Broadcast: Talking TV

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 – report

https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/itv/sky-agrees-terms-to-buy-itv-assets-report/5218039.article

BBC shakes up entertainment team under Ed Harvard

https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/broadcasters/bbc-shakes-up-entertainment-under-ed-havard/5218007.article

Alan Tyler: Legacy broadcasters need to get in tune with one another

https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/comment/legacy-broadcasters-need-to-get-in-tune-with-one-another/5218141.article

Stay connected at broadcastnow.co.uk.

Produced by Rebecca Cooney and Heather Fallon at Broadcast. With production support from Daisy Kyakulagira and Ollie Peart at Rethink Audio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/m001z1lz

Scott 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 News

https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc/bbc-to-cut-80m-spend-and-550-jobs-from-content-nations-and-news/5217753.article

BBC cuts: how the job losses will be split between Content, News and Nations

https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc/bbc-cuts-how-the-job-losses-will-be-split-between-content-news-and-nations/5217780.article

Kate Phillips sets out 15% reduction in development spend https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc/kate-phillips-sets-out-15-reduction-in-development-spend/5217791.article

Greater Manchester wins bid for TV Festival https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-wins-bid-for-edinburgh-tv-festival/5217915.article

Recommended reads:

Phil Edgar Jones Lifts the lid on Sky’s entertainment revolution

https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/sky/phil-edgar-jones-lifts-lid-on-skys-entertainment-revolution/5217895.article

Michael Grade lobs terms of trade grenade https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/features/michael-grade-lobs-terms-of-trade-grenade/5217950.article

Five key takeaways from the first Freelancer Fest https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/freelancers/five-takeaways-from-the-first-freelancer-fest/5217769.article

Stay connected at broadcastnow.co.uk.

Produced by Rebecca Cooney and Heather Fallon at Broadcast. With production support from Daisy Kyakulagira and Ollie Peart at Rethink Audio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.article

UK to ban social media for under-16s https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/uk-to-ban-social-media-for-under-16s/5217661.article

What 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

Stay connected at broadcastnow.co.uk.

Produced by Rebecca Cooney and Heather Fallon at Broadcast. With production support from Daisy Kyakulagira and Ollie Peart at Rethink Audio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Documentary legend Norma Percy makes her podcasting debut to talk about her latest project Brexit: A Very British Civil War, as well as sharing her interview tips and explaining more about her Grierson Trust fund to support factual filmmakers.

Later in the show, we share the highlights from a webinar run by Broadcast's sister platform Broadcast Intelligence, in which Channel 4's head of news and current affairs Louisa Compton, and Hardcash Productions' creative director Esella Hawkey chat to BI editor Alice Redman about working on the 2023 Dispatches exposé Russell Brand: In Plain Sight and why current affairs content should be more fun.

And in the news round-up, BBC correspondent Ellie Kahn joins this week's hosts Rebecca Cooney and John Elmes to discuss the appointment of Rhodri Talfan Davies as the corporation's deputy director general.

For more on the stories mentioned this week, check out Broadcastnow.co.uk

Analysis on the role of chief content officer at Channel 4:

https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/channel-4/channel-4s-next-content-boss-the-role-in-the-spotlight/5216030.article

https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/features/10-shows-that-defined-channel-4s-ian-katz-era/5216032.article

Rhodri Talfan Davies' appointment as deputy DG: https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc/rhodri-talfan-davies-appointed-deputy-dg/5217534.article

Rhodri Talfan Davies speaking at the Enders TMT Leaders Live conference: https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc/bbc-nations-chief-were-an-organisation-that-is-winning/5217406.article

Lisa Nandy's comments at SXSW: https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/production-and-post/lisa-nandy-admits-government-got-it-wrong-on-ai-copyright/5217336.article

Norma's Grierson Trust fund: https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/indies/norma-percy-and-grierson-trust-unveil-documentary-fund/5216569.article

The full interview with Louisa and Esella is available to Broadcast Intelligence members

Find out more about Broadcast Intelligence here: https://www.broadcastintel.com/?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=BDCPOD

And book your free demo of the platform here:https://commissionerindex.youcanbook.me/?SOURCE=BDCPOD

Stay connected at broadcastnow.co.uk.

Produced by Rebecca Cooney and Heather Fallon at Broadcast. With production support from Daisy Kyakulagira and Ollie Peart at Rethink Audio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.article

Love Productions shakes up the top team - https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/indies/love-appoints-hello-sunshine-exec-as-creative-chief/5217309.article

Lenny 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.article

Amelia 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

Stay connected at broadcastnow.co.uk.

Produced by Rebecca Cooney and Heather Fallon at Broadcast. With production support from Daisy Kyakulagira and Ollie Peart at Rethink Audio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Stay connected at broadcastnow.co.uk.

Produced by Rebecca Cooney and Heather Fallon at Broadcast. With production support from Daisy Kyakulagira and Ollie Peart at Rethink Audio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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Stay connected at broadcastnow.co.uk.

Produced by Rebecca Cooney and Heather Fallon at Broadcast. With production support from Daisy Kyakulagira and Ollie Peart at Rethink Audio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stay connected at broadcastnow.co.uk.

Produced by Rebecca Cooney and Heather Fallon at Broadcast. With production support from Daisy Kyakulagira and Ollie Peart at Rethink Audio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stay connected at broadcastnow.co.uk.

Produced by Rebecca Cooney and Heather Fallon at Broadcast. With production support from Daisy Kyakulagira and Ollie Peart at Rethink Audio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stay connected at broadcastnow.co.uk.

Produced by Rebecca Cooney and Heather Fallon at Broadcast. With production support from Daisy Kyakulagira and Ollie Peart at Rethink Audio.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.