The Media Club with Matt Deegan

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Aug 2026

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About the show

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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September 11, 202643 min

Channel 4 to become Channel ¾

A quarter of Channel 4’s workforce will be gone by the end of the year in Priya Dogra’s grand vision. Broadcast's Rebecca Cooney on whether the broadcaster can afford it, and what happens to its promise to the nations and regions. Also on the show: as advertisers pile back into audio, Bauer Media Advertising's Simon Kilby joins the club for the first time to tell us where the money's actually going. All that plus: the independent production sector's cash reserves are wearing dangerously thin, Ofcom throws public broadcasters an olive branch on advertising rules... and in the Audio Network Media Quiz, some old favourites bow out while a flashy new arrival gets no takers. 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.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: Channel 4 Confirms Biggest Job Cuts In Its History Priya Dogra Sets Out Her Rationale Tiny Cash Buffers Leave Small UK TV Firms At Risk Ofcom Sets Out Measures To Help Under-Pressure PSBs BBC Staff Reject Improved Pay Offer As Strike Looms Trump Administration Attacks UK Plan To Boost BBC On YouTube Netflix Hikes UK Prices, Cheapest Plan Up A Third STV Studios Reviews Its Labels Zoe Ball Launches New Afternoon Show On GHR Monty Don Steps Down From Gardeners' World Tom Jones Fired From The Voice UK Antiques Roadshow Repeat Overwhelms The Box Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

August 28, 20261 hr 12 min

Should YouTube Be Regulated?

We're in Edinburgh for the last installment of the Edinburgh International TV Festival before it moves to Manchester next year. But there's plenty of energy on show in this season finale, as YouTube's Pedro Pina delivers the Festival's keynote - the MacTaggart lecture - and unsurprisingly, was not keen on more regulation or of their platform. Also on the show: where's innovation? Fenton Bailey - World Of Wonder - joined us for an in depth interview this week which you can see on YouTube. During the chat he had a very particular metaphor for the crisis in television... TV Critic Scott Bryan and indie chief Geoff Jein (Biscuit Jim) dissect the theory. All that, plus conversations with award winners TwoFour, Banijay, Persephonica and Quay Street Productions - and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz - we rundown the big commission announcements of the week with Entertainment Exec Rina Dayalji and Broadcast Magazine's Chris Curtis. 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.com We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at podshoponline.co.uk Chapters: 0:00 - Edinburgh TV Festival special 0:33 - YouTube’s Pedro Pina on regulation and public service prominence 6:42 - Fenton Bailey’s Titanic metaphor and TV’s innovation crisis 13:16 - Matt Brittin, the BBC and the future of public broadcasting 18:31 - Rethinking the BBC licence fee and Public Media 2028 25:52 - Audio Network on human-made music and AI 30:22 - Quay Street Productions' Nicola Shindler on drama, funding and what commissioners want 36:34 - Persephonica on podcasting, YouTube and Amol Rajan’s next move 43:20 - Banijay on global formats, creators and building the next big franchise 53:34 - TwoFour's David Clews on 'Educating...', Destination X and taking risks in TV 1:00:27 - Audio Network Media Quiz: Commission Impossible 1:06:46 - Festival takeaways: noisy TV, YouTube and an industry in flux 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 . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 17, 202643 min

Is The BBC In Jeopardy? Plus: Zeteo UK soft launch

The BBC's annual report lands with a sharp rise in licence fee dodgers and a stark warning from new Director General Matt Brittin that the corporation is being held back by its own funding model. LBC's Iain Dale gives us his verdict on where Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's plan to widen the licence fee to streamers goes next. ** WIN A £50 John Lewis voucher - simply fill in our listener survey, and help us shape the future of the show. You’ll be entered into a prize draw. Do it now. ** Also on the show: a new name in British political journalism. Shehab Khan has left ITV News to become political editor of Zeteo UK, the British outpost of Mehdi Hasan's insurgent US operation. He tells us why. All that plus: as AI learns to remix the news into whatever shape you fancy, we ask what's left for journalists to do... Banijay and All3Media complete their merger to create an £8billion giant, and Edinburgh says goodbye to its TV Festival... and in the Audio Network Media Quiz, an annual tradition returns, as we play Play Your BBC Salaries Right. 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.com We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at podshoponline.co.uk 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 Annual Report: licence payers fall fastest in years Nandy floats a streaming levy for BBC funding Zeteo UK unveiled with Shehab Khan as political editor Claude's 'liquid content' a serious challenge for news media Banijay and All3Media complete $8bn merger Edinburgh TV Festival's last schedule before Manchester move BBC's highest paid journos Iain Dale's memoir Have I Said Too Much? published Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 10, 202652 min

The Mail's Big Win, Sky's Bigger Buy

A High Court judge throws out Prince Harry’s privacy case against the Daily Mail's publisher, on every count. Guardian media editor Michael Savage sifts through the wreckage. Also on the show: Sky agrees a £1.6bn deal to buy ITV's channels and ITVX - reshaping British broadcasting overnight. Clive Dickens of The Meliora Company joins us for our now traditional, biannual AI roundup... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we're heading back to Saturday mornings. 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.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: Prince Harry loses privacy case against the Daily Mail Paul Dacre's reaction to the verdict Sky agrees £1.6bn takeover of ITV's broadcasting arm What the Sky/ITV deal means for ITV News Is ITV Studios next in line for a takeover? Axel Springer promises AI transformation at Telegraph England's World Cup win breaks BBC viewing records Ludwig recommissioned for series three Matt Brittin to make Edinburgh TV Festival debut BBC told to review acquisitions after Scooby-Doo criticism Bluey gets its first audiobook collection Channel 4 orders Taskmaster family spin-off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

July 2, 202639 min

Sky Commits To Coronation Street; Radio 4 Commits To TikTok

Sky puts its money where its mouth is, pledging billions to secure Coronation Street and Love Island as it closes in on a takeover of ITV's channels. But with Sky's own parent company announcing a split this week, what does it all mean for Sky News? TV critic and producer Steven D Wright weighs up the deal. Also on the show: Radio 4's Today programme is being told to put TikTok before its own airwaves. Is the nation's most trusted news alarm clock about to lose its edge? And with the Guardian announcing dozens of new digital jobs of its own, freelance media journalist Tara Conlan - who writes for the Guardian amongst others - on an industry that can't stop chasing the feed. All that plus: the Telegraph finally gets a permanent owner, the Culture Secretary takes aim at another media mega-merger... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we open the boxes on the week's biggest deals. 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.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: Sky's £2bn Pledge As It Preps ITV Takeover Comcast To Split Off NBCUniversal And Sky Today Programme Told To Prioritise TikTok Over Radio Guardian To Create 55 New Digital Jobs Trevor Nelson Takes A Break From Broadcasting Zoe Ball Bags Daily Show On Greatest Hits Radio Expectation Hires Mettlemouse's Katrina Grant Mill Media Wins Costly Source Protection Battle Telegraph Sale To Axel Springer Completes Nandy Minded To Refer Paramount/WBD Deal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 26, 202644 min

Are Freeview's days numbered?

Are Freeview's days numbered? Sam Sharps, Chief Executive of The Connection Project, walks us through the Government's Media Green Paper. Also on the show: Fox is acquiring Roku for $22bn. Journalist Kate Bulkley on what Lachlan Murdoch is really buying. All that plus: the Edinburgh TV Festival becomes the Manchester TV Festival, Sky edges closer to buying ITV’s channels… and, in The Audio Network Media Quiz, we head into the laboratory. That’s all happening in this edition of The Media Club. Come on in! 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: Government green paper sets out plan to switch off terrestrial TV DTT switch-off plans raise concerns for radio Fox is buying Roku in a $22 billion deal Edinburgh TV Festival to move to Greater Manchester Time and Axios turn AI prominence into advertising revenue BBC to test news channel on YouTube Universal Ads launches in the UK Kyle Sandilands reaches settlement with ARN Piers Morgan backed by Liz Murdoch in $27m raise UK couple reacquire Lake FM in New York Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 19, 202642 min

Enter the Metrics: What Counts As A ‘Play’ These Days?

When is a play, not a play? Or a download not a download? As Spotify updates its analytics, we take a look at how YouTube, Apple and others define what we monetise. Elsewhere, the BBC outlines where the axe will fall. Broadcast consultant Paul Robinson, a veteran of both the BBC and this podcast, tells us more. Also on the podcast: who’s training the next generation of content makers? Prince Taylor, Executive Producer of Latent Pictures, on whether high-end TV training is actually in good shape. All that plus: the Government bans social media for the under-sixteens - is this the moment kids’ platforms have been waiting for? And, in The Audio Network Media Quiz, three more media stories where reality is up for grabs. 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: BBC to cancel shows and review channels as it cuts content spend UK social media ban raises digital advertising questions Spotify redefines a ‘play’ BBC launches 3D World Cup experience BBC made second Ashley Cain series despite alleged misconduct Tech platforms overtake news outlets as global news source Sara Cox sets BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show date Roger Cook, investigative reporter, dies aged 83 Rivals renewed for Season 3 The Traitors stage show to have 5 different plots Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 12, 202640 min

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.

June 5, 202645 min

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.

May 22, 202644 min

The Pivot To Video: What Podcasts Can Learn From The Press

We're live at The Podcast Show to tackle the biggest question facing the sector: should podcasters pivot to video - and if so, how do you do it without repeating the mistakes of Fleet St? Charlotte Tobitt of Press Gazette, Guardian founder Jim Waterson and BBC Studios Audio's Thomas Curry were all there the first time around, and they're here to warn of what might be. Also on the show: we're at the ARIA awards at the Roundhouse, where Trevor Nelson, Elizabeth Day, BBC Sounds and Mishal Husain are among the night's big winners. All that plus: in The Audio Network Media Quiz, we play The Weakest Podcast Link. The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex selects the music to score each episode and he and the team can do it for you too at https://audionetwork.com Our Arias coverage is brought to you in partnership with radio experts: the audio agency specialists. Learn more at https://radioexperts.co.uk/ 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.