OpenAI acquires TBPN talk show in hundreds-of-millions deal despite vow to end side quests
26 Sources
[1]
OpenAI takes on another "side quest," buys tech-focused talk show TBPN
OpenAI has struck a deal to acquire TBPN, a technology-focused talk show popular in Silicon Valley, making an unexpected move into broadcasting after pledging to abandon "side quests" and focus on its core business. The ChatGPT maker had purchased the 11-person company in a "low hundreds of
[2]
OpenAI acquires TBPN, the buzzy founder-led business talk show | TechCrunch
OpenAI has acquired popular tech industry talk show TBPN, short for the Technology Business Programming Network, making the AI giant's first acquisition of a media company. The show will report to OpenAI's chief political operative, Chris Lehane. TBPN, hosted by former tech founders John Coogan
[3]
OpenAI Buys Some Positive News
OpenAI announced Thursday that it had acquired the online business talk show TBPN for an undisclosed sum. The move comes as OpenAI struggles with its public image, which has taken a significant hit in recent months. Since launching in 2024, TBPN has risen in popularity among Silicon Valley circles
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After Cutting Down on 'Side Quests,' OpenAI Bought a Talk Show
Alex Valdes from Bellevue, Washington has been pumping content into the Internet river for quite a while, including stints at MSNBC.com, MSN, Bing, MoneyTalksNews, Tipico and more. He admits to being somewhat fascinated by the Cambridge coffee webcam back in the Roaring '90s. OpenAI has spent the
[5]
OpenAI just bought TBPN
TBPN's views averages about 70,000 viewers per episode, and it generated more than $5 million in advertising revenue this year, with projections to draw in more than $30 million in 2026 revenue, according to The Wall Street Journal. OpenAI's reasoning for purchasing the show involved "accelerating
[6]
OpenAI acquires technology talk show TBPN in surprise move
April 2 (Reuters) - OpenAI, jostling with Anthropic for enterprise customers, has bought TBPN, an online tech talk show that has built a loyal Silicon Valley following through interviews with industry CEOs. Entrepreneurs John Coogan and Jordi Hays, who started TBPN in late 2024 with the aim of
[7]
OpenAI just bought the TBPN talk show because the normal PR playbook "doesn't apply" to it
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available. Back when LLMs were new, OpenAI had the lion's share of the popularity. However, as rival companies such as Google and Anthropic managed to get a strong foothold,
[8]
OpenAI acquires popular tech talk show for 'low hundreds of millions'
OpenAI has struck a deal to acquire TBPN, a technology-focused talk show popular in Silicon Valley, making an unexpected move into broadcasting after pledging to abandon "side quests" and focus on its core business. The ChatGPT-maker had purchased the 11-person company in a "low hundreds of
[9]
'Chasing vibes' -- OpenAI's M&A strategy gets more confusing with TBPN purchase
TBPN launched in 2024 and quickly rose to prominence within Silicon Valley, cultivating a loyal audience of investors, founders and tech workers. Over 10 months after shelling out an eye-popping $6.4 billion for Jony Ive's nascent devices startup, OpenAI announced another surprising deal on
[10]
OpenAI Buys Streaming Show 'TBPN,' Aiming to Change Narrative on A.I.
Mike Isaac covers artificial intelligence and wrote about the rise of "TBPN" last year. For the past 18 months, every chief executive in Silicon Valley has clawed at the door to talk to "TBPN," a streaming show focused on technology and business. They have embraced the "TBPN" hosts, John Coogan
[11]
OpenAI has acquired the Silicon Valley talk show TBPN
The daily live show, hosted by former founders John Coogan and Jordi Hays, will sit inside OpenAI's strategy organisation and report to chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane. Terms were not disclosed. OpenAI says TBPN will keep its editorial independence. OpenAI has acquired TBPN, the
[12]
OpenAI acquires popular tech podcast TBPN
TBPN is a daily podcast hosted by John Coogan and Jordi Hays that covers technology news and features interviews with major tech leaders, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman. The Wall Street Journal was first to report the
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Why OpenAI bought 'SportsCenter for Silicon Valley'
When news broke last week that OpenAI was buying the Technology Business Programming Network, a streaming talk show popular with a small but influential Silicon Valley fanbase, some thought it was a belated April Fools' Day joke. TBPN co-host Jordi Hays winked at the idea on last Thursday's
[14]
OpenAI buys tech talkshow TBPN in push to shape AI narrative
OpenAI's chief of strategy says acquisition of show will help company engage with public about AI as it evolves OpenAI is wading into the media business by acquiring TBPN, a technology-focused talkshow closely watched by Silicon Valley insiders, its hosts said on Wednesday. Co-hosts John Coogan
[15]
OpenAI acquires tech talk show TBPN
Why it matters: The deal underscores OpenAI's effort to not just release AI tools but also shape the public conversation on AI. Driving the news: "TBPN is my favorite tech show," OpenAI CEO Sam Altman posted on X. "We want them to keep that going and for them to do what they do so well. I don't
[16]
OpenAI to 'drive AI conversation' with purchase of tech talk show TBPN
The purchase will be part of OpenAI's strategy to further the conversation on the changes brought about by artificial intelligence. OpenAI, in what is being described as an unusual move, is set to purchase the Technology Business Programming Network (TBPN), a daily, live tech talk show hosted by
[17]
OpenAI acquires tech industry podcast TBPN - SiliconANGLE
OpenAI Group PBC today announced that it has acquired the company behind TBPN, a popular tech industry podcast. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. According to The Wall Street Journal, TBPN expects to generate more than $30 million in advertising revenue this year. That suggests the buyout
[18]
Silicon Valley turns to new media to sell AI
Silicon Valley is embracing nontraditional media to sell its vision of technology as concerns mount over artificial intelligence's impact on the workforce, economy and environment. Tech and business leaders are turning to everything from podcasts to Substack blogs to avoid the traditional media
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OpenAI Acquires TBPN, the Irreverent Tech Podcast With a Cult Following
OpenAI has acquired popular technology podcast TBPN for an undisclosed sum. The ChatGPT creator says that the podcast's creators and cohosts, John Coogan and Jordi Hays, will continue the show while contributing to OpenAI's messaging and communication strategy. TBPN (which stands for Technology
[20]
AI needs 'better marketing', says Sam Altman after buying chat show TBPN
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is acquiring popular podcast The Best Possible Node (TBPN) to improve AI's public image, calling it a poorly marketed technology. Altman praised TBPN's ability to explain complex AI concepts accessibly and without hype. The podcast will retain editorial independence, reporting
[21]
OpenAI Buys Tech Talk Show TBPN in Media Expansion | PYMNTS.com
By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. According to the FT, OpenAI has acquired the 11-person Technology Business
[22]
OpenAI Gets Into Media, Buys Streaming Business Talk Show TBPN
WME Inks $500 Million Deal to Sell 160over90 Sports Marketing Firm to Publicis The AI tech giant has acquired TBPN, the red-hot streaming show that covers big business, with a heavy emphasis on tech. The show will continue to stream on YouTUbe, X and every pother platform where it is available,
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OpenAI Steps into Media With TBPN Acquisition
OpenAI Buys TBPN to Join the Conversation Around AI, Not Just Build It! OpenAI has acquired TBPN, a fast-growing tech talk show. The deal was announced on April 2, 2026. The company did not share how much it paid, yet, the news has caught a lot of attention. The . Still, it highlights a crucial
[24]
ChatGPT owner OpenAI acquires technology talk show TBPN in surprise move
OpenAI, jostling with Anthropic for enterprise customers, has bought TBPN, an online tech talk show that has built a loyal Silicon Valley following through interviews with industry CEOs. Entrepreneurs John Coogan and Jordi Hays, who started TBPN in late 2024 with the aim of competing with industry
[25]
OpenAI acquires technology talk show TBPN in surprise move
April 2 (Reuters) - OpenAI, jostling with Anthropic for enterprise customers, has bought TBPN, an online tech talk show that has built a loyal Silicon Valley following through interviews with industry CEOs. Entrepreneurs John Coogan and Jordi Hays, who started TBPN in late 2024 with the aim of
[26]
OpenAI buys Sam Altman favourite tech show TBPN, internet calls it PR move
Despite the acquisition, TBPN will continue to operate as its own brand. OpenAI has acquired the popular tech talk show Technology Business Programming Network (TBPN), marking the company's first-ever acquisition of a media platform. The show will now operate under OpenAI's strategy team and
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OpenAI has purchased TBPN, a Silicon Valley tech talk show hosted by Jordi Hays and John Coogan, for a sum in the low hundreds of millions of dollars. The move comes just weeks after executives urged staff to abandon side quests and focus on core business. TBPN, which draws 70,000 daily viewers and was on track to generate $30 million in revenue this year, will report to OpenAI's chief political operative Chris Lehane while maintaining editorial independence.
OpenAI Acquires TBPN in Unexpected Media Acquisition
OpenAI has completed a deal to acquire TBPN, the Technology Business Programming Network, a tech industry talk show that has become a fixture in Silicon Valley since launching in October 2024. The ChatGPT maker purchased the 11-person company for a sum in the low hundreds of millions of dollars, according to sources familiar with the terms
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. This marks OpenAI's first media acquisition, an unusual strategic move for an AI company racing against competitors like Google and Anthropic2
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Source: New York Post
The OpenAI acquisition comes just weeks after Fidji Simo, CEO of AGI deployment at OpenAI, urged staff to eliminate side quests and concentrate on primary business lines including ChatGPT and coding tools for business customers. "We cannot miss this moment because we are distracted by side quests," she wrote in a memo last month
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. However, one person close to the company dismissed concerns, noting that researchers and engineers would not devote time to this venture1
.TBPN's Rise as Silicon Valley's Sports Center
Hosted by former tech founders John Coogan and Jordi Hays, who style themselves as "technology brothers," TBPN operates as a daily live show streaming for three hours on YouTube and X. The show has earned a reputation as something of a Sports Center for the tech industry, where top executives like Mark Zuckerberg, Satya Nadella, Marc Benioff, and Sam Altman come to discuss breaking news and make announcements
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Source: NYT
TBPN averages about 70,000 viewers per daily episode and was on course to generate around $30 million in revenue this year, largely from advertising, up from $5 million last year
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.The show broadcasts from the Ultradome, a studio on a Hollywood film lot, covering topics including AI, crypto, startups, and the defense industry
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. It has cultivated a devoted following among startup founders, investors, and AI researchers, many of whom are active on social media platform X3
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Source: Silicon Republic
Strategic Communication in an Atypical Company
In a memo to staff announcing the deal, Simo explained that the standard communications playbook does not apply to OpenAI. "We're not a typical company," she wrote. "We're driving a really big technological shift. And with the mission of bringing AGI to the world comes a responsibility to help create a space for a real, constructive conversation about the changes AI creates -- with builders and people using the technology at the center"
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. Simo told staff that TBPN was "one of the places where the conversation about AI and builders is actually happening day to day"1
.The acquisition comes as OpenAI struggles with its public image, which has taken a significant hit in recent months. After the company signed a deal with the Department of Defense in February, Anthropic's Claude surged in downloads and claimed the top spot among Apple's free apps. OpenAI's leaders are also dealing with a growing QuitGPT movement of people who vow to never use OpenAI's products
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.Related Stories
Editorial Independence Questions and Chris Lehane's Role
TBPN will continue to operate from Los Angeles and report to Chris Lehane, OpenAI's VP of global affairs and chief political operative
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. Lehane, who invented the phrase "vast right-wing conspiracy" as a tool to deflect press scrutiny of the Clinton White House, has been described as a master of "political dark arts." He is also behind the crypto industry super PAC Fairshake, which spent hundreds of millions to defeat anti-crypto candidates in the 2024 election2
.OpenAI insists TBPN will maintain editorial independence despite its new owners being among the most recognizable AI companies in the world and a competitor to several of the talk show's existing advertisers. "TBPN will continue to run their programming, choose their guests, and make their own editorial decisions," Simo stated. "That's foundational to their credibility, and it's something we're explicitly protecting as part of this agreement"
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. Hays and his team will help with marketing and communications at OpenAI but keep their editorial independence, the company said1
.Sam Altman posted on X that TBPN is his favorite tech show, adding: "I don't expect them to go any easier on us, am sure I'll do my part to help enable that with occasional stupid decisions"
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.Broader Implications for AI's Impact on Media
The media acquisition makes OpenAI the latest Silicon Valley player to own and operate a news business, following Jeff Bezos buying The Washington Post, Marc Benioff buying Time Magazine, and Robinhood buying MarketSnacks. In each case, the acquisitions raised immediate questions about whether the outlets would remain truly independent
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. The acquisition prompted criticism on social media, with journalist David Sirota posting: "Reporters doing accountability journalism are getting mowed down by mass layoffs & are now almost extinct -- while the targets of their accountability reporting are giving hundreds of millions of dollars to pundits"4
.Hays acknowledged the show has been critical of AI companies at times. "After getting to know Sam and the OpenAI team, what stood out most was their openness to feedback and commitment to getting this right," he said. "Moving from commentary to real impact in how this technology is distributed and understood globally is incredibly important to us"
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. A source close to OpenAI says the company doesn't expect TBPN to contribute financially to the business, though it will help with OpenAI's communications strategy3
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