
The Town with Matthew Belloni
The Four Hottest Topics Around Town: ‘Mickey 17’, Warner Bros., Trump, and Apple TV+
Mar 18, 2025
Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg reporter known for his keen insights into Hollywood, joins to discuss hot industry topics. They delve into how Hollywood is aligning its content with Trump's audience and the rapid exit of movies like 'Mickey 17' from theaters, which poses risks for the box office. Shaw and the host share thoughts on Warner Bros.' struggles in the current landscape, arguing it’s in a precarious position. Meanwhile, they also highlight the quiet success of Apple TV+ as it's emerging as a formidable player in streaming.
33:26
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Quick takeaways
- Hollywood's content strategies are increasingly aligning with Trump-friendly narratives, yet programming continues to focus on established audience interests rather than political pandering.
- The rapid shift to premium video on demand poses a risk to theatrical attendance, highlighting the tension between maximizing revenue and preserving cinema's cultural relevance.
Deep dives
Hollywood's Shift Towards Political Content
There is speculation that Hollywood is pivoting towards content that aligns with Trump and his supporters, as evidenced by a resurgence of shows featuring Trump-friendly figures, like Duck Dynasty and Tim Allen's latest projects. While some argue this reflects a genuine shift in audience targeting, others believe the narrative oversells the reality, stating that Hollywood has long catered to diverse audiences, including conservatives. The discussion emphasizes that programming decisions are primarily based on proven audience interests rather than political pandering. Ultimately, while certain studios may navigate Trump's influence, the broader trend of Hollywood's content creation remains rooted in established patterns.
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