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
Mar 27, 2026 • 30min
TikTok’s Big Tobacco Era
Rob Bonta, California Attorney General who has led lawsuits against major platforms, and Raúl Torrez, New Mexico Attorney General and former prosecutor focused on internet crimes, discuss parallels between Big Tech and Big Tobacco. They explore internal documents, platform design that may addict kids, undercover investigations into predation, legal strategies like state-level protections, and worries about federal preemption.
Mar 24, 2026 • 40min
CNN’s McAfee Makeover
A debate about CNN trying to swap formal anchors for podcast-style personalities. They unpack specific changes to Anderson Cooper and Jake Tapper’s formats and whether that vibe fits hard news. The hosts argue the timing and execution risk undermining credibility during major conflicts. They consider whether leaning into authority or chasing casual authenticity better preserves news value.
13 snips
Mar 20, 2026 • 45min
The Beehiiv Bull Case
Tyler Denk, founder and CEO of Beehiiv, a creator-first publishing platform. He explains Beehiiv's Shopify-like approach for independent publishers. He contrasts Beehiiv with other newsletter platforms. He teases major product launches, discusses monetization models and ad strategy, and warns about platform risk and AI commoditization.
Mar 17, 2026 • 42min
Prediction Markets Crash the Oscars
They explore how prediction markets and sportsbook apps are reshaping awards culture and red carpet coverage. They dig into betting’s rapid cultural adoption and its effects on viewing rituals. Conversation turns to the flood of generative A.I. on social platforms and the tension between synthetic reels and human creators. They also consider deepfakes, wartime information risks, and looming platform regulation.
10 snips
Mar 13, 2026 • 54min
Ellison Megamerger Complexifiers
They unpack the big Paramount–WBD combination and who stands to gain or lose. They debate folding streaming platforms, engineering headaches, and which brand should survive. They preview $6 billion synergies, likely layoffs, and AI-driven cost cuts. They discuss whether adding CBS and CNN helps or hurts and fret about billionaire control of major news outlets.
10 snips
Mar 10, 2026 • 44min
The CBS–CNN Marriage Proposal
Sam Feist, longtime CNN veteran and now C-SPAN CEO, brings decades of political reporting and newsroom leadership. He unpacks the decades-old idea of a CBS–CNN union and why CBS’s broadcast reach could pair with CNN’s global reporting. He explores possible merger structures, newsroom implications, and the stakes for trusted video journalism today.
Mar 6, 2026 • 53min
CNN Fears & The Ellison Era
A deep dive into CNN's future under Ellison, including a looming $6 billion cost-cutting plan and what it could mean for newsrooms. They debate whether 24/7 broadcasting is sustainable and how studio-driven programming may give way to cheaper formats. The conversation also explores mergers, leadership shakeups, and how younger audiences turn to social video and alternative news sources.
Mar 3, 2026 • 45min
Debt Men Walking
Bill Cohan, Wall Street commentator and author, breaks down the $79B debt and creditor dynamics. Matt Belloni, former Hollywood reporter and media analyst, brings the studio and creative perspective. They debate Ellison’s playbook, Netflix’s position after the sale, Hollywood’s reaction to leveraged deals, and whether heavy debt will squeeze future creative investment.
4 snips
Feb 27, 2026 • 52min
Polymarket’s Press Test & WaPo’s Town Hall
They debate Polymarket's new tie-up with Substack and whether live prediction markets actually change how journalism works. They argue if betting-driven engagement is a gimmick or a lasting tool and weigh manipulation and insider-trading risks. They unpack The Washington Post's worsening economics after a town hall and whether big strategic bets or patronage can stabilize its future.
12 snips
Feb 24, 2026 • 1h 1min
The Post-MrBeast Creator Economy
Reed Duchscher, founder and CEO of Night Media who helped build MrBeast’s ecosystem, talks creator economy trends and Night’s $70M raise. He discusses why another MrBeast-scale star is unlikely. He explores long-form YouTube’s monetization edge, short-form discovery, Roblox and kids content shifts, and the tension between scarcity and constant output.
