Best Affinity Streaming Podcasts (2025)

The rules of media have changed and the user is now in charge. Welcome back to the Media Odyssey Podcast! In this live episode presented with PreciseTV, Evan Shapiro breaks down the shift from the gatekeeper era of top-down media control to the new user-centric era, where audiences, not executives, dictate what succeeds. Using his signature “media …

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WHO WILL BUY DISCO BROS? 45:34

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14d ago45:34

45:34

When billion-dollar deals make more noise than sense, who really wins? In this episode of The Media Odyssey podcast, hosts Marion Ranchet and Evan Shapiro pull back the curtain on the relentless cycle of media mergers and acquisitions where massive buyouts, strategy, and political agendas collide. With characteristic humor and precision, they trace…

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Shoresy Rewatch by Affinity Streaming Podcasts Season 2 Episode 5: The Man Advantage 10:39

16d ago10:39

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Season 2 Episode 5!By Affinity Streaming

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WHY YOU'RE NOT GETTING FILM DISTRIBUTION 30:47

17d ago30:47

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The new buyer isn’t Netflix, it’s the audience. Live from MIPCOM 2025, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet sit down with Filmhub CEO Alan d’Escragnolle and Vortex Media CEO Justin Rebelo to unpack how independent producers and distributors are reinventing the film business for the creator economy. Recorded at the first-ever The Media Odyssey Podcast li…

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Shoresy Rewatch by Affinity Streaming Podcasts Season 2 Episode 4: Players Only 9:54

19d ago9:54

9:54

Season 2 Episode 4!By Affinity Streaming

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BREAKING DOWN THE CREATOR ECOSPHERE 39:04

28d ago39:04

39:04

Who really runs the media world now — creators, corporations, or algorithms? In this episode of the Media Odyssey Podcast, hosts Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet unpack the newly released Creator Ecosphere Map, a first-of-its-kind visual of the entire creator economy, created in partnership with Shira Lazar (What’s Trending) and InfluencerMarketing.…

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MEET THE MINDS BEHIND RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE 59:37

1M ago59:37

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What happens when a niche fandom becomes a global streaming powerhouse? In this episode of the Media Odyssey Podcast, hosts Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet sit down with World of Wonder co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, the creative minds behind RuPaul’s Drag Race, and a streaming empire built on fandom. They explore how World of Wonder …

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HOW DISNEY KILLED BROADCAST WITH KIMMEL 51:57

1M ago51:57

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Jimmy Kimmel is at the center of the conversation where politics, free speech, and billion-dollar mergers collide. In this episode of the Media Odyssey Podcast, hosts Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet unpack the dramatic suspension and reinstatement of Jimmy Kimmel—a flashpoint that highlights the collision of politics, regulation, and the crumbling …

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A Working Man (2025) Movie Review 22:50

1M ago22:50

22:50

We review A Working Man (2025) starring Jason Statham!By Affinity Streaming

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WTF IS A MEDIA CTO TODAY? 45:56

2M ago45:56

45:56

In this episode of the Media Odyssey Podcast, hosts Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet record live from IBC with Simon Farnsworth (ITV) and Adde Granberg (SVT), two CTOs (or as they call it, “Chief Transformation Officers”) reshaping European public broadcasting. The conversation explores how legacy broadcasters can adapt to a digital-first, fragmente…

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Shoresy Rewatch by Affinity Streaming Podcasts Season 2 Episode 3: Set The Tone 9:53

2M ago9:53

9:53

Season 2 Episode 3!By Affinity Streaming

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IS WHALE TV TV'S BEST KEPT SECRET? 41:19

2M ago41:19

41:19

In a special episode recorded live from IBC in Amsterdam, the Media Odyssey Podcast brings together hosts Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet with Whale TV’s Teresa Lopez and Chris Hock. Once a white-label operating system hidden inside millions of TVs, Whale TV has rebranded and stepped into the spotlight. The discussion dives into the shifting econom…

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Sinners (2025) Movie Review 23:46

2M ago23:46

23:46

We review Sinners (2025) starring Michael B. Jordan!By Affinity Streaming

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HOW ANGEL IS REVOLUTIONIZING ENTERTAINMENT 1:09:47

2M ago1:09:47

1:09:47

After raising $55M in commitments in just 18 days, Angel is ringing the bell on Wall Street and the three founding brothers come on this special episode of The Media Odyssey Podcast for the first time ever! In this episode, hosts Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet sit down with the Harmon brothers—Neal, Jeff, and Jordan, founders of Angel—to explore h…

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NEPO PRINCES, KILL LISTS, AND C4 SUCCESSION 47:31

2M ago47:31

47:31

Welcome back to the Media Odyssey Podcast! In the first episode of Season 2, hosts Marion Ranchet and Evan Shapiro return from summer break to unpack the biggest stories shaping the media landscape on both sides of the Atlantic. They cover everything from NBCUniversal’s cable spin-off and MSNBC rebrand, to European consolidation led by MFE and ProS…

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Shoresy Rewatch by Affinity Streaming Podcasts Season 2 Episode 2: Skill vs. Will 9:14

2M ago9:14

9:14

By Affinity Streaming

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The Substance (2024) Movie Review 26:55

3M ago26:55

26:55

We review The Substance (2024) starring Demi Moore!By Affinity Streaming

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Captain America: Brave New World (2025) Movie Review 20:31

3M ago20:31

20:31

We review Captain America: Brave New World starring Anthony Mackie!By Affinity Streaming

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SEASON 1 FINALE 21:30

3M ago21:30

21:30

Some quotes are memorable because they’re insightful, others because they come on a tin coffee cup. Welcome to the season finale of The Media Odyssey Podcast, where hosts Marion Ranchet and Evan Shapiro close out season one by sharing their last favorite clips – and the behind-the-scenes stories that came with them. From public spats with self-awar…

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OUR TOP PODCAST MOMENTS SO FAR 30:49

4M ago30:49

30:49

On this special episode of The Media Odyssey Podcast, hosts Marion Ranchet and Evan Shapiro discuss their favorite moments from Season 1. Evan and Marion select standout clips that capture the biggest themes, surprises, and insights from across the year. It’s a thoughtful, high-energy wrap-up on the state of media through the lens of prediction, co…

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REDEFINING CREATORS with Dhar Mann 47:24

4M ago47:24

47:24

Welcome to a new episode of The Media Odyssey Podcast, where we explore the people and ideas reshaping the media landscape. Hosts Marion Ranchet and Evan Shapiro sit down with Dhar Mann, one of the most successful independent creators in the world, to unpack what it really means to build an owned-and-operated media empire in the age of platforms. W…

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Anora (2024) Movie Review 28:10

4M ago28:10

28:10

We Review Anora (2024) starring Mikey Madison!By Affinity Streaming

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CHANGING TV ON YOUTUBE with Pedro Pina 38:48

4M ago38:48

38:48

Welcome to a special edition of The Media Odyssey Podcast from the Croisette at Cannes Lions! Hosts Marion Ranchet and Evan Shapiro sit down with Pedro Pina, Vice President of YouTube EMEA, for a sharp and forward-looking conversation about creators, monetization, and YouTube’s role in the evolving media landscape. As YouTube celebrates its 20th an…

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Rewind!-By Affinity Streaming Podcast-Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) 23:33

4M ago23:33

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We review Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure starring Keanu Reeves!By Affinity Streaming

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THINKING LIKE A CREATOR with BBC Studios, Amelia Dimoldenberg, Kiell Smith-Bynoe 44:17

4M ago44:17

44:17

Welcome to a special edition of The Media Odyssey Podcast from the buzzing beachfront of Cannes Lions! Hosts Marion Ranchet and Evan Shapiro explore the collision of traditional media, streaming giants, and the creator economy in an environment buzzing with brand activations and bold narratives. With viewership migrating to digital but ad dollars l…

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MEASURING CANNES LIONS 26:13

5M ago26:13

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Welcome to a special edition of The Media Odyssey Podcast from the heart of the Croisette at Cannes Lions! Hosts Marion Ranchet and Evan Shapiro dive into the evolving mood and key narratives emerging from the industry’s most vibrant gathering. From linear TV’s staying power in Europe to the acceleration of addressable advertising and first-party d…

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DISSECTING STREAMING: Live from StreamTV 41:25

5M ago41:25

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Evan and Marion take The Media Odyssey Podcast live at Stream TV's Media Universe Summit, joined by two special guests shaking up the content discovery game. Matthew Henick of Ventura TV OS, revealed how Ventura is building a new kind of CTV OS: one that puts transparency, user experience, and publishers first. Then Alan d’Escragnolle, CEO of Filmh…

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CHATTING AT GEMA: Unai Iparragirre | EITB 19:12

5M ago19:12

19:12

In this episode of "Chatting at GEMA", Marion Ranchet interviews Unai Iparragirre, Head of Channels & OTT at EITB, the public broadcaster in the Basque Country, about being able to adapt to a changing landscape, brave content, and the intersection of public service and entertainment. Iparragirre explains the importance of EITB beyond entertainment …

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CHATTING AT GEMA: Pierluigi Colantoni | RAI 13:24

5M ago13:24

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In this episode of "Chatting at GEMA", Marion Ranchet interviews Pierluigi Colantoni, Creative Director at RAI, Italy’s national broadcasting company, about creative packaging, branding and promotion, and the growing role of data in media. Colantoni speaks to how data informs creative decisions and the delicate balance between creative instincts an…

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CHATTING AT GEMA: Emmanuelle Lacaze | Gédéon Communications 19:42

5M ago19:42

19:42

In this episode of "Chatting at GEMA", Marion Ranchet interviews Emmanuelle Lacaze, President and Owner of Gédéon Communications, about television design, the Olympics, and innovative collaboration. Lacaze explains how Gédéon Communications, a design agency known for its work on media branding in France and internationally, contributed to the rise …

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WRAPPING H1 2025 IN MEDIA 25:43

5M ago25:43

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This week on The Media Odyssey Podcast, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet roll up their sleeves to recap the tumultuous first half of 2025. From mass layoffs at Disney, ITV, and Warner Bros. Discovery to a sports rights meltdown in Europe, they dig into the biggest media headlines of the season, and what they truly reveal about the state of the busin…

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Wicked (2024) Movie Review 28:09

5M ago28:09

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We review Wicked (2024) Starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande!By Affinity Streaming

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TRANSFORMING MEDIA WITH AI 45:38

5M ago45:38

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AI: fear it or figure it out? This week on The Media Odyssey Podcast, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet sit down with David Rudnick, CTO of LG Ad Solutions, to unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping connected TV, from creative optimization to real-time personalization. They tackle big questions: Is AI replacing jobs or removing the boring pa…

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OPTIMIZING IP ON SOCIAL 39:02

6M ago39:02

39:02

This week on The Media Odyssey podcast, Evan and Marion join to delve into the fast-evolving world of digital content distribution, with a behind-the-scenes look at one of YouTube’s most powerful enablers: Merzigo. Joining the show is Dilip Bala, SVP & GM of Merzigo U.S., to unpack how the company helps IP owners—from broadcasters to studios—unlock…

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Gladiator 2 (2024) Movie Review 20:37

6M ago20:37

20:37

We review Gladiator 2 (2024) starring Paul Mescal!By Affinity Streaming

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BREAKING ADS w/ Dan Callahan 54:51

6M ago54:51

54:51

This week on The Media Odyssey Podcast, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet reunite to tackle one of the hottest debates in advertising: Which ads actually work—and why? Joined by Dan Callahan, GVP of National Advertising Sales at Spectrum Reach, they dive deep into the evolving world of addressable advertising, the rise of zero-party data, and why tra…

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PIVOTING CAREERS IN MEDIA with Jazz Pitcairn and Katrina Craigwell 36:55

6M ago36:55

36:55

Double duty! This week, Evan sits down with Katrina Craigwell, head of products at JP Morgan Chase, and acclaimed writer/director Jazz Pitcairn to discuss building resilient careers, making bold pivots, and the power of curiosity, networks, and hustle in a rapidly shifting industry. Whether you’re looking to make a career transition, advance in you…

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Rewind!-By Affinity Streaming Podcast-Face/Off (1997) 28:31

6M ago28:31

28:31

We Review Face/Off (1997) starring Nicolas Cage and John Travolta!By Affinity Streaming

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KIDDING ABOUT TV with Jo Redfern 30:10

6M ago30:10

30:10

Jo Redfern, a kids media veteran and Founder of Futrhood Media, joins the pod this week for a deep dive into the future of youth content and the evolving business models shaping it. From launching Peppa Pig and leading BBC Children’s brands to advising global sports leagues and creators, Jo brings decades of frontline insight into the radical trans…

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WAGING THE CTV OS WARS with Alan Wolk 33:34

7M ago33:34

33:34

In this episode of The Media Odyssey, host Marion Ranchet welcomes Media Analyst and TVREV Co-Founder Alan Wolk for a deep dive into the ever-evolving Connected TV landscape. Marion and Alan dissect the current lull in CTV innovation, the strategic missteps of new entrants like The Trade Desk, and the rising competition among legacy OS manufacturer…

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TESTING & LEARNING: The CBC Case Study 38:29

7M ago38:29

38:29

In this episode of The Media Odyssey, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet sit down with Paul McGrath, Senior Director of Entertainment Strategy and Audience Development at CBC, to explore how Canada’s public broadcaster is navigating the shift from linear to digital media. Paul shares the inside story of CBC’s strategic pivot toward YouTube as a major …

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Venom: The Last Dance (2024) Movie Review 18:07

7M ago18:07

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We review Venom: The Last Dance starring Tom Hardy!By Affinity Streaming

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STREAMING EUROPE 53:05

7M ago53:05

53:05

In this episode of The Media Odyssey, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet travel to Lyon, France to sit down with Bedrock CEO Jonas Engwall to explore how European broadcasters are quietly leading a streaming transformation. From free, ad-supported platforms to collaborative infrastructure, the trio unpacks why Bedrock’s tech backbone is helping legacy…

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PREDICTING THE UPFRONTS 40:14

7M ago40:14

40:14

Is Digital Still A Safe Bet? From economic uncertainty to the rise of connected TV, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet predict a more cautious, data-driven Upfronts season where flexibility trumps tradition. With brands holding back big commitments, digital giants like YouTube, Meta, and Amazon stand to gain as safer, more measurable bets.Evan forecas…

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TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT: Comcast & Canal+ 27:03

7M ago27:03

27:03

In Episode 14 of The Media Odyssey, Marion Ranchet and Evan Shapiro conduct a deep dive on the evolving strategies of Canal+ and Comcast. Canal+ stands out for its global expansion—especially in Asia and Africa—despite challenges with high content costs and navigating a digital shift. Comcast, on the other hand, is facing broadband stagnation and c…

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FIXING TV'S UX 40:27

8M ago40:27

40:27

In this episode of The Media Odyssey podcast, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet dive into the frustrating user experience of streaming platforms and the growing crisis in content discoverability. With insights on interface design, consumer behavior, and the rise of super apps, Marion and Evan explore how platforms like Roku and Amazon are the new gol…

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Challengers (2024) Movie Review 21:06

8M ago21:06

21:06

We review Challengers (2024) starring Zendaya!By Affinity Streaming

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SIZING THE CONTENT ECONOMY - Live from MIP London! 31:13

8M ago31:13

31:13

In this FIRST EVER live recorded episode of The Media Odyssey at MIP London, Evan and Marion dive into the evolving landscape of the content economy, the impact of streaming giants pivoting towards sports, shifts in streaming investment, and the growing influence of AVOD and FAST platforms. They also welcome Ryan Afshar (VP, Publishers & Platforms …

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CHATTING AT SXSW: Ruth Berry | ITV Studios 9:55

8M ago9:55

9:55

In this episode of "Chatting at SXSW", Evan Shapiro interviews Ruth Berry, President of Global Partnerships & Zoo 55 at ITV Studios, about the network's evolving content strategy. Berry explains how ITV Studios, which operates in 13 markets with 60 production companies, is adapting to changing viewer habits by expanding into digital platforms throu…