The Media Club with Matt Deegan

Rethink Audio

Media news from the UK, looking at television production, streaming, radio, audio, journalism, the internet, publishers and more. Each week expert analysts and media practitioners join the host, media consultant Matt Deegan, to talk about the top media stories and work out what it means for the sector and the people in it. Recent experts have included Broadcast's Rebecca Cooney and Chris Curtis, The Guardian's Michael Savage, Deadline's Jake Kanter, the Press Gazette's Charlotte Tobitt, Ankler's Manori Ravindran, plus writers Tara Conlan, Scott Bryan, Jane Martinson, Jim Waterson and Boyd Hilton. Our industry practitioners have included Expectation's Peter Fincham, Gold Wala's Faraz Osman, Multitude's Will Wood, Nest's Derek Drennan, BBC Radio 3's Sam Jackson, Persephonica's Dino Sofos, City AM's Christian May, ITN's Lisa Campbell and Daily Mail's Jamie East. Find out more at https://www.themediaclub.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 16h ago

    The Doctor Will Not See You Now

    The BBC puts Doctor Who out to tender - no Christmas special, no Russell T Davies, no Bad Wolf. Broadcast’s Insight Editor Rebecca Cooney on what’s really been going on behind the TARDIS doors. Also on the show: how do you explain the world to an eight-year-old? Vanessa Harriss, editor of The Week Junior, on the healthy business of children’s media - and why kids still want it in print. All that plus: ITV, Channel 4 and Sky tell the BBC to stop paddling up Schitt’s Creek... Rhodri Talfan Davies lands the deputy DG job... and, in The Audio Network Media Quiz, everybody’s moving house. The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Ben selected the music to for this episode and he and the team can do it for you too at audionetwork.com We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.com A Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery. What The Media Club has been reading this week: BBC puts Doctor Who out to tender; Christmas special scrapped ITV, C4 and Sky call for BBC to cut back on international acquisitions Rhodri Talfan Davies named BBC Deputy Director-General Goalhanger tops Sunday Times fastest-growing companies list Tony Livesey to step back from BBC radio show Mehdi Hasan launches Zeteo in the UK Only Murders in the Building moves to London for series six Karl Warner to relocate to LA for BBC Studios global creator role Miss Me? leaves the BBC to go commercial Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  2. Happy now? Google adds an AI Opt-Out

    Jun 5

    Happy now? Google adds an AI Opt-Out

    The CMA hands publishers a world-first opt-out from Google's AI Overviews; Alex Hudson tells us whether this is the breakthrough it looks like. Also on the show: Nutopia's Simon Willgoss on making the first major World War II documentary series since The World At War 50 years ago - twenty episodes, one war, one very famous narrator. All that plus: Jon Petrie exits the BBC for Hat Trick, Netflix gets careful about contributor welfare... and The Audio Network Media Quiz spots the elephant in the room. The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex selects the music to score each episode and she and the team can do it for you too at https://audionetwork.com We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.com A Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery. What The Media Club has been reading this week: UK publishers win opt-out from Google AI Overviews Netflix UK on Love Is Blind welfare and new commissioning priorities Jon Petrie exits BBC Comedy for Hat Trick YouTube overtakes Netflix in average daily viewing around the world White House Correspondents' Dinner rescheduled KSI leaves the Sidemen after 13 years Lisa Nandy admits government got it wrong on AI copyright Bauer Media Audio UK named Campaign Top 5 Best Places to Work OpenAI confirms no ad revenue share with publishers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min
  3. Does News Need More Personality?

    May 15

    Does News Need More Personality?

    Is traditional journalism losing the battle for attention - or are individual journalists actually winning it? Dino Sofos, founder of Persephonica, helped build the shows from BBC’s Newscast to Global’s The News Agents has some thoughts. Also on the show: ITN CEO Rachel Corp steps down immediately - and her replacement is the man who had just quit to take another job. Broadcast Magazine's Heather Fallon on the shock at the heart of Britain's biggest commercial news operation. All that plus: the Strictly hosting race produces a bombshell reveal, Tim Burrowes of Mumbrella on the Kyle and Jackie O fallout, Australian media, and what the B2B publishing world is talking about this week. The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex selects the music to score each episode and she can do it for you too at audionetwork.com We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.com A Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery. What The Media Club has been reading this week: Broadcasters must react to threat from creator journalism - Deborah Turness Prolific finance journalists facing questions over identities ITN CEO Rachel Corp steps down immediately Zoe Ball confirms she won't be hosting Strictly Come Dancing Ofcom to investigate GB News Osman takes The Golden Elevators Big Break returning to BBC daytime BBC confirms Radio 4 Long Wave switch-off date Netflix reveals $135bn content spend over past decade BBC staff fear meagre pay rise after bosses forgo own increase Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min
  4. Richard Bacon: Formats Geek

    May 8

    Richard Bacon: Formats Geek

    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.com We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.com A Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery. What The Media Club has been reading this week Wall St Journal warns of waning press freedom Mill Media’s legal threat BBC News hit hardest by new cuts  C4's head of sport moves to Whisper  Letterman On Future Of Late Night https://deadline.com/2026/05/dept-q-netflix-left-bank-training-programme-1236877887/ Acast makes first profit evs Name That Tune is BACK The Epstein Files are BACK Celebrity Traitors is BACK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  5. Format Fever, Sky's Gamble, and The Creator Economy Grows Up

    May 1

    Format Fever, Sky's Gamble, and The Creator Economy Grows Up

    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.com We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.com A 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 tender Sky News unveils premium video-first strategy The Ankler leaves Substack for new platform Patreon launches Quips and discovery network iHeartMedia and SiriusXM in merger talks Barclay Brothers settle with HSBC Sophie Jones named new RTS CEO Marvellous Miniature Workshop renewed for 20 episodes Trump claims BBC used AI in Jan 6 edit Allison Pearson cleared to sue Essex Police Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  6. YouTube’s Audio Ads, Channel 4's Big Shake-Up

    Apr 24

    YouTube’s Audio Ads, Channel 4's Big Shake-Up

    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.com We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.com A 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 advertising Sounds Profitable Audio Primes 2026 report Channel 4 launches strategic review under Priya Dogra Channel 4: runners and riders to replace Ian Katz Sky News launches paywalled content Standard website now run by Independent Onion to lease Infowars BBC Buys In Traitors India Richard Bacon Interviews More Successful People Journalist On The Hook For £14k After Investigation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  7. 8 Out Of 10, Katz?

    Apr 17

    8 Out Of 10, Katz?

    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.com We record at Podshop Studios. For 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at: podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at: themediaclub.com A 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 Years BBC announces latest round of cuts  The BBC has launched it's first YouTube docs Gary Neville’s buys 'those bloody YouTubers' Trump’s Libel cases fall apart Telegraph takeover cleared ASA rules on Lidl and Iceland junk food ads SNL UK announces new guest hosts Boris Johnson heading to Ukraine for 5 Scott Mills' replacement to be a wildcard Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min

Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Media news from the UK, looking at television production, streaming, radio, audio, journalism, the internet, publishers and more. Each week expert analysts and media practitioners join the host, media consultant Matt Deegan, to talk about the top media stories and work out what it means for the sector and the people in it. Recent experts have included Broadcast's Rebecca Cooney and Chris Curtis, The Guardian's Michael Savage, Deadline's Jake Kanter, the Press Gazette's Charlotte Tobitt, Ankler's Manori Ravindran, plus writers Tara Conlan, Scott Bryan, Jane Martinson, Jim Waterson and Boyd Hilton. Our industry practitioners have included Expectation's Peter Fincham, Gold Wala's Faraz Osman, Multitude's Will Wood, Nest's Derek Drennan, BBC Radio 3's Sam Jackson, Persephonica's Dino Sofos, City AM's Christian May, ITN's Lisa Campbell and Daily Mail's Jamie East. Find out more at https://www.themediaclub.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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