A Hollywood Manager Explains the New Rules of Show Biz
In this episode, Peter Kafka talks with Pete Michelli, CEO of Range Media Partners, about how Hollywood’s compensation models have shifted from long‑tail backend profits to upfront, bonus‑driven deals driven by streaming platforms. Michelli explains that top talent still commands large upfront fees, but the era of syndication and residuals is fading as platforms like Netflix, Amazon and Disney+ retain ownership and pay bonuses instead of back‑end percentages. He also highlights how technology—especially AI and digital distribution—continues to reshape content creation, talent branding, and the overall economics of the industry, urging managers to stay adaptable.
How Dhar Mann Turned After-School Specials Into A Billion-View Business
In this episode of Channels, host Peter Kafka sits down with Dhar Mann, the creator behind a digital studio that churns out short, moral‑driven dramas—often dubbed modern after‑school specials—for a global, multi‑generational audience. Mann explains how he built the operation...
Condé Nast CEO Roger Lynch on AI, the Met Gala and His Secret Succession Plan
In this episode, Peter Kafka talks with Condé Nast CEO Roger Lynch about how the company is reinventing itself beyond traditional magazines. Lynch explains the strategic focus on cultural events like the Met Gala, the rapid growth of digital subscriptions, commerce...
AI Can Make Software Now. That Changes Everything, with Paul Ford
In this episode, host Matt Buchel talks with technologist and writer Paul Ford about the rapid emergence of AI-powered code generation, which Ford calls "vibe coding." He explains how recent advances—particularly Anthropic's Cloud Code and improvements in large language models—have...
Jason Blum Built a Hit-Making Movie Machine. Does It Still Work?
In this episode, Peter Kafka talks with Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions about the evolution of his low‑budget horror model in an era where theater attendance is declining. Blum explains his original formula—tiny budgets, profit‑sharing with talent, and a high‑volume...
What Happens When a “Succession” Writer Takes on Silicon Valley
In this episode, host Stephanie Wu talks with Jonathan Glatzer, the creator of the new AMC series The Audacity, about how a writer known for Succession approached a Silicon Valley‑centric drama. Glatzer explains that the show uses the tech world...
Matt Belloni on the Oscars, the Ellisons, and Hollywood’s Next Chapter
In this episode of Channels with Peter Kafka, Puck journalist Matt Belloni breaks down the 2026 Oscars, highlighting Warner Bros.’s final big‑budget campaign with films like “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another” and the shifting power dynamics after the studio’s...
Janice Min on Hollywood’s Crisis; Reed Duchscher on the Creator Boom
Janice Min, publisher of The Ankler, paints a bleak picture of Hollywood, likening Los Angeles to a "Detroit vibe" as media consolidation squeezes the advertising pool. In contrast, Reed Duchscher, founder of Night, announced a $70 million raise to expand his agency...