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Artwork for The Business

The Business

KCRW
Paramount
Netflix
Disney
Hollywood
Fargo
Alien Franchise
Amazon
Decency Versus Evil
Noah Hawley
MGM
Sag-Aftra
Warner Bros. Discovery
Oppenheimer
Dream Scenario
Sag-Aftra Strike
Academy Awards
Ed Zwick
Nicolas Cage
Hollywood Strikes
Jon Batiste

Lively banter about entertainment industry news and in-depth interviews with directors, producers, writers and actors, hosted by award-winning journalist Kim Masters of The Hollywood Reporter.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes1018Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
TV & Film

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Business

Latest Episodes

This week, Kim talks with Tilly Norwood creator Eline Van der Velden, who defends her controversial synthetic character. Van der Velden argues that Tilly Norwood is simply another character, an extension of herself, not so different from others she’s... more

This week, Kim talks with SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin about stepping into the job during a tumultuous year for Hollywood. His early tenure has already included an FCC clash involving Jimmy Kimmel, the arrival of synthetic “performers,” and some wo... more

This week, Kim sits down with Brazilian writer-director Kleber Mendonça Filho to discuss his Oscar-nominated political thriller The Secret Agent. A former film critic, Mendonça explains why he still reads every review of his work. He also reflects on... more

This week, Kim sits down with Academy Award–nominated cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, who made history with Sinners as the first woman of color nominated for the Oscar for Best Cinematography. She discusses her work on the film and how it evol... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Eline Van der Velden
Co-founder of Particle6 Productions and creator of Tilly Norwood
Particle6 Productions
Episode: Tilly Norwood creator defends her controversial synthetic character
Sean Astin
President of SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA
Episode: A check-in with SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin
Kleber Mendonça Filho
Brazilian writer-director known for tackling political issues in his films.
Episode: Kleber Mendonça Filho on ‘The Secret Agent’ and taking a stand
Wagner Moura
Actor known for his role in The Secret Agent and other acclaimed projects.
Episode: Kleber Mendonça Filho on ‘The Secret Agent’ and taking a stand
Autumn Durald Arkapaw
Oscar-nominated cinematographer known for her work on 'Sinners' and previous projects including 'Loki' and 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.'
Warner Bros.
Episode: Oscar-nominated cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw on ‘Sinners’
Jafar Panahi
Iranian filmmaker and Palme d'Or winner
Independent Filmmaker
Episode: Palme d’Or winner Jafar Panahi on ‘It Was Just an Accident’ and returning to Iran under legal threat
Shadad Dayani
Translator for Jafar Panahi
Episode: Palme d’Or winner Jafar Panahi on ‘It Was Just an Accident’ and returning to Iran under legal threat
Alexandria Stapleton
Director and Executive Producer of "Sean Combs, The Reckoning"
Netflix
Episode: Alexandria Stapleton on chronicling the rise and reckoning of Sean Combs
Tom Freston
Co-founder of MTV and former CEO of Viacom
Viacom
Episode: Tom Freston on building MTV during cable’s wild west years

Host

Kim Masters
Award-winning journalist and host, known for her sharp insights into the entertainment industry and engaging interviews with industry leaders.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 973 ratings
  • Thank You Kim!

    Kim is an all time great Hollywood journalist. Thank you so much for your bravery and for never hesitating to speak your mind.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    YupOkay
    United States6 months ago
  • Can’t support a genocide apologist

    I listened to this podcast for years until Kim shared her genocide apologist views in September 2024. Her selective empathy in the face of a live-streamed genocide really turned me off to the rest of her work.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Emerald1015
    United States7 months ago
  • Why the politics??

    While I generally agree with 90% of the political views of the host and her “chosen” guests…. I cannot handle the constant reminder of their political view. 50% of Hollywood doesn’t agree with the political views so why should we have to hear it. This is supposed to be a podcast on the business of film…. It talks down to the listener and assumes they agree…. And - it’s not for me. I want to learn and escape….

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Film Lover 67
    United Statesa year ago
  • The Best

    Kim's insights into the actual workings of Hollywood set this show apart from the superficial and tabloid coverage this industry normally receives. Her guests and interviews are fantastic as well. I wish 52 Bonus Banters came out every year

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Socktopi
    United Statesa year ago
  • Like but too left-leaning

    Since it's an LA based show, I expected a left-leaning podcast but sometimes I'm still surprised about how confident the host is that absolutely no on in her audience is more centrist in their thinking. I like the "banter" part of the podcast, and most of the back-end interviews (if I see it's going to be a politically-themed echo-chamber exchange, I skip). Overall though, I commend the host's competence and interview skills.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    MidtownATLGal
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The knowledge and experience of the host draw commendations for depth in content, with an emphasis on behind-the-scenes industry analysis.
Listeners appreciate the unique insights on the business of Hollywood, particularly enjoying the combination of news and interviews.
Many praise the engaging banter and the host's ability to ask tough questions during interviews.
Some comments express concern over perceived political biases in the discussions, indicating a divide in audience opinions on the show's political direction.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#194
United States/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#197
Australia/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#219
Italy/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#117
Singapore/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#123
Ukraine/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#132
Brazil/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

A check-in with SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin
Q: What is the harm that this non-human entity brings to your members?
Astin explains that synthetic characters can displace jobs for actors and background performers, and stresses the importance of protecting work, healthcare, and residuals while acknowledging the need for thoughtful, durable protections for creators amid rapid AI development.
Kleber Mendonça Filho on ‘The Secret Agent’ and taking a stand
Q: How did your experiences as a critic influence your filmmaking process?
Kleber Mendonça Filho believes that his background gave him a unique perspective on criticism and the filmmaking process.
Palme d’Or winner Jafar Panahi on ‘It Was Just an Accident’ and returning to Iran under legal threat
Q: What advice would you give Americans who face arrest or violence as they're protesting policies here?
Jafar Panahi emphasizes the importance of resistance from the very beginning, noting that ignoring early signs of repression leads to tragic escalation.
Oscar-nominated cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw on ‘Sinners’
Q: What was the most challenging aspect to shoot?
The most difficult aspects were the VFX-heavy sequences, particularly during action scenes requiring careful coordination and timing.
Steamrollers, record breakers, and late surges: Inside the 2026 Oscar nominees
Q: What do you think about the impact of the new Best Casting Oscar?
It's an interesting development as casting directors have long lobbied for recognition, but the criteria and evaluation could be complicated.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Business

What is The Business about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers lively discussions centered around entertainment industry news combined with in-depth interviews featuring a variety of prominent figures such as directors, producers, writers, and actors. Episodes often showcase a sharp analysis of current trends and challenges within Hollywood, alongside personal stories from guests that highlight their experiences and insights in the entertainment business. The unique format includes a blend of informal banter and serious conversations, providing a nuanced view of the industry that appeals to both entertainment professionals and casual fans alike. Listeners can expect to gain an understanding of the complexities of the film and television sectors while enjoying the engaging dynamic be... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Business?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Business:

1. The Town with Matthew Belloni
2. Scriptnotes Podcast
3. The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast
4. The Watch
5. The Big Picture

How many episodes of The Business are there?

The Business launched 21 years ago and published 1018 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Business?

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What guests have appeared on The Business?

Recent guests on The Business include:

1. Eline Van der Velden
2. Sean Astin
3. Kleber Mendonça Filho
4. Wagner Moura
5. Autumn Durald Arkapaw
6. Jafar Panahi
7. Shadad Dayani
8. Alexandria Stapleton

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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