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Artwork for The Business

The Business

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes1047Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TV & FilmEntertainment NewsNews

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Artwork for The Business

Latest Episodes

This week, Kim Masters speaks with actor Malcolm McDowell about his six-decade career and the long journey to finally making his latest film, the western Last Train to Fortune. McDowell reflects on his friendship with mentor and director Lindsay Ande... more

This week, Kim Masters speaks with Sharon Horgan about her HBO series Youth. The writer, actor and producer reflects on taking control of her career by creating her own material, building the production company Merman, and working across broadcast ne... more

This week, Kim Masters reports on the newly formed U.S. Film and Television Production Coalition and its push for a federal tax incentive to stem the loss of production overseas. Members representing studios, producers and unions lay out the industry... more

As CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss prepares to unveil a new era of 60 Minutes, questions are mounting over what America’s most-watched news program will look like under her leadership. Following the exits and firings of several correspondents and... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Sharon Horgan
Creator, writer, and star of Youth; co-founder of Merman
Merman
Episode: Sharon Horgan finds the comedy in 'Youth'
Stephen Paul
Producer, industry advocate
Stephen Paul; Hollywood industry veteran
Episode: Hollywood goes to Washington for a tax break
John Voight
Actor and former Hollywood ambassador to Washington
Actor; Special ambassador to Hollywood
Episode: Hollywood goes to Washington for a tax break
Scott Carroll
Producer, involved in the push for incentives
Scott Carroll and Stephen Paul team
Episode: Hollywood goes to Washington for a tax break
Eric Goode
Filmmaker and reptile conservationist
HBO Monsters of God
Episode: After ‘Tiger King,’ Eric Goode goes deeper into the reptile world
Desi Lydic
Comedian, Daily Show correspondent known for Foxplaining the News
Comedy Central / The Daily Show
Episode: Desi Lydic ‘Foxsplains’ her rise to the top of fake news
Hannah Einbinder
Actress and writer, star of Hacks and Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma
Actor
Episode: How Hannah Einbinder hacked it out in Hollywood
Lilly Wachowski
Co-creator of The Matrix franchise; founder of Anarchists United
Anarchists United
Episode: Lilly Wachowski reimagines the studio system (Pt 1)
Hiro Murai
Lead director for the Apple TV series Widow's Bay, executive producer
Widow's Bay / Apple TV
Episode: The quirky alchemy of Widow’s Bay

Host

Kim Masters
Host of The Business with extensive experience in entertainment journalism, covering industry news and conducting in-depth interviews with filmmakers, actors, and executives.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 994 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year 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 States2 years 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 States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests are consistently high-profile and knowledgeable, contributing credible context to industry shifts.
Critics note strong viewpoints and occasional political framing may polarize some listeners.
Many value the banter and perceived honesty in interviews.
Listeners appreciate the insider access and sharp industry analysis.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#163
United States/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#186
United Kingdom/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#84
Italy/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#121
Australia/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#27
Chile/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#83
Argentina/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sharon Horgan finds the comedy in 'Youth'
Q: How do you balance creative ambitions with budget realities?
I try to keep the process creatively driven and involve budget discussions only when necessary, relying on trusted team members to manage the financial side while I focus on the show.
Sharon Horgan finds the comedy in 'Youth'
Q: What have you learned about working across different platforms and the pace of production?
Different platforms require different tonal approaches, and the process can be slow and then suddenly move very fast; it's important to stay focused on the core vision while adapting to the realities of production.
Sharon Horgan finds the comedy in 'Youth'
Q: How did you transition from waiting by the phone to writing for yourself and starting Merman?
I started writing because I wanted control over my situation and to create opportunities for myself and other writers, which led to co-founding Merman to develop new work.
After ‘Tiger King,’ Eric Goode goes deeper into the reptile world
Q: What was it like filming Tiger King with a small crew?
He explains that the production was very lean, often just himself and a single cameraman, which fostered intimacy and a gonzo, low-budget approach that he believes contributed to the show's raw energy.
After ‘Tiger King,’ Eric Goode goes deeper into the reptile world
Q: How does that come about?
Goode describes the long, iterative path to the Tiger King project, including starting with reptile conservation work, collaborating with the Safdie brothers, and eventually shifting focus to the big cat world after encountering a snow leopard, all while self-financing and maintaining a lean operation.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Business

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

A lively blend of industry news banter and deep-dive conversations with top filmmakers, writers, producers, and actors. Episodes spotlight how the entertainment business operates—from financing and distribution to creative process and representation—through candid interviews and sharp, informed critique. Noteworthy is the mix of high-profile talent and industry insiders, plus timely analysis of mergers, streaming strategies, and legal issues, all peppered with engaging banter that keeps listeners informed and entertained. This show often stands out for its practical take on how deals get made, how stories are greenlit, and how industry dynamics shape what audiences ultimately see on screen.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Business?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Business. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Business and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Business get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Business?

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How many subscribers and views does The Business have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Business has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. Scriptnotes Podcast
4. The Treatment
5. IndieWire: Screen Talk

How many episodes of The Business are there?

The Business launched 21 years ago and published 1047 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Business?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Business from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Business?

Recent guests on The Business include:

1. Sharon Horgan
2. Stephen Paul
3. John Voight
4. Scott Carroll
5. Eric Goode
6. Desi Lydic
7. Hannah Einbinder
8. Lilly Wachowski

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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