Sam Altman Called It His Favorite Tech Show. Now OpenAI Owns It.

TLDR

• OpenAI acquired daily tech talk show TBPN ahead of its planned IPO
• The price was reported in the “low hundreds of millions” by the Financial Times
• TBPN averages about 70,000 viewers per episode
• TBPN staff will report to OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane
• Questions are being raised about whether TBPN can stay editorially independent

OpenAI has bought online tech talk show TBPN, short for Technology Business Programming Network. The deal was announced Thursday and comes as the AI company prepares for a public listing expected as soon as this year.

TBPN airs live on weekdays from 11am to 2pm PT and focuses on technology and business news. It is hosted by entrepreneurs Jordi Hays and John Coogan. The New York Times previously called it “Silicon Valley’s newest obsession.”

The Financial Times reported the deal was priced in the “low hundreds of millions,” though OpenAI did not officially confirm a figure. No financial details were disclosed in the announcement.

For context, Spotify renewed its exclusive deal with Joe Rogan, who draws around 15 million listeners, for up to $250 million over multiple years. TBPN draws roughly 70,000 viewers per episode.

OpenAI said the deal is meant to support “a real, constructive conversation about the changes AI creates.” CEO Sam Altman called TBPN his “favorite tech show” and said he does not expect favorable coverage.

TBPN will sit within OpenAI’s Strategy organization and report to Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer. Staff will continue producing their own content while also supporting OpenAI’s marketing and communications efforts.

Questions Over Editorial Independence

OpenAI says TBPN will remain editorially independent, choosing its own guests and making its own editorial decisions. The company called this “foundational to their credibility.”

But critics question how a media outlet can stay neutral when its staff report directly to a senior OpenAI executive. The concern is especially relevant as OpenAI competes with rivals like Anthropic.

It raises a practical question: will executives from competing AI companies agree to appear on a show now owned by OpenAI? Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg appeared on TBPN last year, but that dynamic may change.

OpenAI’s Media Strategy

TBPN co-founder Jordi Hays said the team was drawn to OpenAI’s openness to feedback. He said moving “from commentary to real impact” was important to them.

OpenAI recently raised $122 billion in new funding at a valuation of $852 billion. The company has a content-licensing deal with News Corp, which owns Barron’s.

TBPN is available on X, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, LinkedIn, Substack, and Instagram. The show is described as one of the fastest-growing media companies in the tech space.

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