Shows / Breaking Down the Biz

Breaking Down the Biz
On Breaking Down the Biz, we simplify the big stuff in the business of music , entertainment, and technology. Industry insider Seth Schachner (ex Sony Music, Microsoft, AOL, Universal Music) brings you a bite-sized, insider’s guide to how the industry really works. Each week Seth is joined by the insiders who are making culture happen - the brains behind your favorite artists, movies, and media companies. Ever wondered how Apple helped save the music industry? What actually happened with those…
Episodes
Breaking Down the BizGlobal Fandom, Brands, and Artists Collide with Jesse Kirschbaum
On this episode of Breaking Down the Biz, Host Seth Schachner talks with Jesse Kirschbaum about the evolving landscape of music, brand collaborations, and fan…
Breaking Down the BizAerosmith's Last Show Ever?
On this episode of Breaking Down the Biz, Seth Schachner talks with Aerosmith superfans Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal and Wayne Goldstein ahead of the band's…
Breaking Down the BizThe Rise of Microdramas, with Mat Raney and Carin Smolinski
A chat with the new generation of "Microdrama" talent: producer Mat Raney and actor Carin Smolinski fill us in on what is driving the growth of Microdramas…
Breaking Down the BizThe State of Comedy, with Sue Funke
In this episode, we explore guest comedian Sue Funke shares insights on recent controversies surrounding Shane Gillis's SNL monologue, industry changes, and…
Breaking Down the BizCan Big Media Mergers Work? With Kevin Conroy
Experienced entertainment executive Kevin Conroy joins the show to share insights on media mergers, the impact of AI, and the evolving landscape of…
Breaking Down the BizHow Independent Music Distribution Is Changing the Industry
This episode of Breaking Down the Biz covers the rise of independent music distribution and how artists can now get their music onto major streaming platforms…
Breaking Down the BizA Global Perspective on Music, with Steve Savoca
In this episode, Seth Schachner interviews music industry veteran Steve Savoca to explore the evolving landscape of music fandom, AI's impact on music…
Breaking Down the BizOasis’ Revival, with Music Journalist Lyndsey Parker
In this episode, Seth Schachner chats with music journalist Lyndsey Parker about the resurgence of Oasis, the legacy of Britpop, and the evolving landscape of…
Breaking Down the BizPhilanthropy, Artists, and Activism with Tom McPartland
In this episode, Seth Schachner interviews Tom McPartland about the intersection of philanthropy, global development, and the evolving role of technology and…
Breaking Down the BizMicrodramas Disrupt Hollywood, with Josh Silberman
In this episode, Josh Silberman discusses the rise of microdramas and vertical videos, exploring how they are transforming storytelling and the entertainment…
Breaking Down the BizUniversal Truths, with Al Teller
Al Teller joins the show today to share insights on the evolution of the music industry, the impact of AI and internet technology, and the enduring importance…
Breaking Down the BizPhysical Attraction: Gen Z Brings CDs Back, with Kevin Deakin
In this episode, host Seth Schachner interviews Kevin Deakin about the resurgence of CDs among Gen Z, the evolution of music discovery, and innovative…
Breaking Down the BizLeadership Traits: How They've Changed (Or Haven't), with Jay Rosenzweig
In this episode, Jay Rosenzweig shares insights on leadership, adaptability, the evolving role of CEOs, and his diverse work in recruitment, humanitarian…
Breaking Down the BizThe Power of Music
How Concert Films and Major Artist "Residencies" Are Uniting Audiences and Filling Arenas, and the recent controversy surrounding the Ed Sheeran tour. Learn…
Breaking Down the BizHow Fandoms Are Changing Hollywood, with Sandy Climan
On this episode of Breaking Down the Biz, Sandy Climan shares insights on the evolution of the entertainment industry, the impact of AI, and the future of…
Breaking Down the BizWhy Horror/Comedy is Winning The Box Office, with Ritch Duncan
In this episode, Seth Schachner interviews Ritch Duncan about the intriguing connection between horror and comedy genres, exploring why horror comedy is…
Breaking Down the BizInside Prince's Business Genius, with Jacqui Thompson
In this episode, Jacqui Thompson shares her unique experiences working closely with Prince, exploring his innovative approach to music, business, and branding…
Breaking Down the BizSony & Universal Music's AI Lawsuit Is Bigger Than Copyright
On this episode of Breaking Down the Biz, Seth Schachner looks at the lawsuits from Sony Music and Universal Music against Anthropic and explains why they…
Breaking Down the BizHow Radio Has Changed, with Chris Carter
Seth Schachner sits down with Chris Carter, host of Breakfast with the Beatles, for a wide-ranging conversation about why the Beatles still resonate, how radio…
Breaking Down the BizHow California Could Break The Warner-Paramount Deal, & More
On this episode, host Seth Schachner covers recent developments in the media and tech industry, including the California merger dispute involving Paramount and…
Breaking Down the BizHow Gaming Is the Next Music Platform, with Alvaro Velilla
In this episode, Seth Schachner chats with Alvaro Valilla, a seasoned music executive, about the future of music in gaming, adaptive music, and blockchain…
Breaking Down the BizThe Latest Warnermount Hurdle, with Jonathan Handel
In this episode, Seth Schachner and legal expert Jonathan Handel discuss the complex regulatory and market dynamics surrounding the Warner Paramount merger…
Breaking Down the BizThe Future of Live Music & More, with Marc Geiger
In this episode, host Seth Schachner sits down with Marc Geiger, Global Head of Music at WME and CEO of Gate-52. He shares insights on the evolving live…
Breaking Down the BizSuno & Meta Under Fire, with Oz Sultan
In this episode, Seth Schachner interviews Oz Sultan to explore the latest developments in AI and music, platform regulations, legal challenges, and the future…
Breaking Down the BizSir Richard Branson: Past, Present, and Future
Richard Branson shares insights from his journey in the music industry, the spirit of entrepreneurship, and the parallels with today's entrepreneurial…
Breaking Down the BizWhat Studios Are Learning From the Creator Economy, with Dani Calogera
In this episode, Seth Schachner interviews Dani Calogera about the evolving landscape of Hollywood marketing, the rise of original content, and the strategic…
Breaking Down the BizThe New Rules of Music In The Digital Age
In this episode, Ximena Sariñana and Luana Pagani discuss the evolving landscape of the latin music industry, artist development, and the impact of social…
Breaking Down the BizHow The World Cup Unites Global Audiences, with Tabitha Lipkin
In this episode, Seth Schachner and guest Tabitha Lipkin discuss the global impact of the World Cup, media mergers, and the shifting landscape of media…
Breaking Down the BizRevolutionizing How We Watch, with Keith Zubchevich
In this episode, Keith Zubchevich, CEO of Conviva, shares insights into the world of media streaming, measurement, and the future of AI in content creation…
Breaking Down the BizHollywood's Big Merger Halt: New Legal Resistance
Seth Schachner discusses the temporary halt to the Paramount-Warner merger, exploring the legal, competitive, and industry implications, and what it means for…
Breaking Down the BizThe Ethical Dilemma of AI in Media Production, with Carlos Sanchez
In this episode, Seth Schachner interviews Carlos Sanchez, a Hollywood veteran now leading Protege Media's efforts in AI and media data licensing. They explore…
Breaking Down the BizJay-Z, Noah Kahan, & The Future of Music with Oana Ruxandra
In this episode, Seth Schachner covers the recent major concert stops by Jay-Z & Noah Kahan, and talks with Oana Ruxandra about the future of music industry…
Breaking Down the BizHow AI Could Transform Music Rights & Operations, with Daniel Punt and Francesco Ferran
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…
Breaking Down the BizBig Changes Coming to NBC-Universal
This week, host Seth Schachner discusses recent developments in media, entertainment, and sports, including NBC Universal's split, World Cup viewership, and…
Breaking Down the BizHow MTV Changed Global Music Culture
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…
Breaking Down the BizHow A24's Google Deal Signals a New Era for Film AI
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…
Breaking Down the BizThe Plight of Independent Music Venues, with Stephen Parker
In this in-depth interview, Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association, discusses the challenges and opportunities facing…
Breaking Down the BizClive Davis: A Legend's Legacy in Music | Breaking Down the Biz
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…
Breaking Down the BizHow Musixmatch Is Changing The Music Industry, with Rio Caraeff
In this episode, Rio Caraeff, co-president of Musixmatch, shares insights into the music rights industry, AI innovations, and the future of digital media…
Breaking Down the BizInside the Ticketing Industry, with Brian Berry
In this episode, Seth Schachner interviews Brian Berry of the Ticket Policy Forum to explore the complexities of the ticketing industry, including issues with…
Breaking Down the BizStates Threaten To Block WB-Paramount Merger
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…
Breaking Down the BizRobert Morton on Letterman, Colbert, & The Future Of Late Night
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…
Breaking Down the BizBackrooms' Big Box Office Weekend & Universal Music Update
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…
Breaking Down the BizHow Stingray is Changing The In-Car Entertainment Game, with Jim Riley
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…
Breaking Down the BizMusic Platforms' New Huge AI Integration
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…
Breaking Down the BizFinding the Future of Broadway: Andy Sandberg On the Economics of Theater
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…
Breaking Down the BizHow Late Night Comedy Is Changing, with Tabitha Lipkin
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…
Breaking Down the BizBroadway's Impending Crisis: Jason Eisner On the Business of Musical Theatre
Broadway producer Jason Eisner joins the podcast to explore the surprising forces driving the future of theater, from social media's explosive power to…
Breaking Down the BizOasis, Greta Gerwig's 'Narnia', and Instagram | Breaking Down the Biz
On this episode of Breaking Down the Biz, Seth Schachner covers recent developments surrounding the new Oasis documentary, Greta Gerwig's upcoming Narnia film…
Breaking Down the BizDo We Have A 4th Major Label? Inside the BMG/Concord Merger with Tom Truitt
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…
Breaking Down the BizWhat Does A Music Manager Do? With the Legendary Ron Stone
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…
Breaking Down the BizMIchael Jackson, Noah Kahan, & AI In Hollywood
In this episode, Seth Schachner explores recent developments in music and entertainment, including a new Michael Jackson biopic, recent releases by Noah Kahan…
Breaking Down the BizWhy Apple Made A Song 99 Cents, with Paul Vidich
Industry veteran Paul Vidich shares how Apple’s iTunes and Steve Jobs defied conventional wisdom to revolutionize music consumption. Discover the…
Breaking Down the BizA Verdict On Ticketmaster, with John Chu
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…
Breaking Down the BizKerry Gordy on Motown, Major Labels, and Sunday Best
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…
Breaking Down the BizParamount Merger, UMG Music, & Coachella, with Michelle 'Bizzy' Bell
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…
Breaking Down the BizThe Power of Emerging Music Markets, with Alfonso Perez Soto
Most countries underestimate how local competitors and digital giants like YouTube, TikTok, and others are shaping the future of the music industry by…
Breaking Down the BizLive Nation & Social Media Trial
In our first-ever mini news roundup, Seth breaks down the biggest stories on his radar this week. He kicks things off with the Live Nation antitrust lawsuit…
Breaking Down the BizThe Rise and Fall of Music Journalism | Ira Robbins
Most major music publications were born in the print era, but are now faced with shifting digital landscapes and an uphill battle to compete for eyes and ears…
Breaking Down the BizIvy on Music, Loss, & Legacy
Join us as we explore Ivy's musical journey, from their analog roots to digital evolution. Discover how they navigated the music industry, faced personal loss…