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. 

While Disney+ subscriptions are up, Netflix moves towards adding advertisements and cracking down on password sharing.

Unsubcribe: Will ads ruin user experience on Disney+ and Netflix?

While Disney+ subscriptions are up, Netflix moves towards adding advertisements and cracking down on password sharing.

In the FX comedy series “Reservation Dogs,” four high school friends dream of getting out of small-town Oklahoma and moving to California.

Director and writer Sterlin Harjo almost quit the industry entirely. Then came ‘Reservation Dogs’

In the FX comedy series “Reservation Dogs,” four high school friends dream of getting out of small-town Oklahoma and moving to California.

Natasha Rothwell stars in the new hit sequel “Sonic The Hedgehog 2.” She plans to produce diverse and engaging projects with her company, Big Hattie Productions.

Make sure Black characters don’t fall prey to stereotypes: Natasha Rothwell

Natasha Rothwell stars in the new hit sequel “Sonic The Hedgehog 2.” She plans to produce diverse and engaging projects with her company, Big Hattie Productions.

Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun: Maverick” is expected to hit big when it’s released on May 27.

Will ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ bring audiences back to theaters?

Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun: Maverick” is expected to hit big when it’s released on May 27.

Showrunner Marta Kauffman talks about the genesis of “Grace and Frankie,” the challenges of making 10 seasons of “Friends,” and whether she thinks the content bubble is bursting.

‘Grace and Frankie’ creator Marta Kauffman bids farewell to hit show

Showrunner Marta Kauffman talks about the genesis of “Grace and Frankie,” the challenges of making 10 seasons of “Friends,” and whether she thinks the content bubble is bursting.

How did streaming giant Netflix end up losing subscribers? Kim Masters talks to company insiders about the famously secretive company.

Netflix is no longer Wall Street’s darling streaming service

How did streaming giant Netflix end up losing subscribers? Kim Masters talks to company insiders about the famously secretive company.

For the first time in 10 years, Netflix loses subscribers and predicts more will follow. Meanwhile, CNN+ cancels their streaming service.

Netflix subscribers bail, CNN+ pulls the plug

For the first time in 10 years, Netflix loses subscribers and predicts more will follow. Meanwhile, CNN+ cancels their streaming service.

A 21-year-old heir pledged to give away $25 million in 1970, and thousands of people asked for his help. Fifty years later, their stories are told in the documentary “Dear Mr. Brody.”

‘Dear Mr. Brody’ opens thousands of unopened letters to a millionaire

A 21-year-old heir pledged to give away $25 million in 1970, and thousands of people asked for his help. Fifty years later, their stories are told in the documentary “Dear Mr. Brody.”

Theresa Kang Lowe was still a partner at William Morris Endeavor when she decided to make the novel “Pachinko” into a TV show.

‘Pachinko’: Big budget, legendary cast for adaptation of hit novel

Theresa Kang Lowe was still a partner at William Morris Endeavor when she decided to make the novel “Pachinko” into a TV show.

David Zaslav faces a number of problems as he begins his reign over Discovery WarnerMedia, including CNN+ and invigorating the DC Comics superhero movie universe.

From ‘Fantastic Beasts’ to CNN+, Discovery WarnerMedia chief faces many challenges

David Zaslav faces a number of problems as he begins his reign over Discovery WarnerMedia, including CNN+ and invigorating the DC Comics superhero movie universe.

In this re-broadcast, director Siân Heder and actress Marlee Matlin discuss their journey to make “CODA,” a family drama featuring a mostly Deaf cast.

Rerun: ‘CODA’ star on Deaf representation: ‘We just have to continue to make noise’

In this re-broadcast, director Siân Heder and actress Marlee Matlin discuss their journey to make “CODA,” a family drama featuring a mostly Deaf cast.

It’s been 11 months in the making, and now the WarnerMedia Discovery merger is finally happening.

Can TV exec David Zaslav handle big film budgets at Warner Bros. Discovery?

It’s been 11 months in the making, and now the WarnerMedia Discovery merger is finally happening.

After Will Smith’s Oscars slap, members of the Academy have threatened to resign over the lack of leadership and consequence.

After Oscars slap, will some Academy members resign?

After Will Smith’s Oscars slap, members of the Academy have threatened to resign over the lack of leadership and consequence.

Showrunner Ellen Rapoport didn’t realize how hard it would be to sell a show about a porn publisher and a feminist.

From Harvard to Hollywood, ‘Minx’ writer Ellen Rapoport hits it big

Showrunner Ellen Rapoport didn’t realize how hard it would be to sell a show about a porn publisher and a feminist.

Elizabeth Holmes founded Theranos at 19, but it turned out that the blood testing technology didn’t work. Her rise and fall is the focus of “The Dropout,” currently streaming on Hulu.

‘The Dropout’: How Amanda Seyfried made showrunner Liz Meriwether’s job easier

Elizabeth Holmes founded Theranos at 19, but it turned out that the blood testing technology didn’t work. Her rise and fall is the focus of “The Dropout,” currently streaming on Hulu.

Tom Cruise is still trying to finish the latest installments of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise.

Mission impossible? Paramount wants Tom Cruise to agree to shorter theatrical run

Tom Cruise is still trying to finish the latest installments of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise.

Director Denis Villeneuve fell in love with “Dune” when he read the book as a teenager. Years later his dream to make it into a film came true with the help of producer Mary Parent.

‘Dune’ director Denis Villeneuve on working with ‘best in the business’ producer, Mary Parent

Director Denis Villeneuve fell in love with “Dune” when he read the book as a teenager. Years later his dream to make it into a film came true with the help of producer Mary Parent.

There’s a lot of money flying around Hollywood these days. MGM has been acquired by Amazon for $8.5 billion, while Endeavor founder Ari Emmanuel banked $308 million in 2021.

Amazon acquires MGM for $8.5B, Ari Emmanuel gets eye-popping payday

There’s a lot of money flying around Hollywood these days. MGM has been acquired by Amazon for $8.5 billion, while Endeavor founder Ari Emmanuel banked $308 million in 2021.

After showing unconvincing support for LGBTQ+ rights in response to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, Disney CEO Bob Chapek issued a statement: “You needed me to be a stronger ally in…

Disney CEO Bob Chapek apologizes for initially weak stance on LGBTQ rights

After showing unconvincing support for LGBTQ+ rights in response to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, Disney CEO Bob Chapek issued a statement: “You needed me to be a stronger ally in…

Director Jessica Kingdon talks about her Oscar-nominated documentary, "Ascension," which focuses on class in China.

China’s capitalism and deep link with Hollywood are shown in ‘Ascension’ and ‘Red Carpet’

Director Jessica Kingdon talks about her Oscar-nominated documentary, "Ascension," which focuses on class in China.