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The Media Show

How to Make a Hit TV Show

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The Media Show - How to Make a Hit TV Show

From The Traitors to Pointless, Hunted to Gogglebox, four top creatives reveal how the biggest unscripted TV shows get made.

Duration26 mins
First shown3:30am 3 Jan 2026
Available for 11 months

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Audio DescribedSign Language

This episode
How to Make a Hit TV Show
Jeremy Vine on Trolls, Free speech, and the Law
The broadcaster reflects on his court win over Joey Barton and its impact on free speech.
26 mins
Netflix's Hollywood Takeover Drama
The battle to control Warner Bros and what it could mean for movie fans.
26 mins
Manchester's YouTube Problem
Why vloggers are accused of exploiting vulnerable people for clicks.
26 mins
Another Day, Another BBC Editing Row?
A disputed Reith Lectures cut adds to questions over BBC governance.
26 mins
Ed Sheeran's One-Shot Film
Producer behind Ed Sheeran's new live performance show on how they did it.
26 mins
Trump’s Billion-Dollar BBC Threat
As the US president vows to sue, two BBC bosses quit amid crisis.
26 mins
Lessons from Top Gear
Producer Andy Wilman on success and fallout at TV's biggest car show.
26 mins
Advertising Race Row
How race and representation in adverts became a political issue.
26 mins
When the Royals Lose Control of the Story
What renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrew reveals about royal-media dynamics.
26 mins
The Gaza Ceasefire
How newsrooms are covering Gaza as access remains blocked.
26 mins
Reporting from Inside Putin’s Russia
Steve Rosenberg on reporting truth and staying safe as a BBC journalist in Moscow.
26 mins
04/10/2025
Tech billionaire's media deals fuel debate over political influence.+
26 mins
Jimmy Kimmel's Suspension
Treatment of the US talk show host raises questions about US media and political pressure.
26 mins
Reporting Charlie Kirk's Killing
How journalists have covered the murder of a polarising figure.
26 mins
Super Mario Bros at 40
Why Nintendo's 1985 adventure is remembered as a turning point for video games.
26 mins
France's Political Crisis
Coverage of François Bayrou's political gamble and the rise of 'Bloquons Tout'.
26 mins
The Mystery Freelancer
Outlets remove articles amid suspicions AI was behind a freelance byline.
26 mins
Trump, Zelensky and the cameras
Journalists on covering Zelensky's White House talks with Donald Trump.
26 mins
Interview of an AI Avatar
How the AI avatar of a school-shooting victim was made - and interviewed.
26 mins
Taiwan's War Drama Tests Political Boundaries on Screen
A fictional Chinese attack sparks debate over Taiwan's media and censorship.
25 mins
YouTubers and the Migrant Hotel Protest
Footage from citizen journalists challenges traditional news coverage of Epping disorder.
26 mins
A Superinjunction That Gagged the Media
A government data leak led to a press blackout. How reporters challenged the court order.
26 mins
Oasis Concert Photo Row
Photographers hit out at Oasis for limiting the use of pictures from their comeback gig.
26 mins
Gaza Documentary Controversy
Channel 4 airs Gaza film dropped by the BBC over impartiality concerns.
26 mins
Iranian Harassment of BBC Journalists
"Psychology warfare” waged against staff at BBC Persian.
26 mins
Israel-Iran coverage
Challenge in reporting Iran-Israel conflict due to limited access and state restrictions.
26 mins
Will AI Kill the Advertising Industry?
Meta's plan for new tools that will let anyone make ads.
26 mins
Can NPR survive Trump's cuts?
CEO of US public radio sets out survival strategy.
26 mins
NYT Editor Joe Kahn and Travel Presenter Simon Reeve
Journalism in a divided America and documentary storytelling in Scandinavia.
26 mins
Full-time for Lineker at the BBC
How a social media post led to Gary Lineker's departure.
26 mins
Misinformation and the India-Pakistan Standoff
How false claims have flooded social media during border tensions.
26 mins
Tina Brown on Her Fight for Quality Journalism
Legendary editor Tina Brown on press freedom, editorial integrity and the MAGA era.
26 mins
Piers Morgan's YouTube Bet
Why the former tabloid journalist believes online is his future.
26 mins
Washington Leak Culture
The Pentagon hunts for the officials talking to journalists.
26 mins
Britain's Steel Crisis
Reporting the battle to save the UK’s last major steelworks.
26 mins

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The Media Show - How to Make a Hit TV Show

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Children’s

The Media Show - How to Make a Hit TV Show

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