BBC set to make shows for YouTube in new deal
Amidst Trump’s legal threats and a waning Gen Z audience, the BBC is hoping to gain back some much-needed goodwill with a landmark new YouTube deal. The BBC has struck a deal with YouTube to make brand new content tailored specifically for the digital platform. It comes after months of turmoil...
Current in Media
Is the ‘Wuthering Heights’ controversy warranted?
Literary purists are on the rampage over Emerald Fennell’s upcoming adaptation of the gothic novel. But why do modern takes on historic literature so often spark backlash? Wuthering Heights may be one of the most famous books ever written, but Emily Brontë’s singular masterpiece has proved near impossible to adapt...
Has ‘Diary of a CEO’ flown too far to the right?
The popular podcast is receiving heat for a recent conversation around women and motherhood. It highlights how far the show has strayed from its origins. Stephen Bartlett is no stranger to controversy. When you head-up one of the biggest podcasts on the planet, that comes with the territory. And it...
Nicki Minaj and the rise of right wing grifting
Rapper Nicki Minaj was once considered a gay icon and a strong denouncer of Trump, having previously criticised his immigration policies and campaigns. Over the past year she has made a strong pivot the other way, appearing at right wing rallies with Erika Kirk in a likely attempt to...
Brigitte Bardot and the complexity of mourning celebrity
The French movie star’s death sparked sadness and scorn, as her right-wing politics mark a complicated legacy. You might now Brigitte Bardot for her blonde bombshell looks – with voluminous golden hair so infamous that she arguably cemented ‘French Girl Chic’ into modern parlance. Even if you haven’t watched any of her...
Podcasts are now eligible for Golden Globes
And as the inaugural nominations are announced, liberals are winning. I can’t say I was surprised when the Golden Globes announced the addition of podcasts to their awards roster. This year, my Spotify wrapped was comprised largely of podcasts (apparently I spent thousands of hours listening to the dulcet tones...
‘Heated Rivalry’ is reigniting dangerous debates about queer storytelling
The surprise hit for HBO Max has just been renewed for a second season – but its success highlights the age-old question of who gets to tell queer stories. Heated Rivalry, a show based on Rachel Reid’s novel about two ice hockey players who fall in love, was only meant to air on Canadian streaming service Crave. The explicit sex scenes and niche plotting weren’t likely to draw in huge numbers...
Study says most streaming shows made by white people
A new report published by the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) has found that over 90% of the top 250 programmes on streaming services were made by white people last year, an increase over 2024. Cultural diversity has seen a significant decrease this year compared to 2024, a new study by UCLA has concluded. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktJGNSf0zfc As part of its Hollywood Diversity report, the university published that 91.7% of the...
Trump doubles down on Rob Reiner criticism after murder
The US president posted that the sudden death of Hollywood director and actor, Rob Reiner, was related to ‘Trump derangement syndrome,’ before repeating this criticism to reporters in the Oval Office several hours later. Donald Trump has received flack from both Democrats and Republicans this week after publicly criticising Rob Reiner in the wake of his sudden death. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p65gtuK6FhY The Hollywood actor and director, well known for his work on films...
Why are countries pulling out of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest?
Several European countries have pulled out of the Eurovision Song Contest, taking issue with Israel being allowed to participate despite its continued war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank since 2023. On Wednesday, Iceland became the fifth country to bow out of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, saying the political debate around Israel’s allowed participation has made it impossible to take part in good faith. The European Broadcasting Union...
