The Media Club · 16 February 2024 · 49 min

The Morning After: Why A Good Superbowl Masks Paramount's Problems

With Paul Robinson

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• Paramount Financial Troubles
• Super Bowl Viewership
• Channel 4 Crisis
• Steve Wright Tribute
• Piers Morgan YouTube Move
• GB News and Ofcom
• Telegraph Sale
• BBC Radio Spin-offs

In this episode of The Media Club, hosts Matt Deegan, Scott Bryan, and Paul Robinson discuss the aftermath of the Super Bowl's record viewership, contrasting it with Paramount's financial troubles and layoffs. They also debate Channel 4's response to Richard Osman's critique, celebrate the life of radio presenter Steve Wright, and analyse Piers Morgan's move to YouTube. The panel covers GB News and Ofcom rulings, the Telegraph sale, and the financial results of The Guardian and Daily Mail, ending with a media quiz.

Key takeaways

• The Super Bowl drew 123.4 million viewers, but Paramount announced 800 layoffs.
• Channel 4's CEO Alex Mahon defended the broadcaster against Richard Osman's criticism.
• Steve Wright was remembered as a dedicated radio presenter who connected with audiences.
• Piers Morgan is moving his show exclusively to YouTube, signalling the end of TalkTV's linear ambitions.
• Ofcom cleared GB News host Neil Oliver over vaccine comments, drawing criticism from the panel.

In this episode

• Intro and News Brief0:00 · Matt Deegan introduces the show and reads the week's media news.
• Steve Wright Tribute2:00 · Panel discusses the life and career of Steve Wright.
• Jon Stewart's Return10:00 · Discussion on Jon Stewart's return to The Daily Show.
• Super Bowl and Paramount15:00 · Analysis of Super Bowl viewership and Paramount's problems.
• Piers Morgan and TalkTV25:00 · Discussion on Piers Morgan's move to YouTube and TalkTV's future.
• GB News and Ofcom30:00 · Panel discusses Ofcom's ruling on Neil Oliver and GB News.
• Channel 4 Debate40:00 · Panel debates Richard Osman's critique and Channel 4's response.
• Press Stories50:00 · Quick stories on The Telegraph sale, The Guardian and Mail finances.
• Media Quiz55:00 · The Definitely Maybe quiz on media stories.

Notable quotes

“I've got my leverage back.”

Steve Wright · 0:00

“I think it's a non-story. I've no idea why this particular media property should be treated like this. It's business as usual, as far as I'm concerned.”

Paul Robinson · 0:00

“I personally do not agree with the ruling.”

Paul Robinson · 0:00

“I think it's less of a daily show, more of a weekly show now, to be honest.”

Scott Bryan · 0:00

“I think it's a heck of a PR spin they've done.”

Scott Bryan · 0:00

“I think it's a combination, as in most things at the moment, being a combination of factors.”

Scott Bryan · 0:00

Discussed

Steve Wright · Piers Morgan · Paramount Global · Channel 4 · BBC · GB News · TalkTV

Also mentioned: Richard Osman · Alex Mahon · Jon Stewart · Fraser Nelson · Neil Oliver · Jane Martinson · Bob Shennan · David Lloyd · Greg James · Nikki Horne · Phil Riley · Ruth Jones · James Corden · Gillian Anderson · Emily Maitlis · Billie Piper · Rufus Sewell · Maria Kyriakou · Jeff Zucker · Peter Oborne · Rupert Murdoch · Rishi Sunak · Boris Johnson · Nigel Farage

Mentioned or recommended

• Super Bowl LVIII · event
• The Daily Show · tv show · Comedy Central
• Taskmaster · tv show · Alex Horne
• The Piano · tv show · Channel 4
• Big Boys · tv show · Jack Rooke
• Mr Bates vs The Post Office · tv show · ITV
• Criminal Record · tv show · Apple TV+
• The Traitors · tv show · BBC
• The Traitors Uncloaked · tv show · BBC
• Gavin and Stacey · tv show · James Corden and Ruth Jones
• Wallace and Gromit · tv show · Aardman Animations
• Mrs Brown's Boys · tv show · Brendan O'Carroll
• The Big Bang Theory · tv show · Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady
• Modern Family · tv show · Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan
• Newsnight · tv show · BBC
• Scoop · film · Netflix
• Your Mother Wouldn't Like It · radio programme · Nikki Horne
• Today in History with the Retrospectors · podcast · Rethink Audio