Curious about what's going on behind the scenes in Hollywood? Odds are Matthew Belloni has the scoop. The veteran entertainment reporter and editor has emerged as the inside voice of show business with What I'm Hearing, his column and newsletter under Puck, the media startup he helped found. He also hosts The Town, a podcast for Spotify's The Ringer.
On Thursday, Matt took the stage at NeueHouse Hollywood for a sold-out live recording of The Town featuring two special guests: John Landgraf, Chairman of FX Networks and FX Productions, and Lucas Shaw, senior entertainment reporter at Bloomberg. Fans were treated to exclusive reporting and insights into the evolving landscape of media and entertainment, followed by a meet and greet with Matt.
Matthew Belloni (Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Spotify)
John Landgraf, Lucas Shaw, and Matthew Belloni (Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Spotify)
John Landgraf (Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Spotify)
(Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Spotify)
(Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Spotify)
NEXT
For the Record caught up with Matt and Elizabeth Fierman, who oversees live events for The Ringer, to hear about the planning process for the evening. We also chatted with Matt about the importance of entertaining as you inform, how he cultivates sources, his dream guest, and more.
How does the prep for a live show compare to a prerecorded show? Matt: For me, it's a pretty similar process. I might prepare a few more crowd-pleaser moments so I don't get booed off the stage. But it's usually just preparing the questions that I'd want to know the answer to if I was listening.
Elizabeth: Typically recordings happen in the studio or at home-pretty controlled environments. When we're planning for a live event, we not only have to consider venue, promotion, travel, and fan experience on top of the technical aspects of recording the show, but we need to be prepared for lots more variability, as well. We also like to work with show teams to consider what content will translate best into the live space for both hosts and fans. It's a lot of work, but hopefully a lot of fun for everyone, too.
What are some of the benefits of a live podcast show? Elizabeth: For the host, getting to see and hear listeners' reactions in real time is a fun change of pace-there's such high energy that comes from being in a live environment. Similarly for fans, I think over time, they feel like they really get to know our hosts, so bringing them together in a room full of people with similar interests feels like a community-building event. There are usually lots of laughs and people seem to have a great time!
It's been such a fun year, with our first Ringer Residency in Los Angeles and The Rewatchables going on tour, plus their recent one-night-only show on Broadway. We've also had live events throughout the sports calendar and around cultural moments like SXSW and Sundance. We're excited to continue building on the momentum and excitement around live shows.
Matt, as a writer and a podcaster, how does telling stories in print compare to audio? Matt: People consume audio differently, they're often doing other things, and I think that's why podcasts that simply read printed words are so much less interesting to most people. You need to entertain as you inform. Not jokes, per se, but you need to have a personality, which is the opposite of most print and digital journalism sources that assume 100 percent of the reader's attention. The only thing that's the same is the benefit of being an accurate source of information. If you're talking out of your ass, the listeners will pick up on it and move on.
You're known for breaking news. Any secrets of the trade you can share? Matt: Develop sources in person. So many young journalists don't actually go out and meet people. I've been doing this awhile and I still do breakfasts, lunches, drinks meetings, and events at night. Mixing it up with the people I cover. Texting relationships aren't the same.
If you could choose anyone (living or deceased) to be on your show, who would it be and why? Matt: Rupert Murdoch would be a fantastic guest. He doesn't do a lot of interviews, but when he does, he does not care who he pisses off. Mark Burnett would be great, but only if we gave him a truth serum and he spilled all the details about Donald Trump on The Apprentice. Oprah, Disney's Bob Iger, Lorne Michaels, and Tom Cruise are on my list.
Are there any Spotify features or tools on Spotify for Podcasters that are especially helpful for you? Matt: I love any and all data on who is listening to the show. And we use the data to better tailor the topics and guests to what the audience likes.
We're nearly at the end of the year. What are some of the biggest media and entertainment trends you've covered in 2024? Matt: The ongoing transition from linear TV to digital streaming is upending everything about Hollywood, including the traditional power structure. Everyone is anxious and afraid, and before this calms down, the entertainment industry will look very different than it does today.
Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for 2025? Matt: I'm very curious to see what James Gunn does with Superman. A lot riding on that movie at Warner Bros.
Stream the latest episode of The Town with Matthew Belloni on Spotify.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
04/06/2026
Sony Electronics is introducing the SRG-AS10, a 4K 60p-compatible PTZ auto-frami...
04/06/2026
This recent grad from Spring, TX, led creative-video output for the Aggies' men's basketball team last season and has been producing video and creating ...
04/06/2026
For the first time at a women's golf major, every player in the field will r...
04/06/2026
Three Panasonic PT-RQ45 40,000-lumen 3-Chip DLP projectors made their first live...
04/06/2026
Bitmovin and Akamai have announced a collaboration with NRJ Group, a French mult...
04/06/2026
Telestream will exhibit at InfoComm 2026 (Booth N7952), demonstrating media work...
04/06/2026
Sony has announced the development of RIALTO 65, a 65mm format image sensor block for the VENICE 2 digital cinema camera, targeting release in the first half of...
04/06/2026
KOKUSAI DENKI Electric America will exhibit at InfoComm 2026 (Booth N8025, June ...
04/06/2026
Bell Media's TSN and RDS are the exclusive Canadian broadcasters of FIFA Wor...
04/06/2026
The Challenge: Receiving Heavy Media Files From Road Games Quickly and ReliablyT...
04/06/2026
MASV, a managed file transfer platform used in broadcast and live sports product...
04/06/2026
NESN has announced the appointment of Fahad Haider as Vice President of Operations and Engineering. Haider returns to NESN, where he previously served as Vice P...
04/06/2026
David J. Halberstam, who spent almost 50 years in sports as a broadcaster and an executive, died June 2 after a years-long battle with brain cancer.
Over his l...
04/06/2026
Although collegiate production programs are tasked with delivering high-quality ...
04/06/2026
California studio, two production trucks, global distribution system are combine...
04/06/2026
New global program empowers and supports storytellers through scriptwriting course and access to industry experts
TikTok and Sundance Institute today announce...
04/06/2026
Steinberg DAWs now boast in-depth Tonalic integration
Celemony's innovative virtual session musician plug-in has just received an update that brings ARA...
04/06/2026
Get Hands-On With Over 20 Mic Brands
GearExpo UK is fast approaching, and if you've been looking for a chance to check out some new mics, then you'r...
04/06/2026
Combos feature new Amplifier Intelligence engine
Positive Grid's latest release sees the company introduce two new combo amplifiers that promise to offe...
04/06/2026
Is Your Job Making You Work this June?
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS Launches the World Cup Watchers' Rights Association to Stand Up For Australians&...
04/06/2026
Statement regarding unauthorised use of SBS logos on third party social content
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS has become aware of social media posts in c...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Bitmovin, a leading provider of video streaming infrastructure, and Akamai, the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business onli...
04/06/2026
American Underground (AU), the Startup Hub of the South and a community of mor...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
04/06/2026
NVIDIA and Microsoft Reinvent Windows PCs for the Age of Personal AI
Brie Clayton June 3, 2026
0 Comments
RTX Spark - a 1-Petaflop Superchip, the Full...
04/06/2026
Inside the Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man Grade
Brie Clayton June 3, 2026
0 Comments
Simone Grattarola discusses shaping the look in DaVinci Resolve...
04/06/2026
Cine Gear Expo Announces 2026 Awards of Excellence Recipients
Brie Clayton June 3, 2026
0 Comments
Ed Lachman ASC, Caleb Deschanel ASC, and M. David M...
04/06/2026
St. Vincents Live with Orchestra Tour to Feature Berklee Alum Ruby Plume Berklee alumni St. Vincent and Ruby Plume will appear on the same bill across seven d...
04/06/2026
Back to All News
All the Truth in My Lies Coming to Netflix on August 28
Entertainment
04 June 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to clipboard
Download the imag...
04/06/2026
Back to All News
Larry Tanz, VP of Content, EMEA, Delivers a Keynote Speech at ...
04/06/2026
Back to All News
Turn Your Living Room into a Stadium With the New FIFA World ...
04/06/2026
Keeping conversations real on LinkedIn Published on Jun 4, 2026 Categories: Product News
LinkedIn Corporate Communications
Share
LinkedIn
Facebook ...
04/06/2026
BackStory follows four Irish young people as they travel back to their parents' homelands
Modern Irish identity is enriched by cultures and influences from...
04/06/2026
June's forecast with GeForce NOW: 100% chance of gaming.
GeForce NOW is lining up new adventures for the month, from big-name blockbusters to quirky indies...
03/06/2026
SES and Viva, Mexico's ultra low-cost airline, have launched multi-orbit satellite inflight connectivity on Viva's Airbus aircraft. A total of 60 A320s ...
03/06/2026
The College Football Playoff, ESPN, and TNT Sports have announced kick times and...
03/06/2026
RED Digital Cinema will exhibit at Cine Gear Expo 2026 (Booth 33, June 5-6, Universal Studios Lot), hosting three panels and hands-on product demonstrations.
P...
03/06/2026
Roku has announced the Soccer Zone, a dedicated hub for FIFA World Cup 2026 content available across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argent...
Curious about what's going on behind the scenes in Hollywood? Odds are Matthew Belloni has the scoop. The veteran entertainment reporter and editor has emerged as the inside voice of show business with What I'm Hearing, his column and newsletter under Puck, the media startup he helped found. He also hosts The Town, a podcast for Spotify's The Ringer.
