The Media Club with Matt Deegan

Happy now? Google adds an AI Opt-Out

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 [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 [https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio] Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.com [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 [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/03/uk-media-groups-power-opt-out-google-ai-search-summaries] Netflix UK on Love Is Blind welfare and new commissioning priorities [https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcasters/syeda-irtizaali-reveals-fourth-netflix-commissioning-priority/5217345.article] Jon Petrie exits BBC Comedy for Hat Trick [https://deadline.com/2026/06/bbc-comedy-boss-jon-petrie-exiting-to-hat-trick-1236931819/] YouTube overtakes Netflix in average daily viewing around the world [https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jun/03/youtube-overtakes-netflix-in-average-daily-viewing-around-the-world] White House Correspondents' Dinner rescheduled [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/02/white-house-correspondents-dinner-rescheduled-trump] KSI leaves the Sidemen after 13 years [https://deadline.com/2026/06/ksi-leaving-the-sidemen-youtube-1236931786/] Lisa Nandy admits government got it wrong on AI copyright [https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/production-and-post/lisa-nandy-admits-government-got-it-wrong-on-ai-copyright/5217336.article] Bauer Media Audio UK named Campaign Top 5 Best Places to Work [https://radiotoday.co.uk/2026/06/bauers-team-spirit-earns-a-top-five-spot/] OpenAI confirms no ad revenue share with publishers [https://pressgazette.co.uk/platforms/openai-not-planning-to-share-advertising-revenue-with-publishers/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Pivot To Video: What Podcasts Can Learn From The Press

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 [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/ [https://radioexperts.co.uk/] Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.com [https://themediaclub.com] A Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Does News Need More Personality?

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 [https://audionetwork.com] We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio [https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio] Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.com [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: Broadcasters must react to threat from creator journalism - Deborah Turness [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/may/12/broadcasters-must-react-threat-creator-journalism-says-ex-head-bbc-news] Prolific finance journalists facing questions over identities [https://pressgazette.co.uk/news/prolific-finance-journalists-facing-questions-over-identities/] ITN CEO Rachel Corp steps down immediately [https://deadline.com/2026/05/itn-ian-rumsey-rachel-corp-ceo-surprise-1236899540/] Zoe Ball confirms she won't be hosting Strictly Come Dancing [https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/zoe-ball-strictly-come-dancing-host-rejection-newsupdate/] Ofcom to investigate GB News [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/may/11/ofcom-to-investigate-gb-news-over-second-airing-of-trump-interview] Osman takes The Golden Elevators [https://www.itv.com/presscentre/presscentre/media-releases/itv-commissions-golden-elevators-new-high-stakes-quiz-show-studio-lambert-and-talpa] Big Break returning to BBC daytime [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/12/snookering-you-again-big-break-to-return-with-stephen-hendry-on-trick-shot-duties] BBC confirms Radio 4 Long Wave switch-off date [https://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/work-warning/news/radio4lw] Netflix reveals $135bn content spend over past decade [https://www.televisual.com/news/netflix-reveals-its-135bn-content-spend/] BBC staff fear meagre pay rise after bosses forgo own increase [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/may/12/bbc-staff-fear-meagre-pay-rise-after-bosses-forgo-own-increase] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Richard Bacon: Formats Geek

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 [https://podfollow.com/1895025167]? 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 [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 [https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio] Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.com [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 [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/may/06/worlds-most-powerful-are-suing-media-outlets-before-stories-are-even-published-says-editor] Mill Media’s legal threat [https://www.birminghamdispatch.co.uk/exclusive-shabana-mahmoods-postal-ballot-was-investigated-in-a-2004-vote-rigging-scandal-in-birmingham/] BBC News hit hardest by new cuts [https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc/bbc-news-to-face-worst-cuts-at-corporation/5216248.article]  C4's head of sport moves to Whisper  [https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/production/channel-4-head-of-sport-to-exit-for-whisper-role/5216143.article] Letterman On Future Of Late Night [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/may/05/david-letterman-late-nights-colbert-finale] https://deadline.com/2026/05/dept-q-netflix-left-bank-training-programme-1236877887/ [https://deadline.com/2026/05/dept-q-netflix-left-bank-training-programme-1236877887/] Acast makes first profit evs [https://investors.acast.com/press-releases/q1-strong-profitable-growth] Name That Tune is BACK [https://deadline.com/2026/05/itv-reviving-name-that-tune-alison-hammond-1236877865/] The Epstein Files are BACK [https://deadline.com/2026/04/epstein-files-documentary-emily-maitlis-prince-andrew-1236876744/] Celebrity Traitors is BACK [https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2026/the-celebrity-traitors-series-2-contestants] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

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

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. 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. 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. 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 audionetwork.com [https://audionetwork.com] We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio [https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio] Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.com [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: Expectation and Plegazoid win BBC-NBCU format tender [https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2026/bbc-nbcuniversal-unscripted-format-development-successful-candidate] Sky News unveils premium video-first strategy [https://pressgazette.co.uk/press-gazette-events/why-sky-news-is-moving-beyond-commoditised-breaking-news/] The Ankler leaves Substack for new platform [https://theankler.com/the-anklers-next-chapter/] Patreon launches Quips and discovery network [https://www.patreon.com/posts/156303474] iHeartMedia and SiriusXM in merger talks [https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/iheartmedia-siriusxm-merger-talks-azoff-apollo-advising-1236730151/] Barclay Brothers settle with HSBC [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/29/barclay-brothers-hsbc-settlement-high-court] Sophie Jones named new RTS CEO [https://deadline.com/2026/04/royal-television-society-unveils-ceo-sophie-jones-1236873227/] Marvellous Miniature Workshop renewed for 20 episodes [https://deadline.com/2026/04/marvellous-miniature-workshop-renewed-season-2-bbc-sara-cox-1236875539/] Trump claims BBC used AI in Jan 6 edit [https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/donald-trump-falsely-claims-bbc-used-ai-to-doctor-his-capitol-riot-speech/ar-AA21OviY] Allison Pearson cleared to sue Essex Police [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crr1gl21n19o] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.