Media and tech aren’t just intersecting — they’re fully intertwined. And to understand how those worlds work, and what they mean for you, veteran journalist Peter Kafka talks to industry leaders, upstarts and observers - and gets them to spell it out in plain, BS-free English.
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The Rebooting's Brian Morrissey joins me from Cannes, where OpenAI is pitching advertisers, creators are becoming media brands, and thousands of people are still flying across the Atlantic to meet with people they could see back home. We talk about what's changed in advertising, what's changed in media, and why Cannes keeps getting bigger. We also get into why the ad industry's biggest gathering feels increasingly disconnected from the ads themselves; why CMOs are the real celebrities of Cannes;...
This episode explores the dramatic shifts in how Hollywood talent is compensated, moving from traditional backend deals and syndication to upfront payments and bonuses in the streaming era. Peter Micelli of Range Media Partners discusses his firm's proactive approach, empowering artists to become entrepreneurs and leverage online audiences, as well as the industry's adaptation to AI's transformative potential. He emphasizes the growing complexity of the entertainment landscape and the indispensable role of management in guiding talent through these changes.
Brian Stelter and Nilay Patel are both covering big, powerful institutions that are undergoing real change, whether they like it or not. Stelter, CNN’s chief media analyst, joins me to talk about the mess at CBS News and 60 Minutes: What is Bari Weiss’s rationale for trying to remake Paramount’s news operations? And does owner David Ellison care about the very inevitable stumbles that have followed since she showed up? We talk about Scott Pelley’s public exit interview, what 60 Minutes might loo...
Dhar Mann shares the journey of building his digital studio into a multi-platform empire with billions of monthly views, emphasizing its mission to deliver positive, moral-driven content to a diverse audience. He details his innovative production "assembly line," allowing for rapid, cost-effective creation of TV-length episodes. Mann also explores the brand's evolution, strategic content adaptation for different platforms, and future expansion into traditional media partnerships like Samsung and Fox.
Dow Jones CEO Almar Latour details the company's successful strategy, transforming from a traditional news publisher into a diversified professional data and analytics powerhouse, including risk and compliance and energy data. He discusses editor Emma Tucker's vision for The Wall Street Journal, the complexities of AI data licensing, and the challenges of upholding independent journalism when covering powerful figures like Rupert Murdoch and Donald Trump. Latour shares an optimistic outlook for the future of focused, niche media.
Vox Media CEO Jim Bankoff explains the strategic decision to sell the Vox Media Podcast Network, New York Magazine, and Vox.com to James Murdoch's Lupa Systems. He delves into the rationale for splitting the company, highlighting the podcast network's high growth and curated content, and reflects on Vox Media's two-decade journey building successful brands through innovation and patient investor support. Bankoff also shares his future ambitions for the acquired entities and the remaining Vox Media brands, emphasizing a commitment to quality and sustained growth.
Versant is the new company Comcast created when it spun off CNBC, MS NOW, USA and other cable networks it no longer wanted inside the mothership. That makes Mark Lazarus’ job pretty simple to describe and very hard to do: take a business built around cable TV — an industry in obvious decline — and use the cash it still generates to build new businesses. I talked to Lazarus on the day Versant reported its first real earnings as a standalone company — and the day its stock bounced after getting ha...
Roger Lynch, CEO of Condé Nast, reveals his strategy for transforming the legacy magazine publisher into a thriving portfolio of global digital brands. He explains how the company has diversified revenue through events and digital subscriptions, offsetting declines in traditional print and navigating the evolving digital landscape with AI licensing deals and a focus on direct audience engagement. Lynch also addresses internal cultural shifts, the importance of editorial independence, and the company's approach to succession planning for iconic editors.
The internet is in its let-it-rip era: more AI slop, more video, more clips — and very little in the way of guardrails or rules. Charlie Warzel, who writes and hosts Galaxy Brain for The Atlantic, joins me to talk about what happens when the platforms stop trying very hard to separate the good stuff from the garbage. Do we actually care if a human made the LinkedIn post, the marketing copy, or the video in our feed? Or do we only care when the slop gets in the way? Then we get into the video-eve...
Paul Ford explains how AI, particularly tools like Claude Code, is revolutionizing software development, from accelerating custom enterprise solutions to enabling non-technical users to create their own tools. He delves into the practical implications for professional coders, managers, and the broader job market, highlighting the challenges of AI reliability, the need for robust change management, and the ethical responsibility to understand this rapidly evolving technology.
Peter Kafka interviews Jason Blum about the evolution of Blumhouse Productions. Blum explains how his company's original low-budget, profit-sharing horror model achieved success and how it has since adapted to industry shifts like declining theatrical attendance and increased competition. He also shares his insights on Hollywood consolidation, the emergence of new market players, and his pragmatic approach to incorporating AI into the filmmaking process while learning from past failures.
Sam Altman has spent years presenting himself as the face of AI: The guy warning that the technology could change everything, and the guy insisting that he should be the one to build it. Now we are facing some overdue questions: Can we trust Sam Altman with the massive power AI may generate? And should we trust anyone with that power? Ronan Farrow and Andrew Marantz join me to talk about their New Yorker profile of the OpenAI CEO, the internal fights around OpenAI’s mission, and why so many peop...
"The Audacity" creator Jonathan Glatzer delves into his new AMC series, which uses Silicon Valley as a backdrop to examine the complex lives of people impacted by the tech world's vast wealth and power. He shares his nuanced critique of technology, highlighting its failures to deliver on grand promises and the inherent dangers of unchecked AI and pervasive data collection. Glatzer emphasizes the show's focus on human consequences over technical details, revealing how its themes of economic disparity and societal dependence on tech resonate deeply with current realities.
This episode delves into Elon Musk's renewed prominence with the anticipated SpaceX IPO, which seeks a multi-trillion dollar valuation by bundling its established rocket business, the growing Starlink internet, and the nascent XAI. Expert Max Chafkin explains how Musk leverages a loyal retail investor base and ambitious futuristic visions—like space data centers—to attract capital, akin to his Tesla strategy. The discussion also explores the impact of Musk's political engagement on his businesses and the inherent risks to his interconnected empire.
Prediction markets have rapidly transitioned from a niche concept to a mainstream phenomenon, raising questions about their role as forecasting tools versus glorified gambling. This episode explores the "casinofication of everything," driven by the ease of online wagering and the influence of sports betting. It delves into the complex regulatory battles between federal and state authorities, contrasting companies like Kalshi and Polymarket, and examining the ethical dilemmas surrounding insider trading and market manipulation, especially as these platforms integrate with media and entertainment.
Neil Vogel of People Inc. shares his playbook for thriving in a post-Google world, revealing how his company transitioned from heavy search dependency to a diversified strategy. He explains "inverting the model" to generate revenue beyond web traffic, striking deals with AI companies, and the critical role of strong legacy brands. Vogel emphasizes a decentralized content approach and continuous investment in creative talent as key to building trust and engagement with audiences.
Matt Belloni discusses the current state of Hollywood, focusing on the Oscars and major industry shifts. Key topics include Warner Bros' awards strategy, David Ellison's acquisition of Paramount and Warner Bros and its financial implications, and the Oscars' controversial move to YouTube. The conversation also delves into the influence of betting markets and the ethical debate around Gulf money in Hollywood, ultimately offering an optimistic outlook on the industry's evolving future.
The World Cup is coming to the U.S (and Canada, and Mexico) in less than 100 days. Perhaps you’re an American who doesn’t care about soccer, and has given this news zero thought. That won’t be an option when the games arrive, says Roger Bennett. The CEO of the Men in Blazers podcast network — and author of “We Are the World (Cup)”, a personal history of the tournament — tells me this won’t be like anything we’ve seen here; even for old timers like me, who can remember the 1994 edition, which the...
This emergency episode dissects Netflix's surprising decision to abandon its bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, exploring how shareholder sentiment, regulatory hurdles, and political pressure paved the way for Paramount's acquisition. It delves into the anticipated challenges for Paramount, including significant debt and potential job cuts, while also examining the Ellison family's unique ownership dynamics and the broader implications for media consolidation and political influence on corporate deals.
This episode features CNN's Brian Stelter detailing how Donald Trump actively interferes in major media mergers, exemplified by the Warner Bros. Discovery bids, and uses the FCC to pressure news organizations. They explore the nuanced concept of newsroom self-censorship driven by fear of Trump's retaliation, as well as the unique challenges faced by local media. Stelter also offers insights into his own career choices and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding CNN's future ownership and the critical role of journalistic independence.
Peter Kafka interviews Janice Min of The Ankler and Reed Duchscher of Night, offering contrasting views on the entertainment industry. Min portrays Hollywood as grappling with major studio consolidations, the disruptive force of AI, and a struggling local economy, likening it to a 'Detroit vibe.' Duchscher, however, presents an optimistic outlook on the digital creator economy, discussing effective platform monetization, the evolution of internet talent, and how his agency helps creators build sustainable, diversified businesses amidst shifting digital landscapes.
If Joe Weisenthal didn’t exist, the internet would have to invent him. Because Joe Weisenthal is built for the internet — more specifically, an internet personality: Knows a lot, curious about even more, often right, happy to be wrong, always has something to say about anything. That persona/personality did wonders for Joe in the early days of Business Insider — which, not coincidentally, were also the early days of Twitter, where Joe really took off. Then he took his talents to Bloomberg, and s...
Peter Kafka and Erik Wemple delve into The Washington Post's tumultuous recent history. They discuss Jeff Bezos's initial role as a savior, injecting crucial investment that led to years of profitability, followed by a mysterious and rapid financial decline marked by significant layoffs. The conversation also scrutinizes Bezos's evolving political stance, its impact on the Post's opinion section and subscriber base, and the challenges management faces in innovating and securing a sustainable future amid internal disillusionment.
Disney has appointed Josh D'Amaro, known for leading the parks division, as its new CEO, indicating a strategic pivot to an "experiences first" company. This move reflects the parks' significant profit contribution and consistent growth, contrasting with the uncertain future of media content and streaming. The episode explores D'Amaro's leadership, his "Walt-like" public appeal, and the challenges of balancing content creation with the lucrative parks business in a post-streaming era.
Peter Kafka interviews Kathleen Hennessey, editor of the Minnesota Star Tribune, about the intense challenges of running a local newsroom covering "Operation Metro Surge" amidst widespread citizen video documentation. They discuss balancing staff well-being, verifying information in a chaotic environment, and the paper's unique value against national competitors. The episode then shifts to Ira Parker, showrunner for HBO's "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," who details how this new Game of Thrones extension offers a simpler, lighter, and more cost-effective narrative, designed for broader appeal while maintaining the essence of George R.R. Martin's world.
Football isn’t just the biggest show on TV — at this point, it’s basically the only reason some TV networks exist. So it’s a very worthy subject for Chuck Klosterman, the provocative and prolific writer, to tackle in his new book, which is called… Football . The big Channels idea here is to talk about football’s dominance in American media and culture, and What That Means — and how that might end, one day. And we most definitely get into that. But when you have Chuck Klosterman in studio, you ta...
Semafor CEO Justin Smith discusses how the news startup achieved profitability in three years by focusing on events, particularly in Washington D.C., and building direct relationships with a global leadership audience. The business model integrates journalism, advertising, and live convenings, with significant revenue from corporate sponsorships rather than delegate fees for top executives. Smith also touches on the challenges of platform dependency, the impact of AI, and the importance of rebuilding trust in journalism through unique editorial formats like the 'semiform'.
How, exactly, did Bari Weiss become the head of CBS News? We know that David Ellison, who bought Paramount last year, hired her — and bought The Free Press, the publication she started a few years earlier. But how did she get on Ellison’s radar? And why are so many media moguls, like Ellison, huge fans? New York magazine’s Charlotte Klein knows. She recently published an excellent profile of Weiss that tracks her ascent over the last few years, and I wanted to talk to her about it. It’s a story ...
Craig Finn makes music — as the head of the Hold Steady, and on his solo records — about grown-up lives and bad decisions. Back in 2017, we talked about his life as a working rock musician — and how touring actually works, how the band found a second life, and why fans and friendship matter more than old ideas of rock stardom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
PJ Vogt helped invent modern narrative podcasting with “Reply All.” Now he’s running “Search Engine” with a much smaller team and a lot more control. We talk through what he gave up this time around, what he gained, and how he actually makes the show each week. I loved this conversation when we recorded it earlier this year. And I think it’s just as relevant now, as media talent — and lots of people in other industries, too — are figuring out how to think about money, ownership and scale. Learn ...
