The Town with Matthew Belloni

Latest Episodes:

Netflix’s Price Hike and Opening Day Debut. Plus, HBO's ‘Harry Potter’ and the Millennial Nostalgia Era. Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss why Netflix has raised its prices twice in the past 18 months and the growing prominence of ad tiers on streaming services. They also talk about Opening Day baseball airing on Netflix, the surging MLB ratings, and who might be the biggest buyer for baseball rights in 2028 (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the new HBO 'Harry Potter' series (25:20).

Host: 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 now streaming - only on Paramount+

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Can D.C. Save Hollywood? Senator Adam Schiff on Bringing Production Home. Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by United States Senator Adam Schiff (D-California) to discuss his recent hearing with entertainment industry and labor leaders on the challenges facing the film industry and the importance of instituting a federal tax incentive to bring film and TV production back to California. They talk about how the production slowdown has hurt the city of Los Angeles, why California is not as aggressive in offering tax incentives as other states and countries, and what the federal tax credit would entail. They discuss where Schiff stands on the Warner Bros.–Paramount merger, the Los Angeles mayoral race, and more (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the venue of the Academy Awards moving from Hollywood to downtown L.A. in 2029 (29:31).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Adam Schiff

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 now streaming - only on Paramount+

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Sora Is Dead: What Does That Mean for Disney? Plus, ‘The Bachelorette’ Scandal. Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Alex Heath from the Sources newsletter and Access podcast to discuss the end of Disney’s deal with OpenAI after they announced the shutdown of video app Sora. They get into why OpenAI is changing course, AI companies' relationship with Hollywood, and what this means for Disney. They also discuss the massive layoffs at Epic Games and how this move affects Disney's future as a major investor in the video game company (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the future of the 'Bachelor' franchise after the Taylor Frankie Paul scandal (22:49).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Alex Heath

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 now streaming - only on Paramount+

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

Gosling, MBJ, Timmy, and the Biggest Movie Stars Under 50 Power Ranking Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss the massive weekend at the box office for ‘Project Hail Mary’ and use this as an opportunity to revisit the movie star power ranking. They sourced producers and executives around town and created their ranking of movie stars they believe are the biggest box office draw in Hollywood (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the premiere of new Yellowstone sequel ‘Dutton Ranch’ (28:49).

Host: 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 now streaming - only on Paramount+

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

Secrets to Commercial Filmmaking With 'The Housemaid' Director Paul Feig Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by director and writer Paul Feig ('A Simple Favor,' 'Bridesmaids,' 'Spy') to discuss his latest movie, ‘The Housemaid.’ They dive into why he thinks the movie was so successful, what’s behind his high career hit rate, his unique process (including why he loves test screenings), and the keys to commercial success (00:00). Matt finishes the show by answering an industry-related question from Craig (28:29).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Paul Feig

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 now streaming - only on Paramount+

This episode is brought to you by AMC+. Start your free trial today at join.amcplus.com

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

The NFL's Billion-Dollar Cash Grab and Whether There’s Any Left for Film and TV Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by CNBC sports and media reporter Alex Sherman to discuss the NFL reopening its rights deal with Paramount and CBS, why it did this, and how this could affect the broader sports and entertainment landscape moving forward (00:00). Matt finishes the show with an opening weekend box office prediction for ‘Project Hail Mary’ (28:59).

Hosts: Matt Belloni

Guest: Alex Sherman

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 now streaming - only on Paramount+

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

Oscars Winners and Losers, and Universal’s Pivot to Keep Movies in Theaters Longer Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to recap last night’s Academy Awards, including what the show was like from inside the theater, and give their biggest winners and losers of the night (00:00). Then they discuss Universal Studios guaranteeing theaters a minimum of five weekends of exclusive play for new movies starting immediately, and eventually moving to seven weekends starting in 2027 (19:39). Matt finishes the show with more takeaways from the Oscars and recaps his best and worst picks (27:26).

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 now streaming - only on Paramount+

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

How to De-Age the Oscars with Amelia Dimoldenberg Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by host, producer and writer Amelia Dimoldenberg to preview this year's Oscars red carpet as the official Academy Awards Red Carpet Correspondent, how she prepares to interview A list stars, and the Oscars moving to YouTube in 2029. They talk about the business behind her popular YouTube show ‘Chicken Shop Date’, her new romantic comedy, and more (24:41).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Amelia Dimoldenberg

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+.

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

Why the Biggest Oscar Party Is Cutting Its Guest List in Half Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Mark Guiducci, the new global editorial director of Vanity Fair, to talk about his plan for a new and improved Oscar party and why he is downsizing the event and cutting the guest list by 50 percent. Mark talks about the evolution of the party since it started 31 years ago, how he plans to revitalize the party, moving to a new venue, how the world of magazines has changed, and the evolution of magazine journalism (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction for the ratings for this year's Academy Awards (26:21).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Mark Guiducci

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+.

This episode is brought to you by AMC+. Start your free trial today at join.amcplus.com

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

Oscars Preview! Timmy Trouble, a ‘Sinners’ Surge, and a Big Lead for 'One Battle' Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

Matt is joined by Mosaic talent manager and Oscars insider Michael Lasker to preview the 2026 Academy Awards. They parse the biggest narratives Hollywood will be watching closely, like Timothée Chalamet’s latest slide in the Best Actor category, whether the late-season surge for ‘Sinners’ should be taken seriously, if the big lead for 'One Battle After Another' is shrinking, and other races that could surprise you on Sunday night (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about Paramount president Jeff Shell (30:09).

Host: Matt Belloni

Guest: Michael Lasker

Producers: Craig Horlbeck, 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+.

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