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.
AI is rapidly evolving from a tool for individual productivity into a transformative force that requires fundamental shifts in how organizations operate. While current models demonstrate a "jagged frontier"—excelling at tasks like coding and math while struggling with others—they are increasingly capable of performing ...
Political campaigning faces a fundamental shift as traditional linear television loses its dominance, yet campaigns remain tethered to outdated structures. Digital strategy is often treated as a secondary tactic rather than a core component, driven by rent-seeking consultants who prioritize high-margin television buys....
Larry Ellison’s recent acquisition of a media empire, including Skydance and a significant stake in TikTok, stems less from a calculated political grand plan than from a complex mix of personal interests and financial support for his son, David. While Ellison’s proximity to figures like Donald Trump and Benjamin Netany...
The Atlantic has achieved sustained profitability by pivoting to a subscription-first business model, now boasting 1.6 million subscribers. CEO Nicholas Thompson attributes this success to rigorous testing of paywall dynamics and a diversified revenue strategy that balances subscriptions, advertising, and events. While...
Microdramas, a burgeoning $4 billion global industry, represent a distinct third audiovisual language characterized by vertical, serialized, and fast-paced storytelling. These productions, often featuring soap-opera-style narratives, utilize a freemium model where viewers watch initial segments before hitting paywalls....
The media landscape faces significant disruption as the Ellison family’s potential acquisition of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery raises concerns regarding political influence over major news outlets like CBS and CNN. Media reporter Oliver Darcy, founder of the independent newsletter Status, argues that these corp...
Media industry consolidation faces significant friction as the proposed Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger stalls amid an imminent antitrust trial. The Ellison family’s aggressive acquisition strategy encounters legal challenges, with states pushing for structural remedies rather than behavioral concessions. S...
The newsletter industry is shifting toward specialized creator infrastructure, moving beyond simple distribution to comprehensive operating systems for independent media. Beehiiv CEO Tyler Denk distinguishes his platform from competitors like Substack by positioning it as an invisible, "Shopify-style" service provider ...
The creator economy is undergoing a fundamental shift as podcasting moves toward video-first distribution and platform-driven monetization. Chris Balfe, CEO of Red Seat Ventures, explains how his firm navigates this transition by balancing creator independence with the resources provided by its parent company, Fox. A c...
The annual Cannes advertising convention functions as a "carnival of capitalism," drawing industry leaders to facilitate high-stakes deals between marketers and platforms. While the advertising sector increasingly relies on automation and data-driven performance metrics to reach massive audiences, the event persists as...
The Hollywood entertainment industry is undergoing a significant transition from a traditional broadcast model to a streaming-dominated landscape, fundamentally altering how talent is compensated. The shift away from long-term backend residuals toward upfront premium payments has created a more volatile environment for...
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