The Powers That Be: Daily

Latest Episodes:

The Last Days of TikTok? Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

Tara Palmeri joins Peter to delve into the most recent developments surrounding the looming TikTok ban, with the app slated to go black come Sunday. Tara walks through the Supreme Court’s skepticism towards TikTok’s arguments and explains how Trump could potentially use his executive power to halt the ban. Tara also discusses the broader implications for U.S.-China relations.

Media Monday: L. A. Second-Order Effects & Venu Aftershocks Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

Jon Kelly checks in on Peter Hamby and the two old friends discuss the fates of Karen Bass, the film industry, and order derivative impacts of the tragedy in L.A. Then they dip into the demise of Venu and the future of the Murdoch empire.

TikTok Shopping Wars Jan 10, 2025

Show notes

Sarah Shapiro joins Peter for a deep dive into the wild world of affiliate marketing and the billion-dollar business of influencers. Sarah discusses the massive impact of creators in the retail space and chronicles an exploding battle between the industry’s perennial leader, LTK, and the bold upstart ShopMy—a rivalry defined by two cultures and starkly different visions for the business.

Los Angeles Is Burning Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

Dylan Byers joins Peter to discuss the devastating wildfires and winds that are ravaging Los Angeles. While Dylan praises the local media for their commendable coverage, Peter criticizes the lack of leadership from Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom.

Blake v. Baldoni v. The New York Times Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

Eriq Gardner joins Peter to walk through the explosive P.R. and legal war engulfing Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni—including Baldoni’s $250 million counterattack against The New York Times. Then the duo uncover the China subplot behind Trump’s campaign to force the Supreme Court to delay a ban on TikTok.

The Dark Art of Trump’s Deal Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

Abby Livingston joins Peter to discuss the challenges and prospects for Republicans in passing legislation during Trump’s second term—especially after the harrowing pre-Christmas government spending bill near-disaster. Then they turn to the potential for executive orders by Trump and what, if anything, Democrats can do about it.

Media Monday: WaPo Defectors & Netflix-NFL Murmurs Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

Jon Kelly reunites with Peter to chew over the exodus of key departures from The Washington Post and whether C.E.O. Will Lewis can pivot the newsroom with a wave of new talent. They also discuss Netflix’s Christmas Day NFL games and why sports rights seem destined for the big streamers.

Infidels at the Gates Jan 03, 2025

Show notes

Bill Cohan joins Ben to discuss how the triple threat of Amazon, Apple, and Alphabet have forced the legacy TV incumbents—Comcast, WBD, Disney, and Paramount—to countenance their own M&A visions of what Bob Iger famously called the "everything on the table" era.

Secrets of Victoria’s Secret Jan 02, 2025

Show notes

In a special best-of replay episode, Lauren Sherman drops by to discuss the rise and fall of Victoria’s Secret, Les Wexner’s apparel empire, and the Epstein mystery. Then Lauren and Peter dig into a designer shakeup at Fendi, and where the next fashion house dominos could fall.

A New Year's Replay: The A.I. Search Wars Jan 01, 2025

Show notes

From the archives: Baratunde Thurston joins Peter Hamby to dissect the heated A.I. arms race between Google, Meta, and OpenAl, and how a new wave of generative search tools, like Perplexity AI, are making it difficult for tech incumbents to outpace disruptors.

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