EconWorks Podcast

Competition in software markets may depend not only on product quality but also on how operating systems shape the accessibility and adoption of complementary applications. Join us as we examine how widely adopted applications receive more updates, greater developer attention, and broader ecosystem compatibility. We dive into why the future of competitive software markets matters. For a comprehens...

Most mergers, once closed, are done deals. But this one wasn't. In 2017, Ottobock acquired rival Freedom Innovations in a deal that did not trigger pre-merger notification. Within months, the Federal Trade Commission stepped in. This video explores how the FTC successfully unwound the merger, ordering a divestiture three years later. We break down the timeline, from the quiet acquisition to the ev...

In this episode, we examine Microsoft and how operating system integration impacts competition in complementary software markets. We discuss how developing and preinstalling complementary products—like web browsers and productivity suites—within the OS environment affects user adoption. Discover how this early accessibility creates a feedback loop that influences compatibility investments and ecos...

Is the government really looking out for consumers by stopping monopolies, or is it just looking out for corporate profits? In this episode, we talk about the high-stakes antitrust fight over one of the biggest media mergers in U.S. history. There is a very intriguing microeconomic chess game going on behind the scenes of the court case. It involves supply-chain leverage, two-sided markets, and th...

In this installment, we turn our attention to Meta and how platforms connect users with content generated by influencers, media organizations, and competing platforms. We break down how prominent placement within curated feeds may influence user engagement, leading to more views, likes, and shares. We also examine the competitive outcomes for new entrants, exploring how limited initial visibility...

Is the government actually protecting consumers from monopolies, or just protecting corporate profit margins? In this episode, we break down the high-stakes antitrust battle over one of the largest media mega-mergers in U.S. history. Behind the courtroom drama is a fascinating microeconomic chess match involving supply-chain leverage, two-sided markets, and the ultimate ceiling on consumer pricing...

This episode examines how algorithmic feed curation may shape competition by influencing which content users see. We investigate the criteria platforms use to determine the content that appears in a user's feed, its prominence, and its recommendation to new users. By looking at the relationship between feed placement and user engagement, we analyze the feedback loop where engagement outcomes influ...

Antitrust isn't just about consumer prices anymore—it’s about worker leverage. In this episode of EconWorks, we unpack the DOJ's landmark challenge to UnitedHealth Group’s acquisition of Amedisys. We discuss how regulators used the new 2023 Merger Guidelines to prove that consolidating home health providers creates a "monopsony trap" that suppresses wages for frontline nurses. We also explore the...

How does Amazon decide which sellers appear at the top of your search results? In this episode, we examine the role of marketplace ranking systems and the "Buy Box" in shaping competition. We discuss how platform visibility acts as a form of conduct that can dictate sales outcomes, often creating a self-reinforcing loop that rewards established players while making it difficult for new entrants to...

The U.S. Department of Justice just forced the largest outpatient healthcare divestiture in history. But this wasn’t just a standard monopoly case—it was a battle over “stealth consolidation” and the future of healthcare workers. Join Ecan as we break down the antitrust economics behind the $3.3 billion UnitedHealth/Amedisys merger, the 2023 Merger Guidelines, and how healthcare conglomerates are...

In the third episode of our series on FAANG antitrust, we dive into how Amazon's marketplace ranking systems influence which sellers consumers see first. Unlike traditional retail, digital platforms can determine search prominence and Buy Box eligibility, creating a powerful feedback loop where early visibility leads to more sales, reviews, and even higher future rankings. We’ll explore: * The “Vi...

Can a group of states actually break up a national company? This episode dives into the ongoing litigation against Live Nation/Ticketmaster, exploring how states act as aggressive coalitions to pressure federal regulators. We discuss the reality of modern antitrust: where the DOJ provides nationwide clarity, the states provide the decentralized heat that changes the outcome. Visit this link for a...

In this episode, we dive deep into the economic implications of Apple’s platform governance. While traditional antitrust focuses on price hikes, the digital era introduces new complexities: how a platform operator can influence downstream competition by controlling access to users. What you’ll hear in this episode: * Governance as Conduct: We discuss why Apple isn’t just a competitor but a regulat...

When the Department of Justice settled its case against Ticketmaster, something unusual happened: the states didn't follow. In this video, we break down why 30+ states rejected the federal deal to keep the litigation alive. Is this a sign that state attorneys general are as powerful as the feds, or does the Ticketmaster case actually expose the limits of state authority? We explore the "stress tes...

Does Apple simply provide a platform, or does it govern a digital territory? In this second episode of our FAANG Antitrust Series, we move from search defaults to the walled garden of the iOS App Store. Key topics covered in this video: * The Power of Review: Apple, as the sole gatekeeper for native iOS apps, sets the rules for all third-party developers. * Commissions and Competition: Analyzing h...

Independent supermarkets in New York City are facing a new competitive threat, but it isn’t coming from the “big box” stores—it’s coming from the supply chain. When manufacturers like Mondelēz International discontinue Direct-Store-Delivery (DSD), they don’t just change a shipping route; they change the economic viability of small retailers. In this episode, we break down how the loss of manufactu...

What factors are contributing to the rising costs at your local independent grocery store? The answer might not be “inflation,” but a quiet shift in how food gets to the shelf. In this episode of EconWorks , we examine Mondelēz International’s decision to end Direct-Store-Delivery (DSD) for independent NYC grocers. We move past the logistics to analyze the competitive fallout: * The DSD Advantage:...

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a landmark antitrust lawsuit against Google, alleging the company unlawfully maintained a monopoly in general search. But this isn’t your grandfather’s antitrust case. In the digital age, the battle isn’t over prices—since search is “free” for users—it’s over defaults . We explore how Google’s multi-billion dollar agreements with smartphone manuf...

If Google Search is free, how can it be a monopoly? We’re breaking down the DOJ’s landmark case against Google and the high-stakes economics of "default" settings. In 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) alleged that Google unlawfully maintained a monopoly not by charging users but by controlling how they access the internet. In this video, we move past the headlines to analyze the empirical...

Independent supermarkets in New York City are facing a new competitive threat, but it isn’t coming from the "big box" stores—it’s coming from the supply chain. When manufacturers discontinue manufacturer-managed delivery, they don’t just change a shipping route; they change the economic viability of small retailers. In this episode, we break down how the loss of these services increases marginal c...

Why is your local independent grocery store getting more expensive? The answer might not be wholesale prices, but a quiet shift in how food gets to the shelf. In this episode of EconWorks , we examine the competitive fallout when manufacturers like Mondelēz International discontinue Direct-Store-Delivery (DSD) for independent retailers. We move past the logistics to analyze the rigorous economic m...

The Ticketmaster Settlement: What Happens Next? If you’ve faced long online queues, massive fees, or presale crashes, you’ve felt the impact of a market under pressure. In 2024, the U.S. DOJ filed an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment. While the case ended in a settlement, the structural questions remain: How did we get here, and what does the resolution actually mean for the indu...