The Media Club · 24 November 2023 · 51 min

Freelancer Appeal, Top Gear “Rested” & TikTok Pranks

With Scott Bryan, Charlotte Tobitt, Marcus Ryder

Listen at themediaclub.com →AppleSpotify

• Film and TV Working Conditions
• Top Gear Rested by BBC
• Telegraph Sale
• BBC Global Strategy
• TikTok Pranks and Media Responsibility
• Cookie-Free Advertising

In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by Scott Bryan and Charlotte Tobitt to discuss the latest media news, including the BBC's decision to rest Top Gear following Freddie Flintoff's accident, the ongoing Telegraph sale saga, and the jailing of TikTok prankster Mizzy. The show also features an interview with Marcus Ryder, CEO of the Film and TV Charity, about the charity's Christmas appeal and the financial and mental health crisis facing freelancers in the industry. The episode concludes with a media quiz and light-hearted banter.

Key takeaways

• The BBC has decided to rest Top Gear following Freddie Flintoff's accident, with discussions about the show's future.
• Marcus Ryder of the Film and TV Charity highlighted a 150-200% increase in hardship grant applications, with 29% of industry workers reporting suicidal ideation.
• The Telegraph sale has been paused as a consortium including Jeff Zucker and Abu Dhabi investors bid to repay the debt.
• TikTok prankster Mizzy was jailed for 18 weeks for his stunts.
• The Guardian launched a cookie-free ad product called Guardian Light.

In this episode

• Intro and News Roundup0:00 · Matt introduces the show and covers top news stories including Sam Altman's reinstatement and ITV Palooza.
• Bake Off Chat2:00 · Scott and Charlotte discuss the latest series of The Great British Bake Off.
• Working Conditions in TV5:00 · Discussion on Bectu survey and safety concerns in the industry.
• Top Gear Rested10:00 · Analysis of BBC's decision to rest Top Gear and its implications.
• Interview with Marcus Ryder15:00 · Marcus Ryder discusses the Film and TV Charity's Christmas appeal and industry hardship.
• Telegraph Sale Update25:00 · Charlotte explains the latest developments in the Telegraph sale.
• Cookie-Free Advertising30:00 · Discussion on the Guardian's new ad product and cookie consent.
• TikTok Pranks35:00 · Discussion on Mizzy's jailing and media responsibility.
• Media Quiz40:00 · The hosts play a quiz guessing winners of the week.

Notable quotes

“their safety or that of a colleague has been compromised at work”

Scott Bryan · 0:00

“29% of people, of respondents to that survey working in film and television and cinema had suicidal ideation”

Marcus Ryder · 0:00

“11% committed acts of self-harm”

Marcus Ryder · 0:00

“the moment that happens, the BBC, as we know it, is over”

Scott Bryan · 0:00

“I'm not Christine Hamilton”

Scott Bryan · 0:00

Discussed

BBC · Film and TV Charity · Telegraph Media Group

Also mentioned: Freddie Flintoff · James May · Jeff Zucker · Sam Altman · Annabelle Giles · Christine Hamilton · Press Gazette · Redbird IMI · Guardian · OpenAI · ITV · Channel 4 · Bectu · Mark Milsom Foundation · Disney+ · Netflix · Amazon · GB News · Daily Mail · The Times · Financial Times · Ofcom · Competition and Markets Authority · ARN

Mentioned or recommended

• Top Gear · tv show · BBC
• Doctor Who · tv show · BBC
• The Great British Bake Off · tv show · Love Productions
• Derry Girls · tv show · Lisa McGee
• I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! · tv show · ITV Studios
• Clarkson's Farm · tv show · Amazon Studios
• The Grand Tour · tv show · Amazon Studios
• Have I Got News for You · tv show · Hat Trick Productions
• Just a Minute · tv show · BBC Radio 4
• The Media Quiz · other