Channels with Peter Kafka - podcast cover

Channels with Peter Kafka

Vox Media Podcast Networkpodcasts.voxmedia.com
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. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Episodes

Meet the man who made Netflix’s most popular movie

Have you seen Extraction? More than 90 million Netflix viewers have, making the violent thriller the service’s most popular original movie to date. Stuntman-turned-director Sam Hargrave, sits down with Recode’s Peter Kafka to discuss his action movie starring Chris Hemsworth. Hargrave talks about learning how to make action movies on the set of Marvel’s Avengers series, working with the Russo brothers, and the power of Netflix’s global platform. Featuring: Sam Hargrave (@thesamhargrave), Directo...

May 21, 202042 minEp. 279

Joe Rogan takes his podcast to Spotify

Recode’s Peter Kafka and Vox Media Podcast Network senior producer Zach Mack, discuss the recent deal to bring The Joe Rogan Experience exclusively to Spotify and what it means for the podcast industry. Featuring: Zach Mack (@zachthemack), Senior Podcast Producer at Vox Media Podcast Network Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media industry's most acclaimed reporters, talks to business titans, journali...

May 20, 202016 min

It’s Twitch’s Time: Talking live streaming with gamer Dr. Lupo and journalist Bijan Stephen

Ben “Dr.” Lupo always works from home: He’s a professional video game player. And he’s a star, with 4 million Twitch subscribers. This week Dr. Lupo sits down with Recode’s Peter Kafka to break down a day in the life of being a full-time Twitch Streamer, how he and his fellow colleagues are handling creating content during the pandemic, and what he plans on doing in the upcoming future of his career. Later, The Verge’s Bijan Stephen joins Peter to give some insight as to why there has been a hug...

May 14, 202055 minEp. 278

How Tara Reade told her story

Vox.com’s Laura McGann and Recode’s Peter Kafka discuss Tara Reade, her allegations of sexual misconduct against Joe Biden, and the way the media has treated her. McGann, Vox’s politics editor, discusses her attempt to verify Reade’s allegations in 2019, and why the story has resurfaced now; the discussion also includes Reade’s decision to tell her story to former TV personality Megyn Kelly, on Kelly’s YouTube channel. https://www.vox.com/2020/5/7/21248713/tara-reade-joe-biden-sexual-assault-acc...

May 11, 202041 min

Michael Jordan's Last Dance, with director Jason Hehir

Michael Jordan and the 1998 Chicago Bulls are profiled in ESPN's 10-part documentary series The Last Dance. Director Jason Hehir chats with Recode's Peter Kafka about the complex process of telling this story in 10 parts, interviewing Michael Jordan and the '98 Bulls and wondering how MJ would handle the digital era. Featuring: Jason Hehir (@jasonmhehir), director of ESPN's The Last Dance Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Pe...

May 07, 202035 minEp. 277

The man behind The Office brings you the future, on Amazon

Writer Greg Daniels and Recode’s Peter Kafka discuss discuss 'Upload' and 'Space Force,' his upcoming series for Prime Video and Netflix and what its been like launching two TV shows in this moment. Later, Vulture’s Craig Jenkins talks about how the pandemic has changed the way we see live music and how recording artists are taking advantage of Instagram live to conduct friendly battles and engage with their fans. Featuring: Greg Daniels, writer and co-creator of Upload and Space Force Craig Jen...

Apr 30, 202051 minEp. 276

Matthew Ball on how the pandemic will remake TV, movies and video games

Analyst Matthew Ball sits down with Recode’s Peter Kafka to discuss how the coronavirus is changing the landscape on how SVOD’s are currently conducting business, why Hollywood is choosing to delay some big feature releases, and how the video game industry is thriving. Featuring: Matthew Ball (@ballmatthew), Analyst Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media industry's most acclaimed reporters, talks to ...

Apr 23, 202058 minEp. 275

How the Atlantic is thriving in the pandemic

The Atlantic’s editor in chief, Jefferey Goldberg, sits down with Recode’s Peter Kafka to discuss how his publication became a must-read during the Coronavirus pandemic, how he is converting new readers into new subscribers, and what it’s like to run a media outlet owned by billionaire Laurene Powell Jobs. Featuring: Jeffery Goldberg (@JeffreyGoldberg), Editor-In-Chief of The Atlantic Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter ...

Apr 16, 202045 minEp. 274

Jeffrey Katzenberg's $1.75 billion bet on Quibi

Quibi is here. Founder Jeffrey Katzenberg chats with Recode’s Peter Kafka about launching a new product during a pandemic, how he thinks his service differs from other bigger streaming platforms, and his vision for Quibi’s future. Later, The Verge’s Julia Alexander reviews some of Quibi’s new and original shows. Featuring: Jeffery Katzenberg (@Quibi), Founder of Quibi Julia Alexander (@loudmouthjulia), Reporter at The Verge Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Su...

Apr 06, 20201 hr 9 minEp. 273

TikTok, Facebook and podcasts respond to the pandemic

Taylor Lorenz, who covers the internet for the New York Times; Campbell Brown, who heads up Facebook news partnerships; and Sarah Larson, who writes about podcasts for the New Yorker, chat with Recode’s Peter Kafka about the way the pandemic is affecting their industries. Lorenz discusses the way social networks like TikTok have responded — and why Zoom is a new social network; Brown discusses Facebook’s $100 million plan to boost local news outlets; and Larson talks about the way podcasters are...

Apr 02, 202053 minEp. 272

Making people laugh during a pandemic, with Jon Lovett and Jon Gabrus

Two chats with people who make you laugh for a living: Pod Save America co-host Jon Lovett talks about making his shows — including one that’s supposed to happen with a live audience - from home during the pandemic, what’s happening to his podcast business during the economic disruption, and how to help people get through a very rough time. Then, in an interview taped as the pandemic was beginning to hit the U.S., improviser Jon Gabrus explains how podcasting has allowed him to build a loyal aud...

Mar 26, 20201 hr 8 minEp. 271

How social media works - and doesn’t — during the pandemic

Stratechery’s Ben Thompson, Lightshed’s Rich Greenfield, and Crisis Text Line’s Bob Filbin join Recode’s Peter Kafka to talk about the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. Thompson talks about the pros and cons of social media in a crisis - and what it’s like to live in Taiwan, where he’s based; Greenfield discusses Hollywood’s move to let us watch new movies at home instead of theaters; and Libin explains what we can do to help people in crisis. Featuring: Ben Thompson (@benthompson), founder of...

Mar 19, 202054 minEp. 270

Why the Coronavirus canceled the NBA, with ESPN’s Brian Windhorst

In a conversation taped hours before the NBA suspended its season, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Recode’s Peter Kafka discuss how the Coronavirus could affect the NBA, and why the league could cancel games — including its playoffs this spring - entirely. Windhorst also discusses the NBA’s TV problems, its dust-up with China last fall, and how LeBron James kickstarted his career. Featuring: Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN), ESPN Reporter Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to e...

Mar 12, 20201 hr 1 minEp. 269

How streaming changed comedy with Vulture’s Jesse David Fox

Vulture Senior Editor and host of the Good One podcast, Jesse David Fox, sits down with Recode’s Peter Kafka to discuss how social media and streaming has had an effect on the comedy industry and specifically how Netflix has revitalized the hour long standup comedy special. Featuring: Jesse David Fox (@JesseDavidFox), Senior Vulture Editor Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media industry's most acclai...

Mar 05, 20201 hr 2 minEp. 268

ViacomCBS gets into the streaming wars, too. Sort of.

ViacomCBS just announced new plans to do… something in streaming video. CNBC’s Alex Sherman explains how the newly merged TV company sees itself competing with Netflix, Apple and everyone else, and how that might actually work. Also: Who wants to spend billions and billions of dollars to buy NFL rights? The answer might surprise you. Featuring: Alex Sherman (@sherman4949), CNBC Media & Tech reporter Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recod...

Feb 27, 202031 minEp. 267

Food52’s surprising success story, with co-founders Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs

Food writers Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs turned a book deal into a digital publishing and retail company. Then they spent 10 years turning that company into something worth more than $100 million. They tell Recode Media’s Peter Kafka what they learned along the way — and why he was wrong to count them out years ago. Plus: A conversation with Pod Save America’s Dan Pfeiffer about the state of the 2020 race, the media strategies the candidates are using, and what they did and didn’t learn fro...

Feb 20, 202054 minEp. 266

Local news is dying. John Thornton wants to save it.

John Thornton went from venture capitalist to founder of The Texas Tribune. He sits down with Recode's Peter Kafka to discuss his latest plans to empower local news organizations via the American Journalism Project. Featuring: John Thornton (@thorntonaustin), Founder of The Texas Tribune, Co-Founder of American Journalism Project Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media industry's most acclaimed report...

Feb 13, 202047 min

Spotify, The Ringer and the future of podcasts

Spotify is buying Bill Simmons’ sports and pop culture website and podcast network, The Ringer. It’s Spotify’s fourth podcast acquisition in a year. Recode’s Peter Kafka (who broke the story) sits down with Vox Media Podcast Network producer and former Ringer staff member Zach Mack to discuss what this deal means for Spotify, The Ringer and the future of podcasts. Featuring: Zach Mack (@zachthemack), Senior Podcast Producer at Vox Media Podcast Network Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor ...

Feb 06, 202020 min

How Netflix is changing The Oscars

Vox culture and movie mavens Alissa Wilkinson and Allegra Frank sit down with Recode’s Peter Kafka to discuss the 92nd Academy Awards. Who will win? Who should win? And how has Netflix and the streaming industry changed the Oscars? Featuring: Allegra Frank (@LegsFrank), Associate Culture Editor at Vox and Alissa Wilkinson (@alissamarie), Film Critic at Vox Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media indus...

Feb 06, 202050 min

Why Ben Smith is leaving BuzzFeed for the New York Times

Ben Smith spent eight years building BuzzFeed News into a publication that could compete with the New York Times. Now he’s going to the New York Times as its media columnist. He sits down with Recode’s Peter Kafka to explain why he’s going, and what it means - or doesn’t mean - for digital media. Featuring: Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) Editor-In-Chief of BuzzFeed News Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the med...

Jan 30, 202036 minEp. 262

BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti reboots his business plan

BuzzFeed CEO, Jonah Peretti, sits down with Recode’s Peter Kafka live from the Digital Content Next Summit in Miami to discuss BuzzFeed's new direction. Featuring: Jonah Peretti (@peretti) CEO & Founder of BuzzFeed Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media industry's most acclaimed reporters, talks to business titans, journalists, comedians, and more to get their take on today's media landscape. About R...

Jan 23, 202031 minEp. 260

NBC’s Peacock enters the Streaming Wars

Recode's Peter Kafka and Rani Molla break down everything you need to know about NBC's new upcoming streaming service, Peacock, and share their thoughts on how it will fair against its competitors. Featuring: Rani Molla (@ranimolla) Senior Data Reporter at Recode Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media industry's most acclaimed reporters, talks to business titans, journalists, comedians, and more to g...

Jan 17, 202022 minEp. 259

Anna Wiener on disillusionment with startup culture

The New Yorker’s Anna Wiener chats with Recode’s Shirin Ghaffary about her new memoir, Uncanny Valley, which gives insight on her time working in the tech startup industry, and how being one of the few women in it, gave her a whole new perspective. Featuring: Anna Wiener (@annawiener) author and writer for The New Yorker Host: Shirin Ghaffary (@shiringhaffary), Reporter at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media industry's most acclaimed reporter...

Jan 16, 20201 hr 4 min

How The Safdie Bros. landed Adam Sandler for Uncut Gems

Filmmakers Josh & Benny Safdie join Recode’s Peter Kafka for a great discussion on their early path to making movies and why Adam Sandler originally turned down the part of Howard in their latest movie Uncut Gems. Featuring: Josh & Benny Safdie (@JOSH_BENNY) writers and directors of Uncut Gems Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media industry's most acclaimed reporters, talks to business titans, journa...

Jan 09, 202035 min

Adam Davidson on how to thrive in this economy

The New Yorker’s Adam Davidson chats with Recode’s Peter Kafka about his start as a financial reporter, launching NPR's Planet Money, the science of consumerism, and his new book “The Passion Economy: The New Rules for Thriving in the Twenty-First Century”. Featuring: Adam Davidson (@adamdavidson) author and writer for The New Yorker Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media industry's most acclaimed re...

Jan 02, 20201 hr 5 min

Streaming wars! (Don’t call them streaming wars!) and everything else we learned in 2019, with Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw

Bloomberg Business reporter, Lucas Shaw joins Recode's Peter Kafka to wrap up the decade by reviewing the year in media. They also discuss the current state and future of streaming. Featuring: Lucas Shaw (@Lucas_Shaw), reporter for Bloomberg Business Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media industry's most acclaimed reporters, talks to business titans, journalists, comedians, and more to get their take...

Dec 26, 201945 min

Eat up! Food talk with The Infatuation’s Chris Stang and the New Yorker’s Helen Rosner

It's an all food edition of Recode Media! CEO & Co-Founder of The Infatuation, Chris Stang, and roving food correspondent for the New Yorker, Helen Rosner join Recode's Peter Kafka to delve into all things food and culture. Featuring: Chris Stang (@houseofstang), Co-Founder & CEO of The Infatuation Helen Rosner (@hels), Food Correspondent for The New Yorker Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media indu...

Dec 19, 20191 hr 27 minEp. 254

Vice Media CEO Nancy Dubuc on the internet, TV and her famous founder

Vice Media CEO Nancy Dubuc discusses the different challenges she faced since taking charge in 2018 and how their new acquisition of the lifestyle brand Refinirey29 fits in with their strategy for the future of Vice Media. Featuring: Nancy Dubuc, CEO of Vice Media Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media industry's most acclaimed reporters, talks to business titans, journalists, comedians, and more to ...

Dec 16, 201931 minEp. 253

The anatomy of a hit song, with Switched on Pop’s Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding

Switched on Pop’s Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding chat with Recode’s Peter Kafka about their new book (Switched on Pop: How Popular Music Works, and Why It Matters) and break down the different elements of Post Malone’s latest #1 single, “Circles”, that makes it such a hit. Featuring: Nate Sloan (@neatsloan) and Charlie Harding (@charlieharding), hosts of @SwitchedOnPop Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of th...

Dec 12, 201953 minEp. 252

Roger Lynch’s plan to save Condé Nast

Conde Nast CEO Roger Lynch used to run digital music and video companies. Now he’s in charge of the world’s most iconic magazine publisher; he talks about his plans with Peter Kafka at the Code Media conference. Featuring: Roger Lynch (@RogerLynch), CEO of Condé Nast Host: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at Recode More to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media industry's most acclaimed reporters, talks to business titans, journalists, comedians, and more ...

Dec 09, 201935 minEp. 251