Podcast
The Town with Matthew Belloni
Hosted by The Ringer · EN
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.
198episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Behind-the-Scenes Jockeying for $10M Super Bowl Ads
Feb 500:33:19Summary readyMatt is joined by Adweek’s Bill Bradley to discuss the expensive and competitive battle of Super Bowl advertising. Bill breaks down how many ad slots are available each year, how much they cost, which parts of the game are the most lucrative, why A-lister fees for commercial cameos are going down, what’s up with those Jesus ads you see every year, the ad auction if the game goes into overtime, and more (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a Super Bowl ratings prediction (26:41). Host: Matt BelloniGuest: Bill Bradley Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon JonesTheme Song: Devon Renaldo ZOOTOPIA 2. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR BEST ANIMATED FEATURE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryWhat Disney’s CEO Choice Reveals About Its Next Chapter
Feb 400:34:13Summary readyMatt is joined by LightShed media analyst Rich Greenfield to react to Disney hiring Josh D’Amaro as its next CEO. They discuss why Disney chose the head of Disney Parks in D’Amaro rather than its cochairman of entertainment in Dana Walden, what this says about the company's priorities moving forward, whether now is the right time for Bob Iger to leave, and whether this is the beginning of a reevaluation of Disney’s entire business strategy. They also discuss why this decision could be seen as a reflection of the current state of the entertainment business (00:00). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘Dracula’ (27:47). Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones Theme Song: Devon Renaldo ZOOTOPIA 2. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR BEST ANIMATED FEATURE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryNetflix's Growth, Peacock's Struggles, and the New Streaming Hierarchy
Feb 300:38:13Summary readyThe Town is on video! Subscribe to our new YouTube channel HERE! Matt and Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw parse through the final batch of year-end streaming reports and bring their most interesting stats and story lines to debate what they say about the state of streaming. They discuss the overwhelming success of 'KPop Demon Hunters,' Peacock’s disastrous Q4, the power of syndicated TV shows, and the new streaming hierarchy (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about Disney theme parks (30:20). Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones Theme Song: Devon Renaldo ZOOTOPIA 2. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR BEST ANIMATED FEATURE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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How a YouTuber Took His Self-Financed Movie Worldwide Without a Studio
Jan 3000:32:28Summary readyMatt is joined by YouTuber Mark Fischbach (also known as Markiplier) to discuss his new movie, ‘Iron Lung,' why he adapted a low-budget indie horror video game, and how he self-financed the film and pulled off a wide release without a studio attached. Later, Mark talks about the state of the creator economy, YouTube vs. Netflix, and whether his model is viable path for other up-and-coming creators (01:31). Matt finishes the show with a ratings prediction for the Grammy Awards (25:45). 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: Mark Fischbach Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryThe Life of a ‘White Lotus’ Producer, and the ‘Jury Duty’ Sequel Revealed
Jan 2900:36:14Summary readyMatt is joined by producer Dave Bernad to pull back the curtain on what goes into producing 'The White Lotus' and 'Jury Duty' and discuss the challenges and misconceptions around the former show. He also talks about his old-school path to success in the industry, his past projects, and the appetite for comedy (01:40). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘Send Help’ (29:30). 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: Dave Bernad Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummarySundance ’26 Bidding Wars and ‘Melania’ Box Office Prospects
Jan 2600:32:27Summary readyLive from the last Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Matt is joined by John Sloss, founder and CEO of Cinetic Media, to discuss how the Sundance experience has changed over the past 40 years, how the market has changed in just the past three years, who the hungriest buyers are, young filmmakers' opinions on streaming vs. theatrical, and how Harvey Weinstein changed the awards film genre (01:30). Matt finishes the show with an early opening weekend box office prediction for the ‘Melania’ documentary (26:06). 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: John Sloss Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryOscar Noms ‘26! Five Big Takeaways and Industry Narratives.
Jan 2200:38:27Summary readyMatt is joined by New York Times reporter and awards season columnist Kyle Buchanan to discuss the biggest industry narratives surrounding this year's Academy Awards nominations (01:29). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for the new Chris Pratt film, ‘Mercy’ (31:58). 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: Kyle Buchanan Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryThe Last Sundance (in Park City) and Why Boulder?
Jan 2100:32:27Summary readyMatt is joined by Eugene Hernandez, director of the Sundance Film Festival, to discuss the last year in Park City, the decision to leave Utah, and what we can expect in Boulder, Colorado. Later, they share some of their favorite stories from their time at the festival over the years (01:30). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the biggest acquisition at Sundance this year (25:38). 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: Eugene Hernandez Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryThe 2026 Box Office Draft
Jan 1900:38:03Summary readyMatt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to conduct the fourth annual box office draft. Matt and Lucas each draft seven blockbuster movies set to be released in 2026 with the goal of making the most money possible against the production budget. Plus, an added twist that allows each person to saddle the other's team with a movie they believe will flop. Follow along with Matt and Lucas here! 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
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Actors vs. Studios, and the Existential AI War, With SAG-AFTRA Lead Negotiator
Jan 1500:42:25Summary readyMatt is joined by national executive director and chief negotiator for SAG-AFTRA Duncan Crabtree-Ireland to discuss the union's upcoming negotiations with the AMPTP, the possibility of another strike, what he wants to achieve in this negotiation, why they are starting their negotiations before other guilds, the state of AI disruptions, and what the actors actually want in their new CBA (01:21). Matt finishes the show with an updated prediction on who will win the bidding for Warner Bros. Discovery (33:06). 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: Duncan Crabtree-Ireland Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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