Sora Is Dead: What Does That Mean for Disney? Plus, ‘The Bachelorette’ Scandal.

Sora Is Dead: What Does That Mean for Disney? Plus, ‘The Bachelorette’ Scandal.

Author: The Ringer March 26, 2026 Duration: 31:15
Matt is joined by Alex Heath from the Sources newsletter and Access podcast to discuss the end of Disney’s deal with OpenAI after they announced the shutdown of video app Sora. They get into why OpenAI is changing course, AI companies' relationship with Hollywood, and what this means for Disney. They also discuss the massive layoffs at Epic Games and how this move affects Disney's future as a major investor in the video game company (00:00). Matt finishes the show with a prediction about the future of the 'Bachelor' franchise after the Taylor Frankie Paul scandal (22:49). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Alex Heath Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jon Jones Theme Song: Devon Renaldo The Clyburn family searches for connection in Montana's Madison Valley. The Madison, New Series now streaming - only on Paramount+  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever wonder what Hollywood executives are really arguing about in their private meetings, or how the fate of a billion-dollar franchise gets decided over a tense lunch? That’s the kind of access you get with The Town with Matthew Belloni. Hosted by Puck founding partner Matt Belloni, this isn't just industry gossip-it's a direct line to the mechanics of entertainment, powered by exclusive reporting and decades of insight. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the stories behind the stories, whether it's the strategy of the latest streaming war or the creative battles inside a Marvel movie. Several times a week, Belloni sits down with the major players themselves: the dealmakers, studio heads, and journalists who are shaping what we watch. Their conversations cut straight to the core of what’s getting made and why, pinpointing who’s winning and who’s losing in real time. Listening to this podcast feels like having a front-row seat to the most important conversations in show business, the ones that happen after the cameras stop rolling. For anyone fascinated by the intersection of power, money, and creativity in culture, The Town delivers the unfiltered context that turns headlines into understanding.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Town with Matthew Belloni
Podcast Episodes
WarnerMount One Step Closer and the Bizarre ‘Michael’ Backstory [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:52
Matt is joined by Semafor’s business and finance editor Liz Hoffman to discuss Wall Street's view of the Paramount-Warner Bros merger, this morning's WBD shareholder vote to approve the $110B deal, the non-binding reject…
Could Hollywood Actually De-Monopolize? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:27
Matt is joined by Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw to discuss the state of the various high-profile antitrust cases in Hollywood, particularly how skeptical the states are of the Tegna-Nexstar and Live Nation–Ticketmaster mergers.…
The ‘Lorne’ Director on Two Years of Exclusive ‘SNL’ Access [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:35
Matt is joined by documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville to talk about his new film ‘Lorne’, what it was like having exclusive access to Lorne Michaels and the behind-the-scenes moments from 'SNL' for multiple years, what…
The A-List Filmmakers Evangelizing Movie Theaters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:15
Matt is joined by Cinema United President and CEO Michael O’Leary to discuss their new filmmakers council including Jerry Bruckheimer, Emma Thomas, and Ryan Coogler, what this council plans to accomplish, the promising s…
Does the Surprise Writers Guild Deal Mean Labor Peace in Hollywood? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:45
Matt is joined by labor lawyer, journalist, and author Jonathan Handel to break down how the WGA reached a tentative deal with the AMPTP earlier than expected and what was won—including significant health care increases…
Are Movies Actually Getting Longer? We Found Out. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:22
Matt is joined by film producer Todd Garner to discuss if movies are actually getting longer. Todd provides a study of over 3,600 films from 1980-2025 to reveal which genres have gotten longer over the years, and by how…