The Media Club · 27 June 2025 · 44 min

Beyond Google Search: Finding Today's Consumers

With Carly Steven, Caroline Frost

Listen at themediaclub.com →AppleSpotify

• Google Regulation
• Vertical Dramas
• BBC Gaza Coverage
• Washington Post Right to Reply
• Mobile vs TV
• ITV Daytime Changes
• AI in Media
• SEO Evolution

In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by Carly Steven, Director of SEO and Editorial E-commerce at Mail Online, and Caroline Frost, Radio Times TV Editor and podcast host. The discussion covers the UK Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) plans to regulate Google's search algorithm, the rise of vertical dramas as a new content format, and internal discontent at the BBC over Gaza coverage. The panel also explores the Washington Post's new 'From The Source' right-to-reply feature, ITV's daytime schedule changes, and the growing dominance of mobile phones over TV. The episode includes the Audio Network Media Quiz, where Carly wins by identifying a new app for journalists.

Key takeaways

• The CMA has designated Google as having strategic market status, enabling stricter regulation.
• Vertical dramas are a growing genre, with UK film crews picking up work in this format.
• BBC staff expressed discontent over Gaza coverage at an internal meeting with Tim Davie and Deborah Turness.
• The Washington Post is rolling out a right-to-reply feature called 'From The Source'.
• UK adults now spend more time on phones than watching TV, according to IPA data.

In this episode

• Intro and Plus Ones0:00 · Host Matt Deegan introduces guests Carly Steven and Caroline Frost, who each add a plus one to the membership list.
• CMA and Google Regulation0:00 · Discussion on the CMA's plans to regulate Google's algorithm and the impact on publishers.
• Vertical Dramas0:00 · The panel discusses the rise of vertical dramas and their potential impact on the TV industry.
• BBC Gaza Coverage0:00 · Internal BBC meeting over Gaza coverage and the decision to shelve a documentary.
• Washington Post Right to Reply0:00 · The Washington Post's new 'From The Source' feature and its implications.
• ITV Daytime Changes0:00 · ITV's move from White City to the Hospital Club and the impact on daytime programming.
• SEO Evolution0:00 · Carly Steven discusses the evolution of SEO and the challenges of Google's algorithm changes.
• Audio Network Media Quiz0:00 · The quiz segment with questions about record-breaking media stories.
• Outro0:00 · Wrap-up and where to find the guests online.

Notable quotes

“It's not really a choice. We all, to some degree, some more than others, rely on Google for reaching our audiences.”

Carly Steven · 0:00

“I mean, it wasn't Pride and Prejudice as I recognised it. The story seemed to have some elements. It was very Bridgeton sort of version.”

Caroline Frost · 0:00

“Phones rule. Phones do rule.”

Caroline Frost · 0:00

“I think it's a great idea. I love that. I think it's something that we're all trying to do.”

Carly Steven · 0:00

“Elon Musk must be furious.”

Caroline Frost · 0:00

Discussed

Google · BBC · Mail Online · Washington Post · CMA

Also mentioned: Fiona Krak · Stephen Sackur · Tim Davie · Deborah Turness · Adam Fleming · Sophia Smith Galer · Gertrude Donisthorpe · Peter Hitchens · Elon Musk · Mark Thompson · Jamie East · ITV · Times Radio · Politics Joe · Telegraph · CNN · New York Times · Guardian · Reddit · ChatGPT · TikTok · Facebook · IPA

Mentioned or recommended

• Hard Talk · tv show · BBC
• Gaza Doctors Under Attack · tv show · BBC
• Pride and Prejudice · book · Jane Austen
• British Broadcasting Century · podcast
• Sofiana · product · Sophia Smith Galer