Telegraph Deal Take #4... and are you World Cup Ready?
13/03/2026 | 52 mins.
The Daily Telegraph has a new, new, new suitor - and it's Axel Springer, who has beaten the Daily Mail with a £575 million bid for Telegraph Media Group. Media historian Maggie Brown on what the new owners inherit. Also on the show: Banijay and All3Media announce an $8 billion mega-merger, creating the world's largest independent TV production group. Juan Delgado, CEO of Footballco, on what consolidation at this scale means for the industry. All that plus: the BBC's podcast deal for indies takes its first steps, FIFA OKs ads in World Cup hydration breaks, and in the Audio Network Media Quiz - Long Lost Revenue. 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: Axel Springer to acquire Telegraph Media Group for £575m Banijay and All3Media merge in $8bn deal Elis James and John Robins podcast goes commercial under BBC Audio Release Policy FIFA to allow World Cup hydration break ads for broadcasters GB News losses narrow to £22m as revenue jumps 58% Podimo hires ex-Netflix, BBC and Disney execs in video push PodBean switches off dynamic ad insertion in Europe Junk food ad ban criticised as ineffective by health experts Mail on Sunday staff take the stand in Harry case Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ginormo-indies, Netflix Loses WBD, BBC Fights Back
06/03/2026 | 52 mins.
All3Media and Banijay have merged to create an eight-billion-dollar independent production giant - and there are whispers that ITV Studios could be next on the menu. Media writer Tara Conlan takes stock.
Also: Paramount Skydance beats Netflix in a marathon bidding war for Warner Bros Discovery. It's the biggest media merger in history - and the debt pile to match. Former Media Leader editor and now consultant Omar Oakes crunches the numbers.
All that plus: News Corp reveals its two-word AI strategy. The BBC publishes its charter wishlist. And in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we put your bluffing skills to the test.
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://www.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://www.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: All3Media and Banijay to merge ITV deal still in contention for Banijay too Paramount beats Netflix for Warner Bros - Newscorp's AI strategy: Woo & Sue BBC’s Charter Renewal Strategy WPP's Advertising Intelligence Framework report Reach Digital Revenue Down Kyle & Jackie O's $100m contract terminated Lovejoy To Get A Reboot Telegraph Censured Over Fictional Family Journalists Replaced By Misleading AI writers Epstein Podcast is made entirely by AI
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
That BAFTA edit, Mip London & AI Updates
27/02/2026 | 39 mins.
Just what went wrong on the BBC's BAFTA edit? And how did the afternoon unfold for audience members? Talent agent Alex Segal was in the room when it happened.
Also on the show: the government moves to bring Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video under Ofcom regulation for the first time; Goalhanger tells TV commissioners they’ve got young audiences wrong; the Paramount vs Netflix bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery ratchets up; ITV Studios launches Studio 55 at the London Screenings; Peter Wright gives evidence in the Harry phone-hacking trial; Clive Dickens reports from the AI front line… and in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we play Slate or Fake — London TV Screenings edition.
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:
BAFTA's Tourette Incident Derails Awards Celebrations - and Alex's take Streamers to come under Ofcom's jurisdiction Goalhanger chief says TV commissioners giving up on young audiences BBC Studios eyeing acquisitions, Acast says it's conscious of ad load Paramount raises WBD bid to $31 a share ITV Studios launches Studio 55 at London Screenings Doctor Foster returns for final series with Suranne Jones Former Mail on Sunday editor gives evidence in Harry phone-hacking trial Variety's Picks Of The Week Police media guidelines updated Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apple Podcasts Pivots To Video, 1% Club Goes Global
20/02/2026 | 41 mins.
Apple Podcasts finally joins the video revolution — but is it too late to the party? Entertainment journalist Jamie East has the remote.
Also on the show: Sky wants ITV — but does the deal still have legs? Broadcast’s senior reporter Heather Fallon has been following every twist.
All that plus: The 1% Club conquers the world, the Broadcast Awards winners are in... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we wage war on the media landscape.
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: Apple Podcasts embraces video SKY-ITV talks reportedly slowing 1% Club reaches new sales heights Broadcast Award winners Nandy Launches CMA Probe Into Telegraph Deal 26% of UK Now Listen to Podcasts Weekly (RAJAR MIDAS) WBD Gives Paramount Seven Days to Make Best Offer Mill Media expands to Leeds BBC Considers Opening Up iPlayer Channel 4 Brings YT Comedy Channel to Spotify
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is The World Service In Crisis?
13/02/2026 | 39 mins.
Tim Davie sends the Government a World Service ultimatum, as he claims funding runs out in seven weeks. Former Radio Academy CEO Paul Robinson tells us what’s at stake.
Also on the show: Will Lewis abruptly exits the Washington Post - Priscilla Igwe, founder of The New Black Film Collective, on why independent journalism matters.
All that plus: Disney strikes a deal with Sky, the editor of the Today Programme resigns, HBO Max announces its UK launch date... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we enter the world of dating shows.
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: Tim Davie sends Govt a World Service ultimatum Will Lewis abruptly exits Washington Post Carole Cadwalladr’s message to departing WashPost staff Disney and Sky strike multi-year deal Owenna Griffiths resigns as Today Programme editor HBO Max UK launch date announced PG Tips sponsors Popmaster Supercast acquired by Red Seat Ventures New in-car campaign for European radio groups Zai Bennett’s Deadline interview Channel 4’s Golden Age of BAME Programming Louis Theroux launches Mindhouse Studios Global launches Up To Speed F1 podcast Goalhanger launches The Book Club Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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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