TED Radio Hour Head of TED, Chris Anderson, on TED’s new chapter
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Oct 15, 2025 
Chris Anderson, the longtime head of TED, shares his transformative journey leading the nonprofit into a global media platform. He discusses the impact of putting TED Talks online and the rise of TEDx events. With the announcement of Sal Khan as the new steward, Chris emphasizes the importance of maintaining TED’s generous culture while expanding educational initiatives. He reflects on philanthropy's role in funding TED's future and expresses optimism about stepping back while allowing a new generation to lead.
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How Chris Came To Lead TED
- Chris Anderson bought TED from its founder after falling in love with the conference in 1998.
- He moved TED into a nonprofit and made it his life's passion amid the dot-com crash.
Free Content Grew The Brand
- Putting TED Talks online for free transformed TED from a conference into a global media platform.
- Giving content away increased demand for the live conference instead of diminishing it.
TEDx Fueled Global Reach
- TEDx licenses spread the TED brand through thousands of local events.
- There are about 3,000 plus TEDx events held around the world.