Matt is joined by Sheila Nevins, producer and former president of HBO Documentary Films, to discuss why she isn't bothered by the complicated state of documentaries. Thanks to streaming, documentaries are more popular than ever, reaching more households and finding consistent relevance in pop culture like never before. Sheila gives her take on the perception that quality filmmaking has ceded its path to quantity in the streaming age, our cultural obsession with murder and crime, and whether we need to change the way we think about documentary films. Matt finishes the show with a box office opening weekend prediction for ?The First Omen? and ?Monkey Man?. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Sheila Nevins Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by WWE president Nick Khan to discuss the WWE?s $5 billion deal with Netflix, making the streaming giant the exclusive new home to WWE?s 'Raw' starting in January 2025. Nick talks about how the deal came together, the creative vision in a post?Vince McMahon world, the Rock?s return to the ring, what this deal means for the future of sports media, where he expects the brand to be in three to five years, the looming NBA rights deal, and much more. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Nick Khan Producer: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Bloomberg?s Lucas Shaw to discuss what?s at stake in Disney?s proxy battle with billionaire corporate raider Nelson Peltz. With the annual shareholder meeting coming up this week, they dive into the war Peltz has waged against Disney and CEO Bob Iger, whether his case has any merit, and whether he could actually win. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about how the box office will fare in Q2. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] 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

Matt is joined by Van Lathan to discuss the complicated and nuanced relationship between TMZ and Hollywood. As a former TMZ employee, Van walks us through how the sausage is made at TMZ and outlines its aggressive reporting style, how it pays its sources, and how, despite its often negative perception, the mainstream media has become more like TMZ, not the other way around. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Van Lathan Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Bloomberg?s Lucas Shaw to discuss the battle for time in the attention economy of streaming and social media. They parse through the latest data on how people spend their time and wonder whether streaming services are in danger of losing relevance with young millennials and Gen Z. They talk about whether legacy studios and streamers are worried about apps like TikTok and how they are working to compete with them. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about Season 3 of 'Euphoria.' For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] 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

Matt is joined by Matt Panousis, the COO and cofounder of VFX and AI technology company MARZ, to discuss how AI is currently being implemented in Hollywood. Matt outlines the recent innovations and their impacts on VFX, dubbing, postproduction, digital makeup, and much more. Matt finishes the show with a box office prediction about the opening weekend of ?Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.? For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Matt Panousis Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Puck?s Dylan Byers to check in on the world of television news and anchors like Don Lemon and Tucker Carlson exiting their perches and starting new careers on social media platforms like Twitter/X. They discuss whether these cable TV stars can retain their cachet and relevance, whether they can make as much money (or more), and whether the life after TV business model is sustainable. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about men vs. women's March Madness ratings. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Dylan Byers Producer: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Bloomberg?s Lucas Shaw to craft The Town?s first ever Hollywood Power List: their definitive (and subjective!) ranking of who has the most ?juice? a.k.a. the most influential figures in the entertainment business. Matt and Lucas debate who deserves to be in the top 10, who doesn?t, whether an actor will break the top 10, and who currently deserves the coveted top spot. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] 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

Matt is joined by Jeremiah Reynolds, partner at Eisner LLP and copyright law expert, to untangle the recent plagiarism accusation by screenwriter Simon Stephenson over Alexander Payne?s ?The Holdovers,? then outline whether or not this case has merit. Matt and Jeremiah discuss famous past examples of copyright infringement, whether the WGA can help with plagiarism, and what a writer can do if they feel their idea is being stolen. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the films that will premiere at South by Southwest. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Jeremiah Reynolds Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Julia Alexander from Puck and Parrot Analytics to discuss what is and isn?t working in Netflix?s foray into live sports and sports-adjacent programming, and they outline how Netflix is experimenting to make a potential bid on live rights for a major sport. She reveals some data around Netflix viewership, explains why the sports documentary market is oversaturated, and outlines the importance of live sports for Netflix?s bottom line. Matt finishes the show with a prediction on the opening weekend box office for the new Mark Wahlberg film ?Arthur the King.? For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Julia Alexander Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Bloomberg?s Lucas Shaw to discuss the various winners and losers from the Academy Awards, including Universal Studios, film chief Donna Langley, Christopher Nolan, and Disney's Searchlight Pictures as winners and Apple and Netflix as losers. Now, with awards season officially in the books, Matt and Lucas create their new movie studio power rankings. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] 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

Matt is joined by Mosaic talent manager and Oscar enthusiast Michael Lasker to parse through the awards season chatter to find a gambling edge on the Academy Awards. Matt and Michael discuss whether anyone has a shot at defeating 'Oppenheimer,' Emma Stone vs. Lily Gladstone, the tight screenplay races, and whether history still plays a role in who wins. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the opening weekend box office numbers for 'Kung Fu Panda 4.' For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Michael Lasker Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Puck?s longtime fashion journalist, Lauren Sherman, to discuss the business of the red carpet, the amount of money celebrities can make from high-end luxury brands, and the state of the Oscars as a fashion and brand platform. Lauren tells us which stars have the biggest brand deals, who has broken out this year, and how a stylist can take them to the next level. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about another possible strike in Hollywood, then delivers some gossip about a certain A-list celebrity's attendance at the Oscars. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Lauren Sherman Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Bloomberg?s Lucas Shaw to discuss the big changes on the film side of Netflix and Disney, and what these moves signal for each studio. Netflix hired producer Dan Lin as their new head of film, and Disney promoted David Greenbaum as their new head of Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios. Dramatically fewer movies at Netflix, Disney goes for more original hits, big changes at Netflix and Disney and maybe the kinds of movies that get made. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the upcoming release of the ?Taylor Swift: The Era?s Tour? movie on Disney+. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] 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

Matt is joined by The New Yorker?s Michael Schulman to parse through the endless campaigns from the 2024 Oscar season and give out their own awards for the best, worst, and everything in between. Some of the awards include Best Campaign Narrative, Biggest Campaign Misfire, Best Stunt, Best Overall Campaign, and Who Won Awards Season. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Michael Schulman Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Ben Thompson, the founder of Stratechery, to discuss Open AI?s new text-to-video model Sora and the ensuing Hollywood freakout. Ben explains how Sora works and what effect it could have in the short and long term in the entertainment industry. They discuss which departments will be disrupted the most, how Sora and text-to-video models can be used as a productivity tool, and how the major studios should deal with this new era in technology. Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for 'Dune: Part Two.' For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Ben Thompson Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Bloomberg?s Lucas Shaw to check in on Warner Bros. Discovery and CEO David Zazlav after a rocky earnings call last week. They discuss the disappointing movie quarter, their murky path to streaming profitability, the state of the MAX brand, whether they will keep their NBA rights, and if it's officially time to pivot on WBD?s business model. Matt finishes the show with a prediction on the Best Actor and Best Actress categories of the Academy Awards. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] 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

Matt is joined by Dr. Stacy Smith?the founder of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative?to discuss the state of female representation in Hollywood and how ?The Year of the Woman? after major box office hits from ?Barbie?, Taylor Swift?s ?The Eras Tour? and Beyonce?s ?Renaissance' might not be accurate. They also discuss the state of casting older men and women in Hollywood, the DEI initiatives of major studios, new inclusion standards for the Oscars, and the responsibility of the Academy to bring about change in Hollywood. Matt finishes the show with a prediction on the new Apple sports app. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Dr. Stacy Smith Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Bloomberg?s Lucas Shaw to discuss Peacock?s strong start to 2024 and the prospect of a possible joint venture or ?commercial partnership? with Paramount+, as reported by The Wall Street Journal late last week. They run through the logistics of a merger, the curious timing of the Journal?s story, the critical role live sports rights play, Warren Buffett's sale of a third of his stake in Paramount Global, and who is most to blame for Paramount's struggles. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about John Oliver?s HBO show, ?Last Week Tonight.? For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] 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

Matt is joined by Neon founder and CEO Tom Quinn to talk about the thesis for launching Neon, the difficulty of starting a theatrical distribution company centered around adult-oriented movies in 2017, how they are able to compete financially with other major studios? Oscar campaigns, the business model behind a movie like ?Anatomy of a Fall,? what they learned from ?Parasite,? what he deems a success in independent film, and more. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the future of the ?True Detective? franchise. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Tom Quinn Producer: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by box office columnist and Puck contributor Scott Mendelson to discuss the historically bleak start to the year at the box office, filled with few tentpole releases and bombs from movies like ?Argylle.? They preview the rest of the year?s movie slate, discuss whether movies like 'Dune: Part Two' can outperform the limitations of their genre, offer up some potential wild-card hits, and wonder whether the lack of major franchise releases in 2024 will boost original and original-ish movies like Ryan Gosling's ?The Fall Guy.? Matt finishes the show by giving a box office prediction for the upcoming film ?Madame Web.? For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Scott Mendelson Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Live from Las Vegas, Matt is joined by Bloomberg?s Lucas Shaw and special guest Jimmy Kimmel to discuss the state of sports television, the NFL's dominance in an otherwise struggling television landscape, Las Vegas as a Super Bowl venue, the potential move of the Oakland A's to Vegas, the hardest part about hosting the Oscars, the future of late-night television, and more. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guests: Lucas Shaw and Jimmy Kimmel Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by media analyst Rich Greenfield to discuss Disney?s latest quarterly earnings report, as well as a slew of new announcements from CEO Bob Iger. Matt and Rich run through each announcement, including their new $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, a stand-alone ESPN streaming service, their bundled sports streaming service with Fox and WBD, Moana 2, Taylor Swift's concert movie coming to Disney+, and the Nelson Peltz proxy battle. Later, the pair determine whether they can prove to the creative community that they are officially back. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the Gina Carano?Disney lawsuit. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Rich Greenfield Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by sports business journalist and Puck contributor John Ourand to discuss ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery teaming up to create a new over-the-top sports streaming platform that will air live sports from ESPN, TNT, FS1, and more. They discuss the dynamics of this deal, why this is happening, how it will affect the future of linear cable, potential drawbacks, and more. Matt finishes the show with a Super Bowl ratings prediction. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: John Ourand Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Bloomberg?s Lucas Shaw to discuss the highlights, lowlights, and most pressing music industry questions after the 2024 Grammy Awards. Matt and Lucas check in on the music business, including the ongoing feud between Universal Music Group and TikTok, Taylor Swift's new album announcement, the Grammy's problem with hip-hop, the future of the Las Vegas Sphere, and more. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] 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

Matt is joined by Rolling Stone?s Ethan Millman to discuss the ongoing battle between Universal Music Group and TikTok, why Taylor Swift, Drake, and other artists? music is no longer on the app, if TikTok deserves to pay less in royalties because of its cultural prominence and inherent marketing advantage, and ultimately who needs who more. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the final season of ?Curb Your Enthusiasm?. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Ethan Millman Producer: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by filmmaker Ed Zwick ('Glory,' 'Blood Diamond,' 'The Last Samurai') to discuss the art of studio and movie star politics in a constantly evolving industry. Ed talks about the era of high-end dramas in Hollywood, how to manage studios, the exploitation of test screenings, how to handle a difficult movie star, and much more. Matt finishes the show with a box office prediction about the upcoming movie ?Argylle.? For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Ed Zwick Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Bloomberg?s Lucas Shaw to discuss film chief Scott Stuber?s exit from Netflix and what it means for the streamer's movie arm,  Netflix?s foray into live programming with a $5 billion deal for WWE's 'Raw,' and its latest earnings report, which saw a big boost in subscriber growth. Matt, Lucas, and producer Craig finish the show by adding a new wrinkle to the 2024 box office draft. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] 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

Matt is joined by Joe Ravitch, the founder and partner at The Raine Group, to discuss the secret to a successful media merger, the dealmaking landscape in 2024, whether looming consolidation could hurt creatives in the industry, the appetite for tech companies to buy content companies, and more. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about John Stewart?s return to ?The Daily Show.? For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Joe Ravitch Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Live from Park City, Utah, at the Sundance Film Festival, Matt is joined by Joana Vicente, a former producer and the current CEO of the Sundance Institute. Matt and Joana discuss the state of independent film, the perils of the indie film to streaming pipeline, the possibility of the festival leaving Park City in the near future, Scott Stuber's exit from Netflix, and more. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the 2024 Academy Awards. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Joana Vicente Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Bloomberg?s Lucas Shaw to conduct the second annual box office draft on ?The Town.? Matt and Lucas each draft five blockbusters set to be released in 2024 with the goal of making the most money possible against the production budget. Plus, an added twist that allows each person to saddle the others team with a movie they believe will bomb. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] 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

Matt is joined by journalist, author, and 'SNL' expert James Andrew Miller to discuss whether Lorne Michaels will actually step down after the 50th anniversary of 'Saturday Night Live' in 2025 and, if so, who is best suited to replace him. They also discuss the state of the show, its struggle with political humor, and its lack of star power. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: James Andrew Miller Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Bloomberg?s Lucas Shaw to discuss the NFL?s first streaming exclusive playoff game, which featured the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs on Peacock. They break down why this should largely be considered a success for Peacock, how to retain the influx of new subscribers, and if the streaming exclusive sporting event is the right path forward. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the next host of the Oscars. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] 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

Matt is joined by Puck?s Bill Cohan to discuss the latest reports about Paramount Global?s potential sale, specifically looking at David Ellison?s pitch to acquire the media empire by purchasing National Amusement, Paramount?s parent company. Matt and Bill discuss Shari Redstone?s willingness to now engage, the financial problems as well as complications and high risk involved with the potential deal, what Ellison could do with the assets he doesn't want, and what the future holds for Paramount Global if no deal is made. Matt finishes the show with a prediction for the opening weekend of ?Mean Girls?. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Bill Cohan Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by journalist Ethan Strauss of the ?House of Strauss? Substack to discuss the messy Pat McAfee saga and what it says about the state of ESPN. They unpack ESPN's decision to license 'The Pat McAfee Show,' whether the attempt to draw younger audiences to ESPN's linear channel is working, and whether the YouTube-ification of ESPN is a sustainable model. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about who will host the next Academy Awards. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Ethan Strauss Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Bloomberg?s Lucas Shaw to discuss the most pressing questions as we begin a new year in Hollywood, including the drama around Disney?s proxy battle, Bob Iger?s continued search for a successor, the looming NBA rights deal and the fate of local sports, and Oppenheimer?s dominance at the Golden Globes and what the rest of awards season will hold. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] 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

Matt is joined by Brooks Barnes from The New York Times to discuss the long and messy path of the Golden Globes as we gear up for the 81st Golden Globe Awards on Sunday. Matt and Brooks discuss why this show can?t seem to die even though it's been mired in controversy, how it has been reformed under new ownership, whether people even want to celebrate Hollywood anymore, and why the Globes will probably still exist 30 years from now. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the ratings for the Golden Globes. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Brooks Barnes Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Deadline senior reporter Justin Kroll to discuss the young movie stars on the rise and fall after a chaotic movie year in Hollywood. They highlight the movies that catapulted young actors into stardom, as well as some of the more puzzling casting decisions that potentially hurt someone's career. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the 2024 box office in January and February. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Justin Kroll Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Part 2 of the exclusive Townie Awards, Matt and Bloomberg?s Lucas Shaw select their Winner of the Year in Hollywood, and give out a number of additional awards, including Executive Fail of the Year, Low-Key Flex, Movie Marketing Miss of the Year, The ?Did I Say That Out Loud? Award for Worst Quote, the Mea Culpa I Was Wrong Award, as well as the Suck It Haters I Was Right Award, and more. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] 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

It?s podcasting's most exclusive event of the year: The second annual Townie Awards! This is a show made up of awards created by us, based on our own interpretations of the craziest year in Hollywood, maybe ever? In Part 1, Matt is joined by Lucas Shaw, the Amy Poehler to his Tina Fey, to give out the first round of awards, including Most Destructive Behind-the-Scenes Drama, Publicist Fail of the Year, Most Annoying Media Narrative, Deal of the Year, Larry David Spite Store of the Year, Sneaky Success of the Year, and much more. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] 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

Matt is joined by LightShed Partners media analyst Rich Greenfield to break down the latest reports of a meeting between Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav and Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish in New York City to discuss a possible merger. Matt and Rich discuss what a deal would look like between these two legacy companies, how this would affect the streaming and cable networks for both of these companies, and whether or not major mergers in modern Hollywood ever work. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the weekend box office. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Rich Greenfield Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Bloomberg?s Lucas Shaw to discuss the biggest disasters of 2023 after a chaotic and frustrating year in Hollywood. With the labor shutdowns being the clear answer for the biggest debacle, Matt and Lucas look beyond the strikes to nominate what they believe have been the most calamitous misfires in the industry this year. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] 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

Matt is joined by film producer and founder/CEO of Illumination, Chris Meledandri, to discuss a very weird year for theatrical animation, which featured a billion-dollar hit in ?The Super Mario Bros. Movie? and big misses with originals like ?Wish? and ?Strange World?. Chris helps explain the business of feature animation, why original animated movies have been struggling, and how Illumination differs from the other major players in animation like Pixar and Disney Animation, DreamWorks, and more. Matt finishes the show with a box office prediction for the upcoming film ?Wonka?. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Chris Meledandri Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and Bloomberg?s Lucas Shaw to discuss Netflix's newest expansion into data transparency, called ?What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report,? a biannual report covering six months of streaming habits on the platform across more the 18,000 shows and movies between January-June 2023. Matt and Lucas dive into the data and ask Ted about Netflix?s shift in strategy, the downstream effect on the rest of the streamers, and how this will alter the deal-making market for creators. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the fate of Paramount Global. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Ted Sarandos Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Ted Hope, a producer and former cohead of movies at Amazon Studios, to discuss streaming's negative impact on the movie business. Ted provides his perspective to explain how global streaming platforms have damaged the independent film business, how predatory pricing has corrupted the market, how the incentives of streamers have changed, and what should be done to fix this. Matt finishes the show with a box office prediction for Hayao Miyazaki's newest film, ?The Boy and the Heron.? For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Ted Hope Producer: Craig Horlbeck Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Axios senior correspondent Sara Fischer to dissect the biggest deals of 2023, and what we can expect in 2024. They discuss why private equity may dominate the deal market next year, the possibility of a major merger, and predict what 2024 will hold for Paramount Global, Warner Bros. Discovery, Comcast, theater chains, NBA rights, and more. Matt finishes the show by giving a prediction on a potential IATSE strike in the spring. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Sara Fischer Producer: Craig Horlbeck Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Bloomberg?s Ashley Carman to discuss the state of the podcast industry and its struggle to reach profitability despite its growth. They talk about the murky metrics for success, the era of companies going ?all in? on celebrity podcasts, the comedy podcaster boom, Spotify vs. Apple vs. YouTube, and the rise of the video podcast. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the future of streamer bundling. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Ashley Carman Producer: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Julia Alexander?the director of strategy at Parrot Analytics and a streaming wars expert?to discuss the year's most strategic and powerful moves made by streamers to try to gain an advantage over their rivals, and which worked the best. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the 2024 Oscars. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Julia Alexander Producer: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by longtime casting director Denise Chamian to provide her perspective on some of the industry?s most pressing topics, including Hollywood?s lack of young movie stars, AI replacing actors, the effectiveness of the SAG-AFTRA strike, as well as misconceptions about the casting process and how it has changed. She also reveals a few secrets about the casting for ?Top Gun: Maverick? and ?Elvis?, and highlights a few actors she believes are stars in the making. Matt finishes the show by giving a prediction for the opening weekend of 'Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé?. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Denise Chamian Producer: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Bloomberg?s Lucas Shaw to discuss Paramount Global?s struggle to survive in the age of streaming, whether owner Shari Redstone will be forced to sell the family business, and, if so, whom she will sell it to. Matt finishes the show by giving an update on the 2023 box office draft between him and Lucas. For a 20 percent discount on Matt?s Hollywood insider newsletter, ?What I?m Hearing ...,? click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] 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