Variety Launches ‘Daily Variety’ Podcast Hosted by Cynthia Littleton

Variety, the leading entertainment industry publication, has expanded its audio portfolio with "Daily Variety," a new Monday-through-Thursday podcast series. This initiative underscores the growing importance of podcasts for delivering business news and sector analysis. Hosted by Co-Editor in Chief Cynthia Littleton, the program provides concise morning briefings on pivotal industry developments. It also features interviews with Variety's journalists and prominent figures, delving into emerging trends within the global content ecosystem. Episodes are designed to be under 20 minutes and are typically released by 10 a.m. Pacific Time.

According to Littleton, the podcast is crafted for time-pressed entertainment professionals seeking a curated news digest. "Our goal with 'Daily Variety' is to engage industry insiders by providing a selected summary of must-know stories pertinent to television, film, music, gaming, and AI," she stated. She also emphasized that the series acts as a central point for highlighting Variety's international reporting and its roster of live events, including its editorial franchises and summits. This move aligns with a wider media strategy where legacy outlets are converting their editorial credibility into popular on-demand audio formats.

The "Daily Variety" name carries significant historical weight. For eighty years, from 1933 to 2013, the Daily Variety print newspaper was an indispensable Hollywood institution. The publication, famous for its sharp headlines and authoritative reporting on studios, networks, and talent agencies, was a daily read for everyone from top executives to assistants. Its relaunch as a podcast is a direct nod to this storied past, effectively reviving a legendary brand for contemporary audiences. Media historian Dr. Elena Vance notes, "The original Daily Variety wasn't just a paper; it was the bulletin board for the entire industry. Reviving its name taps into decades of built-in trust and recognition."

This new series is a key component of Variety's broader audio strategy, which already includes successful weekly podcasts like "Awards Circuit" and "Strictly Business," as well as the documentary series "Variety Confidential." The most recent season of "Variety Confidential," which examined "The Life and Legacy of River Phoenix," recently broke into the top 10 on iHeart Media Podcasts. Littleton, who was on the print edition's staff for its final twenty years, remarked, "We are excited to resurrect its spirit in this vibrant, new format." She added that the podcast offers an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the newsgathering process and direct engagement with the publication's reporters.

Listeners can access "Daily Variety" on all major audio platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartMedia, Amazon Music, and YouTube. This wide distribution guarantees that the entertainment sector's essential daily update is available to a global audience on their preferred services, facilitating easy integration into morning routines for professionals worldwide.