Nicholas Thompson runs one of the few media companies that can say things are going pretty well: The Atlantic is profitable, growing, and boasts 1.6 million subscribers.But that's today. What comes next is the bulk of our conversation: Thompson — a big AI guy — tells me what The Atlantic's deal with OpenAI has and hasn't delivered, why he thinks publis ... Show More
Sep 2
Data Centers, Elon Musk, and the New Politics of Tech, with David Weigel
Not long ago, most Americans had never heard of data centers. Now most Americans are actively opposed to them.It’s a head-snapping change — one that is befuddling tech bosses, and forcing some politicians to quickly change their tune.It’s the second part that I wanted to talk to ... Show More
53m 20s
Aug 26
The Weird, Big Business of Microdramas
Microdramas are the new phone-first soap operas: stories chopped into dozens of one-minute episodes: Low-budget productions filled with romance, werewolves, secret babies, and cliffhangers—and, eventually, a request that you pay to keep watching. Surprisingly, lots of people do.S ... Show More
48m 45s
Aug 19
The $12.5 Billion Lakers, the NFL’s TV Fight, and Sports Media’s Big Split
Sports teams keep selling for more money because, in theory, their media rights keep becoming more valuable. But the companies that actually pay for sports TV are starting to push back. John Ourand of Puck joins me to break down Bob Iger and Josh Kushner’s $12.5 billion deal for ... Show More
42m 41s
Mar 2021
Tony Hsieh, Jeff Bezos's Twitter fingers, and Big Tech in Congress (again)
This week, Kara and Scott chat about the Wall Street Journal's deep dive on Tony Hsieh, Jeff Bezo's twitter fingers, and the future of unions. Then, Friend of Pivot Zephyr Teachout joins us to talk about Cuomo Corruption and how monopoly power is "white power."
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56m 5s
Jun 2024
Is the NY Times Just a Gaming Platform?
Even the Grey Lady struggles to profit from the news. This week, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Elizabeth Spiers are joined by Semafor founder Ben Smith to discuss media profit models, the impact of Google’s AI on the news biz, and the TikTok-ification of information. In the Plus ... Show More
43m 47s
Aug 2023
Streaming goes up, Zoom comes down
The Verge's Nilay Patel, David Pierce, and Alex Cranz break down the chaotic and increasingly more expensive state of streaming video. Are we just recreating cable TV? And afterwards, the crew explores the wild world enterprise software. Further reading: Disney Plus and Hulu are ... Show More
1h 32m
Mar 2020
Recode Decode: Jason Calacanis
Inside CEO and This Week in Startups host Jason Calacanis talks with Kara Swisher about the future of Uber after its troubled IPO, why one of the tech giants should buy Tesla, and Jeff Bezos' Achilles heel: His lack of generosity. Calacanis, who was an early investor in Uber, als ... Show More
1h 6m
Sep 2023
Writers Strike Deal, Betting Against the FTC, and Guest Mathias Döpfner
Kara and Scott discuss the tentative deal between Hollywood writers and studios, and what it means for the future of the industry. They also talk about GOP attacks on misinformation researchers, as well as the hedge fund making billions betting against FTC Chair Lina Khan. Friend ... Show More
1h 13m
Aug 2023
Tech Money in Politics, SBF, and Billion-Dollar Barbie with Co-Host Teddy Schleifer
Puck's Teddy Schleifer is Kara's co-host, chatting about Sam Bankman-Fried’s legal woes, Barbie hitting $1 billion, and the Musk v. Zuckerberg cage fight. Then, Donald Trump’s response to his latest indictment, and the money behind the presidential candidates. Then we’re joined b ... Show More
1h 14m
Apr 2022
The Poison Pill, The State of Streaming and Guest William D. Cohan
Kara and Scott discuss the Twitter board's “poison pill” approach to fend of Elon’s bid. Friend of Pivot William D. Cohan joins to discuss whether or not Elon has the cash. Also, Alex Jones’ Info Wars has declared bankruptcy, and Tucker Carlson’s new documentary trailer is raisin ... Show More
1h 3m