Nvidia Bets Big, Meta Bets on Glasses, Trump Bets Against TV, and FTC Bets on Fans
- Jemima Asegieme
- Sep 19
- 6 min read
19th September 2025
Nvidia threw Intel a $5 billion lifeline, taking a 4% stake that sent Intel’s shares soaring and lifted the U.S. government’s Chips Act investment to roughly $13 billion in value. The deal includes plans to co-develop chips, a move analysts say could reposition Intel as a serious AI player while reshaping industry dynamics with rivals like TSMC and AMD. Meanwhile, Meta doubled down on smart glasses, unveiling its $799 Ray-Ban Display with built-in AI tools as it pushes toward its long-term vision of “superintelligence.” In Washington, President Trump threatened to revoke broadcast licenses for TV networks critical of him after ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s show under FCC pressure, a move that sparked free speech concerns and political backlash. And in a separate regulatory fight, the FTC and seven states sued Ticketmaster and Live Nation, alleging they profit from scalpers by turning a blind eye to ticketing abuses, marking the latest push to make live entertainment more affordable and fair for fans. All this in today’s Read It and Eat!
Major News
Nvidia Takes $5B Stake in Intel, Offering Crucial Lifeline
Nvidia is throwing a major lifeline to Intel with a $5 billion investment that makes it one of the chipmaker’s largest shareholders. The deal, announced Thursday, gives Nvidia about a 4% stake and sent Intel’s stock soaring more than 20%. For Intel, which has struggled through years of stalled turnarounds and leadership turmoil, the backing from Nvidia adds fresh momentum just weeks after the U.S. government took a 10% stake through a $9 billion Chips Act infusion. That bet is already paying off the government’s stake, valued at $9 billion at the time, is now worth roughly $13 billion following the latest surge.
The partnership goes beyond money. Nvidia and Intel plan to jointly develop chips for PCs and data centers, with Intel supplying processors and advanced packaging for future products. While Nvidia won’t use Intel’s foundry to manufacture its GPUs at least for now the collaboration could mark a turning point. Analysts suggest Intel’s survival hinges on securing a heavyweight customer like Nvidia, Apple, or Qualcomm, making this pact especially significant.
The move also shifts competitive dynamics. TSMC, which currently manufactures Nvidia’s flagship processors, could face longer-term risks if Intel starts absorbing some of that business. AMD and Broadcom, both rivals in the AI and data center space, may also feel pressure as Nvidia strengthens its ties with Intel. Still, the companies insist their existing product roadmaps remain unchanged.
Nvidia paid $23.28 per share for Intel stock, slightly below its market price but higher than the U.S. government’s entry point. Combined with recent investments from SoftBank and Washington, Intel is building a sizeable cash reserve to fuel its turnaround. As one analyst put it, the deal could “reset Intel’s position from AI laggard to a core player in the future of AI infrastructure.” Reuters
Meta Bets on Smart Glasses as Gateway to ‘Superintelligence’
Meta is doubling down on smart glasses, unveiling its first pair with a built-in display at its Connect conference in California. CEO Mark Zuckerberg pitched the $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display as the ideal form factor for bringing artificial intelligence closer to everyday life tools that, in his words, can “make you smarter, improve your memory, and sharpen your senses.” The glasses come bundled with a wristband that translates hand gestures into commands like replying to texts or answering calls, and they’ll hit shelves September 30.
The launch comes at a tricky moment for Meta. While the company has enjoyed early success with its Ray-Ban line, it still trails rivals like OpenAI and Google in AI leadership, and it faces ongoing scrutiny over child safety on its platforms. Recent reports highlighted troubling chatbot interactions with minors, along with whistleblower claims that Meta discouraged research into VR’s risks for kids. Still, Zuckerberg is betting billions on AI talent and chips to close the gap.
Alongside the Ray-Ban Display, Meta rolled out Oakley Vanguard glasses designed for athletes ($499, launching October 21) and refreshed its non-display Ray-Bans with longer battery life and upgraded cameras ($379). Analysts say sales of the new Display glasses may be modest at first, but the release sets the stage for Meta’s more ambitious “Orion” glasses, targeted for 2027.
For now, demos aren’t flawless Zuckerberg’s on-stage call to the glasses failed, prompting him to joke, “I keep on messing this up.” Still, analysts see promise. As IDC’s Jitesh Ubrani put it, the technology is strong, but the software needs to catch up before average consumers embrace it. With AR/VR shipments projected to climb nearly 40% in 2025, Meta hopes these glasses will be more than just a novelty they’re a stepping stone toward its vision of AI-powered “superintelligence.” Morning Brew
Trump Threatens Licenses of Critical Broadcasters
President Trump suggested this week that broadcast licenses could be revoked for TV networks that, in his view, are excessively critical of him. His comments followed ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show after the FCC, led by Trump appointee Brendan Carr, threatened consequences for affiliates airing the program. Trump argued the show was canceled due to low ratings and offensive remarks Kimmel made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The suspension came after Kimmel accused Trump’s allies of trying to spin the suspect in Kirk’s killing “as anything other than one of them.” Soon after, Nexstar and Sinclair, two major ABC affiliate operators announced they would drop the show, with ABC later making the suspension national. Analysts noted that regulatory considerations may have played a role: Nexstar is seeking FCC approval for its $6.2 billion Tegna merger, while ABC parent Disney is awaiting sign-off on ESPN’s acquisition of the NFL Network.
The move sparked backlash from Democrats and free speech advocates. House Democrats accused Carr of abusing his authority, while FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez warned the agency was “weaponizing its licensing powers.” Advocacy groups such as the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and the Free Press editorial board, both of which have criticized Democrats on speech issues in the past, condemned the FCC’s pressure campaign.
Looking ahead, the standoff may escalate. Trump has already called on NBC to cancel Jimmy Fallon’s and Seth Meyers’s shows, while Carr warned “we’re not done yet,” signaling that further regulatory actions against critical broadcasters could follow. The episode has intensified concerns that political pressure is being used to shape programming decisions, raising questions about the balance between regulation and free expression. BBC
FTC Takes On Ticketmaster and Live Nation Over Resale Practices
The Federal Trade Commission, joined by seven states, has filed a lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation, accusing them of turning a blind eye to scalpers and profiting from inflated ticket resales. Regulators say the companies “routinely” allow brokers to sidestep purchase limits, all while engaging in deceptive pricing practices that ultimately hurt fans.
According to the complaint, these tactics undermine artists’ efforts to keep ticket prices affordable for families and have cost ordinary fans millions each year. The issue gained national attention after Ticketmaster’s high-profile meltdown during Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” sales in 2022, which left frustrated fans empty-handed and fueled calls for reform.
This isn’t the first time Live Nation and Ticketmaster have faced legal scrutiny. The Justice Department and over two dozen states already sued the companies last year, alleging they monopolized the live entertainment industry and drove up costs. The FTC’s latest case zeroes in on the resale market, accusing the firms of knowingly enabling brokers to create fake accounts and flood the system with purchases, generating massive profits from resales.
FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson said the case is about protecting fans’ access to live events.
“American live entertainment is the best in the world and should be accessible to all of us,” he noted, adding that families shouldn’t have to pay “an arm and a leg” just to see their favorite teams or musicians. He described the lawsuit as a major step toward ensuring fair ticket prices. CNBC
Minor News
Bank of England holds rates steady at 4%, as widely expected. CityAM
Trump to hold first call with China’s Xi since June on Friday, with markets watching for signals on TikTok, chips, tariffs, and broader trade tensions. Reuters
Trump requests Supreme Court to allow the firing of Federal Governor Lisa Cook. Reuters
Trump says Putin has ‘let him down’ as US pushes for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire. Bloomberg
Quant funds lure India interns with $14K monthly paychecks. CNBC
JPMorgan Private Bank adds perks like private jet and butler access. CNBC
Amex hikes Platinum fee to $895, offsets with $1.5K in new perks. CNBC
Google added Gemini to Chrome after dodging forced sale. Bloomberg
Earnings
Beats (with cautious/neutral guidance)
Beats (but negative market reaction/guidance)
Cracker Barrel – Beat Q4 estimates; stock fell 10% as revenue and guest traffic expected to decline post-rebrand controversy. Wall Street Journal
Positive / Strong Performance
Bullish – First public earnings swung to profit; 35% surge in trading volume; guided for a strong Q3. CNBC
Misses
Dave & Buster’s – Missed Q2 earnings and revenue; same-store sales declined; execution missteps (promotions, training) weighed on results, though management pledged fixes. CNBC
Darden Restaurants – Missed Q1 earnings but met revenue; 4.7% same-store sales growth led by Olive Garden and LongHorn; raised FY sales outlook with value-focused pricing and delivery expansion. CNBC
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