The Media Club · 27 October 2023 · 42 min

Who Will Buy The Telegraph?

With Anne Charles, James Ball, Anna Collins

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• Telegraph Media Group Sale
• Radio Listening Figures (RAJAR)
• TV Commissioning Slowdown
• BBC Trust and Political Neutrality
• Data Privacy and Advertising
• Freelance Mental Health

In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by guests Anne Charles and James Ball to discuss the auction for the Telegraph Media Group, the latest RAJAR radio listening figures, and the challenges facing TV freelancers during the commissioning slowdown. The conversation covers the potential buyers of the Telegraph, the impact of Ken Bruce's move to Greatest Hits Radio, and the struggles of freelancers like Anna Collins, who describes the worst year in TV production history. The episode also includes a media quiz and brief news items.

Key takeaways

• The Telegraph Media Group auction has officially begun with multiple bidders including DMGT, Axel Springer, and Paul Marshall.
• BBC Director General Tim Davie faced criticism for meeting the Conservative 1922 committee behind closed doors.
• RAJAR figures show Greatest Hits Radio gaining listeners after Ken Bruce's move, while Radio 2 lost over a million listeners.
• Freelance TV director Anna Collins described the commissioning slowdown as the worst year in TV production history, with 80% of freelancers out of work.
• The media quiz featured new shows including 'Generation Z' and 'Wheel of Fortune Australia'.

In this episode

• News round-up0:00 · Discussion of BBC DG Tim Davie's 1922 committee meeting and other media news.
• Telegraph sale discussion5:00 · Analysis of the bidders and implications of the Telegraph auction.
• RAJAR figures15:00 · Review of the latest radio listening figures and their implications.
• Freelancer deep dive25:00 · Interview with Anna Collins about the TV commissioning slowdown.
• Stories in brief35:00 · Discussion of Mail Metro Media's data strategy and third-party cookies.
• Media quiz45:00 · The Elevator Pitch quiz with new show announcements.

Notable quotes

“I do think it was a bit bloody stupid of Tim Davey to agree to talk to Conservative MPs behind closed doors.”

James Ball · 0:00

“This year is the worst year in TV history, in TV production history, bar COVID.”

Anna Collins · 0:00

“They have the money. And, you know, there's been an uproar a few times this year where they've had to publish their bonuses. I think, again, it was Channel 4. You haven't made any TV this year. What's the bonus for? That money should go back into the pool and make TV.”

Anna Collins · 0:00

Discussed

BBC · Telegraph Media Group · Bauer Media · Channel 4

Also mentioned: Tim Davie · Ken Bruce · Vernon Kay · Ian Katz · Will Lewis · Paul Marshall · Graham Norton · Jonathan Ross · Daily Mail and General Trust · Axel Springer · GB News · Times Radio · Boom Radio · Google · Apple · Radio TechCon · The London Podcast Studios

Mentioned or recommended

• Survivor · tv show
• The Generation Game · tv show
• Generation Z · tv show · Ben Wheatley
• Wheel of Fortune Australia · tv show
• Real Talk · podcast · Jonathan Ross