{"generated_at": "2026-07-22T01:05:55.226964Z", "slug": "acquired", "source_id": "src_acquired", "name": "Acquired", "episode_count": 3, "avg_signal": 64.4, "median_signal": 65.0, "top_signal": 68.6, "latest_episode_at": "2026-06-22T05:54:28Z", "earliest_episode_at": "2015-11-30T17:00:00Z", "category_mode": "tech_business", "cover_image_url": "https://img.transistorcdn.com/kCB3B2iISM-bCdDu6pysFaFa0p3IYktCnNb8Q5VFycc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS85MmI3/Mjg0MDI2MWU4ZDc4/M2YyOGZjMzllNjll/ODBlYi5qcGc.jpg", "rank_score": 63.275, "episodes": [{"episode_id": "ep_acquired_d945df8ea9d2", "episode_title": "The Walt Disney Company", "podcast_name": "Acquired", "podcast_slug": "acquired", "source_id": "src_acquired", "category": "tech_business", "publish_date": "2026-06-22T05:54:28Z", "overall_score": 65.0, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 50.7, "originality": 44.2, "hype_penalty": 18.0, "actionability": 100.0, "technical_depth": 100.0, "information_density": 100.0}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://img.transistorcdn.com/kCB3B2iISM-bCdDu6pysFaFa0p3IYktCnNb8Q5VFycc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS85MmI3/Mjg0MDI2MWU4ZDc4/M2YyOGZjMzllNjll/ODBlYi5qcGc.jpg", "source_link": "https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/the-walt-disney-company", "audio_url": "https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/media.transistor.fm/04eefe71/39c635fd.mp3", "listen_url": "https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/the-walt-disney-company", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "It goes beyond the title with direct discussion of like, disney, walt, including: You've done your Mario impression for me in the past, but I'm not.", "summary": "Have I ever shown you my Mickey Mouse impression?. All right, give me Mickey."}, {"episode_id": "ep_acquired_b69b0c829baa", "episode_title": "Episode 5: Siri", "podcast_name": "Acquired", "podcast_slug": "acquired", "source_id": "src_acquired", "category": "ai", "publish_date": "2015-12-14T17:00:00Z", "overall_score": 59.6, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 75.0, "originality": 75.0, "hype_penalty": 2.0, "actionability": 35.0, "technical_depth": 45.0, "information_density": 58.0}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://img.transistorcdn.com/WiJOAO956-7_dCr7E3KXaSoqZGuIUp0T-1ofKdHn5Vk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lcGlz/b2RlLzEyMTc5NDcv/MTY3NzA5MzA3MC1h/cnR3b3JrLmpwZw.jpg", "source_link": "http://acquired.fm/", "audio_url": "https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/media.transistor.fm/92b1673c/1b1dda16.mp3", "listen_url": "http://acquired.fm/", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "Understand how a government research project became a cornerstone of consumer AI\u2014and why Apple's execution prioritized ecosystem lock-in over technological breakthrough.", "summary": "Siri began as a DARPA-funded AI project called CALO at SRI International before spinning out in 2008 as a consumer app. Apple acquired it for ~$200M in 2010 and launched it as a flagship feature on the iPhone 4S in 2011, keeping it in beta for over a year. Despite early hype, the original app was functionally limited, relying on Nuance for speech recognition and basic parsing, and Apple's integration ultimately prioritized exclusivity and device sales over user experience innovation."}, {"episode_id": "ep_acquired_12048d905613", "episode_title": "Episode 4: Bungie (with Xbox Co-Founder Ed Fries)", "podcast_name": "Acquired", "podcast_slug": "acquired", "source_id": "src_acquired", "category": "tech_business", "publish_date": "2015-11-30T17:00:00Z", "overall_score": 68.6, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 75.0, "originality": 85.0, "hype_penalty": 2.0, "actionability": 50.0, "technical_depth": 58.0, "information_density": 65.0}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://img.transistorcdn.com/zpeQZklms-8nDQTSHZz7FKvwn3q-rEvpdD9T4bLhlBs/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lcGlz/b2RlLzEyMTc5NDYv/MTY3NzA5MzA2OC1h/cnR3b3JrLmpwZw.jpg", "source_link": "http://acquired.fm/", "audio_url": "https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/media.transistor.fm/7c84baa0/569b7b03.mp3", "listen_url": "http://acquired.fm/", "verdict": "must_listen", "why_listen": "Learn how Microsoft secured Halo through a timely, well-executed acquisition that shaped the future of console gaming.", "summary": "Microsoft acquired Bungie in 2000 to secure Halo as a launch title for the Xbox, driven by urgent need for high-quality exclusive content. The acquisition succeeded because Bungie's creative independence was preserved while gaining access to Microsoft's resources. Ed Fries, who led the deal, considers it the most successful acquisition he was involved in at Microsoft."}], "category_breakdown": [{"category": "tech_business", "count": 2}, {"category": "ai", "count": 1}]}