The Media Club · 17 November 2023 · 35 min

TV Investment Threatened, Commissioning Hopes Rise & Jamie Laing’s Podcast Empire

With Ella Sagar, Jake Kanter

Listen at themediaclub.com →AppleSpotify

• UK TV and Film Production Dependence on Streamers
• Hollywood Strikes Impact on UK
• Channel 4 Commissioning Slowdown
• BBC Local Radio Strikes
• Jamie Laing's Podcast Empire
• Apple TV+ Jon Stewart Cancellation
• Podcast Measurement and iOS 17
• Local Media Challenges

In this episode of The Media Club, hosts Matt Deegan, Ella Sagar, and Jake Kanter discuss the UK's dependence on streamers and Hollywood, following a Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry into high-end TV and film production. They examine Amazon's bullish submission, the impact of the Hollywood strikes on UK production and advertising, and the cancellation of Jon Stewart's Apple TV show. The conversation also covers Jamie Laing's podcast network Jampot signing with UTA, Channel 4's slow commissioning pace and producer frustration, the resolution of BBC local radio strikes, and a media quiz on recent industry stats.

Key takeaways

• The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee is holding an inquiry into high-end TV and film production, with Amazon submitting a bullish case for UK incentives.
• The Hollywood strikes have delayed UK productions, with full recovery not expected until the new year.
• Channel 4 producers are angry about slow commissioning, with speculation about political motives behind cost-cutting.
• BBC journalists agreed to end strikes over local radio job cuts, but the dispute may signal future industrial action.
• Jamie Laing's podcast network Jampot has signed with UTA, expanding his media ambitions.

In this episode

• Intro and News Round-up0:00 · Matt introduces the show and covers quick news items including I'm a Celebrity lineup and Russell Brand complaints.
• Hollywood Strikes Impact on UK2:00 · Discussion on how the strikes affected UK production and advertising.
• ArtsEd Investigation5:00 · Jake discusses his investigation into drama school ArtsEd and allegations against its principal.
• Select Committee Inquiry8:00 · Analysis of the Culture Select Committee inquiry and Amazon's submission.
• Apple and Jon Stewart12:00 · Discussion on the cancellation of Jon Stewart's Apple TV show and China concerns.
• Jamie Laing's Podcast Empire16:00 · Jamie Laing's Jampot network signs with UTA.
• Channel 4 and BBC Commissions20:00 · Producer frustration with Channel 4's slow commissioning and BBC local radio strike resolution.
• Media Quiz30:00 · Quiz on whether recent media stats are good or bad news.
• Outro35:00 · Wrap-up and plugs.

Notable quotes

“when america sneezes britain gets a cold”

Jake Kanter · 0:00

“Barbie bounce is a great phrase. Well done, Matt.”

Jake Kanter · 0:00

“I'm not heir to anything. People always talk about this. I don't know where this has come from.”

Jamie Laing · 0:00

“The BBC can't win, can it?”

Jake Kanter · 0:00

Discussed

BBC · Channel 4

Also mentioned: Jamie Laing · Jon Stewart · Ian Katz · Alex Mahon · Julie Spencer · Andrew Lloyd Webber · Tim Cook · Ross Adams · Ken Bruce · Adam Mosseri · David Beckham · Colleen Rooney · Nigel Farage · Russell Brand · Grace Dent · Danielle Harold · Charlotte Moore · Tara Conlan · Elizabeth Day · Rob Beckett · Josh Widdicombe · Sir Alexander Grant · Amazon · Apple

Mentioned or recommended

• I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! · tv show · ITV
• The Problem with Jon Stewart · tv show · Apple TV+
• Made in Chelsea · tv show · E4
• Barbie · film · Greta Gerwig
• The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power · tv show · Amazon Studios
• Beckham · tv show · Netflix
• Colleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story · tv show · Disney+
• My Top 10 TV · podcast · You're On Mute
• The Media Podcast · podcast · Rethink Audio