The Media Club · 6 October 2023 · 43 min

BBC Radio Fire Sale, Ai PUB(lisher) Crawl and Spotify Audiobooks

With Faraz Osman, Chloe Straw, Brett Spencer

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• BBC Radio Fire Sale
• AI and Publishers
• BBC Studios Acquisitions
• Spotify Audiobooks
• UK Audio Industry Economics
• BBC Commercial Expansion

In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan and guests Faraz Osman, Chloe Straw, and Brett Spencer discuss the reported divestment of BBC radio shows by Sony Music's podcast division, the implications for the UK audio industry, and the BBC's commercial ambitions. They also explore the challenges publishers face with AI web crawlers, the BBC's stance on AI, and the recent acquisition of Channel 4's Nick Lee by BBC Studios. The panel touches on Spotify's entry into audiobooks, the state of kids' audio, and the rebranding of Jack FM stations, ending with the media quiz 'Friend or Foe'.

Key takeaways

• Sony Music is reportedly handing back the majority of its BBC radio shows, potentially around 18 programmes.
• The panel discussed the economic challenges facing UK audio producers, including stagnant budgets and the BBC's commissioning process.
• BBC Studios has hired Channel 4's Nick Lee to lead acquisitions in drama and comedy.
• Publishers are blocking AI web crawlers like ChatGPT and Google Bard, while the BBC has published its stance on AI.
• Spotify's entry into audiobooks with 15 free hours is seen as breaking the Audible monopoly.

In this episode

• News round-up0:00 · Matt covers the end of the writers' strike, Ofcom's cloud market referral, and The Reckoning premiere.
• Main discussion: BBC Radio fire sale2:00 · Panel discusses Sony Music's divestment of BBC shows and the implications for the audio industry.
• BBC Studios acquisition15:00 · Discussion on Nick Lee joining BBC Studios and the commercial expansion of the BBC.
• AI and publishers20:00 · Panel debates whether publishers should block AI crawlers and the BBC's AI strategy.
• Media quiz: Friend or Foe30:00 · Quiz on media brands' relationships, including The Sun and Daily Mail, Spotify and Audible, and Greatest Hits Radio and Jack FM.

Notable quotes

“It's not AI that will take your job. It's someone who knows how to use it.”

Chloe Straw · 0:00

“The syndication model is dead.”

Faraz Osman · 0:00

“I think they're shooting themselves in the foot because if they're not investing in the creative economy, which is production companies, then the BBC have got tough times coming ahead.”

Chloe Straw · 0:00

“It's not AI that will take your job. It's someone who knows how to use it.”

Chloe Straw · 0:00

Discussed

BBC · Sony Music · BBC Studios · Spotify · Audio UK

Also mentioned: Nick Lee · Caroline Stone · Greg Dyke · Drew Barrymore · Jimmy Savile · Channel 4 · Audible · Netflix · Gold Wala · City University · Spiritland · The Sun · Daily Mail · Greatest Hits Radio · Jack FM · Bauer Media · Adobe · Getty Images · NPR · New York Times · Chicago Tribune · TikTok · Instagram · Threads

Mentioned or recommended

• The Reckoning · tv show · BBC
• PopMaster · tv show · BBC
• The Archers · tv show · BBC
• Kitchen Cabinet · tv show · BBC
• Front Row · tv show · BBC
• Gardener's Question Time · tv show · BBC
• Rick and Morty · tv show · Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon
• The Handmaid's Tale · tv show · Bruce Miller
• ChatGPT · product · OpenAI
• Bard · product · Google
• iPlayer · product · BBC
• BBC Sounds · product · BBC
• Adobe Firefly · product · Adobe
• Tony Box · product
• Yoto Player · product · Yoto
• The Media Podcast · podcast · Rethink Audio