2/28/03, Planet Money (24:41)
Link: https://www.npr.org/2023/02/06/1154775118/ice-cream-ben-jerrys-haagen-daz
Summary: Ben & Jerry’s and Haagen-Dazs are the two top brands in the super-premium ice cream market. Curiously, the brands do not offer similar flavors. Ben & Jerry’s makes “chunky” type ice-cream while Haagen-Dazs only offers creamy, smooth ice cream on super market shelves. What is going on? Planet Money looks at a possible explanation– collusive behavior.
Link:https://www.npr.org/2020/10/21/926168583/hey-google-are-you-too-big
The Department of Justice has filed an anti-trust lawsuit against Google due to their alleged monopoly power over the online search and internet search ad market. The DOJ must prove in this case that Google has created this monopoly in a way that is harmful to consumers. If Google loses the case, this would allow for more competition within the market, even if the effects of this case are not seen right away.
Original Air Date: October 21, 2020
Length: 18 minutes
Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/11/18/936321423/winter-is-coming-for-the-restaurant-industry
The Planet Money Indicator team explores the choices facing restaurants around the U.S. as the pandemic winter approaches. Includes an interview with a restaurant in Idaho that has implemented new strategies in the 2020 economic reality.
Assignment prompt: How does this podcast illustrate the short-run shutdown decision for firms? Use specific economic concepts from your reading and this podcast to explain the decision making process in general and specifically for firms in a crisis, such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
Original Air Date: November 18, 2020
Length: 9 minutes
Link: https://www.ft.com/content/25e51b54-b9eb-4515-807e-730302345fad
Shares in Tesla stock doubled in price from May to December of 2019. Currently, there is not much competition in the electric automobile industry. There is concern, however, that competition from well known brands such as Audi, BMW, or Mercedes will hinder sales for Tesla due to consumer loyalty.
Original Air Date: February 10, 2020
Length: 17 minutes 14 seconds
Link: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2018/01/19/579231506/therise-and-fall-and-rise-of-oil-prices
Summary: Oil prices have been fluctuating over the years, but when there is a price increase, many people may experience increases in the price of gas, heating, or a flight ticket back home as well. With the volatility of oil prices, what does this mean for determining future prices of oil and will these prices ever stabilize?
Original Air Date: January 19, 2018
Length: 7 minutes 4 seconds
Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/041917-mtech
Summary: “Move Fast and Break Things” is a newly released book about the monopolistic market structure of the internet. Marketplace interviews Jonathan Taplin, the author of the book, who is the tour manager for Bob Dylan. They discuss how the monopoly structure set up by the technology companies has ruined the communal nature of the internet. Also discussed is one silicon valley entrepreneur who left San Francisco for Minneapolis.
Original Air Date: April 19, 2017
Length: 7 minutes 35 seconds
Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/04252017-mtech
Summary: Students in college can attest that credible sources needed for a research paper are often hard to find, especially the free ones. Marketplace introduces a new website that is the latest form of “hacktivism”, and is releasing research papers for free. Marketplace also introduces the competition between YouTube and Twitch.
Original Air Date: April 25, 2017
Length: 7 minutes
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2017/08/04/541643346/episode-787-google-is-big-is-that-bad
Summary: The Planet Money team focus on the recent European Commission decision that Google violated anti trust rules. They discuss the context of the seven year consideration of the question whether Google has too much power over the Internet. Includes consideration of how the question is viewed differently in the U.S. and how this specific case helps us think generally about issues of competition.
Original Air Date: August 4, 2017
Length: 16:42
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/09/14/493810206/episode-724-cat-scam
Summary: The internet was supposed to eliminate middlemen, creating an area where consumers can buy directly from the manufacturers. However, the internet is filled with middlemen to the point that middlemen are worried about other middlemen. Planet Money discusses how the biggest companies on the internet (eBay and Amazon) are middlemen.
Original Air Date: September 14, 2016
Length: 21 minutes 5 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2017/04/12/523653040/episode-764-pub-in-a-box
Summary: Irish Pubs are everywhere, even in places like Hong Kong and the Ivory Coast. One architecture student from Ireland, Mel McNally, began selling the Irish Pub to other areas. Planet Money discusses how the Irish Pub is shipped in a box all over the world, and people will flock to it.
Original Air Date: April 12, 2017
Length: 17 minutes 19 seconds
Discussion Question: Who are Mel’s competitors in the market if he has control of the Irish Pub concept? What is the market structure?
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