Channels with Peter Kafka

Katie Drummond, Global Editorial Director of Wired, shares her journey of revamping the iconic magazine, emphasizing the need to attract new audiences and revenue. She discusses the surge in subscriber growth driven by political coverage and how this aligns with current societal dynamics. The conversation also touches on the changing perceptions of tech leaders post-election, the unique Canadian perspective on U.S. politics, and the challenges of maintaining high-quality journalism in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram at Meta, shares insights on the platform's dynamics and the evolution of social media. He dives into the complexities of content moderation and how Instagram navigates its policies. Mosseri discusses the challenges and opportunities of launching Threads as a fresh social network, aiming to learn from past mistakes. He emphasizes the importance of fostering constructive environments and supporting smaller creators to diversify digital landscapes, while also addressing user engagement shifts from traditional platforms.

Patrick McGee, a seasoned journalist and author of 'Apple in China,' shares insights on Apple's deep entanglement with China. He explains how the company’s reliance on Chinese manufacturing has become a liability amid U.S.-China trade tensions. McGee discusses the complexities of relocating production and Tim Cook's strategic choices. As Apple faces fierce competition from local brands, he highlights the ethical dilemmas in operating under a repressive regime and the potential future impacts on innovation and corporate values.

In a captivating discussion, Ian Rogers, Chief Experience Officer at Ledger and a digital music pioneer, shares his insights on both the music industry and cryptocurrency. He reflects on his role in reshaping digital music from the 90s, emphasizing the parallels between early internet excitement and today's crypto landscape. Rogers highlights the importance of digital ownership and security, while advocating for self-custody solutions. He also touches on innovative storage options for digital assets and the potential mainstream adoption of stablecoins.

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games and mastermind behind Fortnite, shares his intense five-year legal battle against Apple over App Store rules. He discusses a recent court ruling that may shift the balance of power in favor of developers, allowing them to communicate alternative payment options directly to users. Sweeney highlights the case's broader implications for digital freedom and competition in the marketplace. He also hints at the potential return of Fortnite to iOS, revealing the vast stakes involved for companies and gamers alike.

Laura Desmond, CEO of Smartly and advertising industry veteran, shares her insights on the future of ad spending. She discusses how potential tariffs could severely impact small businesses and warns that a TikTok ban might not concern advertisers as much. Desmond highlights the need for brands to adapt to market dynamics, consumer privacy, and evolving digital landscapes driven by AI. She emphasizes the shift towards personalized advertising experiences and the resilience of direct-to-consumer companies amidst economic uncertainties.

David Baszucki, CEO of Roblox, shares insights on the platform's massive reach with 85 million users, primarily kids, and his ambitious goal to capture 10% of the global gaming market. He discusses the unique user-generated content that resonates with players and the platform’s growth from a children's game to a community for older users. Baszucki also addresses challenges of safety, user age verification, and the evolving gaming landscape, all while maintaining the innovative spirit of Roblox amidst its corporate growth.

Jake Sherman, Co-founder of Punchbowl News, shares insights from his thriving startup that covers Congress. He explains what news is generated in a landscape where little legislation passes and discusses innovative products like NBlock AI that enhance data accessibility. Sherman dives into the competitive media landscape, highlighting subscription strategies and audience retention. He also touches on the impact of the Trump era on political reporting and the current debates around TikTok, connecting it to broader foreign policy issues.

A.G. Sulzberger, the Publisher of The New York Times, shares insights on the media landscape as it stands in 2025. He discusses the NYT's robust subscriber model that shields it from advertising volatility. Sulzberger bravely tackles the potential press freedoms crisis if Trump were to regain power and elaborates on the NYT's strategy of suing OpenAI over copyright issues. He also reflects on journalism's evolution amid technological changes and emphasizes the importance of robust editorial independence in today's economy.

Sara Fischer, a seasoned media correspondent at Axios, dives into the tumultuous landscape of journalism under Trump's latest administration. She discusses how traditional media is facing unprecedented challenges, including lawsuits and access restrictions. Fischer highlights the rise of independent media influencers and the struggles of local journalism amidst a pandemic. The conversation also touches on tech giants navigating their relationship with the media, uncovering the future of news in an increasingly polarized environment.