ESPN has a new president, following the abrupt resignation of its former president in December. Disney appointed James Pitaro as the new head of ESPN. Previously, he was Disney's consumer products and digital chief. Pitaro will have his work cut out for him. Next month, ESPN will launch its new streaming service. The network is also facing declining viewership.
The popular trivia app HQ has received an additional $15 million in funding. Axios reported the new funding on Tuesday, noting that the company's total valuation is now estimated at $100 million. HQ has been very successful in drawing in younger audiences. On Sunday night, 2.1 million users tuned in for the game show.
In other funding news, the insurance app Lemonade recently secured $120 million in Series C funding. Daniel Schreiber, CEO and co-founder of Lemonade, tells Cheddar he plans to use this new money to expand the app globally. Schreiber says Lemonade is trying to reinvent insurance. Lemonade wants to make customers happy, not make money by denying claims.
And we're joined by iconic travel writer Rick Steves to hear about his new book, "Travel as a Political Act." Steves says it's more important than ever for people to travel in today's world. He says some events in the last few years, such as Brexit and the election of Donald Trump, have made people anxious to travel. But Steves encourages everyone to branch out and travel somewhere new, especially in light of current global politics.
Americans traveled in record numbers over July 4th despite rising costs. Skift's Sarah Kopit explains what it says about consumers, airfares, and summer travel.
The U.S. economy is being held up in part by the AI boom, but that boom could still lead to broader prosperity or inequality, says a Nobel Prize winner.
Foundation Robotics co-founder Michael LeBlanc explains how humanoid robots are moving from the lab to military and industrial missions and what comes next.
Jeff Burnstein, President of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), discusses humanoid robots, AI, smart manufacturing, and the future of U.S. industry.
Should kids be banned from social media? Nick Lichtenberg of Fortune breaks down the global push to restrict under-16 users and what it means for Big Tech.
Miso Robotics CEO Rich Hull discusses Flippy Fry Station, the future of AI-powered restaurant automation and how acquiring Zume's IP could reshape food robotics
After two years of AI-fueled spending, Wall Street is asking what's next. Gil Luria breaks down monetization, valuations, winners, losers, and AI's future.
