The Media Club · 13 February 2026 · 40 min
Is The World Service In Crisis?
- BBC World Service Funding
- Washington Post Crisis
- Streaming Bundles
- BBC Licence Fee Future
- Diversity in Media
- Independent Journalism
- Podcast Industry
- Today Programme Editor Resignation
In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by Paul Robinson, former CEO of the Radio Academy, and Priscilla Igwe, founder of The New Black Film Collective. The main discussion centres on the BBC World Service funding crisis, with outgoing DG Tim Davie warning that funding runs out in seven weeks. Paul Robinson provides context on the funding split and the importance of the World Service as a global asset. The show also covers the abrupt exit of Will Lewis from the Washington Post, the new Disney-Sky streaming bundle, the resignation of the Today programme editor, and the upcoming HBO Max UK launch. The episode includes a quiz segment on dating shows and discussions on independent journalism, diversity in media, and the future of the BBC.
Key takeaways
- Tim Davie warns the BBC World Service has seven weeks of funding left, with 25% of its budget at risk.
- Will Lewis resigns as Washington Post CEO after laying off over 300 journalists.
- Disney and Sky strike a deal to bundle streaming services at £24 per month.
- Owenna Griffiths resigns as editor of the Today programme.
- HBO Max announces its UK launch date of 26 March.
In this episode
- Introduction and guest introductions
- World Service funding discussion
- Washington Post crisis
- Disney-Sky deal
- Today programme editor resignation
- News round-up
- BBC Studios and Zai Bennett interview
- New Black Film Collective and diversity in media
- Audio Network Media Quiz
- Closing and plugs
Notable quotes
“I think this is Tim wanting to leave a tidy house, you know, and get things sorted out.”
“I've worked for a few very, very rich people. And I can probably say, using a nice word, they're all bonkers.”
“If he's finding things like Milalia, the documentary. Have you seen it? Have you been there? No, I ran away. I ran for the hills.”
“We're lazy. Come on, just give me one button, one place to go. Don't make me look for things.”
“I'm not sure whether BBC's got any more shows to reboot. There's always something in the comments.”
“So woke has become a dirty word. We need to reclaim woke. Let's be good. Let it be a good thing to be woke.”
Discussed
BBC · Washington Post · Sky · Disney
Mentioned or recommended
- Inside the Manosphere
- Up to Speed
- The Rest is History
- Wuthering Heights
- Never Let Me Go
- The Great Gatsby
- Frankenstein
- 1984
- Devil Wears Prada 2
- Gladiators
- Doctor Who
- Bridgerton
- Luther
- Top Boy
- Gangs of London
- Lowrider
- Lady
- My Father's Shadow
- Moonlight
- Sinners
- Sentimental Value
- Hamlet
- Insecure
- Awkward Black Girl
- Black on Black
- East and Eye
- The Voice
- TMB Expo
