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Artwork for Power Lines

Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino

Status
Donald Trump
CBS News
Bari Weiss
CNN
Fox News
Paramount
Jimmy Kimmel
David Ellison
Charlie Kirk
News Media
Stephen Colbert
Zohran Mamdani
MAGA Media
FCC
Warner Brothers Discovery
Jeff Bezos
Olivia Nuzzi
Washington Post
The Washington Post
Tucker Carlson

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes46Founded10 months ago
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PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for Power Lines

Latest Episodes

Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday.

On today’s episode:

Christiane Amanpour has become the first CNN star to say the quiet part... more

Power Lines is the official podcast of Status, where veteran journalists Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino deliver sharp media industry analysis every Friday.

On today’s episode:

CBS News is facing mounting turmoil as new ratings data shows “CBS Eve... more

On this week’s Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino:

Former CBS News correspondent, and current chief Washington correspondent for MeidasTouch, Scott MacFarlane joined the show! We talked about the tension surrounding this year’s White ... more

YouTube

On this week’s Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino:

David Ellison is set to host an "intimate" dinner “honoring the Trump White House,” according to an invite that we got our hands on. The event is ostensibly a “celebration of the First... more

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Recent Guests

Scott MacFarlane
Chief Washington Correspondent for Meidas Touch Network
Meidas Touch Network
Episode: Scott MacFarlane Gets Candid, Tucker Carlson Apologizes, and Kash Patel Lashes Out
Jim Acosta
Journalist, former White House correspondent
CNN
Episode: SPECIAL EPISODE: Jim Acosta on Trump’s Growing Influence Over the Media
Tim Graham
Executive editor of the Media Research Center
Media Research Center
Episode: 'CBS Evening News' Hits New Lows, White House Attacks Google, MS NOW Shakes Up Lineup
Bari Weiss
Commentator and journalist
Free Press / CBS News (context in episode)
Episode: CNN Fury Over Scott Jennings, Bari Weiss' Morning Show Shakeup, Trump's Press Dinner Backlash
David Ellison
News/Entertainment industry executive
Paramount / CBS News (context in episode)
Episode: CNN Fury Over Scott Jennings, Bari Weiss' Morning Show Shakeup, Trump's Press Dinner Backlash
Peter Attia
New CBS News contributor
CBS News
Episode: Bezos Bails on Washington Post, Weiss Backs Attia Over Epstein Emails, Trump Attacks Kaitlan Collins
Brian Lowry
Hollywood correspondent and editor at Status
Status
Episode: Bari Weiss’ CBS News Backfire, CNN’s Scott Jennings Torched, Biggest Oscars Surprises
Erika Kirk
Widow of Charlie Kirk, who was murdered earlier this year
Episode: Trump Demands CNN Be Sold, Tucker Trashes CBS Chief Bari Weiss, & Politico's Trump Softball
Natalie Korach
A journalist reporting on the situation inside Condé Nast regarding Olivia Nuzzi's scandal
Episode: Olivia Nuzzi Scandal Rocks Vanity Fair, Trump’s Disturbing MBS Defense, and Fox News’ Epstein Spin

Hosts

Jon Passantino
Host of Power Lines
Oliver Darcy
Co-host of Power Lines

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 106 ratings
  • 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 Statesa month ago
  • Power Lines Rocks!

    Just discovered this show and appreciated the content and natural dynamic between Oliver and Jon. Great information delivered in an enjoyably listenable format.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Roscoinpnw
    United States2 months ago
  • Losing Credibility

    Five Stars for your show and you’re right to criticize Netanyahu but you’ll quickly lose all credibility if you ever again pay tribute to a Pro Iraq War Pro Putin Hateful Anti Immigrant ScmBag like Tucker Carlsen. Tony saluted Rubio. You can cover the right wing divide without paying tribute to Tucker.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    80'sVillager
    United States2 months ago
  • Clarification and confirmation

    Thank you for your clear analysis of so much that is so vexing about US politics.

    Hoping you continue your work in 2026.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DiannaArt
    Australia4 months ago
  • 10/31 Show

    Appreciate you guys recognizing that Zohran Mamdani is Democratic rising star and that he’ll go anywhere to share his vision to help New Yorkers. Right AOC has been rising as well but you missed Jasmine Crockett who has stayed in media

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Ms. Nubian
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience appreciates fearless critique of media power and ownership.
Guests and topics stay timely and relevant to ongoing media industry shifts.
Strong dynamic between hosts; well-sourced, with practical takeaways for media professionals.
A few listeners feel some repetition; overall high-quality, scoop-driven content.
Smart, insider-level analysis that keeps you ahead of media trends.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Scott MacFarlane Gets Candid, Tucker Carlson Apologizes, and Kash Patel Lashes Out
Q: Scott, what led you to join Meidas Touch Network and how is that arrangement working?
Scott explains that there was a thematic fit with MeidasTouch—audience overlap and a shared interest in January 6th, DOJ developments, and Congress. The arrangement lets him pursue exclusive, enterprise reporting without the constraints of network news, aligning with his strength as a specialist and the appetite of his audience for deeper, real-time analysis.
White House Melts Down Over Photo, Bari Weiss Eyes ‘60 Minutes’ Overhaul, MS NOW-NBC Tensions Spike
Q: Joe Myers asks about Mark Thompson and Paramount's takeover and the potential impact on CNN staff and strategy.
They note that leadership changes often create nervousness among staff; journalists are aware of business-side dynamics, and while transparency is limited, it's expected that editorial direction may shift as ownership changes.
White House Melts Down Over Photo, Bari Weiss Eyes ‘60 Minutes’ Overhaul, MS NOW-NBC Tensions Spike
Q: First question from J. Manuel asks if Bari Weiss was hired to destroy the news department, and what this implies for CNN.
The hosts push back on the idea of deliberate destruction, suggesting the network aims to shift toward a broader centrist stance; they acknowledge concerns about perceived moves to the right and the risk of alienating audiences, while framing it as a reorientation rather than annihilation.
SPECIAL EPISODE: Jim Acosta on Trump’s Growing Influence Over the Media
Q: Tell us a little bit about what this testimony was like, what this hearing was like in California, and why you think Donald Trump is winning this war on the media.
Acosta describes the hearing as part of a broader concern about Trump reshaping the media landscape, with signs that Trump has successfully pressured outlets and influenced editorial directions; he emphasizes the need for rigorous scrutiny of the presidency and for robust, independent journalism.
Trump’s War With Press Escalates, Another Major CBS Journalist Quits Network, and Senators Sound Alarm on Ellison
Q: Do Oliver and Jon think that CBS and or CNN will reach a point where there will be a voluntary mass exodus of journalists in the state of the industry, not strong enough such that they can't leave?
They observe early signs of departure at CBS News with Scott MacFarlane leaving, acknowledge the industry is weak with limited job options, and note that some journalists may leave, while many will stay due to family and financial considerations, leading to a challenging environment for rank-and-file staff.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Power Lines

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

Power Lines offers insider-style analysis from veteran media reporters who dissect how information moves through the press, political actors, and tech platforms. Episodes repeatedly explore ownership shifts, editorial direction, and the interplay between major networks and MAGA-aligned media ecosystems, with frequent focus on CBS News, CNN, 60 Minutes, and high-profile media figures. The show stands out for its insider reporting, real-time industry commentary, and willingness to tackle controversial ownership and credibility issues in a highly polarized landscape. Listeners can expect sharp media critique, scoops, and candid assessments of newsroom dynamics, with a clear tilt toward watchdog-style journalism and industry transparency.

Pot... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Power Lines:

1. The Grill Room
2. The Powers That Be: Daily
3. Mixed Signals from Semafor Media
4. On with Kara Swisher
5. Pivot

How many episodes of Power Lines are there?

Power Lines launched 10 months ago and published 46 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. Scott MacFarlane
2. Jim Acosta
3. Tim Graham
4. Bari Weiss
5. David Ellison
6. Peter Attia
7. Brian Lowry
8. Erika Kirk

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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