The Powers That Be: Daily

Streaming guru Julia Alexander joins Peter for a rollicking conversation about the wild state of the industry war in 2025: Netflix’s enduring dominance, Apple TV’s strategic nod to the HBO playbook, and why the Peacocks of the world exist merely as consolidation bait. Then Julia dives deep into how YouTube is flying under the radar as potentially the most dominant streamer in the game… and why Hol...

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter to unpack the frustrated chatter surrounding Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, who’s taking major flack from his party after sidestepping the activist base to avoid a government shutdown. Leigh Ann shares what Democrats on The Hill are saying privately about whether Schumer is actually up for the moment—and what his lack of fight back portends for the rest of his tenu...

Jon Kelly joins Peter to weigh into Gavin Newsom’s new Rogan-esque podcast and debate whether his MAGA-friendly strategy is helping Democrats or simply repositioning Newsom, himself. Then they turn to Bill Simmons’ new role at Spotify, and explore why video is poised to dominate the future of audio. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privac...

Eriq Gardner joins Peter to dissect the fate of the Paramount-Skyance merger, which remains in F.C.C. purgatory under the new Trump administration. Then Eriq scrutinizes Trump’s grudge-driven crusade against the white shoe law firm Perkins Coie—and their titanic response, landing a major blow against Trump in federal court in the process. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices...

Abby Livingston reunites with Peter to dissect the forthcoming showdown over a looming government shutdown. With House Republicans managing to push a spending bill through this week, the ball is now in the Senate’s court—where Democrats face an unusual and uncomfortable dilemma: crossing the aisle to support the G.O.P.’s budget resolution, or stand their ground against Trump’s spending cuts and ri...

Julia Ioffe joins Peter to sift through the geopolitical implications of Trump’s middle-finger diplomacy as he retreats from U.S. commitments abroad and edges closer to an alliance with Vladimir Putin. Then they discuss what’s next for Europe as France ramps up support for Ukraine, Poland seeks its own nukes, and Germany rearms: If this is the end of Pax Americana, is it a new beginning or the end...

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter to break down the forthcoming high-stakes showdown in Congress: Will Democrats throw Speaker Mike Johnson a lifeline and help pass the Republican funding bill, or will they stand firm and let the government grind to a halt over DOGE and Trump’s deep spending cuts? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-pol...

Jon Kelly and Peter huddle up for a close look at David Zaslav’s Warner Bros. Discovery, which, after three years of P.R. crises, tough management calls, and chipping away at its colossal debt, is finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Jon and Peter also weigh into the Democrats’ evolving media strategy as they grapple with the primacy of digital media and capturing voters’ attention b...

Dylan Byers joins Peter for a close look at ‘The Washington Post’ as the legacy paper endures more staff departures, a fresh round of journalist agita, and the loss of 75,000 subscribers—stemming from the machinations of Jeff Bezos, who recently implemented a new editorial mandate focused on personal liberties and free markets. Dylan and Peter also debate the long term goals for the paper, and whe...

Julia Ioffe joins Peter to reveal what insiders in Washington are really saying about Volodymyr Zelensky’s disastrous Oval Office meeting with Trump and J.D. Vance, where even Democrats believe the Ukrainian president has blundered—raising serious questions about how much he has weakened his negotiating position as the U.S. looks to wind down the war between Ukraine and Russia. So what exactly doe...

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter to discuss Trump’s brass-knuckled tactics to hold the House and Senate in the midterms while ensuring that Republicans remain loyal only to him—a dual mandate that could moderates in an impossible position. Leigh Ann also reveals the growing tensions between Trump’s camp and Tim Scott, whose N.R.S.C. is ostensibly in charge of winning Senate elections next year, and...

Matt Belloni joins Peter for an insider’s review of the Oscars. The duo examine the growing trend of awarding critically acclaimed films that few have actually seen, dissect the highs and lows of ABC’s broadcast, and explore why politics took a backseat on Hollywood’s biggest night. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn mo...

Jon Kelly and Peter Hamby dissect the latest headwinds at ‘The Washington Post,’ where Jeff Bezos is reshaping the Opinion section around two core pillars: personal liberties and free markets, in yet another sign of Trump administration genuflection. Plus, the duo debate the best landing spots for the MLB’s media rights in a post-ESPN landscape. To learn more about listener data and our privacy pr...

Dylan Byers joins Peter to discuss the turmoil brewing at 30 Rock where MSNBC’s new president Rebecca Kutler implemented a sweeping programming overhaul—and network star Rachel Maddow openly criticizing her bosses live on air in prime time. But as Dylan explains, some of these changes may be necessary as the network navigates its future beyond Maddow and ‘Morning Joe.’ To learn more about listener...

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter to break down the political fallout of Elon Musk’s cost-cutting bloodbath. While Democrats are weary of Musk slashing government spending, Leigh Ann reveals that Republicans, too, are privately voicing concerns to the Trump administration. Leigh Ann also explores a brewing showdown in Congress, where Democrats may protest the House budget resolution by allowing a gov...

Lauren Sherman joins Peter to delve into the slew of brand collaborations tied to HBO’s hit series ‘The White Lotus,’ highlighting the mass-market partnerships that come across to many as distasteful and inorganic. Are these collabs actually driving sales or just diluting the show’s luxury allure? Plus Lauren discusses the Nike-Skims alliance and the broader “woman problem” the iconic athletic bra...

Julia Ioffe joins Peter to unpack the latest on the war in Ukraine as Trump tries to hash out a peace deal by flouting almost every tradition of U.S. diplomacy—while berating Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the process. As Julia explains, any deal that gives Vladimir Putin the benefit of the doubt is all but certain to backfire. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practice...

Jon Kelly rejoins Peter to dissect exclusive polling data on how the media is navigating Trump II—and how Democrats and mainstream news consumers perceive today’s press environment compared to Trump’s first term. Then the duo turn their attention to CBS News and ESPN, two legacy TV networks wrestling with linear decline, digital upheaval, and brutal cost-cutting decisions. To learn more about list...

John Ourand joins Peter for a midterm review of the NBA season thus far, reflecting on the lousy All-Star Weekend and diving deep into the business of the league. Then the duo switch gears to discuss the standoff between MLB and ESPN over the network’s broadcasting rights. Also, could Stephen A. Smith or Mark Cuban actually run for president? To learn more about listener data and our privacy pract...

Tara Palmeri joins Peter to debate whether Elon Musk is really an asset to Donald Trump, or merely a disposable blunt instrument for his slash-and-burn agenda. According to exclusive new polling, it all depends on how voters perceive what he’s doing: is he an unelected, self-serving carpetbagger or a crusader for government efficiency? Either way, it seems like Trump is happy to have him… for now....

As Trump's war on the media accelerates, Eriq Gardner joins Ben to discuss whether the industry is headed for a state of mutually assured destruction, with MAGA allies chipping away at Times v. Sullivan's libel shield, billionaires financing defamation battles, Elon Musk accusing his enemies of fraud, and his targets contemplating counter-suits of their own.  To learn more about listener data and...

Leigh Ann Caldwell, chief Washington correspondent at Puck, joins Ben to discuss the centrist vs. progressive civil war consuming Democrats, the leadership void fueling the party's paralysis, and whether Hakeem Jeffries will entertain the nuclear option—a government shutdown—to hold Donald Trump accountable. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.c...

Jon Kelly and Dylan Byers huddle up to address a wide spectrum of plotlines consuming the media landscape, from Fox News’s mainstream pivot—bolstered by a recent influx of blue chip advertisers—to the internal turmoil brewing at CBS News. The duo also discuss the fickle state of print publications, and contemplate the future of the magazine industry To learn more about listener data and our privac...

Kim Masters joins Peter for an inside look at Amazon’s perplexing $40 million bid for a forthcoming Melania Trump documentary, directed by disgraced Hollywood filmmaker Brett Ratner. Kim reveals the list of MAGA-adjacent characters pushing for Ratner’s Hollywood comeback, and considers the role Jeff Bezos may have played in this whole, strange ordeal. To learn more about listener data and our priv...

Bill Cohan joins Peter to dissect the heated and increasingly personal feud between Elon Musk and Sam Altman, which reignited again this week as Altman brushed off Elon’s $97 billion, middle-finger bid to take over the nonprofit that controls OpenAI. Bill and Peter explore the roots of their dissent, and discuss how these friends-turned-rivals are now vying for the affections of Trump. To learn mo...