 1: Jennifer Moss. Wonderbut's Discovery has made headlines recently amid rumors 4 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:23,599 Speaker 1: of a potential merger with Paramount Global. While the m 5 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:26,200 Speaker 1: and a future for the company is uncertain, one thing 6 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: that remains consistent is the power of its cable networks, 7 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:35,360 Speaker 1: including Food Network, HGTV, CNN, Discovery, TVs, and TNT, among others. 8 00:00:36,200 --> 00:00:39,199 Speaker 1: These channels altogether make up the biggest business among the 9 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:43,479 Speaker 1: many assets combined in the twenty twenty two Discovery WarnerMedia merger. 10 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:47,680 Speaker 1: Here to talk about Warner Brothers, Discoveries, Linear TV, Business, 11 00:00:47,720 --> 00:00:51,519 Speaker 1: and Food Network in particular are Karen Bronzo, Chief Global 12 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:55,760 Speaker 1: Marketing Officer of US Networks and News, and Betsyiella, head 13 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:56,520 Speaker 1: of Food Content. 14 00:00:57,000 --> 00:00:57,920 Speaker 2: We'll be back with. 15 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:08,440 Speaker 1: Betsy and Karen. After this break. Thank you both for 16 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:11,319 Speaker 1: joining me today. Could you start by each explaining a 17 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:13,720 Speaker 1: bit about what you do and your previous roles. 18 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:15,680 Speaker 3: Well. Hi, I'm Karen Bronzo. 19 00:01:15,959 --> 00:01:19,760 Speaker 4: I am currently the CMO of the US Networks Group 20 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:23,880 Speaker 4: at WBD, and I also am the CMO of CNN, 21 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:26,720 Speaker 4: which I just started about six or seven months ago. 22 00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:31,600 Speaker 4: I've been in the business for too many years to mention, 23 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:36,600 Speaker 4: but started my career in advertising, working on accounts like 24 00:01:36,640 --> 00:01:40,080 Speaker 4: Pizza Hut and Gillette, and then migrated over to media 25 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:44,000 Speaker 4: at my first stint at Turner back in the late nineties, 26 00:01:44,160 --> 00:01:48,880 Speaker 4: and then worked at Oxygen for many years, and then 27 00:01:49,120 --> 00:01:53,560 Speaker 4: left for another little bit of an agency stint, and 28 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:57,280 Speaker 4: then started at Scripts over eleven years ago. My anniversary 29 00:01:57,400 --> 00:02:03,200 Speaker 4: was yesterday, I think eleven year anniversary at Scripts now 30 00:02:03,560 --> 00:02:07,440 Speaker 4: WBD starting in ad sales marketing and then moved into 31 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:10,200 Speaker 4: consumer for HG and Food and now here. 32 00:02:10,560 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 5: I am Betsy Ayala and I am the head of 33 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:18,560 Speaker 5: content for Food Network, where I started. I actually started 34 00:02:18,560 --> 00:02:21,160 Speaker 5: off in sports, so spent the first part of my 35 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:28,240 Speaker 5: career working on originals in sports at CBS College Sports 36 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 5: and then also did the Olympics and X. 37 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:35,640 Speaker 3: Games and things like that, and then from there did. 38 00:02:36,919 --> 00:02:42,440 Speaker 5: A bunch of lifestyle programming and worked at production companies 39 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:46,000 Speaker 5: and also did some startups, did some Google YouTube channels 40 00:02:46,040 --> 00:02:49,440 Speaker 5: when those were big back in the day, excellent, and 41 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:55,600 Speaker 5: then was hired by Scripts and worked for HGTV I 42 00:02:55,600 --> 00:03:00,919 Speaker 5: think it's been eight years, and so was at HG, 43 00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:05,160 Speaker 5: then Food and then back to HG and then. 44 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:08,360 Speaker 2: Now at Food Network. 45 00:03:09,639 --> 00:03:11,959 Speaker 6: Well, thank you Bill so much for joining me today 46 00:03:12,040 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 6: for the Strictly Business podcast. As we're at the top 47 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:17,720 Speaker 6: of the year, my favorite to ask right now is 48 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:20,680 Speaker 6: highs from the previous year. So I'm talking about wins. 49 00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:23,799 Speaker 6: That's the absolutely bringing for Food Nowork and then Karen 50 00:03:24,360 --> 00:03:26,160 Speaker 6: the biggest wins talking about. 51 00:03:25,919 --> 00:03:28,760 Speaker 2: Food Network, which is a high for you in general, 52 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:29,680 Speaker 2: but what else? 53 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:34,040 Speaker 5: So for us, the holidays are the best time of 54 00:03:34,120 --> 00:03:37,480 Speaker 5: year for Food Network. We had thirty four million viewers 55 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:40,720 Speaker 5: this last holiday season, which is huge, and we also 56 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 5: had some great successes with the launch of Holiday Baking Championship, 57 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:49,680 Speaker 5: which is a cornerstone of the holiday programming, as well 58 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:53,160 Speaker 5: as Bobby Flay a holiday throwdown. If you haven't seen it, 59 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 5: you should watch it. It's so fun. And then we 60 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:59,840 Speaker 5: had a great start with the Off on the Shelf 61 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:02,760 Speaker 5: Sweet Showdown, which was a really fun ip that we 62 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:04,800 Speaker 5: were able to work with this holiday season. 63 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 4: I would say, I mean, and the holiday really punctuates 64 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 4: this for me is that last year I think was 65 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:16,960 Speaker 4: the was the year that we really jilled as a company, 66 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:20,719 Speaker 4: as an entire company, and you know, we always talk 67 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:23,200 Speaker 4: about the power of the portfolio and the power of 68 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 4: all of WB working together to promote our priorities as 69 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:30,720 Speaker 4: a company, and I think last year was just we 70 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:32,600 Speaker 4: saw it all come together in a way that we 71 00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:35,480 Speaker 4: really were just super proud of and really. 72 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:38,240 Speaker 3: Had tremendous results. 73 00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 4: I think fourth quarter of last year, especially with Food Network, 74 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:44,080 Speaker 4: which was one of Food Network, which was one of 75 00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:47,560 Speaker 4: our priorities. The holidays are obviously huge, and the whole company, 76 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:50,320 Speaker 4: all of the other networks really got behind supporting Food 77 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:53,479 Speaker 4: Network to help make it the success that Betsy described, 78 00:04:54,279 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 4: whether it was with other integrated content or additional promotional 79 00:04:58,120 --> 00:04:58,800 Speaker 4: power with. 80 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:00,440 Speaker 3: Running promos on the network. 81 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:02,560 Speaker 4: We did a lot of things to really just try 82 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 4: to boost the eyeballs to Food Network during that time, 83 00:05:06,520 --> 00:05:09,599 Speaker 4: which you know paid off really really well for us. 84 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:12,599 Speaker 4: But in addition to that, we also were able to 85 00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:18,520 Speaker 4: use the our platforms to support the theatrical releases and 86 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:23,080 Speaker 4: the you know, max releases that were happening throughout the year. 87 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:25,960 Speaker 4: But in the end of last year with the holidays 88 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:29,840 Speaker 4: again with Wonka and with Aquaman, we did some great 89 00:05:29,839 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 4: integrations on the Food Network. So it really was a 90 00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 4: year of just us coming together and gelling in a 91 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:38,800 Speaker 4: way that I think everybody has a lot to be 92 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:39,240 Speaker 4: proud of. 93 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:43,600 Speaker 7: It was really awesome to see how. 94 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:46,680 Speaker 5: The marketing was able to push to Food Network and 95 00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:50,480 Speaker 5: then we were able to get back to all the theatricals. 96 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:51,840 Speaker 3: And it's not an easy thing to do. 97 00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:54,159 Speaker 4: I mean, I think it was a lot of people involved. 98 00:05:54,160 --> 00:05:58,200 Speaker 4: Obviously it's a very large company, and you know, calibrating 99 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:01,560 Speaker 4: the park priorities and making sure that we all focus 100 00:06:01,640 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 4: on on, you know, one one thing at a time 101 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 4: is is not always an easy thing to do because 102 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:11,640 Speaker 4: there are a lot of competing priorities. But I think 103 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:14,680 Speaker 4: we've done a really great job of distilling it down 104 00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:17,000 Speaker 4: to really really try to make the most of what 105 00:06:17,040 --> 00:06:17,400 Speaker 4: we have. 106 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:21,599 Speaker 6: I love hearing them because it really reflects you know, 107 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:24,839 Speaker 6: CEO David Zaslov loves to talk about the one company. 108 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:27,760 Speaker 2: Yes, but it really seems like that's not just high levels. 109 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:31,200 Speaker 6: It's not because you know, I recently interviewed Kathleen Finch 110 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:34,640 Speaker 6: and we spoke at length about like the Wonka promotion 111 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:37,640 Speaker 6: on Food Network and then using Food Network to promote 112 00:06:37,680 --> 00:06:41,240 Speaker 6: that and using those to promote Food Network. Speaking about 113 00:06:41,279 --> 00:06:43,120 Speaker 6: the logistics of that, like you just said, there's a 114 00:06:43,200 --> 00:06:46,360 Speaker 6: lot of moving pieces, so you know Vetsy and Karen 115 00:06:46,400 --> 00:06:48,600 Speaker 6: as well, how do you start with? 116 00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:49,960 Speaker 2: Does the idea. 117 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:53,000 Speaker 6: Comfortable killen sert this into this show or find a 118 00:06:53,080 --> 00:06:56,320 Speaker 6: place to put this? What's natural what's not? And I 119 00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:59,360 Speaker 6: know you guys have experimented a lot with different crossovers. 120 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:04,760 Speaker 6: I remember in particular the Barbie but it was also 121 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:07,919 Speaker 6: Shark Week but it was also a TV Yeah we did, 122 00:07:08,720 --> 00:07:10,640 Speaker 6: and you guys take ris like that like this could 123 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:12,880 Speaker 6: look silly, but it's also just a way to play 124 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:15,360 Speaker 6: with it. So how you all feel out what's gonna work, 125 00:07:15,520 --> 00:07:17,800 Speaker 6: what's not and where the idea starts from? Is it 126 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:20,000 Speaker 6: just a show where you're trying to join me start? 127 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:20,320 Speaker 1: Yeah? 128 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:22,240 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean I think that one of the things 129 00:07:22,240 --> 00:07:24,520 Speaker 4: that we've learned in the last year is really trying 130 00:07:24,560 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 4: to not fores fit things that don't make sense. We 131 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:30,120 Speaker 4: wanted to be a win win for both the property 132 00:07:30,160 --> 00:07:32,600 Speaker 4: that we are promoting and for the property that's doing 133 00:07:32,680 --> 00:07:36,320 Speaker 4: the promotion. So Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge, which was the show 134 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:37,640 Speaker 4: we created on HGTV. 135 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:39,800 Speaker 3: It was actually one of the shows that Betsy. 136 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:42,440 Speaker 4: Brought to the network before she went over to Food 137 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:47,400 Speaker 4: That was just a beautiful, magical combination. 138 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 5: Right. 139 00:07:48,080 --> 00:07:51,920 Speaker 4: So this show was in development, we knew Barbie was 140 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:55,720 Speaker 4: coming out in July. We found a way to make 141 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:59,560 Speaker 4: the timelines a line, which was amazing. So that was 142 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 4: an example of like, it was an idea that existed, 143 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 4: but we actually found a way to make it better 144 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:09,280 Speaker 4: and more helpful to the theatrical release with timing and promotion. 145 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:13,120 Speaker 3: That was just terrific. I also think that there's it 146 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:14,040 Speaker 3: sometimes comes the. 147 00:08:14,080 --> 00:08:17,400 Speaker 4: Other way where the theatrical team, or the Max team, 148 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:20,240 Speaker 4: or even my team, the Shark Week team will go 149 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 4: to the other properties and say, hey, we have this 150 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:25,640 Speaker 4: great idea, can you help us with X, Y and Z. 151 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 4: I'll give another Food Network example. At the end of 152 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:33,760 Speaker 4: last year, we were trying to do something with the 153 00:08:33,840 --> 00:08:38,040 Speaker 4: Sports division and this we're really excited about because we 154 00:08:38,120 --> 00:08:40,079 Speaker 4: think it could have a lot of legs. But we 155 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:43,840 Speaker 4: worked with the guys that inside the NBA to help 156 00:08:43,880 --> 00:08:49,120 Speaker 4: promote Christmas Cookie Challenge. We basically challenged the guys to 157 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:53,960 Speaker 4: decorate Christmas cookies and there was a segment on inside 158 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:56,679 Speaker 4: the NBA. We also promoted it on Food Network. It 159 00:08:56,960 --> 00:09:01,679 Speaker 4: was absolutely hysterical. Guys had so much fun with it. 160 00:09:02,240 --> 00:09:06,319 Speaker 4: We absolutely loved it, and you know, it was just 161 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:09,240 Speaker 4: a perfect example of how like the ideas can come 162 00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:11,439 Speaker 4: from a lot of places, and as long as the 163 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 4: to the two entities or or more involved feel like 164 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:20,120 Speaker 4: it works for them, it can really just be, you know, 165 00:09:20,240 --> 00:09:21,280 Speaker 4: a great opportunity. 166 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:22,080 Speaker 7: And Food is. 167 00:09:22,120 --> 00:09:24,679 Speaker 5: Lucky in the sense that we are the donor like 168 00:09:24,840 --> 00:09:29,520 Speaker 5: we are, we are so perfect for that kind of integration, 169 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:34,480 Speaker 5: regardless of like with Wonka and Holiday Baking or with 170 00:09:34,720 --> 00:09:38,839 Speaker 5: we did it. We even promoted the a marathon that 171 00:09:38,960 --> 00:09:42,480 Speaker 5: was running on TBS, like we can do that so easily. 172 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:46,000 Speaker 5: And it also gives us an opportunity to be creative, 173 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:48,679 Speaker 5: like it gives us something to get behind in our 174 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:49,959 Speaker 5: challenges and things like that. 175 00:09:50,240 --> 00:09:54,000 Speaker 7: So it's it's really fun for everyone to win win 176 00:09:54,160 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 7: for sure. 177 00:09:56,040 --> 00:09:57,960 Speaker 6: And see when it comes to what you all are 178 00:09:58,040 --> 00:10:02,280 Speaker 6: doing just strictly focusing on not necessarily something with a 179 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:05,400 Speaker 6: tie in, just development, how do you decide how much 180 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:08,959 Speaker 6: to focus on existing franchises like the Powerhouse that is 181 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:12,520 Speaker 6: Baking Championship and all its iterations, and how much to 182 00:10:12,559 --> 00:10:14,120 Speaker 6: look for new things, Like you said, Elf on the 183 00:10:14,160 --> 00:10:15,880 Speaker 6: Shelf that was really cool like you to get a 184 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:18,240 Speaker 6: hold of. But how much you're balancing taking your risk 185 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 6: on something new versus making another spinoff of a proven 186 00:10:21,559 --> 00:10:22,400 Speaker 6: franchise I. 187 00:10:22,760 --> 00:10:23,439 Speaker 3: Like to call it. 188 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:29,480 Speaker 5: People you can get eyeballs or new eyeballs with something 189 00:10:29,600 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 5: new and shiny, but you keep them there with the 190 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:34,760 Speaker 5: things that really are core to the brand, and so 191 00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:39,439 Speaker 5: it's really a delicate balance. We love our shows that 192 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 5: are tried and true, the Christmas Cookie Challenge, holiday baking, 193 00:10:43,520 --> 00:10:47,000 Speaker 5: holiday wars. Those perform extremely well for us. But when 194 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:50,360 Speaker 5: we see an opportunity to get marketing excited, to get 195 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:53,480 Speaker 5: the audience excited for something new, that's when we really 196 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:57,040 Speaker 5: we pivot and we say, okay, what can we do 197 00:10:57,160 --> 00:10:59,120 Speaker 5: with this in the case of the Elf on the Shelf, 198 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:02,920 Speaker 5: Sweet Showdown. But also we're always looking to see what 199 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:05,719 Speaker 5: are those little the new shows that really get the 200 00:11:05,760 --> 00:11:09,959 Speaker 5: audience excited and hopefully bringing a new audience too, because 201 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:12,480 Speaker 5: we love our corees, but we also we find real 202 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 5: success when we can bring in the occasionals or the 203 00:11:16,480 --> 00:11:17,199 Speaker 5: mass audience. 204 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:19,200 Speaker 7: What did you see? 205 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:21,520 Speaker 6: I know one of your other new programs this holiday 206 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:24,160 Speaker 6: was the Selena and Cheff home for the holidays. It 207 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:26,920 Speaker 6: was a huge Helena and Jeff and I loved it 208 00:11:27,040 --> 00:11:28,760 Speaker 6: on Max and I want to know, you know what 209 00:11:28,880 --> 00:11:32,040 Speaker 6: that experience would be like for you all integrating it 210 00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:35,560 Speaker 6: not from the HBO Max that was prior to the merger, 211 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:38,440 Speaker 6: and what this looks like with the Food Networks. 212 00:11:38,920 --> 00:11:42,040 Speaker 7: Sure, that was a lot of fun to do. 213 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:44,080 Speaker 3: The beautiful thing is that. 214 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:48,720 Speaker 5: HBO Max created this great show with Selena plus Chef 215 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:51,040 Speaker 5: and what we did is we just we we made 216 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:54,480 Speaker 5: it food Network because focused in all the great ways. 217 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:57,840 Speaker 5: I think we extended it to an hour. We've brought 218 00:11:57,880 --> 00:11:59,160 Speaker 5: in our Food Network chefs. 219 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:00,679 Speaker 7: We put Selena. 220 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:04,280 Speaker 5: She had challenges she's never done before. She had to 221 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:08,560 Speaker 5: do three different dishes, and our chefs are so good 222 00:12:08,880 --> 00:12:13,760 Speaker 5: at teaching and knowing how to talk just in basic 223 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:17,319 Speaker 5: terms and just teach people that she and they're just 224 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 5: they're just amazing. I mean with Alex and Michael and 225 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:23,880 Speaker 5: Eric and with Claudette, they were all so fantastic and 226 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:26,480 Speaker 5: so different in their own way that we just got 227 00:12:26,559 --> 00:12:30,880 Speaker 5: to see more of Selena, but in a even in 228 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:33,079 Speaker 5: a more in a different way, which I think the 229 00:12:33,160 --> 00:12:34,120 Speaker 5: audience loved. 230 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:36,360 Speaker 7: It was just it was a really fun show. We're 231 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:37,000 Speaker 7: very proud of it. 232 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:40,920 Speaker 4: And I think having you know, the existing foundation with 233 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:44,280 Speaker 4: her at HBO Max and now Max, it gave us 234 00:12:44,280 --> 00:12:47,880 Speaker 4: an opportunity to cross promoted from the streaming service to 235 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:50,880 Speaker 4: you know, back and forth. And I think that's also 236 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:53,959 Speaker 4: just you know, I mean, she's Selena, my god, you know, 237 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:56,600 Speaker 4: it's it's just it was an amazing way to bring also, 238 00:12:57,080 --> 00:12:59,520 Speaker 4: you know, really a fresh, a fresh face I think 239 00:12:59,640 --> 00:13:02,600 Speaker 4: too to the network during the holidays for sure. 240 00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:06,800 Speaker 2: Talking about the fresh pieces versus the established talent. 241 00:13:06,880 --> 00:13:09,400 Speaker 6: It's kind of that same thing with the franchises that 242 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:11,360 Speaker 6: are trying to trud the faces that you know with 243 00:13:11,520 --> 00:13:13,559 Speaker 6: your network versus bringing in new people. 244 00:13:13,559 --> 00:13:15,079 Speaker 2: And I want to talk about that and the amount 245 00:13:15,120 --> 00:13:18,040 Speaker 2: of development that you do with Guy or Duff versus 246 00:13:18,120 --> 00:13:19,040 Speaker 2: looking for other talent. 247 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:21,720 Speaker 6: I know you guys are very focused on fostering new 248 00:13:21,800 --> 00:13:23,720 Speaker 6: talent as well, and that many people have been brought 249 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:25,319 Speaker 6: in over the years who are still here. 250 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:28,840 Speaker 5: Yes, I mean that is something we talk about constantly, 251 00:13:29,240 --> 00:13:34,719 Speaker 5: is just really invigorating the network with fresh faces, and 252 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:37,840 Speaker 5: we do that. We've found it takes time, is also 253 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:41,719 Speaker 5: what we've learned, and so we've been very strategic about it, 254 00:13:41,840 --> 00:13:42,800 Speaker 5: and we really like. 255 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:44,760 Speaker 7: Linking some of our. 256 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:49,679 Speaker 5: More established talent with these fresh faces and giving them 257 00:13:49,760 --> 00:13:52,240 Speaker 5: a platform and somebody to stand by who can really 258 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 5: support them. You'll see it with Alex and Gabe in 259 00:13:55,160 --> 00:13:58,800 Speaker 5: Chow House, and they are a perfect example of a 260 00:13:58,880 --> 00:14:04,200 Speaker 5: fantastic partnership. She not only helps him just on set 261 00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:08,439 Speaker 5: and in she just helps him in every way. She 262 00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:11,640 Speaker 5: helps the audience get to know him. She knows how 263 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:14,400 Speaker 5: to pull out the best in him. Like that is 264 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:19,560 Speaker 5: the perfect partnership I see. So it's much more strategic 265 00:14:19,680 --> 00:14:22,840 Speaker 5: than you think. We're not just plopping people on screen 266 00:14:22,960 --> 00:14:26,560 Speaker 5: or trying things. We're really really thoughtful about how we 267 00:14:26,680 --> 00:14:27,400 Speaker 5: launch new talent. 268 00:14:27,600 --> 00:14:32,000 Speaker 4: And you see, like when we have like Tournament of Champions, 269 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:35,960 Speaker 4: you know, when they've people who have competed on Tournament 270 00:14:35,960 --> 00:14:38,720 Speaker 4: of Champions and really popped, you know, and then they 271 00:14:38,840 --> 00:14:42,080 Speaker 4: sort of find their way into another role, whether it's 272 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 4: as a chopped judge, and you do such a great 273 00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:47,480 Speaker 4: job of like giving them an opportunity that sort of 274 00:14:47,520 --> 00:14:50,280 Speaker 4: like gets their feet wet into another area as opposed 275 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:52,280 Speaker 4: to just sort of throwing everybody into the deep end, 276 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:54,800 Speaker 4: and you know, expect them to host their own show, 277 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:58,040 Speaker 4: which is something that's really really hard to do out 278 00:14:58,080 --> 00:14:59,880 Speaker 4: of nowhere. I think the other thing that it is 279 00:15:00,040 --> 00:15:04,200 Speaker 4: important is my team partners very closely with Betsy's team 280 00:15:04,360 --> 00:15:07,920 Speaker 4: to ensure that when we do have talent like Gabe 281 00:15:08,120 --> 00:15:13,880 Speaker 4: or Eric who Ajapong who are you know, becoming more 282 00:15:13,960 --> 00:15:18,000 Speaker 4: high profile on the network, we do our part to 283 00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:21,480 Speaker 4: try to build them up from a marketing perspective, whether 284 00:15:21,560 --> 00:15:23,880 Speaker 4: that's through talent profiles that sort of get to know 285 00:15:24,120 --> 00:15:27,800 Speaker 4: you promos that we do, or whether it's on you know, 286 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:29,920 Speaker 4: digital and social interviews and. 287 00:15:29,960 --> 00:15:31,880 Speaker 3: Variety right interviews and variety. 288 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:34,880 Speaker 4: I mean, I think it's really it is important to 289 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 4: get these guys out there because they are sort of 290 00:15:37,800 --> 00:15:40,880 Speaker 4: you know, they're they're starting to populate the air so 291 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:43,840 Speaker 4: much more, and it's nice for them to for the 292 00:15:44,120 --> 00:15:46,160 Speaker 4: for the you know, viewers and the fans to get 293 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:47,320 Speaker 4: to know them a little bit better. 294 00:15:47,560 --> 00:15:50,040 Speaker 5: We definitely do a three sixty approach to we're a 295 00:15:50,080 --> 00:15:53,680 Speaker 5: lotchy new talent in terms of looking at different throms 296 00:15:53,720 --> 00:15:54,120 Speaker 5: of marketing. 297 00:15:54,520 --> 00:15:55,920 Speaker 2: What do you all look at right now. 298 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:59,080 Speaker 6: For social media like TikTok and using talent that way, 299 00:15:59,280 --> 00:16:02,560 Speaker 6: or you user generated content because there is a lot of. 300 00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:03,560 Speaker 2: Food talk out there. 301 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:06,800 Speaker 6: Yeah, there's when we're known people who look at up 302 00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:08,480 Speaker 6: on those things. So what you all want to do 303 00:16:08,960 --> 00:16:10,880 Speaker 6: to engage with fans that way and also a younger 304 00:16:10,920 --> 00:16:14,200 Speaker 6: audience that might not necessarily give the immediate ones to 305 00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:15,600 Speaker 6: watch a lot of things on linear. 306 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:17,440 Speaker 3: Versus well, yeah, I mean it's interesting. 307 00:16:17,600 --> 00:16:21,840 Speaker 4: Food on digital is sort of almost a different entity 308 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:24,880 Speaker 4: because it is almost about more about I hate using 309 00:16:24,920 --> 00:16:27,600 Speaker 4: this word, but like the utility of food, like learning 310 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:31,120 Speaker 4: how to and experimenting with cool things. I mean, like 311 00:16:31,520 --> 00:16:33,680 Speaker 4: you think about some of the amazing cakes that we 312 00:16:33,800 --> 00:16:39,160 Speaker 4: make and that icing, like that glass icing, it's just unbelievable. 313 00:16:39,520 --> 00:16:42,080 Speaker 4: So it's sort of a different a different thing. I mean, 314 00:16:42,240 --> 00:16:45,720 Speaker 4: our teams are on every platform really truly. I mean 315 00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:48,760 Speaker 4: I think that that is it's really with content that 316 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:52,720 Speaker 4: we create really from the brand, more than inviting a 317 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:55,479 Speaker 4: lot of user content, orthough we do that occasionally. 318 00:16:55,840 --> 00:16:57,120 Speaker 3: I think it is a great way for. 319 00:16:57,240 --> 00:17:02,000 Speaker 4: Us to engage our our talent and get them out there, 320 00:17:02,160 --> 00:17:06,399 Speaker 4: hopefully to a younger audience. So, you know, and it's 321 00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:10,400 Speaker 4: built on I guess with food a little more utility. 322 00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:14,560 Speaker 4: HGTV a little bit of utility, but also very much 323 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:16,639 Speaker 4: about trying to put the talent on the shows forward. 324 00:17:16,720 --> 00:17:17,080 Speaker 7: For sure. 325 00:17:17,440 --> 00:17:22,119 Speaker 5: Maeln, the winner of last year's Tournament champions did this 326 00:17:22,520 --> 00:17:28,760 Speaker 5: really unique poach to Egg and it has received forty 327 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:31,760 Speaker 5: two million views across all the platforms. 328 00:17:31,760 --> 00:17:34,880 Speaker 3: That's unbelievable. Two. I know, yeah, I mean, but again, 329 00:17:35,040 --> 00:17:37,159 Speaker 3: poaching an egg. I know, that's a tough thing to do, 330 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:41,240 Speaker 3: pre coaching. It's fabulous. 331 00:17:44,840 --> 00:17:47,480 Speaker 1: We'll be back with more from Betsy and Karen after 332 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:48,080 Speaker 1: this break. 333 00:17:55,400 --> 00:17:58,119 Speaker 6: Going back to this one company idea and with Max 334 00:17:58,200 --> 00:18:01,359 Speaker 6: being such an important part of the companies, how do 335 00:18:01,440 --> 00:18:06,919 Speaker 6: you work through feeding linear promoting Max? Max promoting linear 336 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:10,280 Speaker 6: and you know what content pops airing live on Food 337 00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:13,159 Speaker 6: Network and what you see show up and people stream 338 00:18:13,359 --> 00:18:15,800 Speaker 6: on Max later. I mean, my husband and I had 339 00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:19,680 Speaker 6: Holiday Baking Championship going back to like season one. Yeah, 340 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:21,960 Speaker 6: we were watching that on Max, but we also tune 341 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:24,080 Speaker 6: in every time a new episode came. But do you 342 00:18:24,119 --> 00:18:26,440 Speaker 6: see that for everyone? How you try to get everyone 343 00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:29,040 Speaker 6: where you don't try to get everyone in both places? Yeah, no, 344 00:18:29,359 --> 00:18:33,280 Speaker 6: I'm out there, But how or if you don't necessarily 345 00:18:33,359 --> 00:18:35,880 Speaker 6: try to get everyone in both places, what you're targeting? 346 00:18:36,520 --> 00:18:40,080 Speaker 3: I was gonna say not every genre performs the same 347 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:41,200 Speaker 3: on Max. 348 00:18:41,280 --> 00:18:44,160 Speaker 4: I think Food Network during the holidays when everyone's sort 349 00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:46,400 Speaker 4: of in that mode, you see a lot of those 350 00:18:46,440 --> 00:18:50,080 Speaker 4: shows really popping. We always promote that you could watch 351 00:18:50,119 --> 00:18:52,040 Speaker 4: it both ways. You can watch it on the network 352 00:18:52,040 --> 00:18:55,880 Speaker 4: and you can watch it on Max. The true crime 353 00:18:55,960 --> 00:18:59,920 Speaker 4: content that we have on ID huge on Max, really 354 00:19:00,119 --> 00:19:02,960 Speaker 4: really successful. We just and so like with the launch 355 00:19:03,040 --> 00:19:08,200 Speaker 4: of True Detective last weekend, we just were yeah, like 356 00:19:08,720 --> 00:19:12,240 Speaker 4: the fifteenth yeah, I have these all burned in my brain, 357 00:19:13,119 --> 00:19:18,760 Speaker 4: or the fourteen Yeah, but but those we then we 358 00:19:18,880 --> 00:19:22,000 Speaker 4: did a stack of uh we did a host at 359 00:19:22,080 --> 00:19:26,520 Speaker 4: night where we actually had wraps from the talent from 360 00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:29,479 Speaker 4: the from the show, helping to promote back to sneak 361 00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:34,399 Speaker 4: peeks of True Detective and promoting to the premiere. So 362 00:19:34,560 --> 00:19:38,200 Speaker 4: there's a lot of uh, sort of easy tactics, but 363 00:19:38,440 --> 00:19:42,200 Speaker 4: very effective, particularly when we know that people are tuning 364 00:19:42,280 --> 00:19:45,960 Speaker 4: into the ID content on Linear driving them to you know, 365 00:19:46,160 --> 00:19:48,240 Speaker 4: similar minded content on Max. 366 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:50,760 Speaker 3: It really is a it's a great promotional vehicle. 367 00:19:52,920 --> 00:19:55,320 Speaker 6: Larger levels of you end up dealing with this unscripted 368 00:19:55,359 --> 00:19:57,879 Speaker 6: content that's the meat of a lot of the linear networks, 369 00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:01,440 Speaker 6: especially the legacy disc everyone, So I would ask about 370 00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:03,960 Speaker 6: that and what you will work through that, especially with 371 00:20:04,080 --> 00:20:06,679 Speaker 6: the strikes last year, you guys were a powerhouse. 372 00:20:06,760 --> 00:20:09,040 Speaker 2: Was so much content available and what was able to 373 00:20:09,119 --> 00:20:09,480 Speaker 2: be done? 374 00:20:10,040 --> 00:20:13,000 Speaker 6: Uh then, but kind of just what the unscripted situation 375 00:20:13,280 --> 00:20:15,359 Speaker 6: is at Warner those Discovery and how it plays in 376 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:18,920 Speaker 6: the scripted like bringing Jason Momoa into Sharp Meets. 377 00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:22,200 Speaker 2: And he was really fun to see on that side 378 00:20:22,200 --> 00:20:22,520 Speaker 2: of things. 379 00:20:22,560 --> 00:20:25,600 Speaker 6: But what that relationship is like, and if you cap 380 00:20:25,680 --> 00:20:28,600 Speaker 6: certain talent for those things, what works again to the 381 00:20:28,680 --> 00:20:30,639 Speaker 6: idea of what's going to work, what might be too silly? 382 00:20:31,600 --> 00:20:34,000 Speaker 6: And then I know Food Network was and still as 383 00:20:34,080 --> 00:20:37,760 Speaker 6: doing scripted holiday movies for screepings. 384 00:20:38,320 --> 00:20:43,960 Speaker 7: Well, the we didn't do the scripted holiday movies this year. 385 00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:48,240 Speaker 5: We're very fortunate, I mean we are able to continue 386 00:20:49,119 --> 00:20:52,960 Speaker 5: a majority of our productions through that time, and which 387 00:20:53,040 --> 00:20:57,920 Speaker 5: was unfortunate for so many reasons. But we you know, 388 00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:00,440 Speaker 5: we do nonscripted it and we do a really well 389 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:03,880 Speaker 5: and we're very efficient, and so the future just feels 390 00:21:04,400 --> 00:21:07,800 Speaker 5: for us. We're excited about where we're headed. And I 391 00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:11,879 Speaker 5: think it's more I think the streaming audience or the 392 00:21:11,960 --> 00:21:15,520 Speaker 5: streaming platform and all the other platforms just give us 393 00:21:15,520 --> 00:21:18,400 Speaker 5: more opportunities to talk to an audience that loves food. 394 00:21:18,560 --> 00:21:21,280 Speaker 7: So that's exciting, that's super exciting for us. 395 00:21:21,359 --> 00:21:24,359 Speaker 5: It just gives us a lot more opportunity to be 396 00:21:24,600 --> 00:21:27,119 Speaker 5: in the zeitgeist too that we wouldn't normally be in. 397 00:21:27,440 --> 00:21:32,280 Speaker 5: So well, we talk about different things that are happening, 398 00:21:32,680 --> 00:21:37,399 Speaker 5: even with the MAC shows or sorry with the HBO shows, 399 00:21:37,680 --> 00:21:41,840 Speaker 5: or just upcoming films that are will be premiering for us. 400 00:21:41,960 --> 00:21:46,160 Speaker 5: We are constantly Oh Julia. Julia is a perfect example. 401 00:21:46,359 --> 00:21:52,800 Speaker 5: So we did a chop tournament with Isabelle rosin Thank 402 00:21:52,800 --> 00:21:56,800 Speaker 5: you Isabelle Rosselini, and she appeared on our chop tournament 403 00:21:56,920 --> 00:22:00,240 Speaker 5: where we was all dedicated to Julia Child. It was 404 00:22:00,760 --> 00:22:03,240 Speaker 5: really special, really great, and we were also able to 405 00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:05,560 Speaker 5: promote to HBO and they were able to promote to 406 00:22:05,680 --> 00:22:09,280 Speaker 5: us back. It was a very shared experience and so 407 00:22:09,400 --> 00:22:13,200 Speaker 5: that opens our doors to more and get stars that 408 00:22:13,280 --> 00:22:15,080 Speaker 5: we typically wouldn't be able to get. 409 00:22:15,280 --> 00:22:18,800 Speaker 4: I was gonna say Jason Momoa. Being able to bring 410 00:22:18,920 --> 00:22:22,399 Speaker 4: him as a host of Shark Week was huge for us, 411 00:22:23,080 --> 00:22:26,280 Speaker 4: and you know, we worked very closely with the theatrical 412 00:22:26,359 --> 00:22:30,440 Speaker 4: team to get him on board and he was phenomenal. 413 00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:33,480 Speaker 4: I mean, we he loved it, He had a great time, 414 00:22:33,720 --> 00:22:37,560 Speaker 4: and I think, you know, we were just really really 415 00:22:37,680 --> 00:22:40,600 Speaker 4: fortunate to be able to have access to somebody of 416 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:44,000 Speaker 4: his caliber, to be able to not only you know, 417 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:47,359 Speaker 4: help promote Aquaman, but to just sort of elevate the 418 00:22:47,640 --> 00:22:50,320 Speaker 4: entire experience, much like we did the year before. 419 00:22:50,119 --> 00:22:52,520 Speaker 3: When we had Dwayne Johnson on. 420 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:57,960 Speaker 4: So it's just it opens up a lot of opportunity 421 00:22:58,040 --> 00:23:00,639 Speaker 4: for us to bring you know, really. 422 00:23:01,880 --> 00:23:06,880 Speaker 3: Top level and as stars. And it was organic, right exactly. 423 00:23:07,040 --> 00:23:08,760 Speaker 4: I mean it just makes and it makes a lot 424 00:23:08,840 --> 00:23:12,560 Speaker 4: of sense, right, It made sense for to have Aquaman 425 00:23:12,960 --> 00:23:14,480 Speaker 4: as the host of Shark Week. 426 00:23:14,600 --> 00:23:18,800 Speaker 3: It was just it was very special and so, you know, 427 00:23:18,920 --> 00:23:19,840 Speaker 3: again it goes. 428 00:23:19,760 --> 00:23:25,840 Speaker 4: Back to finding the authentic thing opportunities that make sense 429 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:28,000 Speaker 4: for both of the brands that were just not force 430 00:23:28,040 --> 00:23:28,640 Speaker 4: fitting things. 431 00:23:29,320 --> 00:23:31,440 Speaker 2: What do you all both have on Deeconects that you're 432 00:23:31,440 --> 00:23:32,639 Speaker 2: really excited about coming up? 433 00:23:33,560 --> 00:23:34,720 Speaker 3: Well, we have so many. 434 00:23:35,920 --> 00:23:38,840 Speaker 5: Our new season of TOC, which we're really excited about, 435 00:23:38,960 --> 00:23:43,000 Speaker 5: has all four champions coming back and a larger prize 436 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:44,760 Speaker 5: than we've ever had before with one hundred and fifty 437 00:23:44,800 --> 00:23:48,160 Speaker 5: thousand dollars, which is huge, and we also have qualifiers. 438 00:23:48,200 --> 00:23:52,040 Speaker 5: We added four more episodes this year, which allows kind 439 00:23:52,040 --> 00:23:55,879 Speaker 5: of that underdog Cinderella story to happen where they can 440 00:23:55,960 --> 00:23:58,520 Speaker 5: get that last spot in each of the graphics or 441 00:23:58,600 --> 00:24:01,359 Speaker 5: in each of the brack and I. 442 00:24:01,440 --> 00:24:04,920 Speaker 7: Will tell you it does not disappoint. So we're really 443 00:24:04,920 --> 00:24:07,760 Speaker 7: excited about that. And also the second season of Chow 444 00:24:07,840 --> 00:24:11,080 Speaker 7: House so exciting for Yes. 445 00:24:11,080 --> 00:24:16,880 Speaker 5: Tim Puglia beauty and beautiful and the cast does arrive 446 00:24:16,960 --> 00:24:20,600 Speaker 5: by boat. I mean it is so it's better than 447 00:24:20,640 --> 00:24:24,600 Speaker 5: the last season. It feels very white lotus. Yeah, we 448 00:24:24,680 --> 00:24:26,000 Speaker 5: were bringing it all together. 449 00:24:26,320 --> 00:24:30,720 Speaker 7: Yeah, I think what I'm most excited about though, I 450 00:24:30,960 --> 00:24:31,440 Speaker 7: mean I don't. 451 00:24:31,520 --> 00:24:34,240 Speaker 5: I love all my babies the same, but we do 452 00:24:34,480 --> 00:24:38,120 Speaker 5: have one that is a cross between it's a very 453 00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:40,840 Speaker 5: big and buzzy. It's a cross between social experiment and 454 00:24:40,920 --> 00:24:45,760 Speaker 5: a very intense competition. And that launches right after TOC 455 00:24:45,960 --> 00:24:48,439 Speaker 5: this year, and it is like something you've. 456 00:24:48,359 --> 00:24:50,520 Speaker 7: Never seen before. So we're really excited about that. 457 00:24:52,520 --> 00:24:54,639 Speaker 3: We don't have enough time to go through all of 458 00:24:54,840 --> 00:24:56,200 Speaker 3: my networks. 459 00:24:56,400 --> 00:25:01,359 Speaker 4: I will just say that, you know, what we accomplished 460 00:25:01,440 --> 00:25:06,320 Speaker 4: last year was so major from just standpoint of where 461 00:25:06,359 --> 00:25:09,000 Speaker 4: we just sort of started and where we ended. And 462 00:25:09,080 --> 00:25:13,359 Speaker 4: I think for me, just trying to keep to build 463 00:25:13,440 --> 00:25:16,640 Speaker 4: this momentum, build on the momentum that we have now, 464 00:25:18,359 --> 00:25:22,440 Speaker 4: and just constantly learning and iterating. I will say it's 465 00:25:22,520 --> 00:25:28,399 Speaker 4: exciting because we have just we're humming along and have 466 00:25:28,520 --> 00:25:31,359 Speaker 4: a lot of great things happening. I think the some 467 00:25:31,520 --> 00:25:37,080 Speaker 4: of the shows that Betsy was alluding to are really 468 00:25:37,320 --> 00:25:41,000 Speaker 4: exciting for us as a broader marketing team because I 469 00:25:41,080 --> 00:25:43,240 Speaker 4: think everyone's going to sort of get in the pool 470 00:25:43,320 --> 00:25:44,760 Speaker 4: together and help. 471 00:25:44,840 --> 00:25:47,119 Speaker 3: But it's going to be a great year. It's going 472 00:25:47,160 --> 00:25:47,960 Speaker 3: to be a great year. 473 00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:51,160 Speaker 2: Talking about you know, we wouldn't have time to go through. 474 00:25:51,080 --> 00:25:54,399 Speaker 6: Everything for you and how many brands it crosses over? 475 00:25:54,920 --> 00:25:56,480 Speaker 6: What is that like just on a day to day 476 00:25:56,480 --> 00:25:58,760 Speaker 6: basis when you've got CNN but then you're also working 477 00:25:58,960 --> 00:26:01,960 Speaker 6: closely with Betsy's even how many different teams and completely 478 00:26:02,160 --> 00:26:04,320 Speaker 6: different audiences and brands that you're working. 479 00:26:04,760 --> 00:26:09,240 Speaker 4: It was funny yesterday I was sort of making some 480 00:26:09,400 --> 00:26:11,879 Speaker 4: notes about this interview, and then I got a phone 481 00:26:11,920 --> 00:26:16,359 Speaker 4: call saying from Steven, who I work with at CNN, 482 00:26:16,440 --> 00:26:18,960 Speaker 4: and he said, Desanti's just dropped out. 483 00:26:18,800 --> 00:26:20,159 Speaker 3: So we're going to have to change all of our 484 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:21,640 Speaker 3: promos and I was like, oh my god. 485 00:26:22,040 --> 00:26:25,760 Speaker 4: So it's kind of those that kind of oh my gosh, Okay, 486 00:26:25,760 --> 00:26:28,840 Speaker 4: I'm thinking about Food Network and the holidays, and then 487 00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:31,240 Speaker 4: I get the DeSantis is out. We've got to change 488 00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:35,159 Speaker 4: the promos and retraffic everything. So I will say it 489 00:26:35,280 --> 00:26:36,479 Speaker 4: keeps me on my toes. 490 00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:37,919 Speaker 3: I think it is. 491 00:26:39,840 --> 00:26:43,520 Speaker 4: Retraining my brain to think differently in a good way. 492 00:26:43,920 --> 00:26:48,240 Speaker 4: And I never have a single dull moment of any day. 493 00:26:48,920 --> 00:26:54,280 Speaker 4: So it's kind of cool. It's overwhelming at times, but 494 00:26:54,480 --> 00:26:58,119 Speaker 4: it is. It's kind of cool awesome. 495 00:26:58,960 --> 00:27:03,280 Speaker 2: We've heard rumors about very very very early talks about. 496 00:27:03,080 --> 00:27:07,720 Speaker 6: A potential merger between Warnerbro's Discovery and here amount like 497 00:27:07,800 --> 00:27:09,800 Speaker 6: to get your real's take on what's going on there, 498 00:27:10,119 --> 00:27:12,440 Speaker 6: just also coming from a linear perspective. That's the first 499 00:27:12,480 --> 00:27:14,160 Speaker 6: thing that a lot of people talked about the number 500 00:27:14,200 --> 00:27:17,000 Speaker 6: of channels that could be mauled in a conversation like that, 501 00:27:17,160 --> 00:27:20,440 Speaker 6: and how important Warner Bros. Discovery is in the cable 502 00:27:20,480 --> 00:27:22,600 Speaker 6: space already, you guys own so much time. 503 00:27:24,800 --> 00:27:28,280 Speaker 3: I'll start. I'll just say, you know, the process of 504 00:27:28,320 --> 00:27:32,840 Speaker 3: two companies come together is hard. 505 00:27:33,640 --> 00:27:38,480 Speaker 4: It's an enormous undertaking. I think it's in the eighteen 506 00:27:39,160 --> 00:27:43,880 Speaker 4: plus months twenty months since we've merged with WarnerMedia, it's 507 00:27:43,960 --> 00:27:44,840 Speaker 4: been a real. 508 00:27:46,400 --> 00:27:49,200 Speaker 3: It's been a long haul. We've come a long long way. 509 00:27:49,280 --> 00:27:51,080 Speaker 4: And as I was saying, like it was last year, 510 00:27:51,800 --> 00:27:54,520 Speaker 4: like it takes a full year in to start to 511 00:27:54,560 --> 00:27:59,360 Speaker 4: feel like okay, like we're settling into something. We don't 512 00:27:59,359 --> 00:28:01,720 Speaker 4: even know what that is, but we eventually get to it. 513 00:28:04,040 --> 00:28:06,640 Speaker 4: You know, who knows what's going to happen. I will 514 00:28:06,720 --> 00:28:11,040 Speaker 4: say though that that is a it's a it will 515 00:28:11,080 --> 00:28:12,320 Speaker 4: be another amountain to climb. 516 00:28:12,560 --> 00:28:15,160 Speaker 1: What is your outlook on the current state of warn 517 00:28:15,240 --> 00:28:18,480 Speaker 1: those discoveries linear assets in relation to the rest of 518 00:28:18,520 --> 00:28:19,280 Speaker 1: the market right now. 519 00:28:19,840 --> 00:28:24,280 Speaker 5: I think for us and Food Network, I think it's exciting. 520 00:28:25,240 --> 00:28:28,560 Speaker 5: It's it's a hard time, but it's also with that 521 00:28:28,920 --> 00:28:31,320 Speaker 5: with change comes opportunity. And I say that to my 522 00:28:31,560 --> 00:28:35,520 Speaker 5: team all the time, is really thinking about just the 523 00:28:35,600 --> 00:28:39,880 Speaker 5: future and like, sure, the line the linear business is changing, 524 00:28:40,080 --> 00:28:42,480 Speaker 5: but we're adapting and we're figuring out and looking for 525 00:28:42,920 --> 00:28:47,640 Speaker 5: new opportunities as well. So it's you know, it's again 526 00:28:47,960 --> 00:28:52,120 Speaker 5: it's there's challenges with change, but also provides opportunity. 527 00:28:53,120 --> 00:28:57,320 Speaker 4: I feel very very optimistic, and at a time when 528 00:28:57,600 --> 00:28:59,800 Speaker 4: you know the business is still going through a mass 529 00:29:00,080 --> 00:29:04,680 Speaker 4: of upheaval, I think this is a really wonderful place 530 00:29:04,800 --> 00:29:10,040 Speaker 4: to be. David had an off site for his leadership 531 00:29:10,120 --> 00:29:13,800 Speaker 4: team a couple of weeks ago in Los Angeles, and 532 00:29:14,120 --> 00:29:17,400 Speaker 4: the I was just so inspired by the creativity in 533 00:29:17,520 --> 00:29:22,160 Speaker 4: that room and the commitment to the success of the 534 00:29:22,280 --> 00:29:25,840 Speaker 4: company and all of us really trying to figure out 535 00:29:25,920 --> 00:29:27,280 Speaker 4: how to move the company forward. 536 00:29:27,400 --> 00:29:30,480 Speaker 3: Not oh, just my division here or this division here. 537 00:29:30,720 --> 00:29:34,440 Speaker 4: It's it's a it's a tall thing to our tall 538 00:29:34,520 --> 00:29:37,680 Speaker 4: task to ask people to think holistically, and I truly 539 00:29:37,760 --> 00:29:40,920 Speaker 4: believe that people in that room were thinking about the 540 00:29:41,160 --> 00:29:45,200 Speaker 4: entire entity. And to me, that just feels like a 541 00:29:45,640 --> 00:29:48,080 Speaker 4: You've got a team of people that are really in 542 00:29:48,240 --> 00:29:53,720 Speaker 4: it together. You've got a lot of great minds thinking 543 00:29:53,800 --> 00:29:56,840 Speaker 4: alike and really trying to focus on the future. And 544 00:29:57,360 --> 00:30:01,200 Speaker 4: you know, ultimately, we have to reinvent the way we 545 00:30:01,880 --> 00:30:05,800 Speaker 4: do our business, and you you can't just do things 546 00:30:05,880 --> 00:30:08,320 Speaker 4: the way you used to do. And I find that 547 00:30:08,480 --> 00:30:12,320 Speaker 4: to be invigorating and exciting for this year ahead, for 548 00:30:12,480 --> 00:30:15,200 Speaker 4: us to start thinking about new pathways to growth. So 549 00:30:16,640 --> 00:30:19,160 Speaker 4: as hard as it is every day because it is 550 00:30:19,280 --> 00:30:21,880 Speaker 4: really hard. I do feel very very optimistic. 551 00:30:22,160 --> 00:30:24,760 Speaker 7: Yeah, I agree with all of that. The off site 552 00:30:24,880 --> 00:30:26,520 Speaker 7: was truly inspiring. 553 00:30:26,600 --> 00:30:29,200 Speaker 5: And not only it's the side, it's the side conversations 554 00:30:29,200 --> 00:30:33,040 Speaker 5: that you speak with so many different people across the 555 00:30:33,120 --> 00:30:35,640 Speaker 5: company and you're like, oh, that could be an opportunity, 556 00:30:35,840 --> 00:30:37,080 Speaker 5: or that could be an opportunity. 557 00:30:37,280 --> 00:30:40,880 Speaker 6: There's just there's just so much talking about experiences and 558 00:30:41,320 --> 00:30:43,440 Speaker 6: events and in person. It's a real way to engage 559 00:30:43,520 --> 00:30:47,560 Speaker 6: with fans offscreen and to build that brand further out. 560 00:30:48,040 --> 00:30:50,560 Speaker 2: My boss and the little timvest to call it the flywheel. 561 00:30:50,840 --> 00:30:54,000 Speaker 3: It is a fly wheel. Yeah, I love it so 562 00:30:54,280 --> 00:30:54,800 Speaker 3: talking about that. 563 00:30:55,320 --> 00:30:58,120 Speaker 6: I know you have the upcoming festival its I'll be 564 00:30:58,320 --> 00:31:00,680 Speaker 6: so can you tell us about that and how you 565 00:31:00,840 --> 00:31:05,160 Speaker 6: use that to bring back viewers and make money for 566 00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:06,560 Speaker 6: the company. 567 00:31:06,960 --> 00:31:09,040 Speaker 3: We I'll say two things. 568 00:31:09,080 --> 00:31:13,040 Speaker 4: Both Food Network and Turner Classic Movies TCM both really 569 00:31:13,160 --> 00:31:17,160 Speaker 4: do sort of lean into experiential the festival. 570 00:31:17,720 --> 00:31:20,680 Speaker 3: As we're the title sponsors of the festival. The festival 571 00:31:20,760 --> 00:31:21,240 Speaker 3: gives us. 572 00:31:21,520 --> 00:31:24,680 Speaker 4: An opportunity to bring the talent and you know, some 573 00:31:24,840 --> 00:31:31,440 Speaker 4: of our marquee show IP two people who can't touch. 574 00:31:31,240 --> 00:31:32,560 Speaker 3: And feel it. You know, we are a. 575 00:31:34,520 --> 00:31:37,520 Speaker 4: Piece of content that you don't necessarily touch and feel 576 00:31:37,560 --> 00:31:39,360 Speaker 4: like you touch and feel a regular product. And I 577 00:31:39,440 --> 00:31:42,560 Speaker 4: think being able to create that kind of tangible experience 578 00:31:42,680 --> 00:31:46,200 Speaker 4: for people where they can be with other fans and 579 00:31:46,440 --> 00:31:51,400 Speaker 4: interact with other people who have that same passion for 580 00:31:51,560 --> 00:31:54,640 Speaker 4: food and interest in the content and in the brand 581 00:31:55,160 --> 00:31:59,960 Speaker 4: is really exciting. And it's a huge undertaking to put 582 00:32:00,080 --> 00:32:03,920 Speaker 4: together these these festivals, and we're so fortunate that we're 583 00:32:03,960 --> 00:32:06,040 Speaker 4: able to be a part of it, and it just 584 00:32:06,120 --> 00:32:09,080 Speaker 4: gives us an opportunity to really connect with people in 585 00:32:09,160 --> 00:32:12,400 Speaker 4: a way that we normally wouldn't have wouldn't have as 586 00:32:12,600 --> 00:32:13,160 Speaker 4: just being. 587 00:32:13,560 --> 00:32:17,120 Speaker 3: You know, a content provider. 588 00:32:17,240 --> 00:32:20,280 Speaker 4: I would say TCM with the film festival that we 589 00:32:20,400 --> 00:32:24,760 Speaker 4: do in in April every year. It similarly, it gives 590 00:32:25,000 --> 00:32:29,760 Speaker 4: fans an opportunity to really interact with filmmakers and stars 591 00:32:30,040 --> 00:32:33,320 Speaker 4: and fans too. I mean, you can't really underestimate when 592 00:32:33,360 --> 00:32:38,080 Speaker 4: you see people who are all fans of the shared 593 00:32:38,200 --> 00:32:42,760 Speaker 4: passion together in those experiences and you see that, I 594 00:32:42,960 --> 00:32:46,280 Speaker 4: have to say, it's energizing as a as a you know, 595 00:32:47,640 --> 00:32:51,720 Speaker 4: I don't know person who's part of the creation of 596 00:32:51,800 --> 00:32:57,680 Speaker 4: these events to see people really just loving being a 597 00:32:57,800 --> 00:33:01,040 Speaker 4: part of something very very tangible for these brands that 598 00:33:01,120 --> 00:33:05,480 Speaker 4: they truly, truly love. So while it's not, you know, 599 00:33:05,760 --> 00:33:09,080 Speaker 4: necessarily baked into everything that we do these days, I 600 00:33:09,160 --> 00:33:12,280 Speaker 4: will say with these passion brands like food and TCM 601 00:33:12,440 --> 00:33:16,840 Speaker 4: is another example we do, it's just it's it's a 602 00:33:16,920 --> 00:33:18,640 Speaker 4: really important part of the experience. 603 00:33:19,120 --> 00:33:19,280 Speaker 7: Yep. 604 00:33:19,560 --> 00:33:23,720 Speaker 5: And this year we have I think it's also taking 605 00:33:23,800 --> 00:33:25,720 Speaker 5: those fans and introducing them to new talent. 606 00:33:25,840 --> 00:33:28,520 Speaker 7: Back to that as we have Bobby's Triple Threat. 607 00:33:29,080 --> 00:33:31,800 Speaker 5: We have a dinner on I Forget which said Saturday, 608 00:33:32,320 --> 00:33:35,200 Speaker 5: and so that's when you where fans get to interact 609 00:33:35,240 --> 00:33:38,640 Speaker 5: with Bobby and the Titans and really introducing the Titans 610 00:33:38,680 --> 00:33:42,160 Speaker 5: to the world, which is really exciting because they're great, 611 00:33:42,560 --> 00:33:45,880 Speaker 5: great talent. And the other fun thing well, and of 612 00:33:45,960 --> 00:33:48,600 Speaker 5: course we have Triple d we have the big event 613 00:33:48,680 --> 00:33:51,880 Speaker 5: there where that's where fans really come out of wood 614 00:33:51,920 --> 00:33:54,800 Speaker 5: works too. It's amazing to be there and just feel 615 00:33:54,880 --> 00:33:58,840 Speaker 5: the energy of just wanting to participate. We have a 616 00:33:59,760 --> 00:34:04,600 Speaker 5: one of our shows that we do will be shooting 617 00:34:04,640 --> 00:34:09,120 Speaker 5: the finale as part of Soviey. So we're very excited 618 00:34:09,719 --> 00:34:14,160 Speaker 5: to really not only it's not only a place where 619 00:34:14,280 --> 00:34:16,319 Speaker 5: fans can interact, but they're actually going to be able 620 00:34:16,360 --> 00:34:18,720 Speaker 5: to be part of one of their favorite shows. 621 00:34:18,880 --> 00:34:19,399 Speaker 3: Super cool. 622 00:34:25,840 --> 00:34:27,960 Speaker 1: Thank you for joining us for this week's episode of 623 00:34:28,040 --> 00:34:31,440 Speaker 1: Variety Strictly Business. You can find new episodes weekly on 624 00:34:31,680 --> 00:34:32,560 Speaker 1: Apple Podcasts.