The Media Club with Matt Deegan

SNL UK launches on Sky One as news emerges over the cost of production. Can the show defy the early critics? And what is Sky seeking to get from its extended run, beyond a repost from President Trump?Huw Edwards attacks the Channel 5 drama about his downfall - but the show pulls 1.5 million viewers anyway. Alex Hudson joins us to ask whether any sympathy is owed. Also: Matt Brittin becomes the BBC's 18th Director General - a Google man with no journalism experience. What does that mean for the corporation at the most critical moment in its history?And in Part Two, we sit down with Tom Price, Content Distribution Director at Roku, who's just launched five new ITV Studios FAST channels in the UK - and has thoughts on whether human curation is dead.All that plus: Edinburgh TV Festival picks its shortlist, Global Studios gets a new boss... and in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we visit the parallel universe where none of the news happened.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 audionetwork.comWe record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studioBecome 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.What The Media Club has been reading this week:SNL Budget a rumoured £2m/episodeHuw Edwards' attacks Channel 4 dramaDonald Trump Reposts SNL UK Cold OpenPrince Harry case faces setbackMatt Brittin becomes new BBC DG TV Festival 2027 venue shortlist announcedCraig Hunter to head up Global StudiosGhosts Tops Adaptations HitlistStephen Colbert to enter the ShiresMr Benn MovieSora closed by OpenAI

The Daily Telegraph has a new, new, new suitor - and it's Axel Springer, who has beaten the Daily Mail with a £575 million bid for Telegraph Media Group. Media historian Maggie Brown on what the new owners inherit.Also on the show: Banijay and All3Media announce an $8 billion mega-merger, creating the world's largest independent TV production group. Juan Delgado, CEO of Footballco, on what consolidation at this scale means for the industry.All that plus: the BBC's podcast deal for indies takes its first steps, FIFA OKs ads in World Cup hydration breaks, and in the Audio Network Media Quiz - Long Lost Revenue.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:Axel Springer to acquire Telegraph Media Group for £575mBanijay and All3Media merge in $8bn dealElis James and John Robins podcast goes commercial under BBC Audio Release PolicyFIFA to allow World Cup hydration break ads for broadcastersGB News losses narrow to £22m as revenue jumps 58%Podimo hires ex-Netflix, BBC and Disney execs in video pushPodBean switches off dynamic ad insertion in EuropeJunk food ad ban criticised as ineffective by health expertsMail on Sunday staff take the stand in Harry case

All3Media and Banijay have merged to create an eight-billion-dollar independent production giant - and there are whispers that ITV Studios could be next on the menu. Media writer Tara Conlan takes stock.Also: Paramount Skydance beats Netflix in a marathon bidding war for Warner Bros Discovery. It's the biggest media merger in history - and the debt pile to match. Former Media Leader editor and now consultant Omar Oakes crunches the numbers.All that plus: News Corp reveals its two-word AI strategy. The BBC publishes its charter wishlist. And in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we put your bluffing skills to the test.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://www.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://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:All3Media and Banijay to mergeITV deal still in contention for Banijay tooParamount beats Netflix for Warner Bros -Newscorp's AI strategy: Woo & SueBBC’s Charter Renewal StrategyWPP's Advertising Intelligence Framework reportReach Digital Revenue DownKyle & Jackie O's $100m contract terminatedLovejoy To Get A RebootTelegraph Censured Over Fictional FamilyJournalists Replaced By Misleading AI writersEpstein Podcast is made entirely by AI

Just what went wrong on the BBC's BAFTA edit? And how did the afternoon unfold for audience members? Talent agent Alex Segal was in the room when it happened.Also on the show: the government moves to bring Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video under Ofcom regulation for the first time; Goalhanger tells TV commissioners they’ve got young audiences wrong; the Paramount vs Netflix bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery ratchets up; ITV Studios launches Studio 55 at the London Screenings; Peter Wright gives evidence in the Harry phone-hacking trial; Clive Dickens reports from the AI front line… and in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we play Slate or Fake — London TV Screenings edition.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:BAFTA's Tourette Incident Derails Awards Celebrations - and Alex's takeStreamers to come under Ofcom's jurisdiction Goalhanger chief says TV commissioners giving up on young audiencesBBC Studios eyeing acquisitions, Acast says it's conscious of ad loadParamount raises WBD bid to $31 a shareITV Studios launches Studio 55 at London ScreeningsDoctor Foster returns for final series with Suranne JonesFormer Mail on Sunday editor gives evidence in Harry phone-hacking trialVariety's Picks Of The WeekPolice media guidelines updated

Apple 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

Tim 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

We’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

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)