Media Training Update w/c 27th January

Morning all, it’s Monday 27th January.

“Things Learnt (Then Forgotten)” – Week 3

As predictable as a trampoline on a railway line, the coverage of Storm Éowyn brought out the TV reporters delivering inaudible pieces-to-camera in 80mph winds.

A brave and important way of bringing viewers an on-the-ground perspective, or pointless grandstanding which adds little to the narrative?

The week ahead:

Monday: King Charles among world leaders at event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation.

Kemi Badenoch and Nadhim Zahawi at Covid inquiry.

Tuesday: Chris Whitty at first legislative scrutiny session for assisted dying bill.

Wednesday: Rachel Reeves delivers speech on growth.

Confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy to become US health secretary.

Thursday: Quarterly update on crime in England and Wales.

John Prescott funeral 

Friday: UK border declarations for EU imports come into effect.

Six Nations begins.

Fifth anniversary of Brexit. 

Saturday: Third group of Israeli hostages expected to be released.

Possible imposition of tariffs on Chinese, Canadian & Mexican exports to US.

Sunday: GRAMMY Awards. 

The Future Of Linear TV:

How does Channel 4 News measure success? Not with the number of people actually tuning in from 7pm. Last week they trumpeted what they described as “record digital growth in 2024, achieving over 1.83 billion total views – a 49% global increase year-on-year”.

Other numbers:

-Engaged 14.2 million social followers, with TikTok accounting for 57% of digital share

-Over 870 million minutes of Channel 4 News content viewed on YouTube, securing 430,000 new subscribers

“Devoid of personality, insight, humour, delight, it could have been done on email.”

Miranda Sawyer on new podcast Virtually Parkinson, where an AI Parky interviews celebrities. Personally I can’t think of anything worse. As Sawyer observes; “a familiar voice and a set of statements with question marks do not an interview make.”

READ MORE

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Mark Borkowski on Elon Musk:

Here’s the thing about publicity: it’s like Tabasco sauce. A drop of it makes a bland meal interesting. Pour the whole bottle on, and you’ve ruined the dinner and made yourself look like a proper plonker in the process. Our Elon’s not just emptied the bottle – he’s bought the factory.

The real tragedy? He’s actually got something worth shouting about. Electric cars. Space rockets. The stuff of proper headlines. But no, apparently it’s more fun playing the professional provocateur, serving up daily doses of outrage to an audience that’s becoming increasingly harder to shock.

You know what’s next, don’t you? This is the bit where the narrative turns. Where the ‘misunderstood genius’ storyline starts wearing thin. Trust me, I’ve seen this show before. It never ends with a standing ovation.

Footnotes:

It’s reported Jim Acosta, perhaps the most outspoken Trump critic of all the CNN anchors has been shunted to a graveyard slot on the network. It’s possibly an indication of how Mark Thompson (former BBC DG, now in charge there) might approach the next 4 years.

READ MORE

On this day: Michael Jackson was rushed to hospital with burn injuries to his head after a stunt for a Pepsi commercial went wrong on this day in 1984.

Monday weather: 6 degrees in Penrith. 9 degrees in Battle. 10 degrees in Milan.

Mutts: Silvie has put herself forward for this week’s newsletter, and who are we to stand in her way…

Be part of the MMB. Thoughts on this week’s content, or interviews you’ve seen, heard, or (best of all) done. We’re @insideedgemedia or just reply to this email. 

Have a brilliant week.

All at Inside Edge