The Powers That Be: Daily

Latest Episodes:

WBD Custody Battles & BuzzFeed’s Fire Sale Dec 18, 2024

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Bill Cohan joins Peter to speculate about Warner Bros. Discover potentially selling its declining cable assets as Zaslav doubles down on streaming. Then they delve into how BuzzFeed, on the brink of bankruptcy, is scrambling to pay off its colossal corporate debt.

ABC News’ $15M Settlement & Pollsters on Notice Dec 17, 2024

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Eriq Gardner joins Peter to break down ABC News and Disney's $15 million decision to settle the defamation lawsuit brought by Trump. He also dives into Trump’s freshly-filed lawsuit against former pollster Ann Selzer and whether this signals a warning shot for other pollsters who could face similar lawsuits.

Media Monday: WBD’s Potential SpinCo and Politico’s Profit Playbook Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

Jon Kelly connects with Dylan Byers to chew over the latest media industry buzz, starting with David Zaslav’s sweeping WBD restructuring and what this move portends for his longstanding cable networks, including CNN. Is Zaslav positioning to spin off these networks, a la Brian Roberts’ SpinCo? Plus they dive into the latest developments at The Washington Post, Politico, and much more.

Silicon Valley Does D.C. Dec 14, 2024

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Abby Livingston returns with a grand unified theory of how tech took over Trump's White House: the V.C. players in his inner circle, the crypto money that fueled the election, whether lawmakers will back off regulation of Big Tech, and why Washington dismisses Elon Musk at its peril.

Guilfoyle in Exile & More Tulsi Game Theory Dec 13, 2024

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Tara Palmeri joins Ben to discuss how a cheating Don Jr. got his fiancée banished to Greece, and what the non-scandal scandal portends for fellow sex fiends RFK Jr. and Pete Hegseth. Then they assess Tulsi Gabbard's charm campaign on the Hill and whether Kash Patel will be the next nominee to fall.

Belichick's Chapel Hill Escapade Dec 12, 2024

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John Ourand joins Peter for a candid conversation about the booming college football business as the inaugural CFP is slated to begin this weekend—and Bill Belichick's striking move to become UNC's next head coach. Then they discuss whether the NBA Cup is having a positive impact on the league's ratings and competition.

The Murdoch Succession Shocker & TikTok’s Trump Card Dec 11, 2024

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Legal expert Eriq Gardner joins Peter to explain the latest twist in Rupert Murdoch’s high-stakes succession battle against his children. Then they debate the chances that Trump saves TikTok after a federal court upheld the app’s ban slated for January.

WaPo Hunger Games & Other Media War Stories Dec 10, 2024

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Dylan Byers joins Peter with the latest on The Washington Post's executive editor sweepstakes, where a surprising twist sees one of the leading contenders defecting to The New York Times. Then Dylan delves into the never-ending controversies surrounding tech and culture writer Taylor Lorenz, and the baggage that seems to follow her at every turn.

Media Monday: Hegseth TV Happy Hour & SpinCo Eventualities Dec 09, 2024

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Jon Kelly joins Peter to chat about the media’s portrayal of the Hegseth confirmation tour. The old friends also chew over the Conde Nast layoffs, Rashida Jones’ impending departure from MSNBC, and other related industry subplots.

Dial M for Mutiny Dec 07, 2024

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In a special Saturday episode, Abby Livingston joins Ben to dig into a new drama on Capitol Hill: Democrats like A.O.C. deposing their elders in a leadership-sanctioned act of generational warfare as the party cleans house. Then they discuss the mounting resistance to Pete Hegseth and which Republican senators might throw a wrench in Trump’s transition machine.

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