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The Media Club with Matt Deegan
Why is Tortoise bidding for The Observer?
Is the world’s oldest newspaper about to be bought by the UK’s youngest news brand? Media news and analysis, with presenter Matt Deegan and guests Charlotte Tobitt, UK editor at Press Gazette, Faraz Osman, owner of TV indie Gold Wala and Leanne Alie from Unlocked Podcasts.
Plus: could you benefit from a new podcast accelerator programme? Leanne Alie, head of Unlocked Podcasts, tells us more - as well as the gossip from this week’s Radio Festival.
Also on the programme: we run through some of the big telly stories of the week - including a reshuffle at BBC Children's, Rupert Murdoch’s family trials... and why four columnists quit the Jewish Chronicle at the weekend.
Like our new look? For 25% off your first booking at PodShopOnline.com, use the code MEDIA CLUB
Join the Media Club for more insights between episodes: themediaclub.com
Stories discussed:
Observer could be sold to Tortoise
Four big columnists quit Jewish Chronicle over scandal know who owns the paper? Private Eye's podcast also neatly summarises the story
Murdoch in court in battle for succession
Four British shows top the Netflix global chart this year - can you name them all?
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286. Why Has The Onion Bought InfoWars?
46:11||Ep. 286Jim 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 Quiz285. Let The Hand Wringing Begin
43:03||Ep. 285How 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 announced284. The $2m Email
48:22||Ep. 284The 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) Goodbyes283. The Endgame for Local Radio
38:59||Ep. 283The latest RAJAR figures are out - and new local radio regulations kick in... so what does it mean for the big commercial players? Media analyst Adam Bowie tells us what’s happening.Also on the programme: as TV bigwigs descend on Cannes for Mipcom, why is everyone looking to the past? Deadline’s Jake Kanter puts down his cocktail to tell us more.All that, plus: Kimberly Godbolt from search network Talented People takes the temperature of UK TV production. Are we any closer to the end of the commissioning drought?That’s all happening in this edition of The Media Club. Come on in!A 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:Bauer removes last of GHR's local programmingMatt’s RAJAR blogAdam’s rival (and also very good) blogDeadline’s Takeaways from MIPCOM 2024An evening of British Podcast Awards winnersITV using AI to come of with commissioning ideasMel Giedroyc presents game show version of PictionaryChannel 4 orders Virgin IslandThere’s going to be a Greek MonkTed Danson's PodcastUndercover: Exposing the Far Right282. Will Labour save the BBC?
47:41||Ep. 282As the broadcaster axes three regular shows amidst more job losses in news... Broadcast editor Chris Curtis fills us in on whether a Labour Government could change the narrative.How is Private Eye is adjusting to a new government, and does it perform better under red or blue Prime Ministers? Adam MacQueen of the magazine’s Street of Shame reveals all.All that, plus: Channel 4 announces investment more in new skills and beyond London - but will it change the mood music with TV makers? The Guardian’s ethical review service... and why should we stop calling people ‘talent’.That’s all happening in this edition of The Media Club. Come on in and 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 week:Adam MacQueen’s new book, Haunted Tales - buy it nowClick, Hardtalk to go as BBC News rationalises and Radio News reductionsChannel 4 launches Nations & Regions investmentHot off the Recipes app, the Guardian launches The Filter.Tim Davy 'bans' the word 'talent'New York Sun owner in exclusive talks with Telegraph Bastards, says Newsquest to GoogleSpike Milligan calls Prince Charles ‘a grovelling bastard’(0:00) - Intro(0:40) - Victoria Newton (Editor, The Sun)(3:05) - Jane Austen (4:35) - Pride & Prejudice(5:40) - BBC News Job Cuts / Click cancelled(8:30) - Will BBC Cuts impact government priorities(11:10) - Should the government pay for BBC World services?(13:45) - Channel 4 and the indie community(15:40) - Does Channel 4 work as a public service broadcaster?(19:12) - The Governments focus on Channel 4(23:02) - The Guardian's The Filter(25:30) - Tortoise and the Observer(28:10) - Tortoise refinancing (31:18) - Weekly news round-up(31:55) - What other film and tv studio is owned by a local authority?(32:43 - What has Chris been reporting on this week?(33:30) - Tim Davie on not using the word "talent"(36:00) - Private Eye(39:00) - Were the Tories actually worse?281. Why Does Netflix Cancel So Quickly?
47:34||Ep. 281As Kaos becomes the latest drama to be axed after one season, TV critic Scott Bryan reveals why streamers kill their commissions so young. Media news and analysis, with host Matt Deegan.Also on the programme: after ten years of scrutiny, the latest Expert Women report reveals the big shows that are letting the side down. Former broadcast exec Professor Lis Howell is here to tell us who’s booking twice as many men than women.All that, plus: there are a raft of new studios under construction in the UK... why do we need more? And rather than no work for freelancers, will it soon be... no freelancers for work?That’s all happening in this edition of The Media Club. Come on in!A 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:Expert Women Project findingsChannel 4 losses, bonuses - and US election plansMeanwhile: Netflix profits and cancels KaosA Studio-Build UpdateThe new Disney+ show based in 80s regional TVland: Rivals Open Letter to Guardian over Observer SaleInnovative 'Freeze' gameshow ports from Japan to PortugalBullseye is BACK(00:00) Intro(00:50) James Rowe(02:08) Lisa Campbell(02:47) Expert Women(12:05) Channel 4 Loss(18:55) Netflix Cancellations(27:05) Podcast Discovery(27:35) Podshop(28:35) Overheard(29:30) Rivals(35:50) Studios(39:35) Quiz(46:50) Goodbyes280. Harry Potter and the Streaming Wars
39:38||Ep. 280Why is Sky taking the owners of HBO and Discovery+ to court? Broadcast consultant Paul Robinson is here to unpick the tangled relationship between Sky and a new wave of streamers. Media news and analysis with Matt Deegan and guests.Also on the programme: are freelancers across our sector getting the mental health support they need? Manori Ravindran, London Correspondent at The Ankler, explains.All that, plus Matt Deegan takes us through the latest insights on the audio industry, and pits our guests against each other in a game involving the BBC Sound Effects library.That’s all happening in this edition of The Media Club. Come on in!A 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 vs HBO & MaxCNN and Reuters announce paywallsKarl Warner Off to BBCSJim Waterson’s first London Centric story (and that X post)New MIDAS reportLooking Glass survey sounds alarm on worsening mental healthBoris Johnson interview cancelled after Laura Kuenssberg gaffeBig Talk Studios planning Cheers UK rebootPhillip Schofield on Cast Away - review(00:00) Intros(00:39) Manisha Ferdinand(02:20) Bill Morrow(03:42) Sky vs WBD(12:20) Paywalls(16:25) Karl Warner(21:50) Overheard(22:54) FAST(25:10) Ad-Funded Programming(27:47) MIDAS Study(31:15) Mental Health(33:40) Media Quiz279. Backstage at the British Podcast Awards
30:23||Ep. 279This week Matt Deegan is joined by Ollie Peart backstage at The British Podcast Awards. We hear from friend of the podcast Marianna Spring on what it takes to be a great podcast host, Rob Auton on the challenges of daily podcasts and The News Agents on yet another win and how changes in production team have impacted the podcast.PLUS! We hear from Stuart Last of Audio Always after they secured the Listeners Choice Award for Help I Sexted My Boss. Stuart reflects on what's changed in the last 12 years with a growing focus on visualised podcasts, and also how community is key.That and MORE. Here are all of the podcasts from the people we spoke to.The Rob Auton Daily PodcastPress Play, Turn OnWhy Do You Hate Me (Marianna Spring)The News AgentsHelp I Sexted My BossHow Was It For You(00:00) Intro(00:37) The News Agents(03:40) Zing Tsjeng from Good Bad Billionnaire(07:24) Marianna Spring(13:00) Stuart Morgan - Audio Always(18:15) Marcus Brigstocke(23:10) Rob Auton(25:22) Press Play, Turn On(27:28) Goodbye