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
How Big Can Women’s Soccer Really Get?
In this special live recording from Puck’s In the Arena, Dylan convenes NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman, Gotham FC owner Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, and Project Level exec Jason Wright to discuss the state of women’s soccer and women’s sports writ large. They get into the NWSL’s media deals, the league’s expansion plans, turning World Cup curiosity into real fandom, and plenty more.
Ellison’s $80 Billion House of Cards
Julia and Dylan reunite to examine Skydance’s post-merger playbook, and how David Ellison intends to manage an $80 billion debt load and deliver $6 billion in promised synergies. They also get into the fate of CNN and CBS News, which hinges on the power struggle between Mark Thompson and Bari Weiss, as neither seems eager to cede influence. The lingering question, of course: can the company create
NBA’s Amazon Prime Time
In a special recording live from Puck’s In the Arena conference, Amazon Prime’s Charlie Neiman and NBA media exec Bill Koenig join Dylan to assess the the first year of the NBA–Amazon media partnership and their future for distribution, monetization, and fan engagement. They dig into the viewership numbers that exceeded expectations, Amazon’s broader sports programming strategy, the streamer’
C-Suite Dominoes
Julia and Dylan reunite to discuss the leadership changes rippling across Paramount–WBD, Mattel, and Condé Nast, and what they portend for the future of media companies. They consider whether established players can redefine their products at a moment when media increasingly overlaps with technology, creators, and other industries.
Tennis Channel’s Big Serve
Jeff Blackburn, C.E.O. of Tennis Channel, joins Dylan to discuss how the network is expanding its audience and digital distribution, and its role in the broader tennis ecosystem. Blackburn explains how he’s elevating ATP and WTA 1000 events into major properties—and floats the possibility of pursuing major tournament rights down the road.
When the Press Pool Runs Dry
Julia and Dylan reunite to walk through a busy week in media: the coordinated pushback from news organizations against White House press restrictions, the Paramount–WBD merger and its implications for CNN and CBS News, the buzz around Letterboxd as a target for Sony or The New York Times, app launches from Front Office Sports and Wired, and more.
Platypus Economics
From world events to everyday decisions, economics explains it all. Platypus Economics makes it clear, useful, and actually fun. Available now: link.pscrb.fm/f0281/PE_TGR
The Ellison Settlement & The AP’s Tech Pivot
LightShed’s Rich Greenfield stops by for a quick debrief on the settlement between David Ellison and the state attorneys general, and the many political and media implications lurking behind the deal. Then Julie Pace and Kristin Heitmann of the Associated Press join Dylan to lay out the AP’s pivot from serving newspapers to catering to tech platforms in the age of A.I.
Ellison Exit Threats & ESPN Talent Math
Julia and Dylan dig into Paramount’s Nashville-or-Texas brinksmanship with Rob Bonta and the red-state logic behind it, then unpack the Bari Weiss ratings discourse and Nielsen’s shifting methodology. They debate how mainstream media should cover the AI extinction-risk debate, weigh in on Ari Emanuel’s memoir, and close with ESPN’s talent-pay math on Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Tom Brady.
The Art of the Argument
Jessica Tarlov, co-host of Fox’s “The Five” and author of the new book, “I Disagree: Winning Arguments Without Losing Friends,” joins Dylan to discuss why she believes respectful, fact-based debate beats “Molotov cocktail” tactics, how her conservative co-hosts have sharpened her own politics, and why she thinks Fox—not MSNBC—will be the key TV battleground for Democrats heading into 2028.
60 Minutes’ Make-or-Break Moment
Julia and Dylan break down this weekend’s high-stakes relaunch of 60 Minutes under Bari Weiss and Nick Bilton, and dig into MS Now’s new $8-a-month membership bet on parasocial fandom with talent like Rachel Maddow. They also cover the newspaper skirmish between Robert Allbritton’s rebranded Washington Sun and a rebuilding Washington Post.
MS Now’s Membership Bet
Rebecca Kutler, president of MS Now, joins Dylan ahead of the network's first-ever DTC launch to unpack the philosophy behind its new membership community. She explains why MS Now is starting from strength: a top cable ranking, a digital business outpacing outlets like The Atlantic, and YouTube numbers beating ABC, NBC, and CBS News combined, and how that fuels a bet on “super fans” and “future fa
The Information Age
Jessica Lessin, the founder, editor in chief, and C.E.O. of The Information, joins Dylan and Julia to unpack the record growth behind her 13-year-old subscription business. She explains her bet on China coverage as rivals shutter Asia bureaus, the push into finance reporting to track AI’s reshaping of Wall Street, and her expansion into video with TITV and a new AI Deep Dive show. Lessin also weig
The Next Weather Media Supercycle
Julia and Dylan make the case that climate and weather coverage—supercharged by an incoming Super El Niño—could become news media’s next dominant storyline. They discuss why outlets like CNN and the New York Times are investing early, how AI skepticism is boosting trust in authoritative reporting, and why reframing weather through food, sports, and daily life could turn it into a real subscription
Media’s Great A.I. Shrug
Julia and Dylan spar over Stan Druckenmiller’s A.I.-assisted Wall Street Journal op-ed and what it signals for trust in media. Julia argues transparency is essential as A.I. creeps into newsrooms and op-eds alike, while Dylan makes the case that the line between “using A.I.” and “writing” is blurrier than purists admit...
Do Democrats Need a Rebrand?
Peter Hamby joins Dylan to decipher new polling on the Democratic Party’s perception problem—to wit, Trump may be historically unpopular, but voters still don’t love Democrats, either. Then they dig into the A.O.C.-Mamdani favorability gap, why Bernie’s brand of populism ages better than the “intersectional” variety, and the Gavin Newsom content-studio model for winning back young men and Latino v
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.
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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
