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 what the corporation could have done differently.

And, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we play matchmaker.

That’s all happening in this edition of The Media Club. Come on in!

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network who select the music to score each episode - they can do it for you too at audionetwork.com

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A Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.

We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.uk

What The Media Club has been reading this week:What The Media Club has been reading this week:

ITV slashes daytime schedule 

STV plans expansion including a new radio station

BBC Studios restructure

Paul Foot winners - congratulations, Josh!

Channel 4 plans third party investment ahead of in-house launch - more gossip here - and their annual report

Lineker to leave BBC after MOTD this weekend

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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 numbers, as well as his revolution at the station.

On the red carpet we speak to Angela Scanlon, Alastair Campbell, team Goalhanger, Jon Holmes, David Olusoga, Ken Bruce and many, many more.

And, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we’re celebrating some other big winners of the week.

That’s all happening in this edition of The Media Club. Come on in!

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network who select the music to score each episode - they can do it for you too at https://www.audionetwork.com

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.

We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.uk

What The Media Club has been reading this week:

Deadline’s deep dive into the rumoured ITV acquisition

Audible unveils plans to use AI voices to narrate audiobooks

Mail’s ‘Eliza’ brand ditches website ahead of AI asteroid 

BBC to expand Local Journalism fund and grow content on YouTube & TikTok

ITV wins a special BAFTA

UK SNL handed a short run

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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 from the Creative Cities Convention.

And, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we’re heading into the courtroom for the biggest verdicts of the week.

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network who select the music to score each episode - they can do it for you too at https://www.audionetwork.com

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.

We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.uk

What The Media Club has been reading this week:

AI Agatha Christie 

Trump film / HETV tariff threat already causing shocks -. but are we over some of the worst?

Swedish Podcast Conglomerate PodX Acquires Lemonada Media

Disney & Big Talk look to salvage Dick Turpin

Steve Wright memorial gathers A-List stars

BBC admits lapse in standards around coverage of Prince Harry interview

How The Assembly found a home on ITV

Alex Mahon’s debut novel: ‘The Rich Bitch Club’

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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 interviews on the winner’s run at BAFTA’s TV Craft Awards featuring Reece Sheersmith and Steve Pemberton (Inside Number 9), Kate Oates and Ben Wadey (Eastenders) and Andy Devonshire (Taskmaster).

And, in the Media Quiz, we reveal what you could have won.

Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.com

A Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.

We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.uk

What The Media Club has been reading this week:

Alex Mahon to leave Channel 4

Piers Morgan on YouTube's success 

Tara Conlan’s Spot The Difference on the BBC's latest workplace review

Jake Kanter’s piece on problematic staff being retained

Observer’s first week of relaunch

CNN’s Christiane Amanpour Joins Global

Banajay eyes up all of ITV

Mr Bates wins a BAFTA special award

Celebrity Traitors line up revealed

(00:00) - Hellos

(00:40) - British Political Journalists

(02:40) - Katie Rawcliffe

(04:15) - Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon Leaving

(08:42) - Piers Morgan Cancels Newspapers

(09:46) - Is YouTube the future of reporting?

(13:39) - Journalist Entrepreneurs

(15:23) - BBC Sexual Harassment

(20:20) - BAFTA TV Craft Awards

(20:35) - Richard Gadd Interview - Baby Reindeer

(22:32) - EastEnders Special Award

(25:30) - Andy Devonshire - Taskmaster

(26:55) - Reece Sheersmith & Steve Pemberton - Inside Number 9

(31:55) - Politico Europe 10 Year Anniversary

(39:52) - The Media Quiz

(44:50) - Goodbyes

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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 damage.

All that plus: podcast festival Crossed Wires gets a new creative director. Owner Dino Sofos is here to reveal who it is... and, in the quiz, we enter the Frequency Funhouse.

Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.com

A Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.

We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.uk

What The Media Club has been reading this week:

Press Gazette's expose into fake commentators

Ofcom says no to Radio 2 spin-off

BBC advertising for new iPlayer roles...

Threads is back

Local Radio podcast launches

AP To Be Allowed Back Into White House

Avalon take a stake in Adolescence producer

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, in the Media Quiz, we open up the Media Transfer Window.

Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.com

A Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with support from Ollie Peart, and with post-production from Podcast Discovery.

We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.uk

What The Media Club has been reading this week:

BBC fights back in its annual report

Disney identifies 4 audience types in streaming landscape

Michael Sheen and Channel 4 questioned over ‘originality’ of debt documentary

The Sun stems losses as The Times bags £60m profit

Radio 4 saves the 90min audio drama slot

Bauer completes Clear Channel Europe-North acquisition

Dish From Waitrose team launch indie

Rachel Sylvester named Observer political editor

Reach CEO Jim Mullen steps down with immediate effect

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 retreats from Wales... and in The Media Quiz we find out how much money Apple TV is losing.

Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.com

A Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.

We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.uk

What The Media Club has been reading this week:

Google's Research Under Scrutiny

Relief as TV indies CMA probe dropped

BBC Studios Drops Podcast Ads Plan In UK

Bauer closes Breakfast Shows - James Cridland was quite critical about their strategy here

Rivals does well at RTS - and BAFTA TV nominations are announced

Independent launches AI Summary

Capital’s Chris Stark recovering from cancer treatment

Adolescence makes ratings history

Paltrow criticises intimacy coordinators

Apple TV+ losing over $1bn/year, reports

Chapters

(00:00) Intro

(00:40) Media Club Member List Invites

(06:00) News Has No Impact on Google's Ad Revenue

(10:52) Probe into TV Company Freelancer Fees

(16:15 BBC Studios Withdraws Podcast Ad Plans

(21:33) Local Radio Programming Changes

(26:18) BAFTA Nominations

(28:11) RTS Television Journalism Awards & Gaza

(30:13) The Media Quiz

(36:15) Goodbyes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 impact on western media more widely, and if the World Service can step up - and, in the Media Quiz, we’re bringing back Jeopardy.

Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.com

A Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.

We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.uk

* give or take a dynamic ad break or two. And a live vision mix of course.

What The Media Club has been reading this week:

Voice Of America axed

Liz Murdoch says TV crisis leading to an exodus of production talent

Consent Or Pay says the Guardian

RTS backtracks on Gaza controversy

Adolescence secrets revealed

River City axed

Jeopardy Returns

5Live Bags F1 Rights Again

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 indie Gold Wala tells us more.

All that plus: Channel 5 gets a rebrand - again - and, in the Media Quiz, we’re sprinkling some stardust.

Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.com

A Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.

We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.uk

What The Media Club has been reading this week:

Will Google's AI Mode Destroy The News Media?

World Service needs public funding, argue BBC bosses

Don't Forget YouTube 

Indie 'Discharged Duty Of Care' to worker, according to inquiry

Miracle Spring Water lands TV channel Ofcom fine

More Megan on the way to Netflix

Anna Foster joins Today lineup

Chapters:

Intro (0:00)

Media Club Inductees (0:43)

Google's AI Mode (3:07)

YouTube's Push to the Big Screen (10:29)

BBC World Service (18:17)

Media News Round-up (25:53)

Channel 5's Rebrand (26:26)

BAFTA TV Memorable Moments Award (28:38)

TV Working Conditions (31:47)

Media Quiz (36:44)

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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 gets another grilling from MPs, Channel 4 News gets caught up in the Gaza doc controversy... and, in the Media Quiz, our pundits try to score a perfect ten.

That’s all happening in this edition of The Media Club. Come on in!

Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.com

A Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.

We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIA CLUB at podshoponline.co.uk

What The Media Club has been reading this week:

Tim Davie 'open minded' about streamer levy in MP grilling

Channel 4 also features Hamas minister's son in Gaza doc 

BECTU campaigns for more rest breaks

Paul Marshall Floats Jounalism School to rivals

Telegraph pays £10/pic for social media pictures

Scrabble to become a TV Game Show

Left Bank revenues dive post-Crown

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