The Business

The Business

The Business is a weekly podcast featuring lively banter about entertainment industry news and in-depth interviews with directors, producers, writers and actors. The show is hosted by award-winning journalist Kim Masters of The Hollywood Reporter and produced by KCRW. Past guests include Norman Lear, Ava DuVernay, Matt Damon and Ice Cube. 

The WarnerMedia streaming service HBOMax needs a breakout hit, and coming Christmas Day, it’s hoping to have one.

Hollywood news banter: ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ will go to theaters and streaming on the same day

The WarnerMedia streaming service HBOMax needs a breakout hit, and coming Christmas Day, it’s hoping to have one.

When Jim Gianopulos left Fox in 2017 to take the top job at Paramount, he found a weakened studio that had been through a string of flops.

Paramount CEO Jim Gianopulos has faith that audiences will return to movie theaters

When Jim Gianopulos left Fox in 2017 to take the top job at Paramount, he found a weakened studio that had been through a string of flops.

Many of Donald Trump’s followers have begun to turn away from Fox News, which was sympathetic toward the outgoing president since he began peddling his “birther” conspiracy theory —…

Trump turns away from Fox News, Disney does well with shareholders despite loss

Many of Donald Trump’s followers have begun to turn away from Fox News, which was sympathetic toward the outgoing president since he began peddling his “birther” conspiracy theory —…

Having started 2018 as an unknown Swedish teen, Greta Thunberg quickly built a global following based on her school strikes about governments’ inaction on climate change.

‘I Am Greta’ looks at the young woman behind the revival in climate change activism

Having started 2018 as an unknown Swedish teen, Greta Thunberg quickly built a global following based on her school strikes about governments’ inaction on climate change.

Danika Kohler Doman works as a production coordinator in non-pandemic times, then this year she transitioned to a new role that’s sprung up in Hollywood.

‘COVID manager’ and ‘COVID compliance officer’: Inside Hollywood’s new pandemic economy

Danika Kohler Doman works as a production coordinator in non-pandemic times, then this year she transitioned to a new role that’s sprung up in Hollywood.

Approximately 57 million viewers watched coverage of the 2020 election, down from 71 million in 2016.

CNN edges out Fox on second day of election coverage, ESPN faces layoffs

Approximately 57 million viewers watched coverage of the 2020 election, down from 71 million in 2016.

Netflix announced a price increase for many of its 73 million subscribers as it sees more competition from Peacock and Apple TV+.

Netflix raises prices as other streaming services build momentum

Netflix announced a price increase for many of its 73 million subscribers as it sees more competition from Peacock and Apple TV+.

Steve James has been making documentaries for more than three decades, and he’s used to people flagging him down when he’s filming, hoping they’ll get to appear on camera.

‘City So Real’ chronicles life in Chicago, from mayor’s election to COVID-19 pandemic

Steve James has been making documentaries for more than three decades, and he’s used to people flagging him down when he’s filming, hoping they’ll get to appear on camera.

Just six months after its initial launch with $1.75 billion in investments, Quibi has announced it will shut down by the end of the year.

Quibi blames timing and pandemic for its failure, Netflix subscribers fall short of projections

Just six months after its initial launch with $1.75 billion in investments, Quibi has announced it will shut down by the end of the year.

Just six months after its launch, Quibi will soon be no more. The streaming service announced it will shut down and take its content online on Dec. 1 .

Revisiting perennial gambler Jeffrey Katzenberg’s interview on the Quibi launch

Just six months after its launch, Quibi will soon be no more. The streaming service announced it will shut down and take its content online on Dec. 1 .

Disney’s unexpected reorganization, announced on Oct.

Investors are unsure about Disney’s what new division means

Disney’s unexpected reorganization, announced on Oct.

Alex Gibney is one of the most prolific documentary filmmakers working today, but this year was a banner year even for him.

How Alex Gibney finished 2 documentaries during the pandemic

Alex Gibney is one of the most prolific documentary filmmakers working today, but this year was a banner year even for him.

Ethan Hawke’s series “The Good Lord Bird,” based on the novel by James McBride, takes the story of abolitionist John Brown to Showtime.

‘The Good Lord Bird’ finds the comedy in John Brown’s abolitionism

Ethan Hawke’s series “The Good Lord Bird,” based on the novel by James McBride, takes the story of abolitionist John Brown to Showtime.

As movie studios continue to figure out how to produce and release movies, entertainment companies across the board are trying to restructure to stay in business.

Layoffs expected at Warner Bros. and NBCUniversal

As movie studios continue to figure out how to produce and release movies, entertainment companies across the board are trying to restructure to stay in business.

The Walt Disney Co. is putting pressure on California lawmakers to reopen its theme parks in the state.

California and Disney showdown over theme park reopening

The Walt Disney Co. is putting pressure on California lawmakers to reopen its theme parks in the state.

In the three years since the #MeToo movement became widely known, Harvey Weinstein was sent to prison, and powerful men like former CBS chairman Les Moonves lost their jobs.

Anita Hill’s Hollywood Commission takes on harassment in the entertainment industry

In the three years since the #MeToo movement became widely known, Harvey Weinstein was sent to prison, and powerful men like former CBS chairman Les Moonves lost their jobs.

“The Comey Rule” gives an unflinching yet empathetic look at former FBI director James Comey’s role in national politics before and after the 2016 election.

‘The Comey Rule’ brings Russian interference to the small screen

“The Comey Rule” gives an unflinching yet empathetic look at former FBI director James Comey’s role in national politics before and after the 2016 election.

Hollywood has returned to production, but this return to work has raised longstanding concerns about safety procedures and standards on set.

Hollywood returns to production, but will workers be protected?

Hollywood has returned to production, but this return to work has raised longstanding concerns about safety procedures and standards on set.

In a year with very few big movie releases, all eyes were on two films. There was Warner Bros.’

Inside studios’ release strategies for ‘Mulan’ and ‘Tenet’

In a year with very few big movie releases, all eyes were on two films. There was Warner Bros.’

This year’s awards season is full of twists and turns: virtual ceremonies and festivals, and Oscars campaigns that are more low-key than past years.

Emmys and Oscars adjust to virtual ceremonies and low-key campaigns

This year’s awards season is full of twists and turns: virtual ceremonies and festivals, and Oscars campaigns that are more low-key than past years.