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The Media Club with Matt Deegan
US Special: Murdoch dumps Trump, Twitter Chaos & Fenton Bailey's take on Reality TV
Has Trump been dumped by Murdoch? In this week's show, host Jake Kanter is joined by Karin Robinson (Edelman) and Alex Hudson (Newsweek) to dissect the US media landscape in the wake of the Midterms.
Also in the programme, we discuss the news that Emma Tucker looks set to swap editing the Sunday Times for the Wall Street Journal - and the BBC preparing to export its brand of impartiality to America.
Plus we get some special insight on the hot mess that is Twitter with ex-head of PR & Comms, Sam Hodges, sharing his advice for Elon Musk.
And in our deep dive, director and producer Fenton Bailey, shares his take on Reality TV and the gossip from his new book Screen Age.
NOT ONLY THAT... but media quiz we’re playing Social Media Chaos.
A Rethink Audio Production, produced by Phoebe Adler-Ryan with support from Matt Hill.
Hear more from Fenton Bailey, including his account of discovering Graham Norton, on our Patreon.
ScreenAge: How TV Shaped Our Reality, From Tammy Faye to RuPaul’s Drag Race by Fenton Bailey is published by Ebury Press at £20 and is available in all good bookstores now; To order visit https://smarturl.it/ScreenAge. For US listeners, the book will be available stateside in early 2023.
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341. Apple Podcasts Pivots To Video, 1% Club Goes Global
41:59||Ep. 341Apple Podcasts finally joins the video revolution — but is it too late to the party? Entertainment journalist Jamie East has the remote.Also on the show: Sky wants ITV — but does the deal still have legs? Broadcast’s senior reporter Heather Fallon has been following every twist.All that plus: The 1% Club conquers the world, the Broadcast Awards winners are in... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we wage war on the media landscape.The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex selects the music for us to score each episode and she and her team can do it for you too at https://audionetwork.comWe record at Podshop Studios — for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studioBecome a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.What The Media Club has been reading this week:Apple Podcasts embraces videoSKY-ITV talks reportedly slowing1% Club reaches new sales heights Broadcast Award winnersNandy Launches CMA Probe Into Telegraph Deal26% of UK Now Listen to Podcasts Weekly (RAJAR MIDAS)WBD Gives Paramount Seven Days to Make Best OfferMill Media expands to LeedsBBC Considers Opening Up iPlayerChannel 4 Brings YT Comedy Channel to Spotify
340. Is The World Service In Crisis?
39:46||Ep. 340Tim Davie sends the Government a World Service ultimatum, as he claims funding runs out in seven weeks. Former Radio Academy CEO Paul Robinson tells us what’s at stake.Also on the show: Will Lewis abruptly exits the Washington Post - Priscilla Igwe, founder of The New Black Film Collective, on why independent journalism matters.All that plus: Disney strikes a deal with Sky, the editor of the Today Programme resigns, HBO Max announces its UK launch date... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we enter the world of dating shows.The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex (who is a real person) selects the music for us to score each episode and she and her team can do it for you too at https://audionetwork.comWe record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studioBecome a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.What The Media Club has been reading this week:Tim Davie sends Govt a World Service ultimatumWill Lewis abruptly exits Washington Post Carole Cadwalladr’s message to departing WashPost staffDisney and Sky strike multi-year dealOwenna Griffiths resigns as Today Programme editorHBO Max UK launch date announcedPG Tips sponsors PopmasterSupercast acquired by Red Seat VenturesNew in-car campaign for European radio groupsZai Bennett’s Deadline interviewChannel 4’s Golden Age of BAME ProgrammingLouis Theroux launches Mindhouse StudiosGlobal launches Up To Speed F1 podcastGoalhanger launches The Book Club
339. Scottish Media In Focus and a Rajars Special
01:03:21||Ep. 339We’re in Glasgow to see how broadcasters and indies are meeting the challenge of fragmentation - we speak to Bobby Hain and Graham Bryce about launching STV Radio - and we have STV Studios exec Paul Sheehan on their expanding portfolio.Also on this packed show: it’s Rajars week. How have stations across the country performed? Adam Bowie takes us through who’s up and down. All that plus: another new station is planned on BBC Sounds, we talk to Scottish firms Speccy Productions and The Development Network, both looking to buck the commissioning slowdown trend... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we play... MediaMaster. The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex (who is a real person) selects the music for us to score each episode and she and her team can do it for you too at https://audionetwork.comThis Rajars special of The Media Club is in partnership with radio experts, the audio advertising specialist... bringing you a sound perspective.We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studioBecome a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.What The Media Club has been reading this week:Washington Post announces mass layoffsMatt’s take on the Q4 Rajars - and Adam’s takeSaturday Night Live cast announcedScottish Podcast Awards launchMark Thompson buttonholedThe Grand Tour RebootsSignificant Productions LaunchedITV Announce In-Game Ads For Six Nations
338. Convergence Is King
34:58||Ep. 338We're joined by two execs that find their sectors converging on platforms like Spotify and YouTube. Steve Ackerman speaks to his three decades at Somethin’ Else and then Sony Music Podcasts, whilst ITV Studio’s Martin Trickey tells us about his social agency label, Zoo55.Also on the show: Can news outlets survive Google’s AI Overview? The UK markets regulator may intervene - but will it be in time? All that plus: YouTube pulls out of Barb, Substack lands on TV... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, our guests defend themselves in my boardroom. The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex (who is a real person) selects the music for us to score each episode and she and her team can do it for you too at https://audionetwork.comWe record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studioBecome a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.What The Media Club has been reading this week:CMA wants a clear publisher opt out for AI OverviewsSubstack has launched a TV app YouTube Pulls Out Of BarbFuture Publishing Axes Consumer Tech JobsBBC Names Davie’s Exit Date and Interim DGGoalhanger Bags Minority InvestorMOTD ratings surge with new release strategyNigella becomes new Bake Off judgeTraitors - The Play? (and ratings news)
337. Prince Harry In Court, BBC on YouTube, Channel 4 Studios
34:30||Ep. 337It’s Harry vs Daily Mail: but as both sides bring robust arguments, could this one get messy? Journalist and TV producer Steven D Wright gets the popcorn out.Also on the show: the BBC agrees a deal with YouTube and Ofcom to produce content for the platform. TV critic Rhianna Dhillon explains the deal and what it means for your feed.All that plus: Channel 4 gets commercial, the Government throws a spanner in the Telegraph deal AGAIN... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we take on the gossip columnists. The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex (who is a real person) selects the music for us to score each episode and she and her team can do it for you too at https://audionetwork.comWe record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studioBecome a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.What The Media Club has been reading this week:Prince Harry testifies against the MailBBC to make content for YouTubeChannel 4 appoint their first in-house chiefLisa Nandy 'minded' to refer Mail/Telegraph deal to CMAPrue Leith to leave Bake OffAlan Rusbridger joins The New WorldJamie Laing hires former Amazon Podcast boss
336. Goalhanger Breaks New Records, Superindies Plan Merger
42:37||Ep. 336Goalhanger hits quarter of a million paying listeners, we speak exclusively to their Chief Revenue Officer about their strategy, and what it means for tv, radio and streamers across the sector.Also on the show: Banijay and All3Media are in talks to merge. But what do you call a superindie when it doubles in size?All that plus: Cathay Newman leaves Channel 4, Amol Rajan leaves Today ... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we look at the media properties with Grand Designs. The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex (who is a real person) selects the music for us to score each episode and she and her team can do it for you too at https://audionetwork.comWe record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studioBecome a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill and Ollie Peart with post-production from Podcast Discovery.What The Media Club has been reading this week:Banijay and All3Media in merger talksGoogle believes it shouldn't pay for non-paywalled contentStephen Graham's prodco signs first look deal with Disney+Cathy Newman jumps ship to Sky NewsInteresting tie up between Global and ITV for a new lotteryMock The Week & Dara O'Brien return on TLCYouTube joins Barb - and upends the chartsGB News Consistently Beats BBC & Sky News in ratings
335. Spotify’s Changes And What They Mean For You
38:05||Ep. 335Spotify announces big changes to its revenue machine and Global spends big on Gary Nevile’s network.... Lots of podcast upheaval, but are podcasts at risk of losing money through a bad actor? Thomas Curry, exec at BBC Studios, takes us through the week’s deals.Also on the show: should we spend double what we do for the World Service? And should the Government pay for it? Rebecca Cooney from Broadcast tells us more.All that plus: who is playing Huw Edwards in the new Channel 5 drama? What changes are being made at Virgin Radio... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we rundown the biggest charts of the year.. The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex (who is a real person) selects the music for us to score each episode and she and her team can do it for you too at https://audionetwork.comWe record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studioBecome a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.What The Media Club has been reading this week:Global Buys Gary Nevile's Podcast Network The OverlapSpotify launches video podcast API for rival publishersThe podcast app stripping ads from your contentWorld Service negotiations Martin Clunes IS Huw Edwards Virgin Radio schedule changesMost Watched & Streamed Shows Of 2025BBC Sounds Top Shows of 2025
334. $10bn And Counting
43:58||Ep. 334Is there any merit to Donald Trump’s case against the BBC? And can the corporation get it dismissed before the legal costs rack up? Charlotte Tobitt, UK Editor at Press Gazette tells us the latest.Also on the show: the Oscars head to YouTube. What does the multi-year deal mean for broadcast television? Journalist and all-round digital media maven Alex Hudson makes sense of it for us.All that plus: DMG counts its pennies ahead of the Telegraph sale, the Government debates the BBC’s future... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we’re playing Schedule This. The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex (who is a real person) selects the music for us to score each episode and she and her team can do it for you too at https://audionetwork.comWe record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studioBecome a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.What The Media Club has been reading this week:We're Up To $10bn... Oscars Heading To YouTubeGovt Launches BBC Green PaperAudio industry celebrates a seat on Creative Industries CouncilTelegraph money securedSky Q "unpluggedWBD rejects Paramount Skydance’s ‘illusory’ offer
333. Netflix Digs Deep For Warner As Paramount Fights Back
52:01||Ep. 333It’s the biggest media deal for a decade - or maybe not, if Paramount gets their way. How does this affect consumers, cinema goers... and all of us, really? Faraz Osman, MD at indie Gold Wala joins me to discuss a seismic week in the media.Also on the show: how do you make a documentary about the enigma that is Nick Cave? Filmmaker Mike Christie joins us to discuss his new documentary... and how Red Bull’s jump from space changed branded content forever.All that plus: Disney invests in OpenAI, Eurovision implodes... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we bring you up to date in the media transfer window. The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex (who is a real person) selects the music for us to score each episode and she and her team can do it for you too at https://audionetwork.comWe record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studioBecome a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.What The Media Club has been reading this week:Netflix Buys Warner BrosParamount's hostile bidA History Of Warner DealsGolden Globes Inaugural Podcast Nominees AnnouncedSteve Ackerman To Leave Sony PodcastsEmile Nawagamuwa Christmas CampaignMike’s Documentary: Nick Cave’s Veiled WorldGogglebox Goes To HollywoodNigel Warner to replace John McVay at PACTChannel 4's New Chair