Media Monday: Zaz’s Deal Toy & Code’s Demise

Matt Belloni joins guest host Julia Alexander to explain why the Memorial Day box office was just what the doctor ordered for studio executives—and what it portends for the year ahead. They break down how the movies performed, the most significant trends of 2025, and how studios can capitalize on the theatrical moment. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

28 Touko 202535min

John Ourand joins guest host Julia Alexander to unpack the high-stakes drama behind Disney’s lawsuit against YouTube, following the poaching of top ESPN executive Justin Connolly. Then, they turn to the mounting challenges facing Major League Baseball as its $550 million deal with ESPN nears expiration. Alas, is this just a baseball problem—or a greater issue facing all leagues in this new sports media era? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27 Touko 202534min

Jon Kelly joins guest host Dylan Byers to unravel the plot twists in Rob Manfred’s ongoing media rights negotiations for MLB, highlighting their potential deals with NBC and Apple. Then the duo dive into the firestorm ignited by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s new book, ‘Original Sin’—and the fractures it’s revealing within the Democratic Party. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

26 Touko 202531min

Julia Ioffe joins guest host Leigh Ann Caldwell to unpack the fallout from Trump’s two-hour call with Putin earlier this week: Trump's growing frustration with the Ukraine conflict, his willingness to hand it off to Europe, and the chilling implications for President Zelensky. Then, they turn to the Oval Office debacle with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in which Julia emphasizes the administration’s promotion of white supremacy theories—and their broader white supremacist agenda. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

23 Touko 202521min

Abby Livingston joins guest host Leigh Ann Caldwell to break down the challenges facing House Republicans in passing their legislative agenda, particularly Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” They highlight the tensions between the centrists and hardliners, the pressure on individual members, and, of course, the overarching influence of Trump. Then they dig into the race to replace Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly after his unfortunate passing yesterday. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

22 Touko 202520min

Eriq Gardner joins Peter to unpack the Swifties’ intensifying racketeering lawsuit against Live Nation, along with two other serious cases the company is facing: a long-running civil suit from fans and an antitrust case from the Justice Department. Then Eriq explains how Taylor Swift got dragged into the legal drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, and whether this news could hurt Taylor’s... reputation. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

21 Touko 202518min

Dylan Byers joins Peter to break down Wendy McMahon’s resignation from CBS News after four years as the network president, which comes as Paramount angles to settle Trump’s $20 million-plus lawsuit against ‘60 Minutes.’ Then they turn to the chatter surrounding Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s "Original Sin," and how the publication has coincided with the grim news that the former president has been diagnosed with cancer. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

20 Touko 202529min

The renaming of HBO Max offers Jon Kelly and Peter a chance to recall some of David Zaslav’s greatest streaming follies during the WBD era. The duo also chew over murmurs of regime change at Politico’s flagship beltway property. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

19 Touko 202524min