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Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

By: Good Egg Productions
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Roger Bolton, formerly presenter of BBC Radio 4's 'Feedback' launches his very first podcast. Free from the constraints of broadcasting on the BBC, with a few more opinions and casting his net a little bit wider to encompass the whole of the BBC, Roger examines the issues that are facing the corporation and public service broadcasting.


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Good Egg Productions Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Prof Cathy Johnson on Who Wins and Loses from the ITV-Sky Deal and the New Media Green Paper

    Prof Cathy Johnson on Who Wins and Loses from the ITV-Sky Deal and the New Media Green Paper
    Jul 8 2026

    Prof Cathy Johnson, a leading expert on public service media who has advised Ofcom and contributed to numerous parliamentary select committees and government investigations, discusses the implications of the ITV–Sky deal for ITV, Channel 4, ITN and Sky News, and what it means for the shrinking group of purely British public service broadcasters. We unpack the government’s green paper, “Watch This Space: A New Strategic Direction for UK Media,” and what it suggests – and fails to decide – about the long‑term future of public service broadcasting, including the BBC’s charter and funding.

    We also explore why concepts like prominence, discoverability and amplification now sit at the heart of media policy: who gets seen first on smart TVs, streaming platforms and social media; what counts as a “trustworthy” news provider; and whether voluntary deals with tech platforms can ever be enough. We look at Ofcom’s role, the Online Safety Act’s definition of news publishers, the pressure on Channel 4 and local news, and how citizens can still influence media policy.


    To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month

    www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership

    @beebwatch.bsky.social

    @BeebRoger

    Instagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatch

    LinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

    email: roger@rogerboltonsbeebwatch.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    31 mins
  • Jonathan Heawood: The Mill and the Fight to Save Local Journalism

    Jonathan Heawood: The Mill and the Fight to Save Local Journalism
    Jul 2 2026

    Jonathan Heawood, executive director of the Public Interest News Foundation and founder of Impress, discusses the rise of Manchester’s independent newsletter The Mill - widely praised for its coverage of Andy Burnham - and what it reveals about rebuilding local journalism: from new business models for independents and partnerships with the BBC, to press regulation and why strong local media is essential for a healthy democracy.


    To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month

    www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership

    @beebwatch.bsky.social

    @BeebRoger

    Instagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatch

    LinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

    email: roger@rogerboltonsbeebwatch.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Mark Damazer on BBC Cuts, Digital-First, and the Fight for Public Service Broadcasting

    Mark Damazer on BBC Cuts, Digital-First, and the Fight for Public Service Broadcasting
    Jun 24 2026

    Former BBC Radio 4 Controller, Deputy Director of News and BBC Trustee Mark Damazer reflects on the BBC cuts announced last week and how such decisions are really made. He examines whether the reductions are justified, the trade‑off between chasing new audiences and providing high‑quality journalism, and how far the BBC’s digital‑first strategy should apply to radio as well as television — and at what pace. We also discuss what the BBC, new Director-General Matt Brittin, and supporters of public service broadcasting need to do next if the Corporation is to safeguard its future.


    To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month

    www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership

    @beebwatch.bsky.social

    @BeebRoger

    Instagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatch

    LinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

    email: roger@rogerboltonsbeebwatch.com

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
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Wonderful to discover this Podcast Roger. I listened to the vast .majority of your Feedback programmes on Radio 4 and was very sad to learn it was the BBC's decision not yours to dispense with your services on Feedback. There have been many changes of a similar nature over many years such as this that l did not agree with. These include Alex Lester, Ken Bruce, Simon Mayo, Janice Long, Eddie Mair and even the great Ray Moore who was forced to step down from his showvon Radio 2 in 1988, when he was ill on a Thursday without being able to say goodbye to his listeners as confirmed in his autobiography. Thanks for this brilliant podcast which l will listen to regularly. Peter Nadin Macclesfiekd

Great to hear you again Roger

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An independent, interesting and authoritative podcast. Well worth the time of anyone who wants a healthy and unbiased BBC working on their behalf.

Excellent

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