Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

LightNews

Michael Savage

@michaelsavage.bsky.social

29K followers 670 following 610 posts

Media Editor for @theguardian.com. Likes ≠ endorsements, obv. Story? 👇👇👇 [email protected] Need a secure way to contact me? Signal username: word_builder.20

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · Sep 9

NEW: Avid rock climber Lachlan Murdoch has finally safeguarded his place atop Murdochland - though it has cost him more than he & Rupert had hoped.

Now he faces huge business and political decisions across the empire - will the Fox man give his papers free rein?

www.theguardian.com/media/2025/s...

Lachlan finally has control of Murdoch empire but deal is a win for sibling rivals

Eldest son has the succession Rupert craved after agreeing a payout to his siblings far higher than previously offered

www.theguardian.com

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 21h

NEW: A big pushback from editors, journalists, lawyers over a government plan to give anonymity to firearms officers facing criminal charges.

A coalition has contacted the Home Secretary warning it'll damage scrutiny, open justice & fuel online misinformation.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Anonymity for firearms officers will harm public confidence, Shabana Mahmood told

Senior media figures say hiding names of those facing trial would ‘ride roughshod over the principles of open justice’

www.theguardian.com

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 1d

that's certainly what the TV world hopes (24 day consolidated is what they look at now) - more content and choice than ever, for sure. but I'm not even sure households are even watching the same thing now given content no longer delivered via the TV for many

Reposted by Michael Savage

Scott Bryan @scottygb.bsky.social · 1d

spoke to the guardian about why there's still a future in linear yet

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 1d

Last month, something unusual happened in TV - none of the main channels got a million viewers at 9pm. The bigger problem was it happened a 2nd & 3rd time soon after.

Another unwelcome landmark for linear TV & our shrinking shared TV experience.

Does it matter?

www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...

‘It was a binding experience’: TV producers mourn decline of hot 9pm slot

UK broadcasters used to rely on big audiences at 9pm, but as viewing habits change, figures are falling below the 1m mark

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Michael Savage

Greg Jenner @gregjenner.bsky.social · 1d

This is a huge moment in linear broadcast TV. When I began my TV career in 2005, even history documentaries were expected to get 2 million viewers

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 1d

Last month, something unusual happened in TV - none of the main channels got a million viewers at 9pm. The bigger problem was it happened a 2nd & 3rd time soon after.

Another unwelcome landmark for linear TV & our shrinking shared TV experience.

Does it matter?

www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...

‘It was a binding experience’: TV producers mourn decline of hot 9pm slot

UK broadcasters used to rely on big audiences at 9pm, but as viewing habits change, figures are falling below the 1m mark

www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Michael Savage

Philip Ralph @philralph.bsky.social · 1d

When I say ‘the crisis in TV isn’t a blip, it’s a paradigm shift’, this 👇👇👇 is why. The ground is shifting fast under our feet and ‘more of what worked before’ isn’t going to cut it. TV needs to see this as an opportunity for innovation, risk, experimentation and the new before it’s too late…

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 1d

Last month, something unusual happened in TV - none of the main channels got a million viewers at 9pm. The bigger problem was it happened a 2nd & 3rd time soon after.

Another unwelcome landmark for linear TV & our shrinking shared TV experience.

Does it matter?

www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...

‘It was a binding experience’: TV producers mourn decline of hot 9pm slot

UK broadcasters used to rely on big audiences at 9pm, but as viewing habits change, figures are falling below the 1m mark

www.theguardian.com

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 1d

Last month, something unusual happened in TV - none of the main channels got a million viewers at 9pm. The bigger problem was it happened a 2nd & 3rd time soon after.

Another unwelcome landmark for linear TV & our shrinking shared TV experience.

Does it matter?

www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...

‘It was a binding experience’: TV producers mourn decline of hot 9pm slot

UK broadcasters used to rely on big audiences at 9pm, but as viewing habits change, figures are falling below the 1m mark

www.theguardian.com

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 1d

I'll see your Father Ted and raise you On The Hour.

Mock current affairs radio show from 30+ years ago, still somehow works and I laughed through the whole thing. All on YouTube, obv

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 2d

More interesting in terme of the pivot and role they're playing on free speech - you can see US-style talking points suddenly doing the rounds in UK political circles

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 2d

Farage's flights were paid for by GB News (where he as over for the channel's US launch). Very interesting trans-Atlantic ecosystem developing around media/free speech/radical right.

Lizzie Dearden @lizziedearden.bsky.social · 2d

If you wondered why Nigel Farage turned up in US Congress in September speaking about "freedom of speech", this story has the answer

His appearance was orchestrated by a powerful American anti-abortion group that is trying to increase its influence in the UK by influencing the free speech debate

Jane Bradley @bradleyjane.bsky.social · 2d

NEW: How a U.S. anti-abortion group has quietly positioned itself as a powerbroker between the Trump administration and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

Latest investigation w Elizabeth Dias.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/13/w...

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 4d

NEW: Having already been sued, creators of a show depicting Paddington bear as a drug-fuelled podcast host have doubled down.

Paddington depicted using the legal docs as... toilet paper.

Legal action is an "attack on comedy"/part of a wider trend, they.

www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...

Spitting Image comics decry lawsuit over depiction of Paddington Bear

Al Murray and Matt Forde say action over portrayal as foul-mouthed drug addict is attack on freedom of expression

www.theguardian.com

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 4d

SCOOP: Matthew Garrahan, head of digital platforms at the FT, is off to RedBird Capital.

It has various media interests, but will soon own the Telegraph - could Garrahan end up as the Telegraph's new CEO?

With the purchase incomplete, that's not a bauble RedBird can yet offer.

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 4d

This obviously could and should have been caught several times over before broadcast, but I think Mulville is talking about the very thin end of a bigger issue here - how certain political talking points end up in the minds of people in the mainstream media.

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 4d

NEW: A false claim about Euan Blair found its way into Have I Got News For You.

It was from an X post seen almost 3m times - and it was wrong.

Production chief blames a "digital native" culture.

A very online media class drinking in social media = danger:

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

BBC airing false claim about Euan Blair blamed on young producers ‘marinated in social media’

Broadcaster apologised after Have I Got News For You falsely said former PM’s son had won digital ID contract

www.theguardian.com

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 4d

NEW: A false claim about Euan Blair found its way into Have I Got News For You.

It was from an X post seen almost 3m times - and it was wrong.

Production chief blames a "digital native" culture.

A very online media class drinking in social media = danger:

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...

BBC airing false claim about Euan Blair blamed on young producers ‘marinated in social media’

Broadcaster apologised after Have I Got News For You falsely said former PM’s son had won digital ID contract

www.theguardian.com

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 5d

NEW: The BBC is pushing the govt to dip into the defence budget to pay for the BBC World Service.

But others close to the broadcaster are worried about the risks to its journalism that could arise from that.

The broadcaster feels crucial as the US withdraws...

www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...

Former BBC controller fears for World Service independence amid defence funding push

Liliane Landor says journalism must not be ‘linked or subordinated to defence’, as BBC explores new funding sources

www.theguardian.com

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 5d

Currently the front page of the BBC News website. Fair to say they're leaning in to vertical video. They're v proud of it

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 5d

NEW: Celebrity Traitors was the most-watched terrestrial show yesterday with a whopping 46.4% audience share.

Average audience was just below 6.1m and peak audience was just over 6.5m.

But I missed it, so no spoilers, please.

Figures from the Digital-i agency.

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 6d

Team Aniston on this one...

www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...

Jennifer Aniston says social media ‘has taken down a huge portion of humanity’

The actor condemns ‘runaway train’ of unregulated slander, baseless claims and deepfakes that have dogged her in recent years

www.theguardian.com

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 8d

NEW: Last month, a delegation from GB News entered the White House & met with Trump.

Senior Trump figures turned up at its US launch party. Could it now become Trump’s preferred outlet in Europe?

It’s reopened the debate over Ofcom’s oversight of impartiality.

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

GB News’s US expansion feared to be new way for Trumpian views to reach UK audience

White House backing was on full display as GB News launched The Late Show Live

www.theguardian.com

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 8d

NEW: It turns out depicting Paddington Bear as a drug-crazed, potty-mouthed podcast host doesn't go down well with those that own his rights...

Spitting Image team being sued over their use of him in YouTube show, The Rest Is Bulls*!t....

www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...

‘Laugh, muchachos’: Spitting Image studio sued after Paddington Bear episode

StudioCanal and author’s estate taking action over video depicting Paddington with South American accent snorting powder

www.theguardian.com

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 8d

The incredible rise of Bari Weiss - The Free Press only started up in 2021...

Mediagazer @mediagazer.com · 8d

Paramount acquires Bari Weiss' The Free Press for $150M; Weiss will take control of CBS News's editorial vision, aiming for "news that reflects reality" (Joe Flint/Wall Street Journal)

Main Link | Mediagazer Permalink

Reposted by Michael Savage

Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 12d

Bari Weiss is set to be named the editor in chief of CBS News, the New York Post reports

Paramount Skydance is poised to name Bari Weiss as editor in chief of CBS News in the coming days — giving the hard-charging journalist unusual clout to revamp the struggling network as it also acquires her scrappy news site the Free Press, The Post has learned.

Weiss — a 41-year-old former New York Times opinion writer who has built the Free Press into a buzzworthy site with a contrarian bent — is expected to be named to the top post in a Monday announcement, although the talks are in flux and the timing could change, a source close to the situation said.

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 12d

BREAKING: Reform council ENDS its ban on local journalists after legal threat.

Blames a misunderstanding. Victory here for Nottinghamshire Live and local journalism:

www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...

Reform UK council in Nottinghamshire ends ban on local journalists

Ban on Nottingham Post and its website reversed after threat of legal action over damaging freedom of expression

www.theguardian.com

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 12d

if you read the piece, you'll see this point made.

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 12d

NEW: Could Nigel Farage really win the next election? Here’s what the polls say...

A great data exercise by the Guardian team, which also goes into how multi-party politics - and the nature of Labour's election landslide - now makes it vulnerable:

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Could Nigel Farage really win the next election? Here’s what the polls say

Reform’s lead is persistent but pollsters themselves point out that their models come with significant uncertainty

www.theguardian.com

Michael Savage @michaelsavage.bsky.social · 13d

AI experts - with the creation of #TillyNorwood, is Particle6 doing anything that someone couldn't do themselves on one of the big AI video platforms?

It says it has proprietary software, but is it really doing something studios couldn't do themselves?

www.theguardian.com/film/2025/se...

Emily Blunt and Sag-Aftra join film industry condemnation of ‘AI actor’ Tilly Norwood

US actors’ union joins stars in opposition to Norwood, which it says was created ‘using stolen performances’

www.theguardian.com