Kimmel Returns, Political Pressure and Cable Splits
Your weekly round-up of TV, audio, journalism and Hollywood podcasts
Welcome to Briefed - The Media Club’s weekly round-up of what all the other media podcasts are talking about.
This week, it’s er, Kimmel. His rapid suspension and return created a media freedom crisis that’s far from over, with podcasts talking about the major US affiliate stations refusing to air his show whilst Disney faced ongoing political pressure and potential legal action from Trump. They’ve now relented. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy defended Britain’s plans to regulate US Big Tech despite tariff threats, Versant CEO Mark Lazarus gave his first interview about the cable spin-off strategy to save MSNBC and other channels through digital transformation, and the Charlie Kirk assassination became a rallying cry for the Christian Right.
Meanwhile, AI flooded podcasting with 3,000 weekly episodes from a single company, European broadcasters struggled to transform from “doing digital” to “being digital,” Australian reality TV faced an uncertain future, and Hollywood’s spending patterns revealed how user-generated content might soon eclipse traditional models.
If you missed Friday’s The Media Club, joining me were broadcaster and audio critic Miranda Sawyer, discussing why big media companies are struggling with the second Trump presidency following Disney’s capitulation over Kimmel, and media strategist Jane Ostler from Kantar, revealing which brands and platforms advertisers love right now through their latest Media Reactions data. They also explored MPs’ calls for greater rights for YouTube and TikTok content creators, including mortgage support, and questioned what this means for other freelancers in the creative economy.
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The Media Show (24th September)
Katie Razzall presented a packed episode examining multiple media flashpoints. BBC journalist Sue Mitchell explained her investigation into the government’s use of hotels to house migrants, detailing how she gained access to record inside these facilities. As Jimmy Kimmel returned to screens, CNN’s chief media analyst Brian Stelter assessed what the comedian’s comeback means for relations between US media and the Trump administration. Pentagon correspondent Tara Copp from the Washington Post detailed new restrictions on reporters covering defence issues. Plus, Patrick Spence, executive producer of ITV’s new drama The Hack, revealed how they made the series amid the financial pressures facing the television industry, whilst creators Jade Beason, BrandonB and Shabaz Ali discussed the value of making niche content. (Guests: Sue Mitchell, Brian Stelter from CNN, Tara Copp from The Washington Post, Patrick Spence, Jade Beason, BrandonB, Shabaz Ali)
Media Confidential (22nd & 25th September)
Alan Rusbridger and Lionel Barber delivered two crucial episodes this week. First, they welcomed NPR’s media correspondent David Folkenflik for a sobering discussion about Donald Trump’s £15 billion lawsuit against The New York Times and its implications for press freedom. Folkenflik provided insight into NPR’s uncertain future amid funding cuts and spoke about the critical importance of local journalism and publicly-owned media. Their second episode featured Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy in a wide-ranging interview defending the government’s decision to regulate US Big Tech despite Trump’s tariff threats. Nandy responded to Elon Musk’s allegations that free speech is being muzzled in Britain and faced challenges over the government’s refusal to sanction GB News despite its political motivations. (Guests: David Folkenflik from NPR, Lisa Nandy MP)
Roger Bolton’s Beeb Watch (24th September)
Roger Bolton hosted former BBC Radio 4 controller Mark Damazer for an in-depth discussion about the BBC’s international audio strategy and its broader future. Damazer, who also served as Deputy Director of BBC News and chairs the Booker Prizes, explored the Corporation’s plans for monetising content overseas and the implications for its global reach and influence. The conversation covered the value of the BBC’s radio archive, the future of public service broadcasting in an increasingly fragmented media landscape, and concerns about Trump’s potential assault on international media outlets including the BBC. Damazer argued that Radio 4 provides more historical context than anywhere else in UK broadcast media, whilst acknowledging the challenges of adaptation in the digital age. (Guests: Mark Damazer)
Insiders: The TV Podcast (25th September)
Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville reflected on Jimmy Kimmel’s return to record ratings, examining the extraordinary row between ABC and the White House and the enduring power of satire to rile thin-skinned politicians who can’t take a joke. They discussed news from the RTS Cambridge Convention, including the case for improved tax breaks at lower price points so half-hour comedy can benefit just as much as drama. The duo also wished happy 70th birthday to ITV, though according to the newly minted Fincham Rule Of Anniversaries, that’s “not a very big deal.” Plus, Peter patiently explained the format of “Have I Got News For You” to Jimmy, thinking he might enjoy this little satirical show.
TellyCast (25th September)
Justin Crosby welcomed writer, producer and cultural commentator Stephen Arnell for a comprehensive look at the week’s big media stories. With a career spanning Sky Arts, BritBox, ITV and bylines in The Guardian, The New Statesman and The Spectator, Arnell brought his perspective to discussions about the Baywatch reboot, Channel 4’s CEO search, Jimmy Kimmel’s clash with Trump, the BBC’s coverage of Reform UK, and the future of Channel 5. The conversation explored whether London’s media industry is guilty of left-leaning bias when covering political stories, and examined the potential impact of major US media consolidation on British broadcasters. (Guests: Stephen Arnell)
The Rest Is Entertainment (22nd & 24th September)
Richard Osman and Marina Hyde delivered two episodes this week. Their first, recorded before news of Jimmy Kimmel’s return broke, examined how the comedian might survive his MAGA-fuelled suspension from late-night television. They questioned whether American legacy media can withstand Trump’s systematic assault and pondered the long-term viability of the late-night format itself. The duo also discussed Taylor Swift’s potential starring role in a reboot of The Bodyguard, asking whether she can fill the enormous boots left by Whitney Houston. Their second episode was a Q&A special where they answered listener questions about The Great British Bake Off (why don’t contestants change clothing overnight?), whether Snakes On A Plane was ever intended as a serious film, and Boris Johnson’s calamitous autobiography deal.
The Media Odyssey (25th September)
Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet broadcast live from IBC with Simon Farnsworth from ITV and Adde Granberg from SVT, two CTOs (or as they call it, “Chief Transformation Officers”) reshaping European public broadcasting. The conversation explored how legacy broadcasters can adapt to a digital-first, fragmented world whilst facing off against trillion-dollar tech giants. Both guests stressed that the real battle is cultural, not technical: broadcasters must abandon outdated standards, embrace platforms like YouTube and TikTok, and put audience needs, not legacy processes, at the centre. They discussed how generative AI, cloud production, and 5G enable content creation at scale humans can’t manage alone, from using AI to cast Love Island more efficiently to producing Sweden’s iconic Vasaloppet ski race with drones over 5G. (Guests: Simon Farnsworth from ITV, Adde Granberg from SVT)
The Radio Academy Podcast (23rd September)
Adam Skinn presented part one of a special Radio Academy Podcast covering the Radio Academy Festival 2025 in London. Tom Jackson, Ruth Cooper-Dickson and Issy Brand chatted with a range of speakers from the event, including insights from radio experts Valerie Geller, Tony Phillips and Axel Kacoutiè. The episode provided a comprehensive look at the latest trends and innovations being discussed at one of the radio industry’s most important annual gatherings. (Guests: Valerie Geller, Tony Phillips, Axel Kacoutiè)
Campaign Podcast (23rd September)
Lucy Shelley hosted Campaign’s editorial team for a discussion about whether prestige sectors still exist in the agency world and to what extent agencies actually choose their clients. Cars, airlines, FMCG brands and banks used to be some of the most desirable accounts, but the team questioned whether client desirability is now based on size, market, sector or other factors entirely. The conversation explored how the dominance of retained accounts is shifting and examined the psychology of agencies dealing with lucrative client losses. (Guests: Nicola Merrifield, Will Green, Maisie McCabe from Campaign)
The Media Leader Podcast (22nd September)
Jack Benjamin opened a crucial conversation about redundancy and job security in the media industry with Annabel McCaffrey, who leads the Advice Line team for NABS, the advertising industry’s wellbeing charity. With WPP cutting 7,000 jobs over the past year and AI transformations affecting everyone from entry-level positions to senior roles, McCaffrey addressed readers’ questions about CV preparation, networking, and the psychological impact of redundancy at different career stages. The discussion covered how organisations can better support staff mental wellness efforts and whether AI is genuinely replacing human roles or simply changing how we work. A timely resource for anyone feeling precarious in the current climate. (Guests: Annabel McCaffrey from NABS)
The Future of Media, Explained (24th September)
Dominic Ponsford explored website personalisation with Dana Schluenzen, head of product at Hamburg’s Morgenpost, who explained how offering readers personalised homepage story selections has delivered higher click-through rates and more returning visitors. The episode also featured insights from Tarjei Gilbrant, CEO of personalisation specialist Kilkaya, discussing how publishers can implement effective personalisation without creating harmful filter bubbles. A practical look at how struggling news organisations can use technology to better serve their audiences and improve engagement metrics. (Guests: Dana Schluenzen from Hamburger Morgenpost, Tarjei Gilbrant from Kilkaya)
MediaLand (26th September)
Tim Burrowes and Vivienne Kelly interviewed Megan Pustetto, host of reality TV podcast So Dramatic and founder of the Kind Regards Network, for a comprehensive look at Australian reality television’s future with a new season of Big Brother on the horizon. They also examined Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night redemption as his show returned to ABC, though not to affiliate stations hoping for FCC merger deal approval, questioning whether free speech is safe on American television. Plus, the MediaLand Book Club celebrated the last week of voting for ABC Radio National’s Top 100 Books Countdown by browsing Australian media biography bookshelves. (Guests: Megan Pustetto from So Dramatic and Kind Regards Network)
Podnews Weekly Review (26th September)
James Cridland and Sam Sethi tackled the AI content explosion flooding the podcasting ecosystem, featuring insights from Jeanine Wright of Inception Point AI, who revealed they produce 3,000 episodes weekly with just eight staff members. The conversation explored industry concerns about disclosure standards and whether the “person tag” or “disclosure tag” adequately addresses advertiser concerns about AI-generated content. They also discussed developments in Ireland’s podcasting scene and AudioAlways, the Manchester and London-based production company that started at Media City in 2012. (Guests: Jeanine Wright from Inception Point AI)
When It Hits the Fan (24th September)
David Yelland and Simon Lewis examined the “fight for truth” in an age of disinformation, focusing on Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron’s decision to take legal action against online claims that the French First Lady is a man. The hosts explored why famous people and businesses can no longer simply ignore clearly untrue stories, as lies now gain traction and stick faster than ever in the social media age. They discussed the PR challenges and risks of taking a stand when people have already made up their minds, drawing parallels with other high-profile cases including Alex Jones and the Sandy Hook families. The episode also covered the upcoming appointment of a new Archbishop of Canterbury and the reputational risks facing Oxford and Cambridge as they slip down university rankings.
On the Media (24th & 26th September)
Micah Loewinger and Brooke Gladstone delivered two episodes this week. Their first was a special edition examining Edward R. Murrow, CBS and the fight against McCarthyism, marking 20 years since “Good Night, and Good Luck.” The second episode explored how the war on drugs combines with the war on terror under Trump’s renewed focus on targeting everything from Tylenol to terrorist organisations, plus an examination of how Charlie Kirk became a martyr for the Christian Right following his assassination. Both episodes provided crucial historical context for current media freedom struggles and the challenges facing journalism in an era of increasing political pressure.
Mixed Signals from Semafor Media (26th September)
Ben Smith and Max Tani sat down with Versant CEO Mark Lazarus for his first interview about the new “SpinCo” that will see MSNBC and 10 other television channels split from NBC to form a new digital-focused, publicly traded company. Lazarus outlined how he envisions the company will operate, his plans to grow each brand, and what independent outlets he’s looking to acquire. The conversation explored MSNBC and progressive media’s place in the new structure and how he’s navigating the current political climate under Brendan Carr’s FCC. A fascinating look at one of the biggest transformations in American television, as cable’s great brands attempt to reinvent themselves for the digital age. (Guests: Mark Lazarus from Versant)
Channels with Peter Kafka (24th September)
Peter Kafka sat down with New York Times television critic James Poniewozik to discuss the future of late-night TV following Jimmy Kimmel’s return. The conversation explored how a format that’s been declining for years became a flashpoint in a crucial First Amendment fight, and questioned how long traditional late-night television will survive in an era when most people catch monologues on YouTube rather than staying up to watch them live. Poniewozik, author of an excellent book about Trump and television, provided expert insight into how the former president uses TV as both weapon and shield, whilst acknowledging that the current threats to media freedom are very real despite their surreal nature. (Guests: James Poniewozik from The New York Times)
Power Lines with Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino (26th September)
Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino examined how Jimmy Kimmel’s return doesn’t signal the end of Disney’s troubles, as major station groups Nexstar and Sinclair continue refusing to carry the programme on their ABC affiliates, effectively blocking it from nearly a quarter of American households. They broke down how the FCC’s targeting of Kimmel ended up backfiring, why even some conservatives are defending his right to speak, and what Disney could face next if Nexstar succeeds in its TEGNA acquisition bid. The hosts also covered the revolt inside CNN’s newsroom over its handling of an on-air story featuring far-right conspiracy theorist Jack Posobiec, and how mainstream outlets often miss the cultural impact of internet personalities. A clear message emerged: the Kimmel fight is only just beginning.
The Grill Room (23rd & 26th September)
Dylan and Julia delivered two episodes examining the Disney-Kimmel-FCC crisis from multiple angles. First, Kim Masters joined Dylan to address existential questions about whether Nexstar and Sinclair will actually air Kimmel’s show, how the creative community feels about the situation, and whether people will forgive Bob Iger. Their second episode explored the paradox of an administration trying to strong-arm broadcast TV whilst the real future plays out on social media, YouTube, and new platforms with different business models. They speculated on how Trump might attempt to pressure independent creators and weighed the long-term stakes for Disney and Bob Iger’s legacy. (Guests: Kim Masters)
The Town with Matthew Belloni (25th & 26th September)
Matt Belloni delivered two episodes examining different aspects of Hollywood’s current challenges. First, he welcomed Puck’s Eriq Gardner to discuss Jimmy Kimmel’s return and unpack what could happen next in the Disney-Trump standoff, exploring why Brendan Carr and the FCC may not be as powerful as they seem and whether Disney could leverage its content like NFL games against rebellious affiliate networks. His second episode featured Scott Purdy, a media strategy leader at KPMG, discussing their illuminating new study on how much major networks spend on content and where. They explored why companies need to spend differently and how user-generated content might soon become more powerful than traditional content models. (Guests: Eriq Gardner from Puck, Scott Purdy from KPMG)
The Business (26th September)
Kim Masters welcomed filmmaker Mike Figgis to discuss his documentary “Megadoc,” which chronicles the chaotic production of Francis Ford Coppola’s $160 million passion project “Megalopolis.” Figgis revealed how he gained access to the set after sending Coppola a casual congratulatory email with a PS offering to be “a fly on the wall,” only to receive an urgent call weeks later asking if he could be there in two weeks. The conversation explored Coppola’s improvisational style clashing with the art department’s meticulous planning, leading to the public blow-up that Masters herself reported for The Hollywood Reporter. Figgis captured intimate moments including Shia LaBeouf’s creative tensions with the director and Coppola multitasking between actor direction and hotel construction calls. The interview also featured Masters and Matt Belloni discussing the lasting damage to Bob Iger’s reputation from the Kimmel crisis and its potential impact on Dana Walden’s CEO succession prospects at Disney. (Guests: Mike Figgis, Matt Belloni from Puck)
The Ankler Podcast (25th September)
Elaine Low, Sean McNulty, Natalie Jarvey, and Richard Rushfield unpacked the week that shook late night, examining how Jimmy Kimmel went from being yanked off air to rushing back after Hollywood revolted in just six days. The team explored the broader implications for free speech, politics and the future of Hollywood as Trump circles, affiliates defy ABC in a game of chicken, and Disney’s succession drama involving Dana Walden and Bob Iger returns to the spotlight. Their analysis made clear that this crisis is nowhere close to being over, with potential legal action from Trump still looming. (Guests: Sean McNulty, Natalie Jarvey, Richard Rushfield from The Ankler)
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