Breaking Down the Biz

On this episode of Breaking Down the Biz, we explore the less commonly discussed opportunities of AI in the music industry beyond content generation, focusing on analytics, rights management, and operational efficiencies. Guests Daniel Punt and Francesco Ferran from FTI Consulting discuss how AI can transform media companies, improve profitability, and streamline processes. Learn more about your a...

This week, host Seth Schachner discusses recent developments in media, entertainment, and sports, including NBC Universal's split, World Cup viewership, and Brit Pop tours, offering insights into industry trends and cultural moments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Seth Schachner hosts Barry Kluger and Nusrat Durrani to explore the rise, evolution, and decline of MTV, delving into its impact on music, culture, and global media strategies. They discuss the brand's history, international expansion, challenges with social media, and the future of music and entertainment brands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Breaking Down the Biz, Seth covers A24's recent partnership with Google, exploring the implications for AI in Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this in-depth interview, Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association, discusses the challenges and opportunities facing independent venues in the US. Topics include industry structure, the impact of monopolistic practices by Live Nation, ticketing issues, and strategies to support artists and venues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...

In this episode of Breaking Down the Biz, Seth Schachner discusses the recent passing of music industry titan Clive Davis, the evolving landscape of artist development, and the latest updates on Paramount's merger and Spotify's new artist initiatives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Rio Caraeff, co-president of Musixmatch, shares insights into the music rights industry, AI innovations, and the future of digital media. Discover how data, technology, and strategic thinking are transforming music licensing, copyright management, and immersive experiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Seth Schachner interviews Brian Berry of the Ticket Policy Forum to explore the complexities of the ticketing industry, including issues with access, pricing, regulation, and the secondary market. They discuss how policy changes and technological innovations can improve the fan experience and address industry challenges. Chapters 02:47 Major Problems in Ticketing: Access and Cost...

Paramount's proposed 79 billion-dollar merger with Warner Bros may be challenged in court by several states, including New York and California. Host Seth Schachner breaks down the regulatory battles and the merger's potential impacts that frame this upcoming legal affair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Television producer legend Robert Morton joins the show to discuss the evolution of late-night comedy. He and host Seth Schachner discuss the business side of comedy and how comedy legends adapted to changing landscapes and what it means for the future of entertainment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest blockbuster success of Backrooms, a YouTube-origin story that grossed over $80 million, signals a new era where non-traditional star power can rule the box office. Seth Schachner breaks down the impact it will have on the broader industry, as well as Universal Music Group's rejection of Bill Ackman's takeover bid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Riley, President of Stingray USA, discusses the company's evolution from cable channels to a global leader in media, music, and technology. He and Seth Schachner Cover Stingray's innovative automotive entertainment solutions, licensing strategies, and the impact of AI and rights management in the industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Breaking Down the Biz, Seth covers major recent developments in the music industry, including Universal Music Group's strategic moves with AI, TikTok partnerships, and collaborations with Live Nation, highlighting industry trends and future directions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Sandberg, Tony Award-winning producer and director joins Breaking Down the Biz to discuss how the financial realities of Broadway have led to strategies and innovative practices are shaping the future of theater. He and host Seth Schachner discuss the internal dynamics that drive success, offer insights into investment, production, and the economic forces transforming the industry. They also...

Longtime media strategist and former NBC anchor, Tabitha Lipkin discusses the shift in content approach from legacy media has affected late night. She and host Seth Schachner reveal how legendary hosts like Stephen Colbert and Conan O'Brien are transforming their careers by shifting from big studios to independent, creator-driven models. The industry is in flux, and the way content is created, mon...

Broadway producer Jason Eisner joins the podcast to explore the surprising forces driving the future of theater, from social media's explosive power to immersive experiences and global audiences. He and Seth discuss how the industry balances a historic golden age with financial risks, and how they turn innovative storytelling into success. They touch on how social media transforms ticket sales, st...

On this episode of Breaking Down the Biz, Seth Schachner covers recent developments surrounding the new Oasis documentary, Greta Gerwig's upcoming Narnia film and it's theatrical release strategy, and Instagram's crackdown on fake accounts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this weekly update, we learn how the recent BMG and Concord merger positions itself as the unlikely fourth music major and what that means for competition, artists, and the ownership of the legendary catalogs of great artists past. Seth Schachner and Nashville-based consultant Tom Truitt break down the implications of this consolidation. They cover the core differences between catalog and publi...

Bob Dylan, Nirvana, The Eagles, Foo Fighters, Joni Mitchell, the Beastie Boys - all incredible artists in their own ways. What do they have in common? They were all managed by Ron Stone, our guest on today’s podcast. Ron has spent five decades at the center of the music industry, representing a legendary roster that spans from the folk-rock of the '60s to the boundary-pushing sounds of grunge and...

In this episode, Seth Schachner explores recent developments in music and entertainment, including a new Michael Jackson biopic, recent releases by Noah Kahan, Foo Fighters & U2, and delves into how AI is being integrated into the entertainment industry by talent with vested interests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Industry veteran Paul Vidich shares how Apple’s iTunes and Steve Jobs defied conventional wisdom to revolutionize music consumption. Discover the behind-the-scenes strategy that turned digital downloads from a pricy gamble into a $1 billion dollar phenomenon within just a year, and learn how this shift laid the groundwork for today’s streaming universe. Seth and Paul unlock the pivotal negotiation...

On today's episode, we discuss the recent developments in the lawsuit with Ticketmaster and Live Nation. We're joined by expert John Shu, a lawyer, former White House advisor and industry insider, to break down the groundbreaking settlement between the DOJ, states, and Live Nation. This settlement isn’t just about a few million dollars, but about opening up the ticketing ecosystem and potentially...

On this episode of Breaking Down the Biz, Seth Schachner sits down with Kerry Gordy, son of Motown founder Berry Gordy. Berry shares his extraordinary journey from growing up in the iconic Motown studios to navigating the evolving landscape of the music industry. They also speak on the state of the industry as it relates to major labels and the distribution ecosystem, and Netflix's documentary Sun...

In this episode, Seth Schachner is joined by Michelle Bell, a savvy music and brand strategist, to unpack how brands are transforming festivals into immersive marketing zones. Music isn't always the primary act at festivals - luxury glamping, instagrammable moments, and influencer hype are competing for the main stage at event like SXSW, Coachella, and more. Seth and Michelle explore how this shif...

Most countries underestimate how local competitors and digital giants like YouTube, TikTok, and others are shaping the future of the music industry by developing emerging markets. Alfonso Perez Soto, a veteran in the global music industry, unveils the surprising role YouTube plays across India, Africa, and the Middle East. He and host Seth Shachner (Strat Americas) share how local initiatives like...