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Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino

Status
Donald Trump
CBS News
Bari Weiss
CNN
Fox News
60 Minutes
David Ellison
Paramount
Stephen Colbert
Jimmy Kimmel
Charlie Kirk
News Media
Jeff Bezos
Zohran Mamdani
Washington Post
MAGA Media
The Washington Post
Elon Musk
FCC
Warner Brothers Discovery

Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino break down their reporting and deliver analysis on how information moves and shapes society. From the media and Silicon Valley to Hollywood, they examine the institutions driving narratives, shaping perception, and influencing culture. New episodes drop every Friday. Watch the show on YouTube: ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes78Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryNewsPolitics

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Artwork for Power Lines

Latest Episodes

On today’s episode:

After 43 years at CNN, Christiane Amanpour announced this week that she will exit the network. We report on the concerns she had over David Ellison’s ownership and what drove her decision.

Plus, new reporting on the fallout insi... more

YouTube

In a special episode of Power Lines, we publish exclusive audio from a stunning all-hands meeting in which Bari Weiss' handpicked foreign editor, Shayndi Raice, unleashed a lengthy tirade against her own CBS News journalists.

The extraordinary meeti... more

YouTube

After completing his acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, David Ellison is facing questions about his relationship with Donald Trump and his plans for CNN. Jon shares what happened when he pressed Ellison directly on the Paramount lot, and Oliver r... more

YouTube

The future of CNN is coming into focus
at least for now. David Ellison has opened talks with Mark Thompson about extending his tenure as CNN’s chief. Oliver and Jon break down what the move signals to employees inside the network, what it could mean ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Casey Newton
Renowned tech journalist, author of Platformer, cohost of the upcoming NPR podcast Machine Gods
Platformer; Machine Gods
Episode: David Ellison Takes the Reins at CNN & Kara Swisher Zings Casey Newton’s Return to X
Rebecca Kutler
MS Now boss, leading the network's strategy and product
MS Now / Versant
Episode: MS NOW Boss Rebecca Kutler On Taking Trump Live, Hasan Piker, and More
Kara Swisher
Tech journalist, co-founder of Recode
Recode
Episode: Bari’s ‘60 Minutes' Disaster, Elon Musk Doc Mayhem, Ed Sheeran Faces Fury
David Remnick
Editor of The New Yorker, guest on the episode
The New Yorker
Episode: New Yorker Editor David Remnick Unleashes on Trump Over Press Attacks
Nicolle Wallace
Former White House Communications Director and political commentator
Formerly with conservative media; current political commentator
Episode: Nicolle Wallace Opens Up About Being Vilified By MAGA: ‘They’re Spreading Lies’
Brian Williams
Former NBC Nightly News anchor
NBC News (former)
Episode: Brian Williams Sharply Criticizes Media’s Trump Coverage: “Are You Kidding ME?!”
Don Lemon
Former network anchor and journalist, transitioning to independent media
Independent media/Zeteo
Episode: Don Lemon and Mehdi Hasan Get Candid About Corporate Media
Mehdi Hasan
Journalist and founder of a news organization aiming to build beyond himself
Zeteo / Independent media
Episode: Don Lemon and Mehdi Hasan Get Candid About Corporate Media
Rob Bonta
Attorney General of California
California Attorney General's Office
Episode: Our Exclusive Sit-Down with CA AG Rob Bonta on the Lawsuit Threatening the Paramount-Warner Merger

Hosts

Oliver Darcy
Host of Power Lines; veteran journalist focusing on media, politics, and newsroom dynamics
Jon Passantino
Host of Power Lines; veteran journalist providing insider analysis on media and politics

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 180 ratings
  • Leaked CBS audio

    Bullying corrodes journalism. When will it stop?! People need to know what is going on. Shayndi Raice is insulting and insufferable. Our journalists need to be supported not kicked around.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Partridgeberry Tarte
    Canada10 days ago
  • Outstanding

    I love this podcast!!💖I wish you were on more than 1x a week!! The intro music is bomb, very clever! Your political knowledge and insider detail makes for a great listen!! Van Lathan put me onto your show, I’m so glad he did😊Thank you for your quality journalism!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ZeeDeeMax
    United States5 months ago
  • New Podcast

    I’m glad you made a show or podcast! I enjoy all of the reporting I’ve seen so far,it touches on a lot of topics that’s not too much political news. Reporting on the reporters and other media is a great take ! Especially in today’s environment.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tammany hall
    United States6 months ago
  • Scott MacFarlane

    Great episode with Scott MacFarlane. He’s a fantastic reporter. Enjoyed hearing his take on where news is going.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cynthia Littleton
    United States6 months ago
  • IHIP News Collab

    I listened to your collab with IHIP News and I was so intrigued with your media coverage of CBS News. These guys give you behind the scenes coverage of the current transformation of American media to state-sponsored propaganda.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KAZI$
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some feedback notes repetition; pacing improvements suggested.
Listeners appreciate insider detail and candid analysis from seasoned reporters.
Guests and topics are praised for industry relevance and sharp perspectives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

David Ellison Takes the Reins at CNN & Kara Swisher Zings Casey Newton’s Return to X
Q: Why did you decide to keep Mark Thompson in place at CNN despite the broader organizational changes?
Ellison indicated that stability and editorial independence are priorities in the near term, suggesting that keeping Thompson helps maintain continuity while the broader integration unfolds.
CEOs of The NYT and Atlantic Get Canndid About AI, Google Search, Kalshi, and More
Q: Is there a possibility of a broader partnership with Kalshi or other prediction markets?
They are not presently pursuing a major partnership with Kalshi, but they do not rule out possibilities in the future and stress the need to preserve trust and avoid conflicts of interest that could undermine credibility.
CEOs of The NYT and Atlantic Get Canndid About AI, Google Search, Kalshi, and More
Q: Would the Times consider a deal like the Atlantic's with OpenAI, under the right conditions?
The Times would consider deals that ensure sustainable fair value exchange, clear permissions, and meaningful editorial protections; if a deal can meet those conditions, they are open to it, otherwise they would continue negotiations or pursue other actions.
CEOs of The NYT and Atlantic Get Canndid About AI, Google Search, Kalshi, and More
Q: Meredith, tell us why Nicholas is wrong.
Nick is outlining a cautious but constructive stance on licensing and partnerships, emphasizing that the Times and Atlantic are open to commercial deals as long as they meet strict terms regarding rights, control, and fair value exchange, which address the misalignment some publishers see with AI developers.
Brian Williams Sharply Criticizes Media’s Trump Coverage: “Are You Kidding ME?!”
Q: What's your take on the current state of network news and its future viability?
Linear TV may be in decline, but the core mission of delivering timely, accurate information persists; the business models and delivery methods will continue evolving, with opportunities in streaming, behemoth platforms, and niche outlets.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Power Lines

What is Power Lines about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino analyzes how information moves through media, tech, and politics by breaking down ongoing reporting, newsroom dynamics, and the business pressures shaping news. Episodes frequently dissect ownership changes, editorial direction, advertising strategies, and the interplay between legacy outlets and new digital platforms. Notable traits include sharp insider analysis, candid conversations about sourcing, and a willingness to critique media institutions from within, often featuring high-profile editors and journalists as discussed guests. The show tends to attract industry professionals seeking behind-the-scenes insight and context on how major stories are reported and interpreted by powerful med... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Power Lines?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Power Lines:

1. The Grill Room
2. The Powers That Be: Daily
3. Impolitic with John Heilemann
4. The Bulwark Daily
5. Mixed Signals from Semafor Media

How many episodes of Power Lines are there?

Power Lines launched a year ago and published 78 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Power Lines?

Recent guests on Power Lines include:

1. Casey Newton
2. Rebecca Kutler
3. Kara Swisher
4. David Remnick
5. Nicolle Wallace
6. Brian Williams
7. Don Lemon
8. Mehdi Hasan

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