Skyrocketing tuition costs, COVID and fewer high school graduates have been straining the survival of smaller American colleges, leading many to shut down. Now, some are joining a surprising new path: mergers and acquisitions. 

Bloomberg reporter Francesca Maglione sits down with Big Take host David Gura to discuss why some colleges are eager to merge with others, and what this new dynamic might mean for the future of higher education. 

Skyrocketing tuition costs, COVID and fewer high school graduates have been straining the survival of smaller American colleges, leading many to shut down. Now, some are joining a surprising new path: mergers and acquisitions. Bloomberg reporter Francesca Maglione sits down with Big Take host David Gura to discuss why some colleges are eager to merge with others, and what this new dynamic might mean for the future of higher education.

The Big Take from Bloomberg News brings you inside what’s shaping the world's economies with the smartest and most informed business reporters around the world. The context you need on the stories that can move markets. Every afternoon.

The Big Take from Bloomberg News brings you inside what’s shaping the world's economies with the smartest and most informed business reporters around the world. The context you need on the stories that can move markets. Every afternoon.

Big Take

Private Equity, But for Dying Universities

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/29567492-fba9-4569-b253-b1f601205fb3/transcript

Meta has agreed to pay a $17 billion settlement over a range of claims related to the safety and privacy of its platforms, including youth use of social media. The outcome, announced last week, could have implications for other companies, too.

On today’s Big Take Podcast, Bloomberg investigative reporter Olivia Carville talks to host Sarah Holder about the landmark case, and how new information about the death of a teenage TikTok user in 2022 could shape the debate around child safety online.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, a global list of helplines is available at blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines.

Read more: TikTok Withheld a Safety Feature From Millions. One Died by Suicide

We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Olivia Carville; Edited by Aaron Edwards and Julia Weaver. Fact-checking by Brunella Tipismana Urbano; Engineering by Sean Carter. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

Meta has agreed to pay a $17 billion settlement over a range of claims related to the safety and privacy of its platforms, including youth use of social media. The outcome, announced last week, could have implications for other companies, too.
On today&rsquo;s Big Take Podcast, Bloomberg investigative reporter Olivia Carville talks to host Sarah Holder about the landmark case, and how new information about the death of a teenage TikTok user in 2022 could shape the debate around child safety online.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, a global list of helplines is available at <a href="https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/">blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines</a>.
Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2026-08-04/confidential-tiktok-report-shows-algorithm-safety-feature-withheld-from-millions">TikTok Withheld a Safety Feature From Millions. One Died by Suicide</a>
We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/subscriptions/podcasts">Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.</a>
Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky; Reported by Olivia Carville; Edited by Aaron Edwards and Julia Weaver. Fact-checking by Brunella Tipismana Urbano; Engineering by Sean Carter. Senior Producer: Naomi Shavin; Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

From Meta to TikTok, Social Media’s Safety Reckoning Is Here

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/84f9383d-93e7-4ace-9c5c-b4b70159a85b/transcript

 A 12-foot grim reaper becomes a neighborhood war cry, and the preacher-podcaster crosses the street.

Today on The Big Take: Chapter 4 of Our Town, a limited-run series from Bloomberg and The Big Take, hosted by Meribah Knight with Bloomberg’s Susan Berfield.

Our Town tells the story of a battle over identity fought on one small town’s soil, where acreage, heritage, and what it means to be an American are all up for grabs.

New episodes of Our Town publish on Mondays, but you can listen early on Fridays right here in The Big Take feed. We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer. 

Hosted by Meribah Knight with Susan Berfield Produced by: Rebecca Laks and David Fox with Julia Weaver and help from Laura Newcombe Edited by: Rebecca Laks and Ken Armstrong Original Score and Mixing by: Alex Sugiura Fact-checking by: Annika Robbins and Rachael Lewis-Krisky Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer 

&nbsp;A 12-foot grim reaper becomes a neighborhood war cry, and the preacher-podcaster crosses the street. Today on The Big Take: Chapter 4 of Our Town, a limited-run series from Bloomberg and The Big Take, hosted by Meribah Knight with Bloomberg&rsquo;s Susan Berfield.
Our Town tells the story of a battle over identity fought on one small town&rsquo;s soil, where acreage, heritage, and what it means to be an American are all up for grabs.
New episodes of Our Town publish on Mondays, but you can listen early on Fridays right here in The Big Take feed. We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/subscriptions/podcasts"> Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.</a>&nbsp;
Hosted by Meribah Knight with Susan Berfield Produced by: Rebecca Laks and David Fox with Julia Weaver and help from Laura Newcombe Edited by: Rebecca Laks and Ken Armstrong Original Score and Mixing by: Alex Sugiura Fact-checking by: Annika Robbins and Rachael Lewis-Krisky Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer&nbsp;

Our Town Chapter 4: All Metal Mode

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f3ce4320-0d76-43dc-bea6-b4b4012494f0/transcript

With Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh set to deliver the biggest speech of his tenure on Friday, anticipation is spreading well beyond bankers and traders. Bond yields are rising, as global economies send up inflationary signals. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s efforts to tamp down rates by buying bonds may complicate the Fed’s approach. And the keynote speaker himself has suggested that he’s not comfortable sending messages about Fed intentions. So what can he say?

On today’s Big Take podcast, Odd Lots co-host Joe Weisenthal joins Sarah Holder to tee up Warsh’s speech at the Kansas City Fed’s symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and the challenges facing Warsh and other global central bankers.

We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.

Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Guest: Joe Weisenthal; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott. 

Engineering by Emma Munger.

Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

With Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh set to deliver the biggest speech of his tenure on Friday, anticipation is spreading well beyond bankers and traders. Bond yields are rising, as global economies send up inflationary signals. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent&rsquo;s efforts to tamp down rates by buying bonds may complicate the Fed&rsquo;s approach. And the keynote speaker himself has suggested that he&rsquo;s not comfortable sending messages about Fed intentions. So what can he say?
On today&rsquo;s Big Take podcast, Odd Lots co-host Joe Weisenthal joins Sarah Holder to tee up Warsh&rsquo;s speech at the Kansas City Fed&rsquo;s symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and the challenges facing Warsh and other global central bankers.
We have a special Bloomberg subscription offer for podcast listeners at <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/subscriptions/podcasts">Bloomberg.com/podcastoffer.</a>
Hosted by Sarah Holder; Produced by Julia Press; Guest: Joe Weisenthal; Edited by Jeffrey Grocott.&nbsp;
Engineering by Emma Munger.
Deputy Executive Producer: Julia Weaver. Executive Producer: Nicole Beemsterboer.

US Fed Chair Warsh Takes the Mic

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/57d6459d-fbca-4d44-a89b-b4b3012b3273/transcript

Private Equity, But for Dying Universities

In 1 playlist(s)

Big Take

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips