Marketplace Morning Report

Virginia Dolgast, a Professor at Cornell, dives into Disney's innovative content licensing deal with OpenAI's Sora, allowing fans to create videos with beloved characters. She highlights the impact on young audiences and the tension between consumer trends and Disney+ viewership. Larry Adam, Chief Investment Officer at Raymond James, shares insights on recent GDP growth and forecasts consumer spending trends, predicting boosts from tax rebates. Together, they explore the future of media and the shifting landscape in entertainment.

Nova Safo, a Marketplace reporter specializing in health and business, discusses the FDA's approval of an oral version of Wegovy, potentially revolutionizing weight loss with lower costs. Amy Scott examines consumer sentiment, highlighting worries over high living costs and weak job prospects as households feel the pinch heading into the new year. Meanwhile, Chris Farrell delves into long-term unemployment trends, explaining how the shift to online applications and wage inequality may be lengthening job searches and contributing to a soft labor market.

Surinjana Tiwari, a BBC reporter in Singapore, reveals how Amazon has blocked over 1,800 North Korean job applicants to thwart funding for weapons programs. She explains the alarming practice of identity theft and laptop farms used to funnel wages overseas. Meanwhile, Rick Kelsey, reporting from Tokyo, dives into 'oshikatsu,' the thriving fan culture that has rejuvenated Japan's retail market, showcasing how dedicated fans drive consumer spending on everything from anime to sports merchandise. Together, they connect global tech and cultural trends.

Steve Bombs, founder of Alon Advocacy, discusses crucial changes in financial data sharing that impact apps like Venmo and Zelle. He outlines the implications of a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule still in limbo, expressing how banks oppose free data sharing. Julia Coronado provides insights into why gold prices are soaring amid geopolitical tensions and messy economic data. She also tackles inflation, explaining how timing issues have led to an understated economic picture. Together, they unravel the complexities of consumer data control and market fluctuations.

Joining the conversation are Nova Saffo, a savvy business reporter focusing on consumer and travel trends, and Gideon Long, a BBC World Service business reporter with insights on the bourbon industry. They discuss the predicted surge of 122 million holiday travelers, the impact of lower gas prices on driving costs, and soaring expenses for flights and hotels. Long adds a twist, detailing Jim Beam's production pause and the industry's challenges, while also highlighting how AI is reshaping holiday shopping by generating gift ideas and streamlining retail purchases.

Surinjana Tiwari, a BBC reporter specializing in global business, discusses Jim Beam's year-long production halt due to tariffs and declining consumer demand. She highlights the challenges faced by the distillery and shifting drinking habits among younger consumers. Meanwhile, John Reid, Senior Market Strategist at the World Gold Council, explores gold's remarkable price surge and its outlook into 2026, linking the demand for precious metals to recent political decisions and expected interest rate cuts.

Nancy Marshall-Genzer, a Marketplace reporter specializing in U.S. operations, dives into the intricacies of the TikTok joint venture, revealing investor dynamics and potential regulatory hurdles. The discussion then shifts to the fierce competition for Warner Bros. Discovery, highlighting Netflix's and Paramount's ambitious bids. With looming antitrust scrutiny and the contrasting influences of the Biden and Trump administrations, Marshall-Genzer provides insights into how presidential preferences could sway major corporate decisions.

In this conversation, Amy Scott, a Marketplace reporter focused on housing market trends, explores the rising electricity prices, which have surged 6.9% year over year. She discusses how energy-hungry data centers, essential for AI and crypto, are influencing electric bills and prompting Senate investigations into tech firms. Additionally, Amy provides insights into the shifting housing markets in Austin, Cleveland, and Jacksonville, highlighting the differences in buyer-seller dynamics across these cities.

Surinjana Tiwari, a BBC Asia business correspondent, shares her insights on TikTok's impending sale of its U.S. assets to American investors, including Oracle and Silver Lake. She delves into national security concerns surrounding ownership, with ByteDance retaining a nearly 20% stake. The discussion tackles the complexities of TikTok's algorithm and licensing challenges that could affect its future. Tiwari also touches on broader financial themes, including the EU's substantial loan to Ukraine amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

In this discussion, Nancy Marshall-Genser, a savvy Marketplace reporter, dives into President Trump's economic claims, dissecting what's accurate and what's not. Meanwhile, John Breaux, a consumer protection expert, sheds light on the alarming rise of AI-driven scams. They explore how scammers are utilizing fake websites and ads to deceive unsuspecting buyers. Breaux offers practical tips to protect yourself, highlighting secure payment methods and key checks before making online purchases. It's a revealing look at the intersection of economics and technology.