Jenna Santoianni on Building TV That Lasts in a Streaming World | Women in Entertainment Podcast

Jenna Santoianni didn’t grow up dreaming of Hollywood; she grew up without cable. But that outsider perspective became her secret weapon as she carved out a powerful career at the center of television’s biggest transformations.

In this episode, Jenna traces her path from aspiring broadcast journalist to influential TV executive, beginning with early internships in development, a formative start at Creative Artists Agency, and a long, hard-fought road into scripted television. She opens up about learning the business before the streaming boom, getting her first real TV break at BermanBraun, and building shows during an era when rules, budgets, and expectations were constantly being rewritten.

Now a leader at MRC, Jenna reflects on what defines an MRC show, from bold creative voices to stories that have something to say, and why hits like House of Cards, Ozark, and Poker Face reshaped the streaming landscape. She also dives into the loss of 22-episode seasons, the challenge of measuring success today, and why audiences still crave characters they can grow up with.

Listen to learn:

- How growing up without TV shaped Jenna’s creative instincts

- Why character is the most powerful hook in modern storytelling

- What’s been lost and gained in the shift to short streaming seasons

- How success metrics have fractured across platforms

- Jenna’s practical advice for aspiring executives on building real mentorship

The Women in Entertainment Podcast presents thoughtful conversations with leaders across entertainment from film and television, to media and gaming, and everything in between; as we talk about what it takes to make your mark in the industry, lessons these incredible people have learned along the way, and how they have found their way in an ever-changing environment.

With in-depth conversations and pre-submitted listener questions, each episode provides candid advice for navigating today’s entertainment industry, giving listeners an inside look at how key players got their start, and guidance for building the necessary toolkit to bring careers to life in film, TV, music, theater, graphics, writing, animation, and beyond.

Listen on Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5AfPfPQ...

Listen on Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Listen on Audible: ⁠https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a85...

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