Broadcast: Talking Tv

charlie higson interview - tbe by broadcastnow.co.uk

Whilst we take a little break, here are a selection of producer interviews from our first year, looking at the entertainment industry.

The latest edition of Talking TV hears from ITV political editor Tom Bradby about The Great Fire and considers the latest update on the BBC’s plans to transform its production division. Joining host Jake Kanter are Broadcast editor Chris Curtis and entertainment producer Steve D Wright, who mull over the week’s news. On the agenda: indie fears over the BBC’s proposals to scrap commissioning quotas and commercialise its production division. Amazon’s plans to schedule Ripper Street and NBC’s deal to remake Saturday Night Takeaway are also discussed. Tom Bradby then talks about where he finds the time to write a TV drama and the challenges involved in producing The Great Fire. He also discusses the general election debates. Finally, there are previews of BBC2’s latest access documentary Posh People: Inside Tatler and Nat Geo’s Hasselhoff vs The Berlin Wall.

Joining host Jake Kanter are Outline Productions’ managing director Laura Mansfield and Broadcast columnist Steven D Wright. They discuss stories from Cannes, including Twofour’s deal to remake Educating… in China, and consider BBC docs commissioner Emma Willis’ move to Twenty Twenty Television. Also on the agenda is BBC director of television Danny Cohen’s five pledges to improve the corporation’s indie relations. Talking TV then turns the spotlight on Brian Cox’s latest landmark BBC2 series Human Universe. Cohen talks about working with the professor and the challenges of making the series. Finally, there are previews of BBC3's Life is Toff and Channel 4’s Grayson Perry: Who Are You?.

Broadcast podcast Talking TV returns with news on the Shine/Endemol mega-merger, telly sexism and a glimpse into the world of ITV2 comedy Plebs. Joining host Jake Kanter is Outline Productions managing director Laura Mansfield and Broadcast columnist Steven D Wright. Together, they discuss the ramifications of Shine, Endemol and Core Media’s merger, including an insight on how Sophie Turner Laing might run the business. Sexism in TV newsrooms and a potential ITV Anne Summers comedy are also discussed. Elsewhere, Talking TV heads to post-house Splice where the creative force behind Plebs, brothers Sam and Teddy Leifer, are putting the finishing touches to the second series of ITV2’s comedy. Finally, find out if it’s worth watching ITV’s crime drama Grantchester and BBC2’s Gogglebox-style Studio Lambert format, The Kitchen.

The latest edition of Talking TV hears about The Great British Bake Off’s recipe for success and asks why ITV pulled the plug on Rising Star. Emma Willis, the head of docs for BBC1, BBC2 and BBC4, talks about casting and editing Bake Off, and explains the impact of the Love Productions format moving to BBC1. Also on the show, Talking TV regulars Steven D Wright and Chris Curtis, and Lemonade Money’s Faraz Osman discuss the week’s news, including Rising Star, London Live and W1A. Finally, there are previews of BBC4's new comedy The Detectorists and ITV2's horror gameshow Release the Hounds.

Talking TV #29: BBC Trust & UKTV upfronts by broadcastnow.co.uk

A special edition of Talking TV heads to the Edinburgh International Television Festival to sort through all the major themes of this year’s conference. Joining host Jake Kanter is Broadcast editor Chris Curtis, Alison Kirkham, the head of features and formats for BBC1 and BBC2, and Nine Lives Media chief executive Cat Lewis. They mull over Channel 4 chief executive David Abraham’s feisty MacTaggart lecture, the BBC’s plans to overhaul its supply model, diversity and indie sector consolidation. They also pick out some of the brilliant and bizarre commissioning announcements from the festival. Along the way, Abraham speaks about his plans in more detail, while there is some reaction from indie sector executives who are sceptical about the C4 boss’ plans for terms of trade.

The latest edition of Talking TV runs the rule over the BBC Trust’s television services review and Sky’s 70% stake in Love Productions. Entertainment producer Steven D Wright and Broadcast editor Chris Curtis ponder whether BBC1 is too predictable. They also assess if BBC3 is ready for a move to iPlayer after the Trust said it has “yet to establish itself as an online destination”. Also on the agenda is Channel 4’s Immigration Street, the Benefits Street spin-off that has already provoked controversy in Southampton. Plus, find out why BBC3’s Our World War will be must-watch television and how ITV daytime show The Speakmans might just surprise you. Talking TV will now be taking a short summer break before returning for the Edinburgh International Television Festival in August. Look out for us in Scotland.

This week Talking TV focuses on the BBC’s proposal to scrap its quota system – and goes behind the digital rig of Channel 4s’ Secret Life Of Students. Joining host Jake Kanter in the studio is Broadcast columnist Steven D Wright, and Broadcast online editor Alex Farber. They discuss the opportunities opened up for indies following director general Tony Hall’s decision to axe the WoCC as well as consider the reaction from BBC in-house. Raw TV’s Joanne Timoney pops in to talk about the innovative digital rig developed for the ob doc which allows producers to incorporate contributors text message and tweets into the show. Also in the show, Silver River’s BBC1 doc Nick and Margaret: Too Many Immigrants? Comes under scrutiny, while praise is sung for Minnow Films’ BBC3 musical drama Glasgow Girls.

Hear from some of the big winners as Talking TV goes behind the scenes of the 10th Broadcast Digital Awards. Stationed at London’s The Brewery, host Jake Kanter asks outgoing BBC3 controller Zai Bennett what the channel’s five wins mean for the future of the service. Elsewhere, Tricked magician Ben Hanlin talks about the ITV2 show’s success and Vice’s head of production Bree Horn reveals the secret to the service’s growing stature. There are also interviews with In the Flesh creator Dominic Mitchell, who says he’s got a third series of the BBC3 zombie drama ready to go, and The Call Centre director Xavier Alford. Talking TV is available on SoundCloud below and can also be downloaded on iTunes here. The producer is Matt Hill.

The latest edition of Talking TV runs the rule over the return of some classic children’s television shows and is back on the previews trail. Joining host Jake Kanter in the studio is Broadcast columnist Steven D Wright and Robin Parker, the features editor of Broadcast. They discuss the return of show’s including Danger Mouse and Teletubbies, and assess BBC documentaries boss Emma Willis’ fascination for the Norwegian phenomenon of “slow TV”. Pact’s call for BBC in-house to be abolished is also on the agenda, while the commission of the fortnight is Channel 4’s interactive talent show The Singer Takes it All. Elsewhere, find out why BBC3 factual drama Murdered By My Boyfriend packs a powerful punch. There’s also praise for Dave’s Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled.

A special edition of the Talking TV podcast brings you the key action from the Media Summit and includes an interview with drama writer Andrew Davies. Hear from Channel 4 chief executive David Abraham, who reveals how the broadcaster is using data to inform programming decisions, while ITV boss Adam Crozier offers insight on drama channel ITV Encore’s commissioning strategy. Along the way, there’s wisdom from YouTube on making video content work online, and All3Media chief executive Farah Ramzan Golant discusses the super-indie’s future under Discovery and Liberty Global. Chewing over the themes from the event, which was organised by Broadcast publisher MBI, are Broadcast editor Chris Curtis and Sky IQ’s Emma Holden. Vanessa Spock, director of marketing for broadcast services Ericsson, is also in the studio. In the second half of the programme, host Jake Kanter speaks to Andrew Davies about his BBC1 drama Quirke, including it becoming burdened by mumbling claims. The writer behind adaptations of Pride a

The Talking TV episode tackles television consolidation, hears from Hollywood stars at the LA Screenings and finds out more about BBC2’s British Airways documentary. Joining host Jake Kanter to talk about mergers and acquisitions - including Discovery and Liberty Global’s £550m takeover of All3Media - are Broadcast editor Chris Curtis and Steven D Wright. There’s also a special despatch from California, where Broadcast’s Peter White caught up with Morgan Freeman and Matthew Perry as UK broadcasters circle the latest US television treats. Later in the show, Lion Television managing director Jeremy Mills and director James Rogan drop by to discuss their access piece on British Airways for BBC2. And finally, there’s an iPlayer comedy previews special. Why you should invest time in Pett Productions’ upcoming comedy shorts, starring talent such as Frankie Boyle, and Roughcut TV’s People Just Do Nothing.

The latest edition of Talking TV features an interview with Hinterland creator Ed Thomas and looks back on a week of big business in UK broadcasting. Joining host Jake Kanter at Maple Street Studios is Broadcast columnist Steven D Wright and Peter White, the magazine’s international editor. They discuss the potential pitfalls for producers following Viacom’s acquisition of Channel 5 last week. White also provides an insight on doing business in China and explains the significance behind ITV’s £212m deal for US indie Leftfield Entertainment Group. Ed Thomas then stops by to reveal the challenges behind producing Hinterland in two languages and the benefits of having Netflix on board. He also details plans for the second series of the Welsh crime drama. Plus, discover why you might be offended by Dave’s new commission 24 Hours to Go Broke. There’s also a preview of BBC2’s Welcome to Rio.

The latest edition of Talking TV looks ahead to the launch of Good Morning Britain and reveals why writing primetime drama for BBC1 is a heavily politicised process. Joining host Jake Kanter to run the rule over ITV’s replacement for Daybreak is Broadcast ratings guru Stephen Price. He explains why the show must keep hold of its share of housewives with children. Also in the studio is Faraz Osman, the creative director at multiplatform indie Lemonade Money, and Broadcast international editor Peter White. They discuss Pact’s children’s TV tax breaks campaign and Channel 4’s interactive NHS format from Sanjay Singhal’s Voltage TV. Writer Sarah Phelps then drops by to talk about her World War I drama The Crimson Field and why she doesn’t let the BBC’s critics inhibit her work. Phelps also details the work she’s doing to adapt JK Rowling novel The Casual Vacancy. Finally, find out why you should be watching ITV’s three-part John Simm drama Prey, but BBC1’s sitcom pilot Monks might be one to miss. Talking TV

Broadcast’s Talking TV podcast returns with a John Kaye Cooper interview and more on BBC commissioning quotas. Host Jake Kanter is joined by Laura Mansfield, the managing director of Outline Productions, and Broadcast editor Chris Curtis to discuss the BBC Trust’s major review of production guarantees. Also on the agenda is former culture secretary Maria Miller’s broadcasting legacy and there is more on Xbox’s big entry into the content market with Channel 4 for Kudos drama Humans. Talking TV’s regular producer interview welcomes former ITV entertainment controller Kaye Cooper who has been work on the other side of the fence on new gameshow Amazing Greys. Kaye Cooper also reveals how he’s preparing to adapt Israeli format Rising Star for UK audiences. Finally, there are previews of BBC1’s Rob Brydon-fronted gameshow The Guess List and ITV’s Weekend Escapes with Warwick Davis. Talking TV is available on SoundCloud below and can also be downloaded on iTunes here. The podcast is recorded at Maple Street Stu

The latest edition of Talking TV assesses Tony Hall’s vision for the arts in light of the closure of BBC3 and hears about the craft behind E4’s Made in Chelsea. Joining Jake Kanter to discuss the BBC’s arts push are Broadcast editor Chris Curtis and Broadcast columnist Steven D Wright. Also on the agenda is Phil Edgar Jones’ move to Sky Arts, decriminalisation of BBC licence fee evasion and more on BBC1’s plans to revive Comedy Playhouse after a 30-year hiatus. Made in Chelsea executive producer Sarah Dillistone then drops in to discuss the E4 show and its upcoming spin-off series in New York. She reveals why the structured reality programme is a hub of technical innovation and how duty of care responsibilities led the team to cut certain scenes. Finally, find out why Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan’s The Trip to Italy is must-watch television in Talking TV’s regular telly previews section. Talking TV is available on SoundCloud below and can also be downloaded on iTunes here. The podcast is recorded at Mapl

Fresh from winning best entertainment programme at the Royal Television Society Awards, the boys from The Last Leg create mischief on a special edition of Broadcast’s Talking TV podcast. Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker discuss the Channel 4 topical entertainment show, their solo travails and tackle a host of Is It Ok? questions. Host Jake Kanter and Broadcast’s features editor Robin Parker ask why C4 is one of the few broadcasters to have a sense of humour about disability, while Widdicombe makes a passionate case for the future of BBC3. There’s also chat about the rise of binge viewing and how Twitter is making joke repetition tricky on topical television shows.

Broadcast’s Talking TV podcast rips up the format guide to bring you a no-holds-barred debate on the plans to move BBC3 online. Discussing the decision is Broadcast editor Chris Curtis and Karl Warner, the former BBC entertainment commissioner who now runs Sony Pictures Television-backed indie Electric Ray. They are joined by Dan Baldwin, the Celebrity Juice showrunner and boss of Hungry Bear Media, and Robb Leech, who was given his break by BBC3 when he made documentary My Brother the Islamist. Host Jake Kanter steers the debate around a number of key questions, including initial reactions to the news and assessing whether audiences are ready for the move online. He also asks: how can the BBC make a success of the plans?