The Town with Matthew Belloni

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss the complicated holdup in the sale of Paramount Global to David Ellison and his company, Skydance Media. They break down the situation—which involves Donald Trump's lawsuit over Kamala Harris's '60 Minutes' interview on CBS—and consider the options for Paramount Global head Shari Redstone to get this deal done. They also look ahead at the implications this may have for future mergers in Hollywood (03:32). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the Academy Awards' Best Picture race (24:47). For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here. Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Lucas Shaw Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 Feb 32min

Matt is joined by Antenna CEO Jonathan Carson to look at the NFL in the digital age and provide insight on how streamers are leveraging NFL rights as a massive subscriber event. They talk about some moves the league has made to target different fans, how much of an impact live NFL games have had on Netflix, and if the splintering of NFL rights could lead to diminishing returns (02:32). Matt finishes the show with a Super Bowl ratings prediction (25:27). For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here. Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Jonathan Carson Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 Feb 32min

Matt is joined by Lesli Linka Glatter and Russell Hollander, the president and director, respectively, of the Directors Guild of America, to talk about some of the most important topics for directors in the entertainment industry. They discuss how the DGA manages its relationship with SAG and the WGA; how the AI landscape has changed since its last CBA, including AI's use in the film ‘The Brutalist’; why the TV market is hurting directors; and what the DGA's role is in the Justin Baldoni–Blake Lively lawsuit (02:34). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about Super Bowl commercials (24:10). For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here. Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Lesli Linka Glatter and Russell Hollander Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

5 Feb 32min

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to recap an exciting and star-studded 2025 Grammy Awards, break down what it was like to be there in person, and nominate their biggest winners and losers from music’s biggest night. They also talk about Chappell Roan's acceptance speech pleading for record labels to treat their artists better, Kendrick's dominant night, and Will Smith’s return to the awards show stage (00:00). The guys finish the show with an update to the 2025 Box Office Draft (00:00). For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, 'What I’m Hearing ...,' click this link: puck.news/thetown  Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Lucas Shaw Producer: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

4 Feb 36min

Matt is joined by ‘Wicked’ producer Marc Platt to discuss how the smash hit musical adaptation got made and why it took so long despite the stage play's successful multi-decade run. They also discuss why 'Wicked' is the only Best Picture–nominated film with only one credited producer, Platt. They also talk about why the ‘Wicked’ marketing campaign was such a success, tough choices he has had to make in his career, and the secret to a great pitch (02:09). Later, Matt makes a prediction about the recent social media controversy surrounding ‘Emilia Pérez’ star Karla Sofía Gascón (27:39). Click HERE to help those affected by the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here. Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Marc Platt Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1 Feb 36min

Matt is joined by legendary music industry executive Irving Azoff to discuss FireAid, the massive benefit concert on January 30 to help L.A. fire victims. As the Los Angeles area continues its recovery from devastating wildfires, the benefit concert will raise millions for relief efforts. Irving explains how this concert came together so quickly, including the unprecedented streaming effort that will allow millions to watch for free, as well as how many of the major acts got involved like Billie Eilish, Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Anderson .Paak, and more. They also discuss the state of the music business, why many prominent voices in the music business are English, how streaming is affecting the business, and more (02:25). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the benefit concert proceeds (31:52). Click HERE to help those affected by the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here. Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Irving Azoff Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

29 Jan 37min

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to break down Netflix’s quarterly earnings report that saw the streamer add nearly 19 million subscribers and its stock price push to $1,000 a share (02:51). As one of the most valuable media companies, where else does Netflix have room to grow? Next, Matt and Lucas make a correction to the 2025 Box Office Draft from last week (25:43). Click HERE to help those affected by the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here. Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Lucas Shaw Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27 Jan 32min

Matt is joined by Steven Zeitchik, senior editor at The Hollywood Reporter, to break down some industry angles from the 2025 Oscar nominations, including Netflix's 13 nominations for 'Emilia Pérez' and the movie's chances to win Best Picture in this year's wide-open race, the constituencies among the voters, the growing globalization of the Academy, studio politics, and who they think will win Best Picture (01:59). Click HERE to help those affected by the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here. Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Steven Zeitchik Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

24 Jan 32min