This week, Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg reporter known for his keen insights into Hollywood, joins for the annual Townie Awards. They dissect the biggest wins and blunders of 2024, including the standout film 'Maria' and the surprising success of 'Emilia Perez.' The duo explores the entertainment industry's ups and downs, tackling major changes at Netflix and Paramount. They also dive into unexpected failures, PR missteps, and the evolving dynamics around star power and audience engagement. Get ready for a humorous yet critical take on this year’s Hollywood highs and lows!

In this insightful conversation, Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg reporter focusing on media and entertainment, teams up with Matt to hand out Townie Awards for Hollywood's highs and lows. They analyze winners and losers in the industry, from executive blunders to marketing misfires. Shaw candidly reflects on past misjudgments and discusses the surprising resurgence of Warner Bros. Discovery. The duo also highlights the influential roles of voices like Taylor Sheridan and Kendrick Lamar, showcasing the ever-evolving dynamics of fame and power in entertainment.

Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in media and entertainment, joins to dissect the shifting dynamics of streaming services in 2024. They identify the winners and losers, with Apple notably struggling while Peacock surprises with its strategic event tie-ins. Shaw highlights Spotify's impressive turnaround and discusses the competitive landscape among giants like Amazon and Netflix. The duo also anticipates the impact of upcoming award shows on viewer engagement and considers what makes a film a frontrunner for accolades this season.

Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in media trends, joins to dissect Warner Bros. Discovery's strategic split between TV networks and their film/streaming units. He highlights its potential implications for the company's future in a competitive media landscape. The discussion also pivots to ABC News’ $15 million settlement with Donald Trump, examining Disney's vulnerabilities amidst political tensions. Lastly, the challenges of launching Venue Sports are explored, especially in light of legal hurdles affecting its market potential.

Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg reporter focused on media and entertainment, joins to discuss Disney's recent box office successes, including the record-breaking Thanksgiving weekend for 'Moana 2.' They analyze Disney's resurgence in theaters, debate the profitability of blockbusters versus smaller films, and consider the impact of social media on audience engagement. Shaw sheds light on Disney's strategic shifts, including transforming popular TV shows into movies. The conversation also delves into upcoming projects and the challenges Disney faces in capturing audience interest.

Warner Bros. Discovery's struggles in the streaming industry, MAX brand challenges, potential pivot in business model, NBA rights uncertainty, and Academy Awards predictions are discussed in a lively podcast conversation.

Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg reporter known for his expertise in Hollywood trends, shares insights from a survey of industry executives. They discuss the ongoing feud surrounding 'It Ends With Us' and the shifting dynamics of sports broadcasting, especially with Netflix's NFL debut on Christmas. Shaw highlights audience preferences between streaming services and speculates on UFC's upcoming rights negotiations. The impact of festive viewership on Netflix is also predicted, pointing to potential internet traffic spikes this holiday season.

Lucas Shaw, a media and entertainment editor at Bloomberg, dives into the explosive success of 'Squid Game', sharing how it became Netflix's biggest hit. He reveals the near-miss of its creation and discusses the innovative ways Netflix is transforming the series into a global franchise. The conversation covers strategic marketing, the anticipation surrounding season two, and plans for reality shows and video games. Shaw also examines how to keep a franchise fresh, drawing comparisons to iconic series like Marvel and Harry Potter.

Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in entertainment industry insights, joins Matt to dissect the Golden Globes. They discuss the disparities in treatment at the awards and the influence of streaming giants like Netflix. The duo also ponders the challenges of upcoming streaming mergers and the unpredictable landscape for sports broadcasting. With a look at the potential shifts in Hollywood shaped by political changes, they emphasize the evolving dynamics of the media industry and the unpredictable nature of awards season.

Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in media and entertainment, joins to unpack Netflix's latest earnings report, revealing impressive subscriber growth but looming concerns about competition and advertising. They discuss Netflix's five pressure points, including the evolving strategies to counter competitors and the risk of overvaluation. The conversation also touches on Disney's delayed succession planning and how it could impact the industry landscape. Finally, predictions about viewership for the upcoming World Series offer an exciting sports angle.