Squawk Pod

Ahead for AI and tech: commoditization and consolidation. CNBC’s Steve Kovach and former Facebook Chief Privacy Officer and General Counsel Chris Kelly map out the road ahead for tech’s most innovative companies. After a volatile year for crypto, investor Anthony Pompliano discusses asset prices and Coinbase’s latest acquisition of a prediction markets platform. Plus, Jim Beam has stopped bourbon production at its Kentucky facility for the next year, and the Kansas City Chiefs are moving. Happy Festivus! Steve Kovach - 17:54Chris Kelly - 23:21Anthony Pompliano - 31:45 In this episode:Anthony Pompliano, @APomplianoJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the latest chapter of the war for Warner Brothers Discovery, Paramount Skydance has amended its offering to outbid Netflix for the legacy assets. Gerry Cardinale, founder of one of Paramount’s key investors and strategic partners RedBird Capital Partners, addresses the WBD board’s concerns about the updated offer. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly exploring a U.S. vaccine schedule closer to Denmark’s. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb discusses the potential changes to the American health care system, including recommended shots and drug prices. Plus, the U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing another ship off the coast of Venezuela, NEC Director Kevin Hassett has weighed in on the Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs, and investor Bill Ackman suggested that Elon Musk take SpaceX public with a specific vehicle.  Gerry Cardinale - 20:25Dr. Scott Gottlieb - 40:33 In this episode:Joe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinCameron Costa, @CameronCostaNY Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Waymo is back online in San Francisco after a service disruption during a city blackout, private equity firms Permira and Warburg have agreed to buy Clearwater Analytics in an $8.4B deal, the third installment of Avatar disappointed at the box office over the weekend, tonight’s Powerball jackpot is slated to be one of the biggest ever, and Softbank is working to close a $22B+ funding commitment to OpenAI before the end of the year.  Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After years of debate and scrutiny, TikTok has signed an agreement for a new U.S. joint venture. By January 22, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC will be managed by three investors: Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX. Former TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer joins CNBC’s Beijing Bureau Chief Eunice Yoon to discuss the implications of this deal for geopolitics and data safety. Executive wine editor of Food & Wine Ray Isle brings his holiday sips to set, including recommendations at varying price points and varying ABVs. Amid tariffs and a growing nonalcoholic beverage trend, Isle says the wine industry has always been cyclical. Plus, Barack Obama’s 2025 list of favorite books includes a familiar title, and the Trump administration continues its Fed Chair interviews.  Steve Liesman - 05:51Kevin Mayer & Eunice Yoon - 15:40Ray Isle - 24:22 In this episode:Steve Liesman, @steveliesmanEunice Yoon, @onlyyoontvBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkinKatie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Japan’s central bank has raised short term interest rates to their highest level in decades, data center deals have hit a record $61 billion in 2025, EU leaders will loan Ukraine $100 billion for defense, House leaders have committed to vote on an individual stock trading ban for lawmakers, and the U.S. government could be on its way to allowing Nvidia to sell its second-most powerful chip to China.  Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernen, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin.  Follow Squawk Pod for the best moments, interviews and analysis from our TV show in an audio-first format. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.