• Commercial Radio Growth
• BBC Radio Decline
• Online Listening Overtakes FM
• BBC Podcast Advertising
• Working Class Creatives
• Smart Speaker Listening
• Bauer Media Studios
• Media Quiz

In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan and guests Paul Robinson (broadcast consultant) and Paul Sylvester (content director at Absolute Radio) discuss the latest RAJAR listening figures, which show commercial radio at a record 54.2% share and online listening overtaking AM/FM for the first time. They analyse the reasons behind commercial radio's success, including targeting older audiences and smart speaker growth, and debate the BBC's declining reach. The conversation also covers publishers' opposition to BBC podcast advertising plans, a report on the lack of working-class creatives in media, and a tour of Bauer's new Euston studios. The episode includes a media quiz and discussions on Absolute Radio's mental health initiatives and premium subscription service.

Key takeaways

• Commercial radio reached a record 54.2% share in the latest RAJAR figures.
• Online listening has overtaken AM/FM for the first time.
• Publishers and commercial radio groups have written to the BBC opposing its podcast advertising plans.
• A Channel 4 News report found only one in 12 media creatives come from working-class backgrounds.
• Bauer Media has moved into new studios in Euston, bringing all its radio stations together.

In this episode

• News Round-up0:00 · Matt Deegan covers Jeff Zucker's comments on the Telegraph deal, BBC settlement with Diana's chauffeur, and the death of Gudrun Ure.
• Main Interview: RAJAR and Commercial Radio0:00 · Discussion with Paul Robinson and Paul Sylvester on the latest listening figures and commercial radio's success.
• BBC Podcast Advertising Debate0:00 · Analysis of publishers' letter opposing BBC podcast ads.
• Working Class Creatives Report0:00 · Discussion on the lack of working-class representation in media.
• Bauer Studios Deep Dive0:00 · Paul Sylvester talks about the new Bauer studios, mental health initiatives, and premium services.
• Media Quiz0:00 · Unexpected places quiz with Paul and Paul.

Notable quotes

“It's surprising to me at a time when journalism needs investment, capital, innovation and experience where that's what we're able to bring to the table.”

Jeff Zucker · 0:00

“I don't want Melvin Bragg to get any of my money.”

Matt Deegan · 0:00

“As the son of a Scunthorpe steel worker, I look at it and go, it isn't easy.”

Paul Sylvester · 0:00

“Have we not all suffered enough?”

Paul Sylvester · 0:00

Discussed

Bauer Media Group · Absolute Radio · BBC

Also mentioned: Ben Cooper · Jeff Zucker · Martin Bashir · Gudrun Ure · Ken Bruce · Dave Berry · Liz Hurley · Joe Lycett · Liz Truss · Lucy Letby · Ryan Reynolds · Rob McElhenney · Jason Manford · Alex Scott · Marvin Humes · Jordan North · Ronan Keating · Sam Thompson · Stephen Lambert · Nigel Farage · Melvyn Bragg · Global · RAJAR · Channel 4

Mentioned or recommended

• RAJAR survey · publication
• Welcome to Wrexham · tv show · Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney
• Clarkson's Farm · tv show · Jeremy Clarkson
• Sunderland Till I Die · tv show
• I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! · tv show
• The Traitors · tv show · Stephen Lambert
• Super Gran · tv show
• Steph's Packed Lunch · tv show
• Five Words Five Grand · other · Absolute Radio
• Absolute Radio Halloween · other · Absolute Radio
• Secret 60s · other · Ken Bruce
• The New Yorker article on Lucy Letby · publication · The New Yorker