Advertise on podcast: Better Call Paul

This week, Paul provides an update on the Protect College Sports Act which passed by a wide margin in the Senate. Next, Paul and Jess discuss an internal restructuring at United Talent Agency which creates a Filmed Entertainment division to harmonize film, television, and streaming as the businesses increasingly blend together. Finally, Paul takes a minute to celebrate Kevin Feige who was named the Will Rogers Foundation Pioneer of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Paul and Jess begin with an update on the Paramount WBD saga as Paramount and the 12 state attorney's general announce a settlement that is awaiting judicial confirmation. Next, they discuss Puck's capital raise as Red Bird Capital becomes its new lead investor at a $250M valuation. Finally, Paul celebrates one of the iconic films from his childhood, Transformers: The Movie which is being re-released for its 40th anniversary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Paul and Jess cover a diverse range of topics from Disney's new deals with influencers and content creators, a new potential federal Film tax credit, and finally, a recently-signed law in California that requires advertisers to disclose when synthetic performers are prominently used in advertisements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sean Gupta resumes his BCP residency and provides an insider perspective on the 2026 Emmys. Sean and Paul recap the biggest winners of the night and greatest TV shows of the past year. Finally, they discuss a recent trend of artist residencies expanding outside of traditional hubs like NYC, Las Vegas and London. Bad Buddy, Celine Dion, Backstreet Boys and others are hosting residencies all around the globe and driving tourism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Paul and Jess begin with a high level description of some of the most compelling works at this year's Venice Film Festival. Next, Paul breaks down the recent conviction of Duane "Keefe D" Davis in the murder of Tupac Shakur 30 years ago. Finally, they preview the Indian film, Ramayana, which will have, by far, the highest budget of any Indian film ever made, and attempt to bring the ancient Sanskrit mythological work to the big screen and audiences globally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Paul welcomes Jessica back into her co-hosting chair as they wrap up the summer. They begin with a recap of Drake's sale of a controlling interest in his clothing and lifestyle brand, OVO, to Authentic Brands Group. Next, they discuss Love Island: USA which Peacock recently renewed for a Ninth season, and why it is such a great asset for Peacock (and its participants). Finally, Paul provides an update on the criminal trial and conviction of Thomas Goldstein, the Scotus Blog founder and high-stakes gambler who was convicted of tax evasion of mortgage fraud, who is begging to be let out of jail pending his appeal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Paul and Sean interview one of Sean's former Columbia Business School students who co-founded Storeel, a vertical drama distributor and production platform that enables users create their own vertical dramas using cutting-edge technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Paul and Sean begin with an update on the potential Skydance/Paramount WBD merger that has polarized Hollywood. While federal regulators have signed off on the deal, 12 states are suing to block it and a few major financial penalties hang in the balance. Next, they discuss a great week for sports franchises as the LA Lakers who were sold for the second time in 14 months as Bob Iger and Josh Kusher announced their 12.5B purchase while Sportico released its NFL team valuations for 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Paul and Sean begin with the recent development that several prominent SVOD platforms are exploring adding a free tier to expand their subscription funnel and sell increased advertising revenue. Next, they discuss a study released by Ampere that stated US and UK individuals spend more time consuming media than doing anything else (including work or sleep), and break down the categories and findings. Finally, they dissect a recent report from the WGA West about writers' earnings over the past 10 years and wonder whether peak TV will return. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sean Gupta brings his passion and business savvy to BCP. Paul and Sean start off with a celebration of Spider-Man: Brand New Day which had the largest ever domestic box office opening with $360M. Next, they discuss producer/financier Jason Cloth's indictment on 7 counts of wire fraud in connection with a $100M ponzi-scheme. Finally, Sean shares his perspective as someone who has worked in cable, streaming and broadcast, on the FCC's upcoming decision to lift the broadcast ownership cap for TV stations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Paul and Jess begin with a quick recap of San Diego Comic Con in its pop culture glory. Next, Paul provides a break down of the proposed Senate bill, the Protect College Sports Act and how it may impact the NCAA NIL landscape, if passed. Finally, Paul and Jess tick through some of the media companies that announced Q2 earnings, in a quarter that was generally very positive for media companies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Paul and Jessica begin by congratulating Spain on their 2026 World Cup win. Next, they discuss FCC Chair Brendan Carr's intention to remove the 39% broadcast ownership cap. Then Paul reminisices about his start at Marvel as he provides an update on Marvel moving out of NYC and Paramount possibly leaving California. Finally, they reflect on Fandango's plan to pivot to being a FAST platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Paul and Jess come back from their 4th of July break in a big way. First they break down the 78th Emmy nominations - once again dominated by the streamers. Next, they discuss the movie box office week from Moana's live action struggles, to Michael crossing $1B and look forward to Christopher Nolan's epic, The Odyssey. Finally, Paul discusses Comcast's recently announced decision to spin off its media and content empire from its distribution business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.fm/adchoices

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 widely-adored Abbott Elementary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices