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. 

National Association of Theatre Owners leader John Fithian speaks about the industry navigating the pandemic, and why he is optimistic about its future.

Theater Owners Assoc. leader John Fithian on the big screen’s resilience, pandemic challenges

National Association of Theatre Owners leader John Fithian speaks about the industry navigating the pandemic, and why he is optimistic about its future.

While the WGA strike continued in the United States, many writer-directors, actors were promoting their films at Cannes. Did that weaken the WGA effort?

Writer-directors promoted films at Cannes. Did that weaken the WGA strike?

While the WGA strike continued in the United States, many writer-directors, actors were promoting their films at Cannes. Did that weaken the WGA effort?

As week three of the WGA strike continues, other unions and guilds show solidarity while studios cut costs to see quarter stock increase.

WGA strike week 3: While solidarity is high, studios cut costs

As week three of the WGA strike continues, other unions and guilds show solidarity while studios cut costs to see quarter stock increase.

Tony McNamara's viciously satirical Hulu series “The Great” follows young Empress Catherine's adventures in her adopted country of 18th century imperial Russia.

Encore: Sex, vodka, and violence in ‘The Great,’ with Tony McNamara

Tony McNamara's viciously satirical Hulu series “The Great” follows young Empress Catherine's adventures in her adopted country of 18th century imperial Russia.

As major television companies and streaming services court potential advertisers at the 2023 Upfronts, WGA members picket outside these events in New York.

2023 Upfronts: Strikers and streamers up the stakes

As major television companies and streaming services court potential advertisers at the 2023 Upfronts, WGA members picket outside these events in New York.

“Wild Life” doc directors Jimmy Chin and Chai Vasarhelyi on mortality, making the film, its parallels with their own lives.

Filmmakers Jimmy Chin, Chai Vasarhelyi examine their mortality in ‘Wild Life’

“Wild Life” doc directors Jimmy Chin and Chai Vasarhelyi on mortality, making the film, its parallels with their own lives.

Director Allen Hughes discusses his five-part FX documentary series “Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur” and his relationship with the late rapper.

‘Dear Mama’: Through Afeni Shakur, Allen Hughes discovers Tupac

Director Allen Hughes discusses his five-part FX documentary series “Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur” and his relationship with the late rapper.

After a dismal Q1 earnings report, Paramount’s shares fell 30%. It shut MTV News and cut 25% of its network staff. Will the company break?

Paramount’s shares fall 30%. Will it break?

After a dismal Q1 earnings report, Paramount’s shares fell 30%. It shut MTV News and cut 25% of its network staff. Will the company break?

“Tiny Beautiful Things” showrunner Liz Tigelaar and author Cheryl Strayed discuss their ‘visionary’ collaboration and adapting the book into a Hulu series.

How Cheryl Strayed and Liz Tigelaar turned ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ into big Hulu hit

“Tiny Beautiful Things” showrunner Liz Tigelaar and author Cheryl Strayed discuss their ‘visionary’ collaboration and adapting the book into a Hulu series.

The Writers Guild of America goes on strike. How will other guilds react? And when and how could the walkout end?

Hollywood writers go on strike. When and how could it end?

The Writers Guild of America goes on strike. How will other guilds react? And when and how could the walkout end?

The Business breaks down media’s week of upheaval, including the NBCUniversal scandal, Disney vs. DeSantis, Fox firing Tucker Carlson, and looming strikes.

Megabanter: NBCUniversal scandal, Disney vs. DeSantis, Fox fires Carlson, strikes

The Business breaks down media’s week of upheaval, including the NBCUniversal scandal, Disney vs. DeSantis, Fox firing Tucker Carlson, and looming strikes.

Filmmaker John Patton Ford and actor-producer Aubrey Plaza discuss the financial struggles and successes of making “Emily the Criminal,” and indie movies.

Encore: Aubrey Plaza, John Patton Ford on action-packed ‘Emily The Criminal’

Filmmaker John Patton Ford and actor-producer Aubrey Plaza discuss the financial struggles and successes of making “Emily the Criminal,” and indie movies.

Writers’ union votes to authorize strike. Meanwhile Netflix announces a crackdown on password sharing in the United States, and Fox settles Dominion lawsuit.

Writers amp up for strike; Netflix to crack down on password sharing

Writers’ union votes to authorize strike. Meanwhile Netflix announces a crackdown on password sharing in the United States, and Fox settles Dominion lawsuit.

Warner Bros. Discovery announces merging of streaming services into Max and the creation of a “Harry Potter” TV series. Plus, is Fox Corporation in a jam?

Warner Bros. to merge HBO Max, Discovery+ into Max

Warner Bros. Discovery announces merging of streaming services into Max and the creation of a “Harry Potter” TV series. Plus, is Fox Corporation in a jam?

Actor Jenny Slate and director Dean Fleischer-Camp share how “Marcel the Shell” was created, and the trajectory of Marcel going from being a YouTube-viral sensation to an Oscar nom.

Encore: ‘Marcel the Shell with Shoes On': Beloved online creature debuts on the big screen

Actor Jenny Slate and director Dean Fleischer-Camp share how “Marcel the Shell” was created, and the trajectory of Marcel going from being a YouTube-viral sensation to an Oscar nom.

Amazon Studios’ lack of vision, and unlimited resources sets up a brandless streaming service. Does Amazon care about the bang that they're getting for their buck?

With no defining hit, what is Amazon’s streaming service’s brand?

Amazon Studios’ lack of vision, and unlimited resources sets up a brandless streaming service. Does Amazon care about the bang that they're getting for their buck?

Steven Yeun discusses his fears in taking “Minari,” why he and his “Beef” co-star broke out in hives after production wrapped, and the offer that landed the limited series at Netflix.

Steven Yeun finds rage and bitterness in ‘Beef’

Steven Yeun discusses his fears in taking “Minari,” why he and his “Beef” co-star broke out in hives after production wrapped, and the offer that landed the limited series at Netflix.

The Walt Disney Company has initiated a three phase layoff of 7,000 employees as promised by its CEO Bob Iger. Is the staggered plan a misstep?

Disney initiates staggered layoffs of 7,000 employees

The Walt Disney Company has initiated a three phase layoff of 7,000 employees as promised by its CEO Bob Iger. Is the staggered plan a misstep?

This week, The Business revisits a conversation with Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, co-creators and co-executive producers of the series “Yellowjackets,” just out with its second…

Encore: ‘Yellowjackets’ creators: ‘We really wanted to tell a story that felt authentic’

This week, The Business revisits a conversation with Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson, co-creators and co-executive producers of the series “Yellowjackets,” just out with its second…

Disney plans to host a conference on LGTBQ+ rights in the workplace in Fla. Is Disney’s CEO Bob Iger clapping back at Ron DeSantis? What will DeSantis do?

Bob Iger claps back at FL governor: Disney to host LGBTQ+ summit

Disney plans to host a conference on LGTBQ+ rights in the workplace in Fla. Is Disney’s CEO Bob Iger clapping back at Ron DeSantis? What will DeSantis do?