The Town with Matthew Belloni

In a compelling conversation, Eduardo Acuna, CEO of Regal Cineworld, joins filmmaker Joseph Kosinski, NBCUniversal's Peter Levinsohn, and Neon’s Tom Quinn to tackle Hollywood's theatrical crisis. They discuss the urgent need to engage younger audiences and the impact of streaming on movie perceptions. The group also debates release windows, profitability strategies, and the necessity for high-quality cinema experiences. With insights into revitalizing the moviegoing experience, they explore what it takes to draw people back to theaters in a post-pandemic world.

In this discussion, the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a seasoned data analyst and former streaming executive, joins Matt to dissect the impact of Jen Salke's leadership at Amazon MGM Studios. They analyze the successes and failures of shows like 'The Boys' and 'Rings of Power,' while questioning the baffling renewal of the lackluster 'Citadel.' The conversation shifts to Amazon's struggle with reality programming and the strategic challenges in film production, setting the stage for predictions about Salke's successor.

Andrew Yaffe, CEO of Dude Perfect and a former content operations executive at the NBA, discusses YouTube's surge as a powerhouse in entertainment. He delves into how YouTube creators are teaming up with traditional media, transforming the creator economy. Yaffe outlines the financial strategies behind top YouTube channels and the shift towards innovative partnerships in sports. The conversation also touches on the evolving relationship between digital creators and Hollywood, offering insights into the future of content creation and monetization.

Lucas Shaw, a Bloomberg reporter specializing in movie industry trends, joins to dissect the pivotal films set for release in 2025 and their impact on major studios. They tackle Hollywood's box office struggles and the financial hurdles facing giants like Disney and Universal. Additionally, the duo discusses the superhero genre’s volatility, the excitement around an innovative collaboration featuring creators of South Park and Kendrick Lamar, and the strategic importance of Sony’s sequel to '28 Days Later'. Shaw also hints at what’s next for the Bourne franchise.

Julia Alexander, a media correspondent at Puck specializing in streaming video analysis, joins to discuss Apple’s identity crisis in Hollywood. They dive into the challenges Apple faces in the streaming market, highlighting hits like ‘Severance’ but also subscriber retention issues. The conversation critiques Apple’s cautious content strategy, debating the balance between prestige and popularity. They also touch on the future of the James Bond franchise, speculating on potential directors and the importance of strong creative leadership.

Matt is joined by Axios senior media reporter and CNN analyst Sara Fischer to talk about the unexpected uncertainty in Hollywood under Donald Trump 2.0, and how the current administration's actions could affect every corner of the entertainment business (02:12). Matt finishes the show with two opening weekend box office predictions for ‘Snow White’ and ‘Alto Knights’ (24:40).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: Sara FischerProducers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie LopezTheme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.

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.