The Business of Television

The CEO of Participant Media asserts that conscientious content, artistic vision and commercial viability are not mutually exclusive.

Sam Esmail, who's used to wearing three hats on Mr. Robot, was able to concentrate on directing on the series Homecoming.

For indie documentarian Morgan Neville, the style should fit the subject.

Director Paris Barclay talks about the industry, his leadership role and how the Guild has progressed during his presidency.

YouTube Global Head of Original Content Susanne Daniels is developing new programming for subscribers. Will the famously free service now challenge other SVOD platforms?

In his 20 years as national executive director, Jay D. Roth has helped navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing industry. As the DGA celebrates its 80th anniversary, he ruminates on the past and future of the Guild.

After changing the way people watch television, Netflix is moving into features in a big way. Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos talks about the future of the company—and the industry.

Debra L. Lee, chairman and CEO of BET Networks, says with audiences for television becoming more diverse, so should directors—and the talent is already out there.

HBO president of programming Michael Lombardo reflects on the industry’s changing business model and how directors have contributed to the new wave of quality television.

Fox Searchlight Co-Presidents Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula talk about the challenges of the marketplace and making movies with a vision.

Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer is not pining for the way the business used to be. Instead, he’s energized by the prospects of new content, new markets, and new media.

As chairman of Universal Pictures, Donna Langley talks about the state of the industry and how Hollywood can do more to help women.

By monitoring what his vast viewership wants to see, Amazon Studios head Roy Price is creating original series for the Internet Age.

Megan Clarken, Nielsen executive vice president of global product leadership, talks about the company’s plan to count mobile devices starting with the fall 2014 TV season.

As former NBCUniversal executive vice president and general counsel, now head of its worldwide anti-piracy unit, Rick Cotton has been an industry leader in battling Internet theft. He reports on the latest from the front.

Longtime network executive Nancy Tellem, now president of entertainment and digital media for Microsoft, talks about the expanding Xbox entertainment platform and what that might mean for directors.

President of NBC Entertainment Jennifer Salke reflects on the precarious state of network television, the challenge of creating hit shows, and building greater diversity for directors.

Bruce Rosenblum, president of Warner Bros. Television Group, considers the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.

California Congressman Howard Berman talks about issues facing the entertainment industry.

Virginia Congressman Bob Goodlatte talks about issues facing the entertainment industry.

Co-presidents Tom Bernard & Michael Barker have steered Sony Pictures Classics through the choppy waters of indie film for 21 years with a combination of business savvy and a respect for directorial vision.

As chief digital strategy officer for Sony Pictures and leader of an industry-wide digital consortium, Mitch Singer talks about how the UltraViolet cloud could revolutionize home entertainment.

IATSE president Matt Loeb looks at the challenges facing the industry and the people employed in it.

As head of CBS in the ’70s and CEO of Warner Bros. for almost 20 years, Robert A. Daly oversaw an industry in transition. He looks back at the business as he knew it.

Former head of ABC and longtime TV executive Fred Silverman reflects on the medium’s coming of age.

Steven J. Ross, chairman of the history department at USC, looks at the labor conditions that contributed to the founding of the Guild.

Twitter co-founder and creative director Biz Stone considers the impact of tweeting on the entertainment industry.

John Fithian, president of the National Association of Theatre Owners, talks about the future of moviegoing as we know it.

Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of Disney-ABC Television Group, says we live in challenging times. That's why she's excited to come to work every day.

James Schamus, chief executive officer of Focus Features and producer and/or writer of all of Ang Lee's films, looks at the specialty film business and sees a world in flux.

Lauren Corrao, president of original programming and development for Comedy Central, talks about directing comedy and what you can get away with on cable TV.

David Shaheen, head of JP Morgan Chase's Entertainment Group, reflects on what impact the economic crisis might have had on the industry and the $8 billion the bank has loaned it.

Leslie Moonves, president and chief executive officer of CBS, talks about the challenges of the Internet and why network television is indispensable.

Producer Brian Grazer talks about how he hires a director, the importance of vision, and why visiting the set is meaningless.

YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley considers how the Internet site is trying to convert all those hits into a plan to make money.

Top entertainment attorney Ken Ziffren talks about his role in the DGA negotiations and where the industry may be headed.

Karen Stuart, executive director of the Association of Talent Agencies, reflects on the changing nature of an agent's job.

Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisitions for Verizon's FiOS TV, heralds the arrival of telcos and fiber optics in the home.

From tentpoles to cellphones, Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Barry Meyer surveys the business.

Netflix's Ted Sarandos talks about how the online rental company has changed the video business...and what's next.

Former MPAA President Jack Valenti defends the ratings system.

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg extols the virtues of shooting in the Big Apple.

Fox Television president Dana Walden talks about an industry trying to keep up with technology.

As director of the Sundance Film Festival for sixteen years, Geoff Gilmore has helped change the face of independent film. He surveys the current scene with Quarterly editor James Greenberg.

One of the busiest producers in town talks about finding new talent, the rise of TV and why he won't direct.