Podcast · 189 episodes
The Town with Matthew Belloni
by The Ringer · English
Puck founding partner Matthew Belloni takes you inside Hollywood, using exclusive reporting and insight to explain the backstories on everything from Marvel movies to streaming wars. Multiple times each week, Matt is joined by major executives, dealmakers, and journalists, to discuss what is getting made and why, who is winning and losing, and what people in show business are actually talking about.
Latest episodes
The Ari Emanuel ExperienceAri Emanuel promotes his memoir “Roll the Calls” and discusses his career as a top Hollywood agent/executive, including feuds and business strategy.30 Sep 2026 · 52 min
The Six Toughest Decisions David Ellison Faces With WarnerMountThe episode discusses the pending Paramount–Warner Brothers merger (not yet approved; judge still reviewing the consent decree and responding to Sen. Cory Booker’s concerns).28 Sep 2026 · 35 min
Dissecting the Bill That Could Transform Hollywood, With Its Co-AuthorA bipartisan federal film/TV production tax credit bill introduced in both House and Senate, aimed at bringing Hollywood production jobs back to the U.S.24 Sep 2026 · 37 min
All episodes
The Ari Emanuel ExperienceAri Emanuel promotes his memoir “Roll the Calls” and discusses his career as a top Hollywood agent/executive, including feuds and business strategy.30 Sep 2026 · 52 min · 23 chapters
The Six Toughest Decisions David Ellison Faces With WarnerMountThe episode discusses the pending Paramount–Warner Brothers merger (not yet approved; judge still reviewing the consent decree and responding to Sen. Cory Booker’s concerns).28 Sep 2026 · 35 min · 13 chapters
Dissecting the Bill That Could Transform Hollywood, With Its Co-AuthorA bipartisan federal film/TV production tax credit bill introduced in both House and Senate, aimed at bringing Hollywood production jobs back to the U.S.24 Sep 2026 · 37 min · 17 chapters
Emergency Pod: Paramount Settles—and Bonta CavesA “Emergency Pod” reacts to Paramount’s global settlement with 12 states over its planned acquisition of Warner Bros.21 Sep 2026 · 31 min · 9 chapters
Tom Cruise and the New Age of Celebrity ProfilesThe episode examines why Tom Cruise agreed to a rare, real GQ magazine cover story after about a decade, and what that reveals about modern “access journalism” versus celebrity self-publishing and…19 Sep 2026 · 40 min · 15 chapters
2026 Emmys Instant Reactions: Is Apple Really the New HBO? What Happened to Netflix?The episode is an Emmys recap and debate about streaming “prestige” power. Topic: Apple TV’s breakout at the 2026 Emmys and whether it’s “the new HBO,” plus why Netflix and Disney/FX underperformed.15 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 13 chapters
How to Run a Specialty Studio in 2026, with Searchlight PresidentMatthew Greenfield, Searchlight’s president, explains how Searchlight defines itself inside Disney, why it prioritizes creative risk and theatrical “urgency,” how awards factor into long-term…14 Sep 2026 · 49 min · 24 chapters
‘Resident Evil’ and the Tightrope of Relaunching Old IPHow Konstantin Film relaunches and manages the Resident Evil IP across decades—using rights ownership, international sales, and creative “reboot” strategy—plus how European studios stay relevant amid…10 Sep 2026 · 36 min · 16 chapters
Four Big Stories: Emmys ’26, Summer Box Office Pushback, Fed Tax Credit Odds, and ‘60 Minutes’ 2.0A “grab bag” episode covering (1) summer box office records vs attendance/inflation, (2) odds of a federal film production tax credit, (3) Emmys early results and Netflix/Apple/HBO positioning, and…8 Sep 2026 · 37 min · 20 chapters
The 2026 Summer Box Office Winners, Losers, and Head-ScratchersA “summer movie confidence scale” accountability episode revisiting how accurately the hosts and guest Scott Mendelsohn predicted 2026 summer box office outcomes (winners, losers, and…4 Sep 2026 · 50 min · 16 chapters
Did Donald Trump Just Save Filmmaking in America?The Town episode argues that a Trump Truth Social post could unlock a federal film/TV tax incentive, potentially restoring U.S. competitiveness against countries like the UK, Bulgaria, and Canada.2 Sep 2026 · 36 min · 13 chapters
The Five Biggest Hollywood Storylines for the Rest of 2026The Town episode “The Five Biggest Hollywood Storylines for the Rest of 2026” discusses major entertainment-industry pressures and bets for late 2026. Key topics: (1) Warner Bros.1 Sep 2026 · 37 min · 13 chapters
Disney's Biggest Swings and Misses, Plus Iger vs. Eisner—With the Acquired GuysThe Walt Disney Company’s history and near-bankruptcies, then a debate on modern missteps (especially streaming timing and the Fox acquisition), plus a quick box-office segment.28 Aug 2026 · 42 min · 14 chapters
America vs. the U.K.: Who Makes Better TV Shows?Why the UK produces more hit TV formats and unscripted/doco than the US, and how ownership rules and streamer business models affect innovation.27 Aug 2026 · 47 min · 20 chapters
The WarnerMount PR War and the 'Dune 3' Ticket CrashNegotiation/PR tactics in the Paramount–Warner Bros. merger antitrust fight, including CA AG Rob Bonta abruptly canceling settlement talks after alleged media leaks; plus backlash over AMC’s 70mm…25 Aug 2026 · 32 min · 13 chapters
Mailbag! Marvel’s Future, Johnny Depp’s Comeback, L.A.’s Recession, and Awkward Celeb Interactions.This Town Hall mailbag episode (no external guests; Matt Bellany and Craig Horlbeck) covers: (1) whether Hollywood job cuts make L.A.22 Aug 2026 · 39 min · 13 chapters
The Business Secrets Behind the ‘Love Island’ JuggernautHow Love Island became a U.S. streaming juggernaut, focusing on the “business secrets” behind the format: ownership, platform fit, real-time production, social-media feedback loops, authenticity, and…19 Aug 2026 · 36 min · 16 chapters
What Will It Take to End the Paramount–Warner Bros. Standoff?The Paramount–Warner Bros. merger standoff and what it would take to reach a settlement by October 1, including potential “Paramount exodus” to other states, union conditions, and what structural…17 Aug 2026 · 40 min · 12 chapters
Where Have All the Action Heroes Gone? With 'John Wick' Producer Basil IwanykThe episode of The Town asks why straight action movies feel rarer domestically and what it would take to revive the genre.13 Aug 2026 · 38 min · 14 chapters
Why Can’t We Build More IMAX Theaters? With CEO Rich GelfondThe Town episode “Why Can’t We Build More IMAX Theaters? With CEO Rich Gelfond” focuses on IMAX’s current box-office momentum (“Hot IMAX Summer”), why there aren’t more 70mm IMAX film projector…12 Aug 2026 · 40 min · 15 chapters
Fox Stands Up to the NFL, a Big Change to TV Ownership, and Ellison Commits to 30 MoviesThe Town episode covers major TV/media business moves. Topic 1: Fox’s Lachlan Murdoch refuses to reopen its NFL rights deal, keeping terms through the 2029 season, despite the NFL seeking more money…10 Aug 2026 · 37 min · 14 chapters
The Case for Disney Exiting the Streaming WarsDisney’s earnings and streaming strategy, and whether Disney should exit direct-to-consumer streaming and return to a licensing model.7 Aug 2026 · 31 min · 14 chapters
Can the Paramount-WBD Merger Survive a Trial, Midterms, and a $650 Million Clock?The episode centers on whether the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger can survive a March 2, 2027 antitrust trial in Oakland, California, amid election politics and a $650 million per-quarter…5 Aug 2026 · 37 min · 14 chapters
Why Spider-Man Broke Records, and Why Peacock Partnered With YouTubeThe Town episode covers three entertainment-industry stories: (1) why Spider-Man: No Way Home broke records, (2) the Peacock–YouTube Premium partnership, and (3) delays and deal dynamics in the…3 Aug 2026 · 38 min · 10 chapters