Podcast · 189 episodes
The Town with Matthew Belloni, page 8
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.
All episodes, page 8
Why Fox Is Finally Entering the Streaming WarsFox One’s launch into streaming “wars,” priced at $20/month, and how Fox plans to grow digitally without cannibalizing its still-strong linear TV business (news and sports).20 Aug 2025 · 32 min · 11 chapters
The 10 Worst Things to Happen to Hollywood Since 2010“The 10 Worst Things to Happen to Hollywood Since 2010,” focusing on strategic missteps during the streaming transition, plus a brief late segment on Taylor Swift performance rumors.18 Aug 2025 · 38 min · 19 chapters
Paramount’s New Playbook Unveiled and the Taylor Swift Podcast BounceParamount’s new leadership under David Ellison—what it means for CBS, Paramount Plus, film/theatrical release windows, streaming strategy, content plans, and potential asset sales—plus a separate…15 Aug 2025 · 35 min · 13 chapters
The Power and Peculiar Psychology of ‘Disney Adults’The episode argues that “Disney adults” (people who intentionally choose Disney—often without children, frequently as annual pass holders) are a major driver of Disney Parks revenue and influence.14 Aug 2025 · 32 min · 13 chapters
Paramount’s UFC Knockout and Amazon’s Podcast FlameoutThe Town episode covers two shifts in media: (1) the “best and worst” moment for podcasts—record adoption and revenue growth, but big tech retrenchment from expensive narrative audio; and (2)…11 Aug 2025 · 31 min · 13 chapters
Could Movies Start Skipping Netflix to Go Straight to YouTube?Whether movies can skip Netflix/Prime and go straight to YouTube; Amir Khan’s “Stars on Earth” as a case study, plus discussion of theatrical/OTT release windows.8 Aug 2025 · 32 min · 8 chapters
ESPN Jumps Into Bed With the NFL. What About Everyone Else?ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer streaming launch and its major equity deal with the NFL—Disney’s broader sports-rights push and the competitive/regulatory ramifications.7 Aug 2025 · 32 min · 14 chapters
Paramount’s New Team, Fantastic Four’s Nosedive, YouTubers in Theaters, and Peacock’s FutureLate-summer Hollywood business roundup: Paramount’s new leadership after David Ellison’s New Paramount deal; Marvel’s Fantastic Four box-office drop vs Superman; Peacock’s stagnant subscriber base…5 Aug 2025 · 32 min · 15 chapters
Why It’s Harder Than Ever to Make a Studio Comedy, With Seth MacFarlaneSeth MacFarlane discusses why mainstream studio comedy is harder to get made now, using the Naked Gun reboot as a case study.31 Jul 2025 · 28 min · 12 chapters
Why IMAX Is Becoming Bigger Than the MovieIMAX’s rise as the main “event” marketing hook for theatrical releases, how “filmed in IMAX” is defined, and whether other theater chains can build competing large-format brands.30 Jul 2025 · 32 min · 16 chapters
Paramount Now Belongs to David Ellison. What Will He Do With It?The FCC’s approval of Paramount’s $8B sale to David Ellison/Skydance (license transfer for CBS), expected to close Aug.28 Jul 2025 · 35 min · 12 chapters
The F-You ‘South Park’ Episode and the Precarious State of Comedy in 2025The episode debates whether scripted comedy is truly “dead” in 2025, using the newly released South Park episode as a flashpoint, then shifts to Michael Lasker’s view that comedy is cyclical and…24 Jul 2025 · 34 min · 11 chapters
‘Fantastic Four’ Pressure, Marvel’s Next Steps, and Kevin Feige’s FutureBusiness and creative stakes for Marvel’s “Fantastic Four” and Kevin Feige’s stated turnaround plan, amid superhero fatigue and Hollywood’s post-pandemic box-office uncertainty.23 Jul 2025 · 35 min · 15 chapters
Colbert’s Next Home, and Netflix Earnings Flexes and AnxietiesNetflix earnings and engagement anxieties (flat TV share, YouTube competition, AI use) plus Stephen Colbert’s cancellation and what it signals for Paramount/CBS; also a Murdoch/Trump/Wall Street…21 Jul 2025 · 32 min · 9 chapters
Colbert Is Cancelled. Is the Late-Night Dam Bursting?CBS fired Stephen Colbert, ending The Late Show franchise in May 2026; discussion centers on whether politics (Trump/Paramount/Skydance/FCC) or late-night economics drove the decision, and what…19 Jul 2025 · 34 min · 10 chapters
The 2025 Emmy Nomination Awards: Winners, Snubs, and Thirstiest CampaignsThe hosts react to the 2025 Emmy nominations and hand out playful “awards” for winners, losers, snubs, and campaign tactics, then predict likely winners in drama, comedy, and limited series.16 Jul 2025 · 32 min · 11 chapters
'Superman,' Marvel vs. DC, and the Studio Head Hot SeatOpening-weekend performance and studio “heat check” for DC’s Superman, plus broader comparisons to Marvel’s current slump and other studios’ stability; also a brief call sheet on AMC theater stock.14 Jul 2025 · 30 min · 11 chapters
News and Deal Buzz From Inside Sun Valley’s Billionaire Summer CampInside Sun Valley’s “Summer Camp for Billionaires,” the episode reports on media/tech deal buzz, focusing on AI optimism, tariff/economy anxiety, and major media M&A reshuffling…11 Jul 2025 · 32 min · 15 chapters
After a Historic Hollywood Tax Break, Is Moviemaking Coming Back to California?California’s newly expanded film/TV tax incentives after years of Hollywood production “exodus,” and whether the changes will bring major studios and indie projects back versus competing…9 Jul 2025 · 32 min · 13 chapters
Why the Paramount-Skydance Merger is "F*cking Up ‘South Park’"The Paramount–Skydance merger is delaying South Park’s new-season premiere and triggering a dispute over streaming-rights deals worth about $2 billion, tied to a 2007 contract giving Matt Stone and…7 Jul 2025 · 32 min · 13 chapters
Bribe? Surrender? Both? Unpacking the Trump-Paramount Settlement.The episode unpacks Paramount’s in-principle settlement with Donald Trump over a 60 Minutes interview involving Kamala Harris.2 Jul 2025 · 28 min · 9 chapters