OpenAI announced on April 2 that it has acquired TBPN, the Technology Business Programming Network, a live tech news show that broadcasts weekdays on X, YouTube, and podcast platforms. The deal reportedly cost in the low hundreds of millions of dollars, making it OpenAI's first media acquisition.

What Happened

TBPN is a daily live tech news show hosted by Jordi Hays and John Coogan, broadcasting 11 AM to 2 PM Pacific across X, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, LinkedIn, and Substack. The show has roughly 300,000 X followers and 58,000 YouTube subscribers. Over its run, 296 companies announced fundraises on the show, totaling $70.9 billion across 314 deals.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the team brings "amazing comms and marketing instincts" and understands "where the industry is going." OpenAI executive Fidji Simo stated the acquisition aims to "help create a space for a real, constructive conversation about the changes AI creates."

Why It Matters

This is OpenAI's first media acquisition, putting the company in direct control of a channel reaching influential tech decision-makers. The deal comes despite OpenAI's previous stated commitment to avoiding "side-quests" outside its core AI mission.

OpenAI's chief political operative, Chris Lehane, will oversee TBPN operations. The company committed to maintaining editorial independence, though TBPN staff will also assist OpenAI's marketing and communications. The move follows a pattern of tech companies acquiring media platforms to control narrative: Amazon's Washington Post purchase and Salesforce's Forbes investment.

Key Details

  • Price: Low hundreds of millions of dollars, per the Financial Times
  • TBPN revenue: Projected $30 million in 2026 with approximately $5 million from sponsorships
  • Reach: 300,000 X followers, 58,000 YouTube subscribers
  • Show format: Live weekday broadcast, 11 AM to 2 PM Pacific
  • Deal stats: 296 companies announced $70.9 billion in fundraises on the show
  • Oversight: Chris Lehane, OpenAI's chief political operative, will manage TBPN

What to Do Next

Watch how TBPN's coverage evolves under OpenAI ownership. The show continues on YouTube and major podcast platforms. For context on OpenAI's broader acquisition strategy, OpenAI acquired Astral for Python developer tools earlier this year, signaling a pattern of buying developer-facing companies.