Social media creator and podcast host Sammi Cohen is betting that the future of business journalism lies in the palm of your hand. On October 6, Cohen will officially launch the Social Commerce Network (SCN), a digital-first livestreaming platform designed to bring professional-grade business analysis to the platforms where the next generation of consumers already spends their time: YouTube, X, TikTok, and Instagram.
Described by Cohen as a “CNBC for the generation that gets their news on their phone,” SCN aims to bridge the gap between traditional financial reporting and the modern social media landscape. Broadcasting from a new dedicated studio in Los Angeles’ Sawtelle neighborhood, the network will stream three times per week—Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays—from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT.
## A Fresh Take on Business Broadcasting
The format of SCN is designed to move at the speed of the creator economy. Each broadcast is slated to be split into two distinct segments: the first hour will focus on rapid-fire breaking news and current trends, while the second hour will feature deep-dive interviews with CEOs, founders, and key decision-makers across the fintech, retail, beauty, and CPG sectors.
Cohen, who has built a robust following of over 500,000 across platforms, will be joined by co-host Alaina Hartley. Hartley brings a wealth of institutional experience to the table, having previously served as a principal at the venture capital firm Greycroft and as a consultant at Bain & Co. Currently, she leads the Santa Monica-based consumer-brands consultancy, Dream Hunter.
The move comes as the media industry experiences a seismic shift. As generative AI and automation tools become increasingly prevalent in content production, Cohen believes audiences are developing a “yearning for a human touch.” By leaning into the raw, interactive nature of live broadcasts, SCN plans to engage directly with its audience by incorporating live viewer feedback and questions in real-time, creating a community-driven feedback loop that traditional cable networks often lack.
## Targeting an Underserved Demographic
While the industry has seen moves toward niche business programming—most notably OpenAI’s acquisition of the Technology Business Programming Network (TBPN) earlier this spring—Cohen is positioning SCN to fill a different void. Whereas many traditional financial outlets skew heavily toward male audiences, Cohen notes that her current digital footprint is roughly 70% female.
“We are going to be talking about the companies driving massive shifts across the landscape of consumer businesses, and interviewing the leaders of those companies,” Cohen said, hinting at a focus on highlighting women-led enterprises and the evolving retail landscape.
## The Creator-Led Media Revolution
The launch of SCN is a testament to the growing trend of top-tier creators building independent media empires. Rather than relying on traditional publishing deals, Cohen has secured partnerships with a variety of sponsors in the tech, fintech, and hospitality sectors to fund the first year of operations. She views these sponsors not just as advertisers, but as stakeholders in the network’s development.
For Cohen, the challenge of balancing her existing “Social Currency” podcast with a thrice-weekly live show is significant, but she views it as a necessary evolution. As social platforms continue to refine their algorithms to favor live video, SCN serves as a case study for how creators can transition from influencers to media moguls. By meeting the audience where they are—whether that is a TikTok scroll or a YouTube notification—Cohen is attempting to formalize the way news is delivered, consumed, and discussed in the digital age.
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