The Media Club · 2 June 2023 · 45 min

C4 payouts, paycuts and potential acquisitions

With Maggie Brown, Ann Charles

Listen at themediaclub.com →AppleSpotify

• Channel 4 Executive Payouts
• Philip Schofield and This Morning Controversy
• BBC Acting Chair Appointment
• All3Media Sale
• Audio Industry Acquisitions
• Gender Pay Gap in Audio
• BBC Local Radio Reorganisation
• GB News Coverage of This Morning

In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by media writer Maggie Brown and audio consultant Ann Charles to discuss the week's media news. Topics include Channel 4 executives receiving a £15 million payout for fending off privatisation, the controversy surrounding Philip Schofield's departure from This Morning, the potential sale of All3Media, the acquisition of audio production company Listen by PodX, and the appointment of Elan Closs Stephens as acting chair of the BBC. The episode also features a media quiz segment and analysis of industry trends such as the gender pay gap in audio production.

Key takeaways

• Channel 4 executives are in line for a £15 million payout, with CEO Alex Mahon potentially receiving £1.4 million, despite ongoing cost-cutting.
• Elan Closs Stephens has been appointed acting chair of the BBC, with Maggie Brown expressing optimism about her public service broadcasting stance.
• All3Media, producer of The Traitors and Fleabag, is up for sale, with speculation about potential buyers including Channel 4.
• Audio production company Listen has been acquired by European outfit PodX, signalling continued investment in the audio sector.
• A UCAN survey reveals persistent gender and ethnicity pay gaps in the audio industry, with women and people of colour earning less on average.

In this episode

• Intro and News Roundup0:00 · Matt introduces the show and covers quick news items including Succession finale, Evening Standard editor, and Drop the Dead Donkey stage play.
• BBC Acting Chair Discussion2:00 · Maggie Brown discusses Elan Closs Stephens and the BBC's future.
• Channel 4 Payouts and Pay Cuts5:00 · Discussion on Channel 4 executive bonuses and BECTU's reaction.
• GB News and This Morning Controversy10:00 · Analysis of Eamonn Holmes' GB News interview and the Philip Schofield saga.
• All3Media Sale Speculation15:00 · Discussion on the potential sale of All3Media and Channel 4's possible interest.
• Audio Industry News20:00 · Listen acquisition by PodX and UCAN pay survey results.
• Media Quiz: Backed, Left or Axed25:00 · Quiz segment with questions on Sarah Ferguson, Jeff Stelling, and Jack Nicholls.
• Outro30:00 · Wrap-up and plugs for the show and London Podcast Studios.

Notable quotes

“I don't begrudge her any of that money.”

Maggie Brown · 0:00

“I think this story is completely overblown to me.”

Maggie Brown · 0:00

“I actually think he's a man who's having a late middle-aged crisis.”

Maggie Brown · 0:00

Discussed

Channel 4 · BBC · ITV · All3Media

Also mentioned: Alex Mahon · Philip Schofield · Elan Closs Stephens · Eamonn Holmes · Holly Willoughby · Kevin Lygo · Richard Sharp · Lucy Frazer · Michael Grade · Jeff Stelling · Jack Nicholls · Sarah Ferguson · David Abraham · Julian Bellamy · Caroline McCall · Martin Frizell · Andy Hamilton · Guy Jenkin · Dylan Jones · Daniel Ek · Elton John · GB News · Listen · PodX

Mentioned or recommended

• This Morning · tv show · ITV
• The Traitors · tv show · All3Media
• Fleabag · tv show · Phoebe Waller-Bridge
• Succession · tv show · Jesse Armstrong
• Drop the Dead Donkey · tv show · Andy Hamilton and Guy Jenkin
• Titting About · tv show · Listen
• A License to Be Different · book · Maggie Brown
• Channel 4: From Big Brother to the Great British Bake Off · book · Maggie Brown
• Soccer Saturday · tv show · Sky Sports
• Dancing on Ice · tv show · ITV
• Big Brother · tv show · Endemol
• ITVX · product · ITV