Matt Deegan

The Media Club · 13 May 2022 · 38 min

The rise of Disney+, BAFTA gossip & Multitrack Audio Fellowship

With Kate Bulkley, Boyd Hilton, Arlie Adlington

Listen at themediaclub.com →AppleSpotify

In this episode of The Media Club, hosts Matt Deegan, Kate Bulkley, and Boyd Hilton discuss the latest in the streaming wars, focusing on Disney+'s strong subscriber growth versus Netflix's recent stumble and its move towards an ad-supported tier. They also cover Bloomberg's expansion into the UK press market, Channel 4's YouTube deal and the ongoing privatization debate, and the BAFTA awards, including the surprise snub of 'It's a Sin'. The episode features a deep dive with audio producer Arlie Adlington about the Multitrack Fellowship, which provides paid placements and training for underrepresented groups in the audio industry. The show concludes with the media quiz and recommendations.

Key takeaways

  • Disney+ added 7.9 million subscribers in Q1 2022, beating analyst expectations.
  • Netflix lost subscribers and announced plans for an ad-supported tier.
  • Channel 4 struck a deal to put 1,000 hours of content on YouTube with ad sales.
  • Bloomberg announced a major expansion into the UK press market.
  • The Multitrack Fellowship is accepting applications until May 16th.

In this episode

  • Intro and news round-up0:00 · Hosts introduce the show and cover top media news including Pulitzer, Shireen Abu Akleh, and government plans.
  • BAFTA discussion2:00 · Boyd and Kate discuss highlights and surprises from the BAFTA TV Awards.
  • Streaming wars deep dive10:00 · Analysis of Disney+ growth and Netflix subscriber loss.
  • Channel 4 YouTube deal20:00 · Discussion of Channel 4's deal to put shows on YouTube and the privatisation debate.
  • Multitrack Fellowship interview30:00 · Interview with Arlie Adlington about the Multitrack Fellowship.
  • Bloomberg UK expansion40:00 · Kate and Boyd discuss Bloomberg's expansion into the UK press.
  • Media quiz45:00 · Quiz on BT/Warner Bros Discovery JV, documentary directors, and Doctor Who.
  • Recommendations and outro50:00 · Hosts share TV recommendations and wrap up the show.

Notable quotes

“I think it's a sin will be remembered forever as a TV classic, no matter it not winning, apart from two BAFTAs.”

Boyd Hilton · 0:00

“I just think it's ludicrous that the government's trying to privatize them.”

Kate Bulkley · 0:00

“The investment we're making in Bloomberg UK reflects our optimism about the nation's future and our commitment to supporting economic growth and strengthening civic traditions by creating good jobs in British journalism, providing news and information decision makers need.”

Michael Bloomberg · 0:00

Discussed

Disney+ · Netflix · Channel 4 · Bloomberg · Multitrack

Also mentioned: Piers Morgan · Nadine Dorries · Alex Mahon · Steve McQueen · Shireen Abu Akleh · Michael Bloomberg · Russell T Davies · Ncuti Gatwa · Jodie Whittaker · Peter Capaldi · Matt Smith · Colleen Rooney · Rebekah Vardy · Boris Johnson · David Zaslav · Brian Stelter · Elizabeth Moss · BBC · Apple TV+ · YouTube · BT Group · Warner Bros. Discovery · Financial Times · The Times

Mentioned or recommended

  • BAFTA TV Awards 2022 · event
  • It's a Sin · tv show · Russell T Davies
  • The Chase · tv show
  • Wagatha Christie trial · event
  • Stranger Things · tv show · Duffer Brothers
  • Shining Girls · tv show · Silka Luisa
  • Severance · tv show · Dan Erickson
  • Slow Horses · tv show · Will Smith
  • Star Trek: Picard · tv show · Alex Kurtzman
  • Star Trek: Strange New Worlds · tv show · Akiva Goldsman
  • Doctor Who · tv show · BBC
  • Sex Education · tv show · Laurie Nunn
  • The OA · tv show · Brit Marling
  • Location, Location, Location · tv show
  • SAS: Who Dares Wins · tv show
  • The Andrew Neil Show · tv show
  • Pilot TV podcast · other · Boyd Hilton