EXCLUSIVE: Steven Bartlett of The Diary of a CEO has reached 1 billion streams on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, according to his company Flight Studio. In addition to the landmark, Apple confirmed Diary of a CEO as the UK’s most downloaded podcast for the third year running. Bartlett, who also appeared as an investor in the BBC series Denog of the DragonsCebu launched Diary of a CEO in 2017 and interviewed the likes of Simon Cowell, Jada Pinkett Smith, Boris Johnson, Seth Rogen, Maisie Williams, Thierry Henry, and Richard Branson. It is the largest podcast in Europe and the second largest worldwide on YouTube. Bartlett said: “It’s frankly beyond me. The show started as a love project with just me, my laptop, and a microphone, and it turned into something I never imagined.
Amazon has confirmed a docuseries to follow Island of Love star Molly-Mae Hague. The show has been on the air for months since premiering on Netflix At Home With the Furies, a series that follows Hague’s former partner Tommy Fury and his step brother Tyson Fury, the heavyweight boxing champion. The untitled Molly-Mae series drops in January on Main Video and follows his journey after his announced breakup with Fury, whom he met Island of Love in 2019. The social media influencer will be seen adapting to the challenges of motherhood and launching her new business venture Maebe. His show is produced by Coleen Rooney: The True Story of Wagatha indie Lorton Entertainment and Navybee backed by Banijay. Hannah Blyth, Head of TV at Prime Video UK, said: “This year has been a turning point for Molly, and we’re delighted to offer Prime Video audiences exclusive, intimate access to her day- day life and exciting new ventures through this series. Molly is a true powerhouse and her honesty, tenacity, and strength will no doubt captivate viewers as she opens up. like never before.
Jay Hunt To Lead Hay Festival
Apple Europe boss Jay Hunt has landed his second role in the chair in a year. The former BBC One controller, who became chair of the BFI in January, will start a three-year term in January 2025 at the Hay Festival, which has Stephen Fry as its Global President. He replaces agent Caroline Michel, who will move to the festival’s advisory council. The Hay is a cultural charity that has put on a highly respected literary festival in Wales once a year since 1987, landing top speakers from around the world and generating plenty of headlines. “I love the way stories connect us and couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate that than the Hay Festival,” Hunt said. “I look forward to working with a very talented Board to help guide the organization for years to come.” Hunt is the only British broadcasting commissioner to run three different channels on three different networks. At Apple, he commanded the likes of Slow Horses and Bad Sisters.