Briefed: Mergers, Strictly and White Supremacists
Your weekly round-up of what all the media podcasts are talking about
We’ve had a week where the entertainment industry’s financial foundations looked increasingly shaky, with thousands of job losses across Paramount, Amazon, and Warner Bros Discovery whilst streaming churn reportedly worsens and subscription prices soar. Disney’s decision to cut ties with Doctor Who marked the end of an era, Taylor Sheridan jumped ship from Paramount to NBCUniversal, and the BBC faced its own bombshell as Tess and Claudia announced their Strictly departures. Meanwhile, AI ethics dominated conversations from debates about recreating deceased voices to changing mindsets in radio, Tucker Carlson embraced white supremacist Nick Fuentes, and heated discussions about media complicity in Gaza coverage revealed the industry’s ongoing struggles with bias and representation. All whilst Ken Burns reminded us why long-form documentary storytelling might just outlast the TikTok revolution.
Oh, and if you missed Friday’s The Media Club, filmmaker Ben Zand joined us to discuss his new YouTube documentary series Human and what it takes to cut through in current affairs on the platform. Rebecca Cooney explained Disney’s decision not to renew its Doctor Who deal with the BBC and took us through the indies that are in the running for the BBC and NBC’s next mega-format commission. Listen
The Media Show (29th October)
Katie Razzall and guests explored Channel 5’s relaunch of the classic anthology series Play for Today, with guests Anita Dobson and Nigel Havers who star in one of the new productions alongside Telegraph TV critic Graham Kibble-White. The discussion turned to representation in UK advertising following Reform MP Sarah Pochin’s controversial comments about adverts being “full” of black and Asian people, with thoughtful analysis from industry experts. They also examined consolidation in the streaming industry and what it means for producers and viewers, before closing with historian Bettany Hughes discussing her production company Sandstone Global and new Channel 4 series Treasures of the World. (Guests: Anita Dobson, Nigel Havers, Graham Kibble-White from The Telegraph, Dino Myers-Lamptey from The Barber Shop, Sara Denby from Oxford Future of Marketing Initiative, Camilla Lewis from Curve Media, Professor Bettany Hughes)
Media Confidential (27th & 30th October)
Alan Rusbridger and Lionel Barber served up two episodes this week. First, they hosted former Telegraph chief political commentator Peter Oborne for a fiery discussion about his book “Complicit: Britain’s role in the destruction of Gaza,” examining whether British media has been complicit in genocide. Oborne, who now writes for Middle East Eye, analysed the influence of pro-Israel lobbyists on British politics and challenged the BBC’s failure to report on Israel’s Dahiya doctrine. The second episode tackled American firm RedBird’s continued bid for the Telegraph amid concerns about foreign influence, Ofcom’s updated guidance on politicians as news presenters and whether it opens the door to a British Fox News, plus Michael Wolff’s counter-suit against Melania Trump over her threatened billion-dollar lawsuit. (Guests: Peter Oborne)
Roger Bolton’s Beeb Watch (27th October)
Roger interviewed Channel 4 News presenter Matt Frei, who delivered this year’s Steve Hewlett Memorial Lecture on democracy’s fragility and journalism’s enduring mission. Frei examined the state of American democracy and whether similar challenges could emerge in Britain, whilst discussing BBC coverage of Gaza and the propaganda war surrounding it. The conversation covered the domination of news cycles by Trump, challenges facing traditional news organisations including the role of GB News, and how social media has transformed the political and media landscape.(Guests: Matt Frei from Channel 4 News)
TellyCast (30th October)
In the final MIPCOM special from Cannes, Justin Crosby explored the digital-first future of television with several key industry figures. Fan Club’s Joe Churchill discussed brands becoming broadcasters ahead of his session at the TellyCast Digital Content Forum, whilst Luci Sanan from Cowshed Ventures revealed her new YouTube adventure joint venture with Propagate Content. EndemolShine Nederland’s Sil Geurtsen explained how hit format Let’s Play Ball successfully transitioned from YouTube to television, and Arsenal Fan TV’s Robbie Lyle shared insights from building a massive online following. (Guests: Joe Churchill from Fan Club, Luci Sanan from Cowshed Ventures, Sil Geurtsen from EndemolShine Nederland, Robbie Lyle from Arsenal Fan TV)
Insiders: The TV Podcast (31st October)
Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville examined the implications of Disney ending its Doctor Who deal with the BBC, questioning what the future holds for the series and whether the corporation’s commitment to the “Whoniverse” makes it simply too big to fail. They also pondered how Claudia Winkleman’s reported BBC chat show will work in practice, given it’s to be produced by Graham Norton’s company, and shared memories of chat show hits and misses from their own careers. Classic industry gossip included Strictly rumours from Peter’s hairdresser, plus some sage advice for agents everywhere about never letting clients see the swimming pool in your second home.
The Rest Is Entertainment (28th & 30th October)
Richard and Marina kicked off with Marina’s fascinating encounter interviewing Glen Powell in America, questioning why the actor seemed restricted from saying anything genuinely interesting, before diving into Saudi Arabia’s ambitious entertainment strategy including Jared Kushner and Mohammed Bin Salman’s historic deal to buy gaming giant EA. Their second episode provided a detailed review of The Celebrity Traitors’ penultimate episode, analysing Joe Marler’s traitor-hunting skills and the show’s mathematical dynamics. The third episode tackled your questions, including whether Prince Andrew could sue Virginia Giuffre’s estate over her posthumously published memoir and prospects for The Inbetweeners revival.
The Media Odyssey (30th October)
Marion Ranchet and Evan Shapiro delivered a comprehensive analysis of the relentless cycle of media mergers and acquisitions, examining how decades of dealmaking have reshaped and often broken the entertainment business. They traced the latest shake-ups at Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount, Netflix, and Apple, whilst exploring Media For Europe’s pan-European expansion and Canal+’s global ambitions following its merger with MultiChoice. The hosts questioned who really benefits from consolidation, predicting that the next M&A wave will see platforms acquiring studios rather than the other way around.
Campaign Podcast (28th October)
Gideon Spanier, Maisie McCabe, and Beau Jackson examined whether the advertising industry’s “big six” holding companies are becoming a “big four” following the proposed Omnicom-IPG merger. They analysed Accenture Song’s remarkable growth to $20 billion in revenues, putting it on par with the traditional giants, and its aggressive pursuit of major accounts including Optus and potentially Jaguar Land Rover. The discussion covered the implications of consolidation for the industry, with particular focus on how Accenture’s consulting heritage differentiates it from traditional agency models and whether it represents the future of advertising services. (Guests: Gideon Spanier, Maisie McCabe, Beau Jackson from Campaign)
The Radio Academy Podcast (29th October)
Georgie Jameson welcomed Dan McQuillin from Broadcast Bionics for a discussion about changing mindsets around AI in the audio and radio industry. McQuillin explored how to navigate what AI can do for broadcasters, distinguishing between genuine innovation and what he termed “AI slop,” whilst discussing the importance of embracing technological change rather than fearing it. The conversation also covered his passion for nurturing new talent through the Radio Academy’s Foot in the Door and RAMP programmes, highlighting how the industry can balance technological advancement with human creativity and career development. (Guests: Dan McQuillin from Broadcast Bionics)
MediaLand (31st October)
Tim Burrowes and Vivienne Kelly focused on First Nations media in Australia, interviewing Wally Talis, CEO of First Nations Media Australia, for an in-depth discussion about the state of indigenous media in 2025. Talis outlined the challenges facing the sector, including the absence of First Nations media presence in three capital cities - Canberra, Adelaide, and across Tasmania. The conversation explored the dual purpose of First Nations media in serving both indigenous communities and broader Australian audiences, plus the ongoing struggle for funding and recognition in an increasingly difficult media landscape. (Guests: Wally Talis from First Nations Media Australia)
Podnews Weekly Review (31st October)
James Cridland and Sam Sethi tackled the controversial use of AI in podcasting, focusing on RNZ’s ethical approach to using AI voice technology to recreate a deceased inmate’s voice for their true crime series NARC, complete with family consent and full disclosure. They contrasted this thoughtful implementation with the flood of low-quality AI-generated content from companies like Inception Point AI. The episode also covered Spotify’s addition of video podcasts to Apple TV, YouTube’s new AI features including video upscaling and QR shopping,
When It Hits the Fan (29th October)
David Yelland and Simon Lewis analysed the shock announcement that Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are leaving Strictly Come Dancing, examining how the BBC’s communications team appeared as surprised as everyone else by the news. They explored the PR challenges of managing departures when reputations are tied up with partnerships, plus the difficulty of finding replacements in the full glare of media attention. The extended edition on BBC Sounds covered the ongoing Prince Andrew situation, with increasing clamour for decisions on his living arrangements and how the lack of formal information is playing out for both the King and Prince William through behind-the-scenes briefing.
Mixed Signals from Semafor Media (31st October)
Ben Smith and Max Tani welcomed legendary documentarian Ken Burns for a wide-ranging discussion about his latest series on the American Revolution and its parallels with today’s media environment. Burns reflected on the role of newspapers during the Revolutionary War compared to today’s media landscape, defended PBS against Trump administration budget cuts, and shared his perspective on short-form video and talk podcasts after spending a decade creating a 12-hour documentary. The conversation explored how historical storytelling can illuminate current media challenges and the enduring value of long-form documentary work in an attention-deficit age. (Guests: Ken Burns)
On the Media (29th October)
Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger launched the second season of their Harvard Plan series, examining the unprecedented pressure campaign facing American universities. The episode explored how college presidents have resigned under pressure, with particular focus on how the Trump administration’s targeting of higher education is reshaping academic freedom and institutional independence. The series, made in collaboration with the Boston Globe, provides great context for understanding the current assault on educational institutions and the role of media in either amplifying or challenging these efforts.
Channels with Peter Kafka (28th October)
Peter Kafka sat down with CNN CEO Mark Thompson to discuss his ambitious plan to launch a $7-a-month streaming service for the news network. Thompson, who previously transformed The New York Times’ subscription business, made the case for CNN’s direct-to-consumer strategy despite scepticism about whether the CNN brand resonates as deeply with audiences as the Times does with its readers. The conversation covered Thompson’s vision for TV news, the challenge of launching subscription services in an oversaturated market, and how all this work could be upended by Warner Bros Discovery’s potential sale to new owners. (Guests: Mark Thompson from CNN)
Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino (31st October)
Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino examined Tucker Carlson’s sudden embrace of Holocaust-denying white supremacist Nick Fuentes, exploring why he’s leaning further into extremist voices. They analysed the fallout from Comcast helping to fund the White House ballroom and what it reveals about media power and influence, plus the implications of recent Paramount layoffs for David Ellison’s plans. The episode also covered CNN head Mark Thompson dodging questions about Bari Weiss, young politician Zohran Mamdani’s successful media strategy that’s winning over figures like Andrew Schulz, and Elon Musk’s “Grokipedia” - a fact-twisting Wikipedia clone built in bad faith.
The Grill Room (28th & 31st October)
Dylan and Julia delivered two episodes examining major platform developments and media industry struggles. First, Dylan welcomed YouTube CEO Neal Mohan and creator Michelle Khare at the Paley Summit to discuss YouTube’s sprawling empire, the evolving creator economy, and how AI is quietly reshaping both the platform and the broader media industry. Their second episode tackled Comcast-NBCUniversal’s lukewarm earnings and Peacock’s perpetual stagnation, exploring what it portends for the company’s broader media ambitions, especially with Warner Bros Discovery waiting for a buyer. They also covered CNN’s belated launch of its streaming service and Elon Musk’s Grokipedia sideshow. (Guests: Neal Mohan from YouTube, Michelle Khare)
The Town with Matthew Belloni (30th October)
Matt Belloni interviewed Andrew Ross Sorkin from Squawk Box and The New York Times for a deep dive into how the tech boom has affected Hollywood and what new power players like David Ellison really want from the media industry. They explored the potential impact of an AI bubble burst, whether the Middle East will ever make a significant splash in Hollywood, and examined the case for consolidation in media. Sorkin provided valuable perspective on how Wall Street views the entertainment industry’s current transformation and whether massive technology investments will ultimately pay off for traditional media companies. (Guests: Andrew Ross Sorkin from CNBC and The New York Times)
The Business (31st October)
Eric Deggans spoke with Brad Falchuk about his Netflix series Famous Last Words, a fascinating adaptation of a Danish format featuring deeply personal conversations that air only after guests have died. The longtime Ryan Murphy collaborator explained the unique challenges of creating content around mortality whilst discussing how working with streamers compares to his cable television days. Kim Masters and Matt Belloni also examined Taylor Sheridan’s departure from Paramount to NBCUniversal, analysing how the Yellowstone creator’s exit amplifies growing tension between creative power and studio belt-tightening under David Ellison’s cost-cutting regime. (Guests: Brad Falchuk)
Ankler Agenda (30th October)
Elaine Low launched the newly rebranded Ankler Agenda with Sean McNulty and Natalie Jarvey, examining the alarming economic indicators pointing towards a Hollywood recession. They analysed thousands of job losses at Paramount Skydance and Amazon, quiet panic on the Warner Bros Discovery lot, and declining shoot days in Los Angeles, all whilst streaming churn reportedly worsens as subscription prices skyrocket. Richard Rushfield debuted his new weekly segment “Rushfield’s Rant,” ringing the alarm about the grim reality facing female directors in the industry. (Guests: Sean McNulty, Natalie Jarvey, Richard Rushfield from The Ankler)
And finally... The Relentless Optimist from Meliora told the remarkable story of Shazam’s early years, from its 2001 beginnings in a rickety Soho office to Apple’s eventual acquisition for $450 million. The episode revealed how four founders solved the age-old problem of “what’s that song?” with Nokia phones and algorithms, years before the iPhone existed. Fascinating insights into building a music database from scratch, convincing record companies to send thousands of CDs, and the crucial moment when Steve Jobs personally selected Shazam as a launch app for the iPhone. A brilliant reminder of how creative courage and relentless optimism can turn an impossible idea into an internet verb used by 300 million people daily.
Spot any media podcasts we’ve missed? Reply and let us know! And if you haven’t already, subscribe to The Media Club on your favourite podcast app or catch us on YouTube.