Does News Need More Personality?

Enter the Metrics: What Counts As A ‘Play’ These Days?

When is a play, not a play? Or a download not a download? As Spotify updates its analytics, we take a look at how YouTube, Apple and others define what we monetise. Elsewhere, the BBC outlines where the axe will fall. Broadcast consultant Paul Robinson, a veteran of both the BBC and this podcast, tells us more. Also on the podcast: who’s training the next generation of content makers? Prince Taylor, Executive Producer of Latent Pictures, on whether high-end TV training is actually in good shape. All that plus: the Government bans social media for the under-sixteens - is this the moment kids’ platforms have been waiting for? And, in The Audio Network Media Quiz, three more media stories where reality is up for grabs. 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 We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at 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: BBC to cancel shows and review channels as it cuts content spend [https://deadline.com/2026/06/bbc-cancel-shows-review-tv-networks-content-cuts-1236958166/] UK social media ban raises digital advertising questions [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jun/17/uk-social-media-ban-digital-advertising-snapchat-instagram-youtube] Spotify redefines a ‘play’ [https://podnews.net/update/spotify-amp-play] BBC launches 3D World Cup experience [https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/39397125/bbc-immersive-3d-world-cup-app-fan-experience/] BBC made second Ashley Cain series despite alleged misconduct [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jun/18/bbc-made-second-ashley-cain-tv-series-despite-alleged-misconduct] Tech platforms overtake news outlets as global news source [https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/digital-journalism/news-publishing-trends-for-2026/] Sara Cox sets BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show date [https://radiotoday.co.uk/2026/06/sara-cox-sets-bbc-radio-2-breakfast-show-date/] Roger Cook, investigative reporter, dies aged 83 [https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/tv/trailblazing-investigative-reporter-roger-cook-dies/ar-AA25FQUO] Rivals renewed for Season 3 [https://deadline.com/2026/06/rivals-season-3-disney-plus-hulu-david-tennant-danny-dyer-1236957194/] The Traitors stage show to have 5 different plots [https://www.radiotimes.com/going-out/the-traitors-stage-show-new-format-newsupdate/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Doctor Will Not See You Now

The BBC puts Doctor Who out to tender - no Christmas special, no Russell T Davies, no Bad Wolf. Broadcast’s Insight Editor Rebecca Cooney on what’s really been going on behind the TARDIS doors. Also on the show: how do you explain the world to an eight-year-old? Vanessa Harriss, editor of The Week Junior, on the healthy business of children’s media - and why kids still want it in print. All that plus: ITV, Channel 4 and Sky tell the BBC to stop paddling up Schitt’s Creek... Rhodri Talfan Davies lands the deputy DG job... and, in The Audio Network Media Quiz, everybody’s moving house. The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Ben selected the music to for this episode and he and the team can do it for you too at audionetwork.com We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at 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: BBC puts Doctor Who out to tender; Christmas special scrapped [https://www.instagram.com/p/DZZqSzANqIK/] ITV, C4 and Sky call for BBC to cut back on international acquisitions [https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcasters/itv-c4-and-sky-call-for-bbc-to-cut-back-on-international-acquisitions/5217409.article] Rhodri Talfan Davies named BBC Deputy Director-General [https://radiotoday.co.uk/2026/06/rhodri-talfan-davies-gets-deputy-dg-role-at-the-bbc/] Goalhanger tops Sunday Times fastest-growing companies list [https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-100-fast-growth/company-feature/article/uk-2026-goalhanger-gary-lineker-ggf7d0qk8] Tony Livesey to step back from BBC radio show [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2026/jun/09/tony-livesey-step-back-bbc-radio-show] Mehdi Hasan launches Zeteo in the UK [https://pressgazette.co.uk/news/mehdi-hasan-zeteo-paid-subscribers-uk-launch/] Only Murders in the Building moves to London for series six [https://deadline.com/2026/06/only-murders-building-cast-simone-ashley-sharon-horgan-1236952487/] Karl Warner to relocate to LA for BBC Studios global creator role [https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/tv/bbc-studios-sends-karl-warner-to-la-for-global-formats-role/ar-AA24TkP2] Miss Me? leaves the BBC to go commercial [https://deadline.com/2026/06/jordan-stephens-lily-allen-miquita-oliver-miss-me-bbc-1236952502/] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

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.