The Media Club · 19 January 2024 · 49 min
Mirror Editor Goes, Post Office Dramas & Hopes For Local News
- Daily Mirror Editor Resignation
- Reach Job Cuts
- Mr Bates vs The Post Office Drama
- New York Times vs OpenAI
- Local News Start-ups
- Channel 4 Job Cuts
- S4C Leadership Crisis
- BBC Elstree Studios Sale
In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by Chris Curtis (editor, Broadcast Magazine), Alex Farber (Media Editor, The Times), and Charlotte Tobitt (Reporter, Press Gazette) to discuss the resignation of Daily Mirror editor Alison Phillips amid deep cuts at Reach, the success of dramas like Mr Bates vs The Post Office and Fool Me Once, the New York Times' lawsuit against OpenAI, and the state of local news start-ups. The panel also covers Channel 4 job cuts, S4C leadership turmoil, the BBC's sale of Elstree Studios, and the rise of Substack newsletters. A special segment with Rob Smyth explores the surge in local news start-ups and the potential for journalism on Substack. The episode concludes with the 'CelebDAC 2024' quiz.
Key takeaways
- Alison Phillips resigned as editor of the Daily Mirror amid major cuts at Reach, with Caroline Waterston succeeding her.
- Mr Bates vs The Post Office became ITV's biggest drama in years, highlighting the power of factual drama to drive public awareness.
- The New York Times is suing OpenAI and Microsoft over copyright infringement, with potential wide implications for media.
- Local news start-ups like The Mill and The Lead are launching new titles, offering hope for the sector.
- Channel 4 announced around 200 job cuts, with most expected to come from London.
In this episode
- Intro and News Round-up
- Main Discussion: Mirror Editor and Reach
- Deep Dive: Local News Start-ups
- News in Brief
- Media Quiz: CelebDAC 2024
- Outro
Notable quotes
“in the age of limitless choice and streaming nirvana, I spent last night happily flicking between 90-minute Love Island All-Stars and a rather good 2018 repeat of 24 hours in police custody, all whilst wishing away 48 hours so that I can go and watch more traitors.”
“If you have brilliant shows, then people will watch it.”
“We don't need New York Times. One individual content provider isn't that important to us.”
“many, many media companies could liquidate because that's how serious threat it poses.”
“I revere the white, pale, male, stale presenters.”
“let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater here.”
Discussed
Reach plc · Daily Mirror · BBC · ITV · Channel 4 · S4C · OpenAI · New York Times
Mentioned or recommended
- Mr Bates vs The Post Office
- Fool Me Once
- The Traitors
- Gladiators
- Love Island All Stars
- 24 Hours in Police Custody
- University Challenge
- Mastermind
- QI
- Good Morning Britain
- Have I Got News for You
- Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
- The Two Matts
- The Media Podcast
- Elstree Studios
