What to know about OpenAI’s surprise acquisition of TBPN

In October 2024, two entrepreneurs launched a tech news podcast. Eighteen months later, OpenAI just bought it.

The ChatGPT maker announced Thursday it has purchased TBPN (Technology Business Programming Network) for an undisclosed sum, bringing the tech world’s buzziest podcast into the AI company’s fold. 

TBPN is run by Jordi Hays and John Coogan, founder of VC party and cofounder of Soylent, respectively.

Here’s what to know about the deal:

How will this arrangement be structured?

The announcement makes a big claim, stating that TBPN will maintain “editorial independence.”

This separation will give the podcasters space to make editorial decisions, run their programming, and choose their guests. Open AI CEO Sam Altman has previously appeared on the show. 

“TBPN is my favorite tech show,” Altman wrote on X following the news. “We want them to keep that going and for them to do what they do so well. “I don’t expect them to go any easier on us, am sure I’ll do my part to help enable that with occasional stupid decisions.”

However, TBPN will be part of OpenAI’s strategy department, reporting to chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane.

OpenAI plans to use their “amazing comms and marketing instincts” and “leverage their talent outside the show.” 

Sure, TBPN is allowed to talk openly about OpenAI. But, from the sound of it, that will mean talking honestly about an employer of sorts. 

“​​While we’ve been critical of the industry at times, after getting to know Sam and the OpenAI team, what stood out most was their openness to feedback and commitment to getting this right,” Hays said in a statement. “Moving from commentary to real impact in how this technology is distributed and understood globally is incredibly important to us.”

What is TBPN?

An episode of TBPN can span topics such as buyout deals, gossip about AI talent wars, and startup culture—to name a few areas. Hays and Coogan often cover 50 to 100 topics an episode, Hays told Fast Company last month.

The show’s livestream can sometimes attract upwards of 130,000 simultaneous viewers, with millions more watching clips and listening to the podcast after the fact.

“We basically leverage the algorithms,” Hays continued. “Love them or hate them, they do a really good job of sorting what people are interested in.” 

In March, TBPN was named No. 2 on Fast Company‘s Most Innovative Companies list for news and media.

Hays and Coogan cohost TBPN for three hours a day, five days a week, talking about all things tech and business. As Fast Company staff editor Connie Lin put it, “The pair tackle business news like sports commentators.” 

In December, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) announced a deal to become TBPN’s exclusive exchange partner.

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