The Media Club · 13 October 2023 · 36 min
The End of Newsnight? Paper domination and YouTube's pod move
- Future of Newsnight
- Print Media Consolidation
- YouTube's Streaming Expansion
- Netflix Subscription Growth
- Podcast Industry Layoffs
- TikTok's Influence on News
- BBC News Restructuring
- Israel-Palestine Coverage
In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by Alex Hudson from Newsweek and broadcast consultant Paul Robinson to discuss the future of BBC's Newsnight amid falling ratings and budget cuts, the dominance of three publishers in UK print media, and YouTube's expansion into Prime Time Channels and podcasts. The conversation also covers Netflix's slowing subscription growth, podcast industry layoffs, and includes a media quiz segment. The panel debates the relevance of traditional metrics like audience figures versus impact, and the shifting dynamics of media consumption towards platforms like TikTok.
Key takeaways
- Newsnight's editor Stuart McLean is leaving for the BBC's Africa Bureau amid budget cuts and falling ratings.
- Three publishers (DMG Media, News UK, Reach) control 90% of UK print reach, but the panel considers this a non-story.
- YouTube launched Prime Time Channels and podcasts in the UK, aiming to become a super app for content.
- Netflix reported 4% growth in UK subscriptions, which the panel views as positive given market saturation.
- Podcast industry layoffs at WNYC and Pushkin Industries are seen as a market correction, not a downturn.
In this episode
- Intro and News Round-up
- Main Discussion: Newsnight
- Print Media Consolidation
- YouTube and Streaming
- Podcast Layoffs
- Media Quiz
- Outro
Notable quotes
“The system is effed sideways. Anyone who tells you differently is a liar.”
“It's a show about nothing, and that really says it all for me.”
“Judge on impact, not on audience figures.”
Discussed
Mentioned or recommended
- Newsnight
- The Reckoning
- Big Brother
- Seinfeld
- Bible John
- Who Owns the UK Media?
- This Morning
