Why billionaire tech bros are buying up media companies

April 3, 2026 — 3:30pm

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OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT and vanguard of the new wave of disruption sweeping through the economy, has taken a break from buying other artificial intelligence firms to invest in a daily three-hour online chat show.

On Friday, OpenAI said it had bought the Technology Business Programming Network, which has 11 employees and airs a marquee show hosted by John Coogan and Jordi Hays, for an undisclosed amount reportedly in the “low hundreds of millions”.

While TBPN’s viewership numbers are low relative to other popular influencers and livestream channels, it has become a favourite of Silicon Valley executives, making the purchase a potential vehicle for OpenAI to shape perceptions of artificial intelligence.

OpenAI executive Fidji Simo, who oversaw the development of Facebook’s stories and news feed functions in her time at that company, suggested to employees in a memo that the purchase would help OpenAI spread its views.

“One thing that’s become clear is that the standard communications playbook just doesn’t apply to us,” Simo said. She said the show would help OpenAI “create a space for a real, constructive conversation about the........

© Brisbane Times