It’s 2016 and Xbox boss Phil Spencer’s leading a reboot of the Xbox brand after the Xbox One’s fumbled start. But with Sony and Nintendo surging ahead, he needs to make some big plays to get Microsoft back in action. But when he homes in on a plan to spend tens of billions of dollars to reinvent Xbox and move beyond the console war, Sony’s going to go all out to stop Microsoft from spending its way to victory. Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experien...
Jan 10, 2024•37 min•Season 90Ep. 4
It’s 2007 and both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 are in trouble. Microsoft’s dealing with an epidemic of dying consoles. Sony lacks sales momentum. And Nintendo’s surging back with the Wii – a console that lets people play using a motion-tracking controller. But when Microsoft hits paydirt with its own motion-controller – the Kinect – it will change the direction for Xbox and give Sony an opportunity for a comeback. Listen to Business Wars on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcas...
Jan 03, 2024•33 min•Season 90Ep. 3
It’s 2002 and the race to build the next generation of game consoles is already underway. And Sony’s got big plans for the PlayStation 3. It wants to use it to introduce a new kind of computer architecture and it’s teamed up with Toshiba and IBM to do it. But with Microsoft’s gunning to get its next console, the Xbox 360, into stores first, IBM spies a golden opportunity. IBM can make huge profits by partnering with both rivals in the console war. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy ...
Dec 27, 2023•36 min•Season 90Ep. 2
It’s the year 2000. Sony’s PlayStation 2 is ready to conquer the game business and leave its Japanese rivals Sega and Nintendo looking like has-beens. But Sony’s gaming success is causing alarm at Microsoft’s headquarters. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates fears Sony will use the PlayStation to conquer computer-based home entertainment and shut Windows out of the home. So he’s striking back by deploying Microsoft’s billions to create a Windows-based game console called the Xbox. But the team he’s ...
Dec 20, 2023•38 min•Season 90Ep. 1
American Girl or Barbie? Transformers or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? The Game of Life or Monopoly? We're putting your favorite nostalgic toys head-to-head to determine the GOAT (greatest of all TOYS) with comedian Josh Gondelman and New York Times retail reporter Jordyn Holman. And later on, David goes in the hot seat to choose between some of his most beloved childhood toys (POGs, anyone?). Happy holidays from Business Wars to you! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californi...
Dec 14, 2023•45 min•Season 89Ep. 6
‘Tis the season for toys! First, we’re getting an update on where toy retailers stand today with Forbes Senior Contributor Joan Verdon . She’s covered Toys R Us since the late 90s, and has the inside scoop on whether this chain is actually making the big comeback the headlines claim. Later, we’re zooming in on one toy that’s stood the test of time — Hot Wheels – with Bruce Pascal , who has the world’s most valuable, historically-complete collection of these tiny cars. And he’s recently crea...
Dec 13, 2023•41 min•Season 89Ep. 5
It’s 2004 and toy retailers across America are assessing the post-holiday damage from Walmart’s brutal price attack. And with KB Toys mortally wounded, it falls to Toys “R” Us to lead the fight. But when the debts mount and Amazon turns from friend to foe, Toys “R” Us ends up in a desperate battle for survival. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Dec 06, 2023•36 min•Season 89Ep. 4
It’s 1999 and the world wide web is the new retail frontier. And both KB Toys and Toys “R” Us hope to use the internet to keep Walmart at bay. But Toys “R” Us's plan for online glory is about to go haywire – giving KB Toys the upper hand and forcing Toys “R” Us into a surprise alliance with Amazon. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Nov 29, 2023•36 min•Season 89Ep. 3
It’s 1990 and Toys “R” Us rules toy retail. But when big-box retailers Walmart and Costco threaten to intrude on its territory, Toys “R” Us uses toymakers to wage retail war. And as the clash of the giant superstores rages around it, the owner of KB Toys loses faith in its mall-based strategy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Nov 22, 2023•35 min•Season 89Ep. 2
It’s the 1950s and in Washington D.C., Charles Lazarus is running a small baby furniture store in the house he was born in. But when a customer comes seeking toys, Lazarus starts on the path towards creating a toy superstore empire called Toys “R” Us and building immense wealth. And he’s not the only businessman chasing toy riches. In Massachusetts, a wholesaler called Kaufman Brothers is building a rival toy chain in the nation’s shopping malls. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy a...
Nov 15, 2023•36 min•Season 89Ep. 1
We're talking about legendary toy stores and how they can compete today with comedian Gianmarco Soresi, who's in the new Netflix series " Verified Stand-Up" and editor-in-chief of The Toy Book , James Zahn. Plus which toys are made to become stars of the silver screen (did somebody say Barbie?) and which are destined to flop. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Nov 09, 2023•36 min•Season 88Ep. 6
Between overworked pharmacists, healthcare consolidation, and rising drug costs, pharmacies are constantly having to adapt. Dan Weissmann, host of the An Arm and a Leg podcast, joins David to talk about how these conditions are affecting pharmacies — big and small — and consumers nationwide. Later, Liz Tung, a reporter for WHYY’s The Pulse, shares her deep dive into the mysterious world of pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs. Her recent reporting examines how these entities hurt consu...
Nov 08, 2023•42 min•Season 88Ep. 5
It’s 2013 and CVS boss Larry Merlo is formulating a plan to wipe two-billion dollars off of the company’s sales by stripping cigarettes from the chain’s shelves. But while Merlo seeks to forge a tobacco-free future for CVS, over at Walgreens the pressure is mounting on CEO Greg Wasson. The deal to buy European pharmacy giant Alliance Boots is nearing completion. But the deal’s about to take an unexpected turn that’ll see Walgreens under new management. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pri...
Nov 01, 2023•36 min•Season 88Ep. 4
It’s 2009 and Walgreens is in crisis. It’s just lost its CEO and surrendered its top-dog status to CVS. But it’s about to fightback. It’s got a plan to launch itself onto the world stage and sock it to the pharmacy benefit managers that are eroding its profit margins. But when its comeback plan hits trouble, it’ll be CVS that benefits. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Oct 25, 2023•33 min•Season 88Ep. 3
It’s the late 1990s and CVS and Walgreens are battling for control of the nation’s best street corners and there’s a huge prize at stake. Tens of millions of boomers are about to turn grey and thanks to new drugs and prescription insurance they will soon be spending billions at the nation’s pharmacy counters. But CVS isn’t just eyeing the prescription dollars. It's formulating a plan to shoot past Walgreens by turning its drugstores into healthcare destinations. See Privacy Policy at https://art...
Oct 18, 2023•36 min•Season 88Ep. 2
It’s 1895 and Chicago’s a boom town that’s overflowing with pharmacies. But one drugstore is about to emerge from the city’s mass of small-time drugstores and become a national force. It’s name is Walgreens and by the late 20th century it will be spreading nationwide and looking unbeatable. But then a multi-billion-dollar shoe company bets everything on a little New England drugstore chain called CVS. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://...
Oct 11, 2023•37 min•Season 88Ep. 1
No tricks, just treats in this chat with New York Times retail reporter Jordyn Holman and comedian Max Fine . We're talking about candy, and just in time for spooky season! Then, we dig into America's obsession with snacks. Find out which new products are out there, who's selling them, and who's buying. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Oct 05, 2023•38 min•Season 87Ep. 5
Mike Calore and Lauren Goode from Wired are back! The pair co-host Wired’s Gadget Lab podcast, where they’ve been diving deep into what the future of AI looks like. Mike and Lauren join host David Brown to share their predictions, and give us their takes on whether the classic sci-fi films that feature AI are hitting a little too close to home these days. Listen to Gadget Lab . Catch Mike and Lauren’s latest reporting at wired.com . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Calif...
Oct 04, 2023•39 min•Season 87Ep. 4
With the popularity of ChatBots exploding, Microsoft invests billions of dollars into AI-assisted internet search,trying to strike at Google’s core business. Google answers back with its own ChatBot “Bard”. And Facebook makes a surprising move to stay in the race. But more people start to have questions about whether the disruptions to society are worth the benefits. Politicians push for more regulation and leading researchers warn about the dangers of advanced AI. Some even ...
Sep 27, 2023•42 min•Season 87Ep. 3
Google is the undisputed leader in the race to dominate AI, in part because of its reputation as a company with strong corporate ethics. But as questions about the morality and efficacy of AI become more pronounced, Google finds itself mired in internal conflicts and bad PR. Google’s stagnation gives Microsoft an opportunity to team up with an ambitious start-up called OpenAI. When OpenAI releases ChatGPT, the chatbot shakes up the AI landscape and puts Google on its heels.&nbs...
Sep 20, 2023•37 min•Season 87Ep. 2
You've heard about how AI is poised (and already) revolutionizing just about everything. We're digging deeper into that and taking a look at the way AI has altered three industries — climate change management, fast food and advertising. We're joined by journalist Haje Kamps and comedian Kenny DeForest . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Sep 06, 2023•44 min•Season 86Ep. 6
For decades, AI stagnated with only a few dedicated scientists working on it. But in 2012, a researcher at the University of Toronto made a breakthrough — and every major tech company wanted in on it. They were convinced that AI was the next big thing, destined to change the world the way the personal computer, internet, and smart phone all had in previous decades. The race to be the leader would soon become cutthroat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and C...
Sep 06, 2023•42 min•Season 87Ep. 1
Grab your suitcase, because we’re taking a vacation! Today, we’re joined by Allison Pohle, travel reporter for the Wall Street Journal . She’s zooming in on the hotel industry — the post-pandemic bounceback, labor strikes, and Airbnb’s continued impact — and what this means for travelers. Later, we’ll venture outside the corporate hotel world with Margaret and Corey Bienert, creators of A Pretty Cool Hotel Tour . Their photo project has documented some of the dreamiest hotels across the US...
Sep 06, 2023•40 min•Season 86Ep. 5
It’s 2001 and the hotel industry is reeling from 9/11. But terror attacks are only the one of the new challenges closing in on Marriott and Hilton. The uniform hotels of the 20th century no longer cut it with young travelers, Starwood is making inroads, and online travel agents are upending vacations. But Marriott’s got another problem to fret about. Because Hilton’s about to shake free of the Hilton family and go on the attack. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priv...
Aug 30, 2023•39 min•Season 86Ep. 4
It’s the early 1990s and Marriott’s a financial wreck heading for the rocks, and running out of time to find a way to remedy its debts. But as Marriott crumbles, the sleeping giant that is Hilton is waking up. And it wants its position as market leader back. But to retake the crown it needs to move fast. The hotel industry is consolidating and right now Hilton looks more prey than predator. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy...
Aug 23, 2023•38 min•Season 86Ep. 3
It’s the late 1960s and succession is top of mind at both Hilton and Marriott. Conrad Hilton’s almost 80 and about to hand his business over to his sons, Nicky and Barron. But their rivalry will push Hilton into making a damaging decision. Meanwhile, Bill Marriott railroads his father, J.W., in order to load up on debt and catapult the Marriott Corporation into the hotel big-time. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-se...
Aug 16, 2023•40 min•Season 86Ep. 2
It’s 1919 and Conrad Hilton is among the fortune seekers in the oil-boom town of Cisco, Texas. But when his plan to buy a bank unravels, he turns to hotels and finds himself heading down the rocky road to business success. But as Hilton breaks ground and flirts with bankruptcy, over on the east coast, J.W. Marriott’s starting a business that’s destined to break into the big time not by selling beds, but by serving root beer. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy ...
Aug 09, 2023•38 min•Season 86Ep. 1
We'll take a look at the hotel industry landscape this summer, including the "Taylor Swift effect," and the amped up fight against rental companies like AirBnB. Travel industry journalist Sean O'Neill and comedian Liz Barrett join us for this journey. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Aug 03, 2023•37 min•Season 85Ep. 6
We’ve spent this season telling the story of how Quiznos and Subway battled to create a sub sandwich that would lure the most customers. Now, we’re putting them to the test – a taste test, that is. Josh Scherer and Nicole Enayati are Kitcheneers and hosts of Mythical Kitchen , an offshoot of the popular YouTube channel, Good Mythical Morning . They also co-host the podcast “A Hotdog is a Sandwich.” We’re going deep with them on what makes a winning sandwich and how the current competition ...
Aug 02, 2023•36 min•Season 85Ep. 5
It’s 2008 and as the Great Recession sinks in, Panera, Jersey Mike’s and Firehouse Subs amp up the competition. Quiznos tries to win back dwindling market share with an avalanche of coupons. But store managers refuse to honor them and sue the parent company for abusive practices. While civil war rages at Quiznos, Subway faces down a serious scandal. But Quiznos can’t take advantage of their competitor’s troubles; they’re in a fatal tailspin. Now both franchises experiment with store remodels, dr...
Jul 26, 2023•34 min•Season 85Ep. 4
