Times pulls plug on satirical podcast

The Times has pulled the plug on Andy Zaltzman and John Oliver’s satirical podcast The Bugle after four years.

The comics were quick to deny that the decision had anything to do with them mocking News International over phone hacking – saying it was a commercial decision.

Although the podcasts have been increasingly popular, the newspaper has never found a sponsor.

However Zaltzman and Oliver are now considering ways of making the podcast independently.

On the official Twitter feed, Zaltzman wrote: ‘The Bugle will be leaving Times Online in the near future. We will do everything we can to keep The Bugle going.

‘In response to your queries, I think Times Online pulling the plug had nothing to do with our phone hack coverage. more that it's a tough time for newspapers and The Bugle costs them without bringing in any revenue. They've been very good to us.’

Three-quarters of the 1,800 fans who have responded to a poll on Facebook said they would be willing to pay up to 60p an episode.

The show is usually recorded across the Atlantic, with Zaltzman in London and Oliver in New York, where he works on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

Published: 15 Dec 2011