“All the Smoke'' was created as a digital extension of the SHOWTIME brand to showcase its unparalleled line-up of premium sports content. In creating this weekly series, a goal was to craft a show that could seamlessly be published as audio and video content. In selecting the hosts, efforts were made to bring in well-respected individuals who have first-hand knowledge of the ins and outs of the NBA, and deep enough connections within the game to attract some of the biggest guests possible.
As former NBA champions, hosts Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson are two of the most widely respected voices among today’s crop of NBA stars. Known as fiery, intense competitors during their basketball careers, they’ve maintained this reputation off the court as two of the most outspoken and controversial players of their time. Together they were a natural fit as hosts of “All the Smoke,” where they bring their first-hand insight into the minds, lives and pressing issues facing today’s players, while dishing on the latest news and drama from on and off the court. The video version of “All the Smoke” is structured with an eye toward production value, keeping in line with the premium video content for which SHOWTIME is known.
Through their relationships with NBA stars past and present, as well as influential figures working behind the scenes and in the periphery of the world of sports, Matt and Stephen have welcomed an impressive roster of guests in 2023 so far – including LeBron James, Charles Barkley, Kelsey Plum, Lil Wayne, Jada Pinkett Smith, Marc Cuban and more– who have shared in-depth, insightful, and emotional stories. The series topped the Apple Podcasts Sports chart and reached the top 30 Sports podcasts on Podtrac (while in season). In addition to the show’s robust subscribership across podcast platforms, it has an impressive 844K subscriber base on YouTube and 810K followers on Instagram. A testament to the provocative and in-depth commentary of the hosts, full episodes and clips featured on YouTube and across social see a great amount of engagement from followers and fans of the show. The show was honored with a 2022 W3 Award (Silver win in the General Sports Series category), Episode 82 featuring Shaq received a 2022 Signal Award (Sports Individual Episode category), and Matt and Stephen were honored as Best Co-Hosts (Silver Win) at the 18th Annual W3 Awards.
