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

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.

YouTube’s Audio Ads, Channel 4's Big Shake-Up

YouTube is officially an audio platform. Karin Robinson, Senior Director of Strategy at Edelman, on whether we all need to open our eyes. Also on the show: as the Warner Brothers deal is signed off by the shareholders... STV Studios CEO David Mortimer on mergers, acquisitions and more in the TV sector.  All that plus: Channel 4 launches a root-and-branch review... and there’s The Audio Network Media Quiz, where we test our guests’ grasp of the week’s news... by dropping some big names. The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Ben selects the music to score each episode 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: YouTube and SiriusXM partner on audio advertising [https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/youtube-siriusxm-audio-advertising-us-exclusive-1236727709/] Sounds Profitable Audio Primes 2026 report [https://soundsprofitable.com/article/eyes-are-optional/?_bhlid=ad5d68c62d89596cd117bf16c387f0bc5a8d2f7e] Channel 4 launches strategic review under Priya Dogra [https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/channel-4/priya-dogra-launches-comprehensive-review-of-channel-4/5215880.article] Channel 4: runners and riders to replace Ian Katz [https://deadline.com/2026/04/channel-4-ian-katz-runners-and-riders-1236864194/] Sky News launches paywalled content [https://pressgazette.co.uk/paywalls/sky-news-to-launch-subscription-based-defence-app/] Standard website now run by Independent [https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/regional-newspapers/standard-website-transfers-to-independent-with-around-30-staff-leaving/] Onion to lease Infowars [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/20/the-onion-alex-jones-infowars] BBC Buys In Traitors India [https://deadline.com/2026/04/bbc-stream-the-traitors-india-1236867874/] Richard Bacon Interviews More Successful People [https://deadline.com/2026/04/richard-bacon-why-are-you-more-successful-than-me-podcast-1236866955/] Journalist On The Hook For £14k After Investigation [https://pressgazette.co.uk/media_law/judges-body-hits-journalist-with-14k-costs-bill-for-pursuing-foi-request/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

8 Out Of 10, Katz?

Ian Katz leaves Channel 4, and the BBC has announced up to 2,000 job cuts. Broadcast Magazine's Rebecca Cooney on a big week in TV. Also on the show: it’s a rare podcast to TV journey - except that the podcast was never finished. TV director Simon Draper joins us to talk about his new documentary, and what it says about the jobs crisis still facing the TV industry. All that plus: Gary Neville buys 'those bloody YouTubers'... Trump's libel campaign runs aground... and in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we rise above the politics. The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex selects the music for us each episode - and this week, her team's music features in Simon's documentary too. Find out more 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: Ian Katz leaves Channel 4 After 9 Years [https://deadline.com/2026/04/channel-4-chief-content-ian-katz-to-exit-1236862846/] BBC announces latest round of cuts [https://deadline.com/2026/04/bbc-staff-cuts-meeting-1236859998/]  The BBC has launched it's first YouTube docs [https://newsletter.zand.land/p/the-case-for-a-public-service-fund] Gary Neville’s buys 'those bloody YouTubers [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/apr/14/gary-neville-the-overlap-mark-goldbridge-youtube-football]' Trump’s Libel cases fall apart [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/13/trump-lawsuit-wall-street-journal-murdoch-dismissed] Telegraph takeover cleared [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/apr/14/telegraph-takeover-cleared-lisa-nandy-axel-springer-ofcom] ASA rules on Lidl and Iceland junk food ads [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/15/lidl-iceland-ads-uk-junk-food-asa-instagram-daily-mail] SNL UK announces new guest hosts [https://deadline.com/2026/04/snl-uk-host-nicola-coughlan-aimee-lou-wood-bridgerton-1236859197/] Boris Johnson heading to Ukraine for 5 [https://deadline.com/2026/04/paramount-5-boris-johnson-into-kill-zone-ukraine-war-doc-1236858320/] Scott Mills' replacement to be a wildcard [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-15729941/Scott-Mills-BBC-Radio-2-replacement-axe.html] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Sky’s £16m SNL Bet

SNL UK launches on Sky One as news emerges over the cost of production. Can the show defy the early critics? And what is Sky seeking to get from its extended run, beyond a repost from President Trump? Huw Edwards attacks the Channel 5 drama about his downfall - but the show pulls 1.5 million viewers anyway. Alex Hudson joins us to ask whether any sympathy is owed.  Also: Matt Brittin becomes the BBC's 18th Director General - a Google man with no journalism experience. What does that mean for the corporation at the most critical moment in its history? And in Part Two, we sit down with Tom Price, Content Distribution Director at Roku, who's just launched five new ITV Studios FAST channels in the UK - and has thoughts on whether human curation is dead. All that plus: Edinburgh TV Festival picks its shortlist, Global Studios gets a new boss... and in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we visit the parallel universe where none of the news happened. 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 [https://www.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://www.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: SNL Budget a rumoured £2m/episode [https://variety.com/2026/tv/global/snl-uk-episode-budget-2-million-pounds-1236696510/] Huw Edwards' attacks Channel 4 drama [https://deadline.com/2026/03/huw-edwards-statement-martin-clunes-drama-1236762807/] Donald Trump Reposts SNL UK Cold Open [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cly6glydjl8o] Prince Harry case faces setback [https://pressgazette.co.uk/news/signature-on-crucial-prince-harry-privacy-case-statement-forged-says-private-eye/] Matt Brittin becomes new BBC DG  [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/mar/25/new-bbc-director-general-matt-brittin-former-google-executive-olympic-rower] TV Festival 2027 venue shortlist announced [https://mailchi.mp/thetvfestival.com/city-bids-shortlist?e=h4NSYVWy5g] Craig Hunter to head up Global Studios [https://deadline.com/2026/03/global-studios-hires-craig-hunter-md-the-news-agents-1236762788/] Ghosts Tops Adaptations Hitlist [https://deadline.com/2026/03/ghosts-top-selling-scripted-format-2025-doctor-foster-call-my-agent-1236765146/] Stephen Colbert to enter the Shires [https://deadline.com/2026/03/stephen-colbert-lord-of-the-rings-1236764923/] Mr Benn Movie [https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/mar/24/live-action-mr-benn-movie-bbc-series-i-swear-director-kirk-jones] Sora closed by OpenAI [https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/production-and-post/openai-closes-sora-ending-1bn-disney-deal/5215146.article] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.