The Media Club · 9 May 2025 · 55 min

Why The New Tariff Threat Can't Turn Back Time

With Peter Fincham, Tara Conlan

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• Trump Tariffs on TV and Film
• AI in Media Production
• Indie TV Sector Challenges
• Podcast Industry Consolidation
• Creative Cities Convention
• BBC Editorial Standards
• Talent Management in TV
• Regional Production

In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by former BBC One and ITV controller Peter Fincham and media writer Tara Conlan. They discuss the potential impact of US President Trump's tariff threats on the UK's high-end TV and film industry, the state of the indie production sector, and the rise of AI in media, including its use in editing and recreating deceased authors like Agatha Christie. The episode also covers the acquisition of Lemonada Media by PodX, the Creative Cities Convention in Bradford, and the BBC's handling of a Prince Harry interview. Peter Fincham promotes his new podcast 'Insiders' with Jimmy Mulville, and the show includes the Audio Network Media Quiz.

Key takeaways

• Peter Fincham discusses his new podcast 'Insiders' with Jimmy Mulville, sharing insights from his career in TV.
• Tara Conlan assesses the risks of Trump's tariff threats on the UK's high-end TV and film sector.
• The episode covers the acquisition of Lemonada Media by PodX for $30 million.
• BBC Maestro announced an AI recreation of Agatha Christie to teach writing, described as 'ethical AI'.
• The Creative Cities Convention in Bradford highlighted regional production and the challenges faced by freelancers.

In this episode

• Intro and guest introductions0:00 · Matt Deegan introduces Peter Fincham and Tara Conlan, and they discuss David Attenborough's birthday.
• AI in media0:00 · Discussion on AI in editing, dubbing, and recreating Agatha Christie.
• Trump tariffs on TV and film0:00 · Tara Conlan and Peter Fincham analyse the impact of Trump's tariff threats.
• Podcast industry consolidation0:00 · Discussion on PodX acquiring Lemonada Media and the state of indie TV.
• Creative Cities Convention0:00 · Package from Bradford with takeaways from the convention.
• Media news round-up0:00 · Steve Wright memorial, Alex Mahon's novel, Dick Turpin salvage.
• Interview with Peter Fincham0:00 · Peter discusses his podcast 'Insiders' and his career.
• Audio Network Media Quiz0:00 · Courtroom Dramas quiz with Tara and Peter.

Notable quotes

“I'm not an expert on AI.”

Peter Fincham · 0:00

“It's a cheaper form of video.”

Tara Conlan · 0:00

“The BBC never needed to let Jeremy Clarkson go.”

Peter Fincham · 0:00

“I think if you survive in a job like that for that length of time, it's an achievement.”

Peter Fincham · 0:00

Discussed

BBC

Also mentioned: David Attenborough · Donald Trump · Agatha Christie · Jimmy Mulville · Alex Mahon · Charlotte Moore · Jeremy Clarkson · Noel Fielding · Helen Munton · Michael Levine · Harry Enfield · Piers Morgan · Rebecca Vardy · Colleen Rooney · Steve Wright · ITV · Channel 4 · Apple TV+ · PodX · Lemonada Media · BBC Maestro · Expectation · Hat-Trick Productions

Mentioned or recommended

• Insiders · podcast · Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville
• The Apprentice · tv show · Mark Burnett
• The Traitors · tv show · BBC
• Clarkson's Farm · tv show · Amazon Studios
• Top Gear · tv show · BBC
• The Assembly · tv show · Rock Oyster Media
• The Rich Bitch Club · book · Alex Mahon
• Dick Turpin · tv show · Big Talk Productions
• Blue Planet 3 · tv show · BBC Natural History Unit
• Escape from Alcatraz · film · Don Siegel
• Robson Green's Weekend Escapes · tv show · BBC