Insiders: The TV Podcast

"What has the BBC ever done for me...?" TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville take on the BBC's much-debated new advert, dig into Hollywood's revolt against the $110 billion Paramount-Warner Bros Discovery merger, and ask whether anyone can ‘Beat Luke Littler’ in his new Netflix show…In this episode:Is the BBC's "What Has The BBC Ever Done For Me?" advert a costly own goal?Hollywood stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cumming and Benedict Wong  speak out against the Paramount-WBD mergerA new report revealing UK TV's diversity promises that haven't deliveredThe latest on Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the BBCLuke Littler’s new Netflix show with £501,000 prize potPLUS: Chris Martin's baffling cameo, Count Binface’s election chances and why Peter reckons he's more "Luke Littler" than "Mo Farah"Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share it with a friend – it really helps us grow! #BBC #RomeshRanganathan #BBCFundedByAllOfUs #ThisIsOurBBC #BBCAdvert #Advert #LicenceFee #2026 #Paramount #WarnerBrosDiscovery #LukeLittler #Diversity #DonaldTrump #Podcast #Television #Netflix #TVNews #InsidersPodcastJimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer.Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I'm Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday.YouTube: @insiderstvpodcastEmail: podcasts@hattrick.comInstagram: @InsidersTVPod

Ben Powell-Jones and Thom Gulseven of Strongwatch Studios join Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville to reveal what it was really like to work at LADbible when it was booming, why they had to turn down Tom Hanks and whether the UK's proposed social media ban for under-16s can actually work.In this episode:• Why they said no to Tom Hanks's agent (and almost turned down Billie Eilish)• How a £500 video made £80k overnight (and why platform ad revenue can vanish just as fast)• Building LADbible's YouTube channel from zero to millions of views• Why Patreon and direct-to-consumer content is the future of monetisation, from Fin vs History to Time Team• Why focus groups lie (and what LADbible's data really showed about who was watching Love Island)• How TV and YouTube are merging, from Rest Is Football's move to Netflix to broadcasters commissioning entire YouTube channels• Their honest take on the UK's proposed social media ban for under-16sHave a question or opinion? Leave a comment, find us on socials (@InsidersTVPod), or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a review 5-star review, share it with a friend and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!CHAPTERS00:00 Meet Strongwatch Studios04:37 Building LADbible's YouTube Empire09:44 Snubbing Tom Hanks and (almost) Billie Eilish12:40 Starting a Company in a Constantly Changing Digital World15:30 Patreon and the Rise of Direct-to-Consumer Content 22:10 Data in Digital versus TV and why Focus Groups Lie23:07 TV as ‘Secondary Distribution for YouTube’26:05 Broadcasters Now Commissioning YouTube Channels33:20 The Social Media Ban for Under-16s#YouTube #LADbible #SocialMediaBan #StrongwatchStudios #ContentCreator #Patreon #TVPodcast #BritishTV #DigitalMedia #InsidersTVPod #TomHanks #BillieEilish #CreatorEconomy #Streaming #Podcast

TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville discuss Count Binface, the BBC's World Cup cost saving efforts, Sky's ITV purchase, and Peppa Pig using A.I. Topics discussed:Farage vs Count BinfaceBBC not going to the US in the World Cup Quarter Finals The Sky/ITV deal Peppa Pig using A.I. for its younger voice actors Chapters:00:00 Intro01:12 Farage vs Count Binface03:20 The BBC's World Cup cost saving efforts09:27 Sky's ITV deal29:19 Peppa Pig + A.I. Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow.#CountBinface #NigelFarage #BBC #ITV #FifaWorldCup2026 #Sky #ITV #PeppaPig #GeneWilder Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer.Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday.

TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville address your comments and questions regarding the BBC's Sarah Everard drama, axing long-running TV shows, Claude writing quiz show questions, as well as discussing Michael Grade's recent comments about terms of trade. Topics discussed:Michael Grade's comments regarding terms of trade The BBC's Sarah Everard dramaExploitative true crime showsTV quiz show question writingClaude and the use of AI in TVAxing long-running TV showsChapters:00:00 Intro01:12 Michael Grade's comments regarding terms of trade09:59 Question 1) regarding the BBC's Sarah Everard drama12:11 Question 2) regarding the BBC's Sarah Everard drama13:26 Statement from Lindsay Salt, BBC Director of Drama19:16 Question 3) regarding exploitative true crime TV shows20:49 Question 4) some dramatisations are simply poor taste23:09 Questions from Kenton Allen24:16 Question 5) regarding TV quiz show question writing and AI29:59 Peter's Bob Dylan quiz35:01 Question 6) regarding the axing of long-running TV shows37:09 Outro Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow.#MichaelGrade #BBC #BBCDrama #SarahEverard #TrueCrime #KentonAllen #Quiz #QuizShows #Mastermind #BobDylan #TheBill #GMTVJimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer.Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday.YouTube: / @insiderstvpodcastEmail: podcasts@hattrick.comInstagram: @InsidersTVPod

TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville tackle the World Cup coverage battle, the TV Festival's Manchester move, the BBC's 500 job cuts, and the Government's social media green paper - recorded on the UK's hottest June day on record! Topics discussed:The UK's Prime MinisterEngland cs GhanaThe World Cup coverage battle between the BBC & ITVThe Edinburgh TV Festival moving to Manchester The BBC's 500 job cutsThe Government's social media green paperChapters:00:00 Intro01:30 The UK's next PM02:06 England vs Ghana02:32 What's on the show today?03:13 The World Cup coverage battle10:00 The Edinburgh TV Festival moves to Manchester14:30 Hydration Break14:53 The BBC's 500 job cuts25:01 The Government's social media green paper35:25 Outro Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow.#PrimeMinister #AndyBurnham #England #FIFAWorldCup2026 #BBC #ITV #HydrationBreak #EdinburghTVFestival #Manchester #UKGovernment #GreenPaper #YouTube Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer. Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday.YouTube: / @insiderstvpodcast Email: podcasts@hattrick.comInstagram: @InsidersTVPod

TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville are joined by Channel 4's Head of Comedy Charlie Perkins to discuss the importance of comedy for a channel identity, monetising comedy on YouTube, SNL's budget, talent deals and how hit comedies can prove a good investment years after their first release.Topics discussed:Channel 4's sitcom commissionsComedy + YouTubeSNL UKNew comedy talentProducer's rightsMonetising comedy on YouTubeChapters:00:00 Intro02:40 Channel 4's sitcom commissions04:25 The value of comedy08:10 Comedy on digital platforms09:27 The trickle down effect in comedy11:45 SNL UK's on C4?14:13 TV + Comedy talent19:45 Will YouTube change how we make TV?27:26 How to monetise comedy on YouTube38:07 What's your pitch for more comedy on Channel 4?Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow.#Comedy #Channel4 #SNLUK #YouTube #DontHugMeImScared Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer. Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday.YouTube: / @insiderstvpodcast Email: podcasts@hattrick.comInstagram: @InsidersTVPod

TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville debate whether it’s coming home after 60 years of hurt in this 2026 World Cup episode that covers The Rest Is Football’s lucrative Netflix deal, extortionate live sport paywalls, and nostalgic chat about previous world cups. Topics discussed:England winning the World Cup in 1966The Rest Is Football Netflix seriesWorld Cup Coverage tussles between BBC and ITVAre sport paywalls taking the piss?The ongoing issue of viewers illegally streaming live sports eventsWill the 2026 World Cup make Americans finally love football or, as they continue to call it, soccer What is the future relationship between live sports and free-to-air television?Geopolitics and footballThe World Cup and Brazil at Goodison Park, 1966Players who were destined for greatness but sadly never achieved itChapters:00.00 - The 1966 World Cup05.27 - The Rest Is Football World Cup coverage13.37 - Live sport behind paywalls / Illegal live sport streaming 17.10 - Will America learn to love football?20.12 - Listed events / World Cup coverage 24.26 - Watching the 2026 World Cup / Geopolitics in football28.05 - World Cup at Goodison ParkHave a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow.#2026WorldCup #TVPodcast #TheRestIsFootball #paywalls #soccer #GoodisonPark #DonaldTrump #ColePalmer #BBC #ITV #LiveSports Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer. Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday.YouTube:    / @insiderstvpodcast  Email: podcasts@hattrick.comInstagram: @InsidersTVPod

TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville debate the BBC's controversial Sarah Everard drama and whether a man should be writing it, explore how the Married at First Sight UK fallout could threaten Love Island, and confirm your suspicions: your favourite TV shows DO keep disappearing for longer and longer…Topics discussed:The 400 female screenwriters who signed an open letter against the BBC commissioning Jeff Pope to write the Sarah Everard dramaShould men write dramas about violence against women? Or is it too soon for a factual drama about Sarah Everard at all?Love Island relaunching under the shadow of the Married at First Sight UK/Panorama scandalWhat next for MAFS UK after all episodes taken down from Channel 4, TUI pulls sponsorship and the "hush email" sent to workers?The Stranger Things Effect: why the gap between TV seasons has more than doubled in a decade – and does it actually matter?After the success of ice hockey romance dramas Heated Rivalry and Off Campus, is sport + sex TV's hottest new genre?Could croquet, bowls or darts be the UK's answer to ice hockey romance?Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a review 5-star review, share it with a friend and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!Chapters:0:00 Intro and Jon Petrie joining Hat Trick Productions2:51 The Sarah Everard Drama: Should a Man Be Writing It?14:35 Love Island, Married at First Sight UK & Reality TV's Reckoning?25:06 The Stranger Things Effect: Why TV Shows Disappear for Years30:33 Ice Hockey Romance: TV's Hottest New Genre?#BBCDrama #SarahEverard #LoveIsland #MarriedAtFirstSight #StrangerThingsEffect #TVNews #BehindTheScenes #UKTelevision #PeterFincham #JimmyMulville #InsidersPodcast #BBCControversy # #TwinPeaks #HappyValley #StrangerThings #Euphoria #TVPodcast #BritishTV #RealityTV #JeffPope #MAFS #Channel4 #HatTrick #TVIndustry #ScreenwritingDebate #HeatedRivalry #OffCampus #TVDramaJimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer. Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday.YouTube:    / @insiderstvpodcast  Email: podcasts@hattrick.comInstagram: @InsidersTVPod