Strictly Business

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Daily Variety -- '60 Minutes’ Explodes With Firings, a Hiring and Questions About the Venerable News Program’s Future Jun 03, 2026

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On today's episode, Variety's Brian Steinberg breaks down the implosion at "60 Minutes." Scott Pelley joins the list of correspondents getting the ax as a new executive producer, Nick Bilton, and CBS News editor in chief Bari Weiss look to put their stamp on the venerable news program.

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Daily Variety -- All3Media’s Jane Turton Talks Banijay Merger and What She’s Learned From David Zaslav, John Malone and Jeff Zucker Jun 02, 2026

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On today’s episode, All3Media CEO Jane Turton discusses the company’s pending merger with Banijay and the footprint that the combined entity will have across TV, film, digital, documentaries and live events. Also, Phebe Hunnicutt, Warner Music Group’s London-based global marketing chief, offers insights on working with creators to boost awareness of artists and tunes. Both conversations were held June 2 at Shoreditch House in London as part of Variety’s Power of Women London celebration.

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Daily Variety -- 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession' Rattle the Box Office as Gen Z Embraces its Own Horror Helmers Jun 01, 2026

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On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin unpacks the eye-popping stats delivered by A24’s “Backrooms” and weekend three of Focus Features' “Obsession.” It’s a one-two punch of low-budget horror from digital-native directors, and it was enough to KO the second weekend of Disney and Lucasfilm’s “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” However, theater owners aren't complaining, as Rubin explains.

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Daily Variety -- 'The U.S. Against the World' Director-Producer Rand Getlin Documents the Road to the World Cup May 28, 2026

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On today’s episode of “Daily Variety” podcast, Rand Getlin, director-executive producer of the HBO documentary “U.S. Against the World: Four Years With the Men’s National Soccer Team,” discusses the road to the World Cup and the rising popularity of men’s and women’s soccer in America.

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Daily Variety -- Karen Bass, Spencer Pratt and the Brawl in the L.A. Mayoral Race May 27, 2026

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On today’s episode, Variety’s Gene Maddaus tries to make sense of California’s fractious electoral politics as the June 2 primary approaches. He explains why incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is hoping that the primary leaves her in a runoff against reality star Spencer Pratt, and why so many top contenders opted to sit out the state’s gubernatorial race.

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Daily Variety -- 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' and a Magnificent 'Obsession' Drive Holiday Box Office May 26, 2026

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On today's episode, in our box office segment, Variety's Rebecca Rubin carefully measures the turnout over the Memorial Day weekend holiday for Disney's “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” It was a big test for Disney and Lucasfilm and the strength of the Star Wars franchise at the turnstiles. Meanwhile, Focus Features' horror pic "Obsession" had a strong sophomore weekend outing.

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When Cultures Collide: What Big Brands Need to Reach Gen Z and Gen Alpha Consumers May 22, 2026

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On today’s episode of Variety’s “Strictly Business” podcast, Havas Play executives Andrea Isaac and Juliet Tierney share insights on reaching Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers – and the differences that distinguish them. The senior leaders of the branded content and experiential marketing unit of Havas discuss the sea change in marketing priorities and the need for brands to resonate in culture and across a range of fan communities. The key for the biggest marketers is learning to “understand strategy from a culture standpoint” in ways that are radically different from past practices, says Isaac, who is Havas Play’s managing partner for North America.

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Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘Michael’ Returns to No. 1 as Exhibitors Brace for ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ and the Start of Summer Blockbuster Season May 18, 2026

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On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin explains why Lionsgate’s “Michael” made a surprise return to No. 1 in a weekend that marks the calm before the start of summer blockbuster season next week with Disney’s “The Mandalorian and Grogu” opening over Memorial Day weekend.

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Did OpenAI Kill What Disney's 'Super App' Needs Most? May 15, 2026

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With all the bells and whistles rumored to be a part of Disney's "super app" plans, there's one feature that can be ruled out at this time: the AI magic the company had been conjuring via its recently aborted partnership with OpenAI. Which begs a question: Will consumers ever be able to create videos that allow them to direct their favorite fictional characters? Jeremy Toeman, senior VP of AI innovation at JWX, helps sort through the possibilities.

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Daily Variety – Upfronts 2026: What We Learned From TV's Biggest Platforms; Crafting the Music of ‘Heated Rivalry’ May 14, 2026

Show notes

On today’s episode, Variety’s Michael Schneider breaks down the last lap of upfronts week as Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix and YouTube grab the megaphone. And Variety music chief Jem Aswad goes deep on the music of “Heated Rivalry” in a session with showrunner Jacob Tierney, composer Peter Peter and music supervisor Scotty Taylor. It was recorded May 7 at Toronto’ s Departure Festival for music creatives.

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