The Media Club · 24 March 2023 · 46 min

BAFTA TV rundown, streaming slowdown & TikTok's troubles

With James Ball

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• TV BAFTA Nominations 2023
• Streaming Slowdown
• AI in Media
• TikTok Ban
• BBC Regional Production
• Writers Guild Strike

In this episode of The Media Club, hosts Matt Deegan, Scott Bryan, and Boyd Hilton discuss the 2023 TV BAFTA nominations, noting the success of shows like This Is Going to Hurt and The Responder, and the strong performance of Apple TV+. They also analyse reports of a streaming slowdown, with streamers like Netflix focusing on profitability and cutting back on content. The conversation covers the BBC's investment in Birmingham production, including a new Peaky Blinders movie studio, and the impact of AI on writing and journalism, with the Writers Guild of America considering strike action. In the deep dive, journalist James Ball discusses the TikTok shutdowns and the political and security concerns around the app. The episode ends with the media quiz and recommendations.

Key takeaways

• The 2023 TV BAFTA nominations saw This Is Going to Hurt and The Responder lead with six nominations each.
• Apple TV+ performed strongly with multiple nominations, while ITV received fewer scripted nominations.
• Streamers are slowing content spending, with Netflix focusing on profitability and cutting back on commissions.
• The BBC is investing in Birmingham production, including a new Peaky Blinders movie studio creating 700 jobs.
• James Ball discussed TikTok's security concerns and the political nature of the bans.

In this episode

• News round-up0:00 · Matt Deegan covers BBC red slate, College of Policing guidelines, and audio fund pilot.
• BAFTA TV nominations discussion5:00 · Scott and Boyd unpack the 2023 TV BAFTA nominations.
• Streaming slowdown analysis20:00 · Discussion on streamers cutting content spending and the impact on the industry.
• Deep dive: TikTok shutdown35:00 · James Ball explains the TikTok bans and security concerns.
• AI and the Writers Guild45:00 · Scott and Boyd discuss AI's impact on writing and the potential WGA strike.
• Media quiz55:00 · Quiz on media launches including Fremantle's documentary label, Guinness World Records TV channel, and Netflix games.

Notable quotes

“I'm absolutely on the picket line. In Hollywood.”

Boyd Hilton · 0:00

“Please, can you make it clear that Klaus Schwab does not murder children?”

James Ball · 0:00

“It's a red, white, and blue algorithm. It's fine.”

James Ball · 0:00

Discussed

BBC · Netflix · Apple TV+ · TikTok

Also mentioned: Ben Whishaw · Martin Freeman · Adam Kay · Alice Oseman · Richard Osman · Richard Coles · Steven Knight · Tim Davie · Mark Zuckerberg · Edward Snowden · Klaus Schwab · ITV · Channel 4 · Writers Guild of America · Fremantle · Guinness World Records · Bureau of Investigative Journalism · BuzzFeed · Disney · Warner Bros. Discovery · NBCUniversal · MoffettNathanson · London Podcast Studios · Patreon

Mentioned or recommended

• This Is Going to Hurt · tv show · Adam Kay
• The Responder · tv show · Tony Schumacher
• Bad Sisters · tv show · Sharon Horgan
• The Crown · tv show · Peter Morgan
• Slow Horses · tv show · Will Smith
• The English · tv show · Hugo Blick
• Heartstopper · tv show · Alice Oseman
• Peaky Blinders · tv show · Steven Knight
• The Other Pandemic: How QAnon Contaminated the World · book · James Ball
• Synthetic Stories · other
• Too Hot to Handle · tv show
• Great Expectations · tv show · Steven Knight
• Saturday Live · tv show
• Mrs America · tv show · Dahvi Waller
• Kim's Video · film
• All or Nothing: Arsenal · tv show
• Paula Yates documentary · tv show
• Boris Becker documentaries · tv show
• GWR Gone Viral · tv show