The Grill Room
Audacy | Puck
Finally, a media podcast about what’s actually happening in the media—not the over-sanitized, legal-and-standards-approved version you read online. Every Tuesday and Friday, join Dylan Byers, Puck’s veteran media reporter, as he sits down with TV personalities, moguls, political pundits and industry executives for raw, honest, sometimes salacious conversations about the business of media and its biggest egos. “The Grill Room,” an homage to the exclusive dining room within The Four Seasons where a generation of media executives consummated deals and traded gossip, is produced in partnership with Audacy Podcasts. The Grill Room is an extension of In the Room, Dylan’s private email for Puck, where he chronicles the intrigue and inside stories behind what’s really going on in the media industry—from the board room to the newsroom to the green room and everything in between. Subscribe here: https://puck.news/dylanbyers
Episodes
Mentioned books
32 snips
Mar 25, 2025 • 59min
The YouTube Half Nelson
Julia Alexander, Puck's streaming guru and expert in the digital creator economy, joins to discuss YouTube's dominance in the news landscape. She highlights how creators are reshaping media narratives, challenging legacy outlets to innovate or risk being sidelined. The conversation reveals the struggles of traditional news organizations like CNN in attracting viewers amid rising competition from niche content creators. Julia also addresses the evolving audience preferences for concise, engaging storytelling, underscoring an urgent need for adaptation in the media industry.
17 snips
Mar 21, 2025 • 1h 2min
Making a Racquet
Caitlin Thompson, founder of Racket, a vibrant quarterly magazine aimed at making tennis culture more accessible, joins the discussion. She shares her vision for blending quality journalism with tennis fashion and travel. The conversation touches on the importance of storytelling and evolving narratives in sports media. Caitlin also reflects on the dual nature of tennis, combining community connection with personal solitude, while exploring how digital platforms are reshaping audience engagement in the sport.
17 snips
Mar 18, 2025 • 54min
A Lessin in Media
Jessica Lessin, Founder and CEO of The Information, discusses her media journey and the publication's success over 11 years. She emphasizes the importance of deep expertise over audience size in a shifting media landscape. Lessin shares her investment strategies in promising media startups and critiques traditional models that prioritize volume. The conversation also touches on the recalibration of Silicon Valley's power dynamics in today's political climate, underlining the need for innovative journalism and meaningful engagement.
9 snips
Mar 14, 2025 • 45min
Emma
Emma Tucker, Editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal, shares her insights on modernizing the newsroom amid swirling changes in the media landscape. She discusses the challenges of managing layoffs while nurturing new talent. The conversation dives into the importance of targeted journalism that meets audience preferences and the evolution of newsrooms adapting to digital demands. Emma also highlights the unique storytelling needed to stand out in a saturated news environment, emphasizing a balance between serious reporting and engaging content.
36 snips
Mar 11, 2025 • 57min
It’s The Economist, Stupid
Zanny Minton Beddoes, the Editor-in-chief of The Economist, shares her insights on the publication's unique standing in today's media landscape. She discusses how The Economist is adapting to digital demands while maintaining its commitment to classical liberalism. The conversation touches on the essential role of independent journalism amid rising illiberal trends and the importance of humor in serious reporting. Beddoes also explores the challenges of modern media and highlights the value of curated news in a chaotic world.
Mar 7, 2025 • 43min
White House Press Pool Kremlinology
‘The New York Times’ Peter Baker joins Dylan to dissect the fraught relationship between the Trump White House and the press, from expelling the Associated Press to handpicking the press pool—tactics he likens to historical press suppression in Russia. They also weigh in on the changes at ‘The Washington Post’ under Jeff Bezos, and the fight to maintain journalistic integrity in an increasingly politically charged environment. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
4 snips
Mar 4, 2025 • 30min
Zaz's Cablenomics
Bill Cohan, a renowned financial journalist and author, joins to discuss the evolution of Warner Bros. Discovery following its significant merger. He highlights the company's rising streaming profits and the strategic challenges stemming from a $19 billion debt reduction. Cohan speculates about potential mergers with NBCUniversal and examines the impact of losing NBA rights. He also addresses broader trends in the media landscape, including effects on networks like CNN and the complexities faced in investor confidence amidst declining earnings.
6 snips
Feb 28, 2025 • 1h 5min
Oppenheim’s Opus
Noah Oppenheim, former president of NBC News and creative force behind Netflix's 'Zero Day,' discusses the media's uncertain future. He shares candid insights on MSNBC's chaos and dives into the evolving landscape of big media, emphasizing trust in journalism. Oppenheim explains the challenges of spinoffs and the need for innovative leadership in news. He also reveals behind-the-scenes stories from the making of 'Zero Day,' exploring its poignant themes on cyber attacks and societal turmoil.
8 snips
Feb 25, 2025 • 48min
30 Rock’s Kutler Era
Sara Fischer, Axios’s media reporter known for her insights into the media landscape, joins the conversation to dissect the changing tides at MSNBC under Rebecca Kutler's leadership. They explore strategic shifts aimed at revitalizing the network while assessing the broader implications for broadcast news in a streaming-dominated world. The discussion highlights the challenges traditional news faces against digital platforms and the rising significance of podcasts, emphasizing the evolving nature of audience engagement in today's media landscape.
Feb 21, 2025 • 37min
A White House Media War
Eriq Gardner joins Dylan to dissect the wave of MAGA-driven lawsuits targeting Trump’s media adversaries. Eriq highlights casino magnate Steve Wynn’s efforts to revive his 2018 defamation suit against the Associated Press, which he hopes is elevated to the Supreme Court, potentially setting the stage for a SCOTUS showdown that could challenge the landmark ‘Times v. Sullivan’ ruling. The duo debate whether a better legal framework exists and suggest how media organizations can navigate these shifting legal battlegrounds. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
