Hollywood's Stress Test, with Richard Rushfield (Episode 18)

John Ellis talks with Richard Rushfield, founder of *The Ankler*, about a Hollywood business model under stress. Rushfield traces the industry’s troubles back to the end of fin-syn rules, the rise of Netflix, and a wave of consolidation that has left studios bigger, safer, and more risk-averse. They discuss Disney’s parks-first future, Paramount’s high-stakes tie-up with Warner Bros. Discovery, Fox’s Roku bet, YouTube’s dominance, AI anxiety, China’s fading promise, and why horror still works while comedy has nearly disappeared. It’s a tour through Hollywood’s money, politics, technology, and creative exhaustion. News-Items.com The Ankler Hosted by John Ellis Produced by Dale Eisinger