technology
OpenAI acquires tech talk show TBPN
OpenAI has bought TBPN and hired its founders in a surprise move aimed at shaping the public discussion of AI while pledging to preserve the show's editorial independence.
Apr 2nd 2026 · United States
Insights
- Deal announced April 2 with financial terms undisclosed.
- Founders John Coogan and Jordi Hays will join OpenAI.
- OpenAI said the acquisition will help communicate its plans and guide public conversation about AI.
- TBPN said it will retain editorial independence and compared the move to past media-company pairings.
- The purchase was unexpected after OpenAI shelved its Sora video tool and had not signaled an entry into news media.
- TBPN has a Silicon Valley following and has hosted guests including Mark Zuckerberg, Satya Nadella, James Cameron and Sam Altman.
- The move comes as OpenAI competes with Anthropic and faces scrutiny over a classified military technology deal.
Sources
- OpenAI just bought TBPN www.theverge.com
- OpenAI acquires popular tech podcast TBPN www.cnbc.com
- OpenAI acquires technology talk show TBPN in surprise move www.channelnewsasia.com
- OpenAI acquires TBPN, the buzzy founder-led business talk show techcrunch.com
- OpenAI acquires popular tech talk show for ‘low hundreds of millions’ www.ft.com
- OpenAI Buys Some Positive News www.wired.com
- OpenAI Buys Streaming Show ‘TBPN,’ Aiming to Change Narrative on A.I. www.nytimes.com
- OpenAI Acquires Popular Tech-Industry Talk Show TBPN tech.slashdot.org
- OpenAI buys tech talkshow TBPN in push to shape AI narrative www.theguardian.com
- Why OpenAI Decided to Buy TBPN, Tech’s Hottest News Show www.wsj.com
- OpenAI buys tech talk show TBPN in push to shape AI narrative www.thehindu.com
- OpenAI to ‘drive AI conversation’ with purchase of tech talk show TBPN www.siliconrepublic.com
- 'Chasing vibes' — OpenAI's M&A strategy gets more confusing with TBPN purchase www.cnbc.com
- OpenAI takes on another "side quest," buys tech-focused talk show TBPN arstechnica.com