Channels with Peter Kafka

Today's podcast is an in-depth discussion of Apple's App Store rules and how they... wait! Don't leave! I could try to tell you why Apple's App Store rules are important to both Apple and the digital economy (sadly, I just realized I've been covering them for nearly 15 years, so they better be important). But a better messenger for that task is Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games - the company behind Fortnite. Sweeney has spent 5 years fighting Apple in court - and by his estimation has sacrificed $1 billion in revenue - over the way Apple runs its App Store. For most of that time it seemed like a futile effort. But last week a federal judge handed Epic what could be a huge victory, and could potentially cost Apple a meaningful amount of revenue. Apple is going to appeal that ruling, but for now, Sweeney sees this a win for his own company, and many other developers who've chafed at the fees they have to pay Apple every time a consumer wants to give them money. And if you think none of that matters to you, a normal person, Sweeney is happy to explain why (he thinks) you're wrong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.

John Ourand, a seasoned sports business reporter at Puck, dives into the critical interplay between sports and television. He examines how shrinking TV audiences impact sports broadcasting and local networks. The conversation touches on college sports changes with NIL deals reshaping player dynamics. Ourand also explores the challenges facing regional sports networks and the shift from traditional TV to streaming platforms. He discusses sports gambling's growing influence, highlighting how these trends affect the future of sports viewership.

PJ Vogt, host of Search Engine and former co-host of Reply All, shares insights on transitioning from high-budget to lower-budget podcasting while maintaining quality. He emphasizes the importance of ownership and audience support for sustainability. Zach Mack, creator of the Alternate Realities series, dives into his personal journey navigating family conspiracy theories, exploring emotional dynamics and the impact of storytelling. Both guests highlight the evolving podcast landscape and the power of authenticity in engaging listeners.

Back when I first started covering the internet, the idea of broadcasting yourself for hours on end seemed like a pipe dream for weirdos. Now it's how some people make a living.Twitch more or less created live-streaming in the U.S., which is why Amazon bought it for about $1 billion back in 2014. But now there are plenty of places to watch, and create, live streams. How does Twitch fend off competitors? How does it convince its most popular streamers to keep streaming? And how will Amazon eventually make real money from the operation, which is was still in the red a few years ago?Those are all questions I asked Twitch CEO Dan Clancy, at a live taping at South by Southwest. Clancy also got to hear firsthand from Twitch's users and partners in a Q&A session at the end of our chat. Thanks to everyone who came out, and thanks to the folks at the Vox Media podcast network for putting it all together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We had to stop recording this one for a minute, because Matt Belloni got a text. More on that below.Big picture: Matt is a longtime Hollywood reporter - and lawyer before that - who now has the industry's ear via his writing at Puck and his The Town podcast. I asked him to talk about what lies ahead for the Oscars, the out-of-step TV production that still has big audiences and prestige; and the current state of Hollywood, the business. Also discussed here: Awards party catering, and the most popular movie executive who isn't Bob Iger.For the record: When we started recording this podcast, the audience for Sunday's Oscar awards had declined yet again. By the end of it, new numbers meant it was the most popular show in the last five years. Obviously we would have preferred to know that in advance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices