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The Media Club with Matt Deegan

Samir Shah takes BBC Chair, Spotify cuts & a Premier League win

Ep. 247

The BBC have a new chair - and a new licence fee settlement. Media news and analysis with Broadcast writer Rebecca Cooney and Adam Bowie.


Also on the programme: how did they make Planet Earth 3? The creative director of the Beeb’s Natural History Unit, Mike Gunton takes us on a wildlife 101.


All that, plus Spotify makes big cuts, the Premier League bounces back and, in the Media Quiz... we discover who’s been foiled by Fleet Street.


Love our look and sound? Hire thelondonpodcaststudios.com for your next recording - and get 25% off your first booking when you use the code MEDIAPOD.

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  • 292. The End Of Fact Checking?

    45:09||Ep. 292
    Meta removes fact checking from Facebook: Journalist and digital native Alex Hudson looks at what it means for news organisations.Also on the programme: Global scraps regional radio and Bauer buys Clear Channel... and why is sport suddenly the streamers’ new focus? Broadcast consultant Paul Robinson looks at recent deals by DAZoNe and Disney.All that, plus: Hollywood dramas in podcast form - Goldhawk Productions chief John Dryden talks about the explosion in demand for audio fiction.That’s all happening in this edition of The Media Club. Come on in!Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.ukThe Media Club’s stories of the week:Meta removes fact-checkersBBC local radio showed 'systemic failure' on night of disorderGlobal Announces Nations StrategyBauer Buys ClearChannel EuropePiers leaves News UKApple News AI Update Goes WonkyBeast Games gets half of Squid Games’ ReachEastenders Goes InteractiveChapters:(00:00) Hello!(00:51) Shanaz Gulzar - Creative Director at Bradford 2025(01:50) Tony Chambers - President of Disney EMEA(03:05) Mark Zuckerberg changes fact-checking to community notes(08:59) Bauer buys Clear Channel Outdoor Europe(15:08) Global ending local and regional radio(18:25) Streaming platforms getting into live sports(25:32) BBC projects stuck in soft green light(28:58) Passenger List radio drama snippet(32:21) Radio drama's journey(37:23) Secret Marvel radio drama project(40:05) The Media Quiz(43:58) GoodbyesSpotify
  • 291. Tortoise’s Observer deal is done... whilst BBC faces Ofcom pushback

    39:20||Ep. 291
    The Observer becomes part of Tortoise. Charlotte Tobitt of Press Gazette is here to tell us what happens next.Also on the programme: BBC Radio faces pushback from Ofcom over its DAB expansion plans, and The Radio Times’ Caroline Frost ponders what we have to look forward to on TV in 2025.All that, plus: all the gossip from the British Journalism Awards, the continued de-Wallacing of TV... And, in the Media Quiz, we brush up those CVs.That’s all happening in this edition of The Media Club. Come on in!Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.ukThe Media Club’s stories of the week:Observer sale confirmed - and new editor tooBBC’s DAB expansion plans on holdGrace Dent to replace Gregg Wallace British Journalism Awards and Press Gazette introducing a registration wallBluey movie announcedGavin & Stacey cast in Radio 2 takeoverRowan Atkinson returns to Netflix(00:00) Intro(00:40) Strictly & Amazing Women in Journalism(03:40) The Observer & Tortoise(07:30) Guardian competition?(09:40) Future of Masterchef(13:34) BBC pause DAB station roll-out(21:30) Media Concierge takeover(25:05) Press Gazette's registration wall(26:32) Radio Times Podcast(27:40) Harlan Coben's Missing You(29:06) Brian Walden and Margaret Thatcher(30:14) Return of Bergerac(31:23) Charlotte's rom-com hits(32:10) The revival of TV spy action(33:02) The Media Quiz(38:16) Goodbyes
  • 290. Which HBO Shows Will Stay On Sky?

    43:18||Ep. 290
    TV critic Scott Bryan is here to explain the new deal between Sky and HBO, and dips into the Radio Times (old school) to divine what the Christmas schedules tell us about the health of certain broadcasters.Also on the programme: a report suggests that GB News broadcasts half of all news stories about Muslims? TV Indie chief Faraz Osman from Goldwala tells us more.All that, plus: from Lucy Letby to Vogue Williams, Jamie East reports back on a year of running Daily Mail podcasts.And, in the Media Quiz, we’re off headhunting across Disney, News Corp and The Observer.That’s all happening in this edition of The Media Club. Come on in!Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.ukThe Media Club’s stories of the week:Sky reaches deal with HBOGB News broadcasts half of all Muslim news storiesMurdoch succession dramaObserver staff 'horror' at saleCharlotte Moore reportedly headhunted by DisneyChapters:(00:00) Intro(00:45) Ayesha Rafaele & Nisha Parti(02:03) TV Zone(04:07) Sky & HBO(10:25) Muslims and GB News(17:35) Xmas TV(23:53) Jamie and AI Pods(31:42) Daily Mail Pods(33:50) Media Quiz(42:05) Goodbye
  • 289. Gregg Wallace... and matters outstanding

    59:55||Ep. 289
    World of Wonder co-founder Fenton Bailey on the future of television - is there room for cable, streamers AND broadcasters? Fenton thinks so.Also on the programme: unfinished business at the BBC. With Gregg Wallace causing all sorts of problems, have they got to grips with other thorny talent issues? Roger Bolton of Beebwatch grasps the nettle.All that, plus media writer Maggie Brown on the TV indies partnering up in Europe, and in the Media Quiz we cover another turbulent week in newsrooms.That’s all happening in this edition of The Media Club. Come on in!Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://www.themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.ukFurther reading:Gregg Wallace scandalIndies striking deals with international counterpartsRoger Bolton’s Beeb Watch podcastObserver journalist assurancesDale Vince, a potential Observer buyer?Dylan Jones steps down from The StandardRu Paul’s Drag ConMaggie’s Channel 4 books
  • 288. Is the Golden Age of British TV Over?

    40:17||Ep. 288
    Is the golden age of UK-made TV over? We speak to Steven D Wright about his article in The Times on the matter and whether anything can be done.Also, are you feeling festive? The editor of Campaign, Maisie McCabe gives us her view on some of the best Christmas ads out there and producer Rina Dayalji brings us the latest from the front line in factual entertainment. And of course, don’t forget The Media Quiz! Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Ollie Peart and Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.uk(00:00) Intro(00:50) Richard Brim & Martin Beverley(01:22) Simone Pennant MBE & Joe Lycett(02:17) Steven D Wright on TV(18:05) ITV Sale(24:12) Overheard(25:08) Xmas Ads(34:25) Quiz(39:37) Goodbye
  • 287. BBC’s Commercial Impact Under Scrutiny

    41:41||Ep. 287
    As the BBC pushes on with its Radio 2 spinoff - we speak to rival Boom Radio’s Phil Riley about the impact on his business.Meanwhile, BBC Studios has a ‘work-for-hire’ dilemma... media commentator Kate Bulkley unpicks a thorny problem for the BBC’s commercial strategy.Also on the programme: staff at The Observer and the Guardian vote to strike over the proposed sale of the Sunday paper to Tortoise... but is the deal already done? James Ball, political editor at The New European is here to provide an update.All that, plus... could an AI startup save journalism?Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.ukThe Media Club’s stories of the week:Guardian & Observer staff to walk out over saleRadio 2 announces spinoff - and Phil Riley is not happy about itZoe Ball leaves Radio 2Watchdog urges BBCS to create more IPCould an AI startup save journalism?Fulwell73 and LeBron James’ SpringHill strike mega-merger dealLogan Paul Sends Look-a-Like to BBC InterviewGoalhanger shuts TV Production HouseChapters:(00:00) Intro(00:47) Kathleen Kennedy(02:15) Adam Bienkov(04:07) Observer/Tortoise(07:30) NAO/BBC(12:35) R2 Breakfast(17:14) R2 Extra/Phil Riley(24:16) Podcast Discovery(24:46) Podshop Online(25:51) Everyone's Talking About(26:36) Journalism AI(30:16) New European(37:13) Quiz(41:05) Goodbye
  • 286. Why Has The Onion Bought InfoWars?

    46:11||Ep. 286
    Jim Waterson speaks to The Media Club about the launch of his local journalism project, London Centric; and the wider local media revolution.Also on the programme: right wing outlet InfoWars is bought by The Onion... What’s that about? And as most streamers embrace ads on their services... what is Amazon doing with FreeVee? Jane Ostler, EVP at research agency Kantar explains.All that, plus: Chloe Straw of Audio UK talks about the future of podcasts away from the BBC, we ask who will replace Gary Lineker on Match Of The Day?Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.ukThe Media Club’s stories of the week:The Onion buys rightwing conspiracy theory site InfowarsWho Will Replace The BBC's Biggest Star?AVods are up, according to Barb data, just as Amazon Prime closes FreeveeGuardian will no longer post on Elon Musk’s X from its official accountsRadio 1 Anthems has launchedBroadcasters Commit To A Shared Measurement System For Climate Change ContentResearch reveals London indies dominate Scottish commissioningBBC making waves in DigbethCheck out https://londoncentric.media(00:00) Introduction(00:40) Charlotte Lock(01:29) Bluesky Team(02:05) Lineker(06:30) Infowars(08:45) Streaming(13:40) X-odus(18:14) PodShop(19:00) Podcast Discovery(19:30) What We've Heard(20:20) Radio 1 Anthems(22:00) BBC Audio Commissioning(28:22) London Centric(39:37) Media Quiz
  • 285. Let The Hand Wringing Begin

    43:03||Ep. 285
    How was the US election night covered in the media, and how will the newsrooms fare under President Trump?... Alex Farber, media correspondent from The Times is here to look at what it means for our industry.Also on the programme: Miranda Sawyer has been the audio critic at the Observer throughout the podcast boom... she reveals the latest trends in the industry, and her take on her paper’s future under Tortoise.All that, plus: Will Wood, CEO of Multitude Media on being a modern PR powerhouse, why publishers are struggling with Google’s new Ts and Cs... and, in the Media Quiz, we find out who’s sorry not sorry.That’s all happening in this edition of The Media Club. Sign up for free at https://www.themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.ukThe Media Club’s stories of the weekUS election night coverage roundupNew BBC Chair Samir Shah on permanent Royal Charter & misconduct complaintsCan you opt out of Google's AI crawler? Not according to the FT...Miranda Sawyer’s new book - get your copy now...Observer/Tortoise update: Guardian CEO says paper is unsustainableWill Wood discusses new drama House of GuinnessClarkson’s Farm renewed for fifth seasonBaby Cow court caseNew Radio 4 comedy commissions announced
  • 284. The $2m Email

    48:22||Ep. 284
    The Washington Post loses subscribers over its position on the US election... media reporter and writer Tara Conlan tells us why this might be good news for the Guardian.Podcasting powerhouse Novel's making waves; CEO Craig Strachan's here to chat Kill List, selling your IP to Hollywood and plans for 2025. Also on the programme: are we closer to a World Service funding deal? The dangers of working in TV at the moment... and, in the Media Quiz, we put ourselves out of a job using NotebookLM.Remember to signup at themediaclub.comA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.ukThe Media Club’s stories of the week:Ian Katz chat at BPG lunch - a little on The Gathering tooWash Po non-endorsement leads to 10% drop in subscriptions - and the Guardian cleans upAre we inching closer to a World Service/FO deal?Novel’s new show The Bunny Trap - and start the bidding war for the #1 hit Kill ListTara’s brilliant Guardian piece on the dangers of being a modern day runnerECB Rules Out Free To Air CricketGok Wan joins Magic BreakfastJournalists back strike over ObserverMichael Parkinson returns in AI formChapters:(00:00) Welcome(00:46) Amelia Dimoldenberg(02:04) Saoirse Ronan(04:18) C4's Ian Katz(09:45) Washington Post's Subs(19:07) Podcast Discovery(19:30) PodShop(20:55) GB News(24:34) Novel(30:55) Freelance Exhaustion(38:00) Media Quiz(47:30) Goodbyes