The Media Club · 9 February 2024 · 41 min

Launches Galore: BBC Stations, Freely and Sports Agents

With Karin Robinson, Anne Charles

Listen at themediaclub.com →AppleSpotify

• BBC Radio Stations
• Freely TV Service
• US Sports Streaming Joint Venture
• Podcast Networks
• Spotify Financials
• Media Quiz

In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by Karin Robinson, Senior Director of Strategy at Edelman UK, and Anne Charles, head of Radio TechCon, to discuss a raft of new BBC radio stations, the launch of Freely (a free streaming service from UK broadcasters), and a new US sports streaming joint venture. The panel also covers Global's new sports podcast 'The Sports Agents', Elizabeth Day's new podcast network, and Spotify's Q4 results. They test their knowledge in a media quiz and share their perspectives on the strategic implications of these launches.

Key takeaways

• The BBC announced a slate of new radio stations, including spin-offs of Radio 1, Radio 2, and Radio 3, to launch later this year.
• Freely, a free streaming service from UK broadcasters, was unveiled and is set to launch in the summer.
• Warner Bros. Discovery, ESPN, and Fox Sports announced a joint sports streaming service for the US.
• Global launched 'The Sports Agents' podcast with Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman.
• Elizabeth Day announced a new podcast network focused on diversity.
• Spotify reported a £64 million operating loss for Q4, partly due to investment in audiobooks.

In this episode

• Intro and Listener Survey0:00 · Matt introduces the show and mentions the listener survey.
• News Round-up0:30 · Matt reads headlines including Audio UK manifesto, RTÉ losses, and Alan Partridge return.
• Guest Introductions1:30 · Matt introduces Karin Robinson and Anne Charles.
• BBC Radio Stations Discussion5:00 · Panel discusses the BBC's new radio stations and commercial reaction.
• Freely Discussion15:00 · Panel discusses the new Freely TV service.
• US Sports Streaming Joint Venture20:00 · Panel discusses the Warner Bros. Discovery, ESPN, and Fox Sports joint venture.
• The Sports Agents and Elizabeth Day25:00 · Panel discusses Global's new sports podcast and Elizabeth Day's network.
• Spotify Q4 Results30:00 · Panel discusses Spotify's financial results and audiobook strategy.
• Media Quiz35:00 · Panel plays the media quiz on head-to-head interviews.
• Outro and Sponsor40:00 · Matt wraps up and mentions the London Podcast Studios discount.

Notable quotes

“Let's call it a lover's tiff. We've been together a long time and these things happen. I think it was a little bit unfortunate, but we're all fine now.”

Gary Lineker · 0:00

Discussed

BBC · Global · Spotify · Freely

Also mentioned: Tim Davie · Gary Lineker · Piers Morgan · Rishi Sunak · Tucker Carlson · Vladimir Putin · Elon Musk · Gabby Logan · Mark Chapman · Elizabeth Day · Joe Rogan · Daniel Ek · Warner Bros. Discovery · ESPN · Fox Sports · Goalhanger · Sony · Edelman UK · Radio TechCon · London Podcast Studios · Acast

Mentioned or recommended

• The Sports Agents · podcast · Global
• How to Fail · podcast · Elizabeth Day
• The Rest Is Politics · podcast · Goalhanger
• The Rest Is History · podcast · Goalhanger
• The Rest Is Entertainment · podcast · Goalhanger
• Toy Show the Musical · other · RTÉ
• And Did Those Feats with Alan Partridge · tv show
• The Media Quiz · other