The Media Show

As revelations about Vince Cable's thoughts on Murdoch owned News Corp's bid for BSkyB come to light, Steve Hewlett looks at The Telegraph's role in reporting the story and asks where this leaves News Corp's bid. It's nearly thirty years since Rupert Murdoch bought The Times. Through freedom of information requests, the BBC has gained an insight into how the deal was done. Graham Stewart, author of The History of The Times: The Murdoch Years and Ben Fenton, Media Correspondent for the Financial Times, discuss the deal and the parallels with Murdoch's current bid for BSkyB. Upstairs or Downton? The creator of Upstairs Downstairs has suggested that ITV's successful Downton Abbey borrowed too heavily from her drama. With the BBC set to re-launch an updated version of Upstairs Downstairs this Christmas, freelance TV critic Emma Cox and Gareth McLean, soaps editor at The Radio Times, discuss who will win out in the costume drama wars. The producer is Simon Tillotson.

BBC Trust chairman discusses potential cuts to BBC services and response to criticism. Banker looks into UK local television news viability. Media commentators delve into implications of BBC review and local TV possibility.

Investigative journalist Andrew Jennings criticizes UK sports news journalists for not beating him to his FIFA corruption story. Former BBC sports editor and Times reporter discuss challenges in sports journalism. Stephen Carter reflects on the state of broadband in the UK. Former ITV exec reflects on 50 years of Coronation Street shaping TV.

Michael Grade was chairman of the BBC and then ITV and is now heading to the House of Lords. Last week, he suggested that Channel 4 should drop its adverts and that licence fee payers should take over its funding. As a new Conservative peer, what changes would he try to bring about in the TV industry? With traditional journalism, many of this week's stories from Wikileaks could have commanded their own headlines and front page coverage for days. How far does the volume of stories work affect their impact and the ability of journalists to call the relevant people to account. In effect, is Wikileaks burying its own bad news? Columnist Ian Birrell discusses this with Janine Gibson, editor of the Guardian website.And, as Virgin Media launches its new video on demand service, TiVo, Steve asks chief executive Neil Berkett whether there really is a demand for this service. The producer is Simon Tillotson.

Sir Martin Sorrell, the chief executive officer of WPP Group and one of the biggest names in advertising, talks to Steve Hewlett about Rupert Murdoch's view of the media, the BBC licence fee agreement and advertising's chances of recovering from the economic downturn.Rupert Murdoch is reportedly set to launch a new US newspaper, called The Daily, which will only be available to read on ipads. New York media commentator Emily Bell and FT journalist Tim Bradshaw discuss whether an ipad-only paper could be a viable alternative to newspapers.Clare Sambrook has recently won two investigative journalism prizes, the Paul Foot Award and the Bevins prize for her investigation into child detention in the UK. She discusses working for free and her part in securing a promise from the Liberal Democrats to stop detaining the children of asylum seekers.

Tom Bradby shares insights on securing an interview with Prince William and Kate Middleton for ITV. Simon Kelner explains editorial decisions regarding royal engagement coverage. Lorraine Heggessey discusses presenter changes at BBC1. Peter Bazalgette analyzes the impact of UK tv companies being bought by overseas businesses on screen content. The podcast also explores ITV's financial success and the future post X Factor's end.

BBC 4's future uncertainties, Fifa corruption impact on England's World Cup bid, popularity of less talented contestants in reality shows, and the role of judges in audience preferences are discussed in an engaging manner.

ITV's chairman Archie Norman has said ITV's caught up in a ratings rat race, that the demand for a mass audience "drives us to the lowest common denominator every time." At the same time, Daybreak with Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley has lost enough of the mass audience to raise concerns about the programme's future. Is there really anything wrong with ITV's schedules and what, if anything, needs to be done to fix them? Times editor James Harding talks to Steve about the number of people paying to read The Times online. Do the figures provide a clue for other newspapers looking to make money from their journalism online? And Private Eye editor Ian Hislop discusses the future of investigative journalism, speaking to Steve before last night's Paul Foot awards.

Conrad Black is on bail in the USA while he appeals against his convictions for fraud and obstruction of justice. If he succeeds, he may be free to return to the UK sooner than expected. Talking to Steve Hewlett by phone from America, Lord Black explains why he might return to newspapers and shares his thoughts on his former rival Rupert Murdoch and on the role of a newspaper proprietor. Former Guardian editor Peter Preston offers his prediction of what Conrad Black will do on his return.The Independent has launched "i", a 20p quality newspaper which is said to be aimed at the time poor with "all you need to know in the time you have". Andrew Mullins is the Independent's managing director and one of the team that came up with the idea and, with advertising exec Alan Brydon of MPG Media, discusses the new papers prospects.And, with the front page of the Times announcing "advertising soars" as one of the reasons to be hopeful, Steve's guests give their view on signs for optimism.

After the chancellor George Osborne's announcement on the funding of the BBC, Steve Hewlett asks BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons if this really is a good deal for an independent BBC or, as some claim, the day the BBC became a state broadcaster. Media commentator Dan Sabbagh looks at how the deal was put together and early signs that parts are already unravelling.Danny Cohen is the new controller of BBC1. Former controller Lorraine Heggessey looks at the challenges he faces. Can viewers expect a taste of his former channels aimed at younger people, BBC3 and E4? And, today, Reporters without Borders releases its annual survey of press freedom around the world. Why, in their view, does the UK still not make the top ten - and where do they stand on the Pentagon's call for journalists to stop reporting leaks from Wikileaks?