The Town with Matthew Belloni

Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA's national executive director and chief negotiator, dives into the dynamics of actor negotiations and AI in the industry. He discusses the critical battle for AI protections and labor rights, emphasizing the new 16-page AI rules that aim to safeguard actors' digital likenesses. Duncan shares his thoughts on the potential for AI-generated films and stresses the importance of policy wins, like New York's disclosure law for AI content. The conversation also touches on studio negotiations, member priorities, and the industry's response to technological disruption.

Jared Bush, Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, and co-director of Zootopia 2, discusses the film's remarkable success, especially in China, where its relatable story resonates deeply. He explores the state of original animated films and the challenges posed by AI, advocating for human creativity over automated replacements. Jared also shares insights into maintaining adult humor in animations, managing the creative processes at Disney, and the high stakes involved in the upcoming Frozen sequels. He hints at future character journeys in the Zootopia franchise, showcasing his passion for storytelling.

Lucas Shaw, an entertainment reporter at Bloomberg known for his insights into Hollywood's inner workings, joins to dissect the Golden Globes, highlighting the awkward corporate moments that defined the night. They delve into Paramount's bold lawsuit against Warner Bros. regarding the Netflix merger and discuss the legal strategies at play. Lucas assesses the likelihood of Paramount's tactics succeeding amidst changing industry dynamics, while Matt shares his predictions for the upcoming Oscar contenders.

Jeff Sagansky, a seasoned media executive and founder of Eagle Equity Partners, shares his insights on the evolving Hollywood landscape as 2026 approaches. He discusses the potential for Warner Bros. to remain independent, while examining the impact of streaming on profit-sharing for creators—a 'dark age' for talent. Jeff highlights a busy M&A year ahead, with private equity showing interest and assets likely to trade. He also explores the rise of ad-supported services and the challenges Netflix faces against emerging platforms like YouTube.

Scott Mendelson, a box office analyst and film writer for Puck and The Outside Scoop, joins to dissect the underwhelming $8.6 billion domestic box office in 2025. They discuss how fewer wide releases and franchise fatigue dampened audience excitement. Scott highlights the breakout success of "Chainsaw Man" while critiquing Disney's mixed performance. They also evaluate superhero films' declining influence and name "Tron Ares" as the year's biggest flop. Ultimately, Scott urges studios to creatively subvert known IP for future success.

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!

Julia Alexander, a Puck media correspondent and streaming video analyst, joins the discussion to recap major trends in the streaming landscape for the year. They explore YouTube's ascent and Netflix's current standing amidst fierce competition. Julia reveals Tubi’s surprising win for Streamer of the Year against disappointing performances from others. The duo dives into breakout hits like Love Island and Heated Rivalry, plus the growing influence of free ad-supported services and the impact of sports rights in this shifting industry.

Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg journalist specializing in media and entertainment, shares insights from his survey of 700 industry executives. He reveals hot topics like the surprising box office successes of films like 'Marty Supreme' and Sydney Sweeney’s comeback. The potential future ownership of Warner Bros. and speculation about Disney’s 2027 CEO are also discussed, with Josh D'Amaro emerging as a favorite. Lastly, Lucas names David Zaslav the worst media CEO, diving into industry perceptions that fuel these rankings.

Lucas Shaw, an entertainment reporter at Bloomberg, joins to dissect the highs and lows of Hollywood in a lively awards format. They hand out humorous titles like the Executive Fail of the Year and the Savviest PR Move Award, debating the most outrageous industry blunders and clever strategies. Notably, they analyze celebrity missteps and predict box office success for upcoming films, including 'Marty Supreme'. Expect sharp insights and plenty of laughs as they crown both talent and executives for the year.

Lucas Shaw, an entertainment reporter at Bloomberg, joins Matt Belloni to celebrate Hollywood's quirkiest moments of 2025 with the annual Townies. They hilariously dissect contenders for the Biggest Flex—from Warner Bros.' film turnaround to pop-star maneuvers. Controversies like the Snow White backlash steal the spotlight in Most Destructive Public Backlash. Shaw reveals the surprising success of Dancing with the Stars and they critique annoying media narratives. Tune in for a humorous rundown of Hollywood's highs and lows!