• Decline of Linear TV
• Streaming Transition
• Strictly Come Dancing Scandal
• Skydance-Paramount Deal
• BBC Funding and Licence Fee
• Libel Law and Headline Reading
• Brand Inclusivity

In this episode of The Media Club, hosts Matt Deegan and Kate Bulkley, along with guest Jane Ostler from Kantar, discuss the state of linear TV amid major sporting events like the Euros and Olympics, the ongoing Skydance-Paramount deal, and the Strictly Come Dancing scandal involving professional dancers. They also analyse a recent libel case involving Dale Vince and the Daily Mail, questioning whether readers are 'reasonable readers' in the digital age. The episode includes a media quiz about Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy's week and a discussion on brand inclusivity based on Kantar's latest report.

Key takeaways

• The Euros final attracted a peak audience of 24.2 million, with BBC One drawing 11.3 million and ITV 3.9 million.
• Two Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers have left the lineup amid allegations, prompting the BBC to introduce welfare producers.
• The Skydance-Paramount deal appears likely to proceed, with David Ellison expected to lead the merged company.
• Dale Vince lost his libel case against the Daily Mail, with the judge ruling that readers who only read part of an article are not reasonable readers.
• Lisa Nandy has indicated the government is committed to the BBC and licence fee until 2027, and suggested potential mutualisation.

In this episode

• Intro and News Round-up0:00 · Matt introduces the show and covers top media news including BBC funding, Telegraph speculation, and Martha Kearney's departure.
• US Politics and Media Coverage4:00 · Kate discusses the Trump assassination attempt and its media coverage, including late-night shows and the Republican Convention.
• Summer of Sport and Linear TV8:00 · Jane and Kate analyse the Euros final ratings and the state of linear TV versus BVOD.
• Strictly Scandal Discussion15:00 · The panel discusses the Strictly Come Dancing scandal and the introduction of welfare producers.
• Skydance-Paramount Deal20:00 · Kate provides analysis on the Skydance-Paramount deal and its implications for content makers.
• Libel Case and Headline Reading25:00 · Jane and Kate discuss the Dale Vince libel case and the concept of 'reasonable readers'.
• Media Quiz: Where's Nandy?30:00 · The panel plays a quiz about Lisa Nandy's media appearances during her first week as Culture Secretary.
• Kantar Brand Inclusion Index35:00 · Jane discusses Kantar's Brand Inclusion Index and the importance of diversity in branding.

Notable quotes

“readers who read only part of an article are not reasonable readers”

Jane Ostler · 0:00

“It's a bit like when you get into the internet, you get into these little echo chambers.”

Kate Bulkley · 0:00

“You don't know how much you use the BBC until suddenly you don't have it.”

Kate Bulkley · 0:00

Discussed

BBC · ITV · Paramount · Skydance Media · Kantar

Also mentioned: Lisa Nandy · Keir Starmer · Martha Kearney · Kirsty Wark · Dale Vince · David Ellison · Larry Ellison · Joe Biden · Donald Trump · Jon Stewart · Bill O'Reilly · George Clooney · Gary Lineker · Richard Coles · Tim Davie · Hacker T Dog · Jake Kanter · Nancy Pelosi · Stephen Colbert · Jimmy Kimmel · Channel 4 · Sky News · GB News · Netflix

Mentioned or recommended

• Bridgerton · tv show · Shondaland
• Strictly Come Dancing · tv show · BBC
• The Rest Is Politics · podcast · Goalhanger
• Today programme · tv show · BBC Radio 4
• Newsnight · tv show · BBC
• The Telegraph · publication · Telegraph Media Group
• The Spectator · publication · Press Holdings
• The Times · publication · News UK
• The New York Times · publication · The New York Times Company
• The Washington Post · publication · Nash Holdings
• Brand Inclusion Index · report · Kantar