Better Call Paul
Hosted by former Marvel entertainment lawyer Paul Sarker and entertainment enthusiast Mesh Lakhani, Better Call Paul will delve into the business and legal issues at play behind the glitz and glam. This show takes you beyond the catchy headlines to find out what’s really at play behind the scenes and gives you an introduction to the business side of show business.
Episodes
September 10, 2025 • 34 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh begin with Nielsen’s new ratings methodology which will incorporate 75M devices to provide even more accurate measurements, just in time for the start of the NFL season. Next, Mesh teases 007 First Light, the next installment in the James Bond line of video games which has gotten great initial press. Finally, Paul and Mesh recap the rapid growth of Garage Beer, and its biggest shareholders, the Kelce broth...
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September 3, 2025 • 33 mins
This week, Paul interviews Gaurav Gupta, the founder of Squanto. An app that creates a marketplace for live performers and allows its clients and venues to use AI tools to sort through the sea of options for the best fit.
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August 27, 2025 • 35 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh begin with a discussion of the launch of two new streamers, ESPN Unlimited and Fox One, as well as Nielsen's latest report on television consumption habits. Next, they look forward to WB Animation's relaunch with Cat In The Hat slated for November 2026 with an all-star cast. Finally, Paul provide a recap of a dispute between JV partners Trinity Broadcasting and Merit Street Media and where things went off ...
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August 20, 2025 • 34 mins
This week, Mesh provides a rave review for Weapons, the sophomore effort from Zach Cregger, that is generating massive box-office buzz. Next, Paul and Mesh discuss the introduction of Sling's day, weekend, and week passes which provide a low-cost entry point to linear TV, but may ruffle feathers with TV networks. Finally, they discuss Geoffrey Hinton's (AI forefather, Nobel-prize winner) cautionary statements regarding AI super int...
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August 13, 2025 • 33 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh begin with strong earnings announcements from several leading media companies. Next, they discuss the announced deal between NFL and ESPN where NFL is getting a stake in ESPN in exchange for granting ESPN additional games and media rights. Finally, they discuss Roku entering the pay-streaming game with its new budget-friendly product, Howdy.
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This week, Paul and Mesh begin with a discussion of the home renovation TV genre amidst HGTV's decision to cancel several of its shows in response to declining viewership and cost over runs. On the other end of the TV spectrum, they recap Banijay Entertainment's strong first half of 2025 as the mega TV producer is hitting on all cylinders. Finally, Paul provides an update on a recent Ninth circuit case regarding the potential infri...
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July 30, 2025 • 25 mins
This week, Jessica David is back and filling in for Mesh. Paul and Jessica begin with Marvel's Fantastic Four reboot and George Lucas' first appearance at San Diego Comic Con. Next, Paul provides an update on FCC's approval of Skydance's proposed acquisition of Paramount clearing the path for the deal to close. Finally, they ponder the unconfirmed rumors percolating that Jeff Bezos is considering a purchase of CNBC.
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July 23, 2025 • 31 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh begin with a recap of the 77th Emmy nominations, where streamers dominated yet again. Next, the discuss the conclusion of the 2025 Upfront negotiations for several major players, including a record volume in sales for NBCU built on the strength of a major sports portfolio (World Cup, Olympics, Super Bowl and the return of the NBA). Finally, they discuss the 70th anniversary of Disney World and ponder what t...
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July 16, 2025 • 36 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh recap Superman's box office performance as the Gunn era of the DC film universe starts off. Next, they peer into the summer camp for Billionaires where CEOs and heads of entertainment and tech meet at the annual Sun Valley conference. Finally, Paul provides an update on the FTC's click to cancel rule which was struck down (at least temporarily) on procedural grounds.
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July 9, 2025 • 34 mins
This week, after a short 4th of July break, Paul and Mesh kick things off with a movie update discussing how F1 and Jurassic World Rebirth excelled in theaters. Next, they discuss the Diddy trial verdict which saw Diddy acquitted of the most serious charges he was facing in a mixed decision that will spare him a lengthy prison sentence. Finally, they provide an update on the Skydance and Paramount merger and how the South Park crea...
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June 25, 2025 • 30 mins
Paul and Mesh begin with Mark Walter's purchase of a controlling interest in the Los Angeles Lakers for $10B, which is 40% higher than the next-highest NBA sale price (Celtics). Next, they discuss YouTube's CEO's comments regarding integrating generative AI video tool Veo3 into YouTube Shorts to further democratize content creation. Finally, they provide an update on the bankruptcy auction for Village Roadshow which Alcon has agree...
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June 18, 2025 • 34 mins
Paul and Mesh begin with a quick update on the Nintendo Switch 2 which set sales records in its first week of launch. Next, they discuss Disney and Universals' copyright infringement complaint against Midjourney. Finally, with the announcement that Warner Bros. Discovery will be spinning off its legacy cable networks and Disney's statement that it plans to keep all of its media assets under the same umbrella, they ponder the pros a...
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June 11, 2025 • 29 mins
This week, Paul recaps a great Tribeca Film Festival event he attended and discusses its importance to the greater NY entertainment scene. Next, Paul and Mesh cover some recent layoffs affecting legacy media companies. Finally, Paul provides an update on the House v. NCAA settlement which was just approved and formally ushers in the era of colleges paying their student athletes directly for NIL rights.
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June 4, 2025 • 36 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh start with a recap of the highest grossing Memorial Day Weekend for the U.S. movie business as Lilo and Stitch outperformed and MI:8 held its own. Next, they discuss the latest billion-dollar beauty sale as e.l.f has agreed to buy Hailey Beiber’s Rhode skin care and cosmetics brand for up to one billion dollars ($1,000,000,000). Finally, Paul and Mesh provide their take on Reed Hastings, the legendary found...
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May 21, 2025 • 32 mins
Paul and Mesh begin with WBD’s announced rebrand of Max back to HBO Max and a few Cannes film festival highlights. Next, they recap 5 primetime shows that NBC recently cancelled, in part to make room for its new NBA telecasts which will air on Tuesdays and Sundays (in addition to Peacock). Finally, they break down a recently announced 34.5B merger between Charter and Cox which, once completed, will create the largest cable/broadban...
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May 14, 2025 • 33 mins
Paul and Mesh begin with life imitating art as the real-life 2025 Conclave has a few striking similarities to the 2024 Best Picture nominee Conclave. Next, they discuss President Trump's intent to establish a College Sports Commission to be co-chaired by Nick Saban and Cody Campbell. Finally, Paul and Mesh breakdown the latest entertainment tariffs as the President has floated a 100% tariff on films made overseas and released in th...
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May 7, 2025 • 31 mins
Paul and Mesh begin with a recap of Marvel's Thunderbolts* box office performance which was solid but not a home run. Next, they discuss the start of Diddy's criminal trial in New York after Diddy rejected a plea deal on the eve of trial. Finally, Paul provides an update on the FCC and potential replacements for democratic commissioners, including former chair Jessica Rosenworcel.
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April 30, 2025 • 29 mins
Paul and Mesh begin with a discussion of Ryan Coogler's Sinners which continues his stellar trajectory and whether his bespoke deal with WB could become a trend. Next, they discuss Ted Sarandos' comments regarding the theatre experience and shifting consumer preferences. Finally, they celebrate YouTube which turned 20 in April and look back at how it revolutionized video distribution.
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April 23, 2025 • 33 mins
This week, Paul and Mesh begin with musical festival season as Coachella concludes and Fyre Festival 2 hits the brakes. Next, they discuss Drake’s amended defamation complaint against his own label, Universal Music Group, resulting from his rap beef with Kendrick Lamar. Finally, Paul breaks down college football QB, Nico Iamaleava, leaving the University of Tennessee for UCLA and how it illustrates the often hidden world of NIL dea...
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April 16, 2025 • 34 mins
Paul and Mesh begin with a luxury fashion update as Versace announced that it would be acquired by Prada to create a team-up of Italian luxury fashion brands. Next, Paul discusses the massive $1.68 billion dollar damages award in the sexual assault trial against writer director James Toback. Finally, Paul and Mesh discuss James Cameron, one of the pioneers of big budget motion pictures, and Mr. Cameron's view that AI technology can...
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