The Business

The Trump administration’s hostility toward DEI initiatives has led companies like Disney and PBS to reevaluate their stance on advocating for these principles. How will the pendulum swing affect Hollywood under the new presidential administration? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate.     Plus, Masters speaks to Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, the co-directors of Wallac...

Listen to a special preview of Jeff Lunden's conversation with Clément Ducol & Camille on their songwriting process for 'Emilia Pérez.'

The FCC has published the raw transcript of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris following Donald Trump’s claims of CBS commiting “election interference.” What’s behind the president’s attack on the network? Also, Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive into the Emilia Pérez controversy as the film’s director speaks out against his leading actress. &n...

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson star in an ad asking Texas legislators to create incentives for productions to shoot in their home state. What’s behind the decision to drop the video, which pulls no punches against Hollywood, as Los Angeles seeks to rebuild after the devastating fires? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate.   Plus, Masters speaks to producer Marc Platt about...

Netflix had a strong fourth quarter, adding 19 million subscribers to the streaming service before raising subscription prices across the board. Also, leaked footage muddies the water in the ongoing Blake Lively/Justin Baldoni war, and Trump announces a $500 billion AI initiative with Larry Ellison and Sam Altman. Will the project help or hurt Ellison’s stake in his son David’s purchas...

Hollywood responds to a perceived lack of urgency from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a new twist develops in the Blake Lively/Justin Baldoni feud, and Donald Trump is unhappy with Comcast after comedian Seth Meyers makes fun of the incoming president. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni are here to help us all make sense of this relentless week.    Plus, we revisit our conversation between Mast...

Warner Bros. has parted ways with its marketing chief and president of international distribution. What’s behind the shakeup at the studio and how does that affect the company’s slate of 2025 releases? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive in.    Plus, Masters speaks to The Brutalist co-writer & director Brady Corbet and co-writer Mona Fastvold. The pair talk about the seven-...

The  feud  between Blake Lively and  It Ends with Us  director  Justin Baldoni  continues to  unfold . What's going on here? Kim Masters and Bloomberg's Lucas Shaw investigate. Plus, Masters speaks to  Nosferatu  writer-director Robert Eggers and Focus Features chairman Peter Kujawski. The pair talk about their long partnership, which spans the director...

As 2024 comes to an end, we want to thank you, our listeners! We asked you to send us your burning questions about the industry, and you delivered – from around the world. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dish it out over everything from the mind numbing amount of trailers before movies, to the surprising reason behind FYC billboards – we’re looking at you, studio execs. Did we answe...

As 2024 comes to an end, we want to thank you, our listeners! We asked you to send us your burning questions about the industry, and you delivered – from around the world. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dish it out over everything from the mind numbing amount of trailers before movies, to the surprising reason behind FYC billboards – we’re looking at you, studio execs. Did we answe...

It’s that time of year again and we are serving up a heaping plate of 2024 Megabanter! The Paramount–Skydance merger finally lands, streamers and legacy studios duke it out for sports rights, Bob Iger makes his moves while the Disney board ramps up its succession race, and linear television continues to decline — what’s the story of the year? Banter buddies Lucas Shaw and M...

Rupert Murdoch wants to update his family trust in favor of his son Lachlan, who runs the Fox News empire. What’s behind Nevada commissioner Edmund J. Gorman Jr.’s decision to  block  the move? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni investigate.  Plus, Masters talks to documentarian Nic Stacey about his Netflix film,  Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy.  The London-based f...

Gail Slater is Donald Trump’s pick to head the Justice Department's antitrust division . As she gears up to oversee cases against major tech companies like Google and Apple, how will the veteran antitrust lawyer view future mergers in Hollywood? Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive in.  Plus, Masters speaks to journalist Jacob Soboroff and documentarian Errol Morris about their film Separa...

Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take a look at the forthcoming Thanksgiving weekend box office projections and examine the unauthorized use of screenplays to fuel AI learning models. Plus, Eric Deggans sits down with Grammy-winning songwriter Evan Bogart to discuss the state of the music industry — which Bogart assures us is “not all bad.” Bogart goes on to detail how independent ar...

Comcast is set to spin off a slew of cable channels including E!, SYFY, MSNBC, and CNBC. What’s behind the move? Plus, the big announcement also brings with it the news of a long anticipated promotion for NBCUniversal executive Donna Langley. What does she have in store for the company in her new role?  Kim Masters and Matt Belloni dive into the latest at Comcast.  Plus, NPR’...

Disney’s streaming numbers soar as announced in the company’s  earnings report  earlier this week, but questions remain in the ongoing search for a new CEO. Also, what’s next for the company’s Film and Parks divisions? Matt Belloni and Kim Masters break down Disney’s Q4 earnings report. Plus, Masters speaks to Edward Berger about his latest film  Concla...

Brian Jordan Alvarez and Stephanie Koenig made the jump from YouTube to Hulu's 'English Teacher.' Introducing a KCRW original podcast we think you'll enjoy, The Sam Sanders Show. Watch the full episode on YouTube or follow the show here . 

Warner Bros. unceremoniously released Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2 in less than 50 theaters nationwide, but the mid-budget film has exceeded expectations. After a strong limited opening, the film will see a modest expansion and a light awards push from Warner’s. What prompted the studio to bury what could potentially be the last film from the 94 year old director? Kim Masters and Matt Bel...

As Greta Gerwig prepares to dive into production on her adaptation of  The   Chronicles of Narnia,  the director is attempting to persuade Netflix to release her film on thousands of IMAX screens worldwide. Will the streamer bite? Also, Gavin Newsom proposes an increase in tax credits for California productions. What hurdles does the California governor face? Kim Masters and Matt Be...

Matt Belloni and Lucas Shaw dive into the impressive Q3 earnings posted by Netflix… And whether the streamer can fine tune its film strategy to achieve even further world domination.  Plus, Kim Masters speaks to Chris Sanders, the writer and director of The Wild Robot . The veteran animation director acknowledges the good and not so good impact of CG animation, talks about his experien...

As David Ellison’s Skydance merger with Paramount begins, studio executives have been given some serious incentives to stick around through the transition process. Matt Belloni and Lucas Shaw examine the latest happenings at the studio.  Then, Kim Masters wraps a two-part conversation between The Apprentice writer Gabriel Sherman and Briarcliff Entertainment founder Tom Ortenberg. Sherm...

Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine MSNBC’s decision to hold Errol Morris’ immigration documentary Separated until after the 2024 presidential election. They also unpack the various factors that led Todd Phillips’ Joker sequel to flop. Plus, Masters speaks with writer Gabriel Sherman and Briarcliff Entertainment founder Tom Ortenberg in the first of a two part conversation about...

As Sony Pictures CEO Tony Vinciquerra prepares to step down from his post in 2025, Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take a look at the company’s succession plans.  Plus, Masters speaks to Academy Award winning actress Kate Winslet about producing and starring in Lee, the true story of pioneering photojournalist Lee Miller. Winslet discusses the nine year uphill battle of getting the film of...

With news of Lionsgate partnering with an AI mining firm and Meta’s new AI chatbot voiced by celebrities, Matt Belloni and Lucas Shaw break down the latest industry forays in the world of artificial intelligence.  Plus, Kim Masters speaks to Demi Lovato and Nicola Marsh about their new documentary, Child Star. The co-directors explain the challenges of persuading some of the best known...

In the wake of Disney’s big night at the Emmys, Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take a look at the New York Times article chronicling the chaotic succession endeavors at Disney. Plus, Masters speaks with writer-director J.T. Mollner and producer Roy Lee about their cat-and-mouse thriller Strange Darling. The film currently sits at 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and was called a “clever masterpiec...