We’re in Glasgow to see how broadcasters and indies are meeting the challenge of fragmentation - we speak to Bobby Hain and Graham Bryce about launching STV Radio - and we have STV Studios exec Paul Sheehan on their expanding portfolio.
Also on this packed show: it’s Rajars week. How have stations across the country performed? Adam Bowie takes us through who’s up and down.
All that plus: another new station is planned on BBC Sounds, we talk to Scottish firms Speccy Productions and The Development Network, both looking to buck the commissioning slowdown trend... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we play... MediaMaster.
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
This Rajars special of The Media Club is in partnership with radio experts, the audio advertising specialist... bringing you a sound perspective.
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:
Washington Post announces mass layoffs Matt’s take on the Q4 Rajars - and Adam’s take Saturday Night Live cast announced Scottish Podcast Awards launch Mark Thompson buttonholed The Grand Tour Reboots Significant Productions Launched ITV Announce In-Game Ads For Six Nations
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Convergence Is King
30/1/2026 | 34min
We're joined by two execs that find their sectors converging on platforms like Spotify and YouTube. Steve Ackerman speaks to his three decades at Somethin’ Else and then Sony Music Podcasts, whilst ITV Studio’s Martin Trickey tells us about his social agency label, Zoo55.
Also on the show: Can news outlets survive Google’s AI Overview? The UK markets regulator may intervene - but will it be in time?
All that plus: YouTube pulls out of Barb, Substack lands on TV... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, our guests defend themselves in my boardroom.
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: CMA wants a clear publisher opt out for AI Overviews Substack has launched a TV app YouTube Pulls Out Of Barb Future Publishing Axes Consumer Tech Jobs BBC Names Davie’s Exit Date and Interim DG Goalhanger Bags Minority Investor MOTD ratings surge with new release strategy Nigella becomes new Bake Off judge Traitors - The Play? (and ratings news) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Prince Harry In Court, BBC on YouTube, Channel 4 Studios
23/1/2026 | 34min
It’s Harry vs Daily Mail: but as both sides bring robust arguments, could this one get messy? Journalist and TV producer Steven D Wright gets the popcorn out.
Also on the show: the BBC agrees a deal with YouTube and Ofcom to produce content for the platform. TV critic Rhianna Dhillon explains the deal and what it means for your feed.
All that plus: Channel 4 gets commercial, the Government throws a spanner in the Telegraph deal AGAIN... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we take on the gossip columnists.
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: Prince Harry testifies against the Mail BBC to make content for YouTube Channel 4 appoint their first in-house chief Lisa Nandy 'minded' to refer Mail/Telegraph deal to CMA Prue Leith to leave Bake Off Alan Rusbridger joins The New World Jamie Laing hires former Amazon Podcast boss
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Goalhanger Breaks New Records, Superindies Plan Merger
16/1/2026 | 42min
Goalhanger hits quarter of a million paying listeners, we speak exclusively to their Chief Revenue Officer about their strategy, and what it means for tv, radio and streamers across the sector.
Also on the show: Banijay and All3Media are in talks to merge. But what do you call a superindie when it doubles in size?
All that plus: Cathay Newman leaves Channel 4, Amol Rajan leaves Today ... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we look at the media properties with Grand Designs.
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 and Ollie Peart with post-production from Podcast Discovery.
What The Media Club has been reading this week: Banijay and All3Media in merger talks Google believes it shouldn't pay for non-paywalled content Stephen Graham's prodco signs first look deal with Disney+ Cathy Newman jumps ship to Sky News Interesting tie up between Global and ITV for a new lottery Mock The Week & Dara O'Brien return on TLC YouTube joins Barb - and upends the charts GB News Consistently Beats BBC & Sky News in ratings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Spotify’s Changes And What They Mean For You
09/1/2026 | 38min
Spotify announces big changes to its revenue machine and Global spends big on Gary Nevile’s network.... Lots of podcast upheaval, but are podcasts at risk of losing money through a bad actor? Thomas Curry, exec at BBC Studios, takes us through the week’s deals.
Also on the show: should we spend double what we do for the World Service? And should the Government pay for it? Rebecca Cooney from Broadcast tells us more.
All that plus: who is playing Huw Edwards in the new Channel 5 drama? What changes are being made at Virgin Radio... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we rundown the biggest charts of the year..
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: Global Buys Gary Nevile's Podcast Network The Overlap Spotify launches video podcast API for rival publishers The podcast app stripping ads from your content World Service negotiations Martin Clunes IS Huw Edwards Virgin Radio schedule changes Most Watched & Streamed Shows Of 2025 BBC Sounds Top Shows of 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Media news from the UK, looking at television production, streaming, radio, audio, journalism, the internet, publishers and more. Each week expert analysts and media practitioners join the host, media consultant Matt Deegan, to talk about the top media stories and work out what it means for the sector and the people in it.Recent experts have included Broadcast's Rebecca Cooney and Chris Curtis, The Guardian's Michael Savage, Deadline's Jake Kanter, the Press Gazette's Charlotte Tobitt, Ankler's Manori Ravindran, plus writers Tara Conlan, Scott Bryan, Jane Martinson, Jim Waterson and Boyd Hilton. Our industry practitioners have included Expectation's Peter Fincham, Gold Wala's Faraz Osman, Multitude's Will Wood, Nest's Derek Drennan, BBC Radio 3's Sam Jackson, Persephonica's Dino Sofos, City AM's Christian May, ITN's Lisa Campbell and Daily Mail's Jamie East.Find out more at https://www.themediaclub.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.