Briefed: Scandals, Streaming and Secrets
The latest from the TV, audio, journalism, advertising and Hollywood podcasts
We’ve had a week where BBC director general speculation reached fever pitch, Donald Trump escalated his legal threats to £5 billion, and long-buried secrets about Princess Diana’s Panorama interview came roaring back into the spotlight. Between Disney’s AI content experiments, Shawn Levy juggling Star Wars and Stranger Things whilst lamenting Hollywood’s painful contraction, and the Warner Bros Discovery bidding war reaching its midnight hour, it’s been another week that perfectly captures our industry’s existential crisis.
Add vertical drama revolutionising storytelling, the Philadelphia Eagles turning sports fandom into a cinematic universe, Supreme Court leaks becoming journalism gold, and Olivia Nuzzi’s scandal rocking Vanity Fair, and you’ve got the sort of seven days that reminds you why media remains the most unpredictable and unforgiving business on earth.
If you missed Thursday’s The Media Club, I headed off to Salford to speak to Stuart Morgan from Audio Always and Cat Lewis from Nine Lives Media to examine Disney’s AI gamble on user-generated content, Trump’s escalation against the BBC to £5 billion in damages, and how BBC suppliers feel how the crisis is affecting their businesses.
The Media Show (19th November)
Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins tackled the BBC’s escalating crisis with Donald Trump now threatening multi-billion dollar lawsuits. They interviewed Conservative peer Baroness Tina Stowell, Sunday Times media editor Rosamund Urwin, Boom Radio co-founder Phil Riley, and most notably Jordan Schwarzenberger, co-founder of Arcade Media and manager of The Sidemen. Schwarzenberger’s insights were particularly sharp: Gen Z won’t pay the licence fee, and the BBC needs creator-led, platform-savvy leadership to compete in a decentralised media world. Meanwhile, Ben Winston joined to discuss his latest Netflix project with Ed Sheeran, filmed entirely in one take.
Media Confidential (17th & 20th November)
Alan Rusbridger and Janine Gibson spent another week dissecting the BBC’s future. First, they examined potential candidates for the top job in British media, with speculation ranging from Carolyn McCall to various BBC veterans. Their second episode featured New York Times lead newsroom lawyer David McCraw, exploring how big lawsuits are weaponised to capture headlines and apply pressure. McCraw’s advice to the BBC was clear: don’t settle, as doing so only invites more threats.
Roger Bolton’s Beeb Watch (20th November)
Roger Bolton spoke to Andy Webb, author of “Dianarama: The Betrayal of Princess Diana,” for a devastating examination of the BBC’s role in the Princess Diana saga. Webb’s years-long investigation into the Panorama interview revealed the controversial methods used by Martin Bashir and ongoing questions about BBC accountability. His most shocking assertion: Diana might be alive today—64 years old, grandmother of five—had the BBC told her what they knew in April 1996. The conversation highlighted significant challenges accessing BBC archives whilst pursuing the full story of institutional cover-ups.
Insiders: The TV Podcast (21st November)
Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville discussed the BBC’s legal standoff with Trump, questioning whether the Culture Secretary’s suggestion that the next DG should have news background is the right lesson from this crisis. They also examined Sky’s bid for ITV’s broadcast business, noting that whilst the business case might be compelling, consolidation inevitably means fewer customers for independent producers.
TellyCast (20th November)
Justin Crosby recorded live from the TellyCast Digital Content Forum with a panel examining whether vertical video drama represents a passing craze or the future of storytelling. Spirit Studios’ Matt Campion, TheSoul Group’s Victor Potrel, and writer-director-producer Katharina Gellein Viken unpacked the micro drama boom, from funding and distribution to audience behaviour. The discussion revealed how platforms are adapting to vertical consumption whilst traditional producers scramble to understand this fundamentally different storytelling format.
The Rest Is Entertainment (18th, 19th & 20th November)
Richard Osman and Marina Hyde examined I’m a Celebrity booking secrets, including which leading Labour politician almost ended up in the jungle and Sky’s potential £1 billion acquisition of ITV’s broadcasting arm. Their MTV retrospective explored how a ragtag team of VJs upended the music industry in 1981, whilst their interview with BBC Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips provided insights into Strictly’s future, The Traitors’ success, and how the corporation plans to engage younger audiences increasingly turning away from traditional broadcast media.
The Media Odyssey (20th November)
Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet spoke to Philadelphia Eagles SVP of Marketing and Media Jen Kavanaugh for a masterclass in modern sports fandom. Kavanaugh revealed how the Eagles have transformed their locker room into a lovable ensemble cast, building a “cinematic universe” that rivals scripted series. With over 1 million YouTube hours watched this season, female fans reshaping the sport, and global expansion through cultural touchpoints beyond football, the Eagles demonstrate how successful brands build deep emotional ecosystems that keep fans engaged even during losing seasons.
The Radio Academy Podcast (19th November)
Georgie Jameson spoke with Ahmed Hussain, head of BBC Asian Network, about the station’s evolution since he took over in 2020. The conversation focused on their new speech and current affairs show “Asian Network Trending,” which addresses issues that matter to their audiences but might not be covered elsewhere in the BBC or wider media. Hussain explained how the station has become a launching pad for talent who then move into wider BBC roles, demonstrating the importance of diverse programming in the corporation’s ecosystem.
Campaign Podcast (18th November)
Lucy Shelley and the editorial team examined how Less Healthy Food restrictions are impacting Christmas advertising and beyond. With creativity editor Gurjit Degun, deputy editor Charlotte Rawlings, and media editor Beau Jackson, they explored how brands are navigating the voluntary period banning high fat, salt and sugar foods from TV and online ads. The conversation revealed how restrictions are reshaping creative campaigns and media planning, with brands finding creative workarounds whilst preparing for mandatory compliance from January 2026.
The Media Leader Podcast (17th November)
Jack Benjamin interviewed MediaSense’s chief strategy officer Ryan Kangisser to discuss their latest report “The Future of Media Organisations,” based on responses from companies representing $52 billion in annual media spend. The research revealed that media is becoming less siloed, emerging as a key way to connect disparate marketing functions from creative to brand strategy. Kangisser’s insights into how brands are reorganising as media evolves and why “full-service thinking” matters more than “full-service doing” provided a roadmap for agencies adapting to this new landscape.
The Future of Media, Explained (20th November)
Charlotte Tobitt interviewed Forbes CEO Sherry Phillips about how the business brand has changed strategy in response to massive shifts in Google’s traffic referral patterns. Phillips explained how Forbes is moving away from servicing the digital ecosystem that’s “evaporating quite quickly” and returning to core communities and editorial journalism. The conversation provided crucial insights into how legacy publishers are adapting to the post-search era whilst protecting their editorial integrity.
MediaLand (21st November)
Tim Burrowes and Vivienne Kelly looked at whistleblowing protections with Dr Rebecca Ananian-Welsh from the University of Queensland, examining how proposed federal reforms might not provide adequate safeguards for those wanting to hold power accountable. They also covered E-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant being summoned to Washington, ABC’s 2026 content showcase, and another tough week for Nine staff as broadcast division heads promise to “squeeze” more from their beleaguered departments.
Podnews Weekly Review (21st November)
James Cridland and Sam Sethi looked at three major hosting developments hitting simultaneously: Riverside adding hosting to its recording suite, RSS.com launching a true free plan, and PodToo Cloud targeting developers with storage and analytics. They spoke with Kendall Brietman from Riverside about their all-in-one workflow promise and Russell Harrower from PodToo about their S3-compatible stack.
When It Hits the Fan (19th November)
David Yelland and Simon Lewis revealed the PR secrets behind “The List” – those runners and riders that appear whenever top jobs become available. Whether it’s the BBC, HSBC or Apple, they explained how names get on these lists, how to get off them, and why sometimes the greatest value lies in not appearing at all. The conversation highlighted how media speculation around high-profile appointments often becomes a game of strategic briefing and counter-briefing.
On the Media (19th & 21st November)
Brooke Gladstone and the team presented two episodes examining American political fractures. They explored the Democratic Party’s spam machine and identity crisis following electoral defeats, analysing how nationalisation of media has increased the proportion of national party brands whilst decreasing local and regional influence. The coverage highlighted how young, dynamic politicians excel at social media but struggle with deeper political complexities.
Mixed Signals from Semafor Media (21st November)
Ben Smith and Max Tani interviewed New York Times investigative reporter Jodi Kantor to discuss how she’s revealed secrets behind the Supreme Court’s black robes and ceremony. Kantor explained whether the court is actually leaking more, how newer justices are reshaping its public face, and what she’s learned about the culture of secrecy inside this impenetrable institution. The conversation explored how closed institutions cling to prestige and secrecy whilst dealing with our swarming, corrosive social media age.
Channels with Peter Kafka (19th November)
Peter Kafka interviewed Kevin Reilly, the former TV executive who held top jobs at FX, Fox, NBC, Turner and HBO Max before transitioning to run AI company Kartel. Reilly’s perspective on TV’s golden age and subsequent decline was sobering: he got out just in time, as the industry has become increasingly ugly. The conversation explored why TV leaders didn’t see the streaming threat coming and whether traditional media can survive when Facebook, Google and Amazon control most advertising revenue.
Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino (21st November)
Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino examined the Olivia Nuzzi scandal rocking Vanity Fair, where her ex-fiancé alleged she had a second romantic relationship with a reporting subject. They also analysed Trump’s defence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during an Oval Office appearance, noting how Saudi money and influence seem omnipresent, including among attendees at the MBS state dinner. The episode also highlighted the ethical fallout and Condé Nast’s response to the journalism crisis.
The Grill Room (18th & 21st November)
Dylan and Julia discussed Olivia Nuzzi’s Vanity Fair excerpt and the increasingly tangled relationship between legacy media and celebrity culture as brands try to retain audiences. They also spoke to Alison Roman discussing her evolution as an independent creator, her break from Substack, and the challenges of building sustainable businesses in the chaotic attention economy.
The Town with Matthew Belloni (17th, 19th & 20th November)
Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw joined to investigate the historically bad fall box office, exploring whether shortened theatrical windows and quality issues explain the downturn. Former Viacom CEO Tom Freston discussed why legacy companies missed YouTube’s boat and whether MTV can be revived. Finally, former DOJ antitrust chief Jonathan Kanter analysed the Warner Bros Discovery sale from a regulatory perspective, questioning whether consolidation is necessary to compete with Big Tech.
The Business (21st November)
Kim Masters interviewed filmmaker Shawn Levy, who took a brief break from shooting his Star Wars film in London to discuss the final season of Stranger Things, including Netflix’s surprising decision to give the finale a limited theatrical release. Levy shared his bittersweet feelings about an industry undergoing painful contraction, reflecting on his work from Night at the Museum through Deadpool & Wolverine. The conversation also examined the Warner Bros Discovery bidding war, with each potential buyer—Paramount’s Ellisons, Netflix, or Comcast—facing the hurdle of FCC approval.
Ankler Agenda (20th November)
Elaine Low, Sean McNulty and Natalie Jarvey broke down why a Paramount-Warners merger now feels less like speculation and more like destiny. With final bids due, all eyes remain on Paramount Skydance despite Comcast and Netflix red herrings. Richard Rushfield revealed whispers within the creative community about David Ellison’s cozy ties to Trump and potential pushback. The episode also looked at whether the middle class has been priced out of entertainment as Disney becomes a luxury brand.
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.