The Grill Room

Latest Episodes:

Iger’s Endgame & Ellison’s Next Target Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

Dylan and Julia chew over the most pressing media news of the week: Disney’s dynamic NFL deal, the finalized Paramount-Skydance merger, the chatter surrounding David Ellison’s interest in Warner Bros., and much more.

The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica

Katie Drummond’s New 'Wired' Order Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

Katie Drummond, global editorial director of Wired, joins the pod to reflect on her overhaul of the tech magazine—transforming it into a sharp-edged outlet covering the dystopian intersection of technology, politics, and culture. She discusses the significance of original reporting, Wired’s notable growth and ambitions growth strategy, A.I.’s threat to journalism, and much, much more.

The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica

WSJ vs. The Times & Media After Murdoch Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

Julia Alexander rejoins Dylan to hash out the most combustible stories in media: The Wall Street Journal’s increasingly aggressive Trump-Epstein coverage—and Trump’s retaliatory lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch; how editor Emma Tucker is turning the Journal into a serious challenger to The New York Times; what the media world might look like in a post-Murdoch landscape; and much, much more.

The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica

The Vox Media Doctrine Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Vox Media C.E.O. Jim Bankoff joins Dylan for a deep dive into the company’s evolution following a recent investment that now values the business at $500 million, roughly half what it was worth a decade or so ago. They dig into Vox’s strategy around talent-driven content, the central role of their podcast network, the enduring value of their legacy print publications, how the company is adapting to industry headwinds like A.I., and much more.

The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica

Bari Deal Heat & Trump v. Murdoch Jul 25, 2025

Show notes

Julia Alexander reunites with Dylan to chew over the media industry’s latest soap operas: South Park’s satirical take on Trump and Paramount, the unfolding legal battle between Trump and Rupert Murdoch, Bari Weiss’s $200 million valuation target for The Free Press, Bezos-CNBC acquisition murmurs, and much more.

The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica

Substackonomics Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

Dylan sits down with an anonymous, plugged-in investment banker in the media space to peel back the curtain on Substack’s recent $100 million raise—and the staggering $1.1 billion valuation that came with it. They unpack what it means for the future of the platform, the broader implications of this investment on the media landscape, and whether it can lead to more sustainable business models and increased competition among platforms.

The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica

Substack’s $1B Paper Trail & The Weiss Effect Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

Julia Alexander reunites with Dylan for a wide-ranging chat about the most pressing plotlines consuming the media industry: what Substack’s recent $1.1 billion evaluation portends for the creator economy writ large; Apple’s $150 million offer for F1 and the streamer’s broader sports media ambitions; David Ellison's courtship to bring Bari Weiss to Skydance; and much, much more.

The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica

F1’s Apple Pie & ESPN’s Austerity Era Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

John Ourand joins Dylan to dissect Apple’s $150 million bid for F1’s U.S. media rights—and what it reveals about the company’s growing ambitions in live sports. They also examine why ESPN, facing a new era of financial restraint, chose not to compete, and what that decision portends for the broader sports rights arms race.

The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica

Google’s Kill Switch & Sun Valley Signals Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

Julia Alexander reunites with Dylan to delve into how A.I. services like ChatGPT are cutting into Google’s search market share—and how Google’s new A.I. tools may be cannibalizing its own business. They also discuss the annual Allen & Co. conference, dig into the biggest storylines stemming from the Sun Valley Lodge this year, and much, much more.

The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: ⁠https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica

Paramount’s Settlement Math & Murdoch’s Trump-Era Journal Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

Wall Street Journal’s Josh Dawsey joins Dylan to discuss how the recent $16 million settlement between Trump and Paramount came to fruition—a far cry from Trump’s initial demand of $100 million. They also dig into Dawsey’s new book on the 2024 election, the Democrats’ strategic malaise, and why the Journal is well-positioned for this political moment.

The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: ⁠https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica