The Town with Matthew Belloni

Rich Greenfield, LightShed Media analyst known for streaming and media strategy coverage. He explores why Disney picked its parks chief over its TV leader. They discuss parks as the new growth engine, potential reshaping of Disney’s portfolio, and the rising role of gaming, tech, and experiential bets. Also covers implications for ESPN, streaming’s place, and investor reactions.

Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg media and streaming reporter — concise industry tracker. They dig into Peacock’s massive Q4 losses and churn. They unpack Stranger Things’ huge viewership and whether Netflix can sustain that momentum. They celebrate K-pop Demon Hunters’ cultural lift and map a new streaming hierarchy led by Netflix with others jockeying below.

Mark Fischbach (Markiplier), YouTube creator turned filmmaker known for high-engagement horror and comedy, explains adapting the indie game Iron Lung into a self-financed feature. He discusses making the film on a few-million-dollar budget, using his audience to expand theatrical bookings, partnering with a distributor, and what creator-driven distribution means for the industry.

Dave Bernad, a TV and film producer behind The White Lotus and Jury Duty who rose from assistant to production partner. He pulls back the curtain on how The White Lotus is made, the logistics and ethical challenges of hidden-camera comedy, the hectic season-four shoot in France, and why modern producers must hustle and self-generate ideas.

John Sloss, founder and CEO of Cinetic Media and longtime film sales expert. He reflects on Sundance’s evolution and how Harvey Weinstein reshaped awards-season films. They discuss shifting market dynamics since the pandemic, which buyers dominate today, and how sellers create urgency during the festival. The conversation closes with early box-office tracking for the Melania documentary.

Kyle Buchanan, an awards season reporter for The New York Times, dives into the intriguing dynamics of this year's Oscar nominations. He discusses Warner Bros.’ unique position with two frontrunners and the impact of industry politics on nominations. They tackle the growing trend of commercial success pushing films into Best Picture contention and analyze the Academy's skepticism toward young male winners like Timothée Chalamet. Kyle also shares insights on why some international films got snubbed despite strong festival showings.

Matthew Belloni is joined by Eugene Hernandez, the director of the Sundance Film Festival and a seasoned film journalist. They dive into the nostalgic atmosphere of Sundance's final year in Park City, exploring why Boulder was chosen as the new home. Eugene shares memories from the festival's early days, talks about the evolution of festival dealmaking, and discusses how the mission will be carried forward in Colorado. Expect insights on festival culture, celebrity encounters, and Eugene's must-watch film recommendation.

Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg entertainment reporter, joins to strategize in the lively 2026 box office draft. They discuss their top movie picks, including Lucas's Spider-Man and Matt's Toy Story 5, analyzing their box office potential. The duo debates the strength of franchises like Jumanji and Moana, while aiming to outsmart each other with risky picks like Dune Messiah. With the added twist of assigning 'bombs' to each other, they navigate the fine line between blockbuster hits and potential flops, all while showcasing their industry insights.

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA's national executive director and chief negotiator, dives into the dynamics of actor negotiations and AI in the industry. He discusses the critical battle for AI protections and labor rights, emphasizing the new 16-page AI rules that aim to safeguard actors' digital likenesses. Duncan shares his thoughts on the potential for AI-generated films and stresses the importance of policy wins, like New York's disclosure law for AI content. The conversation also touches on studio negotiations, member priorities, and the industry's response to technological disruption.

Jared Bush, Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, and co-director of Zootopia 2, discusses the film's remarkable success, especially in China, where its relatable story resonates deeply. He explores the state of original animated films and the challenges posed by AI, advocating for human creativity over automated replacements. Jared also shares insights into maintaining adult humor in animations, managing the creative processes at Disney, and the high stakes involved in the upcoming Frozen sequels. He hints at future character journeys in the Zootopia franchise, showcasing his passion for storytelling.