
The Grill Room
180 episodes — Page 3 of 4
Bari Deal Heat & Trump v. Murdoch
Julia Alexander reunites with Dylan to chew over the media industry’s latest soap operas: South Park’s satirical take on Trump and Paramount, the unfolding legal battle between Trump and Rupert Murdoch, Bari Weiss’s $200 million valuation target for The Free Press, Bezos-CNBC acquisition murmurs, and much more. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Substackonomics
Dylan sits down with an anonymous, plugged-in investment banker in the media space to peel back the curtain on Substack’s recent $100 million raise—and the staggering $1.1 billion valuation that came with it. They unpack what it means for the future of the platform, the broader implications of this investment on the media landscape, and whether it can lead to more sustainable business models and increased competition among platforms. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Substack’s $1B Paper Trail & The Weiss Effect
Julia Alexander reunites with Dylan for a wide-ranging chat about the most pressing plotlines consuming the media industry: what Substack’s recent $1.1 billion evaluation portends for the creator economy writ large; Apple’s $150 million offer for F1 and the streamer’s broader sports media ambitions; David Ellison's courtship to bring Bari Weiss to Skydance; and much, much more. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

F1’s Apple Pie & ESPN’s Austerity Era
John Ourand joins Dylan to dissect Apple’s $150 million bid for F1’s U.S. media rights—and what it reveals about the company’s growing ambitions in live sports. They also examine why ESPN, facing a new era of financial restraint, chose not to compete, and what that decision portends for the broader sports rights arms race. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Google’s Kill Switch & Sun Valley Signals
Julia Alexander reunites with Dylan to delve into how A.I. services like ChatGPT are cutting into Google’s search market share—and how Google’s new A.I. tools may be cannibalizing its own business. They also discuss the annual Allen & Co. conference, dig into the biggest storylines stemming from the Sun Valley Lodge this year, and much, much more. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paramount’s Settlement Math & Murdoch’s Trump-Era Journal
Wall Street Journal’s Josh Dawsey joins Dylan to discuss how the recent $16 million settlement between Trump and Paramount came to fruition—a far cry from Trump’s initial demand of $100 million. They also dig into Dawsey’s new book on the 2024 election, the Democrats’ strategic malaise, and why the Journal is well-positioned for this political moment. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Creator Economy's Indie Illusion
Julia Alexander rejoins Dylan to pick up where they left off on Tuesday, shifting the focus to legacy media’s slow unraveling and the uphill climb of the creator economy in the news space. They dig into the harsh realities facing independent journalists and legacy media refugees attempting to build sustainable businesses without institutional backing—and why, for most, true scale remains out of reach. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

YouTube’s Niche Trap & A.I. Copyright Complexifiers
Julia Alexander reunites with Dylan to address a handful of media industry questions and provocations: why YouTube’s success with niche content doesn’t mean Netflix should necessarily follow suit, how the entertainment pendulum is swinging back toward quality over quantity, and what a bombshell A.I. ruling means for content creators and copyright law. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Front Office Sports 101
Adam White, founder and C.E.O. of Front Office Sports, joins Dylan to recount how he transformed a college class project into a fast-growing, multi-platform media company—now majority-owned by RedBird. Adam explains the company’s editorial thesis, how they stay relevant in an oversaturated sports media landscape, and why he’s betting big on their newly launched Front Office Sports Studios, a long-form content arm focused on producing films and documentaries. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oliver Darcy’s Status Report
Oliver Darcy, founder of Status, joins Dylan to reflect on the highs and hurdles of launching his own media venture. He discusses the challenges of building a sustainable business without external capital, the pressure to deliver distinctive reporting, the looming influence of A.I., the enduring value of editorial integrity—and much more. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How YouTube Ate the Media
In a special anniversary episode, Dylan and Julia ponder how YouTube has totally transformed the media business over the last 20 years: the proliferation of the creator economy, the amateurization of news, and whether Jake and Anderson should grab a microphone and ditch the suit. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Local Media Actually Be… Saved?
Steve Grove, the new-ish C.E.O. of The Minnesota Star Tribune, joins Dylan for a rollicking conversation about the existential threats facing local journalism—and the strategies he’s deploying to combat them. Grove, the former director of Google’s News Lab, gets into the weeds of why homepage traffic still matters, how he’s targeting affinity groups, the surprising value of high school sports coverage, and much more. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
WBD Divorce Notes & VF Gets Vogue’d
Dylan and Julia weigh into the chaos surrounding WBD’s breakup and what it means for HBO and CNN as the company’s biggest brands go separate ways. They also discuss Apple’s underwhelming developers conference earlier this week, and how Google’s A.I. “overviews” are bleeding the media business. Then Lauren Sherman swings by to chat about Anna Wintour appointing one of her deputies to run Vanity Fair—and whether he (or anyone) can turn things around. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Inside ‘Original Sin’
Axios’s Alex Thompson joins Dylan for a deep dive into ‘Original Sin,’ the Biden exposé he co-authored with CNN’s Jake Tapper. They discuss the role and responsibility of journalists in today’s media climate, and particularly, the media’s culpability in allegedly covering up Biden’s cognitive decline while he was in the White House. They also address Karine Jean-Pierre's pivot to independence, the broader issues within the Democratic Party, and more. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Media’s A.I. Spring
Julia Alexander reunites with Dylan to unpack the shifting logic behind sports streaming deals—and how platforms are rethinking how to value audience engagement and viewership. They also discuss how generative A.I. is poised to disrupt the advertising business and the unexpected opportunities it could create. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Zaz Report
Dylan welcomes his Puck partner Bill Cohan to discuss the latest revelations at Warner Bros. Discovery, which just suffered a credit downgrade. Is Zaz about to spin his cable assets? Can he even afford to at this point? The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Disney’s Pre-K Anxieties & A YouTube Talent War
Julia Alexander reunites with Dylan to break down a pair of media industry talking points: whether Disney’s strategic acquisition of ‘Cocomelon’ can help the business reclaim its foothold in the kids content space, and what YouTube’s brazen poaching of ESPN’s Justin Connolly signals about its ambitions in the live sports arena. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Apple of MLB’s Eye
On this special crossover episode with The Powers That Be, Jon Kelly joins Dylan to unravel the plot twists in Rob Manfred’s ongoing MLB’s media rights negotiations, highlighting their potential deals with NBC and Apple. Then they dive into the firestorm ignited by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s new book, ‘Original Sin’—and the fractures it’s revealing within the Democratic Party. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sam Altman’s $6.5 Billion Bet
Julia Alexander returns to discuss OpenAI joining forces with Jony Ive, the legendary iPhone designer, to build an entirely new, A.I.-powered device category. Then Julia and Dylan exchange notes about ESPN’s monumental pivot from a cable TV brand into a full-fledged app and direct-to-consumer platform. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy Pitaro’s New ESPN
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro joins Dylan for a deep dive into ESPN’s digital transformation as they prepare to launch their highly anticipated D.T.C. product this fall, named… ESPN. Pitaro unpacks the marketing strategy behind the new app, ESPN’s rights portfolio, the state of their MLB negotiations, the integration of sports betting, and much more. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Why Fox Won’t Fade
Jeff Collins, Fox’s head of advertising sales, joins Dylan to discuss the network’s strategic focus on live sports and news, which has led to significant growth despite the broader decline across the cable industry. Jeff breaks down how Fox’s diverse portfolio is fueling ratings and advertiser demand, and also explains why upfronts remain a crucial moment for the business. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Upfronts Dish: NBC’s NBA Fantasy & The Fox News Bonanza
Julia Alexander reunites with Dylan to explore the key themes emerging from this week’s upfronts in New York, from NBC’s live sports strategy to David Zaslav’s expected decision to spin off WBD’s decaying linear assets. They also consider Fox News’s status as the lone thriving cable news business, and why the NBA might be the best-positioned sports league for the next era of media. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gerry Baker’s Open Journal
Gerard Baker, former editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal, joins Dylan to explore the Journal’s critical approach to Trump’s economic and foreign policies—and its unique position as a conservative-leaning publication actually willing to challenge him. Gerard also reflects on the Journal’s influence in this political moment, its editorial stance within the Murdoch media empire, and the strength of the American brand in today’s volatile geopolitical landscape. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Introducing: Aspire with Emma Grede
bonusBuild the life of your dreams and learn from the world’s most successful people. Emma Grede, one of America’s richest self-made women - wants you to make the most of your life. On ‘Aspire with Emma Grede', learn through thought-provoking conversations with some of the most successful and smartest minds on the planet. Each episode will unpack their habits, philosophy and strategies, covering career advice, well-being, psychology and of course how to win in business. The show offers personal stories, data-driven advice, real-world strategies, and the experience you need, to turn your dreams into reality. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Bravo-Industrial Complex
Julia Alexander is back on the pod to discuss the “Bravo-fication” of the internet—where multi-platform content ignites a 24/7 media cycle, endless engagement loops, and new lanes for monetization. Julia also digs into how platforms like LinkedIn and Substack can be leveraged for content distribution; the influence of niche communities in media, the impact of tentpole events on media consumption, and so much more. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘60 Minutes’ to Midnight
Julia Alexander rejoins Dylan to chew over all the challenges facing legacy media brands, like CBS News, in the twilight of the cable TV era. They also dive into the latest twists in the ‘60 Minutes’ saga, as Paramount’s billionaire owner, Shari Redstone—under crippling pressure to close the Skydance deal—has leaned on the network’s prestige newsmagazine to go easy on Trump. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Graydon Carter’s Golden Years
The one and only Graydon Carter, architect of Vanity Fair’s golden era, joins Dylan for a candid conversation about the magazine industry's past, present, and future. Fresh off the release of his new book, ‘When the Going Was Good,’ Carter reflects on his legendary tenure with VF, dissects the publication’s decline after his departure, and grapples with the broader headwinds facing today’s media industry writ large. He also offers reasons for optimism, his vision for his digital-forward venture Air Mail, and much more. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Google’s D.O.J. Showdown & YouTube-NFL Murmurs
Julia Alexander returns to The Grill Room to chart the media industry’s biggest flashpoints: the D.O.J.’s landmark-in-the-making legal battle against Google and the implications for its ad-tech empire; the tantalizing potential of a YouTube–NFL alliance; and Brendan Carr’s escalating campaign against the media. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jen Psaki in Her Prime Time
MSNBC’s Jen Psaki joins Dylan for a candid convo about her next chapter: hosting the network’s forthcoming nightly show. With today’s political discourse more combustible than ever, Psaki reflects on how she’s drawing from her tenure as White House press secretary to navigate a political-media ecosystem in overdrive. She also dishes on what it takes to cut through the noise in today’s oversaturated landscape—and why thriving in the chaos means doing everything, everywhere, all at once. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zuck’s Trump Trial & F1 Deal Chatter
Julia Alexander reunites with Dylan for a deep dive into the media industry’s most compelling flashpoints: Formula One’s fantasy of a $180 million rights deal, the growing anxiety around non-football sports rights, Mark Zuckerberg’s F.T.C. showdown, and more. As Julia explains, with audience engagement plateauing, streaming giants are under pressure to reinvent the playbook—because where engagement lags, monetization follows. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who's Afraid of Michael Wolff
The inimitable Michael Wolff stops by The Grill Room to discuss his new profile in New York magazine of Warner Bros. Discovery C.E.O. David Zaslav. Wolff digs into his head-spinning financial incentives, how Zaz became an “accidental media mogul,” and the challenges WBD faces from tech giants like Amazon and Netflix. Then they speculate on the future of the media businesses and CNN’s place in the shifting landscape. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MrBeast Recession Signals & MLB Ratings Moneyball
Puck’s resident streaming guru Julia Alexander swings by the pod to discuss a handful of hot-button media topics: the MLB’s crafty use of the “torpedo bat” to boost ratings, the challenges and opportunities for CNBC in the looming SpinCo era, and the early signs of stagnation in the creator economy. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

C.E.O.s and Market Woes
Bill Cohan stops by the Grill Room to diagnose the anxiety plaguing media executives as MAGA’s economic “detox” takes hold. Bill and Dylan discuss the $11 trillion market loss since the election, the global headwinds to corporate earnings, and whether consumers are due for another bout of inflation—a perfect storm that is tickling the media industry’s 2008 era PTSD. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zuck’s UFC Move & Trump Ad Market Shock
Julia Alexander joins Dylan for a wide-ranging symposium on the state of the media industry: the future of TikTok, Meta’s UFC play, Radhika Jones’ exit from Vanity Fair, the impact of A.I., and how Trump’s global trade war is ricocheting through the advertising market. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Washington Media Whisper Network
Jon Kelly swings by The Grill Room to chronicle the current media moment in Washington D.C.--the evolving major players, the business models, and the after hours schmoozing that lubricates the whole town. The Grill Room Podcast is presented by bp. See all the ways we’re investing in America: https://www.bp.com/InvestingInAmerica To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Atlantic’s Goldberg Mine
In this special crossover episode with The Powers That Be, Dylan connects with Peter Hamby to discuss the chatter swirling around The Atlantic, which made headlines this week after E.I.C. Jeffrey Goldberg revealed that he was added to a group chat filled with high-ranking national security officials discussing war plans. They discuss why the imbroglio has boosted the magazine’s reputation among the political and media elite, before turning to what CNN’s latest hires reveal about Mark Thompson’s digital transformation master plan. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The YouTube Half Nelson
Puck’s streaming guru Julia Alexander joins Dylan for a high-level conversation about YouTube’s stranglehold on the news industry—and the seismic shift it’s triggering. Julia explains how digital creators, news influencers, and opinion leaders across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram are rewriting the playbook, forcing legacy media giants to either adapt or risk irrelevance in a world where independent voices are driving the narrative. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Making a Racquet
Caitlin Thompson, founder of ‘Racquet,’ joins Dylan for a deep dive into her mission to make tennis more vibrant and accessible through her quarterly magazine, blending top-tier journalism, tennis fashion, travel, and escapism—and offering a refreshing contrast to the sport’s corporatized past. Caitlin also weighs into the evolving media landscape, underscoring the need of mission-driven storytelling to elevate the sport. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A Lessin in Media
Jessica Lessin, founder and C.E.O. of The Information, joins Dylan for a candid conversation about how The Information has thrived and remained profitable after 11 years, why deep expertise and loyal audiences are more important than chasing scale, and her approach to backing sharp-minded entrepreneurs through recent investments in Semafor, The Ankler, and others. Jessica also weighs in on how Silicon Valley’s power players are recalibrating in the era of Trump 2.0. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Emma
Beloved yet controversial Wall Street Journal top editor Emma Tucker joins Dylan for a candid discussion about evolving the historic business, change management, tough choices, and the future of the news media business. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It’s The Economist, Stupid
Zanny Minton Beddoes, the editor-in-chief of The Economist, joins Dylan for an inside look at the publication’s unusual position within the media firmament, and how the ultimate business traveler rag is refreshing itself for the digital first era: still all-in on the virtues of classical liberalism, but with a dose of A.I. powering its expanding global footprint. Plus, Beddoes and Dylan dig into the magazine’s unwavering editorial independence at a time when independent media is under attack. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
White House Press Pool Kremlinology
‘The New York Times’ Peter Baker joins Dylan to dissect the fraught relationship between the Trump White House and the press, from expelling the Associated Press to handpicking the press pool—tactics he likens to historical press suppression in Russia. They also weigh in on the changes at ‘The Washington Post’ under Jeff Bezos, and the fight to maintain journalistic integrity in an increasingly politically charged environment. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Zaz's Cablenomics
Bill Cohan joins Dylan to dissect the three-year evolution of Warner Bros. Discovery since David Zaslav’s bold 2022 merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery. He breaks down W.B.D.’s rising streaming profits, declining linear TV business, and its $19 billion debt reduction—bringing the company closer to a credit upgrade. With speculation swirling about a potential merger with NBCUniversal or Comcast’s SpinCo, Bill examines what’s next for W.B.D., the strategic loss of NBA rights, and the broader ripple effects on networks like CNN and the media landscape writ large. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oppenheim’s Opus
Former NBC News president Noah Oppenheim sits down with Dylan for a candid, no-holds-barred conversation on the media industry’s uncertain future. He dives into the chaos engulfing MSNBC, shares his unfiltered take on SpinCo, and offers his outlook on the fate of NBC News. Finally, he reveals how he helped bring Netflix’s hit-series ‘Zero Day’ to life. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
30 Rock’s Kutler Era
Axios’s Sara Fischer joins Dylan to scrutinize the dawn of MSNBC’s Rebecca Kutler era, where a wave of personnel and talent changes at 30 Rock aims to steady the embattled legacy mediaco. Sara also offers her assessment of the state of the broadcast news industry and considers whether it has any future in the streaming age. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A White House Media War
Eriq Gardner joins Dylan to dissect the wave of MAGA-driven lawsuits targeting Trump’s media adversaries. Eriq highlights casino magnate Steve Wynn’s efforts to revive his 2018 defamation suit against the Associated Press, which he hopes is elevated to the Supreme Court, potentially setting the stage for a SCOTUS showdown that could challenge the landmark ‘Times v. Sullivan’ ruling. The duo debate whether a better legal framework exists and suggest how media organizations can navigate these shifting legal battlegrounds. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Troy Young's A.I. Love Language
Former Hearst Magazines president Troy Young rejoins Dylan for a deep dive into the seismic impact of A.I. on media. He breaks down how A.I. has accelerated the decline of certain media businesses, stresses the urgent need for stronger I.P. protections, and unpacks the high-stakes challenges—and untapped opportunities—legacy brands face in an A.I.-driven future. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bonus Episode: Media on the Brink
bonusIn this exclusive bonus episode of The Grill Room, Jon Kelly joins Dylan to tackle a handful of hot button topics shaping the media industry: the hunger screams at CBS News, the baffling corporate embrace of Trump 2.0., and Fox News’s continued march into mainstream. They also discuss how storied print publications like ‘The Atlantic’ and ‘The New Yorker’ can future proof their businesses in the age of A.I. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Emily Sundberg's Indie Media Playbook
Emily Sundberg, creator of Feed Me, joins Dylan for an in-depth look at her meteoric rise as an independent Substacker. Having amassed 60,000 subscribers—and counting—Emily shares how authenticity, adaptability, and audience engagement have fueled her success. She also discusses self-funding her company without outside financing, the potential risks of a fully decentralized media landscape, and her plans to expand beyond Substack while leveraging her growing platform. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
David Remnick on The New Yorker's Centennial
'The New Yorker' editor David Remnick joins Dylan to reflect on his nearly three-decade tenure as the magazine marks its 100th anniversary. He delves into the evolution of the magazine industry over the years, an inside look at sustaining The New Yorker’s unparalleled loyal subscriber base, and how the publication has uniquely blended serious journalism with humor. David also touches on the challenges of navigating the advent of A.I., and how the company is planning for the future To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices