The Grill Room
The Grill Room is a media podcast hosted by Dylan Byers and Julia Alexander, offering raw and honest conversations about the media industry. They interview TV personalities, moguls, political pundits, and industry executives, discussing the business of media and its biggest egos. The podcast is produced in partnership with Audacy Podcasts and is an extension of Dylan Byers' private email newsletter for Puck.
Episodes
The Times–Pablo Torre Loophole
Julia and Dylan trade notes on the dueling NBA and ESPN investigations into the Clippers and the odd dynamics of the Times’ licensing deal with Pablo Torre, using it to explore how legacy outlets increasingly outsource journalism—and risk—to independent creators. They also dig into CNN and MS Now’s new “all-access” membership services, and whether cable news can reinvent themselves for a D.T.C. wo
The Smart Brevity Manifesto!
Axios’s Jim VandeHei joins Dylan to make the case for radical simplification in the age of A.I., drawing on his new book, Simplify, as well as Axios’s own moves to kill off sports and Policy Pro while doubling down on politics, tech, events, and local news.
YouTube’s New Velvet Rope
Dylan and Julia break down YouTube's new monetization rules—an A.I. slop-proof 8,000 view threshold designed to crown a class of “premium” creators and pull news brands deeper into its orbit. Plus: What Bob Iger and Josh Kushner’s $12.5 billion Lakers bid reveals about the state of sports and Bob’s post-Disney life.
Politico's Power Play
Jonathan Greenberger, the unconventional editor in chief of Politico, joins Dylan to explain how a business-side executive ended up running the newsroom—and what it means for Politico's future. They discuss the relaunch of Playbook and its early scoop streak, the push to make every franchise multi-platform (podcasts, video, events), and Politico's bet that its global footprint can turn political d
The Business Insider Rescue Plan
Christian Baesler, the new C.E.O. of Business Insider, joins Dylan to lay out his strategy for revitalizing the media company. He makes the case for monetizing scale beyond the website, doubling down on pro-consumer niches like AI Insider and CMO Insider, and using A.I. to sharpen the publication’s journalism. Baesler also shares his vision for Business Insider to become a platform for indepe
The Times’ Talent Trap
Julia and Dylan discuss Ross Douthat’s move from The New York Times to CBS’s 60 Minutes—and what it signals about the Times’ pivot to video, which may have inadvertently created a star system with real talent-retention consequences. They also dig into the broader challenge of holding onto talent inside legacy organizations, the growing pull of going independent, and why video has become so central
Netflix–NFL Murmurs & A World Cup Scandal
John Ourand joins Dylan to make sense of the evolving sports media landscape and the outsized role streamers like Amazon Prime and Netflix now play in the battle for rights. They discuss why the streamers are leaning into sports while remaining wary—the A.I. capex race is eating into budgets—and get into the World Cup’s record viewership and revenue on Fox. They also look ahead to the uncertain 20
Back in the News: Byron Tells All
In this special replay episode, new BuzzFeed majority stakeholder Byron Allen joins Dylan to discuss his plans for the platform—and his long-term goal of building the world’s biggest media company. They discuss how the acquisition could help boost awareness for his app, Local Now, and his plan to ultimately turn BuzzFeed into a free streaming service (like YouTube) to appeal to advertisers and con
Media’s Midyear Report Card
Julia and Dylan reunite to reflect on the biggest media plotlines of the first half of 2026: the impact of A.I. on news organizations, the rise of prediction markets, and the transformation of platforms like YouTube and Instagram into full-blown entertainment hubs. They also dig into the struggles of legacy brands like CBS and CNN to adapt, before looking ahead at how media companies can evolve, d
Brian Tyler Cohen’s Media Gospel
In this special crossover episode of The Powers That Be, Brian Tyler Cohen, progressive content creator and author of The Day After, joins Peter Hamby to diagnose the Democratic Party’s persistent media problem. Cohen digs into why the party's reliance on traditional press has left it flat-footed against Trump’s effective use of various platforms. He also takes aim at the F.C.C. under Brendan Carr
The Times Goes Local!
Julia and Dylan reunite to examine the perennial crisis in local news and The New York Times’ new bet on solving it—a local newsletter launching in the Twin Cities. They discuss the strategic thinking behind the “experiment” and why the Times, of all players, might have the resources and reach to actually make this model work.
YouTube Freakonomics
Stephen Dubner, author of Freakonomics and host of Freakonomics Radio, joins Dylan to discuss the makings of his new YouTube show, Better in Person. Stephen gets into his pivot from traditional to digital media, the value of authenticity in an increasingly crowded media landscape, and what he hopes audiences take away from the show.
Introducing: Money Moves with Jill Schlesinger
There’s a lot of dopey financial advice out there. Jill Schlesinger is here to call it out, answer your questions, break down the financial news that actually matters, and help you manage your money without losing your mind. No jargon. No judgment. Just clear, actionable financial guidance about saving, investing, buying a home, managing your career, and deciding how to spend your hard-earned doll
The New York Times’s Video Manifesto
Julia and Dylan reunite to dig into The New York Times’s pivot to a video-first model—confirmed this week by executive editor Joe Kahn, who’s likening the shift to the paper’s move from print to digital. They discuss what it means for the Times’s business and marketing strategy, what happens to newsroom culture when a star system takes hold, and what the move portends for journalism writ large. Th
Trump Fatigue Meets Its Match
The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan join Dylan for an inside look at their new book, ‘Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump,’ which moved an extraordinary 300,000 copies in its first week. They shed light on their reporting process, why the book has cut through despite widespread Trump fatigue in media, where their reporting partnership goes from here, and
Inside the NBCU Custody Battle
Julia and Dylan reunite to talk through the implications of the Comcast-NBCUniversal split—a move that could actually reposition NBCU as a buyer rather than an acquisition target, with Netflix and Amazon among the potential suitors. Then they turn to a revealing Beehiiv report on the newsletter business, and break down why niche topics like finance and investing are dominating the industry leaderb
Who Watches the Bots?
Campbell Brown, the former CNN veteran and founder of Forum AI, joins Dylan to explain why A.I. companies shouldn’t be trusted to evaluate themselves—and why the industry’s self-grading habit may be its worst blind spot. Then they debate whether media outlets that are hesitant to reckon with A.I. are just accelerating their own obsolescence.
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The New York Times’ Russini Reckoning
Julia and Dylan reconvene to pull on every thread from The New York Times’ sprawling exposé on former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini. They dig into the journalism scandal at the heart of the piece, what it really means to be an insider versus a reporter, and how The Times balances standards and ethics as it grows its business, courts new audiences, and elevates its own stars—all while protecting
The Silicon Valley Comms Manifesto
Lulu Cheng Meservey, the communications guru and founder of Rostra, joins Dylan to make the case that traditional media and P.R. are dead, and that founders are better off talking directly to their audiences than waiting for others to tell their story. She breaks down how to balance the demands of publicity with actually building a worthwhile product, and suggests why founders who show up, build t
Roku, Vox, and More Bari Madness
Dylan and Julia trade notes on a gigantic week in media: Lachlan Murdoch’s $22 billion move on Roku, Jay Penske scooping up the Vox Media scraps, and the tortured hunt for a new No. 2 to run CNN and CBS with Bari Weiss.
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Lazarus Rises
Versant C.E.O. Mark Lazarus joins Dylan to make the bull case for the cable business everyone keeps pronouncing dead, and his four-vertical strategy anchored by MS Now, CNBC, Golf Channel, and Fandango. They also discuss MS Now’s digital expansion, Crooked Media’s licensing deal, and other media topics du jour.
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The Next Creator Gold Rush
Dylan and Julia relive the Knicks' instant-classic Game 4 win at MSG and break down the cultural spectacle that is Celebrity Row. They then dive into the latest seismic shocks in the creator economy: CAA and Integrated Media's $250 million venture, Billy Parks' Creator Studios at Fox, and the Times' plan for Substack creators.
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Fox One's Big Moment
Dylan sits down with Fox One head Pete Distad to discuss why the World Cup is a make-or-break moment for Fox's streaming service. They dive into the platform's new features designed to pull in and retain fans and why sports fans are sticking around for Fox News in greater numbers than anticipated.
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60 Minutes' Ticking Time Bomb
Dylan and Julia sit down to discuss the chaos unfolding at CBS, with the addition of Nick Bilton and the loss of Scott Pelley et al. They talk about how strong-minded leadership without relevant experience might impact the network's ability to retain top talent going forward and whether the still-valuable 60 Minutes brand can survive its reinvention.
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Joanna Stern’s A.I. Playbook
Dylan and Julia welcome tech reporter Joanna Stern, who after 12 years at the Wall Street Journal recently went independent — launching a newsletter called New Things, joining NBC News as a contributor, and publishing a new book on A.I., I Am Not a Robot. They also get into the state of A.I. wearables and the role of A.I. agents in decision-making at all levels.
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Can Nick Bilton Fix ‘60’?
Dylan and Julia get right down to brass tacks with the latest shocks in the Bari Weiss–CBS News psychodrama: the firing of Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega, and the stunning appointment of Nick Bilton—a magazine journalist without TV news experience—to replace Tanya Simon as executive producer. Then they turn to the challenges of managing a news program, the friction between staff and new leadersh
Byron Allen Tells All
Media investor and new BuzzFeed majority stakeholder Byron Allen joins Dylan to discuss his plans for the platform—and his long-term goal of building the world’s biggest media company. They discuss how the acquisition could help boost awareness for his app, Local Now, and his plan to ultimately turn BuzzFeed into a free streaming service (like YouTube) to appeal to advertisers and content creators
The Google Zero Clickpocalypse
Julia and Dylan get into the potential final death of the search traffic era, courtesy of Google I/O, and what it means for digital publishers and news media at large. They also discuss the week's buying and selling frenzy — New York Magazine and BuzzFeed both changing hands — and Barbara Peng's exit from Business Insider.
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Alex Heath, Unprompted
Dylan Byers sits down with tech journalist Alex Heath, founder of the Sources newsletter, to discuss the impact of A.I. tools like Claude and WhisperFlow for efficiency in reporting. He also talks about what it actually takes to go independent: risk tolerance, revenue instincts, and a willingness to rewire how you work. Plus, the importance of adapting to A.I. advancements and the evolving role of
BuzzFeed’s Buzz Kill
Dylan and Julia dive right in to discuss Byron Allen's eye-popping $120 million purchase of BuzzFeed, a legacy media brand that has seen better days. They also look into the New York Times' decision to license Wordle to NBC and analyze how the outlet has made use of its growing IP. The conversation also covers CNN's new weather app and culminates in some well-earned optimism about the New York Kni
Life Inside the Sheridan-verse
In this special bonus episode of The Grill Room, presented by Paramount+, Julia Alexander convenes a star-studded panel of female cast members from the Taylor Sheridan cinematic universe—Ali Larter, Beau Garrett, Michelle Randolph, Nicole Kidman, and Zoe Saldaña—to discuss their career journeys and the challenges they’ve surmounted to bring their characters to life. They also speak candidly about
Friday Night Rights
Dylan is joined by Puck's own John Ourand and CNBC's Alex Sherman to discuss the tensions around NFL broadcast rights as upfront season gets into full swing in New York, including the standoff between legacy networks and streamers gunning for more games. They also discuss how Roger Goodell is navigating these talks, where Rupert Murdoch fits in, and what's at stake as NFL rights become the ultimat
The Murdoch Who Went Left
Julia and Dylan chew over James Murdoch’s expected $300 million-plus acquisition of New York magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network. They discuss what the deal signals about Murdoch’s true ambitions—whether he'll embrace a journalism-first approach á la The Atlantic or adopt Jay Penske’s events-driven playbook—and what it means for New York magazine’s legacy identity moving forward.
See all th
Are Creators the New Cronkite?
Political scientist David Sterrett joins Dylan and Julia to discuss the findings of his latest data-driven report, which suggests we’ve officially crossed the Rubicon on creators and influencers becoming a primary news source for Americans, particularly younger audiences. They dig into why trust in creators has seemingly surpassed trust in traditional news outlets, what’s driving people toward the
Journalism’s Existential Deadline
Julia and Dylan join forces to wrestle with A.I.'s growing footprint in journalism—and make the case for what real reporters still bring to the table that no artificial model can replicate. They also take stock of Substack’s current moment of uncertainty, prompted by The Ankler’s high-profile departure to Ben Thompson’s new platform Passport, and consider whether it’s time to hit the panic button
When War Meets Instagram
Trey Yingst, the leading war correspondent on Fox News, joins Dylan to talk about building one of the most prominent social media presences in TV news—and what his multiplatform reach means not just for his own profile but for Fox News as a whole. Yingst reflects on covering some of the world’s most consequential conflicts, including the U.S.-Iran war and the Israel-Gaza conflict, and makes the ca
The Livestream Ego Economy
Julia and Dylan discuss Andreessen Horowitz’s new Twitter-based live show, Monitoring the Situation, and what it reveals about the steep challenges of building influence in a hyper-fragmented media landscape. They also weigh in on the ego dynamics powering the live streaming boom, social media’s grip on C.E.O. culture, the role legacy media plays in fueling the very shows that claim to be replacin
Introducing Family Lore
Family Lore is a weekly narrative podcast that celebrates and investigates ancestral mystique. Each episode begins with a guest sharing a fascinating family legend, followed by a historical deep-dive to uncover the truth and meaning behind the tale. Available now: link.pscrb.fm/f0281/FLFD
The Onion’s Full Bloom
Ben Collins, C.E.O. of The Onion, joins Dylan to make sense of their acquisition of Infowars and the purpose driving it. Collins walks through the legal and financial complexity of redirecting money to Sandy Hook families owed damages by a bankrupt Alex Jones, including the unique $500,000 six-month licensing deal at the center of it. They also discuss The Onion’s successful pivot to user-supporte
Bankoff’s Vox Media Auction Block
Julia Alexander and Dylan Byers weigh in on Jim Bankoff’s looming sale of Vox Media’s assets—including its podcast network and New York magazine—and the field of potential buyers circling the deal. They also discuss how A.I. is reshaping the business and audience dynamics of journalism, the return of Brian Williams on Netflix, the latest wave of industry layoffs, and much more.
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Noah Oppenheim’s TV News Survival Guide
Former NBC News chief Noah Oppenheim joins Dylan to assess the slow fade of linear TV news—and what legacy players like NBC, CBS, and CNN can do to stay relevant. Noah’s playbook: lean into tentpoles like NBC’s ‘Today’ and CBS’s ‘60 Minutes,’ invest in premium video content, adapt to the way people actually consume media now, and, perhaps most importantly, develop a point of view audiences can’t g
Why OpenAI Bought a Talk Show
The legendary Chris Lehane, now OpenAI’s chief policy guy, makes the case for the company’s surprising, nine-figure acquisition of TBPN, the daily tech and business talk show. Then TBPN president Dylan Abruscato swings by to untangle the logic—and ambiguity—of their new partnership, how OpenAI could help supercharge growth, and what it all means for future tech-media entanglements.
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Is the OpenAI–TBPN Deal the Future of Media?
Dylan and Julia reunite to scrutinize OpenAI’s baffling acquisition of TBPN—and the enduring notion that tech companies can fix media simply by owning it. They also weigh in on LinkedIn’s reported interest in Beehiiv, Versant’s grab for Vox Media’s podcast network, and the increasingly muddled media M&A landscape writ large.
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Content Without Creators
Gavin Purcell, co-founder of A.I. for Humans, joins Julia for a candid conversation about A.I.’s transformative—and destabilizing—impact on the creator economy, from lowering the barriers to entry for creators to questions about I.P., monetization, and control. They also weigh into the need for media companies to embrace the future of A.I. and invest in new technologies and talent.
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Carr Crash at the F.C.C.
Former F.C.C. chairJessica Rosenworcel and former NPR chief Gary Knell join Dylan at the Common Sense Media Summit to discuss the precarious state of the agency under Brendan Carr. They scrutinize his aggressive posture toward broadcasters, the potential implications for the First Amendment, and the broader risks to democracy—while also exploring solutions to support local news, combat consolidati
Presenting The Draymond Green Show | Draymond Green Versus Skip Bayless
On the Draymond Green Show, no topic is off limits. In this episode Draymond welcomes Skip Bayless to discuss Michael Jordan, Stephen A Smith, LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and they debate whether or not Draymond is really the dirtiest player of all time.
TikTok’s Big Tobacco Era
Live from the Common Sense Media Summit in San Francisco, Attorneys General Rob Bonta and Raúl Torrez join Dylan to chart the jarring similarities between Big Tech and the tobacco industry. They discuss the ongoing lawsuits against companies like Meta and TikTok, the harmful effects of these platforms on children, the need for accountability and transparency, the challenge of regulating social med
CNN’s McAfee Makeover
Julia and Dylan scrutinize CNN’s attempt to loosen the tie—turning Anderson Cooper and Jake Tapper into something closer to podcast personalities in the mold of Pat McAfee and Joe Rogan. Naturally, the effort has invited ridicule—and raises a deeper question: does C.E.O. Mark Thompson’s vision align with what audiences actually want, and more importantly, what his audience needs?
The Beehiiv Bull Case
Tyler Denk, founder and C.E.O. of Beehiiv, joins Dylan to make the case for what makes his platform the best bet for independent creators—and why it’s not to be compared to Substack, as it so often is. He also weighs in on Substack’s $1.1 billion valuation, the realities of monetizing audiences, and the long game for the creator economy writ large. Plus, his thoughts on scaling the business and wh
Prediction Markets Crash the Oscars
Julia and Dylan weigh into the increasingly uncanny world of generative A.I.—from the rise of A.I.-generated content flooding social media feeds to the technology’s influence on coverage of the war with Iran. They also discuss whether tech companies are sleepwalking toward a regulatory reckoning—and why the Oscars may soon look a lot like a sportsbook thanks to the rise of prediction markets.
Ellison Megamerger Complexifiers
Julia and Dylan return to the scene of the Paramount–Warner Bros. car crash: what it means for streaming, who wins and loses in a CNN-CBS combination, whether Jeff Shell gets the axe, and how the whole enchilada comes together.
The CBS–CNN Marriage Proposal
Sam Feist, the C.E.O. of C-SPAN and former 33-year veteran of CNN, joins Dylan to discuss the long-whispered possibility (now reality) of a marriage between CNN and CBS—a concept that has quietly floated around the industry for more than 40 years. Feist explains why the broadcast reach of CBS and CNN’s global reporting capabilities could be uniquely complementary, what the union might look like un
CNN Fears & The Ellison Era
Dylan and Julia consider the fate of CNN under Ellison rule: the looming $6 billion in “synergies” menacing the newsroom, how cost cutting could impact staff, the stark realities of operating a pricey 24/7 network, and the mounting speculation surrounding whether Bari Weiss will turn the whole thing into CBS+.
Debt Men Walking
Dylan welcomes Puck superfriends Matt Belloni and Bill Cohan to discuss every angle of the Paramount-WBD leveraged buyout: the Ellisons’ exorbitant $79 billion debt, Zaslav’s true legacy, and whether Netflix dodged a bullet. Then they dig into the industry reactions to the deal and its dire implications for Hollywood.
Polymarket’s Press Test & WaPo’s Town Hall
Julia and Dylan dive into the new partnership between Polymarket and Substack, and debate whether live markets actually make journalism better. Then they turn to the latest turbulence at The Washington Post after its recent town hall, and address the existential question: Is there anything Jeff Bezos can realistically do to steady the ship?
The Post-MrBeast Creator Economy
Reed Duchscher, C.E.O. of Night Media, joins Dylan and Julia to discuss his management firm’s recent $70 million raise—and what it signals about the next phase of his company and the creator economy writ large. A former manager of MrBeast, Duchscher explains why we’re unlikely to see another YouTube star of that scale, weighs the tension between volume and scarcity, and weighs into the rise of pla
Media’s Trump II Stress Test
Julia and Dylan assess the state of CBS—and the media industry writ large—in the Trump II era, from the fallout over Stephen Colbert’s interview with James Talarico to Anderson Cooper’s stunning exit from 60 Minutes. They also assess the early numbers from Peacock’s “Legendary February,” the steep implications of Paramount’s renewed pursuit of WBD, what a WBD-PSKY merger could mean for CNN, and mu
The Calm Before the NFL Storm
John Ourand and Julia Alexander dive into the biggest sports media storylines of the moment, from the forthcoming NFL rights negotiations and their sweeping implications to NBCUniversal’s “Legendary February” and Peacock’s ongoing subscriber challenges. They also discuss the NFL’s growing international ambitions, the competitive drag of NBA tanking, the Olympics, and much more.
The Peacock Problem & The Post in Peril
Julia and Dylan to take stock of the week in media: Spotify’s rosy earnings report, NBC’s “Legendary February,” Peacock’s subscriber headaches, the enduring A.I.-media reckoning, and more. Plus, Dylan weighs in on what the future holds for the embattled Washington Post after a turbulent few weeks of layoffs and leadership upheaval.
Can Sports Save Peacock?
NBC Sports president Rick Cordella joins Dylan to discuss a pivotal month for the network, from the Super Bowl to the Winter Olympics and the NBA All-Star Game. Cordella explains how live sports fuel subscriber growth for Peacock, often driving audiences to other programming, and reflects on the enduring value of broadcast television, the challenges of media fragmentation, the strategic importance
Matt Murray on the Washington Post’s Mass Layoffs
The Washington Post executive editor Matt Murray joins Dylan for an exclusive, wide-ranging conversation about the sweeping layoffs that reduced the newsroom by 300 journalists and a third of the company overall. Murray defends the restructuring as necessary to meet changing audience behavior and address financial strain, while arguing that recent subscriber gains signal a viable path to growth in
WaPo’s Extinction Event & The Dawn of D’Amaro
Julia and Dylan dig into the week’s most consequential media storylines: the mass layoffs at the Washington Post, Peacock’s pivotal month of sports programming, the ascension of Josh D’Amaro as Disney’s new C.E.O., and the growing question of whether ESPN will ultimately be spun off as Disney signals that its future lies beyond traditional television.
The Making of Tucker Carlson
Jason Zengerle joins Dylan for a deep dive into his new book, ‘Hated by All the Right People: Tucker Carlson and the Unraveling of the Conservative Mind.’ Zengerle traces Carlson’s evolution from print journalist to cable news star—and eventually to media mogul—examining his strategic use of outrage, his close alignment with Trump, and how both have fueled his influence. They also explore the broa
Can Barry Diller Save CNN?
Julia and Dylan chew over the reports that Barry Diller is interested in buying CNN, and whether a new owner would solve the network’s digital dilemma (probably not). Then they assess the broader, largely self-inflicted crises facing Bari Weiss at CBS News, Will Lewis at The Washington Post, and Mark Thompson at CNN. They also break down Netflix’s latest Engagement Report and the streamer’s increa
Food52’s Recipe for Bankruptcy
Former Barstool Sports C.E.O. and Food52 chief executive Erika Ayers Badan joins Dylan to reflect on navigating bankruptcy at Food52, a onetime $300 million company that ultimately collapsed under roughly $25 million in debt. She breaks down what went wrong, the dangers of undisciplined growth, and why diversified revenue streams matter now more than ever. She also discusses what kind of buyers mi
Netflix vs. YouTube vs. Everybody
Julia and Dylan break down the week’s biggest media storylines, from Netflix’s earnings and Ted Sarandos’s candid take on the state of television to Neal Mohan’s annual letter outlining YouTube’s present—and A.I.-shaped future. The duo weigh into the ever-growing challenge of capturing attention in an increasingly oversaturated and fragmented media ecosystem—and the curious case of Mediaite’s perp
Ben & Justin on Semafor’s $330M Valuation
Semafor co-founders Justin Smith and Ben Smith join Dylan to discuss their recent $30 million financing at a staggering $330 million post-money valuation—and to address some industry player-hating. They justify the math behind the valuation, break down the economics of a media company with a significant events business (while rejecting the idea that Semafor is events-first), and walk through their
CBS News on the Rocks
Dylan and Julia dig into the mess surrounding a potential corporate sponsorship of CBS News’ “Whiskey Fridays” with Tony Dokoupil, after an Evening News set featuring a Jack Daniel’s logo leaked online. The controversy also sparked a bigger debate about whether corporate sponsorships lack journalistic integrity—or actually offer a viable lifeline to a news industry in perpetual decline.
The Gospel According to VandeHei
Jim VandeHei, the co-founder and C.E.O. of Axios, is back with hot takes on the industry’s biggest challenges: the media’s trust deficit, the imperative to serve hyper-targeted audiences, and how A.I. is writing journalism’s next chapter. Jim predicts a potential golden age for quality reporting—provided publishers actually embrace A.I.—and delivers a characteristically blunt assessment of The Was
The Dokoupil Debacle & Semafor’s $330M Question
Julia and Dylan survey a volatile week in media: Tony Dokoupil’s rocky debut at CBS Evening News and the broader questions it raises about Bari Weiss’s leadership, Semafor’s eyebrow-raising $330 million valuation, the flood of A.I.-generated content overtaking Instagram and X, and plenty more.
Hollywood’s Future ’26 War Stories
Matt Belloni joins Dylan and Julia to chart the latest updates surrounding the Warner Bros. Discovery bidding war between Netflix and Paramount—and what each side stands to gain or lose. Then they dive into Hollywood’s accelerating A.I. anxiety in light of Disney’s pact with Sora 2, the upcoming film slate for 2026, YouTube's rights deal with the Oscars, and more. Plus: Matt explains his choices f
CNN Sale Chatter, Meta TV & Other 2026 Predictions
Dylan and Julia forecast the media chaos to come, mapping out the storylines likely to dominate the year ahead—from the ongoing Warner Bros. Discovery drama to Disney’s Sora experiment, Instagram Reels invading connected TV, and the likely disruption of the ad market. They also predict CNN’s uncertain future, the waning influencer economy, the A.I. forces quietly rearranging everything, and much m
Are the Kids… All Right?
Jim Steyer, the founder and C.E.O. of Common Sense Media, joins Dylan for a fascinating end-of-year conversation about which tech companies and social media platforms are getting it right (and wrong) when it comes to child safety. They also chat about his legendary class at Stanford and forthcoming podcast, his brother Tom’s gubernatorial bid in California, and much more.
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Media’s ’25 Crisis of Nerve
Julia and Dylan reunite to survey the stories that defined media in 2025, starting with the recent uproar over Bari Weiss pulling a ’60 Minutes’ segment critical of the Trump administration. Then they dig into the impact of David Ellison’s bid for Warner Bros., Trump’s omnipresent influence on the media ecosystem, the mounting pressures on legacy outlets, and much more.
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Katie Couric Goes Direct
The one and only Katie Couric joins Dylan for a wide-ranging look back—and forward—at her career, from her stints at the Today show, CBS, and Yahoo to building her own media empire. She digs into the collapse of monoculture, the rise of a creator-driven media landscape, why authenticity matters now more than ever, maintaining journalistic integrity in an era of relentless political pressure—and mu
Media’s Anxiety Index
Orchestra C.E.O. Jonathan Rosen and Jon Kelly join Dylan live from New York to walk through new survey data capturing the media industry’s state of mind. They dig into the rise of subscription-based models, the FAST explosion, the creeping influence of A.I., and much more. Plus, cameo insights from Semafor’s Ben Smith and Feed Me’s Emily Sundberg who offer their own read on where the business is b
Sorkin’s Rules of Engagement
Andrew Ross Sorkin, founder of The New York Times’ DealBook and co-host of CNBC’s Squawk Box, joins Dylan for a candid conversation about the ins and outs of his media business. He walks through a typical day in his life, explains why he’s prioritizing quality over quantity (and skipping the media-empire chase), and breaks down his approach to high-stakes interviews. They also dig into the DealBoo
The Iger-Altman Alliance
Dylan and Julia reunite to chew over Disney’s new deal with OpenAI, which will pump more than 200 Disney characters into Sora so fans can generate their own content with the company’s most valuable I.P. They also check in on the WBD sweepstakes: how Paramount and Netflix stack up, what each company’s contingency plans looks like, the regulatory headaches ahead, and much more.
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Can Yahoo Survive in a Hyper-Niche World?
Yahoo C.E.O. Jim Lanzone joins Dylan and Julia for a tour of the company’s Apollo era, four years after the private equity behemoth bought the business for just $5 billion—nearly $120 billion shy of its peak valuation. Lanzone breaks down Yahoo’s growth strategy: the metrics that actually matter, how the company monetizes at scale, and what the endgame looks like. They also dig into Yahoo’s A.I. a
Introducing How We Made Your Mother Season 2!
It’s been 20 years since How I Met Your Mother premiered, and just over 10 years since the finale. Josh Radnor, who played “Ted” for nine seasons teams up with series co-creator Craig Thomas for this episode-by-episode rewatch podcast. For the superfans, HWMYM (listen to the trailer to learn how it’s pronounced) will get into all the secrets, theories, and pineapples, but we'll also use HIMYM – an
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