The Grill Room

Latest Episodes:

Media’s Trump II Stress Test Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

Julia and Dylan assess the state of CBS—and the media industry writ large—in the Trump II era, from the fallout over Stephen Colbert’s interview with James Talarico to Anderson Cooper’s stunning exit from 60 Minutes. They also assess the early numbers from Peacock’s “Legendary February,” the steep implications of Paramount’s renewed pursuit of WBD, what a WBD-PSKY merger could mean for CNN, and much, much more.

The Calm Before the NFL Storm Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

John Ourand and Julia Alexander dive into the biggest sports media storylines of the moment, from the forthcoming NFL rights negotiations and their sweeping implications to NBCUniversal’s “Legendary February” and Peacock’s ongoing subscriber challenges. They also discuss the NFL’s growing international ambitions, the competitive drag of NBA tanking, the Olympics, and much more.

The Peacock Problem & The Post in Peril Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

Julia and Dylan to take stock of the week in media: Spotify’s rosy earnings report, NBC’s “Legendary February,” Peacock’s subscriber headaches, the enduring A.I.-media reckoning, and more. Plus, Dylan weighs in on what the future holds for the embattled Washington Post after a turbulent few weeks of layoffs and leadership upheaval.

Can Sports Save Peacock? Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

NBC Sports president Rick Cordella joins Dylan to discuss a pivotal month for the network, from the Super Bowl to the Winter Olympics and the NBA All-Star Game. Cordella explains how live sports fuel subscriber growth for Peacock, often driving audiences to other programming, and reflects on the enduring value of broadcast television, the challenges of media fragmentation, the strategic importance of retaining premium sports rights, and more.

Matt Murray on the Washington Post’s Mass Layoffs Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

The Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray joins Dylan for an exclusive, wide-ranging conversation about the sweeping layoffs that reduced the newsroom by 300 journalists and a third of the company overall. Murray defends the restructuring as necessary to meet changing audience behavior and address financial strain, while arguing that recent subscriber gains signal a viable path to growth in the paper’s next chapter.

WaPo’s Extinction Event & The Dawn of D’Amaro Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

Julia and Dylan dig into the week’s most consequential media storylines: the mass layoffs at the Washington Post, Peacock’s pivotal month of sports programming, the ascension of Josh D’Amaro as Disney’s new C.E.O., and the growing question of whether ESPN will ultimately be spun off as Disney signals that its future lies beyond traditional television.

The Making of Tucker Carlson Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

Jason Zengerle joins Dylan for a deep dive into his new book, ‘Hated by All the Right People: Tucker Carlson and the Unraveling of the Conservative Mind.’ Zengerle traces Carlson’s evolution from print journalist to cable news star—and eventually to media mogul—examining his strategic use of outrage, his close alignment with Trump, and how both have fueled his influence. They also explore the broader impact of conservative media on American political discourse and whether Carlson may ultimately pursue elected office.

Can Barry Diller Save CNN? Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

Julia and Dylan chew over the reports that Barry Diller is interested in buying CNN, and whether a new owner would solve the network’s digital dilemma (probably not). Then they assess the broader, largely self-inflicted crises facing Bari Weiss at CBS News, Will Lewis at The Washington Post, and Mark Thompson at CNN. They also break down Netflix’s latest Engagement Report and the streamer’s increasingly YouTube-esque programming.

Food52’s Recipe for Bankruptcy Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

Former Barstool Sports C.E.O. and Food52 chief executive Erika Ayers Badan joins Dylan to reflect on navigating bankruptcy at Food52, a onetime $300 million company that ultimately collapsed under roughly $25 million in debt. She breaks down what went wrong, the dangers of undisciplined growth, and why diversified revenue streams matter now more than ever. She also discusses what kind of buyers might be circling, what industry peers can learn from Food52’s downturn, her take on the state of media writ large—and much more.

Netflix vs. YouTube vs. Everybody Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

Julia and Dylan break down the week’s biggest media storylines, from Netflix’s earnings and Ted Sarandos’s candid take on the state of television to Neal Mohan’s annual letter outlining YouTube’s present—and A.I.-shaped future. The duo weigh into the ever-growing challenge of capturing attention in an increasingly oversaturated and fragmented media ecosystem—and the curious case of Mediaite’s perplexing new newsletter about… newsletters.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Grill Room

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6