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The Option

The Option

Written by: Oil&Cattle
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 The Option is a daily intelligence briefing on the business of Hollywood—not the headlines, but what drives them. Each episode breaks down the deals, power dynamics, and economics that shape film, television, and streaming. From studio mergers and executive shuffles to talent leverage and IP strategy, The Option explains why decisions get made, not just what happened. This is not entertainment news. This is industry intelligence. Hosted by a senior industry insider, The Option delivers 3-6 minutes of sharp, informed analysis for executives, investors, talent representatives, producers, and anyone who wants to understand how Hollywood actually operates. Topics include: • Studio economics & streaming profitability • Mergers, acquisitions & media consolidation • Talent agency power & packaging dynamics • Executive strategy & leadership transitions • Awards season as a business function • IP valuation & library economics • Release windows & distribution strategy • Private equity in entertainment New episodes drop daily. No gossip. No fan takes. Just the business behind the business. Subscribe for the intelligence that moves the industry.© 2026 Oil&Cattle Art Economics
Episodes
  • Private Equity's $80 Billion Bet on Hollywood

    Private Equity's $80 Billion Bet on Hollywood
    Jan 23 2026
    Private equity's $80 billion entertainment investment wave — Apollo, Blackstone, KKR, and RedBird are deploying unprecedented capital into media and entertainment in 2026. This isn't investment—it's an acquisition strategy for distressed Hollywood assets.

    In this episode of The Option, we analyze:

    • Why private equity firms are targeting entertainment companies at collapsed valuations
    • The four reasons PE loves Hollywood: distressed pricing, library cash flows, multiple arbitrage, and regulatory arbitrage
    • Which firms are most active: Apollo, Blackstone, KKR, RedBird Capital
    • What PE ownership means for talent deals, development slates, and original content
    • The bull and bear case for financial engineering in entertainment

    Key takeaway: Private equity sees Hollywood as a distressed asset class with predictable cash flows—and they're deploying $80 billion this year to prove it.

    The Option is a daily podcast covering Hollywood business news, private equity entertainment, media M&A, and entertainment industry analysis. New episodes weekdays at 6 AM PT.

    Keywords: private equity entertainment, Apollo media investment, Blackstone Candle Media, KKR Hollywood, RedBird Capital, PE media M&A, entertainment distressed assets, Hollywood private equity 2026
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    4 mins
  • Why Morgan Stanley's James Gorman Now Runs Disney's Board

    Why Morgan Stanley's James Gorman Now Runs Disney's Board
    Jan 22 2026
    James Gorman becomes Disney Chairman — The former Morgan Stanley CEO is now the most powerful person at Disney, leading the search for Bob Iger's replacement. What does a Wall Street banker running Disney's board tell you about the company's future?

    In this episode of The Option, we explore:

    • James Gorman's Morgan Stanley playbook and what it means for Disney strategy
    • The leading CEO candidates: Josh D'Amaro (parks) vs. Dana Walden (content)
    • Why Disney's core strategic question is financial, not creative
    • What a banker-chairman signals for Disney's streaming investment and asset sales
    • Timeline for Disney's CEO announcement before D23 2026

    Key takeaway: Disney put a banker in charge of succession because the next CEO's job is finance, not storytelling.

    The Option is a daily podcast covering Hollywood business news, Disney strategy, media executive moves, and entertainment industry analysis. New episodes weekdays at 6 AM PT.

    Keywords: James Gorman Disney, Disney CEO search, Bob Iger replacement, Disney chairman, Josh D'Amaro, Dana Walden, Disney succession, Morgan Stanley Disney, Disney+ profitability
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    4 mins
  • Congress Takes Aim at Streaming Mergers

    Congress Takes Aim at Streaming Mergers
    Jan 21 2026
    House Judiciary Committee examines streaming antitrust — Congress held a hearing called "Full Stream Ahead" on January 7th to scrutinize the Netflix-WBD merger. The title was cute. The implications are worth understanding.

    In this episode of The Option, we examine:

    • What the House Judiciary Committee's "Full Stream Ahead" hearing actually accomplished
    • The three real functions of Congressional hearings on media mergers
    • Why there's no bipartisan consensus on streaming antitrust enforcement
    • How political pressure shapes DOJ and FTC regulatory priorities
    • What this means for Netflix-WBD deal timing and future streaming consolidation

    Key takeaway: Congressional hearings are theater, not law. But the theater shapes what regulators prioritize—and right now, streaming is center stage.

    The Option is a daily podcast covering Hollywood business news, media regulation, streaming antitrust, and entertainment industry analysis. New episodes weekdays at 6 AM PT.

    Keywords: streaming antitrust, Netflix WBD antitrust, House Judiciary Committee, media regulation, DOJ entertainment, FTC streaming, Congress media merger, Hollywood antitrust 2026
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    3 mins
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