The Media Club with Matt Deegan

Channel 4 calls time on Married at First Sight - even though its own review said the show could carry on. Broadcast consultant Paul Robinson on what it means for reality TV. Also on the show: a "famous man" loses his High Court bid to stop the Guardian and ITN publishing allegations against him. Professor Jane Martinson on a landmark ruling for press freedom. All that plus: do broadcasters need creators more than creators need them? The BBC goes looking for another £300 million... and, in The Audio Network Media Quiz, we get misty-eyed over the Christmas adverts. The Audio Network Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex (who is a real person) selects the music to score each episode, and she and her 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: Channel 4 ends Married at First Sight UK after external review Famous man loses injunction fight against the Guardian and ITN Broadcasters need creators "more than creators need them" BBC deputy DG on the next round of savings - and the Trump lawsuit City Financial News: Budget 2026 live coverage CMA to investigate ITV/Sky deal Creative Cities Comes To Glasgow Complaints As Arday Reporter Gets Nomination SNL Korea gets a spin-off Channel 4 Gambles With Viewers Diary Of A CEO tops YouTube Podcast chart Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How many subscription services do we need? Podcast exec Steve Ackerman, tells us why paywalls need a overhaul. Also on the show: Channel 4 moves in with Disney+... and hires The Cube's showrunner to make its own hits. CMG Productions co-CEO and Channel 4 alumna Claire McArdle on what it means for broadcasters, indies... and your remote control. All that plus: the Telegraph's AI-powered future costs up to 100 jobs, it's RAJAR week and Adam Bowie talks us through the radio numbers, Steve explains why your favourite podcast has no idea who you are... and, in The Audio Network Media Quiz, it's Halloween - so we turn the lights down low for three spine-chilling media tales. 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 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 merge TV and audio commissioners across three genres Channel 4 and Disney+ strike landmark UK deal Channel 4 hires Adam Adler as Creative Director of its in-house studio Telegraph cuts up to 100 jobs in 'AI-powered' overhaul Allison Pearson said to be negotiating exit from the Telegraph Adam Bowie’s review of RAJAR Q3 2026 SupaPass appoints Steve Ackerman as non-executive director Ghostwatch: The Night That Terrified Britain on 5 Why colourful collaborations can be a route to success BBC pays £400,000 to former Storyville commissioner Lucie Kon The TV Festival sets Manchester dates and venues British Journalism Awards 2026 shortlist revealed Celeb seeking injunction against Guardian and ITN Reform launches The Reformer Spreaker and the podcast copycats Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While BBC News loses another 100 roles, CNN comes knocking with a fiver-a-month UK subscription. Charlotte Tobitt from Press Gazette takes us through it. Also on the show: what’s actually working with AI in the newsroom - and what’s a waste of budget? Fergus Bell and Tom Trewinnard, co-founders of news consultancy Fathm, bring us a field guide from the newsrooms they’ve worked inside. All that plus: Spotify wants your superfans’ money, two Southwark courtrooms put the media in the spotlight... and, in The Audio Network Media Quiz, we warm up the valves on the wireless for a vintage parlour game. 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 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 to close BBC Three, BBC Scotland and Radio 4 Extra linear services CNN launches All Access subscription and paywall in the UK Spotify announces Spotify Partnerships Court Hears Daily Mail Editor’s Voicemail from Tommy Robinson “Media industry protects its own,” court hears in Russell Brand case Canary Closes BBC TikTok Channel Closes YouTuber Laments YouTube After Hacking The Signal - Fathm’s weekly podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 14 years of Yorkshire vets, cruise ships and All Creatures Great and Small, Ben Frow is stepping down at 5. Broadcast's Heather Fallon on the end of an era - and who could possibly follow him. Also on the show: new launches are down on broadcasters and streamers alike - and so are the bank balances of the people who make them. Indielab founder Victoria Powell on what small indies can do about it, and why the whole industry is heading to GrowthLab London at the Barbican. All that plus: Marina Hyde goes Always On, the gossip from MIPCOM... and, in The Audio Network Media Quiz, we gather the suspects in the drawing room. The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex selects the music to score each episode - and the Audio Network 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: Ben Frow steps down at 5 Marina Hyde launches Always On with Goalhanger Netflix and Disney+ new launches down in 2026 GrowthLab London 2026 BBC asks court to make Trump sit for deposition Fox's Rob Wade: "We're not here to flip a house" Ian Hislop marks 40 years at Private Eye Girls returns to HBO Podnews Daily goes to video GTA VI gets podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The BBC's director general wants the corporation to have "a little less conversation, a little more action" - but with BBC Three reportedly heading for the exit, are the staff all shook up? Gold Wala's Faraz Osman on what Matt Brittin's digital revolution means for the people who make the programmes. Also on the show: it's the first ever National Magazine Day. The Week Junior's editor Vanessa Harriss on why, in an age of endless screens, children are still reaching for paper. All that plus: Channel 4 finds its new content chief, Warner Bros. wakes up as Skydance... and, in The Audio Network Media Quiz, we roll up the shutters on some abandoned lock-ups. The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex selects the music to score each episode - and the Audio Network 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 boss Matt Brittin sets out a Silicon Valley-style revolution Brittin faces staff criticism over job cuts in junior ranks BBC Three and BBC Scotland channels face closure David Brindley set to be named Channel 4 content chief Paramount completes Warner Bros. Discovery takeover to form Skydance National Magazine Day 2026 Radio 2 Apologises Guardian ends casual staff practice Prof. Brian Cox trades radio for digital Bidders revealed for Doctor Who Goalhanger brings ad sales in house Rachel Jupp becomes new BBC News chief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.