In this powerful episode of TellyCast, host Justin Crosby sits down with Danny Fenton, CEO and founder of Zig Zag, to discuss the turbulent journey his company has faced over the past 12 months. From insolvency to reinvention, Danny opens up about the personal and professional challenges of leading an independent production company through financial crisis, the impact of industry upheavals, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Discover how Zig Zag 2.0 is navigating the changing landscape of TV and digital content, with a focus on leaner operations, brand-funded content, and international expansion.

Listen now for an unfiltered conversation about resilience, leadership, and the future of the production business.

#TVIndustry #DigitalContent #IndieProduction #ZigzagProductions #MediaBusiness #Podcast #SocialVideo

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Top digital commissioners from MTV, Channel 4, and A+E Networks reveal exactly what they’re looking for - and what they’re not - when commissioning social video content.

Recorded live at the TellyCast How to Make Money in Digital event, this expert panel explores How to Work with Digital Commissioners and What They Want. Featuring Amie Parker-Williams (MTV and Comedy Central), Sam Pearson (Hearst Networks), Evie Buckley (Channel 4.0), and Joe Churchill (Channel 4 Branded Entertainment), the session dives into what commissioners look for in social video content, the opportunities for production companies and talent, and how to pitch winning ideas for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and beyond.

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This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by Channel 4’s Digital Commissioning Editor and Channel 4.0 lead, Evie Buckley. 

In a wide-ranging and insightful chat, Evie reveals her latest exclusive digital commissions, shares her evolving commissioning strategy, and explains how data, talent, and creator-first thinking are transforming Channel 4’s approach to digital content. They also explore how traditional producers can break into digital, what makes a pitch stand out, and why creators shouldn’t be labelled as influencers. Plus — Hero of the Week, Story of the Week, and what Evie thinks needs to go straight in the bin.

Got YouTube? Head to TellyCast TV and hit subscribe.

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This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by Eline van der Velden, founder and CEO of Particle 6 – an AI-first production company shaking up the world of digital video. With a background in both physics and performance, Eline shares how her unique career path has shaped Particle 6’s groundbreaking approach to content creation using artificial intelligence.

From slashing production costs by 60% to creating AI-generated scripted content and short-form dramas, Eline reveals how she and her team are applying cutting-edge tools like Sora, DeepSeek, and ElevenLabs across the entire production pipeline. She also discusses the rise of AI-driven characters, the shift in industry roles, and why traditional production models need urgent reinvention.

Whether you’re a TV producer feeling overwhelmed by tech, or a digital-first creator eager to push the limits of storytelling, this episode is packed with practical insight, inspiration, and bold predictions about the future of our industry.

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In this episode of TellyCast, Justin Crosby sits down with Martin Trickey, Managing Director of Zoo 55, ITV Studios’ digital-first division. With a career spanning social, gaming, and streaming, Martin shares his insights into how audience behaviour is shifting, what’s driving the rise of FAST channels, and why major studios are fully embracing YouTube. He also reveals Zoo 55’s vision for ITV Studios’ vast content library, how they’re balancing legacy brands with new digital opportunities, and what the future of social video holds. Plus, Martin highlights the content industry story that’s caught his eye this week and shares his thoughts on the evolving role of public service broadcasters in the digital era.

Tune in for a deep dive into the future of digital entertainment and Zoo 55’s role in shaping it.

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Buy tickets to the TellyCast How to Make Money in Digital event

Trigger Happy TV became a cultural phenomenon when it hit screens 25 years ago, introducing a new style of anarchic, surreal hidden-camera comedy that still resonates today. In this special episode of TellyCast, Dom Joly joins Justin Crosby to look back at the madness of making the show, the secrets behind its success, and why you can’t make comedy by committee.

With Trigger Happy TV hitting the road for the first time ever, Dom reveals how he’s bringing hidden-camera chaos to a live audience and whether prank comedy still has the same bite in a world of social media and viral video. He also shares behind-the-scenes stories from his career, including encounters with the police, near-missed sketches, and why people still misquote his most famous moment.

Plus, Dom talks about his second career as a travel writer, his dream TV project, and why he’s still waiting for a commissioner to call.

🎧 Listen now for a no-holds-barred deep dive into one of TV’s most innovative and rebellious comedy shows.

🔗 Tickets for the Trigger Happy TV live tour available at www.domjoly.tv

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This week, we get an inside look at ITV Studios’ biggest event of the year at London Screenings, where global buyers gather to shop for the TV hits of the future. 

In this special episode, Justin speaks to ITV Studios executives Ruth Berry, Julian Bellamy, Cecilie Olsen and Kate Barnes about the company’s latest formats, dramas, and unscripted shows, including high-profile titles like Cold Water, Code of Silence, and The Guest.

From the 70th anniversary of ITV to the rise of digital-first content with Zoom 55, this episode explores the evolving strategies that are shaping ITV Studios’ future. Guests include David Ireland, the creator of Cold Water, actor Andrew Lincoln, who discusses his return to British drama and Jimmy Doherty on his new show Jimmy Doherty's Big Bear Rescue. Plus, Eve Myles gives us insight into The Guest, and Seb Illis from Plimsoll Productions reveals details about Extreme Planet Earth. 

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In this episode of TellyCast, host Justin Crosby sits down with Victor Potrol, SVP of Partnerships & Creator Services at TheSoul Publishing, one of the biggest players in digital-first content. With billions of views across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, TheSoul Publishing has mastered audience engagement at scale.

Victor shares insights into the company’s growth strategy, platform adaptability, and monetisation in an evolving digital ecosystem. They discuss the impact of AI on content creation, the importance of localisation, and how TheSoul Publishing maintains a competitive edge. Plus, with CPMs fluctuating, how is the company navigating the financial side of digital media?

Victor also shares his Story of the Week and picks his Hero of the Week and Who’s in the Bin!

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In this episode of TellyCast, host Justin Crosby dives into one of the biggest debates in the industry—does the UK’s TV commissioning system still work in 2025, or is it time for a major reset?

Joining Justin is Ed Sayer, former commissioner-turned-producer, who shares his unique perspective from both sides of the fence. He discusses the challenges producers face, the realities of commissioning, and whether commissioners are unfairly criticised. From the infamous “commissioning hell” to issues around feedback, IP ownership, cash flow, and shifting priorities, Ed lays out the hard truths of the system.

Later, an anonymous Secret Producer joins the conversation to reveal how the “fewer, bigger, better” commissioning strategy is squeezing out smaller and mid-sized indies, making it harder than ever to break through with ambitious projects.

Is the commissioning process outdated? Are small indies being pushed out? And what’s the future for TV producers in an era of consolidation and risk aversion? Tune in for an unfiltered discussion on the state of the industry.

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An exclusive look into the latest developments and opportunities on TikTok, Twitch, and Snapchat with this  panel discussion from the TellyCast Digital Content Forum, recorded live at BFI Southbank on 7 November 2024. 

Moderated by Deadline's Stewart Clarke and featuring Ed Lindeman from TikTok, Josh Bloom from Twitch, and Lucy Luke from Snapchat, this session dives into how these platforms are evolving and the strategies media publishers and creators can use to succeed in the digital landscape.

From monetisation strategies to integrating legacy content and navigating cultural moments, this panel is a must-watch for creators, brands, and media professionals looking to thrive on these platforms.

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