Fox’s Rob Wade and Billy Parks Want to Bring Scale to Creator Economy

Fox’s Rob Wade and Billy Parks Want to Bring Scale to Creator Economy

On a special Cannes Lions edition of Variety‘s “Strictly Business” podcast, Fox Entertainment CEO Rob Wade explains why the company is going all-in on the creator economy, launching a division to develop content and businesses with promising creators who are eager to grow. Billy Parks, head of Fox Creator Studios, also lays out the vision … Read more

Mike Hopkins on Prime Video’s Evolution, MGM Deal, Bond and ‘Melania’

Mike Hopkins on Prime Video’s Evolution, MGM Deal, Bond and ‘Melania’

On today’s episode of Variety’s “Strictly Business” podcast, Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, gives a wide-ranging interview on the evolution of Amazon’s media strategy, how the MGM acquisition has changed the game, why the streamer is investing heavily in sports — and why Amazon has no regrets about the Melania … Read more

Credit Risks: S&P Global Analyst Breaks Down Paramount-WBD Deal

Credit Risks: S&P Global Analyst Breaks Down Paramount-WBD Deal

The proposed $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery is approaching completion, but concerns around debt, execution risk, and long-term industry volatility loom large.  On the latest episode of the Variety podcast “Strictly Business,” Naveen Sarma, sector lead for U.S. media and telecom at S&P Global, explained the rationale for the downgrade his agency gave the … Read more