Best of Puck: Hollywood’s Sora 2 Panic
In this special episode from The Grill Room archive, Julia and Dylan dive into the launch of OpenAI’s new video-generation app, Sora 2, and Mark Zuckerberg’s A.I. social media platform, Vibes. They explain why these releases have sent Hollywood into a state of not-so-mild panic, and how these A.I. platforms might reshape the media industry writ large. Then, they turn to the YouTube TV–NBCU carriage dispute, and what it portends for similar industry battles going forward. 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 Dec 1h 2min
Media Monday: Bari’s Secret Vision & Semafor of Arabia
Jon Kelly and Peter Hamby share some yuletide warmth and share their impressions of Bari Weiss’s evolving plans at CBS News, which are starting to become clear. Then the duo pivot to Semafor’s surprising manifest destiny in the Middle East. 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 Dec 27min
Media’s Anxiety Index
Orchestra C.E.O. Jonathan Rosen and Jon Kelly join Dylan live from New York to walk through new survey data capturing the media industry’s state of mind. They dig into the rise of subscription-based models, the FAST explosion, the creeping influence of A.I., and much more. Plus, cameo insights from Semafor’s Ben Smith and Feed Me’s Emily Sundberg who offer their own read on where the business is bending—and breaking. Learn more about Starbucks industry-leading benefits at starbucks.com/partners. 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 Dec 39min
Barstool’s Netflix Era & ’26 Media Predictions
Julia Alexander joins Peter to break down Barstool’s new multi-year deal with Netflix and the Oscars’ jump to YouTube—and what both moves reveal about two giants in the middle of an identity swap. Julia also serves up her media predictions for 2026, from Substack’s next act to the fate of pay TV and the sneaky upside of connected television. 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 Dec 23min
Can YouTube Save the Oscars?
Matt Belloni joins Peter to break down why the Oscars are ditching ABC for YouTube, which will begin broadcasting the awards in 2029 after years of eroding TV ratings. Matt breaks down why, though it may be a risk for the Academy, the move is a no-brainer in the long run. They also discuss Matt’s interview with Senator Elizabeth Warren, who’s already sharpening her antitrust scrutiny around a potential Netflix–Warner Bros. merger. 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
18 Dec 20min
Is Jasmine Crockett the New Beto O’Rourke?
Abby Livingston joins Peter to assess how the redistricting wars may fizzle into a draw, as Democrats float counter-moves, Indiana Republicans reject Trump’s push to redraw the map, and weary G.O.P. lawmakers admit the whole exercise is chaotic and exhausting. Abby also breaks down Jasmine Crockett’s ambitious jump into the Texas Senate race—her clash-of-styles matchup against James Talarico, and whether her brand of politics can actually win statewide. 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
17 Dec 26min
Zaz’s Ellison Paranoia
Bill Cohan joins Peter with fresh intel on why Warner Bros. Discovery remains skeptical of the Ellisons and Paramount Skydance’s offer, as questions linger over whether they actually have the money they’re offering—and whether foreign financing from the Saudis, Qataris, and beyond could spark a lengthy national security headache. 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
16 Dec 19min
Media Monday: Netflix’s Secret Kryptonite
Jon Kelly and Peter reunite to discuss all the various reasons that Netflix actually needs Warner Bros. and HBO Max. Yes, the company may have definitively won the streaming wars, but it also currently finds itself in the middle of a two-front battle between insurgent F.A.S.T. platforms, like Tubi, and social platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. 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
15 Dec 21min
