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The Business

KCRW
Hollywood
Netflix
Disney
Paramount
Streaming Services
Warner Bros.
Donald Trump
HBO
Warner Bros. Discovery
Comedy
Amazon
HBO Max
Sag-Aftra
Shōgun
Wicked
Entertainment Industry
Hacks
Bob Iger
Challengers
The Apprentice

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes1032Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
TV & Film

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Latest Episodes

Kim Masters talks to screenwriter David Koepp about Disclosure Day, his latest collaboration with director Steven Spielberg. After Spielberg sent Koepp a 40 page treatment for the movie, which Koepp gave notes on, Spielberg emailed him back that “it’... more

This week, Kim Masters talks to Alvaro Bedoya, a former FTC Commissioner, about why he objects to the Paramount-Warner Brothers merger. Bedoya says it will mean fewer jobs, higher subscription fees for consumers, and more censorship when the Ellison ... more

This week, Eric Deggans talks to Eric Kripke, creator of the Amazon Prime series The Boys, about criticism of the show’s final season. Elon Musk went online to trash the finale of the politically provocative superhero satire, and some of the show’s l... more

This week, Kim Masters talks to Jack Thorne, who won all the prizes for writing the Netflix series Adolescence, about his new series, an adaptation of the novel Lord of the Flies. They also discuss how Adolescence revealed Netflix’s stunning global r... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Alvaro Bedoya
Senior Fellow at the American Economic Liberties Project; former Federal Trade Commissioner
American Economic Liberties Project
Episode: Former FTC Commissioner wants to stop the Paramount-Warner merger
Eric Kripke
Showrunner, The Boys
Amazon/The Boys
Episode: Eric Kripke responds to critics of the ‘The Boys’ finale
Jack Thorne
Writer for Adolescence and Lord of the Flies
Netflix/Writer
Episode: Jack Thorne on ‘Adolescence,’ ‘Lord of the Flies,’ and his autism
Courtney Kemp
Creator of Power; showrunner behind Nemesis
Netflix
Episode: Courtney Kemp on Netflix series ‘Nemesis’ and diversity in Hollywood
William Shatner
Legendary actor, best known as Captain James T. Kirk
Actor, Star Trek franchise
Episode: William Shatner & Neil deGrasse Tyson think ‘The Universe is Absurd’
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Famed astrophysicist and science communicator
Planetary Society, astrophysicist
Episode: William Shatner & Neil deGrasse Tyson think ‘The Universe is Absurd’
Kirk Jones
Director and producer of I Swear
I Swear (film)
Episode: Kirk Jones and Robert Aramayo on the making of ‘I Swear’
Robert Aramayo
Lead actor in I Swear
I Swear (film)
Episode: Kirk Jones and Robert Aramayo on the making of ‘I Swear’
Ben McKenzie
Actor turned author and documentarian; director of Everyone Is Lying to You for Money
Director/Subject of the film
Episode: Ben McKenzie’s Crypto Warning: ‘Everyone Is Lying to You for Money’

Host

Kim Masters
Host of The Business; KCRW

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 985 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 States9 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 States10 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.

Some critique perceived political bias or over-emphasis on industry names without explaining them.
Many value the opening news banter and quick market updates.
Listeners praise incisive interviews and industry insight.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#212
United States/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#168
Canada/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#187
Italy/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#232
Germany/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#57
Colombia/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#86
South Africa/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Former FTC Commissioner wants to stop the Paramount-Warner merger
Q: Do you think Europe will wave this through or challenge it, and what about the state Attorneys General?
The discussion notes Europe's review and potential challenges, alongside possible state AG actions.
Former FTC Commissioner wants to stop the Paramount-Warner merger
Q: Are you going to combine these two services and then raise the price of what people are paying for HBO, or what's the plan there?
Bedoya responds that they are considering combining services but says there is no current public comment on pricing.
Eric Kripke responds to critics of the ‘The Boys’ finale
Q: How did you get to the point where so much of the show seemed to predict where we are politically right now?
Kripke explains they wrote the final season before many events referenced, using historical signposts and studying autocratic playbooks to imagine the U.S. sliding toward dystopia, then observed that elements began to reflect real-world developments, which he sees as a cautionary alignment rather than a prescriptive forecast.
Jack Thorne on ‘Adolescence,’ ‘Lord of the Flies,’ and his autism
Q: What was the process like balancing two major projects—Adolescence and Lord of the Flies—simultaneously, and how did you manage the different filming environments?
Thorne describes coordinating schedules across Malaysia and West Yorkshire, leveraging a stable collaboration network with long-time partners to keep both projects coherent while adapting to location-specific challenges.
Jack Thorne on ‘Adolescence,’ ‘Lord of the Flies,’ and his autism
Q: How did the autism diagnosis influence your approach to writing and your collaboration with Stephen Graham on Adolescence?
The diagnosis provided a new lens for understanding character motivations and the social dynamics in adolescence, strengthening the collaboration by aligning their storytelling with real experiences and empathy.

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 show combines sharp industry news wrap-ups with in-depth conversations with filmmakers, actors, and industry executives. Across episodes, listeners get a frontline view of how studios, streaming, and AI are reshaping Hollywood, along with candid career stories and behind-the-scenes decision-making. Noteworthy strengths include a strong journalistic lens from veteran hosts, timely discussions on labor, technology, and distribution, and access to high-profile guests, from Oscar winners to top producers and directors. It's particularly valuable for listeners who want practical insights into dealmaking, production realties, and the business angles behind cutting-edge entertainment.

A standout aspect is the banter interwoven with rigorous ... more

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How many listeners does The Business get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Business have?

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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. Ankler Agenda
3. The Treatment
4. The Powers That Be: Daily
5. Scriptnotes Podcast

How many episodes of The Business are there?

The Business launched 21 years ago and published 1032 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. Alvaro Bedoya
2. Eric Kripke
3. Jack Thorne
4. Courtney Kemp
5. William Shatner
6. Neil deGrasse Tyson
7. Kirk Jones
8. Robert Aramayo

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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