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Artwork for The Future of Media, Explained

The Future of Media, Explained - from Press Gazette

New Statesman Media Group
Google
Artificial Intelligence
The Telegraph
Youtube
Substack
The Times
Kyiv Independent
Semafor
Paywalls
Wordpress
Reader Revenue
Video
Politico
Crime
Defamation
Wall Street Journal
Openai
Programmatic Advertising
Generative AI
The Atlantic

Press Gazette has covered the world of news media since 1965. This podcast draws on the expertise of our award-winning team and brings in expert voices to explain one theme, idea, strategy or innovation every week.

The Future of Media Explained aims to provide industry leaders with the information they need to create commercially successful businesses based on quality content.

If you need to know... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes114Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Business

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Artwork for The Future of Media, Explained

Latest Episodes

In the latest edition, Dominic Ponsford and Charlotte Tobitt talk about the latest changes to Google search. Agentic search will probably stay niche, but forcing AI mode into conventional search queries is a new threat to publisher referral traffic. ... more

Media lawyer Louis Charalambous represented victims of some of worst lapses in press standards during the 2000s. He went on to represent newspapers in libel battles against a violent gangster, 'wife beating' Hollywood star and others. He says press s... more

Axios dropped its output by almost a quarter but increased page views by almost a third at the start of 2026.

Head of news Ben Berkowitz told Press Gazette UK editor Charlotte Tobitt about why they stopped chasing clicks and started focusing on stor... more

Dominic Ponsford and Charlotte Tobitt discuss what led The Standard to where it is today, with just 16 staff left to create the weekly print title after a digital takeover by Independent Media.

They also cover why less is more at The Times, and the f... more

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Recent Guests

Louis Charalambous
Media lawyer
Independent practice
Episode: Better call Louis: Lawyer to press victims tells all
Ben Berkowitz
Head of News, Axios
Axios
Episode: The Axios shift from volume to value
Charlotte Tobitt
Press Gazette UK editor
Press Gazette
Episode: Less is more at The Times, Standard's long decline and future of The Telegraph
Emma Tucker
Editor-in-Chief, Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal
Episode: How Wall Street Journal supercharged online subs growth
Megha Garibaldi
Chief Growth Officer, The Atlantic
The Atlantic
Episode: Quality not discounts: How The Atlantic is powering subscriber growth
Graham Page
Head of Media, Q5
Q5
Episode: Quality not discounts: How The Atlantic is powering subscriber growth
Ben Smith
Co-founder and editor-in-chief at Semafor
Semafor
Episode: Ben Smith on building a $40m turnover news business in three years
Sarah Lester
Editor, Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News (Reach plc)
Episode: The rise of paywalls in the regional press with MEN editor Sarah Lester
Jason Konen
Director of Projects at WP Engine
WP Engine
Episode: How to stop working for your CMS and make it work for you

Hosts

Dominic Ponsford
Editor-in-Chief of Press Gazette; Host of The Future of Media Explained; UK media journalist
Charlotte Tobitt
UK Editor, Press Gazette; UK editor of The Future of Media Explained (hosted by Dominic Ponsford)

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 22 ratings
  • Terrible audio

    The audio quality on the latest episode - on GB News - is terrible.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    JFbic
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Production quality and pacing are generally solid, with room for improvement on some episodes.
Audio quality can be inconsistent across episodes, which can distract from insights.
Coverage of paywalls, AI and monetization is timely for publishers.
Guest lineups are strong and bring practical, industry-relevant expertise.
Deep dives into media business strategy are highly actionable for sponsors and guests.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Axios shift from volume to value
Q: Is there anything I haven't asked you that you think we should add?
The most important takeaway is that you cannot simply tell people to do less; you must stay engaged in the process—keep constant dialogue, support experimentation, and design a culture where doing better work matters more than simply producing more stories.
The Axios shift from volume to value
Q: Do you have any advice for other publishers going through a similar transition?
Treat newsroom change as an active, ongoing process: maintain a startup mentality, empower teams to reimagine formats, be willing to change org structures, and constantly ask whether what you're doing serves the reader. Leaders should be visibly involved, provide permission to adapt, and be prepared to iterate quickly to sustain growth.
The Axios shift from volume to value
Q: What has your remit been, and what strategy have you been developing as head of news?
My remit has evolved from leading the business desk to overseeing multiple beats and the Essentials newsletters, with a focus on efficiency and simplicity: moving away from traffic-chasing to prioritizing audience-relevant coverage, reducing output while maintaining or increasing quality and engagement, and expanding Axios' local coverage and other revenue-rich products.
The Axios shift from volume to value
Q: Ben, for anyone that isn't as familiar with Axios, could you give us a brief summary of what Axios does and how big your operation is?
Axios is a national news organization with a wide mix of newsletters, web-based news across politics, business, health, technology, and more, plus dozens of cities and a strong focus on essential, concise content; our operation blends newsletters, web, and regional coverage with a strong emphasis on producing fast, accurate reporting. We've grown through a philosophy of efficiency and audience-focused journalism, led by a relatively small, startup-like newsroom that's part of a larger company.
Less is more at The Times, Standard's long decline and future of The Telegraph
Q: Why is Axel Springer's acquisition of The Telegraph significant for UK media?
It brings a financially strong, Europe-based owner with a track record in digital media and AI ambition, potentially enabling more investment and strategic expansion for The Telegraph and contributing to media plurality in the UK.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Future of Media, Explained

What is The Future of Media, Explained about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show consistently analyzes strategic shifts in media, covering topics like paywalls, audience growth, CMS and tech integration, data-informed reporting, and the evolving economics of modern journalism. Episodes blend high-profile case studies with practical, practitioner-focused guidance on leadership, monetization, and innovation, featuring dialogues with editors, newsroom leaders, and tech/advertising experts. A standout aspect is the emphasis on actionable insights for publishers navigating a rapidly changing landscape, from AI-assisted workflows to revenue diversification and audience engagement. Listeners likely include industry professionals seeking concrete strategies to build sustainable, quality-driven media businesses.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Future of Media, Explained?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Future of Media, Explained:

1. Media Confidential
2. The Media Show
3. When It Hits the Fan
4. Insiders: The TV Podcast
5. Politics Weekly UK

How many episodes of The Future of Media, Explained are there?

The Future of Media, Explained launched 4 years ago and published 114 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Future of Media, Explained?

Recent guests on The Future of Media, Explained include:

1. Louis Charalambous
2. Ben Berkowitz
3. Charlotte Tobitt
4. Emma Tucker
5. Megha Garibaldi
6. Graham Page
7. Ben Smith
8. Sarah Lester

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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