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Insiders: The TV Podcast
The Harry Potter Reboot: 5 Questions HBO Must Answer | BBC iPlayer 2.0 & Netflix’s New Dating Shows
Season 3, Ep. 37
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Is the Harry Potter series arriving too soon? TV insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville examine why HBO is returning to Hogwarts, whether the original films are still impossible to replace, and what other big issues face the Harry Potter TV show.
They also debate BBC Director-General Matt Brittin’s vision for an iPlayer shaped by a “public service algorithm”, examine new research on women working behind the camera in US television, and ask why Netflix is betting so heavily on dating and reality formats.
In this episode:
- Why is Harry Potter being adapted for television so soon after the original films?
- Christopher Columbus’ reaction to the new Harry Potter series
- Whether the reboot is a creative opportunity or a commercial franchise play
- The continuing debate around J.K. Rowling’s views on gender and the new cast
- The Harry Potter series cast like Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, John Lithgow as Dumbledore and Nick Frost as Hagrid
- Behind the Scenes on the Harry Potter production as leaked reports say props have to be tracked for security
- Matt Brittin’s vision for a BBC iPlayer 2.0
- Could the BBC really host YouTube-style user generated content?
- Why a “public service algorithm” might be useful or “schoolmasterish”
- The decline in women creators and directors on US streaming programmes
- How age and gender affect the roles available on television
- Why Netflix is commissioning more dating and reality formats
- What streamers can learn from broadcasters about genre mix, live television and audience habits
Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.
If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:40 HBO's Harry Potter Problems
10:53 Matt Brittin’s ideal iPlayer 2.0
18:26 Why fewer women are creating TV shows
23:44 Netflix’s Reality-TV revolution
#HarryPotter #HarryPotterSeries #HarryPotterTrailer #HBO #JkRowling #PaapaEssiedu #JohnLithgow #NickFrost #WarwickDavis #BBC #iPlayer #Netflix #RealityTV #DatingShows #Television #TVIndustry #TVProduction #Streaming #BritishTelevision #InsidersTVPod #JimmyMulville #PeterFincham
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.com
Instagram: @InsidersTVPod
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36. Tom Jones' Sacking Statement, Seven Up Ending and Channel 4’s Huge Cuts
33:36||Season 3, Ep. 36TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville discuss Sir Tom Jones’s shock exit from The Voice UK, Channel 4’s plan to cut around 300 jobs, allegations that some LG smart TVs can capture audio in standby mode, the end of Seven Up, and ITV’s new I’m a Celebrity…The Wild Frontier spin-off.In this episode:• Why Sir Tom Jones says ITV removed him from The Voice UK • Channel 4’s proposed 300+ job cuts and the financial pressures facing the broadcaster• How YouTube is competing with traditional television for audiences, advertising and attention• The remarkable legacy of Seven Up and why the Up series is ending with 70 Up• Why Asif Kapadia is directing the final instalments of the landmark ITV documentary• What researchers allege about microphone capture, network scanning and standby audio on some LG smart TVs• ITV’s expansion of the I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! universe• Whether spin-offs make successful formats stronger or less special• PLUS: Celebrity Traitors, Strictly Come Dancing, and more!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 us a rating on your podcast platform, follow the show and share this episode with a friend — it really helps us grow.Chapters00:00 Intro00:51 Sir Tom Jones leaves The Voice UK04:49 Channel 4’s Major Job Cuts & YouTube vs TV12:01 The End of Seven Up19:35 Can LG TVs Listen in Standby Mode?25:39 ITV announces I’m a Celebrity: The Wild Frontier#TomJones #TheVoiceUK #Channel4 #7Up #70Up #AsifKapadia #LGTV #SmartTV #TVPrivacy #YouTube #ImACelebrity #WildFrontier #CelebrityTraitors #StrictlyComeDancing #ITV #Television #TVIndustry #Broadcasting #TVPodcast #InsidersTVPodJimmy 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; it 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 its 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 Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson’s Farm and Alma’s Not Normal. New episodes every Friday.YouTube: /@insiderstvpodcastEmail: podcasts@hattrick.comInstagram: @InsidersTVPod35. Our Top 10 Best British Sitcoms Ever (and the 'Rules' of Comedy)
35:19||Season 3, Ep. 35Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville rank the 10 best British sitcoms ever, debating Fawlty Towers, The Office, Only Fools and Horses, Blackadder, Dad’s Army, Peep Show, Absolutely Fabulous and more.In this episode:Peter and Jimmy discuss Ann Droid and what makes a great sitcomHow each episode of Fawlty Towers is constructed so wellWhy Dad’s Army has survived across generationsHow The Office became a timeless British comedyThe cultural importance of Derry GirlsWhy Blackadder works despite its unlikeable central characterWhether Only Fools and Horses deserves a higher placeThe enduring appeal of Victor Meldrew in One Foot in the GraveThe difference between British and American comedyWhether shorter series create a stronger television legacyWhether controversial sitcoms such as Till Death Us Do Part can still be watched todayAnd the worst comedy note Jimmy ever received…Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a 5 star rating on your podcast app, subscribe to the show and share this episode with a friend — it really helps us grow.Chapters00:00 Introduction and rules03:39 Dad’s Army06:15 Peep Show08:10 Blackadder10:43 Miranda12:22 Fawlty Towers16:03 One Foot in the Grave18:14 Till Death Us Do Part20:52 The Office24:04 Only Fools and Horses28:26 Absolutely Fabulous versus Not Going Out#BritishSitcoms #BestBritishSitcoms #FawltyTowers #TheOffice #OnlyFoolsAndHorses #Blackadder #DadsArmy #PeepShow #AbsolutelyFabulous #Miranda #OneFootInTheGrave #TillDeathUsDoPart #DerryGirls #AlanPatridge #FatherTed #AnnDroid #BritishComedy #TVComedy #Comedy #Television #TVPodcast #InsidersTVPodJimmy 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 its biggest shows, including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, Director of Television at ITV and 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
34. Steph McGovern chats to TV Insiders Jimmy & Peter
39:44||Season 3, Ep. 34TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville are joined by the brilliant Steph McGovern to talk about her career, the television industry, and slime! In this episode:The Rest Is Money PodcastSteph's CareerBBC NewsThe TV Industry Steph's Packed LunchSteph's NovelsHave I Got News For You 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.CHAPTERS01:26 Robert Peston / The Rest Is Money03:01 Steph's engineering roots03:56 Steph's first steps into TV05:25 Steph's background09:30 Steph's first job at the BBC11:40 The Big Deal13:27 Working full time at the BBC15:49 Is TV harder now?17:40 Steph's Packed Lunch24:08 Post Packed Lunch life28:16 Steph's businesses30:09 Steph's novels33:50 Steph's first time on HIGNFY35:48 Steph's first TV appearance #StephMcGovern #RobertPeston #TheRestIsMoneyPodcast #BlackAndDecker #BBC #Middlesbrough #TheBigDeal #StephsPackedLunch #Gootopia #Deadline 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: @insiderstvpodcastEmail: podcasts@hattrick.comInstagram: @InsidersTVPod
33. Ofcom vs Satire, Eurovision's Rule Changes, Subtitles vs Dubbing, Roku's A.I. Channel
44:14||Season 3, Ep. 33TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville discuss Ofcom vs Satire, Eurovision's voting rule changes, the "Sub v Dub" debate, and Roku's new A.I channel. In this episode:The TV FestivalOfcom vs SatireEurovision's voting rule changesSubtitles vs DubbingRoku's A.I channelHave 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.CHAPTERS00:27 - Intro01:24 - The TV Festival 03:16 - Ofcom vs Satire19:44 - Eurovision's voting rules change26:48 - Subtitles vs Dubbing34:27 - Roku's A.I. channel43:24 - Outro #EdinburghFringeFestival #EdinburghTVFestival #BBC #StewartLee #Radio4 #ArmandoIanucci #JamesPrice #LBC #HaveIGotNewsForYou #DonaldTrump #Ofcom #BorisJonhson #Channel4 #EurovisionSongContest #Subtitles #Dubbing #Roku #FairgroundTV 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: @insiderstvpodcastEmail: podcasts@hattrick.comInstagram: @InsidersTVPod
32. Can A Self-Funded-To-TV Model Work? BBC's Live At The Apollo Axed
31:54||Season 3, Ep. 32TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville discuss the viability of self-funded programming, the increasing lack of stand up on British TV now that Live At The Apollo has been axed, and whether Channel 4 should reinstate their "Red Triangle" programme warning.In this episode:- Self funded to TV model- Shane Gillis + Tires road to Netflix- BBC cancels Live At The Apollo- Do comedians need to be on television?- Should C4 reinstate their "Red Triangle" programme warning?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.CHAPTERS01:27 - Self-funded to TV model07:31 - Ad-funded programming11:45 - Shane Gillis + Tires road to Netflix15:30 - BBC cancels Live At The Apollo23:28 - C4 celebrates 40 years since Red Triangle debut #ShaneGillis #Tires #Netflix #BBC #Channel4 #YouTube #LiveAtTheApollo #BlanketyBlank #CelebrityMastermind #MaryWhitehouse #NeverMindTheBuzzcocks #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: @insiderstvpodcastEmail: podcasts@hattrick.comInstagram: @InsidersTVPod31. Ash Atalla on Unearthing The Office, His Worst Ever TV Show & Why He Left the BBC
34:39||Season 3, Ep. 31Comedy producer Ash Atalla joins Jimmy Mulville and Peter Fincham to tell the inside story of The Office, his struggles trying to sell the IT Crowd and what the worst TV show he ever made was…In this episode:• How The Office got off the ground — and why nobody was guaranteed to believe in it• Why Ash left the BBC and founded Roughcut Television• The tough reality of trying to sell shows like The IT Crowd• What the worst TV show Ash ever made was and what he learned from it • Why streamers will buy shows like How to Get to Heaven from Belfast but not Big Boys• What the future holds for the TV industry• PLUS: The BBC, Channel 4, Netflix, new comedy, old-school commissioning, and moreHave 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 give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share the podcast with a friend – it really helps us grow. CHAPTERS00:00 Coming Up...01:53 Unearthing The Office, Big Boys and Stath Lets Flats10:10 Joining Talkback & Starting Rough Cut19:10 The Worst Show Ash Ever Made22:45 How to Sell Shows Today29:54 The Future of TV#TheOffice #AshAtalla #JimmyMulville #PeterFincham #TVPodcast #BritishComedy #BBC #Channel4 #RoughcutTelevision #TheITCrowd #PeopleJustDoNothing #StathLetsFlats #BigBoys #Television #Comedy30. The BBC’S Controversial New Ad, Luke Littler’s Netflix Show & Have UK TV's Diversity Pledges Failed?
33:47||Season 3, Ep. 30"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: @InsidersTVPod29. Should Broadcasters Be Removing British Comedy History? And More Listener Questions!
36:52||Season 3, Ep. 29TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville answer listener questions on Channel 4 and Netflix removing classic sitcom episodes, the secret scheduling battle between the BBC and ITV and why some revived formats soar while others flop.Correction: It was actually Matt Berry's character of Douglas who dates April, not Chris O'Dowd's character Roy. You'll forgive us for getting this mistaken – we obviously couldn't watch the episode to check!In this episode:Why Channel 4 removed “The Speech” episode of The IT CrowdWhy Netflix removed episodes of Little Britain, Come Fly with Me & The Mighty BooshThe Fawlty Towers, Father Ted and Peep Show scenes that got cut or pulled entirelyWhether broadcasters should be editing TV historyHow the BBC and ITV secretly traded schedules ahead of the Radio Times deadline and why the ITV's Christmas strategy was always to "lose with honour"Forgotten TV creatives, like Brian Clemens, who never get mentioned todayWhy revivals like Gladiators and Blankety Blank succeeded as revivals when Challenge Anneka and Blind Date didn'tThe real story behind Have I Got News for You's rotating host, and how QI almost had a very different presenterHow actors fake smoking, drinking and eating on screenHave a question or opinion? Leave a comment on Spotify, find us on socials (@InsidersTVPod), or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com.If you enjoyed the episode, please give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, it really helps us grow.#BBC #ITV #Channel4 #Netflix #ITCrowd #FawltyTowers #FatherTed #PeepShow #LittleBritain #TVPodcast #BritishTV #Television #InsidersTVPod #HaveIGotNewsForYou #QI #Gladiators #PublicServiceBroadcasting #Streaming #Podcast