The Business (podcast)

The Business (podcast)
Title	The Business
Host	Kim Masters
Genre	Business journalism, Entertainment industry
Updates	Weekly
Publisher	KCRW
First aired	05 September 2005
Website	https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-business

The Business (podcast). A weekly public radio program and podcast focused on the intersection of finance, media, and the entertainment industry. Produced by KCRW in Santa Monica, California, it provides in-depth analysis of the economic forces shaping Hollywood, streaming media, and global pop culture. The show is known for its authoritative interviews with key executives, creators, and journalists, dissecting deals, corporate strategies, and cultural trends.

Overview

Launched in September 2005, the program was conceived as a dedicated source of business news for the creative community centered in Los Angeles. It quickly established itself as an essential listen within the corridors of major studios like The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Netflix. The scope of coverage expanded from traditional film studio and television network economics to encompass the disruptive rise of tech giants such as Apple and Amazon in content creation. Its reporting often intersects with major industry events like the Academy Awards, Cannes Film Festival, and corporate upheavals such as the AT&T and Time Warner merger.

Hosts and contributors

The primary host and editor-at-large is veteran journalist Kim Masters, who brought her extensive background from outlets like The Hollywood Reporter, NPR, and Vanity Fair to the program. Masters is frequently joined by contributing editor Matthew Belloni, former editorial director of The Hollywood Reporter and founder of the newsletter Puck. Regular contributors have included John Horn, host of KPCC's *The Frame*, and Rebecca Keegan, senior editor at Vanity Fair. The program often features guest appearances from notable industry analysts like Barton Crockett of Rosenblatt Securities and journalists from The New York Times and Bloomberg News.

Format and content

Each episode typically runs between twenty-five and forty minutes and centers on a deep-dive interview or a panel discussion. A common segment involves Masters interrogating a high-profile guest, such as Bob Iger, Shonda Rhimes, or Ted Sarandos, on current challenges. Other episodes feature roundtables with reporters to dissect breaking news, like the Writers Guild of America strike or the financial troubles at Paramount Global. The content rigorously examines box office performance, streaming service subscriber wars, intellectual property valuation, and the impact of international markets like China and India on global entertainment.

Production and distribution

The show is produced and recorded at the studios of KCRW, a prominent National Public Radio member station based at Santa Monica College. It is distributed as part of KCRW's podcast network and is available on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and NPR One. The program airs on KCRW's terrestrial radio broadcast in the Los Angeles area and is syndicated to other public radio stations. Its production is supported by foundation grants and corporate underwriting from entities like American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

Reception and impact

The program has been praised for its incisive journalism and access to influential figures, receiving accolades within the industry. It has been cited as a must-read source by publications like The Atlantic and The New Yorker for understanding entertainment economics. Masters' reporting on the program has broken news on major stories, including executive turmoil at Lucasfilm and the fallout from the Harvey Weinstein scandal. The show's analysis is frequently referenced in trade publications such as Deadline Hollywood and Variety, influencing the narrative around corporate strategy in Hollywood.

Related media and spin-offs

Host Kim Masters and former contributor Matthew Belloni frequently extend their analysis to other platforms. Masters appears regularly on NPR's *Morning Edition* and *All Things Considered* to discuss industry business stories. Belloni's Puck newsletter often features deeper dives into topics initially surfaced on the program. While no direct spin-off podcast exists, the show's format and focus have influenced similar programming, such as The Ankler's podcast and *The Town* from The Ringer. The program's archive also serves as a valuable historical record of the modern entertainment industry's evolution.

Category:American business podcasts Category:KCRW podcasts Category:Entertainment industry podcasts Category:2005 podcast debuts