The Grill Room
Audacy | Puck
Finally, a media podcast about what’s actually happening in the media—not the over-sanitized, legal-and-standards-approved version you read online. Every Tuesday and Friday, join Dylan Byers, Puck’s veteran media reporter, and Julia Alexander, a longtime media analyst, as they sit down with TV personalities, moguls, political pundits and industry executives for raw, honest, sometimes salacious conversations about the business of media and its biggest egos. “The Grill Room,” an homage to the exclusive dining room within The Four Seasons where a generation of media executives consummated deals and traded gossip, is produced in partnership with Audacy Podcasts. The Grill Room is an extension of In the Room, Dylan’s private email for Puck, where he chronicles the intrigue and inside stories behind what’s really going on in the media industry—from the board room to the newsroom to the green room and everything in between. Subscribe here: https://puck.news/dylanbyers
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 13, 2026 • 36min
Life Inside the Sheridan-verse
Nicole Kidman, Academy Award-winning actor and producer who collaborates frequently with Taylor Sheridan. Beau Garrett, actor balancing motherhood while playing Abigail. Ali Larter, actor written for in Sheridan projects. Zoe Saldaña, franchise star who joined Lioness as Angela. They talk about joining Sheridan’s world, audition journeys, balancing spectacle with intimacy, on-set collaboration, and portraying women in male-dominated settings.
May 12, 2026 • 47min
Friday Night Rights
Alex Sherman, CNBC media reporter covering media and sports business. John Ourand, sports-business reporter and media industry analyst. They dig into NFL broadcast rights battles, streamers vs legacy networks jockeying for games. They parse Rupert Murdoch’s influence, Roger Goodell’s balancing act, and how rising rights reshape upfronts and programming budgets.
8 snips
May 8, 2026 • 58min
The Murdoch Who Went Left
A deep dive into James Murdoch’s reported $300M-plus purchase of New York magazine and a major podcast network. They probe whether he will prioritize journalism or chase an events-driven business model. The conversation explores podcast profitability, the challenges of building premium events, and what this deal could mean for brand identity and leadership.
May 5, 2026 • 53min
Are Creators the New Cronkite?
Political scientist David Sterrett joins Dylan and Julia to discuss the findings of his latest data-driven report, which suggests we’ve officially crossed the Rubicon on creators and influencers becoming a primary news source for Americans, particularly younger audiences. They dig into why trust in creators has seemingly surpassed trust in traditional news outlets, what’s driving people toward the authenticity and transparency creators offer, and why legacy media brands are increasingly building their businesses around star talent rather than institutional identity.
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10 snips
May 1, 2026 • 55min
Journalism’s Existential Deadline
They wrestle with A.I.'s expanding role in newsrooms and whether machine tools threaten reporting craft. They debate why original reporting remains a unique value and how newsletters should keep a steady cadence. They weigh Substack’s recent talent defections and the risks of platform lock‑in. A playful sports segment closes the conversation.
Apr 28, 2026 • 36min
When War Meets Instagram
Trey Yingst, Fox News foreign correspondent known for frontline war coverage and a huge social-media presence. He discusses reporting live from conflict zones and juggling real-time updates across platforms. He explains how social media complements TV, the ethics of multiplatform sourcing, and the importance of protecting journalists in dangerous regions.
Apr 24, 2026 • 57min
The Livestream Ego Economy
They dissect Twitter-based live shows and what they reveal about building influence in a fractured media world. They explore the ego dynamics driving nonstop livestreaming and its toll on discourse. They debate social media’s grip on CEO culture and how legacy reporting still shapes narratives. They discuss fragmentation, algorithm pressure, and who truly controls the conversation.
Apr 22, 2026 • 7min
Introducing Family Lore
Martha Sayers, a longtime family friend and relative, shares vivid memories of her great-aunt Margarita Sames, a larger-than-life figure from Laredo. They recount Margarita’s flamboyant persona, grooming rituals, and the family claim that she invented the margarita. The conversation teases the search for truth behind this famed origin story.
9 snips
Apr 21, 2026 • 27min
The Onion’s Full Bloom
Ben Collins, former investigative reporter turned CEO of The Onion, explains the bold Infowars licensing move and the $500,000 six-month plan to keep harmful content offline. He reflects on leaving reporting to reclaim The Onion from private equity. They talk about satire’s role in fighting misinformation and The Onion’s shift to a user-supported, print-inclusive model.
9 snips
Apr 17, 2026 • 57min
Bankoff’s Vox Media Auction Block
A deep look at Jim Bankoff's plan to sell Vox Media assets and who might buy pieces like New York magazine. Conversations about concentrated podcast talent and the risks of carving out a 'Talent Co'. How AI may rewrite journalism's distribution and licensing dynamics. Debate over wealthy buyers skipping media and whether niche outlets gain from exclusive reporting.
