OpenAI, the leading AI company, has completed its first media acquisition by purchasing TBPN (Technology Business Programming Network), a well-known tech industry talk show. The program will be managed under Chris Lehane, OpenAI’s chief political strategist.
Hosted by former tech entrepreneurs John Coogan and Jordi Hays, TBPN broadcasts daily for three hours on YouTube and X, covering topics such as technology, business, AI, and defense.
TBPN has cultivated a significant following within Silicon Valley, serving as an informal forum for prominent industry figures to engage in frank discussions and interact with peers. It’s often likened to a “Sports Center” for the tech world, attracting leading CEOs such as Mark Zuckerberg, Satya Nadella, Marc Benioff, and Sam Altman, who appear to discuss current events, share their perspectives, and sometimes break news.
OpenAI plans to support the expansion of TBPN, which will retain its distinct brand identity. Notably, TBPN was already a successful venture, reportedly on course to generate over $30 million this year, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
OpenAI already produces its own podcast, which features in-depth discussions with the innovators developing technology within the company.
Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s head of AGI deployment, stated that the company will also leverage the founders’ “exceptional communication and marketing expertise” beyond the show itself. Simo believes TBPN will “introduce AI to the public in a manner that clarifies the profound influence of this technology on their everyday existence.”
Simo further emphasized that TBPN’s unique capabilities are crucial for a distinctive company like OpenAI, where conventional communication strategies are inadequate.
She affirmed that TBPN will maintain its editorial independence, allowing it to “manage its programming, select its guests, and make its own editorial choices.”
Nevertheless, this acquisition raises certain considerations. OpenAI, a significant AI research lab nearing an IPO, is purchasing a popular talk show that frequently covers the company and its rivals. Upon finalization, TBPN will report to OpenAI’s strategy team and Chris Lehane, known for coining “vast right-wing conspiracy” to redirect media attention from the Clinton administration.
Lehane, characterized as a specialist in “political dark arts,” also played a key role in the crypto industry super PAC Fairshake, which invested substantial funds to undermine anti-crypto candidates in the 2024 election. After joining OpenAI in the same year, he has reportedly advised President Trump on significant and contentious policies, including proposals to prevent states from regulating AI and to relax environmental rules that could impede data center development.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, who publicly declared TBPN his preferred tech program on a social media post, appears confident that the acquisition will not alter the show’s commentary or its willingness to criticize the company.
He commented, “I don’t anticipate them being any softer on us; I’m certain I’ll contribute to that by making occasional foolish choices.”
TBPN, for its part, views this acquisition as an opportunity to extend its influence beyond mere commentary.
In a statement, Hays remarked, “Although we have occasionally critiqued the industry, what truly impressed us after engaging with Sam and the OpenAI team was their receptiveness to feedback and their dedication to doing things correctly. Transitioning from providing commentary to making a tangible difference in how this technology is disseminated and comprehended worldwide is exceptionally significant to us.”
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