Broadcast: Talking TV

In the last couple of weeks, the once solid terms of trade agreement for the UK television sector has suddenly found itself at the centre of debate. After what Broadcast dubbed a ‘terms of trade grenade’ was thrown by former Ofcom chair Michael Grade, suggesting they are not fit for purpose, the BBC then claimed the agreement was preventing the broadcaster from exploiting its IP.So what comes next? And why should the production and broadcaster community care? Broadcast’s senior reporter Ellie Kahn and editor Chris Curtis chew the fat on the latest, and dive into the BBC’s annual report which was published this week.Later on, we hear from History Hit’s Dan Snow following the company’s major wins at the latest Broadcast Digital Awards which took place last week.Michael Grade lobs terms of trade grenade: https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/features/michael-grade-lobs-terms-of-trade-grenade/5217950.articleBBC bosses call for terms of trade review: https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc/bbc-bosses-call-for-terms-of-trade-review/5218457.articleMatt Brittin: BBC will shrink without new funding model and rights position: https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc/matt-brittin-bbc-will-shrink-without-new-funding-model-and-rights-position/5218603.article

Everyone's talking about the news that Sky has finally confirmed it plans to buy ITV's broadcast and streaming business as part of a £1.6bn deal - and so are we. First up, senior reporter Heather Fallon chats to Broadcast's editor in chief Chris Curtis and head of content for international Rich Middleton about the rationale behind the move and what it means for ITV's production arm, ITV Studios. Later, news editor John Elmes is joined by Mike Darcy, former chief operating officer of Sky and current Broadcast columnist, as well as ITV's former director of television and founder of Expectation TV Peter Fincham (of Insiders podcast fame). The trio unpack what the sale means for viewers, indies and the other PSBs, as well as how the two organisations might work together and what the five-year content deal with ITV Studios really means. For more on the deal, visit broadcastnow.co.uk. Broadcast's story on the deal: https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcasters/sky-and-itv-seal-landmark-16bn-deal/5217099.articleWhat Sky's chief executive Dana Strong had to say: https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/sky/dana-strong-sky-itv-will-be-uk-streaming-champion/5218337.articleITV boss Carolyn McCall's comments: https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/itv/sky-itv-carolyn-mccall-hails-milestone-moment-in-british-media/5218346.articleRich's story on the possible future for ITVS: https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcast-international/banijay-all3-mediawan-likely-suitors-for-itv-studios/5218350.articleChris's analysis: https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcasters/sky-itv-analysis-scale-and-scrutiny-on-the-horizon/5218364.articleMike's Broadcast column: https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/comment/mike-darcey-itv-has-befriended-an-old-enemy-in-a-bid-for-digital-prominence/5218349.article

Peep Show writer Jesse Armstrong and Argonon's Amanda Goddard weigh in on the use of generative AI in production. In Broadcast’s most recent Indie Survey, 59% of indies surveyed told us they were keen to explore and use AI. Only 1% said they were unlikely to use it.With the technology developing at a rapid rate, we hear from Jesse Armstrong about whether AI has a place in the creative process. Later, Amanda, who is Argonon’s chief legal and commercial officer, chats about the benefits and dangers of the technology and how it could shape the future of TV, as well as how the indie group is using AI in practice.In the news this week, Heather Fallon and Rebecca Cooney discuss the impending ITV/Sky deal and what it might mean for the respective companies, as well as further people moves at the BBC.For more on the stories mentioned this week and the latest news, visit broadcastnow.co.uk. In the news:Sky agrees terms to buy ITV assets – reporthttps://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/itv/sky-agrees-terms-to-buy-itv-assets-report/5218039.articleBBC shakes up entertainment team under Ed Harvardhttps://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcasters/bbc-shakes-up-entertainment-under-ed-havard/5218007.articleAlan Tyler: Legacy broadcasters need to get in tune with one anotherhttps://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/comment/legacy-broadcasters-need-to-get-in-tune-with-one-another/5218141.article

Twofour’s chief executive officer David Brindley and journalist, broadcaster and TV critic Scott Bryan join the podcast this week for a special episode marking Pride month.Coinciding with the launch of the final series of BBC3’s I Kissed a Girl, a revolutionary dating series that centres on a gay kiss, Brindley unpacks the origins of the format as well as the reaction to the news of its cancellation. Meanwhile, Scott Bryan discusses his upcoming book Out Now, part memoir, part nostalgic exploration of queer representation on television from the 1990s to today.In the news this week, Ellie Kahn joins host Heather Fallon to unpack the major BBC cuts set to impact content, nations and news teams and what it means for the broadcaster as well as the TV Festival’s move to Greater Manchester.For more on the stories mentioned this week, check out Broadcastnow.co.uk.I Kissed a Girl series 2 is available now on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001z1lzScott Bryan’s upcoming book Out Now is available for pre-order here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Out-Now-Scott-Bryan/dp/1785128507 In the news this week: BBC to cut £80m spend and 550 jobs from Content, Nations and Newshttps://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc/bbc-to-cut-80m-spend-and-550-jobs-from-content-nations-and-news/5217753.articleBBC cuts: how the job losses will be split between Content, News and Nationshttps://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc/bbc-cuts-how-the-job-losses-will-be-split-between-content-news-and-nations/5217780.articleKate Phillips sets out 15% reduction in development spend https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc/kate-phillips-sets-out-15-reduction-in-development-spend/5217791.articleGreater Manchester wins bid for TV Festival https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-wins-bid-for-edinburgh-tv-festival/5217915.articleRecommended reads:Phil Edgar Jones Lifts the lid on Sky’s entertainment revolutionhttps://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/sky/phil-edgar-jones-lifts-lid-on-skys-entertainment-revolution/5217895.articleMichael Grade lobs terms of trade grenade https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/features/michael-grade-lobs-terms-of-trade-grenade/5217950.articleFive key takeaways from the first Freelancer Fest https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/freelancers/five-takeaways-from-the-first-freelancer-fest/5217769.article

This week, Broadcast delves into the burgeoning world of microdramas. With some forecasts predicting that these one-minute long episode dramas could generate global revenues of $14bn this year, should scripted companies look to invest? Rebecca Cooney speaks to Banijay Entertainment’s chief business officer Frédéric Balmary and Broadcast’s own Rich Middleton to examine whether micro dramas are a passing fad or the next drama gold mine.Later on, we hear from members of the documentary community on the key challenges facing factual, and their all-time favourite documentaries, as senior reporter Ellie Kahn attends Sheffield Doc Fest.In the news this week, Rebecca Cooney and Ellie Kahn discuss the cancellation of the Doctor Who Christmas special and what lies ahead as it goes out to tender as well as what the upcoming social media ban will mean for digital platforms.For more on the stories mentioned this week, go to broadcastnow.co.uk. Doctor Who goes out to tender - https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc/bbc-to-put-doctor-who-out-to-tender-amid-christmas-special-cancellation/5217558.articleUK to ban social media for under-16s https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/uk-to-ban-social-media-for-under-16s/5217661.articleWhat other indies want to know about Studio Lambert https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/features/studio-lambert-what-other-indies-want-to-know-about-the-format-powerhouse/5217664.article 

Rivals star Katherine Parkinson, writer Laura Wade and series producer Eliza Mellor join the Broadcast team to talk about Disney+ and Happy Prince's hit show.As the second series races towards its mid-series finale, Laura and Eliza Mellor break down the joys and challenges of making Rivals as well as dropping a few easter eggs for TV lovers.Later on, Katherine chats to hosts Heather Fallon and Rebecca Cooney about playing Lizzie Vereker, those awkward intimacy scenes and why Britain needs more sitcoms.Plus there's a round up of some of the week's most intriguing news stories.For more on the stories mentioned this week, check out Broadcastnow.co.uk:Jon Petrie heads to Hat Trick - https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc/jon-petrie-to-swap-bbc-for-hat-trick/5217294.articleLove Productions shakes up the top team - https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/indies/love-appoints-hello-sunshine-exec-as-creative-chief/5217309.articleLenny Henry’s warning about the media ‘stepping back’ from diversity conversations -https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/home/lenny-henry-warns-media-about-stepping-back-from-diversity-conversations/5217288.articleAmelia Brown profile - https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/features/amelia-brown-interview-we-need-to-shout-about-how-brilliant-we-are/5217247.article More Rivals content - https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/features/were-not-like-corinium-how-rivals-transformed-happy-prince/5217228.article

Welcome to the rebooted Broadcast podcast, where each week the team will bring you analysis, interviews and commentary exploring the week’s top stories and behind-the-scenes happenings from the world of telly.Matt Brittin became director general of the BBC last week. Where should he start? Broadcast’s editor-in-chief, Chris Curtis and BBC correspondent Ellie Kahn join the show to sift through the things that are likely to be in his in-tray, including: finding a deputy, restoring trust in the corporation and chatting to the government about how it’s going to be funded. Elsewhere, hosts Heather Fallon and Rebecca Cooney discuss MAFS UK and rumours that Channel 4 is in discussions to interview the disgraced news reader Huw Edwards. They also look back on the first series of SNL UK - were the naysayers right? Or did the show rise above the pessimistic predictions to give comedy a much-needed shot in the arm? SNL UK cast member Hammed Animashaun weighs in with his views.For more on Matt Brittin, check out Chris's leader here, Ellie's analysis on his appointment here, and her deep dive into how the BBC might be funded here.Stay up-to-date and connected with Talking TV, brought to you by Broadcast, the essential source for business info. Find out more at https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk

This week, Talking TV is heading to Lock Keeper’s cottages as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Big Breakfast, which launched on 28 September 1992. Creator Charlie Parsons and producers Duncan Gray, Lisa Clark and Paul Sandler join us in Maple Street Studios to discuss how a company that made anarchic Friday night entertainment format The Word started making ten hours of breakfast telly a week on Channel 4. The group discuss how they pulled it off, the production process and explain the relationship with stars including Chris Evans, Gaby Roslin and Paula Yates as well as some of the craziest stories behind the show.2eb7d5a147e5bb667223570078ec69f2fe68093a