• Personality-led journalism
• Future of TV news
• ITN leadership change
• Australian media legal battle
• AI in journalism
• Strictly Come Dancing hosting
• Podcast industry growth
• News media bargaining code

In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by Dino Sofos, founder of Persephonica, and Heather Fallon, senior reporter at Broadcast Magazine, to discuss whether news needs more personality. Sofos argues that traditional TV news is fighting a losing battle and that personality-led journalism and podcasts are the future, while Fallon highlights the importance of community and the regulatory constraints on TV news. The episode also covers the sudden resignation of ITN CEO Rachel Corp and her replacement by Ian Rumsey, the Strictly Come Dancing hosting race, and a segment on Australian media with Tim Burrowes, focusing on the legal battle between Kyle and Jackie O and ARN Media. The show includes a quiz segment and various news briefs.

Key takeaways

• Dino Sofos argues TV news is losing to personality-led journalism and podcasts.
• ITN CEO Rachel Corp stepped down suddenly, replaced by Ian Rumsey.
• Kyle and Jackie O are suing ARN Media over contract disputes.
• BBC Radio 4 Longwave will switch off on 27 June.
• Netflix spent $135 billion on content over the last decade.

In this episode

• Intro and guest introductions0:00 · Matt introduces Dino Sofos and Heather Fallon.
• Main discussion: Does news need more personality?5:00 · Panel discusses personality-led journalism and the future of TV news.
• ITN leadership change15:00 · Heather Fallon reports on Rachel Corp's resignation and Ian Rumsey's appointment.
• AI in journalism20:00 · Discussion on AI-generated journalists and content.
• Strictly Come Dancing hosting25:00 · Zoe Ball's disappointment and rumours about the new host.
• Australian media with Tim Burrowes30:00 · Kyle and Jackie O legal battle, James Murdoch and Vox Media, news bargaining code.
• Media quiz: Comfy Crime45:00 · Quiz segment with three media stories hidden in detective fiction.

Notable quotes

“I think we're fighting a losing battle trying to save TV news, to be honest.”

Dino Sofos · 7:16

“I think the BBC have made the wrong call. I think Zoe would have been absolutely brilliant for Strictly.”

Dino Sofos · 23:24

“I found this story so depressing because I think, you know, there's all the whole like, oh, is AI going to steal your job?”

Heather Fallon · 0:00

Discussed

Rachel Corp · Ian Rumsey · Kyle Sandilands · Jackie Henderson · BBC · ITN · Persephonica · ARN Media

Also mentioned: Patrick Carter · Deborah Turness · Zoe Ball · James Murdoch · Richard Osman · Emma Willis · Johannes Radebe · Kathy Newman · Ed Balls · George Osborne · Jim Waterson · Alice Levine · Greg James · Christian O'Connell · Stephen Hendry · Paddy McGuinness · Broadcast Magazine · Sky News · ITV · Channel 4 · Netflix · Vox Media · Haymarket · Ofcom

Mentioned or recommended

• Newscast · tv show · BBC
• The News Agents · tv show · Persephonica
• Bad Chats · tv show · Persephonica
• Crosswires Festival · event
• Strictly Come Dancing · tv show · BBC
• Golden Elevators · tv show · Studio Lambert
• The Big Break · tv show · BBC
• SNL UK · tv show · Sky
• Political Currency · tv show · Persephonica
• Rest Is Politics · tv show · Goalhanger
• London Centric · publication · Jim Waterson
• Media Unmade · book · Tim Burrowes
• Mumbrella · publication