WSJ Tech News Briefing: Instacart Scraps Price Tests

Date: December 22, 2025
Host: Julie Chang (The Wall Street Journal)

Episode Overview

In this brief news-packed episode, host Julie Chang delivers the latest updates from the world of technology. The focus is on Instacart’s decision to abruptly stop testing price variations after public backlash, updates on the high-stakes bidding war for Warner Brothers between Paramount and Netflix, and a major development in autonomous vehicles as Baidu teams up with Uber and Lyft in the UK.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Instacart Ends Price Testing Following Public Pushback

• [00:16] Instacart has halted all price experimentation “effective immediately.”
• This decision comes after a Wall Street Journal report revealed that Instacart charged widely varying prices for the same groceries, with differences averaging 13% and reaching as high as 23%.
• Instacart previously claimed these tests helped retailers “understand consumer preferences,” but acknowledged that they “fell short of expectations.”
  • Notable Quote:

    “A report from earlier this month found an average difference of 13% between the highest and lowest prices, with some differences as high as 23%.”
    — Julie Chang, [00:24]

2. Paramount’s Big Move in the Warner Brothers Acquisition Battle

• [00:47] Billionaire Larry Ellison will “personally guarantee $40.5 billion of equity financing” for Paramount’s bid to acquire Warner Brothers Discovery.
• Paramount’s previous all-cash $78 billion tender offer was rejected by Warner, which instead favored Netflix’s $72 billion bid, citing concerns over Paramount’s financing.
• Paramount’s renewed offer, at the same price, will expire January 21st.
• Netflix has already secured $25 billion in bank financing for its competing offer.
  • Implications: There’s widespread industry concern that either deal could reduce the number of movies released in theaters or accelerate their move to streaming. However, both Paramount and Netflix publicly deny such intentions.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Theater owners fear the acquisition could reduce the number of theatrical releases or push movies to streaming platforms faster, though both Paramount and Netflix have said they wouldn’t do that.”
    — Julie Chang, [01:36]

3. Baidu Partners with Uber and Lyft for Autonomous Vehicle Pilots in London

• [01:48] Baidu is collaborating with Uber and Lyft to launch trials of its autonomous vehicles in the UK.
  • Uber will begin a pilot in London with Baidu’s robo-taxi division Apollo Go in the “first half of next year.”
  • Lyft will also test dozens of Apollo Go RT6 vehicles, pending regulatory approval.
  • Baidu’s Apollo Go platform is a global autonomous driving leader, having delivered over 17 million rides across 22 cities by November.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Baidu’s Apollo GO currently leads the global autonomous driving charge. It’s completed more than 17 million rides across 22 cities as of November.”
    — Julie Chang, [02:16]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Customer Pushback on Instacart Pricing:

  “Instacart is scrapping all price tests, effective immediately. The move comes after customer pushback...”
  — Julie Chang, [00:15]

• Ellison’s High-Stakes Guarantee:

  “Billionaire Larry Ellison has agreed to personally guarantee $40.5 billion of equity financing for Paramount's bid for Warner Brothers Disc.”
  — Julie Chang, [00:47]

• About Baidu’s Scope:

  “Baidu’s Apollo GO currently leads the global autonomous driving charge. It’s completed more than 17 million rides across 22 cities as of November.”
  — Julie Chang, [02:16]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | | ----------------------------------- | ---------------- | | Instacart Scraps Price Tests | 00:15 – 00:40 | | Paramount/Netflix Warner Bidding War| 00:47 – 01:45 | | Baidu’s UK Robo-Taxi Expansion | 01:48 – 02:28 |

Tone and Language

The episode maintains a crisp, factual news briefing style, quickly delivering headline updates while offering insight into broader implications for consumers and industries.

For more in-depth coverage, tune in to future WSJ Tech News Briefing episodes.