SNL UK launches on Sky One as news emerges over the cost of production. Can the show defy the early critics? And what is Sky seeking to get from its extended run, beyond a repost from President Trump?

Huw Edwards attacks the Channel 5 drama about his downfall - but the show pulls 1.5 million viewers anyway. Alex Hudson joins us to ask whether any sympathy is owed.

Also: Matt Brittin becomes the BBC's 18th Director General - a Google man with no journalism experience. What does that mean for the corporation at the most critical moment in its history?

And in Part Two, we sit down with Tom Price, Content Distribution Director at Roku, who's just launched five new ITV Studios FAST channels in the UK - and has thoughts on whether human curation is dead.

All that plus: Edinburgh TV Festival picks its shortlist, Global Studios gets a new boss... and in the Audio Network Media Quiz, we visit the parallel universe where none of the news happened.

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex selects the music for us to score each episode and she and her team can do it for you too at audionetwork.com

We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio

Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at themediaclub.com

A Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.

What The Media Club has been reading this week:

SNL Budget a rumoured £2m/episode

Huw Edwards' attacks Channel 4 drama

Donald Trump Reposts SNL UK Cold Open

Prince Harry case faces setback

Matt Brittin becomes new BBC DG

TV Festival 2027 venue shortlist announced

Craig Hunter to head up Global Studios

Ghosts Tops Adaptations Hitlist

Stephen Colbert to enter the Shires

Mr Benn Movie

Sora closed by OpenAI

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Brittin is being lined up to replace Tim Davie at the BBC - but first, a speech, and a Culture Secretary with a parting gift. Media writer Kate Bulkley and Edelman's Karin Robinson decode a week in BBC politics.

Also on the show: a new Policing and Media Charter promises journalists they can pick up the phone again - and Reach takes the BBC to task over local news dominance in its charter consultation response.

All that plus: the BPG Award winners, the FCC's war on independent news - and in the Audio Network Media Quiz, it is time for the Weekend Update.

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex (who is a real person) selects the music for us to score each episode and she and her team can do it for you too at https://audionetwork.com

We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio

Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.com

A Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.

What The Media Club has been reading this week:

Lisa Nandy signals to BBC that permenant charter is within reach

DG Davie's Swansong speech

Police to have dedicated contact for journalists

Reach accuses BBC of damaging local news

The FCC and its war against independent news

BBC Asks Court To Throw Out Trump Case - as Trump cries AI

New Partners Announced for Apple Podcast Video product

SNL UK launches this Saturday. Can it make a splash?

Sony Exits The Octopod

Disney takes a pass on the Buffy reboot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Daily Telegraph has a new, new, new suitor - and it's Axel Springer, who has beaten the Daily Mail with a £575 million bid for Telegraph Media Group. Media historian Maggie Brown on what the new owners inherit.

Also on the show: Banijay and All3Media announce an $8 billion mega-merger, creating the world's largest independent TV production group. Juan Delgado, CEO of Footballco, on what consolidation at this scale means for the industry.

All that plus: the BBC's podcast deal for indies takes its first steps, FIFA OKs ads in World Cup hydration breaks, and in the Audio Network Media Quiz - Long Lost Revenue.

The Media Quiz is sponsored by Audio Network. Alex (who is a real person) selects the music for us to score each episode and she and her team can do it for you too at https://audionetwork.com

We record at Podshop Studios - for 25% off your first booking, use the code MEDIACLUB at https://www.podshoponline.co.uk/services/podcast-studio

Become a member for FREE when you sign up for our newsletter at https://themediaclub.com

A Rethink Audio production, produced by Matt Hill with post-production from Podcast Discovery.

What The Media Club has been reading this week:

Axel Springer to acquire Telegraph Media Group for £575m

Banijay and All3Media merge in $8bn deal

Elis James and John Robins podcast goes commercial under BBC Audio Release Policy

FIFA to allow World Cup hydration break ads for broadcasters

GB News losses narrow to £22m as revenue jumps 58%

Podimo hires ex-Netflix, BBC and Disney execs in video push

PodBean switches off dynamic ad insertion in Europe

Junk food ad ban criticised as ineffective by health experts

Mail on Sunday staff take the stand in Harry case

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.