• Local Journalism
• Streaming and Advertising
• The Onion Buys InfoWars
• BBC Talent and Match of the Day
• Podcast Industry
• Social Media Migration to Bluesky
• Guardian Leaves X
• Radio 1 Anthems Launch

In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by Jim Waterson, former Guardian media editor, who discusses his new local journalism project London Centric and the broader local media landscape. The panel also covers The Onion's acquisition of InfoWars, the state of streaming with Amazon closing Freevee, and the future of podcasts with Chloe Straw of Audio UK. Jane Ostler from Kantar provides insights on streaming trends and brand safety on X. The episode includes a quiz segment and discussions on BBC talent, Radio 1 Anthems, and the shift to Bluesky.

Key takeaways

• The Onion acquired InfoWars, with Sandy Hook families forgoing compensation to support the bid.
• Jim Waterson launched London Centric, a local journalism project, and hit his year-one target in four weeks.
• Amazon is closing Freevee and absorbing its content into Prime Video.
• The Guardian announced it will stop posting on X, citing brand safety and low traffic from the platform.
• Chloe Straw of Audio UK is lobbying for a podcast production tax relief and met with Steph Peacock.

In this episode

• Introduction and listener survey0:00 · Matt Deegan introduces the show and guests.
• Charlotte Lock nomination0:40 · Jane Ostler nominates Charlotte Lock for the John Lewis Christmas ad.
• Bluesky discussion1:29 · Jim Waterson praises Bluesky as a Twitter alternative.
• Gary Lineker and Match of the Day2:05 · Panel discusses Lineker's departure and the future of the show.
• InfoWars acquisition6:30 · Discussion on The Onion buying InfoWars.
• Streaming and Freevee8:45 · Jane Ostler explains AVOD trends and Amazon closing Freevee.
• Guardian leaves X13:40 · Panel discusses the Guardian's exit from X and brand safety.
• PodShop ad18:14 · Host read for PodShop.
• Podcast Discovery ad19:00 · Host read for Podcast Discovery.
• Radio 1 Anthems and Audio UK19:30 · Chloe Straw discusses BBC commissions and podcast industry.
• London Centric interview25:00 · Jim Waterson discusses his new local journalism project.
• Quiz: Anywhere But London40:00 · Panel plays a quiz on UK media news outside London.

Notable quotes

“I think the team running Blue Sky, who are a tiny team running a sort of not-for-profit, I can't quite work out the ownership that basically has recreated Twitter as it was 10 years ago when everyone was younger, healthier and could still stay out all night.”

Jim Waterson · 0:00

“I mean, Elon Musk destroyed the site, ruined a community, but gained control of the federal government in the process.”

Jim Waterson · 0:00

“I haven't worked harder in my life. I'm having so much fun. I've broken some stories that have already been all over the nationals.”

Jim Waterson · 0:00

Discussed

The Onion · InfoWars · BBC · Amazon · Freevee · Guardian · X (Twitter) · Bluesky · Audio UK

Also mentioned: Gary Lineker · Alex Jones · Elon Musk · Ben Collins · Charlotte Lock · Mark Chapman · Marina Hyde · Stephen Bartlett · Megan Trainer · Don Lemon · Steph Peacock · Evgeny Lebedev · Netflix · Kantar · John Lewis · Spotify · Daily Mail · BBC Studios · BBC Audio · Audio Always · Rusty Quill · Acast · Substack · Disney+

Mentioned or recommended

• London Centric · product · Jim Waterson
• Match of the Day · tv show · BBC
• Radio 1 Anthems · product · BBC
• The Magnus Archives · other · Rusty Quill
• Neighbours · tv show · Reg Watson
• Sports Personality of the Year · event · BBC
• The Traitors · tv show · Studio Lambert
• John Lewis Christmas Ad · other · John Lewis