<![CDATA[The Media Club with Matt Deegan: Episodes]]>https://www.themediaclub.com/s/the-media-club-with-matt-deeganhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!iouX!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F34c1f9f7-1597-4594-8f56-775966184f9a_1280x1280.pngThe Media Club with Matt Deegan: Episodeshttps://www.themediaclub.com/s/the-media-club-with-matt-deeganSubstackTue, 14 Jul 2026 17:32:03 GMT<![CDATA[The Mail's Big Win, Sky's Bigger Buy]]>https://www.themediaclub.com/p/the-mails-big-win-skys-bigger-buy-55ehttps://www.themediaclub.com/p/the-mails-big-win-skys-bigger-buy-55eFri, 10 Jul 2026 03:30:00 GMTA 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.

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | 🎙️ 📺 Listen/Watch on Spotify | 📺 Watch on YouTube

Meanwhile from our sponsors…

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network, who select the music to score the quiz each week, and they can do it for you too at audionetwork.com

Partners Podshop Studios are offering Media Club listeners 25% off their first studio booking - for 25% off, just go to podshoponline.co.uk and use the code MEDIACLUB.

And Podcast Discovery is here for all your podcast marketing needs: social video production, ad campaigns, brand glow ups and more: podcastdiscovery.com

Further Reading:

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]]><![CDATA[Sky Commits To Coronation Street; Radio 4 Commits To TikTok]]>https://www.themediaclub.com/p/sky-commits-to-coronation-street-b60https://www.themediaclub.com/p/sky-commits-to-coronation-street-b60Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:00:00 GMTSky 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.

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | 🎙️ 📺 Listen/Watch on Spotify | 📺 Watch on YouTube

Meanwhile from our sponsors…

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network, who select the music to score the quiz each week, and they can do it for you too at audionetwork.com

Partners Podshop Studios are offering Media Club listeners 25% off their first studio booking - for 25% off, just go to podshoponline.co.uk and use the code MEDIACLUB.

And Podcast Discovery is here for all your podcast marketing needs: social video production, ad campaigns, brand glow ups and more: podcastdiscovery.com

Further Reading:

Subscribe now

]]><![CDATA[Are Freeview's days numbered?]]>https://www.themediaclub.com/p/are-freeviews-days-numbered-35ehttps://www.themediaclub.com/p/are-freeviews-days-numbered-35eFri, 26 Jun 2026 03:00:00 GMTAre 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.

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | 🎙️ 📺 Listen/Watch on Spotify | 📺 Watch on YouTube

Meanwhile from our sponsors…

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network, who select the music to score the quiz each week, and they can do it for you too at audionetwork.com

Partners Podshop Studios are offering Media Club listeners 25% off their first studio booking - for 25% off, just go to podshoponline.co.uk and use the code MEDIACLUB.

And Podcast Discovery is here for all your podcast marketing needs: social video production, ad campaigns, brand glow ups and more: podcastdiscovery.com

Further Reading:

Subscribe now

]]><![CDATA[Enter the Metrics: What Counts As A ‘Play’ These Days?]]>https://www.themediaclub.com/p/enter-the-metrics-what-counts-as-31fhttps://www.themediaclub.com/p/enter-the-metrics-what-counts-as-31fFri, 19 Jun 2026 03:30:00 GMTWhen 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.

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | 🎙️ 📺 Listen/Watch on Spotify | 📺 Watch on YouTube

Meanwhile from our sponsors…

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network, who select the music to score the quiz each week, and they can do it for you too at audionetwork.com

Partners Podshop Studios are offering Media Club listeners 25% off their first studio booking - for 25% off, just go to podshoponline.co.uk and use the code MEDIACLUB.

And Podcast Discovery is here for all your podcast marketing needs: social video production, ad campaigns, brand glow ups and more: podcastdiscovery.com

Further reading:

Subscribe now

]]><![CDATA[The Doctor Will Not See You Now]]>https://www.themediaclub.com/p/the-doctor-will-not-see-you-now-4bbhttps://www.themediaclub.com/p/the-doctor-will-not-see-you-now-4bbFri, 12 Jun 2026 03:30:00 GMTThe 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.

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | 🎙️ 📺 Listen/Watch on Spotify | 📺 Watch on YouTube

Meanwhile from our sponsors…

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network, who select the music to score the quiz each week, and they can do it for you too at audionetwork.com

Partners Podshop Studios are offering Media Club listeners 25% off their first studio booking - for 25% off, just go to podshoponline.co.uk and use the code MEDIACLUB.

And Podcast Discovery is here for all your podcast marketing needs: social video production, ad campaigns, brand glow ups and more: podcastdiscovery.com

Further reading:

Subscribe now

]]><![CDATA[Happy now? Google adds an AI Opt-Out]]>https://www.themediaclub.com/p/happy-now-google-adds-an-ai-opt-out-452https://www.themediaclub.com/p/happy-now-google-adds-an-ai-opt-out-452Fri, 05 Jun 2026 03:30:00 GMTThe 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.

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts | 🎙️ 📺 Listen/Watch on Spotify | 📺 Watch on YouTube

Meanwhile from our sponsors…

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network, who select the music to score the quiz each week, and they can do it for you too at audionetwork.com

Partners Podshop Studios are offering Media Club listeners 25% off their first studio booking - for 25% off, just go to podshoponline.co.uk and use the code MEDIACLUB.

And Podcast Discovery is here for all your podcast marketing needs: social video production, ad campaigns, brand glow ups and more: podcastdiscovery.com

Further reading:

Subscribe now

]]><![CDATA[The Pivot To Video: What Podcasts Can Learn From The Press]]>https://www.themediaclub.com/p/the-pivot-to-video-what-podcasts-e65https://www.themediaclub.com/p/the-pivot-to-video-what-podcasts-e65Fri, 22 May 2026 03:30:00 GMTWe'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.

]]><![CDATA[Does News Need More Personality?]]>https://www.themediaclub.com/p/does-news-need-more-personality-933https://www.themediaclub.com/p/does-news-need-more-personality-933Fri, 15 May 2026 03:30:00 GMTIs 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.

]]><![CDATA[Richard Bacon: Formats Geek]]>https://www.themediaclub.com/p/richard-bacon-formats-geek-8b5https://www.themediaclub.com/p/richard-bacon-formats-geek-8b5Fri, 08 May 2026 03:30:00 GMTAs 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.

]]><![CDATA[Format Fever, Sky's Gamble, and The Creator Economy Grows Up]]>https://www.themediaclub.com/p/format-fever-skys-gamble-and-the-e23https://www.themediaclub.com/p/format-fever-skys-gamble-and-the-e23Fri, 01 May 2026 03:30:00 GMT200 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.

]]><![CDATA[YouTube’s Audio Ads, Channel 4's Big Shake-Up]]>https://www.themediaclub.com/p/youtubes-audio-ads-channel-4s-big-a55https://www.themediaclub.com/p/youtubes-audio-ads-channel-4s-big-a55Fri, 24 Apr 2026 03:30:00 GMTYouTube 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.

]]><![CDATA[8 Out Of 10, Katz?]]>https://www.themediaclub.com/p/8-out-of-10-katz-b1dhttps://www.themediaclub.com/p/8-out-of-10-katz-b1dFri, 17 Apr 2026 03:30:00 GMTIan 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.

]]><![CDATA[Sky’s £16m SNL Bet]]>https://www.themediaclub.com/p/skys-16m-snl-bet-864https://www.themediaclub.com/p/skys-16m-snl-bet-864Fri, 27 Mar 2026 04:30:00 GMTSNL 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.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:

SNL Budget a rumoured £2m/episode

Huw Edwards' attacks Channel 4 drama

Donald Trump Reposts SNL UK Cold Open

Prince Harry case faces setback

Matt Brittin becomes new BBC DG 

TV Festival 2027 venue shortlist announced

Craig Hunter to head up Global Studios

Ghosts Tops Adaptations Hitlist

Stephen Colbert to enter the Shires

Mr Benn Movie

Sora closed by OpenAI

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]><![CDATA[The Brittin's Empire - New DG Set To Be Announced]]>https://www.themediaclub.com/p/the-brittins-empire-new-dg-set-to-a0bhttps://www.themediaclub.com/p/the-brittins-empire-new-dg-set-to-a0bFri, 20 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMTMatt 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.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:

Lisa Nandy signals to BBC that permenant charter is within reach

DG Davie's Swansong speech

Police to have dedicated contact for journalists

Reach accuses BBC of damaging local news

The FCC and its war against independent news

BBC Asks Court To Throw Out Trump Case - as Trump cries AI

New Partners Announced for Apple Podcast Video product

SNL UK launches this Saturday. Can it make a splash?

Sony Exits The Octopod

Disney takes a pass on the Buffy reboot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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