OpenAI Acquires TBPN In First Move Into Media Ownership

OpenAI Taps TBPN To Amplify Its Industry Influence

OpenAI acquired Technology Business Programming Network (TBPN), a tech-focused talk show, marking its first move into media ownership. The deal expands OpenAI’s communication channels as the company increases its presence in public and policy discussions around artificial intelligence.

Building On A Cult Following

TBPN is hosted by John Coogan and Jordi Hays, both former tech founders, and streams daily across platforms including YouTube and X. The show features interviews and discussions with executives from major technology companies. Guests have included Mark Zuckerberg, Satya Nadella, Marc Benioff and Sam Altman, according to published reports. The Wall Street Journal reported that TBPN is projected to generate more than $30 million in revenue this year.

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Editorial Independence With Strategic Support

TBPN will continue to operate under its existing brand and retain control over editorial decisions, including guest selection and programming. The acquisition provides additional resources to expand production and distribution. Fidji Simo, Head of AGI Deployment at OpenAI, said the show’s communication approach supports a broader understanding of artificial intelligence. She added that traditional communication strategies may not apply to rapidly developing technologies.

Navigating Potential Conflicts Of Interest

The acquisition raises questions given the show’s history of critical commentary on major technology companies, including OpenAI. Integration into OpenAI’s communications structure, led by Chris Lehane, Head of Global Affairs, introduces potential overlap between editorial content and corporate strategy. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, said the program will continue to feature direct and critical discussions. He added that the show is expected to maintain its existing format under the new ownership.

Tbpn’s New Chapter

Jordi Hays, Co-Host of TBPN, said the partnership focuses on transparency and open discussion about artificial intelligence. The collaboration aims to expand how AI-related topics are communicated to broader audiences. The acquisition reflects OpenAI’s broader strategy to expand its role in public communication alongside product development.

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Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 18, 2026

Cyprus expects more French visitors in 2027 as airlines increase capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators in Paris.

France, one of Cyprus’ key tourism markets, has had a difficult 2026. French arrivals fell 46% year over year to 8,453 in August, from 15,663 a year earlier, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). August arrivals were also nearly 50% below the 16,798 recorded in the same month of 2024.

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Overall, Cyprus received 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7% from the same period in 2025.

Air Connectivity Supports 2027 Outlook

Koumis discussed the 2027 outlook with senior executives from tour operators offering Cyprus holidays during the IFTM Top Resa travel trade fair in Paris.

Higher air capacity between France and Cyprus was a key focus of the talks. Participants also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the French market and Cyprus’ efforts to adapt its tourism offering to French travelers.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that France had regained importance only a few years ago and still had room to grow.

Improved air connectivity will be an important factor in that expansion, according to Koumis. “It is now clear that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, which is a basic prerequisite for the further growth of the market,” he said.

Cyprus Promotes Tourism And Regional Cooperation

Koumis attended the opening of IFTM Top Resa at the invitation of French Tourism Minister Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus stand. Held from Sept. 15 to 17 at Paris Porte de Versailles, the event brought together more than 32,000 tourism professionals representing 177 destinations and 1,650 brands, according to organizers.

During his visit, Koumis also met Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their tourism cooperation and discussed opportunities to strengthen ties further.

French media interviews covered Cyprus’ tourism offering, infrastructure and services, along with efforts to develop specialized tourism products. Regional instability weighed on arrivals in 2026, particularly during the spring, although the decline narrowed over the summer.

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