The Media Club with Matt Deegan

As the greats of the press descend on London for the Truth Tellers annual conference, Politico's Allison Hoffman talks to The Media Club about SLAPPS and the other obstacles to getting a story out there.Also on the show: broadcaster - and now formats geek - Richard Bacon on his new podcast, Why Are You More Successful Than Me? A question, of course, we will also be asking.All that plus: a celebrated sports exec bids farewell to Channel 4 - and, in The Audio Network Media Quiz, we reveal some major plot twists.The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Ben selected the music to score this edition and he and the 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 weekWall St Journal warns of waning press freedomMill Media’s legal threatBBC News hit hardest by new cuts C4's head of sport moves to Whisper Letterman On Future Of Late Nighthttps://deadline.com/2026/05/dept-q-netflix-left-bank-training-programme-1236877887/Acast makes first profit evsName That Tune is BACKThe Epstein Files are BACKCelebrity Traitors is BACK

200 companies pitched for the BBC and NBC's next global format - and the winner is a partnership between Expectation and Plegazoid. CMG Productions' Claire McArdle, making her debut today, on what it takes to design something that can travel.Also on the show: Sky News is remaking itself as a premium, subscription-first newsroom by 2030. Gold Wala's Faraz Osman on whether that's a strategy or a euphemism.All that plus: The Ankler leaves Substack. Patreon launches Quips. iHeartMedia and SiriusXM in merger talks. And The Audio Network Media Quiz - three stories that all end with something unexpected.The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Ben selected the music to score this game and he and the 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:Expectation and Plegazoid win BBC-NBCU format tenderSky News unveils premium video-first strategyThe Ankler leaves Substack for new platformPatreon launches Quips and discovery networkiHeartMedia and SiriusXM in merger talksBarclay Brothers settle with HSBCSophie Jones named new RTS CEOMarvellous Miniature Workshop renewed for 20 episodesTrump claims BBC used AI in Jan 6 editAllison Pearson cleared to sue Essex Police

YouTube is officially an audio platform. Karin Robinson, Senior Director of Strategy at Edelman, on whether we all need to open our eyes.Also on the show: as the Warner Brothers deal is signed off by the shareholders... STV Studios CEO David Mortimer on mergers, acquisitions and more in the TV sector. All that plus: Channel 4 launches a root-and-branch review... and there’s The Audio Network Media Quiz, where we test our guests’ grasp of the week’s news... by dropping some big names.The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Ben selects the music to score each episode and he and the 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:YouTube and SiriusXM partner on audio advertisingSounds Profitable Audio Primes 2026 reportChannel 4 launches strategic review under Priya DograChannel 4: runners and riders to replace Ian KatzSky News launches paywalled contentStandard website now run by IndependentOnion to lease InfowarsBBC Buys In Traitors IndiaRichard Bacon Interviews More Successful PeopleJournalist On The Hook For £14k After Investigation

Ian Katz leaves Channel 4, and the BBC has announced up to 2,000 job cuts. Broadcast Magazine's Rebecca Cooney on a big week in TV.Also on the show: it’s a rare podcast to TV journey - except that the podcast was never finished. TV director Simon Draper joins us to talk about his new documentary, and what it says about the jobs crisis still facing the TV industry.All that plus: Gary Neville buys 'those bloody YouTubers'... Trump's libel campaign runs aground... and in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we rise above the politics.The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex selects the music for us each episode - and this week, her team's music features in Simon's documentary too. Find out more 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:Ian Katz leaves Channel 4 After 9 YearsBBC announces latest round of cuts The BBC has launched it's first YouTube docsGary Neville’s buys 'those bloody YouTubers'Trump’s Libel cases fall apartTelegraph takeover clearedASA rules on Lidl and Iceland junk food ads SNL UK announces new guest hostsBoris Johnson heading to Ukraine for 5Scott Mills' replacement to be a wildcard

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

Matt Brittin is being lined up to replace Tim Davie at the BBC - but first, a speech, and a Culture Secretary with a parting gift. Media writer Kate Bulkley and Edelman's Karin Robinson decode a week in BBC politics.Also on the show: a new Policing and Media Charter promises journalists they can pick up the phone again - and Reach takes the BBC to task over local news dominance in its charter consultation response.All that plus: the BPG Award winners, the FCC's war on independent news - and in the Audio Network Media Quiz, it is time for the Weekend Update.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:Lisa Nandy signals to BBC that permenant charter is within reachDG Davie's Swansong speechPolice to have dedicated contact for journalistsReach accuses BBC of damaging local newsThe FCC and its war against independent newsBBC Asks Court To Throw Out Trump Case - as Trump cries AINew Partners Announced for Apple Podcast Video productSNL UK launches this Saturday. Can it make a splash?Sony Exits The OctopodDisney takes a pass on the Buffy reboot

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