The Media Club with Matt Deegan

We'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)

Goalhanger 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

Spotify 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

Is 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

It’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

Is HBO Max doing the right thing pulling the sitcom everywhere but their own service? Or are consumers getting tired of chasing their favourite shows behind paywalls? We look at the return of ‘windowing’ and what’s driving the trend.Also on the show: agency giant Omnicom acquired Interpublic recently. Does that solve all its problems? Brand consultant and writer Omar Oakes thinks maybe not. All that plus: why the next Director General may not come from the ranks - media veteran Maggie Brown tells us more; Acast offers podcasters a better deal with YouTube... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we revive the Christmas Tapes of old. 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:'Windowing in back, big time'Netflix Commission Goalhanger's Rest Is Football for World CupOmnicom acquires Interpublic Acast announces tie-up for enhanced YouTube offeringContent London GossipYouTube growth down to older viewersWhy the Next DG Will Come From OutsideFire At Radio ScotlandBBC Plans Remote Commentary For Some World Cup MatchesNew In Our Time Host AnnouncedJungle show swearing faux pas

The Mail agrees to buy the Telegraph: but where’s the money coming from? And will the Government wave it through? Private Eye’s Adam MacQueen, writer on the magazine’s Street Of Shame, laments another twist in the Telegraph saga.Also on the show: the budget offered no new tax credits for the film and TV industry... but at least there’s another big studio being built. Cara Kotschy, co-founder of post production house Residence Pictures, explains what all these studio projects mean for the sector. All that plus: Michael Prescott faces MPs, as do various BBC execs, a lost Blackadder script goes on sale... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we connect three more underreported stories from the week.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:Mail agrees to buy the TelegraphBBC at CMS Select CommitteeDeadline on the lack of tax credits in the budget Bid For The Blackadder Chrismas Special That Never WasMarlow Film Studios approvedTrump Secures Rush Hour 4Dale Vince's NewspaperStranger Things Gets The Pop Up Radio Treatment

What do the noises coming out of Disney+ tell us about the streamer’s plans for user generated AI? Matt Deegan is joined by Stuart Morgan, MD & Founder of Audio Always and Cat Lewis, CEO of Nine Lives Media to discuss the week’s media news.Also on the show: as Donald Trump raises the stakes against the BBC to $5bn in damages, we’re in Salford at MediaCity, the corporation’s second-biggest hub, speaking to suppliers about how this all impacts their business.All that plus: the Telegraph is up for sale, again... Goalhanger launch a new show... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we tabloid the news.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.comBecome 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:Updates to Disney+Trump Raises The Stakes vs BBC To $5bnTelegraph Sale Is Off (Again) Should there be an independent process?FT Launches First SubstackMeta win AntiTrust CaseBritish Sales Top $1bn to US for first timeThe Rest Is Science launchesKelvin MacKenzie in Shock Guardian Praise