OpenAI has acquired TBPN (Technology Business Programming Network), a tech industry talk show, according to announcements from the company and multiple media outlets. This marks OpenAI’s first acquisition of a media company.
TBPN is hosted by former tech founders John Coogan and Jordi Hays and airs daily as a three-hour livestream on YouTube and X, focusing on tech, business, AI, and defense, according to TechCrunch. Since launching in 2024, the show has gained popularity in Silicon Valley and interviewed executives from companies including Meta, Salesforce, Palantir, and OpenAI, according to Wired.
According to The Wall Street Journal (cited by both Wired and TechCrunch), TBPN generated $5 million in ad revenue last year and is on track to make more than $30 million in revenue in 2026. The show reportedly reaches around 70,000 viewers per episode, according to Wired.
In a memo announcing the acquisition, OpenAI’s CEO of applications Fidji Simo stated that “the standard communications playbook just doesn’t apply” to OpenAI, according to TechCrunch. Simo emphasized that TBPN will have “editorial independence” and continue to “run their programming, choose their guests, and make their own editorial decisions,” according to TechCrunch.
According to TechCrunch, TBPN will report to Chris Lehane, described as OpenAI’s chief political operative. Wired noted this acquisition comes as OpenAI struggles with its public image.