The Town with Matthew Belloni

Latest Episodes:

Why Netflix Bought Ben Affleck’s AI Company, and If Hollywood Should Worry Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss Netflix’s acquisition of InterPositive, Ben Affleck’s AI-powered filmmaking tool company, the messaging around the deal, and what this says about Netflix’s future involvement in the AI space (00:00). They also discuss the Live Nation settlement with the DOJ (00:00) before ending the show with a 2026 Box Office Draft bomb re-selection for Lucas (24:16).

Hosts: Matt Belloni

Guest: Lucas Shaw

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jon Jones

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

The Clyburn family searches for connection in Montana's Madison Valley. The Madison, New Series streaming March 14th - only on Paramount+.

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How to Chart a Career Path in Modern Hollywood, With Rachel Sennott Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

Live from Chapman University, Matt and Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw sit down with the star and showrunner of HBO’s ‘I Love LA,’ Rachel Sennott, to talk about how to chart a career path in modern Hollywood, how she pitched and sold ‘I Love LA’, making TV for a younger audience, and what it’s like being a first-time showrunner.

Hosts: Matt Belloni and Lucas Shaw

Guest: Rachel Sennott

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jon Jones

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

The Clyburn family searches for connection in Montana's Madison Valley. The Madison, New Series streaming March 14th - only on Paramount+.

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Investor Gerry Cardinale on Why WarnerMount Will Work, Middle East Money, and Layoffs Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Gerry Cardinale, founder and managing partner at RedBird Capital, the private equity fund backing Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, to answer some questions about what WarnerMount will look like, including if they plan to sell off one or both of the Paramount and Warner Bros. lots, why cost cuts won’t lead to layoffs, details around possible Middle East investment, and why this mega deal is good for Hollywood (00:00). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘Hoppers’ and ‘The Bride!’ (34:02).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Gerry Cardinale

Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jon Jones, Stefano Sanchez, and Carlos Chiriboga

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

The Clyburn family searches for connection in Montana's Madison Valley. The Madison, New Series streaming March 14th - only on Paramount+.

ZOOTOPIA 2. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR BEST ANIMATED FEATURE.

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How David Ellison Plans to Mash Two Major Studios Into One Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Rich Greenfield from LightShed Partners to discuss how David Ellison plans to merge Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, how much the cost cutting and consolidation will affect the industry, what will happen to HBO Max, and what success even looks like for this new company in the long term (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the new name of the soon-to-be-combined HBO Max and Paramount+ services (33:47).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Rich Greenfield

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jon Jones

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

The Clyburn family searches for connection in Montana's Madison Valley. The Madison, New Series streaming March 14th - only on Paramount+.

ZOOTOPIA 2. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR BEST ANIMATED FEATURE.

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Emergency Pod! Paramount Outbids Netflix and Wins Warner Bros. Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

Emergency episode! Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to react to Netflix pulling out of the Warner Bros sweepstakes after Paramount raised its bid to $31 per share, bringing the overall offer to $111B. They break down why this happened, why Netflix abruptly backed out, if this deal will close, what this means for Hollywood, how powerful the new Ellison mega platform can be, and what comes next.

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Lucas Shaw

Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

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The Retro Innovation of ‘The Pitt,’ With Lead Producer John Wells Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by John Wells, executive producer of ‘The Pitt,’ to discuss how ‘The Pitt’ is reviving an old model of television and why it is considered innovative in 2026. John talks about how the show is made, the benefits of filming in Los Angeles, and whether streaming TV is going back to the broadcast model (00:00). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘Scream 7’ (28:30).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: John Wells

Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

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Part 2: Sony Film CEO on Marvel’s Decline and Hollywood’s Originality Crisis Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

Live from the American Film Institute, Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw and the CEO of Sony Film Tom Rothman to discuss the future of the Spider Man franchise, Marvel’s recent struggles, if movie stars should make movies for streamers, and the biggest crisis facing the movie industry right now. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about who will be cast as the next James Bond.

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Lucas Shaw, Tom Rothman

Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

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Sony Film CEO on Losing ‘Sinners’ and the Endless Big Tech Battle Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

Live from the American Film Institute, Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw and the CEO of Sony Film, Tom Rothman, to discuss why now is the fifth moment of crisis in the history of the movie industry, how large-scale tech companies have disrupted Hollywood, reasons for optimism, legacy studios vs. streamers, and the future of the 'Spider-Man' franchise.

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Lucas Shaw, Tom Rothman

Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

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Why the Former Sony Head Blames Himself for the Infamous Hack Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Michael Lynton, former head of Sony Pictures and current chairman of Snap Inc., to open up about his regrets greenlighting the movie ‘The Interview,' which ultimately led to the infamous Sony hack. Michael walks us through the unique scenario that led to him greenlighting the film, what he should have done differently, and highlights some of the challenges that come with dealing with A-list talent (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the Best Actor race for this year's Academy Awards (26:55).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Michael Lynton

Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

ZOOTOPIA 2. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR BEST ANIMATED FEATURE.

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Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos Makes the Case for Buying Warner Bros. Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos to discuss why they reopened the Warner Bros. sale process for 7 days, why he thinks the Netflix bid is better for Warners Bros, consumers, and the industry at large, if they will commit to a theatrical window and robust marketing spends for Warner Bros. films, and much more.

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Ted Sarandos

Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Jon Jones

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

ZOOTOPIA 2. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR BEST ANIMATED FEATURE.

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