The Media Club · 8 December 2023 · 45 min

Samir Shah takes BBC Chair, Spotify cuts & a Premier League win

With Adam Bowie, Rebecca Cooney, Mike Gunton

Listen at themediaclub.com →Apple Spotify

In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by Adam Bowie and Rebecca Cooney to discuss the latest media news, including the appointment of Samir Shah as the new BBC chair, the BBC's licence fee settlement, Spotify's layoffs and cancellation of prestige podcasts, and the Premier League's new TV rights deal. The panel also features an interview with Mike Gunton, creative director of the BBC's Natural History Unit, about the making of Planet Earth 3 and the legacy of David Attenborough. The episode concludes with a media quiz segment.

Key takeaways

Samir Shah has been appointed as the new BBC chair, bringing a TV production background.
The BBC licence fee will rise by 6.7% to £169.50, below inflation, creating a £400 million shortfall.
Spotify has made significant layoffs and cancelled two prestige podcasts, Heavyweight and Stolen.
The Premier League has agreed a new £6.7 billion TV rights deal with Sky and TNT Sports, a 4% increase but lower per-match revenue.
Mike Gunton discussed the making of Planet Earth 3 and the legacy of David Attenborough.

In this episode

News Round-up0:00 · Discussion of BT/Apple TV deal, Claudia Winkleman leaving Radio 2, Carol Vorderman snubbing GB News
Main Discussion: BBC Chair and Licence Fee0:00 · Panel discusses Samir Shah's appointment and the licence fee settlement
Spotify Layoffs Discussion0:00 · Panel discusses Spotify's cuts and the economics of podcasting
Premier League Rights Deal0:00 · Panel analyses the new Premier League TV rights deal
Deep Dive Interview: Mike Gunton0:00 · Interview with Mike Gunton about Planet Earth 3 and the Natural History Unit
Media Quiz: Pressed for Time0:00 · Quiz segment with Fleet Street stories

Notable quotes

“I'm grateful to Claude for wanting to spend more time with her kids and enabling me to spend less time with mine.”
Romesh Ranganathan · 0:00

“Carol wouldn't touch GB News with a barge pole.”
The Mirror source · 0:00

“I suspect I won't be doing Planet Earth 4, but I wouldn't want to put any money on him not doing Planet Earth 4 if and when it should happen.”
Mike Gunton · 0:00