The Media Club · 24 June 2022 · 32 min

Paramount+ launches, BBC's bias woes & KISS' ad-free radio experiment

With Maggie Brown, Susie Boniface, Rebecca Frank

Listen at themediaclub.com →AppleSpotify

• BBC Impartiality and Complaints
• Paramount+ Launch
• Google News 20th Anniversary
• Tech Platforms and Journalism
• Bill of Rights and Press Freedom
• Radio Subscription Services
• Radio in the Age of TikTok
• Media Quiz

In this episode of The Media Podcast, host Matt Deegan is joined by media commentator Maggie Brown and journalist Susie Boniface to discuss the week's media news. Topics include Ofcom's directive to the BBC to improve its complaints process and address impartiality concerns, the launch of Paramount+ in the UK, and Google News's 20th anniversary redesign. Susie shares insights on the tensions between tech platforms and journalism, and criticises the government's proposed Bill of Rights. Rebecca Frank, KISS FM's content director, discusses the station's new ad-free subscription service and strategies for engaging younger audiences in the age of TikTok. The episode also features a media quiz and updates on various media industry developments.

Key takeaways

• Ofcom has told the BBC to improve its complaints process and address impartiality concerns, with 39% of viewers believing the BBC is biased.
• Paramount+ launched in the UK with a partnership with Sky, but analysts question if it's too late to compete.
• Google News marked its 20th anniversary with a redesign and a relaunch in Spain.
• KISS FM launched an ad-free subscription service at £3.99 per month, including new stations and track skipping.
• The New European raised over £500,000 from 600 investors in two days through a funding round.

In this episode

• Intro and News Roundup0:00 · Matt introduces the show and covers top media news stories.
• Interview with Susie Boniface2:00 · Susie discusses her work on nuclear test veterans and media regulation.
• BBC Impartiality Discussion10:00 · Maggie and Susie discuss Ofcom's findings on BBC impartiality.
• Google News and Tech Platforms15:00 · Discussion on Google News 20th anniversary and tech-journalism tensions.
• Interview with Rebecca Frank20:00 · Rebecca Frank discusses KISS FM's subscription service and TikTok strategy.
• News in Brief and Media Quiz30:00 · Paramount+ launch discussion and media quiz.

Notable quotes

“Dominic Raab is as thick as custard and I don't listen to anything he has to say about anything.”

Susie Boniface · 0:00

“If this is in any way going to improve any single human being's circumstance on the planet, I will eat my bedroom door.”

Susie Boniface · 0:00

“The correct position of journalists is that of a doctor lamp post and if you are upsetting the government and power then you are doing it right”

Susie Boniface · 0:00

Discussed

BBC · Ofcom · Google · Paramount+ · KISS FM · Daily Mirror

Also mentioned: Boris Johnson · Dominic Raab · Chris Patten · Andrew Marr · Rachel Corp · Martin Bashir · Jim Waterson · Richard Wallace · Rupert Murdoch · Chris Mason · Rio Ferdinand · Jeff Bezos · Lionel Barber · Mark Thompson · Sky · TalkTV · The Guardian · The Times · The Washington Post · The New European · Bauer Media · Warner Music · ITV · ITN

Mentioned or recommended

• Paramount+ UK Launch · event
• Google News 20th Anniversary · event
• KISS Premium · product
• The Week in Westminster · tv show · BBC
• KISS Haunted House Party · event
• Channel 4 history book · book · Maggie Brown