The Media Club with Matt Deegan

Spotify’s Changes And What They Mean For You

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 [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 A Rethink Audio [http://rethinkaudio.com] production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery [http://podcastdiscovery.com]. What The Media Club has been reading this week: Global Buys Gary Nevile's Podcast Network The Overlap [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jan/06/global-majority-stake-gary-neville-youtube-the-overlap] Spotify launches video podcast API for rival publishers [https://newsroom.spotify.com/2026-01-07/spotify-partner-program-updates/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz--rFhZKyWt9ey4AOcJiVkUjrxoci0SdKsA2ZQ_ILi-SiH8EoIWkLamHbVFhq39t3i9CjQ0_eoFq5S8XWo5dkQy-DcAa4m5t5Pxjo-BMVB19k06dOD4&_hsmi=397307572] The podcast app stripping ads from your content [https://podnews.net/article/podcastadblock-strips-ads-and-sells-shows?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8n-75fkyFtxt_RVL59AcKJAxnidWR7J-RtcidrkWFXbs90h4qMcurDjPrwe7BCSpQiFLs-B8Ci0cV4jO3CjvFyD0LLMg&_hsmi=396966043] World Service negotiations [https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc/bbc-news-top-brass-to-discuss-world-service-funding-with-ministers/5212440.article]  Martin Clunes IS Huw Edwards  [https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/37841818/martin-clunes-huw-edwards-new-tv-drama/] Virgin Radio schedule changes [https://radiotoday.co.uk/2026/01/changes-at-virgin-radio-as-huey-morgan-and-geoff-lloyd-join/] Most Watched & Streamed Shows Of 2025 [https://deadline.com/2026/01/2025-most-watched-celebrity-traitors-kpop-demon-hunters-1236663712/] BBC Sounds Top Shows of 2025 [https://deadline.com/2025/12/us-politics-americast-bbc-sherlock-holmes-podcast-charts-1236656420/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

$10bn And Counting

Is there any merit to Donald Trump’s case against the BBC? And can the corporation get it dismissed before the legal costs rack up? Charlotte Tobitt, UK Editor at Press Gazette tells us the latest. Also on the show: the Oscars head to YouTube. What does the multi-year deal mean for broadcast television? Journalist and all-round digital media maven Alex Hudson makes sense of it for us. All that plus: DMG counts its pennies ahead of the Telegraph sale, the Government debates the BBC’s future... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we’re playing Schedule This.  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 [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 A Rethink Audio [http://rethinkaudio.com] production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery [http://podcastdiscovery.com]. What The Media Club has been reading this week: We're Up To $10bn...  [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/dec/16/bbc-donald-trump-lawsuit-should-be-dismissed] Oscars Heading To YouTube [https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/oscars/the-oscars-moving-to-youtube-beginning-in-2029-will-stream-free-worldwide/ar-AA1SxrVG] Govt Launches BBC Green Paper [https://www.televisual.com/news/government-launches-bbc-charter-review/] Audio industry celebrates a seat on Creative Industries Council [https://radiotoday.co.uk/2025/12/podcasting-secures-seat-on-creative-industries-council/] Telegraph money secured [https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/nationals/dmgt-determined-to-proceed-at-pace-in-telegraph-deal/] Sky Q "unplugged [https://share.google/BbI2Fp5Ge258IlZ2d] WBD rejects Paramount Skydance’s ‘illusory’ offer [https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcast-international/wbd-rejects-paramount-skydances-illusory-offer/5212149.article] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Netflix Digs Deep For Warner As Paramount Fights Back

It’s the biggest media deal for a decade - or maybe not, if Paramount gets their way. How does this affect consumers, cinema goers... and all of us, really? Faraz Osman, MD at indie Gold Wala joins me to discuss a seismic week in the media. Also on the show: how do you make a documentary about the enigma that is Nick Cave? Filmmaker Mike Christie joins us to discuss his new documentary... and how Red Bull’s jump from space changed branded content forever. All that plus: Disney invests in OpenAI, Eurovision implodes... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we bring you up to date in the media transfer window.  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 [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 A Rethink Audio [http://rethinkaudio.com] production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery [http://podcastdiscovery.com]. What The Media Club has been reading this week: Netflix Buys Warner Bros [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx25039ddlro] Paramount's hostile bid [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/08/paramount-skydance-hostile-bid-wbd-netflix.html] A History Of Warner Deals [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/dec/06/warner-bros-discovery-netflix-deal] Golden Globes Inaugural Podcast Nominees Announced [https://podnews.net/update/golden-globes-noms-26] Steve Ackerman To Leave Sony Podcasts [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7401968524157472769/] Emile Nawagamuwa Christmas Campaign [https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7401188702368206848/] Mike’s Documentary: Nick Cave’s Veiled World [https://www.sky.com/watch/programme/a27e43c4-38b4-4696-8032-92ae8c5addf1] Gogglebox Goes To Hollywood [https://deadline.com/2025/12/celebrity-gogglebox-kieran-culkin-josh-hartnett-1236644358/] Nigel Warner to replace John McVay at PACT [https://deadline.com/2025/12/nigel-warner-pact-ceo-john-mcvay-motion-picture-association-1236643255/] Channel 4's New Chair [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/dec/10/channel-4-poaches-new-chief-executive-priya-dogra-from-sky] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Friends Leaves Netflix, Just As Streamers Embrace ‘Windowing’

Is HBO Max doing the right thing pulling the sitcom everywhere but their own service? Or are consumers getting tired of chasing their favourite shows behind paywalls? We look at the return of ‘windowing’ and what’s driving the trend. Also on the show: agency giant Omnicom acquired Interpublic recently. Does that solve all its problems? Brand consultant and writer Omar Oakes thinks maybe not.  All that plus: why the next Director General may not come from the ranks - media veteran Maggie Brown tells us more; Acast offers podcasters a better deal with YouTube... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we revive the Christmas Tapes of old.  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 [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 A Rethink Audio [http://rethinkaudio.com] production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery [http://podcastdiscovery.com]. What The Media Club has been reading this week: 'Windowing in back, big time' [https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/other/what-the-baywatch-and-dance-moms-reboots-have-to-do-with-windowing-being-back-big-time/ar-AA1RCRxF] Netflix Commission Goalhanger's Rest Is Football for World Cup [https://deadline.com/2025/12/netflix-gary-lineker-the-rest-is-football-fifa-world-cup-1236634235/] Omnicom acquires Interpublic [https://uk.themedialeader.com/omnicom-be-careful-what-you-wish-for/]  Acast announces tie-up for enhanced YouTube offering [https://podnews.net/press-release/acast-youtube-little-dot] Content London Gossip [https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/tv/bbc-studios-productions-ceo-touts-ghosts-dancing-with-the-stars-tiktok-youtube-success/ar-AA1RyOt6] YouTube growth down to older viewers [https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2025/12/01/older-viewers-drive-influencer-boom-as-tiktok-and-youtube-go-mainstream/] Why the Next DG Will Come From Outside [https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc/analysis-why-the-next-dg-looks-certain-to-come-from-beyond-the-bbc/5211502.article] Fire At Radio Scotland [https://radiotoday.co.uk/2025/12/bbc-radio-scotland-breakfast-taken-off-air-after-fire/] BBC Plans Remote Commentary For Some World Cup Matches [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/03/bbc-criticised-for-plan-to-cover-some-world-cup-2026-games-remotely] New In Our Time Host Announced [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/dec/03/misha-glenny-bbc-radio-4-in-our-time-melvyn-bragg] Jungle show swearing faux pas [https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/2140275/itv-im-celeb-chaos-host] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Another Telegraph Sale Twist - And Are There Too Many Studios?

The Mail agrees to buy the Telegraph: but where’s the money coming from? And will the Government wave it through? Private Eye’s Adam MacQueen, writer on the magazine’s Street Of Shame, laments another twist in the Telegraph saga. Also on the show: the budget offered no new tax credits for the film and TV industry... but at least there’s another big studio being built. Cara Kotschy, co-founder of post production house Residence Pictures, explains what all these studio projects mean for the sector.  All that plus: Michael Prescott faces MPs, as do various BBC execs, a lost Blackadder script goes on sale... and, in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we connect three more underreported stories from the week. 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 [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 A Rethink Audio [http://rethinkaudio.com] production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery [http://podcastdiscovery.com]. What The Media Club has been reading this week: Mail agrees to buy the Telegraph [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2eg1w0n81o] BBC at CMS Select Committee [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tim-davie-bbc-michael-prescott-samir-shah-robbie-gibb-b2871438.html] Deadline on the lack of tax credits in the budget [https://deadline.com/2025/11/uk-budget-tax-credits-film-tv-rachel-reeves-1236629485/]  Bid For The Blackadder Chrismas Special That Never Was [https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/blackadderchristmas] Marlow Film Studios approved [https://deadline.com/2025/11/marlow-film-studios-government-permission-james-cameron-1236629470/] Trump Secures Rush Hour 4 [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/25/rush-hour-4-paramount-trump] Dale Vince's Newspaper [https://pressgazette.co.uk/news/dale-vince-launches-green-media-brand-babelfish/] Stranger Things Gets The Pop Up Radio Treatment [https://radiotoday.co.uk/2025/11/global-launches-wsqk-the-squawk-for-stranger-things-fans/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.