Matt is joined by entertainment lawyer and litigator Bryan Freedman to discuss the key legal issues surrounding actor Justin Baldoni’s lawsuits against ‘It Ends With Us’ costar Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, her PR team, and ‘The New York Times,’ as well as Blake Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni. Matt questions Bryan about the non-disparaging agreement between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, the issue of regulating behavior on set, and the growing influence social media has in the PR world (03:12).For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.comHost: Matt BelloniGuest: Bryan FreedmanProducers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie LopezTheme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in media and entertainment, joins to dissect Netflix's $18 billion content strategy. They dive into the success of mid-budget films over high-budget franchises and explore the potential of unscripted content like true crime and reality shows. The conversation highlights Netflix’s struggles with live events and considers innovative strategies, including podcasting and international shows. Shaw also touches on Amazon’s ambitious theatrical plans, revealing a competitive landscape of streaming and cinematic experiences.

Pouya Shahbazian, Founder and CEO of Staircase Studios AI, shares his vision of revolutionizing film production using AI technology. He discusses how his studio plans to deliver high-quality movies for under $500,000, emphasizing a unique talent-driven approach. The conversation highlights AI's transformative potential in storytelling and the evolving dynamics of film production. They also delve into the implications for filmmakers and the industry's future, along with a cheeky prediction about Meghan Markle's new TV venture.

Brian Fuhrer, Senior VP of Product Strategy at Nielsen, demystifies ratings amid a changing media landscape. He explains how Nielsen tracks viewing habits, including out-of-home viewing, and unveils surprising Oscars ratings metrics. The conversation dives into how streaming is drawing younger audiences and highlights the most influential shows captivating this demographic. Plus, Fuhrer shares insights on the evolving dynamics of data collection and how major events are affected by audience shifts.

Hernan Lopez, founder of Owl & Co and Wondery, shares insights into the rapidly evolving streaming landscape. He discusses why YouTube outpaces Netflix in viewer consumption while Netflix leads in revenue, and how more viewers are choosing to watch YouTube on TV screens. The conversation highlights shifting strategies in media economics and the massive impact of YouTube on traditional TV. Matt also dives into entertaining predictions about the upcoming Academy Awards, offering a glimpse of Hollywood's future.

Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to react to last night's Academy Awards, what it was like inside the building, and list their under-the-radar winners and losers from Hollywood's biggest night (02:09). Then, Matt and Lucas are joined by NEON CEO Tom Quinn to discuss their big night winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, for the film ‘Anora’ (20:54). Tom talks about how they campaign their movies on such a small budget, how much a win impacts the film economically, and why indie films are succeeding more at the Oscars.For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here.Email us your thoughts! thetown@spotify.comHost: Matt BelloniGuest: Lucas ShawProducers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie LopezTheme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matthew Belloni speaks with Robert Newman, a Partner at William Morris Endeavor known for representing auteur filmmakers. They dive into the enduring impact of Academy Awards on filmmakers' careers, discussing how wins can significantly enhance project opportunities and industry recognition. Newman shares insights on the evolving relevance of the Oscars amidst changing viewer interest and suggests ways to improve the awards. The conversation also speculates on the ratings for the upcoming ceremony, highlighting the influence of streaming platforms.

Michael Lasker, a talent manager at Mosaic and an Oscar enthusiast, shares his insights on the excitement surrounding the 2025 Oscars. He dives into the hotly contested Best Picture race and discusses how recent controversies, particularly around 'Emilia Perez,' might influence outcomes. Lasker compares Adrien Brody and Timothée Chalamet's chances, while also analyzing potential surprises from Fernanda Torres and Jeremy Strong. The conversation uncovers trends in Oscar voting patterns, making predictions for Best Actor and Best International Film even more intriguing.

In this engaging discussion, Bloomberg reporter Lucas Shaw sheds light on the surprising deal where the Broccoli family hands over James Bond's creative control to Amazon. They explore the necessity of this move for Amazon and its implications for the franchise's future. Lucas highlights the tension between traditional oversight and corporate ownership as the Bond brand navigates this new path. They also draw intriguing parallels with Disney, considering lessons learned in franchise management. The conversation concludes with a fun take on the box office landscape.

Chris Rice, cofounder and co-CEO of Fifth Season and producer of Apple+’s ‘Severance,’ dives into the financial labyrinth of television production. He explains what happens when a show exceeds its budget and who bears the costs, revealing the impact of industry strikes and ambitious creative choices. Chris also contrasts independent studios with larger networks, discussing financing models and the dynamics of global distribution rights. He further highlights the unique 'cost plus' model used in ‘Severance,’ illustrating the delicate balance between creativity and budget management.