The Town with Matthew Belloni

Latest Episodes:

SNL’s Fate After Lorne, and Streaming’s Most Overpriced Platforms Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to recap ‘SNL50’ and look ahead to the future of ‘SNL’ in a post–Lorne Michaels world, and wonder whether NBC will continue to finance such a costly and labor intensive show. Then they debate which streamers are under or overpriced based on a new streaming report that compares each streamer’s value based on hours viewed vs. subscription price (02:53). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about Kevin Costner’s ‘Horizon’ franchise (25:56).

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.

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Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Lucas Shaw

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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What’s Next at Netflix With Content Chief Bela Bajaria, Part 2 Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

Matt is once again joined by Netflix’s Bela Bajaria for part two of their conversation. They get into their content spend breakdown for 2025 and beyond, their foray into like programming and whether more NFL or new sports like UFC or F1 is on the way, their calculus on data transparency, and the perception of quality vs. quantity (01:13). Matt finishes the show by running through a lightning round of questions with Bela on a variety of hot-button Netflix-related questions (23:41).

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Bela Bajaria

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Netflix vs. Everyone With Content Chief Bela Bajaria, Part 1 Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

Matt is joined by Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, to discuss all things Netflix, including the ‘Emilia Perez’ scandal, vetting talent, their IMAX deal with Greta Gerwig’s upcoming 'Narnia' movie, struggling to make franchise IP, and why Netflix is misunderstood (03:12). Matt finishes the show with a ratings prediction for the 'SNL50' anniversary show (32:40).

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Bela Bajaria

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Can the ‘Emilia Pérez’ Oscars Implosion Be Salvaged? Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

Matt is joined by award-winning entertainment marketing executive Terry Press to discuss the social media whirlwind surrounding best picture nominated film ‘Emilia Pérez’ after tweets from its star and Best Actress nominee Karla Sofía Gascón have derailed its Oscar campaign. Terry offers her expertise and runs through the awards campaign playbook to outline how Netflix and ‘Emilia Pérez’ can salvage this implosion (02:39). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ (29:31).

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Terry Press

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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New Trouble for the Paramount Sale Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss the complicated holdup in the sale of Paramount Global to David Ellison and his company, Skydance Media. They break down the situation—which involves Donald Trump's lawsuit over Kamala Harris's '60 Minutes' interview on CBS—and consider the options for Paramount Global head Shari Redstone to get this deal done. They also look ahead at the implications this may have for future mergers in Hollywood (03:32). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the Academy Awards' Best Picture race (24:47).

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Lucas Shaw

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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NFL and Streaming: A Super Bowl Data Dive Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

Matt is joined by Antenna CEO Jonathan Carson to look at the NFL in the digital age and provide insight on how streamers are leveraging NFL rights as a massive subscriber event. They talk about some moves the league has made to target different fans, how much of an impact live NFL games have had on Netflix, and if the splintering of NFL rights could lead to diminishing returns (02:32). Matt finishes the show with a Super Bowl ratings prediction (25:27).

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Jonathan Carson

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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What Worries Directors: AI, Peaked TV, and Baldoni-Gate Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

Matt is joined by Lesli Linka Glatter and Russell Hollander, the president and director, respectively, of the Directors Guild of America, to talk about some of the most important topics for directors in the entertainment industry. They discuss how the DGA manages its relationship with SAG and the WGA; how the AI landscape has changed since its last CBA, including AI's use in the film ‘The Brutalist’; why the TV market is hurting directors; and what the DGA's role is in the Justin Baldoni–Blake Lively lawsuit (02:34). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about Super Bowl commercials (24:10).

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Lesli Linka Glatter and Russell Hollander

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Inside the 2025 Grammys: Beyoncé's Win, Chappell’s Speech, and Kendrick’s Sweep Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to recap an exciting and star-studded 2025 Grammy Awards, break down what it was like to be there in person, and nominate their biggest winners and losers from music’s biggest night. They also talk about Chappell Roan's acceptance speech pleading for record labels to treat their artists better, Kendrick's dominant night, and Will Smith’s return to the awards show stage (00:00). The guys finish the show with an update to the 2025 Box Office Draft (00:00).

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, 'What I’m Hearing ...,' click this link: puck.news/thetown

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Lucas Shaw

Producer: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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The Secrets to Success in Producing, With Marc Platt of ‘Wicked’ Feb 01, 2025

Show notes

Matt is joined by ‘Wicked’ producer Marc Platt to discuss how the smash hit musical adaptation got made and why it took so long despite the stage play's successful multi-decade run. They also discuss why 'Wicked' is the only Best Picture–nominated film with only one credited producer, Platt. They also talk about why the ‘Wicked’ marketing campaign was such a success, tough choices he has had to make in his career, and the secret to a great pitch (02:09). Later, Matt makes a prediction about the recent social media controversy surrounding ‘Emilia Pérez’ star Karla Sofía Gascón (27:39).

Click HERE to help those affected by the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles.

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Marc Platt

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

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Irving Azoff on His A-List L.A. FireAid Concert, and Six Decades in the Music Business Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

Matt is joined by legendary music industry executive Irving Azoff to discuss FireAid, the massive benefit concert on January 30 to help L.A. fire victims. As the Los Angeles area continues its recovery from devastating wildfires, the benefit concert will raise millions for relief efforts. Irving explains how this concert came together so quickly, including the unprecedented streaming effort that will allow millions to watch for free, as well as how many of the major acts got involved like Billie Eilish, Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Anderson .Paak, and more. They also discuss the state of the music business, why many prominent voices in the music business are English, how streaming is affecting the business, and more (02:25). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the benefit concert proceeds (31:52).

Click HERE to help those affected by the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles.

For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.

Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.com

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Irving Azoff

Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez

Theme Song: Devon Renaldo

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices