The Media Club · 10 November 2023 · 39 min

Reach Cuts & Vorders Breaks Lineker's Law

With Megan Carver, Jamie East

Listen at themediaclub.com →AppleSpotify

• Reach Job Cuts
• BBC Studios Enters Audio Market
• Carol Vorderman and BBC Social Media Policy
• James Corden's SiriusXM Podcast Deal
• Hollywood Actors' Strike
• TV Scheduling Challenges
• Talent Development in Media
• AI in Media Production

In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by PR founder Megan Carver and DMGT Media's Jamie East to discuss major UK media stories. The main topics include Reach's announcement of 450 job cuts (nearly 10% of its workforce), the BBC's entry into the commercial audio market, Carol Vorderman's departure from BBC Radio Wales over social media guidelines, and James Corden's new podcast deal with SiriusXM. The panel also touches on the end of the Hollywood actors' strike, Channel 4's delayed premieres, and the challenges facing TV scheduling and talent development. The episode includes a media quiz and promotional segments for other podcasts.

Key takeaways

• Reach announced 450 job cuts, nearly 10% of its workforce, with 320 editorial roles affected.
• BBC Studios has entered the commercial audio market, with 60% of audio content open to competition.
• Carol Vorderman left BBC Radio Wales after refusing to comply with the BBC's new social media policy.
• James Corden signed an exclusive podcast deal with SiriusXM for 'This Life of Mine'.
• The Hollywood actors' strike ended with SAG-AFTRA agreeing to protections against AI and a 7% pay increase.

In this episode

• Intro and Guest Introductions0:00 · Matt Deegan introduces the show and guests Megan Carver and Jamie East.
• News Round-Up2:00 · Discussion of the end of the actors' strike, Will Lewis at the Washington Post, and Reach job cuts.
• Reach Job Cuts Analysis8:00 · In-depth discussion on Reach's 450 job cuts and the impact on journalism.
• TV Slowdown and Channel 415:00 · Discussion on ITV revenue decline, Channel 4 delays, and TV scheduling issues.
• BBC Studios Audio Market Entry22:00 · Analysis of BBC Studios entering commercial audio and Audio UK's reaction.
• Break and Promos28:00 · Advertisements for Modern Mann and The Two Matts podcasts.
• Carol Vorderman and Lineker's Law30:00 · Discussion on Carol Vorderman's departure from BBC Radio Wales.
• James Corden's SiriusXM Deal35:00 · Analysis of James Corden's new podcast deal with SiriusXM.
• Media Quiz40:00 · Quiz segment with questions about Squid Game, Nadine Dorries, and John Lewis ad.
• Outro and Credits45:00 · Wrap-up, listener survey reminder, and credits.

Notable quotes

“got any gospel?”

Rylan Clark · 0:00

“I have Rylan, loads of it, and I cannot tell you a single thing.”

Megan Carver · 0:00

“It's like I'm talking to my mum after being told off.”

Jamie East · 0:00

“It's not too big a leap to assume that AI wouldn't be on the card for someone like Reach because something is going to have to fill those pages.”

Jamie East · 0:00

“There is no breeding ground for talent anymore in any creative sector, like whatsoever.”

Jamie East · 0:00

“It's like being furloughed without the furloughing.”

Jamie East · 0:00

Discussed

Carol Vorderman · James Corden · Reach plc · BBC · BBC Studios · SiriusXM · Channel 4

Also mentioned: Jim Mullen · David Higginson · Bob Iger · Will Lewis · Ian Wright · Rylan Clark · Ben Winston · Richard Knight · Ollie Mann · Matt Kelly · Matt Dan Kooner · Nadine Dorries · Rishi Sunak · Andrea Bocelli · Joel Dommett · Luke Franks · Liam Thompson · Kira Revans · Dick Stone · Mark Dolan · Howard Stern · Kevin Hart · Ashley Flowers · Kelly Clarkson

Mentioned or recommended

• Squid Game: The Challenge · tv show · Studio Lambert
• This Life of Mine · podcast · James Corden
• The Crown · tv show · Peter Morgan
• Survivor · tv show · Charlie Parsons
• The Traitors · tv show · Studio Lambert
• Strictly Come Dancing · tv show · BBC
• I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! · tv show · ITV Studios
• Doctor No · film · Eon Productions
• John Lewis Christmas Advert 2023 · other · Saatchi & Saatchi
• The Smart 7 · podcast · Jamie East
• The Trial of Ashley Murphy · podcast · DMG Media
• The Crown: Fact or Fiction · podcast · DMG Media
• Modern Mann · podcast · Ollie Mann
• The Two Matts · podcast · Matt Kelly and Matt Dan Kooner
• The Archers · radio programme · BBC
• Desert Island Discs · radio programme · BBC
• Grounded with Louis Theroux · podcast · Louis Theroux
• The Media Podcast · podcast · Rethink Audio