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Patten & Paxman depart; Channel 5 sold; Sunday Herald says 'yes'

How to find a new 大象传媒 Trust Chair; the future of Newsnight once Paxman departs; Viacom's purchase of Channel 5; and the Scottish Sunday Herald on supporting independence.

Lord Patten has stood down from his role as chairman of the 大象传媒 Trust due to ill health. The former cabinet minister who took the job in 2011, has presided over a time which included three director generals and scandals such as excessive executive pay. Now begins the quest to find a replacement. But, with charter renewal due in 2016, and the very future of the 大象传媒 Trust being debated, finding the right candidate could prove challenging. Chair of the DCMS Select Committee John Whittingdale talks to Steve Hewlett about the kind of person required, and former Trustee Richard Tait about how this could impact on the organisation.

American media group Viacom which owns Nickleodeon, MTV and Comedy Central has bought Channel 5 for 拢450 million. It will be the first US broadcaster to buy a UK channel with a public service remit. Why is Channel 5 so attractive to Viacom? And what are they likely to do with it? We hear from Tara Conlan, media reporter for the Guardian.

Jeremy Paxman has announced he's to leave Newsnight in order to get to bed at a decent time. Famous for his acerbic interrogation of guests, he's long been the programmes most popular presenter. So, what now for a programme that's been suffering a decline in audience figures? Steve Hewlett talks to two former Newsnight editors, Richard Tait and Sian Kevell, about the direction they'd now take the programme.

Scotland's Sunday Herald has become the first mainstream newspaper to support independence. Is it a cynical ploy to boost readership? The paper say it will remain balanced in it reporting but how easy is it to do when you have come out in favour of the Yes campaign. Steve speaks to Richard Walker, editor of the Sunday Herald about the decision.

Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • The future of the 大象传媒 Trust following Lord Patten's departure

    With John Whittingdale MP Chair of DCMS select cttee and Richard Tait former 大象传媒 Trustee

    Duration: 09:06

  • Viacom's purchase of Channel 5

    With Tara Conlan, media reporter of the Guardian.

    Duration: 04:15

  • Who should replace Jeremy Paxman at Newsnight?

    With former Newsnight editors Sian Kevill and Richard Tait

    Duration: 07:45

  • Why has the scottish Sunday Herald now come out in support of independence?

    With Richard Walker, Editor of Sunday Herald.

    Duration: 05:16

Broadcast

  • Wed 7 May 2014 16:30

Podcast