Better Call Paul

This week, Paul and Jess discuss the scorching summer box office with July expected to be a major month for tent pole films including Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Next, Paul breaks down the Fifth circuit's somewhat curious view on US copyright terminations having a global reach, and why publishers are asking the Supreme Court to weigh in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...

This week, Jess and Paul begin with a major streaming update as legacy media power house Fox Corp announced a $22B purchase of Roku which will position Fox as a major player in the platform wars. Next, they discuss Quinta Brunson's overall deal with Twentieth Century Fox/Disney as she moves her production banner 5th Chance from WB to Disney and hopes to build out her content catalog beyond the wid...

This week, Paul and Jess focus on a sports-themed episode to celebrate the NBA champion New York Knicks, the arrival of the World Cup in North America for the first time in over 30 years, and how the recent Brendan Sorsby judicial decision could set a precedent that gambling may not be a deal breaker for NCAA eligibility. Finally, they end with a brief recap of the 25th Tribeca Film Festival. Lear...

This week, Paul welcomes back special guest Sean Gupta who provides an update on how technology and AI are impacting the media business from areas such as search, recommendations, production, and licensing. To some degree old patterns have re-emerged (e.g., placement of content within home screens and guides) and in other ways, the process of going from concept to product is more streamlined than...

This week, Paul starts with the update that the DOJ appears likely to approve the Skydance-Paramount purchase of WBD. Next, Paul and Jess discuss the dramatic impacts of NJ's film and TV production incentives which have led to a dramatic increase in projects and production spend. Finally, they discuss Curry Barker's Obsession which has amazingly grossed $115M on a mere 750K budget and ponder next...

This week, Paul and Jess begin with the announcement that Charlamagne Tha God's smash hit radio show and video podcast will stream live on Netflix 5 days a week as Netflix further embraces a hybrid model offering live content. Next, they discuss the end of an era as CBS's Late Show ends its run. Finally, they discuss JPop's entry into the U.S. market with Number_i signing with WME and Atlantic. Le...

This week the twists and turns of entertainment continue as Vertical Microdramas pick up steam and BET announces its partnership with aTwist. Next, Paul and Jess discuss how Cocomelon might translate to the big screen. Finally, Paul recaps Byron Allen's deal to buy a controlling stake of Buzzfeed for $120M and ponder whether Buzzfeed can reinvent itself as a FAST platform. Learn more about your ad...

This week, Paul and Jess begin with a high level recap of the tentative 4-year agreement between SAG and the AMPTP which means that Hollywood is unlikely to repeat the strikes of 2023. Next, they discuss the costly legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni that is settling unceremoniously. Finally, they look forward to the next Cannes film festival and share a few films and developments...

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