The Media Club · 28 November 2025 · 51 min
Another Telegraph Sale Twist - And Are There Too Many Studios?
In this episode of The Media Club, hosts Matt Deegan, Cara Kotschy, and Adam MacQueen discuss the Mail's agreement to buy the Telegraph, questioning the source of funding and potential government approval. They also cover the lack of new tax credits for the film and TV industry in the recent budget, and the approval of the Marlow Film Studios project. The conversation includes analysis of the BBC's challenges, the rise of visual podcasts, and a quiz segment connecting media stories.
Key takeaways
- The Mail has agreed to buy the Telegraph for £500 million, but questions remain over funding and competition approval.
- The budget offered no new tax credits for film and TV, despite industry lobbying.
- Marlow Film Studios was approved, adding to a wave of new studio projects across the UK.
- BBC board members faced MPs, with discussions on governance and the role of the deputy director general.
- Private Eye's podcast has gone fully visual, and the magazine maintains strong print sales.
In this episode
- Intro and Guest Introductions
- Telegraph Sale Discussion
- Budget and Tax Credits
- BBC Governance
- Studio Expansion
- Visual Podcasts and Private Eye
- Media Quiz
Notable quotes
“Would you spend half a billion quid on the Telegraph? I don't spend $3.99 on the Telegraph.”
“It's like the old sporting analogy. I mean, when I used to play sport, the coach would say, just don't defend the whole time. Otherwise, you don't get to deliver your game plan.”
“I think inevitably we are going to see the end of a license fee.”
“I think it's horses for courses though, isn't it?”
Discussed
Daily Mail · The Telegraph · BBC · Private Eye · Residence Pictures
Mentioned or recommended
- Rush Hour 4
- Blackadder
- Stranger Things
- Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue
- Steve
- Babelfish
- Private Eye Annual
