EXCLUSIVE: Steven Bartlett's The Diary Of A CEO has reached 1 billion streams across Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, according to his company Flight Studio. In addition to the landmark, Apple has confirmed Diary Of A CEO as the UK's most-downloaded podcast for a third year. Bartlett, who also features as an investor on BBC series Dragons' Den, launched Diary Of A CEO in 2017 and has interviewed the likes of Simon Cowell, Jada Pinkett Smith, Boris Johnson, Seth Rogen, Maisie Williams, Thierry Henry, and Richard Branson. It is Europe's biggest podcast and the second-largest globally on YouTube. Bartlett said: "It's frankly unfathomable to me. The show began as a passion project with just me, my laptop, and a microphone, and it has grown into something I never imagined."
Amazon Confirms Molly-Mae Hague Docuseries
Amazon has confirmed a docuseries following Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague. The show has been in the ether for months since Netflix premiered At Home With the Furys, a series following Hague's ex-partner Tommy Fury and his step brother Tyson Fury, the heavyweight boxing champion. The untitled Molly-Mae series will drop in January on Prime Video and will follow her journey after her highly publicized break up with Fury, who she met on Love Island in 2019. The social media influencer will be seen adapting to the challenges of motherhood and launching her new business venture Maebe. Her show is produced by Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story indie Lorton Entertainment and Banijay-backed Navybee. Hannah Blyth, Head of TV at Prime Video UK, said: "This year has been a transformative one for Molly, and we're thrilled to offer Prime Video audiences exclusive, intimate access to her daily life and exciting new ventures through this series. Molly is a true powerhouse and her authenticity, resilience, and strength will undoubtedly resonate with viewers as she opens up like never before."
Jay Hunt To Chair Hay Festival
Apple Europe boss Jay Hunt has landed her second chair role in the space of a year. The former BBC One controller, who became chair of the BFI in January, will begin a three-year term in January 2025 at Hay Festival, which counts Stephen Fry as its Global President. She replaces lit agent Caroline Michel, who will move to the festival's advisory council. Hay is a cultural charity that has been putting on a highly-respected literary festival in Wales once a year since 1987, landing top speakers from around the world and generating plenty headlines. "I am passionate about the way stories connect us and can think of no better place to celebrate that than at Hay Festival," said Hunt. "I look forward to working with a formidably talented Board to help steer the organisation in the years ahead." Hunt is the only British broadcasting commissioner to have run three different channels at three different networks. At Apple, she has commissioned the likes of Slow Horses and Bad Sisters.