Better Call Paul

This week, Paul starts with an update on how much broadcast viewership numbers have skewed to live sports since 2005. Next, they discuss Tupac's step-brother's wrongful death action against those involved in the killing of Tupac. Finally, Paul and Jess reflect on and reminisce about Kaufman Astoria studios, the iconic NYC film studio at the center of a $360M foreclosure. Learn more about your ad c...

Paul and Jess begin the episode with an update that the WBD shareholders overwhelmingly approve the $110B sale to Paramount. Next, they provide an update on the new expanded California Film production incentive and $193M in tax credits that were awarded, including, for the first time ever in California, for animated films. Finally, they look forward to the May movie box office. Learn more about yo...

This week, Paul and Jessica start with CinemaCon's highlights which showcase a lot of franchises and a few originals. Next, they discuss another milestone for Roku as it crossed 100M households amid the growth of FAST. Finally, they discuss the bankruptcy of QVC and how the once-dominant brand might reclaim its glory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode begins with a proposed 5-year cap to NCAA eligibility that aims to reduce the variance and disparity of the current waiver process. Next, Paul and Jess discuss recent layoffs among entertainment, gaming and tech companies and ponder whether its merely cyclical or a result of companies turning towards AI. Finally, they discuss Twinnin, an app/marketplace that bills itself as allowing a...

This week, Paul and Jess discuss the last-minute cancellation of Season 22 of ABC's Bachelorette which was shelved 3 days before the season premiere date due to negative PR which resulted from TMZ's release of video of Taylor Frankie Paul's assault. Next, they discuss MRC's loss following a five-week trial with its insurance company over whether Kevin Spacey's removal from House of Cards was as a...

This week, Paul and Jess look forward to Sony's Spider-Man: Brand New Day as well as Dunesday, the potential clash between Dune 3 and Avengers 5. Next, they discuss Nexstar's annoucement that it has closed its purchase of Tegna now that FCC and DOJ have given the deal a green light. Finally, Paul provides a recap of Chance the Rapper's successful lawsuit defense of claims from his former manager,...

This week, Paul and Jess reflect on a great Oscars and some of the biggest winners on the night. As fans of the movies, they applaud Universal's announcement of a 45-days exclusive theatrical window. Next, they discuss Oscar-winning phenomenon K Pop Demon Hunters which will be getting a sequel. Finally, they discuss South By Southwest's 40 year anniversary as the mega Music, Tech, and Film/TV fest...

This week, Paul and Jess give their very amateur Oscar's predictions for the top awards. Next, they discuss the release of AI Agents who are intended to streamline, iterate, and accelerate the creative process, and wonder if their success will increase the volume of projects or just reduce job opportunities, or both. Next, they discuss how the prospect of using AI to generate content based on prov...

This week, Paul updates Jess on concepts hat SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey pondered to limit transfers and establish eligibility standards which could provide structure in the NIL area. Next, they discuss the incredible success of the 2026 Winter Olympics for NBC and Peacock as well as some of the brightest stars who competed. Finally, the UK government just announced that major SVOD services will...

This week, Paul and Jessica begin with a recap of the excellent month of January 2026 for TV consumption which was up across all forms (broadcast, cable, streaming and FAST). Next, they discuss the AI Short which , despite winning the Frame Forward AI Animation Festival, may not be embraced by movie theaters. Finally, Jessica and Paul look forward to House of the Dragon Season 3 and reflect upon t...

This week, Paul and Jess begin with a discussion of Seedance 2.0, the AI video generator that has shaken Hollywood with its realistic, and perhaps infringing clips. Next, Paul breaks down Kalshi's argument that its contracts regarding sports events are swaps and not subject to state gaming laws. Finally, Paul and Jessica explore Pete Davidson's Netflix podcast and ponder where the line between vid...

This week, Paul and Jessica dive in with Disney's named successor to Bob Iger, Josh D'Amaro a long-time veteran of Disney Parks who will become Disney's CEO on March 18. Next, Jessica reflects on her One Direction fanhood as Zayn is set to debut his 5th solo album, Konnakol. Finally, Paul provides a trademark update certain celebrities are leaning into trademarking their name, image, and likeness...

This week, Paul previews the biggest night in sports and advertising, and now sports betting, the Super Bowl. Next, Paul and Jessica discuss (stalled) progress facing minorities who are seeking greater representation in Hollywood, in particular the Latino acting community's recent call for action. Finally, Paul discusses the upcoming discussions between SAG and the AMPTP and Jessica ponders whethe...

This week, Paul and Jess begin with a summary of the major 2026 Oscar nominations with a handful of their predictions thrown in. Next, they discuss a BBC YouTube-first deal and YouTube's broader plans for pay TV. Finally, Paul breaks down a recent government inflation report which indicated that SVOD services had, by far, the highest rate of inflation in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

This week, Paul and Jessica start with a recap of the big winners at the 2026 Golden Globes. Next, Paul discusses the recently-announced exclusive Pay 1 SVOD license deal between Sony Pictures and Netflix, and Jessica ponders the pros and cons of Netflix's content-acquisition blitz. Finally, Paul breaks down the Supreme Court's decision to review the FCC's authority to levy large fines without the...

This week, Paul provides an update on the Netflix + WBD merger as well as an appeal of the House v NCAA settlement which could impact NIL rights and revenue sharing for college athletes. Finally, Paul and Jess discuss the celebrity mom group drama which erupted between Ashley Tisdale, Hillary Duff and others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Paul and Jess look back on 2025 and Season 4 of BCP with the Paulies, where they award: Best TV Show, Best Picture, TMT M&A Deal of the Year; Who had the Best Year; Pop Culture Moment; and Best BCP Episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Paul and Jess recap many of the Golden Globes nominees where Neon and Netflix dominated and go through some of their picks to win. Next, they share their eager anticipation of Idris Elba's return as Sam Nelson in Apple TV's Hijack 2. Finally, with Avatar: Fire & Ash opening this week, they discuss how James Cameron's $400M installment in the epic franchise is likely to perform. Learn mo...

This week, Paul and Jess begin with a quick update on some box office and streaming hits from December. Then they discuss one of the biggest potential mergers in entertainment, Netflix's tenative deal to buy WBD for $82B as well as some potential hurdles to closing, including Paramount's hostile bid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Paul and Jess begin with a list of some of the TV shows that were awarded California's film tax credit, including Fallout, the Night Agent, and Baywatch. Next, they discuss some much anticipated spin off (prequel and sequel) news regarding their favorite show, Game of Thrones. Finally, Paul breaks down Dave Erickson's profit participation lawsuit arising out of Fear The Walking Dead. Le...

This week, Paul interviews Shashank who is the co-CEO of Nazranaa, the largest wholesaler and retailer of Indian garments in the U.S. In addition to running Nazranaa, Shashank is the executive producer of the YouTube series, Nazranaa Diaries, which highlights some of the store’s best customers and has taken on a life of its own. Shashank discusses the challenges of growing and managing this busine...

This week, Paul and Mesh begin with Alls Fair, Ryan Murphy's star-studded, critically-panned over-the-top legal drama streaming on Hulu and a ranking of their top legal dramas. Next, they discuss England's recently-announced education reforms which were, in part, receptive to Ed Sheeran's call for educators to embrace teaching music in the classroom. Finally, Paul provides a high-level recap of Le...

This week, Paul kicks things off with the NCAA's announcement that it will pause its proposed rule change which would have allowed student athletes to bet on professional sports. Next, Mesh recaps October's slow box office, which had the lowest ticket sales (excluding the pandemic) in nearly 3 decades. Finally, Paul and Mesh discuss Taylor Sheridan's $1B deal to move his TV and Film development an...

This week, Paul and Mesh discuss Skydance's bid for Warner Bros. Discovery and the sales process that it ignited which includes many usual suspects, Comcast, Netflix, Apple, etc. Next, they reminisce about MTV's lasting cultural impact as Skydance Paramount announced that it will shutter the MTV Europe music video channels at the end of 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...

This week, Paul and Mesh debate Spotify's agreement to distribute its popular Ringer video podcasts on Netflix starting in 2026. Next, Paul discusses SAG's decision to expand its jurisdiction to cover the burgeoning business of microdramas which are produced for consumption on mobile devices. Finally, Paul and Mesh discuss some of California's recently passed laws which attempt to apply guardrails...