The Town with Matthew Belloni 2026 Burning Questions: Another Strike? Is 'Avengers: Doomsday' Doomed? And David Ellison’s Movie Taste.
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Jan 5, 2026 
Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in the entertainment industry, joins to tackle Hollywood's burning questions for 2026. They explore the looming possibility of another strike, driven by AI concerns and guild leverage. NFL rights negotiations emerge as a major influence on media spending, impacting everything from movies to partnerships. The duo weighs in on David Ellison's cinematic taste at Skydance and debates whether Universal can finally dethrone Disney as the box office champion. Predictions for the industry's future are also on the table, making for an engaging discussion!
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Strike Risk Rises With AI And Consolidation
- A new strike is plausible around the May 1 deadline because AI fears and industry consolidation have intensified since the last walkout.
- Leadership changes and the Director's Guild under Christopher Nolan add uncertainty to bargaining leverage.
Health Plans Drive Contract Tensions
- Guilds worry more about member benefits and health plans than merger policy, so studios propose longer contracts to ease funding strains.
- Writers resist five-year cycles because frequent negotiations are key leverage for their demands.
Track The AMPTP’s New Negotiator Closely
- Watch how the new AMPTP negotiator, Greg Hessinger, frames strategy because his approach could escalate or defuse disputes.
- Expect new memes and rhetorical battles if negotiations get contentious.