Kevin Roose and Casey Newton Launch Video-First AI Podcast 'Machine Gods' With NPR

On October 6, 2026, technology journalist Kevin Roose will release his new book, The AGI Chronicles. That same month, he and Platformer founder Casey Newton will debut Machine Gods, a twice-weekly, video-first podcast distributed by NPR. The move marks the end of their tenure at The New York Times, where their previous collaborative show, Hard Fork, became a staple of technology media.[1][2]

The partnership represents a significant programming acquisition for NPR, which will handle distribution and ad sales for the independent venture. The show will launch on the NPR application, YouTube, and major podcast platforms in October 2026, before expanding to terrestrial radio across the NPR Member station network in early 2027. Production for the series will be based in San Francisco, placing the hosts directly adjacent to the artificial intelligence industry they cover.[1][3]

For NPR, the agreement is the first major acquisition under Chief Content Officer Nadine Zylstra, who joined the public broadcaster earlier this year. Zylstra framed the deal as a strategic expansion of the network's digital slate. "Kevin and Casey are two of the sharpest, most trusted voices covering the technology shaping our world," Zylstra said in the September 16 announcement, adding that the partnership ensures public media remains a premier destination for deeply human stories.[1][4]

Machine Gods aims to navigate the rapidly shifting landscape of artificial intelligence, focusing on consumer, enterprise, and policy developments. The hosts are positioning the show as a corrective to the current media ecosystem surrounding generative AI and machine learning, which they argue lacks nuance.[3]

"AI is the biggest story of our lifetimes, and most of the coverage is either cheerleading or doomsaying," Roose said. "Casey and I are building a show for people who want to know what is actually happening with AI, and partnering with NPR will let us reach smart, engaged audiences at a scale no tech podcast has ever had."[1][4]

The transition follows Roose's departure from The New York Times after nine years as a technology columnist. Newton, who continues to run the independent technology publication Platformer, emphasized the accessibility of the new distribution model. "We get to bring sharp, independent reporting on AI to millions of people for free, right where they already listen," Newton noted.[1][2]

The agreement highlights a broader shift in the podcasting industry, where established creators are increasingly seeking hybrid distribution models that combine digital video reach with traditional broadcast infrastructure. By partnering with NPR, Roose and Newton gain access to a terrestrial radio network that reaches millions of weekly listeners, a scale difficult to achieve purely through RSS feeds.[5]

The "video-first" designation is particularly notable in the current media environment. As platforms like YouTube increasingly dominate podcast consumption, audio networks are adapting their acquisition strategies. At the Sounds Profitable Business Summit in New York City this week, the newly released Podcast Study 2026 revealed that 45 percent of listeners are now willing to pay for ad-free subscription tiers, while 64 percent want direct email relationships with creators. NPR's commitment to a visual format for Machine Gods signals a willingness to compete directly in this evolving space.[5]

The October launch will test whether the audience that propelled Hard Fork to the top of the technology charts will follow its hosts to a public media ecosystem. With production based in the heart of the tech industry and a mandate to cut through the hype, Machine Gods arrives as the artificial intelligence sector faces mounting questions about regulation, commercial viability, and societal impact.[1][2]