Format Fever, Sky's Gamble, and The Creator Economy Grows Up

MAY 1, 202653 MIN
The Media Club with Matt Deegan

Format Fever, Sky's Gamble, and The Creator Economy Grows Up

MAY 1, 202653 MIN

Description

<p>200 companies pitched for the BBC and NBC's next global format - and the winner is a partnership between Expectation and Plegazoid. CMG Productions' Claire McArdle, making her debut today, on what it takes to design something that can travel.</p><p>Also on the show: Sky News is remaking itself as a premium, subscription-first newsroom by 2030. Gold Wala's Faraz Osman on whether that's a strategy or a euphemism.</p><p>All that plus: The Ankler leaves Substack. Patreon launches Quips. iHeartMedia and SiriusXM in merger talks. And The Audio Network Media Quiz - three stories that all end with something unexpected.</p><p>The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Ben selected the music to score this game and he and the team can do it for you too, at <a href="https://audionetwork.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">audionetwork.com</a></p><p>We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at <a href="https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio</a></p><p>Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at <a href="https://themediaclub.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">themediaclub.com</a></p><p>A Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.</p><br><p><strong>What The Media Club has been reading this week:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2026/bbc-nbcuniversal-unscripted-format-development-successful-candidate" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Expectation and Plegazoid win BBC-NBCU format tender</a></p><p><a href="https://pressgazette.co.uk/press-gazette-events/why-sky-news-is-moving-beyond-commoditised-breaking-news/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sky News unveils premium video-first strategy</a></p><p><a href="https://theankler.com/the-anklers-next-chapter/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Ankler leaves Substack for new platform</a></p><p><a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/156303474" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Patreon launches Quips and discovery network</a></p><p><a href="https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/iheartmedia-siriusxm-merger-talks-azoff-apollo-advising-1236730151/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">iHeartMedia and SiriusXM in merger talks</a></p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/29/barclay-brothers-hsbc-settlement-high-court" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Barclay Brothers settle with HSBC</a></p><p><a href="https://deadline.com/2026/04/royal-television-society-unveils-ceo-sophie-jones-1236873227/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sophie Jones named new RTS CEO</a></p><p><a href="https://deadline.com/2026/04/marvellous-miniature-workshop-renewed-season-2-bbc-sara-cox-1236875539/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Marvellous Miniature Workshop renewed for 20 episodes</a></p><p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/donald-trump-falsely-claims-bbc-used-ai-to-doctor-his-capitol-riot-speech/ar-AA21OviY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Trump claims BBC used AI in Jan 6 edit</a></p><p><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crr1gl21n19o" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Allison Pearson cleared to sue Essex Police</a></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>