societyJan 10, 202432:29pending

The McAfee Hail Mary and ESPN's Search for Answers

About this episode

Matt is joined by journalist Ethan Strauss of the ‘House of Strauss’ Substack to discuss the messy Pat McAfee saga and what it says about the state of ESPN. They unpack ESPN's decision to license 'The Pat McAfee Show,' whether the attempt to draw younger audiences to ESPN's linear channel is working, and whether the YouTube-ification of ESPN is a sustainable model. Matt finishes the show with a prediction about who will host the next Academy Awards. For a 20 percent discount on Matt’s Hollywood insider newsletter, ‘What I’m Hearing ...,’ click here. Email us your thoughts! [email protected] Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Ethan Strauss Producers: Craig Horlbeck and Jessie Lopez Theme Song: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get every episode summarized

Each time The Town with Matthew Belloni publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.

Email me new episodes

Free for 3 shows. No card needed.

No transcript yet

This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.

More episodes

The McAfee Hail Mary and ESPN's Search for Answers

About this episode

Get every episode summarized

More from The Town with Matthew Belloni

‘Resident Evil’ and the Tightrope of Relaunching Old IP

Four Big Stories: Emmys ’26, Summer Box Office Pushback, Fed Tax Credit Odds, an...

The 2026 Summer Box Office Winners, Losers, and Head-Scratchers

Did Donald Trump Just Save Filmmaking in America?