In this week’s episode, Rob Long tackles the idea that entertainment is a risky business that takes a lot of intuition and nerve. Things are going to fail, and sometimes, weird long shots do pay off. But that doesn’t stop networks from using methods to try to predict what shows will and won’t be hits. Rob reminds all network executives that they are in the business of taking chances, and reveals the clever way studios mitigate risk by using a highly technical financial instrument: OPM — a.k.a., other people’s money. Okay, it’s not very technical and it’s not really an instrument either, but it does mitigate their risk.

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Published in: Culture, Entertainment

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There are 5 comments.

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  1. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    I adore these longer shots

    • #1
  2. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    I’ve heard some of these stories before.

    • #2
  3. I Walton Member
    I Walton
    @IWalton

    Any different for any field?  We don’t know squat.  In fact, wild bottom up trail and error created the modern world.  The top can’t take those kinds of risks that’s why it always, so far no exceptions, dies. 

    • #3
  4. Taras Coolidge
    Taras
    @Taras

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    I adore these longer shots

    I disagree.   A long “martini shot” is just another podcast.

    • #4
  5. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    Taras (View Comment):

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    I adore these longer shots

    I disagree. A long “martini shot” is just another podcast.

    I think Rob has good insights. 

    • #5
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