The Media Club · 1 July 2022 · 38 min
Britbox expansion, podcast moves & disability and inclusion passports
- Streaming Wars
- Britbox Expansion
- Netflix Strategy
- Disney Leadership
- Disability and Inclusion Passports
- Podcasting Industry
- Local Newspapers Industrial Action
- Media Deals
In this episode of The Media Club, host Matt Deegan is joined by media commentator Kate Bulkley and podcaster/audio critic Caroline Crampton to discuss the latest media news. Key stories include Britbox's international expansion into the US market with a two-region structure, Netflix's strategic shifts (including a retreat from binge-releasing and a pivot to advertising), and the ongoing challenges at Disney under CEO Bob Chapek. The episode also features a deep dive into the disability and inclusion passport scheme rolling out across UK broadcasters, with insights from ITV's Sam Tatlow and Channel 4's Kirsty Walker. Additionally, the panel discusses the hire of Julie Shapiro by UK audio studio Novel, industrial action at Reach, and a media quiz on recent deals.
Key takeaways
- Britbox announced a two-region structure with a focus on US expansion, aiming to become the global leader in British content.
- Netflix is pivoting from binge-releasing to a more scheduled approach and is exploring advertising partnerships.
- Disney CEO Bob Chapek had his contract extended for three years despite facing criticism over several missteps.
- UK broadcasters are rolling out disability and inclusion passports to support disabled employees, with ITV and Channel 4 taking slightly different approaches.
- UK audio studio Novel hired Julie Shapiro from Radiotopia as executive creative director, signalling ambition in the podcasting sector.
In this episode
- Intro and News Round-up
- Britbox Expansion Discussion
- Netflix and Disney Analysis
- Reach Industrial Action
- Deep Dive: Disability and Inclusion Passports
- Podcasting News: Julie Shapiro to Novel
- Media Quiz
- Outro
Notable quotes
“I think myself and my guest Emma Berquist came to the conclusion that there isn't really such a thing as quote ethical true crime but it is perhaps to be it is perhaps possible to be an ethical consumer of true crime.”
“The disability access passports came about a year ago from a meeting that the broadcasters were having with Ofcom as part of their diversity and inclusion conversations, regular catch-ups that we have, and was a commitment that we made to explore working collaboratively together on them.”
“It's been going really well, and I think, as Sam said, you know, the framework for the passports is similar across the board, but I think Channel 4 took a slightly different angle.”
“I think the idea that Britbox is leaning into mysteries and crime in particular sounds like it makes perfect sense to me.”
“I think I agree with you that the way they seem to be moving in a business sense is interesting to see.”
Discussed
Britbox · Netflix · Disney · ITV · Channel 4 · Novel
Mentioned or recommended
- Stranger Things
- Only Murders in the Building
- Midsomer Murders
- Inspector Morse
- Why Didn't They Ask Evans?
- Death in Paradise
- The Mandalorian
- Black Widow
- Serial
- S-Town
- Slow Burn
- Glastonbury Festival
- Cannes Lions
- ITVX
- The Lantern
