The Media Club · 15 December 2023 · 40 min

Netflix Global Stats Unveiled, Zucker Eyes All3Media

With Faraz Osman, Brett Spencer

Listen at themediaclub.com →AppleSpotify

• Netflix Viewer Data
• All3Media Acquisition
• BBC Impartiality
• Mail Online Paywall
• Future Publishing Investment
• Media Industry 2023

In this Christmas episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by Faraz Osman and Brett Spencer to discuss the latest media news. Topics include Netflix's release of viewer data, Jeff Zucker's potential acquisition of All3Media, Samir Shah's comments on Gary Lineker's tweets, Mail Online's possible paywall, and Future Publishing's investment in editorial staff. The episode also features a media quiz based on Netflix viewing hours and ends with predictions for the new year.

Key takeaways

• Netflix released viewer data in hours viewed for the first time, revealing that lesser-known shows often outperform heavily promoted ones.
• Jeff Zucker's RedBird IMI is reportedly considering a £1 billion acquisition of All3Media, following his bid for The Daily Telegraph.
• Samir Shah, incoming BBC chair, commented on Gary Lineker's tweets, sparking debate about impartiality and social media guidelines.
• Mail Online is exploring a freemium paywall model, following the success of The Telegraph and The Times.
• Future Publishing is investing £25 million to hire 150 new editorial staff, focusing on reviews and US expansion.

In this episode

• Intro and News in Brief0:00 · Matt Deegan introduces the show and covers quick news items including ChatGPT's deal with Axel Springer, Nigel Farage's comments, and The One Show lift incident.
• Netflix Viewer Data Discussion2:30 · Faraz and Brett discuss Netflix's release of viewing data and its implications.
• TV Picks of the Year10:00 · Faraz and Brett share their favourite TV shows of the year.
• All3Media Acquisition Talk15:00 · Discussion on Jeff Zucker's potential acquisition of All3Media and the impact of Middle Eastern investment.
• Gary Lineker and BBC Impartiality20:00 · Debate on Gary Lineker's tweets and the BBC's impartiality guidelines.
• Mail Online Paywall25:00 · Discussion on Mail Online's potential paywall and its implications.
• Future Publishing Investment30:00 · Discussion on Future Publishing's investment in editorial staff and reviews.
• Media Quiz: Play Your Streams Right35:00 · A quiz based on Netflix viewing hours.
• Outro and Credits40:00 · Wrap-up, thanks to guests, and promotion of Patreon and studio.

Notable quotes

“If you want to go to war with me, it won't be very good for ITV's share price.”

Nigel Farage · 0:00

“I'm going to fly the flag. It's made by British producers because we are the best in the world at making factual content in particular.”

Faraz Osman · 0:00

“I think that's broadly true, but I also think that as politicians, if you can't take a joke from a football pundit, like what are you doing in politics?”

Faraz Osman · 0:00

“I think writing social media guidelines is really hard.”

Brett Spencer · 0:00

“There's an audience now, particularly a young audience, that are relying on social media for news. And there are many now that believe in my truth rather than an objective truth.”

Dorothy Byrne · 0:00

Discussed

Netflix · All3Media · BBC · Mail Online · Future Publishing

Also mentioned: Jeff Zucker · Gary Lineker · Samir Shah · Jonathan Gullis · Grant Shapps · Lord Rothermere · Boris Johnson · Nigel Farage · Kevin Lygo · Stephen Fry · Sheridan Smith · Dorothy Byrne · Tina Brown · Jamie East · John Malone · Ted Sarandos · Matthew Quirk · Shawn Ryan · Niamh Algar · Julianne Moore · Todd Haynes · Bradley Cooper · Leonard Bernstein · Julia Roberts

Mentioned or recommended

• The Night Agent · tv show · Shawn Ryan
• Beef · tv show · Lee Sung Jin
• Squid Game: The Challenge · tv show · Studio Lambert
• Blue Lights · tv show · BBC
• Malpractice · tv show · ITV
• May December · film · Todd Haynes
• Maestro · film · Bradley Cooper
• Leave the World Behind · film · Sam Esmail
• Stranger Things · tv show · Duffer Brothers
• The Crown · tv show · Peter Morgan
• Squid Game · tv show · Hwang Dong-hyuk
• Emily in Paris · tv show · Darren Star
• Black Mirror · tv show · Charlie Brooker
• Love Is Blind · tv show · Chris Coelen
• Wednesday · tv show · Alfred Gough and Miles Millar
• Luther: The Fallen Sun · film · Neil Cross
• The Shield · tv show · Shawn Ryan
• Peep Show · tv show · Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain
• Midsomer Murders · tv show · Brian True-May
• Derren Brown · tv show · Derren Brown
• RuPaul's Drag Race · tv show · RuPaul
• I Kissed a Boy · tv show · BBC Three
• The Problem with Jon Stewart · tv show · Jon Stewart
• Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj · tv show · Hasan Minhaj
• The Night Agent (book) · book · Matthew Quirk
• The James Cameron Memorial Lecture · event