Barry Diller: Recent Developments and Endeavors in Media and Technology

Barry Diller, the chairman of IAC and a prominent figure in the media and technology industries, has been involved in several significant developments recently. In the realm of media, Diller has been instrumental in the efforts to revitalize The Daily Beast, a news platform that has struggled financially despite its impactful reporting. Founded in 2008 by Tina Brown and backed by Diller’s IAC, The Daily Beast has delivered notable scoops but has consistently operated at a loss. Diller, who had considered selling the outlet, decided to give it another chance after partnering with Joanna Coles and Ben Sherwood, who acquired a minority interest in April. Despite early signs of improved audience engagement and subscriber increases, the new leadership faces challenges such as technical issues and resistance from the newsroom to their editorial vision.

In addition to his work with The Daily Beast, Diller has made headlines in the technology sector. As the chairman of Expedia, Diller recently stated that a potential deal between Expedia and Uber is not going to happen. In an interview with CNBC, Diller emphatically ruled out the possibility, saying “Full stop, it’s not going to happen”.

Diller’s influence also extends to the broader tech industry, particularly in the context of the 2024 presidential election. While Diller himself has not publicly endorsed any candidate, his involvement in the tech sector is noteworthy. Other tech industry leaders, such as Elon Musk and Sheryl Sandberg, have taken more active roles in the election, with Musk expressing dissatisfaction with the Biden administration and Sandberg supporting Kamala Harris. This highlights the complex and divided landscape within the tech industry regarding political alignments.

Historically, Diller has been a key figure in the establishment of the Fox Broadcasting Company, which he helped create in the 1980s. His vision for a new television network to compete with the major broadcast networks was a significant milestone in the history of American television.