The Town with Matthew Belloni
The Ringer
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
11 snips
Mar 18, 2026 • 33min
The NFL's Billion-Dollar Cash Grab and Whether There’s Any Left for Film and TV
Alex Sherman, CNBC sports and media reporter who covers sports rights deals, breaks down why the NFL reopened its TV contracts and how networks may pay billions more. He explains shifting package values, streaming parity with broadcast, and what that means for other leagues jockeying for rights. Short, sharp takes on league leverage, new package ideas, and who stands to lose budget-wise.
66 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 36min
Oscars Winners and Losers, and Universal’s Pivot to Keep Movies in Theaters Longer
Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg business journalist covering Hollywood and studio strategy. He recalls attending the Oscars in person and the ceremony vibe. They unpack winners and losers tied to box office hits. They dig into Universal’s move to guarantee longer theatrical exclusives and what that signals for studios, theaters, and streaming windows.
31 snips
Mar 13, 2026 • 30min
How to De-Age the Oscars with Amelia Dimoldenberg
Amelia Dimoldenberg, YouTuber and creator of Chicken Shop Date turned Academy Awards red carpet correspondent, previews how she prepares to interview A-list stars. She explains the show’s move to YouTube in 2029 and the business behind turning viral clips into sustainable projects. They discuss adapting Chicken Shop Date into a rom-com and ideas to make the Oscars feel fresher and more musical.
27 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 32min
Why the Biggest Oscar Party Is Cutting Its Guest List in Half
Mark Guiducci, Vanity Fair's global editorial director who oversees editorial strategy and major events, explains why he is cutting the famed Oscar party’s guest list in half. He discusses slimming down a bloated event, curating a new invite approach, stricter press and phone rules, and moving the gala to LACMA. Short, strategic changes aimed at reviving the party’s energy and relevance.
100 snips
Mar 11, 2026 • 37min
Oscars Preview! Timmy Trouble, a ‘Sinners’ Surge, and a Big Lead for 'One Battle'
Michael Lasker, Mosaic talent manager and Oscars insider with deep awards-season access, breaks down Oscar week narratives. He discusses Timothée Chalamet’s momentum loss and why young phenoms sometimes wait for a win. He weighs the late surge for Sinners against One Battle’s commanding lead. He also flags surprise contenders and how campaigning and new voting rules could matter.
53 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 32min
Why Netflix Bought Ben Affleck’s AI Company, and If Hollywood Should Worry
Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg entertainment reporter who covers Hollywood business and dealmaking. He explains why Netflix bought Ben Affleck’s AI filmmaking tool and how the deal buys goodwill with top creatives. They debate whether studios will chase volume or efficiency with AI. They also unpack the Live Nation DOJ settlement and revisit a 2026 box office draft bomb pick.
28 snips
Mar 6, 2026 • 42min
How to Chart a Career Path in Modern Hollywood, With Rachel Sennott
Rachel Sennott, comedian and actor turned writer-showrunner behind HBO’s I Love LA and films like Shiva Baby and Bottoms. She talks about shifting from acting to creating, pitching and selling a show to HBO, the surprises of showrunning, collaborating in development, making internet-era comedy for young audiences, and ambitions to direct, produce, and build a company.
106 snips
Mar 5, 2026 • 41min
Investor Gerry Cardinale on Why WarnerMount Will Work, Middle East Money, and Layoffs
Gerry Cardinale, founder and managing partner of RedBird Capital, is the dealmaker behind Skydance and the Paramount–Warner plan. He explains why buying both studios unlocks cash flow and synergies. He outlines tech consolidation, keeping both studio lots, a 30‑film-a-year strategy, $6B in savings without mass layoffs, and the role of Middle East capital and governance.
87 snips
Mar 3, 2026 • 40min
How David Ellison Plans to Mash Two Major Studios Into One
Rich Greenfield, media and tech analyst at LightShed Partners, gives a Wall Street lens on the proposed Paramount–Warner tie-up. He teases why David Ellison’s move rattled the industry. They debate massive cost cuts, realistic EBITDA goals, streaming engagement challenges, and which studio roles might survive consolidation.
97 snips
Feb 27, 2026 • 35min
Emergency Pod! Paramount Outbids Netflix and Wins Warner Bros.
Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg business and media reporter, breaks down Paramount’s surprise $111B win over Netflix and the sudden retreat by Netflix. They cover why relentless bidding and Ellison’s backing prevailed. Short takes on potential massive cuts, antitrust hurdles, and whether a merged streaming giant can really challenge the leaders.
