The Media Club with Matt Deegan

Rumours abound after Channel 4 plans to invest in indies as part of its in-house production arm strategy - and that’s just as ITV slashes its budgets for daytime. Broadcast reporter Heather Fallon tells us what it all means. Also on the programme: Gary Lineker is ‘sent off’ the BBC after a controversial social post. Did it all have to end like this? TV critic and media writer Scott Bryan looks at...

We are LIVE at the ARIAS - the Radio Academy’s annual awards for the sector. We’ll be speaking to the big winners about the state of the industry and striving for excellence in a digital world - as well as Radio Academy chief Aradhna Tayal Leach. Also on the programme: it’s RAJARs week - yes, the latest radio listening figures are out. Sam Jackson, controller at BBC Radio 3 is here to discuss the...

Former BBC1, ITV controller and Expectation chief Peter Fincham joins us to discuss his new podcast, Insiders, on the secrets of the TV industry. We’ll find out what he makes of this week’s headlines. Also on the programme: as President Trump threatens tariffs on high end TV and Film, media writer Tara Conlan assesses the risks for the sector. All that plus: we’re in Bradford for all the takeaways...

Politico’s senior executive editor, Kate Day, tells us what’s in store for the original newsletter publisher. Also on the programme: Alex Mahon is set to leave Channel 4. Deadline’s senior investigations reporter Jake Kanter is here to divine what happens next. All that plus: Baby Reindeer’s Richard Gadd talks to us about just what he sacrificed to get his story out there, as well as more intervie...

In the club today: the curious case of fictional experts... is AI driving a  credibility problem when sourcing talking heads? Media writer Maggie Brown and broadcaster Alex Zane discuss Press Gazette’s excellent scoop... as well the launch of Alex’s new podcast, The Savoy Originals. Also on the programme: Ofcom puts the brakes on Radio 2’s spin-off. Phil Riley from Boom Radio assesses the dam...

Is your company investment-ready? Mark Browning CEO of Zinc Media Group tells us what you need to do to get investment in a media business. Also on the programme: as the BBC publishes its annual report, things get spicy as Auntie takes on the streamers... media writer Manori Ravindran picks apart the commentary. All that plus: has Michael Sheen got some explaining to do? One indie thinks so... and...

Google claims its search business would be fine without news sites. But does their research stand up to scrutiny? Media writer Jane Martinson tells us more. Also on the programme: TV indies breathe a sigh of relief as a big market investigation is dropped. But it’s not so good news for broadcasters though; Rebecca Cooney (Broadcast) explains. All that plus: there’s a u-turn for BBC Studios, Bauer...

As the TV crisis continues, a Murdoch enters the chat. We take a temperature check on the sector with former UKTV commissioner and now boss at indie Square Pears’, Iain Coyle. Also on the programme: we reveal the one-take secrets of Adolescence, as well as the winners of the Broadcast Press Guild awards. All that plus: as Trump plans to close Voice Of America, Kate Bulkley is here to assess its im...

Will Google's AI mode destroy the news media? Has YouTube set its sights on the TV industry? Writer and telly critic Scott Bryan’s here to tell us how parent company Alphabet’s still reshaping the media landscape across the world. Also on the programme: the World Service needs Government funding, argue BBC bosses. But can they match the scale of China and Russia’s operations? Faraz Osman, head of...

Long hours and broken turnarounds... are TV and film crews being squeezed to breaking point? Plus film critic and broadcaster Rhianna Dhillon joins us to look at the issue - and how the Oscars’ TV show is still searching for a younger audience. Also on the programme: City AM is one of the last freesheets standing. Editor Christian May is here to reveal its staying power. All that plus: the BBC get...

Charlotte Moore resigns from the BBC, kickstarting a flurry of changes at some big indies. Chris Curtis, editor of Broadcast Magazine, takes us through what it all means... and who’s in the running for the BBC’s top creative role. Also on the programme: how is 5 News bucking the trend and growing its audience? Reporter Warren Nettleford tells us more. And why do audio paywalls work in Europe... bu...

Alex Smith drops in to discuss bringing the final series of Big Boys to Channel 4, and what’s coming next for Rough Cut and the wider TV market as London prepares for its first Mip London. Jim Waterson’s also here to celebrate the success of London Centric, his Substack newsroom for local journalism. With thousands paying for access, we’ll ask why wouldn’t journalists turn their back on legacy med...

Channel 4 reveals their new drama slate. Heat magazine’s Boyd Hilton takes us through the ambitious line-up. Also on the programme: as Bradford’s year as city of culture continues, Lisa Campbell joins us to talk about the upcoming Creative Cities Convention, where she has just taken over as director. All that, plus: why Netflix might be turning to podcasts for growth, the BBC provides evidenc...

In the club today: it’s RAJARs week - analyst Adam Bowie is here to run the numbers for the radio industry. Also on the programme: as the BBC celebrates record viewing figures for The Traitors... what can we expect from the celebrity version? Megan Carver (Carver PR) reveals the runners and riders. All that, plus: The Sun’s rebuilding its paywall... and, in The Media Quiz, we say farewell to some...

Just as News UK wraps up its court battles... ITV announces a new drama all about them, starring Toby Jones as Alan Rusbridger. Media writer Tara Conlan tells us more. Also on the programme: The toxic world of the comedy industry is back in the headlines - writer and broadcaster Julia Raeside joins us on the member’s sofa to discuss the last few years, and her new book, Don’t Make Me Laugh . All t...

Prince Harry settles with News Group Newspapers. Is that finally the end of the phone hacking saga? And has the press learned its lesson? Will Wood, head of PR firm Multitude Media, reflects on over a decade of trials and inquiries. Also on the programme: could Mr Beast buy TikTok? Jake Kanter, Investigations Editor at Deadline, reflects on a week of turmoil at the Chinese social media firm. All t...

In the club today - when does Out Of London actually mean... London? Rebecca Cooney, Insight Editor at Broadcast looks at the curious row that’s dominating Scottish TV this week. Also on the programme: wildfires across LA cause havoc for Hollywood. Karin Robinson, Senior Director of Strategy at Edelman explaisn the effect it will have on production. All that, plus: just when it looked like Da...

Meta removes fact checking from Facebook: Journalist and digital native Alex Hudson looks at what it means for news organisations. Also on the programme: Global scraps regional radio and Bauer buys Clear Channel... and why is sport suddenly the streamers’ new focus? Broadcast consultant Paul Robinson looks at recent deals by DAZoNe and Disney. All that, plus: Hollywood dramas in podcast form - Gol...

The Observer becomes part of Tortoise. Charlotte Tobitt of Press Gazette is here to tell us what happens next. Also on the programme: BBC Radio faces pushback from Ofcom over its DAB expansion plans, and The Radio Times’ Caroline Frost ponders what we have to look forward to on TV in 2025. All that, plus: all the gossip from the British Journalism Awards, the continued de-Wallacing of TV... A...

TV critic Scott Bryan is here to explain the new deal between Sky and HBO, and dips into the Radio Times (old school) to divine what the Christmas schedules tell us about the health of certain broadcasters. Also on the programme: a report suggests that GB News broadcasts half of all news stories about Muslims? TV Indie chief Faraz Osman from Goldwala tells us more. All that, plus: from Lucy Letby...

World of Wonder co-founder Fenton Bailey on the future of television - is there room for cable, streamers AND broadcasters? Fenton thinks so. Also on the programme: unfinished business at the BBC. With Gregg Wallace causing all sorts of problems, have they got to grips with other thorny talent issues? Roger Bolton of Beebwatch grasps the nettle. All that, plus media writer Maggie Brown on the TV i...

Is the golden age of UK-made TV over? We speak to Steven D Wright about his article in The Times on the matter and whether anything can be done. Also, are you feeling festive? The editor of Campaign, Maisie McCabe gives us her view on some of the best Christmas ads out there and producer Rina Dayalji brings us the latest from the front line in factual entertainment.  And of course, don’t forg...

As the BBC pushes on with its Radio 2 spinoff - we speak to rival Boom Radio’s Phil Riley about the impact on his business. Meanwhile, BBC Studios has a ‘work-for-hire’ dilemma... media commentator Kate Bulkley unpicks a thorny problem for the BBC’s commercial strategy. Also on the programme: staff at The Observer and the Guardian vote to strike over the proposed sale of the Sunday paper to Tortoi...

Jim Waterson speaks to The Media Club about the launch of his local journalism project, London Centric; and the wider local media revolution. Also on the programme: right wing outlet InfoWars is bought by The Onion... What’s that about? And as most streamers embrace ads on their services... what is Amazon doing with FreeVee? Jane Ostler, EVP at research agency Kantar explains. All that, plus: Chlo...

How was the US election night covered in the media, and how will the newsrooms fare under President Trump?... Alex Farber, media correspondent from The Times is here to look at what it means for our industry. Also on the programme: Miranda Sawyer has been the audio critic at the Observer throughout the podcast boom... she reveals the latest trends in the industry, and her take on her paper’s futur...