The BBC's annual report lands with a sharp rise in licence fee dodgers and a stark warning from new Director General Matt Brittin that the corporation is being held back by its own funding model. LBC's Iain Dale gives us his verdict on where Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's plan to widen the licence fee to streamers goes next.

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Also on the show: a new name in British political journalism. Shehab Khan has left ITV News to become political editor of Zeteo UK, the British outpost of Mehdi Hasan's insurgent US operation. He tells us why.

All that plus: as AI learns to remix the news into whatever shape you fancy, we ask what's left for journalists to do... Banijay and All3Media complete their merger to create an £8billion giant, and Edinburgh says goodbye to its TV Festival... and in the Audio Network Media Quiz, an annual tradition returns, as we play Play Your BBC Salaries Right.

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 podshoponline.co.uk

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.

What The Media Club has been reading this week:

BBC Annual Report: licence payers fall fastest in years

Nandy floats a streaming levy for BBC funding

Zeteo UK unveiled with Shehab Khan as political editor

Claude's 'liquid content' a serious challenge for news media

Banijay and All3Media complete $8bn merger

Edinburgh TV Festival's last schedule before Manchester move

BBC's highest paid journos

Iain Dale's memoir Have I Said Too Much? published

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A High Court judge throws out Prince Harry’s privacy case against the Daily Mail's publisher, on every count. Guardian media editor Michael Savage sifts through the wreckage.

Also on the show: Sky agrees a £1.6bn deal to buy ITV's channels and ITVX - reshaping British broadcasting overnight. 

Clive Dickens of The Meliora Company joins us for our now traditional, biannual AI roundup... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we're heading back to Saturday mornings.

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:

Prince Harry loses privacy case against the Daily Mail

Paul Dacre's reaction to the verdict

Sky agrees £1.6bn takeover of ITV's broadcasting arm

What the Sky/ITV deal means for ITV News

Is ITV Studios next in line for a takeover?

Axel Springer promises AI transformation at Telegraph

England's World Cup win breaks BBC viewing records

Ludwig recommissioned for series three

Matt Brittin to make Edinburgh TV Festival debut

BBC told to review acquisitions after Scooby-Doo criticism

Bluey gets its first audiobook collection

Channel 4 orders Taskmaster family spin-off

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Sky puts its money where its mouth is, pledging billions to secure Coronation Street and Love Island as it closes in on a takeover of ITV's channels. But with Sky's own parent company announcing a split this week, what does it all mean for Sky News? TV critic and producer Steven D Wright weighs up the deal.

Also on the show: Radio 4's Today programme is being told to put TikTok before its own airwaves. Is the nation's most trusted news alarm clock about to lose its edge? And with the Guardian announcing dozens of new digital jobs of its own, freelance media journalist Tara Conlan - who writes for the Guardian amongst others - on an industry that can't stop chasing the feed.

All that plus: the Telegraph finally gets a permanent owner, the Culture Secretary takes aim at another media mega-merger... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we open the boxes on the week's biggest deals.

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:

Sky's £2bn Pledge As It Preps ITV Takeover

Comcast To Split Off NBCUniversal And Sky

Today Programme Told To Prioritise TikTok Over Radio

Guardian To Create 55 New Digital Jobs

Trevor Nelson Takes A Break From Broadcasting

Zoe Ball Bags Daily Show On Greatest Hits Radio

Expectation Hires Mettlemouse's Katrina Grant

Mill Media Wins Costly Source Protection Battle

Telegraph Sale To Axel Springer Completes

Nandy Minded To Refer Paramount/WBD Deal

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Are Freeview's days numbered? Sam Sharps, Chief Executive of The Connection Project, walks us through the Government's Media Green Paper.

Also on the show: Fox is acquiring Roku for $22bn. Journalist Kate Bulkley on what Lachlan Murdoch is really buying.

All that plus: the Edinburgh TV Festival becomes the Manchester TV Festival, Sky edges closer to buying ITV’s channels… and, in The Audio Network Media Quiz, we head into the laboratory.

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

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Ben selects the music to score each episode and he and the team can do it for you too at audionetwork.com

We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio

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.

What The Media Club has been reading this week:

Government green paper sets out plan to switch off terrestrial TV

DTT switch-off plans raise concerns for radio

Fox is buying Roku in a $22 billion deal

Edinburgh TV Festival to move to Greater Manchester

Time and Axios turn AI prominence into advertising revenue

BBC to test news channel on YouTube

Universal Ads launches in the UK

Kyle Sandilands reaches settlement with ARN

Piers Morgan backed by Liz Murdoch in $27m raise

UK couple reacquire Lake FM in New York

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When is a play, not a play? Or a download not a download? As Spotify updates its analytics, we take a look at how YouTube, Apple and others define what we monetise.

Elsewhere, the BBC outlines where the axe will fall. Broadcast consultant Paul Robinson, a veteran of both the BBC and this podcast, tells us more.

Also on the podcast: who’s training the next generation of content makers? Prince Taylor, Executive Producer of Latent Pictures, on whether high-end TV training is actually in good shape.

All that plus: the Government bans social media for the under-sixteens - is this the moment kids’ platforms have been waiting for? And, in The Audio Network Media Quiz, three more media stories where reality is up for grabs.

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Ben selects the music to score each episode and he and the team can do it for you too at audionetwork.com

We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio

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.

What The Media Club has been reading this week:

BBC to cancel shows and review channels as it cuts content spend

UK social media ban raises digital advertising questions

Spotify redefines a ‘play’

BBC launches 3D World Cup experience

BBC made second Ashley Cain series despite alleged misconduct

Tech platforms overtake news outlets as global news source

Sara Cox sets BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show date

Roger Cook, investigative reporter, dies aged 83

Rivals renewed for Season 3

The Traitors stage show to have 5 different plots

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The BBC puts Doctor Who out to tender - no Christmas special, no Russell T Davies, no Bad Wolf. Broadcast’s Insight Editor Rebecca Cooney on what’s really been going on behind the TARDIS doors.

Also on the show: how do you explain the world to an eight-year-old? Vanessa Harriss, editor of The Week Junior, on the healthy business of children’s media - and why kids still want it in print.

All that plus: ITV, Channel 4 and Sky tell the BBC to stop paddling up Schitt’s Creek... Rhodri Talfan Davies lands the deputy DG job... and, in The Audio Network Media Quiz, everybody’s moving house.

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Ben selected the music to for this episode and he and the team can do it for you too at audionetwork.com

We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio

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.

What The Media Club has been reading this week:

BBC puts Doctor Who out to tender; Christmas special scrapped

ITV, C4 and Sky call for BBC to cut back on international acquisitions

Rhodri Talfan Davies named BBC Deputy Director-General

Goalhanger tops Sunday Times fastest-growing companies list

Tony Livesey to step back from BBC radio show

Mehdi Hasan launches Zeteo in the UK

Only Murders in the Building moves to London for series six

Karl Warner to relocate to LA for BBC Studios global creator role

Miss Me? leaves the BBC to go commercial

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The CMA hands publishers a world-first opt-out from Google's AI Overviews; Alex Hudson tells us whether this is the breakthrough it looks like.

Also on the show: Nutopia's Simon Willgoss on making the first major World War II documentary series since The World At War 50 years ago - twenty episodes, one war, one very famous narrator.

All that plus: Jon Petrie exits the BBC for Hat Trick, Netflix gets careful about contributor welfare... and The Audio Network Media Quiz spots the elephant in the room.

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex selects the music to score each episode and she and the 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:

UK publishers win opt-out from Google AI Overviews

Netflix UK on Love Is Blind welfare and new commissioning priorities

Jon Petrie exits BBC Comedy for Hat Trick

YouTube overtakes Netflix in average daily viewing around the world

White House Correspondents' Dinner rescheduled

KSI leaves the Sidemen after 13 years

Lisa Nandy admits government got it wrong on AI copyright

Bauer Media Audio UK named Campaign Top 5 Best Places to Work

OpenAI confirms no ad revenue share with publishers

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We're live at The Podcast Show to tackle the biggest question facing the sector: should podcasters pivot to video - and if so, how do you do it without repeating the mistakes of Fleet St? Charlotte Tobitt of Press Gazette, Guardian founder Jim Waterson and BBC Studios Audio's Thomas Curry were all there the first time around, and they're here to warn of what might be.

Also on the show: we're at the ARIA awards at the Roundhouse, where Trevor Nelson, Elizabeth Day, BBC Sounds and Mishal Husain are among the night's big winners.

All that plus: in The Audio Network Media Quiz, we play The Weakest Podcast Link.

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex selects the music to score each episode and he and the team can do it for you too at https://audionetwork.com

Our Arias coverage is brought to you in partnership with radio experts: the audio agency specialists. Learn more at https://radioexperts.co.uk/

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.

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

Is traditional journalism losing the battle for attention - or are individual journalists actually winning it? Dino Sofos, founder of Persephonica, helped build the shows from BBC’s Newscast to Global’s The News Agents has some thoughts.

Also on the show: ITN CEO Rachel Corp steps down immediately - and her replacement is the man who had just quit to take another job. Broadcast Magazine's Heather Fallon on the shock at the heart of Britain's biggest commercial news operation.

All that plus: the Strictly hosting race produces a bombshell reveal, Tim Burrowes of Mumbrella on the Kyle and Jackie O fallout, Australian media, and what the B2B publishing world is talking about this week.

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex selects the music to score each episode and she can do it for you too at audionetwork.com

We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio

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.

What The Media Club has been reading this week:

Broadcasters must react to threat from creator journalism - Deborah Turness

Prolific finance journalists facing questions over identities

ITN CEO Rachel Corp steps down immediately

Zoe Ball confirms she won't be hosting Strictly Come Dancing

Ofcom to investigate GB News

Osman takes The Golden Elevators

Big Break returning to BBC daytime

BBC confirms Radio 4 Long Wave switch-off date

Netflix reveals $135bn content spend over past decade

BBC staff fear meagre pay rise after bosses forgo own increase

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As the greats of the press descend on London for the Truth Tellers annual conference, Politico's Allison Hoffman talks to The Media Club about SLAPPS and the other obstacles to getting a story out there.

Also on the show: broadcaster - and now formats geek - Richard Bacon on his new podcast, Why Are You More Successful Than Me? A question, of course, we will also be asking.

All that plus: a celebrated sports exec bids farewell to Channel 4 - and, in The Audio Network Media Quiz, we reveal some major plot twists.

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Ben selected the music to score this edition and he and the 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

Wall St Journal warns of waning press freedom

Mill Media’s legal threat

BBC News hit hardest by new cuts 

C4's head of sport moves to Whisper 

Letterman On Future Of Late Night

https://deadline.com/2026/05/dept-q-netflix-left-bank-training-programme-1236877887/

Acast makes first profit evs

Name That Tune is BACK

The Epstein Files are BACK

Celebrity Traitors is BACK

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