1 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:11,680 Speaker 1: Welcome to a special episode of Varieties Strictly Business podcast. 2 00:00:12,080 --> 00:00:16,640 Speaker 1: This is our twenty twenty three Year in Review Highlights reel. 3 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:20,920 Speaker 1: I'm Cynthia Littleton, co editor in chief of Variety, and 4 00:00:21,079 --> 00:00:23,919 Speaker 1: I co host this podcast with my very good friend 5 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:26,480 Speaker 1: and longtime colleague Andrew Wallenstein. 6 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:29,000 Speaker 2: Good to be with you, Cynthia. I can't believe another 7 00:00:29,120 --> 00:00:30,120 Speaker 2: year has flown by. 8 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:34,360 Speaker 1: It's always fun to look through the episodes of the 9 00:00:34,360 --> 00:00:37,360 Speaker 1: past year. It's hard to pick our favorites, but we do. 10 00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:41,720 Speaker 1: The year that started with Jeremy Renner versus Snowplow and 11 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:47,879 Speaker 1: thank goodness Renner One has ended with major drama circling 12 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:52,559 Speaker 1: the House of Redstone as suitors approach, or maybe slowly 13 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:56,480 Speaker 1: they're approaching, So it's of course it's in between all 14 00:00:56,520 --> 00:01:00,320 Speaker 1: of that. There was a very eventful year. And what 15 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:03,920 Speaker 1: stood out to you as most significant or impactful in 16 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:04,760 Speaker 1: this crazy year? 17 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:07,479 Speaker 2: I don't know how the answer can be anything else 18 00:01:07,520 --> 00:01:09,760 Speaker 2: but the strikes. You spent the better part of this 19 00:01:09,840 --> 00:01:14,240 Speaker 2: year covering so assiduously. There's no question they paralyzed this 20 00:01:14,319 --> 00:01:17,720 Speaker 2: industry for most of twenty twenty three, forcing executives to 21 00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:22,280 Speaker 2: re examine the fundamentals of this business. And you know, 22 00:01:23,120 --> 00:01:29,720 Speaker 2: when you think about how they redefined this industry, it's 23 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:33,880 Speaker 2: just amazing looking back at how dramatic the negotiations were. 24 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:38,320 Speaker 2: When I think about one issue in particular that stood out, 25 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:43,120 Speaker 2: it has to be generative AI, and selfishly, that was 26 00:01:43,160 --> 00:01:46,559 Speaker 2: something over at Variety Intelligence Platform we spent a load 27 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:50,800 Speaker 2: of time on with so many white papers, six of 28 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 2: them over the past three years that even of course 29 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:56,760 Speaker 2: proceeds the strike, we saw this coming a long way off, 30 00:01:57,440 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 2: and this is something that is still in just the 31 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:04,960 Speaker 2: very early stages of transforming so many of the processes, 32 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 2: particularly in production, but even of course beyond that, beyond 33 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 2: this industry, and so we'll continue to follow that. I 34 00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:16,400 Speaker 2: was just curious, from your perspective, how large did AI 35 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:20,400 Speaker 2: loom compared to so many of the other issues during 36 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:21,640 Speaker 2: strike negotiations. 37 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:25,840 Speaker 1: Dear listeners, I have two words for you. Audrey Schomer 38 00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 1: s c Homeer. She covers AI for VIP. She does 39 00:02:31,800 --> 00:02:34,880 Speaker 1: amazing work, very deep dives. Has done some of the 40 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:39,760 Speaker 1: smartest media eccentric work on AI that I have read. 41 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:42,440 Speaker 1: And she's done great reports and she I hope she 42 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:44,840 Speaker 1: got a rest because it's going to over the holiday 43 00:02:45,160 --> 00:02:47,600 Speaker 1: I hope Audrey got her rest over the holidays, because 44 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:50,959 Speaker 1: it's going to be a very busy year from courtrooms 45 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:54,639 Speaker 1: to boardrooms on AI. There is so much activity going 46 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:58,840 Speaker 1: on there. AI was it was sort of the perfect 47 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:01,680 Speaker 1: It was the perfect story of events as AI just 48 00:03:01,760 --> 00:03:06,240 Speaker 1: came on like wildfire in the culture. It also emerged 49 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:10,800 Speaker 1: in the contract negotiations, and we had a number of 50 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:16,880 Speaker 1: great stories by our terrific primary labor reporter Gene mattis 51 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:20,080 Speaker 1: a hero of variety in twenty twenty three for his 52 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:25,280 Speaker 1: incredible work covering that strike and as he has reported 53 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:28,119 Speaker 1: and gotten people to admit they didn't when when the 54 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:31,680 Speaker 1: negotiations began in the early part of the year, AI 55 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:34,560 Speaker 1: was not even on their radar. And I'm sure lawyers, 56 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:37,680 Speaker 1: I'm sure that people working on the fleets of lawyers 57 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:40,680 Speaker 1: working on all kinds of AI litigation are looking at 58 00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:43,480 Speaker 1: the fine print in the SAG deal to see is 59 00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:46,600 Speaker 1: this a model? And conversely, the SAG people are looking 60 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 1: at all of the litigation to see, okay, where's the 61 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:51,880 Speaker 1: cutting edge of protection of use of all of that. 62 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 1: And that's unusual to see the labor situation become part 63 00:03:56,960 --> 00:04:00,480 Speaker 1: of that larger big tech issue, but that's you know, 64 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 1: these are the times in which we live. 65 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:05,840 Speaker 2: Well closer to home of course here in Hollywood, though, 66 00:04:05,880 --> 00:04:10,360 Speaker 2: it's really the streaming services that probably loomed large, not 67 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:14,480 Speaker 2: just in the strike negotiations but thereafter. If I think 68 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:19,039 Speaker 2: anything is going to emerge as the defining story of 69 00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:21,240 Speaker 2: twenty twenty three, it's really I think this was the 70 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:24,920 Speaker 2: year Netflix said we won. This was the year they 71 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:27,800 Speaker 2: won the so called streaming wars, which isn't to say 72 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:30,800 Speaker 2: that the wars are over. So the question here going 73 00:04:30,839 --> 00:04:34,919 Speaker 2: into twenty four is what's next. Do we see a 74 00:04:35,440 --> 00:04:39,159 Speaker 2: bundling strategy, for instance, in terms of how the other 75 00:04:39,240 --> 00:04:41,680 Speaker 2: services come together. I thought it was great when you, 76 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:46,360 Speaker 2: for instance, brought Jason Keelar in for a guest column 77 00:04:46,360 --> 00:04:49,960 Speaker 2: and he had a memorable take about the others coming 78 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:56,760 Speaker 2: together in some fashion to perhaps ban together and give 79 00:04:56,880 --> 00:05:01,360 Speaker 2: Netflix a run for their money. Do we see an 80 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:05,279 Speaker 2: M and A strategy take shape that enables some of 81 00:05:05,279 --> 00:05:07,440 Speaker 2: the other players to scale up? How do you think 82 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:08,360 Speaker 2: it's going to play out? 83 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:11,279 Speaker 1: I think that that. I think it's basically everything everywhere, 84 00:05:11,320 --> 00:05:14,200 Speaker 1: all at once. Some form of all of that is happening. 85 00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:16,680 Speaker 1: I think it was it was the kind of year 86 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:19,400 Speaker 1: that everybody knew was coming, but nobody was quite ready 87 00:05:19,440 --> 00:05:24,120 Speaker 1: to articulate until David Zaslov and Bob Iger had to, 88 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:28,680 Speaker 1: under the weight of sinking earnings had to articulate it 89 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:32,039 Speaker 1: in terms of budget cuts and sadly, staff cuts that 90 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:35,240 Speaker 1: really affected human beings. Even though that seven thousand is 91 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:37,080 Speaker 1: a big number, that's a lot of people and that 92 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:40,080 Speaker 1: definitely you felt that this year. So it did feel 93 00:05:40,560 --> 00:05:43,680 Speaker 1: and with the strikes, it really did feel like at 94 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:46,680 Speaker 1: times the whole town was at war. It really did. 95 00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:48,880 Speaker 1: It was a there's no question it was a tough year. 96 00:05:49,279 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 1: I think you have to in the glass half full 97 00:05:52,200 --> 00:05:54,919 Speaker 1: with everything that's gone on, with the streaming and the 98 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:58,080 Speaker 1: kind of contraction, you have to glass half full. Think 99 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:01,239 Speaker 1: if we're getting back to fundamental principle than long term, 100 00:06:01,640 --> 00:06:05,680 Speaker 1: the fundamental business principles of earnings and cash flow, then 101 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:09,680 Speaker 1: long term these businesses are going to be better off 102 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:13,799 Speaker 1: just long term. A Warner Brothers discovery that is mindful 103 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 1: of the fact that, as David Zaslov likes to point out, 104 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:19,120 Speaker 1: HBO used to make a billion dollars. Now it's losing 105 00:06:19,160 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 1: more than a billion dollars. Like something that's not sustainable. 106 00:06:22,680 --> 00:06:25,799 Speaker 1: So you know who wins long term. I think Netflix 107 00:06:26,240 --> 00:06:30,120 Speaker 1: for sure can can take that deserved victory lap. And 108 00:06:30,320 --> 00:06:32,880 Speaker 1: I thank you for mentioning the Jason Kylar column. And 109 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:34,559 Speaker 1: I just want to say that was that I picked 110 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:37,080 Speaker 1: up the phone and I do appreciate Jason bringing that 111 00:06:37,160 --> 00:06:39,719 Speaker 1: because it was. What we liked about that column was 112 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:44,360 Speaker 1: it was perspective on how can streaming work for everybody? 113 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:47,599 Speaker 1: And he made an interesting point about the middleman that 114 00:06:47,720 --> 00:06:52,560 Speaker 1: is so often criticized, actually was the vehicle that spread 115 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:57,800 Speaker 1: the profits widely through Hollywood cable profits to Hollywood programmers 116 00:06:57,839 --> 00:07:01,560 Speaker 1: like Disney, like Paramount, like Warner Brothers. So very interesting. 117 00:07:02,160 --> 00:07:05,159 Speaker 2: I'll strike a more optimistic tone on this note, which 118 00:07:05,240 --> 00:07:08,960 Speaker 2: is I think if the biggest success story could be 119 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:14,000 Speaker 2: noted for twenty twenty three, it's not Barbenheimer. It's Taylor Swift. 120 00:07:14,880 --> 00:07:18,520 Speaker 2: What she did not just in the concert business, which 121 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:23,240 Speaker 2: was astonishing enough, but actually taking that to the box 122 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:27,440 Speaker 2: office as well was simply astonishing. And I will say, 123 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:30,240 Speaker 2: at least on the concert side, I don't think it's 124 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:34,080 Speaker 2: a one off. I think what is going on and 125 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:36,960 Speaker 2: this is bodes really well for Live Nation, which is 126 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:40,200 Speaker 2: the biggest kahuna in that business. I think this is 127 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:43,040 Speaker 2: something that's going to hold on for a number of years. 128 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:46,440 Speaker 2: I think the concert business obviously a lot of attention 129 00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 2: for both Taylor Swift and for Beyonce, they had great years. 130 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:53,280 Speaker 2: But when you look at the numbers and we did 131 00:07:53,320 --> 00:07:56,800 Speaker 2: this ad variety intelligence this year, this was a much 132 00:07:56,880 --> 00:08:01,560 Speaker 2: broader based success than those I mean, those women deserve 133 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:04,160 Speaker 2: all the credit that they deserve, but it was a 134 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:08,559 Speaker 2: much broader based success. Then you might see at first 135 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:11,680 Speaker 2: glance and that business is going to do very well 136 00:08:11,720 --> 00:08:15,040 Speaker 2: in the coming years with a lot of performers lined 137 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:16,040 Speaker 2: up to do really well. 138 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:17,840 Speaker 1: You just have to give it to Taylor Swift and 139 00:08:17,880 --> 00:08:20,920 Speaker 1: their team. They are geniuses, even in the very creative 140 00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:23,320 Speaker 1: and innovative way that they cut the deal directly with 141 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:27,360 Speaker 1: AMC Theaters, the nation's largest exhibition chain, to distribute the 142 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 1: concert movie directly in theaters. That put tens of millions 143 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:35,480 Speaker 1: of dollars in more profit surely in the Swift camp. 144 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:39,240 Speaker 1: And she just is there's just no question, and she 145 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:42,360 Speaker 1: is one of the few things that can bring four 146 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:45,840 Speaker 1: quadrants together. It's amazing. This is why we have been 147 00:08:45,880 --> 00:08:47,800 Speaker 1: friends for so long because we could start talking about 148 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:50,600 Speaker 1: one thing and keep going. Why don't we we both 149 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:52,120 Speaker 1: have a long list, why don't we do a quick 150 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:54,560 Speaker 1: rapid fire and then on some things that we both 151 00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:57,400 Speaker 1: want to mention, and then we'll get into our clips. 152 00:08:57,600 --> 00:08:59,600 Speaker 1: So drafting off, Barbie, we're going to have a clip 153 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 1: of Cries your interview with the Mattel CEO. Very interesting 154 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:07,360 Speaker 1: to see Mattel, a toymaker, come out bold with a 155 00:09:07,520 --> 00:09:10,839 Speaker 1: very media centric strategy, and boy, that first swing really 156 00:09:10,880 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 1: did hit a home run. Let's see what else stood 157 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:18,720 Speaker 1: out to me this year. Another thing, another thing that 158 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:21,400 Speaker 1: stood out to me big time is copyright rules changing. 159 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:24,520 Speaker 1: That's why you saw that charming little movie called Winnie 160 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:27,480 Speaker 1: the Pooh, Blood and Honey in theaters is because AA 161 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:31,960 Speaker 1: Miln's creation is now fair game. Same thing with Mickey 162 00:09:32,000 --> 00:09:35,000 Speaker 1: Mouse in the public domain. That is definitely a new 163 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:38,640 Speaker 1: world order late night. Big changes in late night, and 164 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:41,240 Speaker 1: that I think is hurting, is going to hurt long 165 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:44,959 Speaker 1: term the appeal of linear TV. But seeing James Corden 166 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:48,280 Speaker 1: sign off, Trevor Noah sign off those late night gigs, 167 00:09:48,320 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 1: people would kill themselves to get the idea that somebody 168 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:53,559 Speaker 1: would will for somebody that at that stage of their 169 00:09:53,559 --> 00:09:56,439 Speaker 1: careers would willfully walk away, says a lot, and it's 170 00:09:56,520 --> 00:09:59,679 Speaker 1: kind of sad. I think we no question that the 171 00:09:59,760 --> 00:10:03,920 Speaker 1: end was shocked in April when NBC Universal CEO Jeff 172 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:08,720 Speaker 1: Schell was removed. It was a sign that the reckoning 173 00:10:08,800 --> 00:10:11,720 Speaker 1: of the me too era is not at all over. 174 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:15,040 Speaker 1: The business dispute that hurt me to my core in 175 00:10:15,160 --> 00:10:16,960 Speaker 1: these last couple of weeks of the year is the 176 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:20,280 Speaker 1: fight between Daryl Hall and John Oates. I really really 177 00:10:20,360 --> 00:10:25,440 Speaker 1: hope somebody, so please, please, somebody bring those two together, 178 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:28,840 Speaker 1: because they belong together making music. Andy, what do you. 179 00:10:28,760 --> 00:10:34,240 Speaker 2: Got well, I'd say big show endings this year, Succession 180 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:38,560 Speaker 2: the crown. I'm going to predict you will see both 181 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:41,800 Speaker 2: of those ip come back in a matter of years. 182 00:10:41,800 --> 00:10:44,319 Speaker 2: You gotta let the field life fallow. The fans will 183 00:10:44,559 --> 00:10:51,600 Speaker 2: demand their return. I think you saw the untimely death 184 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:55,920 Speaker 2: of our very first friend in Matthew Perry, and I 185 00:10:55,920 --> 00:11:00,160 Speaker 2: think that'll put the spotlight on the drug ketamine and 186 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:04,760 Speaker 2: what that's doing in the field of depression and anxiety. 187 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:08,679 Speaker 2: I think the change over at CNN is going to 188 00:11:08,720 --> 00:11:12,520 Speaker 2: be a major story. Chris licked out Mark Thompson coming 189 00:11:12,559 --> 00:11:15,000 Speaker 2: in He's got his work cut out for him there 190 00:11:15,920 --> 00:11:19,520 Speaker 2: and so much more at twenty twenty four. It gonna 191 00:11:19,559 --> 00:11:20,280 Speaker 2: be real interesting. 192 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 1: You know, we didn't talk about much in twenty three 193 00:11:22,800 --> 00:11:26,280 Speaker 1: three Andy NFTs and Web three. 194 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:27,439 Speaker 3: That is true. 195 00:11:27,600 --> 00:11:29,880 Speaker 2: And what about that metaverse? When's that gonna happen? 196 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:33,520 Speaker 1: All right, Well, that's that's for another conversation. Now onto 197 00:11:33,520 --> 00:11:40,000 Speaker 1: the highlights. Don't go anywhere. We'll be right back with 198 00:11:40,160 --> 00:11:43,960 Speaker 1: twenty twenty three highlights from the Strictly Business podcast right 199 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:44,840 Speaker 1: after this break. 200 00:11:51,800 --> 00:11:54,199 Speaker 2: The thing I like to do most on Strictly Business 201 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:57,120 Speaker 2: is have people tell stories about their work that you're 202 00:11:57,200 --> 00:12:01,320 Speaker 2: not hearing about elsewhere. There was one interview that I 203 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:05,760 Speaker 2: think epitomized that approach. It was with Mittel CEO Enon 204 00:12:05,960 --> 00:12:10,600 Speaker 2: Cries Now naturally, Enon has been everywhere this year talking 205 00:12:10,640 --> 00:12:13,440 Speaker 2: about was probably one of the biggest success stories in 206 00:12:13,520 --> 00:12:17,719 Speaker 2: Hollywood in twenty twenty three, the Barbie movie. But what 207 00:12:17,800 --> 00:12:20,280 Speaker 2: he and I spent most of the time talking about 208 00:12:20,320 --> 00:12:22,800 Speaker 2: was pretty much everything else at Mattel that he was 209 00:12:22,840 --> 00:12:26,400 Speaker 2: excited to move on to because of the momentum Barbie 210 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:29,800 Speaker 2: afforded him. As you can hear in this section. 211 00:12:30,360 --> 00:12:35,880 Speaker 4: The idea the assets. The model is all there. We're 212 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:40,800 Speaker 4: not inventing or creating a new innovative commercial approach. This 213 00:12:40,880 --> 00:12:44,599 Speaker 4: has been done before. It is about execution, and we 214 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:49,960 Speaker 4: have been consistently systematically and methodically executing our strategy even 215 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:56,199 Speaker 4: before the Barbie Movie came out and had multiple already successes. 216 00:12:56,240 --> 00:13:01,200 Speaker 4: Even on the digital gaming side, have a very successful 217 00:13:01,280 --> 00:13:04,600 Speaker 4: joint venture with Netties which is called Mattel one sixty 218 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 4: three that in a very short period of time just 219 00:13:07,600 --> 00:13:11,840 Speaker 4: with three games only became a meaningful player in mobile games. 220 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:17,839 Speaker 4: And so we've had already important accomplishments along the way, 221 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:21,000 Speaker 4: and the Barbie Movie clearly is a big milestone and 222 00:13:21,520 --> 00:13:26,559 Speaker 4: one that you can't not see and appreciate, but it's 223 00:13:26,880 --> 00:13:31,320 Speaker 4: it's it's a long, multi year strategy continue to do that. 224 00:13:32,080 --> 00:13:34,960 Speaker 2: One of the more surreal interviews I conducted this year 225 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:38,720 Speaker 2: on the podcast was with Rachel Abrams, not just because 226 00:13:38,720 --> 00:13:42,520 Speaker 2: she's co author with James Stewart of Unscripted, The Epic 227 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:47,079 Speaker 2: Battle for a Media Empire and the Redstone Family Legacy. Sure, 228 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 2: it's a book with plenty of surreal moments, but it's 229 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:53,560 Speaker 2: also because she's a former colleague of mine here at 230 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:56,240 Speaker 2: variety who I've known for ages since she was just 231 00:13:56,280 --> 00:13:59,760 Speaker 2: a young cub reporter. Naturally we got into it on 232 00:13:59,800 --> 00:14:02,840 Speaker 2: the craft of journalism, and there was no shortage of 233 00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:05,800 Speaker 2: insights she had to share on the journey she took 234 00:14:05,920 --> 00:14:08,040 Speaker 2: reporting out this terrific book. 235 00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:11,160 Speaker 3: I mean, Andy, you know this also being a journalist, 236 00:14:11,200 --> 00:14:14,200 Speaker 3: like whenever you report something, the question is always, well, 237 00:14:14,440 --> 00:14:17,480 Speaker 3: this is what I know? What don't I know? And 238 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:19,440 Speaker 3: you know, I don't want really want to speculate about 239 00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:22,840 Speaker 3: the universe of how, you know, how big how many 240 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:24,200 Speaker 3: women might be out there, because I you know, I 241 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:26,320 Speaker 3: don't want to cast dis versions with information I haven't 242 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:30,480 Speaker 3: confirmed myself, but I will say that, like I have 243 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 3: talked to people who are related to this story who 244 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:36,440 Speaker 3: say there is no upside for me talking to you, 245 00:14:36,480 --> 00:14:39,120 Speaker 3: And I just want to emphasize what Jim said, which 246 00:14:39,160 --> 00:14:42,320 Speaker 3: is that, you know, frankly, as a woman covering some 247 00:14:42,360 --> 00:14:44,200 Speaker 3: of this stuff the last few years, one of the 248 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:47,440 Speaker 3: I would argue kind of sexist criticisms for women coming 249 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:49,760 Speaker 3: forward in these stories is well, they just want attention, 250 00:14:49,880 --> 00:14:52,280 Speaker 3: you know, the floodgates of open. People just want attention. 251 00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:55,480 Speaker 3: And I can tell you that like more often than not. 252 00:14:55,680 --> 00:14:59,560 Speaker 3: When I talk to somebody, they they see no upside 253 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:03,400 Speaker 3: own best CBS are regardless. There's the response I get 254 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:05,800 Speaker 3: is there is no upside for me talking to you. 255 00:15:05,880 --> 00:15:06,840 Speaker 1: What do I get out of this? 256 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:09,480 Speaker 3: My career will be ruined, my children will find out, 257 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:11,320 Speaker 3: you know, why would I want this out there? And 258 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:14,120 Speaker 3: so I think if anybody thinks that that people are 259 00:15:14,240 --> 00:15:17,440 Speaker 3: everyone is eager and embraces calls for me or Jim 260 00:15:17,520 --> 00:15:20,040 Speaker 3: with open arms. I mean, that is really a misconception. 261 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:23,800 Speaker 2: Having been doing strictly business for more than five years now, 262 00:15:23,840 --> 00:15:27,280 Speaker 2: certain people have been repeat guests because they bring a 263 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:31,600 Speaker 2: little something extra to the table. Barstool Sports CEO Eric 264 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:34,520 Speaker 2: Ayers is one of those people because she has a 265 00:15:34,600 --> 00:15:38,600 Speaker 2: tendency to say things that are speculation one day become 266 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:43,440 Speaker 2: news months or even years later. First time she was 267 00:15:43,600 --> 00:15:46,880 Speaker 2: musing about sports gambling, for instance, next thing I know, 268 00:15:47,360 --> 00:15:51,160 Speaker 2: Barstool got into that business. So when she was talking 269 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:56,480 Speaker 2: about televising live sports earlier this year, my ears perked up. 270 00:15:57,200 --> 00:15:59,560 Speaker 5: You know, most companies that take a big flyer on 271 00:15:59,640 --> 00:16:04,440 Speaker 5: live sports live rights are taking a bath on the economics. 272 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:09,000 Speaker 5: Now today, could we compete for you know, college football 273 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:14,560 Speaker 5: rights obviously we're never getting NFL rights college basketball MBA, 274 00:16:14,640 --> 00:16:18,760 Speaker 5: probably not. But that's also you know, I think the 275 00:16:18,840 --> 00:16:21,480 Speaker 5: world in five years from now is going to look 276 00:16:21,640 --> 00:16:26,320 Speaker 5: really different. I also really believe, you know, I think 277 00:16:26,080 --> 00:16:28,360 Speaker 5: we're in an era of you know, if you think 278 00:16:28,360 --> 00:16:30,760 Speaker 5: about social media, it's. 279 00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:32,360 Speaker 2: For you, right, you go to. 280 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:34,480 Speaker 5: Twitter now, you used to go to Twitter, and now 281 00:16:34,480 --> 00:16:36,880 Speaker 5: you go for you and who you're following. When you 282 00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:41,800 Speaker 5: go to TikTok, it's personalized. Your discover page is algorithmically 283 00:16:41,840 --> 00:16:45,880 Speaker 5: personalized for you. I think sports will be somewhat of 284 00:16:45,960 --> 00:16:48,640 Speaker 5: the same thing. Right you see Amazon playing with playing 285 00:16:48,680 --> 00:16:52,080 Speaker 5: with this now, which is, Hey, I may want to 286 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:54,120 Speaker 5: watch an NFL game, but I want to listen to 287 00:16:54,160 --> 00:16:57,440 Speaker 5: the mannings, right, I want to listen to the game 288 00:16:57,480 --> 00:17:02,400 Speaker 5: in Spanish with particular common comment why can't couldn't barstool 289 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:05,040 Speaker 5: sports play in that world? And I think that's more 290 00:17:05,040 --> 00:17:06,920 Speaker 5: so where you're going to see things. 291 00:17:06,680 --> 00:17:13,440 Speaker 1: Go don't go anywhere. We'll be right back with more 292 00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:17,200 Speaker 1: clips and insights on twenty twenty three from Variety's Strictly 293 00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:27,680 Speaker 1: Business podcast. And we're back with more twenty twenty three 294 00:17:27,720 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 1: highlights from Variety's Strictly Business podcast. A new voice on 295 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 1: Strictly Business this year was Jennifer Mobbs, Variety's TV business writer, 296 00:17:36,920 --> 00:17:41,040 Speaker 1: who hosted several episodes. She brought insights into Disney's big 297 00:17:41,119 --> 00:17:44,600 Speaker 1: picture strategy on video gaming with her sit down in 298 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:49,119 Speaker 1: December with Disney Gaming chief Sean Shoptalk. Here's a clip. 299 00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:52,160 Speaker 3: How much you will work with other divisions, like if 300 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:54,399 Speaker 3: we can get this in here organically and it ties 301 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:56,639 Speaker 3: to park somehow or this, what can we do and 302 00:17:56,640 --> 00:17:57,840 Speaker 3: how much do you all talk about that? 303 00:17:58,520 --> 00:18:01,120 Speaker 6: Yeah, that's another great question. Look, it's something we do. 304 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:04,840 Speaker 6: We do focus on. We are constantly talking to partners 305 00:18:04,880 --> 00:18:08,560 Speaker 6: internally about our games, about things that are coming not 306 00:18:08,680 --> 00:18:10,639 Speaker 6: just in game, but to your point, things that are 307 00:18:10,680 --> 00:18:13,320 Speaker 6: happening elsewhere in the company, whether it's in theme parks 308 00:18:13,400 --> 00:18:16,320 Speaker 6: or the film division. And yes, we are certainly conscious 309 00:18:16,359 --> 00:18:19,600 Speaker 6: of where there's opportunity to bring things into our experiences 310 00:18:19,640 --> 00:18:22,480 Speaker 6: from other parts of the company. Obviously, we've done that 311 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:25,639 Speaker 6: historically incredibly well as a company from a film perspective, 312 00:18:25,640 --> 00:18:28,400 Speaker 6: where we launch a great movie and then there's downstream 313 00:18:28,480 --> 00:18:33,280 Speaker 6: consumer products, there's games, there's books, there's other things. Games 314 00:18:33,320 --> 00:18:36,240 Speaker 6: is really hopefully for us starting to be another place 315 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:38,280 Speaker 6: that we can see a lot of great things from 316 00:18:38,320 --> 00:18:40,919 Speaker 6: other parts of the company to your point, and something 317 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:43,879 Speaker 6: that yes, we are consciously doing and something that we 318 00:18:44,359 --> 00:18:47,000 Speaker 6: get excited about when there's opportunity to bring other parts 319 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:48,719 Speaker 6: of the company into our game experiences. 320 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:49,760 Speaker 7: It's certainly exciting. 321 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:53,480 Speaker 1: Like Andy, I love doing this podcast because it's a 322 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:58,359 Speaker 1: wonderful medium for long conversations about abstract issues. It's also 323 00:18:58,400 --> 00:19:01,160 Speaker 1: a great way to meet dynamic new people in the industry. 324 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:06,720 Speaker 1: Nigerian entrepreneur Mo Abudu is certainly that, so are Adam 325 00:19:06,760 --> 00:19:10,280 Speaker 1: Borston and Matt Crowley, the leaders of Studio seventy one, 326 00:19:10,320 --> 00:19:14,160 Speaker 1: who are plowing away in the creator economy. Producer Nah 327 00:19:14,240 --> 00:19:18,399 Speaker 1: Yungsuk is one of South Korea's most successful entrepreneurs. We 328 00:19:18,520 --> 00:19:21,280 Speaker 1: spoke in August at the k Coon Fan convention in 329 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:24,679 Speaker 1: downtown LA. Of course, at Variety we also have the 330 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:28,320 Speaker 1: benefit of access to the top industry leaders, and there's 331 00:19:28,359 --> 00:19:32,520 Speaker 1: no programming executive more successful right now than Casey Bloy's 332 00:19:32,560 --> 00:19:36,800 Speaker 1: of HBO. Here are short clips from each of those episodes. 333 00:19:37,119 --> 00:19:40,679 Speaker 1: As you pitch, you know, everyone from BBC to Stars 334 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:43,560 Speaker 1: to you know, major networks around the world and other 335 00:19:43,720 --> 00:19:47,520 Speaker 1: continents have what has been some of the education that 336 00:19:47,560 --> 00:19:50,399 Speaker 1: you've needed to do to because you are coming in 337 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:52,960 Speaker 1: with a different message. We are Africans, we are ready 338 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:55,760 Speaker 1: to tell our own stories. We are local for global. 339 00:19:56,119 --> 00:19:59,400 Speaker 1: Have you found mostly receptive ears? Has it taken Has 340 00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:03,159 Speaker 1: it taken time for people to understand people outside of 341 00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:06,720 Speaker 1: Africa to understand what the potential, what the marketplace is 342 00:20:07,359 --> 00:20:08,160 Speaker 1: there right now? 343 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:12,000 Speaker 8: I think it's like with all things, it's you have 344 00:20:12,080 --> 00:20:17,360 Speaker 8: to educate, you have to convince, you have to persuade positively, 345 00:20:17,520 --> 00:20:20,680 Speaker 8: you've got to share data, You've got to let them 346 00:20:20,760 --> 00:20:24,000 Speaker 8: understand that Africa is only six hours away from London. 347 00:20:24,280 --> 00:20:28,000 Speaker 8: You know, it's not like you're going to add a space, right. 348 00:20:29,040 --> 00:20:30,359 Speaker 8: I mean the other day I was on a plane 349 00:20:30,359 --> 00:20:33,080 Speaker 8: from New York to la and it was five and 350 00:20:33,080 --> 00:20:35,920 Speaker 8: a half hours. That's how long it takes to get 351 00:20:35,960 --> 00:20:40,800 Speaker 8: from London to Lagos, literally, So you know, we're not 352 00:20:40,880 --> 00:20:44,640 Speaker 8: that far away from where the world is. And it's 353 00:20:44,680 --> 00:20:48,240 Speaker 8: important for the world to understand that Africa is shaping 354 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:50,720 Speaker 8: a lot of the culture around the world, when it 355 00:20:50,760 --> 00:20:53,000 Speaker 8: comes to music, when it comes to fashion, when it 356 00:20:53,040 --> 00:20:55,920 Speaker 8: comes to beauty, when it comes I mean, I believe 357 00:20:56,000 --> 00:21:00,240 Speaker 8: that Nigeria for example, has some of the best fashion designers, 358 00:21:00,440 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 8: has some of the best hairdressers, has some of the 359 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:06,359 Speaker 8: best makeup artists that the world needs to discover, you know. 360 00:21:06,520 --> 00:21:10,879 Speaker 8: And so we have talent sitting there that needs to 361 00:21:10,920 --> 00:21:14,720 Speaker 8: be exported, that needs to be shared with the world. 362 00:21:15,080 --> 00:21:18,600 Speaker 8: So my message to those that are ready to listen, 363 00:21:18,720 --> 00:21:20,520 Speaker 8: because you know the challenges are some of them that 364 00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:22,920 Speaker 8: you're still not ready. Some of them are very risk 365 00:21:22,960 --> 00:21:25,119 Speaker 8: adverse to, Like, you know what, I'm just rather going 366 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:29,679 Speaker 8: to do season hundred of this particular show because it 367 00:21:29,800 --> 00:21:31,320 Speaker 8: kind of works for me, and I'm not sure I 368 00:21:31,320 --> 00:21:32,960 Speaker 8: want to go and do another season one of a 369 00:21:33,040 --> 00:21:36,919 Speaker 8: show from Nigeria or Cape Town and Johannesburg. But then 370 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:40,160 Speaker 8: you see data speaks for itself because what you find 371 00:21:40,200 --> 00:21:42,160 Speaker 8: is that a number of the shows that are on 372 00:21:42,200 --> 00:21:45,320 Speaker 8: Netflix or any of the other streamers, you find that 373 00:21:45,400 --> 00:21:49,480 Speaker 8: because data, they're so data driven, they share the numbers, 374 00:21:49,600 --> 00:21:53,160 Speaker 8: you know, on you can check these numbers online and 375 00:21:53,200 --> 00:21:56,840 Speaker 8: they can see that even when our shows are standing 376 00:21:57,280 --> 00:22:00,399 Speaker 8: shoulder to shoulder with international shows that probably get times 377 00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:02,920 Speaker 8: the budget that we get, we're still getting the numbers. 378 00:22:03,560 --> 00:22:05,840 Speaker 8: Now that tells you that there is an audience. 379 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:08,600 Speaker 9: We have a core set of talent. I would say 380 00:22:08,600 --> 00:22:11,440 Speaker 9: we try to keep the list intentionally as small as possible, 381 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:14,920 Speaker 9: but it's around a thousand creators. And for that group 382 00:22:14,960 --> 00:22:17,359 Speaker 9: of talent, really we work with them in a variety 383 00:22:17,359 --> 00:22:19,480 Speaker 9: of different ways. For some of them, we help them 384 00:22:19,560 --> 00:22:22,480 Speaker 9: just distribute, so take their content from YouTube, you know, 385 00:22:22,680 --> 00:22:25,520 Speaker 9: edit it and put it on Facebook and Snapchat and 386 00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:30,320 Speaker 9: you know connected TVs. For other talent, we sell ads 387 00:22:30,640 --> 00:22:32,560 Speaker 9: and that's our big focus for that, you know, selling 388 00:22:32,640 --> 00:22:36,040 Speaker 9: media sales against their you know, you know, content on YouTube, 389 00:22:36,480 --> 00:22:38,840 Speaker 9: as well as brand integrations, which is like when talent 390 00:22:38,920 --> 00:22:41,399 Speaker 9: you know, shouts out different brands and gives different in 391 00:22:41,560 --> 00:22:44,280 Speaker 9: video promotions. And then for others we help them on 392 00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:47,080 Speaker 9: production support. You know, we have a big space in 393 00:22:47,119 --> 00:22:49,720 Speaker 9: Burbank that's our studio space. A lot of cut talent 394 00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:50,320 Speaker 9: come through. 395 00:22:50,200 --> 00:22:52,080 Speaker 1: There, beautiful Downtown Bank. 396 00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:54,439 Speaker 9: Yes, of course we're a lot of a lot of 397 00:22:54,920 --> 00:22:57,959 Speaker 9: digital videos get produced and we work with a lot 398 00:22:58,000 --> 00:23:00,720 Speaker 9: of great creators there. So again it's a wide variety 399 00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:03,679 Speaker 9: of services that we work on with different talent, but 400 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:05,719 Speaker 9: we do have that core group that we work with 401 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:08,280 Speaker 9: and again our goal is to really help them grow 402 00:23:08,359 --> 00:23:09,639 Speaker 9: across every different. 403 00:23:09,359 --> 00:23:12,359 Speaker 1: Platform do you have Is it set up somewhat like 404 00:23:12,400 --> 00:23:15,560 Speaker 1: a traditional studio and that you have content people and 405 00:23:15,760 --> 00:23:17,560 Speaker 1: ad sales people. I mean, do you have a lot 406 00:23:17,640 --> 00:23:20,600 Speaker 1: of this under the Studio seventy one roof in terms 407 00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:24,320 Speaker 1: of like distribution, help and advertising sales. Yeah. 408 00:23:24,320 --> 00:23:27,800 Speaker 10: Absolutely, And in fact obviously it's all under one roof, 409 00:23:27,840 --> 00:23:30,480 Speaker 10: and it depends on really what the creator needs, right, So, 410 00:23:30,920 --> 00:23:33,240 Speaker 10: as Adam mentioned, we work with creators that already have 411 00:23:33,320 --> 00:23:36,120 Speaker 10: an existing audience on one platform and bringing those audiences 412 00:23:36,160 --> 00:23:38,479 Speaker 10: to different platforms, and then we insert those teams. 413 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:41,399 Speaker 9: So if we're looking to use distribution. 414 00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:43,119 Speaker 10: As an outlet to grow an audience, we'll use the 415 00:23:43,280 --> 00:23:45,679 Speaker 10: We'll go to the distribution team. If we're looking to 416 00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:48,879 Speaker 10: gain more revenue and media sales, we'll go to the 417 00:23:48,920 --> 00:23:51,879 Speaker 10: media sales team and look for additional opportunities around their 418 00:23:51,920 --> 00:23:55,520 Speaker 10: existing channels and other ways to bring revenue streams in 419 00:23:55,560 --> 00:23:58,960 Speaker 10: from non traditional means. So that's a way that all 420 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:03,720 Speaker 10: of our teams kind of collaborate to expand upon the creators, 421 00:24:03,800 --> 00:24:05,480 Speaker 10: you know, core businesses. 422 00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:09,120 Speaker 9: Yeah, and to also touch on something you know, when 423 00:24:09,160 --> 00:24:11,479 Speaker 9: I came over to Studio seventy one, I had come 424 00:24:11,520 --> 00:24:13,560 Speaker 9: from the publisher space. So I was one of the 425 00:24:13,760 --> 00:24:16,520 Speaker 9: early employees at BuzzFeed. I was one of their first 426 00:24:16,600 --> 00:24:19,400 Speaker 9: LA employees who helped launch their video division and ran 427 00:24:19,480 --> 00:24:22,680 Speaker 9: business development and operations for their video division. And when 428 00:24:22,720 --> 00:24:24,760 Speaker 9: I was at BuzzFeed, I know, you know, Matt saw this. 429 00:24:25,119 --> 00:24:28,240 Speaker 9: On the studio side. It was this elaborate operation with 430 00:24:28,320 --> 00:24:32,840 Speaker 9: a team of analytics professionals, a team of editors, producers, 431 00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:37,120 Speaker 9: you know, people just focus on optimizing the thumbnails of 432 00:24:36,960 --> 00:24:39,120 Speaker 9: the art that you click on when you watch videos. 433 00:24:39,359 --> 00:24:42,560 Speaker 9: And I remember thinking, Wow, that's it's such an incredible 434 00:24:43,200 --> 00:24:46,360 Speaker 9: sort of apparatus that's been built. Imagine if that were 435 00:24:46,400 --> 00:24:50,000 Speaker 9: applied to the creator space, where essentially a lot of 436 00:24:50,040 --> 00:24:52,719 Speaker 9: talent are building audiences that are just as big as 437 00:24:52,720 --> 00:24:55,200 Speaker 9: any publisher, but they're making videos just in their basement. 438 00:24:55,680 --> 00:24:58,159 Speaker 9: So we wanted to sort of provide that infrastructure and 439 00:24:58,240 --> 00:25:02,480 Speaker 9: a full sort of studio set of you know, resources 440 00:25:03,040 --> 00:25:06,960 Speaker 9: across advertising and production and distribution to really help creators 441 00:25:07,000 --> 00:25:08,800 Speaker 9: grow and become their own media company. 442 00:25:09,880 --> 00:25:15,160 Speaker 11: If Jesse said to me, I have got to do 443 00:25:15,560 --> 00:25:17,800 Speaker 11: a Tom and Greg spinoff, I can't, you know, like, 444 00:25:17,880 --> 00:25:22,320 Speaker 11: I've just got to It's what I I creatively, It's 445 00:25:22,359 --> 00:25:23,840 Speaker 11: I can't get out of my head and I have 446 00:25:23,880 --> 00:25:24,280 Speaker 11: to do it. 447 00:25:24,359 --> 00:25:26,639 Speaker 1: The title is there, The Disgusting. 448 00:25:26,160 --> 00:25:29,439 Speaker 11: Brothers, Yes, exactly. If Jesse wanted to do that, I 449 00:25:29,440 --> 00:25:32,840 Speaker 11: would follow his lead and say great. But he you know, 450 00:25:32,960 --> 00:25:35,000 Speaker 11: I think it was the right decision because there are 451 00:25:35,000 --> 00:25:38,640 Speaker 11: some I think there are some shows that naturally lead themselves, 452 00:25:38,680 --> 00:25:40,480 Speaker 11: a show like House of the Dragon coming out of 453 00:25:40,480 --> 00:25:43,280 Speaker 11: Game of Thrones. You know, George's universe is so huge. 454 00:25:44,320 --> 00:25:47,960 Speaker 11: I mean spans hundreds of years and many families, and 455 00:25:48,000 --> 00:25:50,719 Speaker 11: there's battles and civil wars and all of that stuff 456 00:25:50,840 --> 00:25:55,240 Speaker 11: that kind of lends itself more logically to spin offs 457 00:25:55,520 --> 00:25:56,639 Speaker 11: or trying again. 458 00:25:58,640 --> 00:25:58,960 Speaker 1: This one. 459 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:03,359 Speaker 11: I think it's it's obviously fun to think about the combinations. 460 00:26:04,560 --> 00:26:09,040 Speaker 11: But if Jesse's not feeling it, I'm not you know, 461 00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:11,280 Speaker 11: I'm not going to go down that road. If he's 462 00:26:11,280 --> 00:26:12,080 Speaker 11: not feeling. 463 00:26:11,800 --> 00:26:17,160 Speaker 1: It, I think, I hear you. I still think incredible discipline. 464 00:26:17,240 --> 00:26:21,520 Speaker 1: So many other places would have been you know, succession, Sydney, 465 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:28,359 Speaker 1: wherever wherever it might go. When Jesse, I know you 466 00:26:28,359 --> 00:26:30,639 Speaker 1: you talked about, you know, Jesse, when Jesse came to 467 00:26:30,680 --> 00:26:32,399 Speaker 1: tell you that he felt like season four was the 468 00:26:32,440 --> 00:26:36,000 Speaker 1: time to end. Did you try to persuade him or so. 469 00:26:36,080 --> 00:26:39,840 Speaker 11: I I kind of knew that we were that season four. 470 00:26:40,440 --> 00:26:42,560 Speaker 11: I knew about Logan, I knew that that was going 471 00:26:42,600 --> 00:26:47,080 Speaker 11: to happen, and so I think the sense was this 472 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:50,800 Speaker 11: was probably it. The only the only kind of advice 473 00:26:50,880 --> 00:26:54,600 Speaker 11: I gave to Jesse was like, just you know, whatever 474 00:26:54,640 --> 00:26:57,120 Speaker 11: you want to do is what we'll do. Just think 475 00:26:57,160 --> 00:27:00,720 Speaker 11: about it, because you do have this amazing cast, and 476 00:27:00,760 --> 00:27:02,640 Speaker 11: it's an amazing you know, it's lightning in a bot. 477 00:27:02,680 --> 00:27:03,640 Speaker 1: It quite a company. 478 00:27:03,840 --> 00:27:07,120 Speaker 11: Yeah, but so so just really really be sure that 479 00:27:07,560 --> 00:27:11,280 Speaker 11: it's time to go. And I also knew Jesse is 480 00:27:11,320 --> 00:27:18,280 Speaker 11: an incredibly thoughtful writer, and I knew if I he 481 00:27:18,320 --> 00:27:20,919 Speaker 11: would naturally kind of go through that process of do 482 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:22,840 Speaker 11: I see anything here? Do I not see anything here? 483 00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:24,320 Speaker 11: And so I knew we would end up in the 484 00:27:24,359 --> 00:27:28,919 Speaker 11: right place regardless. So and I know he went back 485 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:30,600 Speaker 11: and forth, and I think he wanted to make sure 486 00:27:30,600 --> 00:27:33,280 Speaker 11: that he wasn't leaving anything on the table. But I 487 00:27:33,359 --> 00:27:36,520 Speaker 11: trust that he fully felt that that was the right thing. 488 00:27:36,560 --> 00:27:39,960 Speaker 11: And as I said, when I saw the finale, it 489 00:27:40,040 --> 00:27:42,199 Speaker 11: was the only way that Succession could end. It was 490 00:27:42,280 --> 00:27:45,239 Speaker 11: to me, it was kind of a perfect ending. So 491 00:27:47,359 --> 00:27:50,400 Speaker 11: I think it was again, if you're following the creator's lead, 492 00:27:50,920 --> 00:27:54,080 Speaker 11: probably a good place, a good place to go. 493 00:27:54,280 --> 00:27:57,119 Speaker 1: That is the recurring theme. And since Casey is literally 494 00:27:57,119 --> 00:27:59,320 Speaker 1: one of the most successful development people of the last 495 00:27:59,359 --> 00:28:05,399 Speaker 1: twenty five years, I think that the follows the last 496 00:28:05,480 --> 00:28:10,000 Speaker 1: couple of years, so much content K drama, so much 497 00:28:10,119 --> 00:28:14,200 Speaker 1: K culture is going around the world and is becoming 498 00:28:14,280 --> 00:28:18,200 Speaker 1: popular in other markets. People in Japan, in the US 499 00:28:18,359 --> 00:28:23,560 Speaker 1: are seeing a lot more content. How does that does 500 00:28:23,600 --> 00:28:26,600 Speaker 1: that affect you as a producer? Does that make you 501 00:28:26,920 --> 00:28:30,000 Speaker 1: think differently about the kinds of shows that you want 502 00:28:30,040 --> 00:28:35,440 Speaker 1: to pursue? 503 00:28:31,560 --> 00:29:01,360 Speaker 12: Oh well, is it to komand you know, Kean and underd. 504 00:29:09,720 --> 00:29:10,760 Speaker 9: Such a region. 505 00:29:14,920 --> 00:29:19,200 Speaker 7: Affects significantly, I would say, because as I mentioned earlier 506 00:29:19,320 --> 00:29:23,000 Speaker 7: during my panel session that I thought, at some point 507 00:29:23,000 --> 00:29:25,040 Speaker 7: I'm gonna have to retire, I'm gonna have to share, 508 00:29:25,200 --> 00:29:29,720 Speaker 7: you know, start doing this. But at the same time, 509 00:29:29,760 --> 00:29:33,920 Speaker 7: I saw potential, another huge potential out there because I 510 00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:36,880 Speaker 7: knew I found out that there's another group of people 511 00:29:37,040 --> 00:29:41,080 Speaker 7: outside of Korea, you know, borderless people who were taking 512 00:29:41,120 --> 00:29:44,400 Speaker 7: interest in who are watching it. So these overseas viewers 513 00:29:44,440 --> 00:29:47,320 Speaker 7: got me really excited, you know, got me really, you know, 514 00:29:47,640 --> 00:29:50,640 Speaker 7: gave us, gave me actual meaning to get going, get 515 00:29:50,680 --> 00:29:54,600 Speaker 7: further going. So it's opening up a new horizon and 516 00:29:54,720 --> 00:29:59,240 Speaker 7: new potential for me to you know, start off again. 517 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:03,200 Speaker 1: Regular listeners of Strictly Business know that I really enjoy 518 00:30:03,280 --> 00:30:06,680 Speaker 1: producing what I call my in the field episodes. They 519 00:30:06,680 --> 00:30:10,520 Speaker 1: combine interviews with multiple people at conferences and festivals or 520 00:30:10,640 --> 00:30:14,360 Speaker 1: unusual opportunities that come my way. This year, I brought 521 00:30:14,360 --> 00:30:18,000 Speaker 1: my roving microphone to south By Southwest in Austin and 522 00:30:18,080 --> 00:30:22,240 Speaker 1: to VidCon in Anaheim. My favorite experience of the year, though, 523 00:30:22,640 --> 00:30:26,080 Speaker 1: was coming out of the Mipcom conference in cann in October. 524 00:30:26,640 --> 00:30:29,280 Speaker 1: I combine my love of trains with my passion for 525 00:30:29,400 --> 00:30:33,800 Speaker 1: podcasting by recording my reflections on the market while chugging 526 00:30:33,800 --> 00:30:36,200 Speaker 1: through the heart of France on a high speed train 527 00:30:36,320 --> 00:30:39,880 Speaker 1: headed for Paris. I was really sick at the time too, 528 00:30:40,480 --> 00:30:43,080 Speaker 1: but the experience is still a highlight of twenty twenty 529 00:30:43,120 --> 00:30:48,600 Speaker 1: three for me. Here's that clip. Unmistakably, the large European 530 00:30:48,640 --> 00:30:53,600 Speaker 1: players sense opportunity out there. They are very much watching 531 00:30:53,640 --> 00:30:57,360 Speaker 1: the turmoil in the US at the US majors between 532 00:30:57,400 --> 00:31:01,360 Speaker 1: the labor strikes that have handicapped production this year to 533 00:31:01,480 --> 00:31:05,040 Speaker 1: all of their restructuring, the streaming losses that the old 534 00:31:05,120 --> 00:31:07,840 Speaker 1: Guard studios have incurred as they try to make the 535 00:31:07,880 --> 00:31:11,320 Speaker 1: transition from linear to streaming. All of that is being 536 00:31:11,360 --> 00:31:16,120 Speaker 1: watched very carefully by very savvy European players. Every single 537 00:31:16,160 --> 00:31:19,160 Speaker 1: person I spoke with mentioned to me, you know that 538 00:31:19,240 --> 00:31:22,560 Speaker 1: there's such a lower price point for production in Europe. 539 00:31:22,800 --> 00:31:24,480 Speaker 1: You can just sense that there's going to be a 540 00:31:24,520 --> 00:31:29,240 Speaker 1: push to bring more production to Europe, arguing that there 541 00:31:29,440 --> 00:31:33,440 Speaker 1: is a ready talent pool that has become very skilled. 542 00:31:33,480 --> 00:31:35,960 Speaker 1: With the streaming boom, there is so much production all 543 00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:39,959 Speaker 1: over Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and that ensues and with 544 00:31:40,120 --> 00:31:44,640 Speaker 1: that comes a skilled talent pool that is looking for work. 545 00:31:44,920 --> 00:31:47,520 Speaker 1: Of course, they're watching to see the great contraction if 546 00:31:47,520 --> 00:31:50,880 Speaker 1: the streamers have less appetite than they have had in 547 00:31:50,920 --> 00:31:53,920 Speaker 1: the last couple of years. But the kind of European 548 00:31:53,960 --> 00:31:56,640 Speaker 1: and co production projects that are really kind of humming 549 00:31:57,040 --> 00:32:00,760 Speaker 1: are the kind of lower price point things that tamers want. 550 00:32:01,080 --> 00:32:03,960 Speaker 1: They may only appeal to a niche audience, but that 551 00:32:04,080 --> 00:32:07,120 Speaker 1: niche audience is going to love that costume drama from 552 00:32:07,200 --> 00:32:12,720 Speaker 1: Sweden or a ry satirical comedy coming out of Brazil 553 00:32:13,000 --> 00:32:16,840 Speaker 1: with subtitles. All of the producers I spoke with mentioned 554 00:32:16,840 --> 00:32:19,959 Speaker 1: that the tyranny of dealing with subtitles and dubbing is 555 00:32:20,160 --> 00:32:23,560 Speaker 1: over audiences in the US and other markets that had 556 00:32:23,600 --> 00:32:27,040 Speaker 1: been thought to be totally resistant to either subtitles or 557 00:32:27,080 --> 00:32:30,760 Speaker 1: dubbing is absolutely lifting, and certainly subtitles is winning for 558 00:32:30,800 --> 00:32:33,600 Speaker 1: many reasons. The US was a big holdout for that, 559 00:32:33,680 --> 00:32:37,240 Speaker 1: but all the much evidence shows that those fears are 560 00:32:37,240 --> 00:32:42,520 Speaker 1: definitely lifting, and that raises the hopes of many many producers, 561 00:32:42,960 --> 00:32:46,080 Speaker 1: and especially the labor strife, which is something Hollywood hasn't 562 00:32:46,120 --> 00:32:48,920 Speaker 1: had in a long time, and especially to this degree. 563 00:32:49,080 --> 00:32:51,920 Speaker 1: Europe is very well aware of general strikes in the 564 00:32:52,040 --> 00:32:55,680 Speaker 1: general sense of when there is a period of labor unrest, 565 00:32:55,760 --> 00:32:59,680 Speaker 1: and there is definite efforts to emphasize the appeal of 566 00:32:59,680 --> 00:33:02,280 Speaker 1: working with European talent in many ways. 567 00:33:08,720 --> 00:33:11,720 Speaker 2: Thank you so much for listening all year long. We 568 00:33:11,760 --> 00:33:14,520 Speaker 2: hope you enjoyed our trip down memory lane. 569 00:33:15,000 --> 00:33:18,160 Speaker 1: You definitely don't want to miss next week's episode when Andy, 570 00:33:18,240 --> 00:33:21,920 Speaker 1: myself and other variety and VIP reporters will be on 571 00:33:22,080 --> 00:33:25,320 Speaker 1: the scene at CES in Las Vegas. We will try 572 00:33:25,360 --> 00:33:27,480 Speaker 1: to make sense of the big show for. 573 00:33:27,400 --> 00:33:29,320 Speaker 2: You, and if you like what you're listening to, don't 574 00:33:29,360 --> 00:33:32,640 Speaker 2: forget to leave a review at Apple Podcasts. We love 575 00:33:32,680 --> 00:33:33,880 Speaker 2: hearing from our listeners.