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The Media Club with Matt Deegan
The Spectator takeover and why it matters
GB News owner Sir Paul Marshall bags a prestigious title - but has set his sights on the Telegraph too. Also on the show: the biggest launch of radio stations EVER... and how news consumption has changed forever.
Media news and analysis, with presenter Matt Deegan and guests Jake Kanter (Deadline) and Managing Director of the Radio Academy, Aradhna Tayal Leach.
Like our new look? For 25% off your first booking at PodShopOnline.co.uk, use the code MEDIACLUB
Join the Media Club for more insights between episodes: themediaclub.com
Stories discussed:
- Unlocked Podcasts Amplify scheme
- Paul Marshall buys The Spectator - and loses Andrew Neil as Chair
- Ofcom says more consumers get news online than tv for first time
- Global launches TWELVE new radio stations
- PACT reveals revenue lost last year by commissioning slowdown
- All3Media expansion to the US
- Aradhna talks Radio Festival
(00:00) Welcome!
(01:13) Leanne Allie
(02:10) Simon Albury
(03:48) Joseph Cox
(04:44) The Spectator
(11:19) Global's new stations
(22:50) Overheard
(23:50) Redbird and All 3 Media
(25:50) Radio Festival
(31:25) The Media Quiz
More episodes
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328. Is The BBC Heading For Disaster?
40:02||Ep. 328The Sidemen’s manager thinks the Beeb is on the same path as the Titanic; just as others speak up for big changes in the next ten year plan. We ask is it even possible for the corporation to change course? Broadcast consultant Paul Robinson weighs the arguments for us.Also on the show: - fool me once... shame on you - The Times reflects on being tricked for the second time in a month... journalist and academic Jane Martinson tells us more.All that plus: Canada leaks the Traitors finale... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we give three more media stories a glow up.The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network, who select the music to score each episode (as well as, as it happens, Dragons’ Den) and they can do it for you too at https://audionetwork.comBecome a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.comWe record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studioA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.What The Media Club has been reading this week:Sidemen manager calls out 'Titanic' BBCBritish Broadcasting Challenge reportNetflix in talks to licence iHeart podcastsThe Times' Recent Blunders (and how to stop them)Audible out to reinvent Harry PotterNational Design Competition Launched to Honour Fallen JournalistsBBC Accused of Reediting Trump
327. Disney’s Doctor Who Era Is Over, Zandland & Sora 2
45:32||Ep. 327What does it take to cut through as a documentary maker on YouTube? Filmmaker Ben Zand joins us to talk about his recent launch, Human.Also on the show: Disney Plus cuts ties with Doctor Who as it decides not to renew a deal with the BBC... what next for one of the corporation’s international hits? Broadcast’s Rebecca Cooney explains. All that plus: we look at Sora 2 and AI’s implications for the media, who’s in the running for the BBC’s next mega-format commission... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we Zandland the news.The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network, who select the music to score each episode (as well as, as it happens, Dragons’ Den) and they can do it for you too at audionetwork.comBecome a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://www.themediaclub.comWe record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.ukA Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.What The Media Club has been reading this week:Disney+ parts ways with the WhoniverseAI report: 9% of US newspaper articles may be aided by AI.Sora 2's rolloutNine indies shortlisted for BBC and NBCU mega-formatTelegraph links potential owner to China’s PolitburoClaudia Winkleman’s Chat ShowSpotify Video Comes To TV in app rebootCoogan Hacked Off By SettlementLegal Action Begins Against Mindhouse Over DocPodcast loses major sponsor after interview with Bob Vylan
326. Tess & Claudia Wrongfoot The Media and Leave Strictly
42:18||Ep. 326Strictly Come Dancing's presenters are both leaving - who’s in the running to replace Tess & Claude at the BBC’s flagship show? And why was their announcement on Instagram so strange? Heather Fallon, senior reporter at Broadcast Magazine explains.Also on the show: how do you make a talent agency fit for purpose in a digital world? InterTalent’s MD, Alex Segal, joins us to discuss the new skills all agencies need to stay competitive. All that plus: a Warner Brothers Discovery sale is looking likely - but who wants it? Why has Ofcom rowed back on changes to the Broadcast Code? And, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we pitch some new business ideas.The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network, who select the music to score each episode (as well as, as it happens, Dragons’ Den) and they can do it for you too at https://www.audionetwork.comBecome 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.What The Media Club has been reading this week:Strictly’s Tess and Claudia Wrongfoot The Media With AnnouncementWarner Bros Discovery sale on the cards Podcasts coming to Netflix... but are they ready for them? And what's behind the platform's poor earnings report? Ofcom keeps politicians as presenters ruleDAZN’s Champion’s League BidGlobal’s Upfronts Reveal More CommissionsChannel 4’s new news podcastsChannel 4's AI Prank100 Choices Coming To The USSTV Radio launches podcast ahead of stationMatt’s Take on the RAJARsAlex’s Substack: Dealmakers: https://intertalent.substack.com/
325. What’s Hot At MIPCOM: Video Games, Anime & Being Friendly
39:21||Ep. 325Attention returns to the south of France as the TV industry is joined at their annual international bash by YouTube. Media writer Tara Conlan is not in Cannes, but is on our sofa, and ready to explain.Also on the pod: as Spotify does more deals with streamers - BBC Studios’ Thomas Curry is here to survey the podcast landscape with us. All that plus: the Daily Mail doubles down on TikTok content, Channel 4 grows its platform... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we discover why our sector will never be the same again.The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network, who select the music to score each episode - they can do it for you too at https://www.audionetwork.comBecome 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 MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.ukWhat The Media Club has been reading this week:Sony Sees Video Games and Anime as Key IP BattlegroundsMail is doubling down on social mediaNetflix and Spotify do deal for podcastsChannel 4 and UKTV strike landmark streaming deal John Oliver Slams CBS For Bari Weiss AppointmentMost News Publishers Dropped Down Google This YearMarc Maron ends WTFSNL UK 'should be the endgame'Rebecca Frank To Leave KISS
324. Fellas Go Global, Guardian Pivots, Paddington Sues
34:53||Ep. 324Global splashes out on buying The Fellas Studios - what can these two very different media brands get from the deal? Also on the pod: as the Guardian announces a new digital strategy - Jim Waterson of London Centric looks back at what’s changed in the ten years of Kath Viner editorship.All that plus: a little bit of Celebrity Traitors and all the latest telly trends with critic Rhianna Dhillon and we find out why Paddington Bear may be going to court.The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network, who select the music to score each episode - they can do it for you too at audionetwork.comBecome 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 MEDIACLUB at podshoponline.co.ukWhat The Media Club has been reading this week:Guardian seeks new strategyGlobal Acquires Fellas Studios, launches Global StudiosSteven Bartlett launches FlightcastDid Google Favour Global News Brands Over Local?Radio Techcon open for businessDaniel Ek to spend more time with his dronesSky Nabs Macfadden ComedyPaddington Sues 'Paddington'AI Presenters to Host Music Channel
323. British Podcast Awards 2025
29:44||Ep. 323We are back at the British Podcast Awards - one of the biggest nights in media as the worlds of radio, TV and journalism all have a stake in this still fledgling medium.Ollie Peart is backstage once again to hear from winners including Carl Miller on Kill List season two and a potential TV adaptation and Pod Save The UK’s Coco Kahn on Crooked Media’s struggles with Trump 2.0.Along the way Matt meets nominees to discuss changes at Audio Always, the UK’s first female-founded video podcast network Hera, and Rory Cellan-Jones on his Parkinson’s podcast Movers And Shakers... with Jeremy Paxman. That’s all happening in this edition of The Media Club. Come on in!The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network who select the music to score each episode - they can do it for you too at audionetwork.comBecome 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 our main show at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.ukWhat The Media Club has been reading this week:Daniel Ek Steps Back From Spotify To Spend More Time With His Drones)Bill Murray’s Golf Show CommissionedTrump Causing Satire Funding Issues, say Armando IannucciObserver Veterans Launch New TitleDiversity In TV Advertising Takes A DipClickthrough Rate Increases When You Do A Deal With OpenAI, ReportHERA, The UK’s First Female-Founder Video Podcast
322. Kimmel's Return, YouTuber Mortgages & Bedtime Stories
44:19||Ep. 322With Disney and ABC facing the wrath of viewers, why are the big media beasts struggling with the second Trump presidency? Broadcaster and audio critic Miranda Sawyer looks back on another tumultuous week in talk shows.Also on the pod: which brands and platforms do advertisers love right now and why? Media strategist Jane Ostler from Kantar joins us to reveal the latest Media Reactions data.All that plus: MPs enter the chat as YouTubers demand a mortgage - but what about the other freelancers? And, in the Media Quiz, we ‘travelogue’ our way around three more curious stories from the week.The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network, who select the music to score each episode - they can do it for you too at audionetwork.comBecome 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.ukWhat The Media Club has been reading this week:Jimmy Kimmel returns to TV after highly criticized suspensionKantar Media Reactions 2025UK’s YouTube and TikTok content creators deserve more rights, say MPsSky Studios Elstree Expansion Given Green LightYouTube Pushes Back On RegulationWondery Suddenly Drops Ad Sales On Big UK ShowIndependent on the upMatt Chorley Interviews Ed Davey On A Zip LineReach cuts (and Private Eye's take)
321. LHF Ban, RTS Cambridge and FT Drama
41:33||Ep. 321Is the TV industry ready for the latest advertising ban? And why is radio set to profit from it? TV consultant Stephen Arnell joins us to explain more about the Less Healthy Food restrictions.Also on the show: the rise of fake journalists and PRs is on the rise. Charlotte Tobitt, UK editor of Press Gazette takes us down the rabbithole. All the news from the RTS Cambridge convention with media writer Kate Bulkley.... And the Financial Times launches a new film starring Stephen Fry; we speak to the FT’s Juliet Riddell about marrying journalism with fiction.The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network who select the music to score each episode - they can do it for you too at audionetwork.comBecome 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're remote recording this week, but when we're in person... we record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.ukWhat The Media Club has been reading this week:LHF Ad Ban is looming - and the loophole for radio and podcastersChannel 4 Makes History By Taking First Ever Majority Stake In A Production CompanyYouTube's AI updates in fullRecall Me, Maybe - new FT film starring Stephen FryPublisher of Delicious magazine ceases tradingRoyal cleaner stories removed by Times and Sun after authenticity questionsDubious PR agencies are bombarding journalists with fake content Channel 4 to mark Trump’s UK visit with ‘longest uninterrupted reel of untruths’Donald Trump files $15bn lawsuit against the New York TimesChannel 5 launches NFL Big Game Night
320. Are Journalists Now Influencers Too?
49:02||Ep. 320An online spat reveals a new truth about modern journalism. Alex Hudson, Editor-in-chief of Everything Popular is Wrong, takes a trip into Substack to investigate.Also on the pod: Lachlan Murdoch wins the succession battle. TV critic and media writer Scott Bryan tells us who are the real winners and losers. All that plus: why are streamers so reluctant to fund an antibullying body? The Observer staff face up to their new reality... and, in the Media Quiz, our guests take part in a branding exercise.The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network who select the music to score each episode - they can do it for you too at audionetwork.comBecome 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.ukWhat The Media Club has been reading this week:Lachlan takes control of News CorpCulture Secretary Pressing Streamers on CIISAObserver cuts pagination and casualsGregg Wallace sues the BBCFridge Magnate Takes Channel 4 JobAI Startup Plans 5000 Podcasts at $1/epJournalists vs InfluencersOh, the glamour! Scott’s NTA behind the scenes articleJames Corden & Ruth Jones head to Apple TVSTV announces name of radio stationNew York Times adds new subs tier