CONTENT, CONSUMERS & EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN - RTS Cambridge 2019 - + Mark Thompson and Jeff Pope - Royal Television Society
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
October 2019 RTS Cambridge 2019 CONTENT, CONSUMERS & EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN + Mark Thompson and Jeff Pope
RTS London
Christmas
Lecture From the CEO
What a truly engaging RTS Cambridge
that was – one of the very best ever.
Unusually, even the weather was on
our side.
There are so many people to thank
for conceiving and delivering Cam-
bridge, but most of all I’d like to thank
ITV’s Carolyn McCall and her team,
led by the matchless Emma Gormley.
Emma and her co-executive pro-
ducer, Helen Scott, did us proud.
Thanks, too, to all the keynote
speakers, our brilliant panellists and
Contents
5 Liz Reynolds’ TV Diary
There’s no prorogation for Liz Reynolds, as one
conference leads to another
RTS Cambridge Convention 2019
Reports by Matthew Bell, Steve Clarke, Tara Conlan
Caroline Frost and Gordon Jamieson
David 7 One Content, consumers and
everything in between
Television has a bright future despite the blizzard
of change, argues Carolyn McCall
Abraham 10 Two The truth about Gen Z
Young entrepreneurs and influencers analysed the
importance of authenticity, social activism and new
platforms such as TikTok to this generation
CEO of Wonderhood Studios
and former CEO of Channel 4
12 Three Running on empty
Non-scripted television is in robust health
despite the drama boom
14 Four Keynote: Sharon White
Ofcom Chief Executive Sharon White weighs
up the regulator’s hits and misses
4 December
16 Five Keynote: Nicky Morgan MP
The Secretary of State wants to see UK
broadcasters co-operating more
6:30pm for 7:00pm
18 Six Keynote: David Zaslav
Discovery’s dominance in factual TV will preserve it
from the consolidation feeding frenzy, believes its CEO
Cavendish Conference Centre
22 Duchess Mews, W1G 9DT
Editor Production, design News editor and writer
Steve Clarke and advertising Matthew Bell
smclarke_333@hotmail.com Gordon Jamieson bell127@btinternet.com
www.rts.org.uk/london gordon.jamieson.01@gmail.com
Journal of The Royal Television Society
October 2019 l Volume 56/9
session producers, and the Cambridge Chaired by Good Morning Britain’s Ran- ducted by the Newsnight anchor.
planning committee, without whom vir Singh, this commendably inclusive Moving on from Cambridge, this
none of this would have been possible. panel introduced a fresh note to the year’s Steve Hewlett Memorial Lec-
Television contains reports of all discussions. ture was given by Mark Thompson.
17 sessions, and we have a Cam- I was thrilled that many of the RTS This statesman-like address by the
bridge-themed TV Diary from Free- bursary students attended on the last cerebral former BBC Director-General
view’s Liz Reynolds. Videos of all the day. It was especially revealing to was extremely thoughtful, eloquent
sessions, on our website, are proving listen to Lorraine Kelly’s interviews and set the agenda for UK and, indeed,
popular. So, if you haven’t done so with our students during her own global media policy.
already, do please take a look. session on social mobility, “Blow the
One of the big differences this year bloody doors off”.
was that the conference involved real Kirsty Wark’s headline-generating
consumers in the debates. The Leeds- interview with Netflix’s Reed Hastings
based People’s Panel brought the voice was also remarkable. I think that was
of the viewers live to Cambridge. one of the very best interviews con- Theresa Wise
20 Seven The rights stuff
What does the rise of the streaming giants mean
for UK producers and broadcasters’ IP? 40 Sixteen Blow the bloody doors off!
What will it take to end working-class exclusion from
positions of influence in the media, asks Lorraine Kelly
22 Eight Keynote: Jeremy Darroch
Being part of Comcast gives Sky great global
potential, argues Sky’s CEO 42 Seventeen Better TV or better diversity?
Lenny Henry urges executives to scrap failing diversity
schemes and spend the money making TV with
diverse talent
24 Nine Part 1 Who you gonna trust?
How well are TV companies and their online rivals
doing at winning and keeping public confidence?
44 Our Friend in the Midlands
From TV to games, the Birmingham area is making a
26 Nine Part 2 Trust in numbers
Ed Williams shares Edelman’s research findings that
splash on the global stage, explains Caren Davies
streamers are gaining ground on PSBs in the trust stakes
45 A question of sovereignty
Mark Thompson argues that policymakers need
28 Ten The world has gone nuts!
Piers Morgan tells Christine Lampard that’s he’s only
one vegan sausage roll away from being sacked
to rethink their attitude towards the BBC – or risk
total US cultural dominance
30 Eleven Keynote: Alex Mahon
Channel 4’s CEO says PSBs need supportive regulation
to protect local voices that reflect UK viewers’ lives
48 Loud and proud
Matthew Bell hears how Anne Lister’s world was
reconstructed for TV and why this complex character
has wowed viewers
32 Twelve Mad Men vs Math Men
Will data kill advertising – or is there still a role
for creative storytelling that builds brands? 50 IBC review: 5G opens the door to 8K
Tim Dams rounds up the talking points from this
year’s tech fest
34 Thirteen Keynote: Tony Hall
In turbulent times, the BBC should play to its strengths
in trusted news and national storytelling
52 Why crime pays for Jeff Pope
Steve Clarke is engrossed as the acclaimed writer and
producer looks back on his extraordinary career
36 Fourteen Keynote: Reed Hastings
Netflix’s CEO explains why he is relaxed as he prepares
to face competition from Apple and Disney 57 RTS news and events listings
Reports of Society activities across the nations and
regions, and calendar of forthcoming public events
38 Fifteen You gotta have a stream
Can streamers funded by subscriptions or ads coexist –
or will one model come to dominate?
Sub-editor Photographer Royal Television Society Subscription rates Printing Legal notice
Sarah Bancroft Paul Hampartsoumian 3 Dorset Rise, UK £115 ISSN 0308-454X © Royal Television Society 2019.
smbancroft@me.com paul@hiphop.com London EC4Y 8EN Overseas (surface) £146.11 Printer: FE Burman The views expressed in Television
T: 020 7822 2810 Overseas (airmail) £172.22 20 Crimscott St are not necessarily those of the RTS.
E: info@rts.org.uk Enquiries: publication@rts.org.uk London, SE1 5TP Registered Charity 313 728
W: www.rts.org.uk
Television www.rts.org.uk October 2019 3
MUSICAL TALES
FROM THE
BEGINNING OF TIME
A unique Audio Network project – four stunning albums of music composed
by Debbie Wiseman, in collaboration with Stephen Fry
AVAIL ABLE FOR LICENSE AT WWW. AUDIONETWORK.COM/DISCOVER/MY THOS-COLLECTION
FIND OUT MORE:
Rebecca Hodges
r.hodges@audionetwork.com
0207 566 1441
TV diary
There’s no prorogation for Liz Reynolds,
as one conference leads to another
I
t’s September. That means ■ With Cambridge bathed in view of the future for British media
back to school. And not just warmer than normal autumnal sun- as a “cultural Airstrip One” without
for the kids. shine, the relentlessly sunny Reed more robust and ambitious policy
With Edinburgh hang Hastings gives a much anticipated intervention. He asserts that “it is…
overs barely forgotten, and interview. He doesn’t disappoint. of overwhelming importance that
TV execs and politicians Kirsty Wark is in playful mood and British audiences still get access to
still reeling from Dorothy the Hollywood mogul handles her great news, drama, comedy [and]
Byrne’s outlandishly honest Mac questions with as much grace and documentary made first and fore-
Taggart Lecture, conference season humour as Tom Hanks in an episode most for them and them alone”.
gets into full swing. of The Graham Norton Show. From a Freeview point of view,
Not in Bournemouth but in Cam Lenny Henry’s impassioned and I couldn’t agree more. The lecture
bridge, courtesy of ITV, for the RTS urgent appeal for change on diversity follows major success for British
biennial convention. There’s no pro ends the convention on a serious talent at the Emmys, led by the
rogation for us. note. Throughout, Baz’s parish indomitable Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
notices are a joy. Congratulations to all the winners,
■ Turns out that last month’s illumi- With more than a sprinkling of ITV on and off screen, and long life to
nating TV Diary from Neil Thomp- showbiz (and some actual consumers) the concept of “hot priests”.
son provides the perfect segue into thrown in for good measure, Carolyn
Piers and Susanna’s triumphant turn McCall’s vision for a positive and pro- ■ The month ends with the exciting
at the three-day conference. Back vocative conference is realised. announcement that BritBox will fea
from their summer sojourns, it feels ture on Freeview’s smart-TV service,
like the team from GMB have liter- ■ No sooner am I back from Cam Freeview Play, and with one final
ally been parachuted in. bridge than it’s off to Brighton for a hotel room – this time in Manches
Susanna is firmly at the helm of quick spin at Labour’s conference. ter, where the mood is more colour
the opening afternoon. The next day, The mood’s tense and the MPs I talk ful than the weather.
her sidekick, Piers, blows everyone to are generally despondent. By Tues The Sky News party is packed with
away with carefully casual rhetorical day, I’m back in London and we inter parliamentarians – one or two even
hand grenades. rupt a board meeting to watch the dance. Damian Collins MP hosts a
Supreme Court’s historic judgment. lively “in conversation with” culture
■ On a self-interested note, it’s fan Around our table, jaws drop when secretary Nicky Morgan MP and we
tastic to see Freeview named as the the unanimous ruling comes. I get some insight into her views on
most trusted UK TV brand in Edel breathe a sigh of relief when we get broadband roll-out, online harms and
man’s research commissioned for confirmation later the same day that the value of PSB.
the convention. Gina Miller will take part in Free This was no ordinary September
In an age when brands seem able to view’s annual conference in Novem (now there’s an understatement). And,
attract as much distrust as trust, it ber. An unforgettable day. as we hurtle towards half-term and a
gives us all a warm feeling that the deal or no deal I’m ready for a break.
public values what I’d say is the ■ Another week, another event. This Time to catch up on Bake Off and
essence of British TV’s success – time, the prestigious Steve Hewlett Strictly with the kids.
access to high-quality shows for Memorial Lecture, given by Mark
everyone, regardless of geography Thompson. He pulls no punches. Liz Reynolds is head of communications
or income. The former DG offers up a stark and external affairs at Freeview.
Television www.rts.org.uk October 2019 5
MEDIA- MORPHOSIS Tuning up, tuning in, and taking off The birth and evolution of a beautiful new “Living Business”. accenture.com/media-morphosis
RTS Cambridge 2019
Session One
Content, consumers
and everything
in between
Carolyn McCall argues
that television has a
bright future despite
the blizzard of change
‘S
hifting viewing habits,
developments in tech-
nology and the rapidly
evolving competitive
landscape are having a
fundamental impact on
our industry,” argued RTS Convention
Chair Carolyn McCall as she opened
Cambridge 2019.
But amid the change and uncer-
tainty, which included Britain’s future
relationship with Europe and the rest
of the world, McCall maintained that
television had a bright future.
“[Viewers] are looking for creative,
trusted producers and broadcasters to
help them both navigate and under-
stand the world in which we are liv-
ing and, as importantly, to help them
escape from it into other dramas,” she
said. “Trust in TV news is remarkably
high – higher than all other media
and, of course, much more valued
than the news provided by social
media.
“In fact, in an era of fake news and
misinformation, the importance of
the news provided by public service
broadcasters, in particular, has never
been more important to our
democracy.”
However, young people saw tradi-
Richard Kendal
tional TV bulletins as “for their mums
and dads”, admitted McCall. ITV’s
response, she revealed, is a new social
media news service for teenagers, �
Television www.rts.org.uk October 2019 7
RTS Cambridge 2019
Session One
The People’s
Panel get
their say
Susanna Reid introduced a group of
viewers from Leeds who made up the
People’s Panel: ‘No one is more impor-
tant than our audience. We totally rely
on our viewers.’
The line-up, facilitated by GMB political
editor Ranvir Singh included Sabrina, 36,
Phil, 51, Sandi, 72, Josh, 20, Carrie, 49,
Richard Kendal
Phillip, 34, Steven, 64, and Marie, 46.
Their tastes were wide-ranging.
Grandmother and part-time charity
worker Sandi likes to watch daytime TV
and is a big fan of Piers Morgan. ‘I know, Ranvir Singh (right) chaired the People’s Panel
if something has happened the day
before, something is going to come out documentaries and drama but thought – I like action programmes, she likes
of his mouth to tell us all about it – his that news and entertainment prog soaps and reality shows such as Love
version and nobody else’s.’ rammes lacked diversity: ‘There’s no Island, which is not my cup of tea, but
She added: ‘I like outspoken presen newsreader in a wheelchair, there’s no we both like natural history.”
ters – Janet Street-Porter and Piers. one with a prosthetic leg presenting The Reality shows are top of school
They say what they think, probably what X Factor.’ teacher Marie’s viewing menu, especially
we’d like to say but daren’t. It’s never Phillip likes Peaky Blinders and any- The Real Housewives of Cheshire.
vulgar, it’s honest. thing starring Ricky Gervais. ‘On an ‘I like to see the lifestyles of the rich and
‘Even disagreeing makes you feel evening, we usually watch a couple famous,’ she said. Their glamour is far
you’re engaging.’ of hours. It’s difficult deciding what to removed from her own life.
At the other end of the age spec- watch so we’ll toss a coin to decide who Sabrina enjoys binge-watching dra-
trum was university student Josh, who gets to choose,’ he said. mas, such as Doctor Foster and Killing
watches TV on his mobile. Love Island is Steven prefers shows featuring fast Eve. ‘I watch the ones I’ve heard about
among his favourite shows. cars. He and his partner live in separate on social media,’ she said. ‘And I don’t
Disabled single mum Carrie enjoys homes. ‘We have very different interests just watch the one, I carry on watching.’
� The Rundown. The ITV CEO argued
TV: you’ve never had it so good that viewers are increasingly watching
shows when they want: “Every month,
80% of UK households watch video-
‘Our research tells us that viewers have to [do so]. It can sometimes feel like on-demand in one form or another.”
never been happier,’ said ITV director there isn’t much of a case for optimism, Nevertheless, she added, “the ‘linear
of audiences Neil Mortensen. ‘They’re but we can safely say that television familiar’ is still going strong – with
excited about the way TV is going, as isn’t facing an existential threat any 84% of total broadcast viewing still
the balance of power shifts towards time soon.… taking place live. The challenge for all
them.… ‘In the modern TV era, there have of us – in business, in government and
‘Mainstream viewers are becoming always been around four hours a day in regulation – is to strike the right
less anchored in the schedule.… For of TV viewing up for grabs. That hasn’t balance in what we do between these
some demographics, broadcast TV only changed much as TV continues to two worlds.”
represents half of their viewing and, for deliver on basic human needs in a sim- In conversation with Good Morning
younger audiences, they watch less live ple, cost-effective and primary way. Britain presenter Susanna Reid, McCall
TV year after year.… ‘The future will continue to throw up added more flesh to her speech, out-
‘Fewer ads are seen in real time and, disruption, technological battles [and] lining how ITV was planning to
at the same time, platforms are multi economic battles. But, for the viewer, respond to this changing TV landscape.
plying and prominence diminishing. it is a creative battle. And that’s some- “All of us are dealing with challeng-
‘So it’s harder for a show to cut thing we should all be looking forward ing issues because it’s a time of great
through and even harder for the ads to with confidence.’ change in the industry,” she said. “If
viewer habits are changing and you
8
Presenters Ant and Dec joined the discus-
sion between ITV director of television
Kevin Lygo (bottom left) and Susanna Reid
can see them unfolding in front of you,
you have to respond to that.”
The CEO argued that the ITV model
was not broken – but that the broad-
caster would have to innovate to pros-
per: “The linear, free-to-air model is a
really successful model, it’s ad-funded
and it will last for a long time. But you
have to think of how you diversify as
well.” McCall identified in-house pro-
duction company ITV Studios and the
new BBC/ITV VoD service BritBox as
two pillars of diversification.
She claimed that BritBox, which is
due to launch before the end of the
year, would be “distinctive”, offering
“the breadth and depth of British-
originated content” and representing
Richard Kendal
“good value” at £5.99 a month.
“I am very optimistic about the
future because the core of what we do
is programmes, content and engage-
ment – we create audiences all the
time and we do that because we have
such powerful content,” continued the Tried, tested and addictive
ITV CEO. “We will always do advertis-
ing, but we will not just be doing linear Discussing the strong ratings currently culled before they have time to find
advertising, we will also do more tar- enjoyed by his channel, ITV director their feet. ‘It’s harder – and it’s the
geted advertising through technology.” of television Kevin Lygo highlighted great tension between producers
McCall admitted that attracting soaps, which ‘are easily overlooked’. He and broadcasters – to give shows
younger viewers is more of a chal- added: ‘If you don’t watch soap opera more time. The modern experience,
lenge: “You have to work much, much and catch a tiny bit of one, it does look I’m afraid, is more brutal than it ever
harder on telly to reach [them] today”. appalling. But, if you watch it all the used to be, because there is so much
But she pointed out that it wasn’t just time, it’s the best thing in your life. choice,’ admitted Lygo. ‘The hits are
Love Island that was pulling in a ‘I’m addicted to Coronation Street… easy, the failures are easy – it’s the
younger audience on ITV channels: and I haven’t missed an episode since ones in between, where the producer
“Over 50% of 16-24s watch I’m a Celeb- the 1970s.’ is on his knees begging you for another
rity… – people wouldn’t expect that.… Lygo stressed the importance of series… that’s quite hard.’
When you get it right content-wise for long-established shows to a broadcast- Star ITV presenters Ant and Dec,
them, they come.” er’s schedules. ‘A lot of our big enter- beamed into the conference from the
The ITV CEO added: “We don’t mind tainment shows have been running for Good Morning Britain studio in London,
how they watch it.… If they’re going to years and years, and I don’t think they offered their take on live TV.
watch our content on their mobiles, were ever designed to do that. Every- ‘You want to watch it then and there
that’s fine.” n one who started those shows would and don’t want to deal with catch-up
be amazed that they’re still running and [TV],’ said Anthony McPartlin.
Session One, ‘Content, consumers and doing such huge numbers. It’s a testa- ‘You try to make it unmissable… and
everything in between’, featured: Carolyn ment to the programme-makers who get the family together on the sofa to
McCall, CEO, ITV; Neil Mortensen, director reinvent them all the time.’ watch the TV and share that event,’
of audiences, ITV; and Kevin Lygo, direc- Mentioning I’m a Celebrity…, Britain’s added Declan Donnelly.
tor of television, ITV. It was chaired by Got Talent and Strictly Come Dancing, With countless seasons of I’m a
journalists and broadcasters Susanna Reid Lygo added: ‘It’s amazing that you still Celebrity…, Saturday Night Takeaway
and Ranvir Singh, and produced by Neil get 10 million people to come to these and Britain’s Got Talent under their
Thompson, Sally Watson and Nick Caldon. shows in the modern world when belts, the duo are experts in live enter-
Reports by Matthew Bell and Steve Clarke. there’s so much choice.’ tainment shows. ‘Time for a new one,
New shows, however, are often guys,’ joked Lygo.
Watch the video at https://bit.ly/35k2Ruz
Television www.rts.org.uk October 2019 9
RTS Cambridge 2019
Session Two
Young entrepreneurs and influencers analysed the
importance of authenticity, social activism and
new platforms such as TikTok to this generation
The truth
about Gen Z
V
ideo-sharing platform With YouTube handling merchan-
TikTok was the word dise for its creators (those with more
on everyone’s lips leav- than 10,000 subscribers can sell mer-
ing the second session, chandise under their videos) – and
“Exploring Gen Z”. YouTube, Twitch and other social
Many had not heard of media giving fans the ability to donate
the Chinese-owned social media sen- to content creators in exchange for a
sation, but were keen to find out more shout out – it is no wonder that the
in order to reach the elusive next gen- major new talent often prefers online recommend popular content, which
eration of viewers. Many market platforms to traditional TV. can then snowball into a viral video.
researchers describe Generation Z as So what can TV do to compete for Lee explained: “Traditional broad-
those born after 1997. the young eyeballs it needs to survive? casters sometimes put video up on
Defined by session chair Rob Chap- Love Island winner Amber Gill told YouTube [but] they’re not thinking
man as the generation “for whom 9/11 the audience that traditional media about things such as Watch Time and
wasn’t a coming of age event”, Gen Z have to realise that Gen Z’s attention wondering, ‘Why are my videos not
were instead shaped by the recession needs to be captured quickly. doing as well?’”
of the last decade. Fanbytes CEO Timothy Armoo – All the panellists called on TV pro-
In one of the most talked-about whose company has worked on cam- ducers to embrace TikTok. Recently,
events of the convention, the young paigns to engage youngsters for brands Armoo’s company helped The Washing-
panel tried to pinpoint what new audi- by the BBC and the government – said ton Post win around 500,000 followers
ences are looking for and what unites the new generation have longer atten- on TikTok by “getting people in the
them in a fast-moving, connected world. tion spans than they are given credit office to create pranks and skits on
A short video laid out the parameters, for. “The idea that attention spans have their fellow employees.… Now… it is one
namely that the boundaries between reduced doesn’t make sense in a world of the most-followed news organisa-
different types of content, such as where people sit down and give all tions.… Because it took this approach of
advertising and entertainment, are their attention to Love Island or a Netflix not just going directly for the sell… it
blurring. show. It’s not attention spans that have really obeyed the rules of the platform.”
In the film, one of YouTube’s biggest reduced, it’s interest spans,” he said. Armoo added: “The other thing
stars, Vikram Singh Barn – or Vikkstar- Paul Bojarski, CEO of interactive about the Gen Z audience is [that]
123, as he is better known to the viewing technology company Sceenic, everyone basically wants to have their
10 million subscribers across three pointed out that Gen Z “love to interact own TV show. When you post some-
channels who follow his work and that with each other”. thing on Insta, Chat or TikTok, funda-
of his collaborators, the Sidemen – YouTube star Caspar Lee – who has mentally what you’re posting out is
said starkly that he really enjoys “the 7.5 million followers and has set up a what you’d post out if you had a film
creative and commercial freedom I talent management agency with fellow crew following you the whole time.”
have on YouTube”. social media entrepreneur Joe Sugg Gill said that one of the key things
He has worked with traditional – explained: “We have the tools to see driving younger viewers is the idea that
media before but often found it exactly where we’re losing the audi- “it’s important to look after the world
“restrictive” creatively and “commer- ence… and [know about] keeping an and each other”, adding that they are
cially… As it stands currently, there’s audience for as long as possible.” “very aware of the consequences” of
little incentive for us to work with TV He pointed out that YouTube’s their actions. Chapman said that “grow-
or traditional media.” “watch time” metric is used to ing up in the recession has changed
10From left: Rob Chapman,
Amber Gill, Caspar Lee, ‘YOU HAVE AN
Timothy Armoo and
Paul Bojarski INSANE AMOUNT
OF CONTENT…
THAT IS JUST
BEGGING TO
BE SEEN’
traditional broadcasters should
hire staff who understand the new
platforms.
Richard Kendal
The delivery mechanism had to be
right, stressed Armoo, who addressed
the audience: “You guys are so lucky,
as you have an insane amount of con-
tent… that is just begging to be seen.
ALL THE because of the social media conversa-
tion that’s going on… you want to be
[Make] sure the delivery mechanism is
done in a way that feels natural to
PANELLISTS part of it,” said Gill. “You want to be whatever platform you’re using.… Just
CALLED ON TV up-to-date with what’s happening.”
That prompted Lee to admit: “I
spend a bit of time on the platform and
you get to understand [it].”
PRODUCERS didn’t watch Love Island this year, but I Gill advised using more behind-the-
TO EMBRACE know exactly who you are and who
you’ve dated.” Armoo added that,
scenes footage – something echoed by
one of the People’s Panel contributors
TIKTOK thanks to the social media a successful
show generates, “You could actually
later, who said such content could be
made even better by using virtual
create a TV show without creating the reality – and incorporating viewers’
their outlook… this generation feels the actual show.” own storylines, as with Netflix show
need to be part of the solution.” Tapping into the social media cul- Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.
Taking an interest in what and how ture that Gen Z is rooted in is impor- And Lee concluded with this glim-
young viewers are watching is impor- tant for anyone wanting to reach them, mer of hope for broadcasters: while the
tant, said Bojarski, who revealed that said Armoo. He explained that Fan- money to be made on YouTube is huge
his research techniques include going bytes carried out a campaign for the and talent feel that they have more
on trains and buses at 3:00pm to see Government to promote the national editorial control on the platform, as he
what schoolchildren are doing. living wage to young ethnic-minority saw when his friend Joe Sugg was on
He said that this gives his company audiences by using influencers and Strictly Come Dancing, “there’s still that
ideas about the kind of technologies memes. These included one of “a cat prestige” associated with television. n
and content to build, including using stealing a dog’s food and the dog chas-
Sceenic’s Watch Together software, ing it.… People saw that and identified Session 2, ‘A far off place, of which we
which has been used by companies with that meme as, ‘this is like my know nothing – exploring Gen Z’, featured:
such as BT Sport to allow conversa- employers stealing from me’.” Timothy Armoo, CEO, Fanbytes; Paul
tions to happen on screens in the same Lee said some broadcasters under- Bojarski, CEO, Sceenic; Amber Gill, Love
place that programmes are viewed. stand how to work with the new plat- Island winner 2019 and influencer; and
Authenticity is key to Gen Z, said forms, citing Good Morning Britain and Caspar Lee, vlogger and entrepreneur. It
Lee, adding that they like content that’s Sky News on YouTube. was chaired by the CEO and partner of
“not too safe… and people who are real He pointed out that some of these Founders Intelligence, Rob Chapman, and
and authentic”, even if “they fuck up”. services, including YouTube, want to produced by Sally Shelford and Victoria
Love Island is one of the few sched- work with the BBC and ITV because Kennedy. Report by Tara Conlan.
uled TV shows that cuts through to “they still have that image of being the
younger viewers, but “that’s purely Wild West”. And he suggested that Watch the video at https://bit.ly/35k2Ruz
Television www.rts.org.uk October 2019 11RTS Cambridge 2019
Session Three
Factual TV is in
robust health
despite the
drama boom
Running on empty
The Circle, Channel 4
A
re we at peak unscripted by just three shows, all launched in the formats that have been launched
content? Session chair 2010: Minute To Win It (56 territories), since then are [growing at] exactly the
Tim Davie noted that The Money Drop (54) and The Voice (58). same [rate as older formats]; they’re
– while there was no But, pointed out the Channel 4 boss, building all the time.”
short-age of good news the previous decade had generated He reeled off some shows that had
for the genre (18 of double that number of blockbuster not made it onto Mahon’s slide: “Gog-
the 20 top-performing original pro- formats, all launched between 2001 glebox is now at 38 territories; Your Face
grammes on broadcast TV in the US and 2005: Idol (48), Deal or No Deal (83), Sounds Familiar is at 39; Anything Goes, a
that summer had been formatted enter- The X Factor (46), Strictly Come Dancing French format, is at 25; Married at First
tainment) – there were worrying signs (48), MasterChef (56) and Got Talent (68). Sight, which is huge in Australia, is now
for the genre. The UK was still produc- As for why recent formats seemed to at 35.” It could take 10 or 15 years “before
ing hit formats, but margins were be struggling, her second slide showed you see the real value in a format, and
declining and it was no longer the fast- the relentless rise in US scripted com- how many territories will embrace it”.
est growing market for original formats. missions, to around 500 a year. In less Lambert conceded only that broad-
Davie asked each of his panellists than a decade, this had “doubled the casters needed to “be very brave”
– Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon, Studio amount of content in the market, because it could be “a huge gamble
Lambert CEO Stephen Lambert and driven by the online services and the going for these big shows”. But, even
Tim Hinks, Co-CEO of Expectation SVoD streamers”. then, he noted that many shows
– to say whether it was game on or The real question for Mahon was started off small, and many people had
game over for unscripted. whether the market was simply con- initially doubted that MasterChef, Come
Mahon was worried that new gested thanks to “a massive rise in Dine with Me or Gogglebox could become
unscripted formats were failing to gain scripted” or was there “a reason that huge successes.
the international traction that their [unscripted formats] aren’t being Expectation’s Hinks was also positive
predecessors had achieved. She showed invented that can go to the [previous] and made the point that non-scripted
two slides that, she claimed, illustrated volume of places”? was “definitely the slightly embarrass-
the scale of the problem and hinted at Lambert – architect of Gogglebox, ing step kid to the posh world of telly
the causes. Race Across the World and The Circle – and the people who run it. It always has
The first was a list of significant disagreed vehemently with Mahon’s been, despite its extraordinary business
formats that been sold to more than diagnosis: “It takes many, many years model and how it shapes the lives of
45 territories over the past five dec- to get to [being in 40-plus territories]… the people who watch it and how it
ades. The last decade was represented 2010 is not that long ago [and] many of provides extraordinary drama.”
12He also emphasised how “the pro- complicated or more expensive to of global content that fits, and is rele-
duction values, the quality and sheer make. She namechecked One Born Every vant to, each country, at scale”.
scale of some [recent] scripted content Minute, which “travels well, but is expen- Love Island, she pointed out, “is across
now… has raised everyone’s game”. He sive”. On top of this, overseas broadcast- social media all the time, and there’s a
did not believe that the money going ers were increasingly “expanding [their] pacing and an episodic nature to it that
into scripted was a zero-sum game for established brands… and there are fewer makes you want to watch it. That’s
unscripted producers, or for viewers. slots for fresh original content [that we harder to do when you’re going global.”
Choosing between Game of Thrones and can sell new formats into]”. Netflix has not released its new hip-
a cookery competition “would seem to Lambert responded that it had always hop talent show Rhythm and Flow all in
be an unfair fight, but it doesn’t need to been “difficult to get those slots… the one go, but in batches of episodes
be if those things are made brilliantly”. unscripted boom of the 2000s had to across three weeks. “That will generate
Mahon responded by quoting ITV push out a lot of declining sitcoms. The a lot of data for Netflix,” Lambert sug-
director of television Kevin Lygo, who sitcom vanished at almost the same gested. “With unscripted competition
“made the point in the first session speed as unscripted grew; sitcoms had shows… part of the joy of watching
that it’s really difficult to launch new stopped being funny.” them is the fact that everybody’s in
things… [it’s preferable] to nurture an So what should unscripted producers sync on the conversation. The SVoDs’
Richard Kendal
From left: Tim Davie,
Alex Mahon, Tim Hinks
and Stephen Lambert
existing show and make it bigger.…
When we make a decision to launch ‘EVERYONE IS strength is also their weakness – by
releasing everything at once, people
something new, such as The Circle,
that’s a massive bet.… The success rates
LAUNCHING LESS watch it at different times and it’s
much harder to have that in-sync
for new shows across the UK market AND THEY’RE dialogue among the viewers.”
last year was [around] 30%.”
Given that “people are watching
NURTURING Lambert thought UK producers had
nothing to worry about: “Due to the
more and more video and they’re
looking for innovation all the time, you
[SHOWS] MORE’ way in which our industry has grown
up, buyers here have an extraordinary
have to do two difficult things at the imperative to buy original ideas off
same time – make things that capture paper. [This is] the opposite of many
viewers’ imagination, and work out be trying to push out of today’s sched- other countries – German [broadcast-
how to market them smarter”. ule, queried Davie? Lambert declined ers] won’t buy a format until they can
Referring to the earlier Generation Z to enter that minefield, noting only that see the data.
session, she added: “Attention spans established shows had tremendous “We have the amazing advantage of
are shorter – you’ve got to market on inertia: “US broadcast TV is absolutely the English language. The goal in the
social media for something to catch dominated in the unscripted space by format world is to create a format here
fire, to become talked about.” very established brands. Every summer, and take it to America; if it works in
Lambert accepted Mahon’s point the four networks attempt to launch a the US, it is probably going to go
that broadcasters were under pressure new one and pretty much every sum- everywhere. And it’s so much easier to
to “launch less and nurture more” but mer, 99% of them fail.” sell an original format made here to
maintained that it had always been Davie wondered if streamers could the US because it’s in English.” n
“difficult to sell a show, and difficult to break a new unscripted show in the
launch one”. Strictly Come Dancing, he way that linear broadcasters had tradi- Session Three: ‘Running on empty’ featured:
reminded the audience, had been tionally managed to do? Mahon said Tim Hincks, Co-CEO, Expectation; Stephen
rejected by “everyone many times she saw no reason why Netflix could Lambert, CEO, Studio Lambert; and Alex
over” – as had Millionaire and Survivor. not be successful with a non-scripted Mahon, CEO, Channel 4. It was chaired by
Sticking to her thesis that the market format: “You can crack release patterns Tim Davie, CEO, BBC Studios and produced
for unscripted shows had shifted since – that’s just a windowing question… for by Diana Muir. Report by Gordon Jamieson.
about 2010, Mahon said the shows that different countries on certain dates.” A
came later had, in general, been more bigger challenge was “to make a piece Watch the video at https://bit.ly/35k2Ruz
Television www.rts.org.uk October 2019 13RTS Cambridge 2019
Session Four
Keynote:
Sharon White
The Ofcom CEO weighs working across the sector was stuck at
13%. On social class, those working in
it wanted them to include data relating
to freelancers, who make up around
up the regulator’s hits TV were twice as likely to have half the overall workforce.
attended private school as the popula- “It’s a voluntary engagement,” she
and misses tion as a whole. Only a minority of TV pointed out. “Lots of broadcasters have
I
staff had working-class backgrounds, been fantastic. But we’d love to get to
n her third and final appearance Ofcom found. the position where we’re able to collect
at an RTS Cambridge Conven- “Over the past three years, the dial a much broader [range] of information
tion, the outgoing CEO of Ofcom, hasn’t shifted,” admitted White, who on an obligatory basis.”
Sharon White, gave a candid had made the issue her defining mis- White continued: “If we see diversity
insight into what she described sion when she was appointed. Where as some sort of tick-box exercise in
as the regulator’s tense relation- did she put the blame – on the broad- political correctness, [done only]
ship with the BBC, and reflected on casters and production companies, or because, once a year, the regulator is
why the TV industry had failed to was she at fault, asked her interviewer, going to produce a league table, we
improve its record on diversity. ITV’s Julie Etchingham. might as well shut up shop.”
She also provided some advice to “Moving the dial on diversity is very How was Ofcom itself doing on
today’s teenagers hoping to secure a much a collective effort,” said the Ofcom diversity? “At all levels of the organisa-
career in media. “When I look back at chief, who, in January, takes over as tion, including senior levels, we’re doing
what I always regard as a slightly acci- Chair of John Lewis. “We’re three years well on gender, less well on ethnicity at
dental career, so much of it is about in.… All of this is going to take much senior levels, but starting to make some
confidence,” recalled White, a Cam- more concerted leadership and effort.” good progress. I [don’t] see ourselves as
bridge University graduate who went She was still optimistic that, in two the saints at the table.… All of us have
to a girls-only comprehensive in Ley- or three years’ time, real change would got things to learn from each other.”
ton, east London. occur. There had been no shortage of Emphasising the importance of
“To have confidence and knock on initiatives to boost diversity, including “authentic content” that reflected all
the door, you’ve got to believe that those for writers and directors, but the of the UK, the CEO said that, outside
someone is going to open the door. I’d data indicated that there remained “a London, many communities were
encourage 17-year-olds to knock on the long way to go”. convinced that what they saw on TV
door because you’ll be surprised at how White added: “There should be a huge failed to reflect their lives. “We need
many people will be willing you to spur from producers and broadcasters content that is representative of the
success and will mentor you through.” – and yes, of course, the regulator – audience… it’s a mind-set shift.”
She was speaking on the day that to get much broader representation.” What had been learnt from Ofcom’s
Ofcom published its third diversity Ofcom would now seek legislative diversity work that she’d like to hand
report of her watch, “Diversity and powers to allow it to collect informa- on to her successor? “I think we have
equal opportunities in television”. Its tion from broadcasters on a wider come on in terms of the conversation.
bleak conclusion was that “there has range of diversity characteristics. And Crucially, it’s about concerted leader-
been no discernible change in the TV ship that sees this as a core part of the
industry’s diversity profile”. business of running a successful
Women and disabled people ‘I AM NOT SURE broadcaster or production company.”
remained under-represented; the pro-
portion of women in the TV industry
[THE BBC] HAS Turning to the regulator’s latest PSB
survey, announced in July, she said
workforce had fallen to 45%, compared QUITE COME that organisations such as the BBC and
with 47% across the UK’s working pop-
ulation. The proportion of women in TO TERMS ITV were facing unprecedented pres-
sure from global on-demand players.
senior management roles had not risen WITH HAVING The Ofcom boss acknowledged that
significantly, edging up from 41% to 42%.
At a senior level, minority ethnic AN EXTERNAL the regulator’s last PSB report in 2015
had underestimated the “fundamental
representation remained low. Overall,
the proportion of BAME people
REGULATOR’ shift in viewing habits”, and noted that
“the smartphone generation [is now]
14Richard Kendal completely bypassing PSB”. PSB con- iPlayer during the past 12 months is White said that audiences continued tent was fantastic, she said, but hard partly a reflection of this. I think, for to regard PSB news as highly trusted. questions needed to be asked about the BBC, there is a sense that the world Even younger people use the BBC and how it was marketed and distributed has changed dramatically, and that the ITV news to check the veracity of a in a world where young people ignore competition is Netflix and Amazon.” story breaking on Twitter. TV channels. In this context, she The corporation was “regulated for “But viewers do wonder if the BBC praised the innovation represented by the UK market” yet was very conscious plays too safe,” White noted. “They BritBox in making PSB content much that “it is a small player in the global want to see more in-depth, edgy, more available online. market”. “I feel very strongly that the bigger, bolder [coverage], particularly However, she was convinced that the BBC gets a huge amount of public in current affairs. Is there too much survival of the PSBs required effective money. Parliament sets very important Westminster bubble talking to West- rules on prominence. Ofcom’s own goals for the BBC in terms of airing minster bubble?” research showed that 12- to 15-year- distinctive, quality content… ensuring Viewers in Scotland, Wales and olds were far more likely to recognise that it does a great job, but not at the Northern Ireland thought that the platforms such as YouTube and Netflix expense of other players in the UK BBC’s national broadcast news lacked than they were the BBC. She, herself, market, whether that’s ITV or Chan- enough coverage of their nations. As believed there was a role for a levy on nel 4, is incredibly important.” for the corporation’s online news, the online platforms to support core What impact had regulating the BBC young people avoided using it. White public service broadcasters. had on Ofcom? “Personally, I was opined that it was a less distinctive Since April 2017, Ofcom has been always very cautious about taking on offering than BBC TV or radio news. responsible for regulating the BBC. the BBC. Actually… I’m more positive She added: “If you’re from an ethnic- White admitted that this had not about it now than when we started. minority background, you’re not feel- always been easy, especially in relation We’ve got the ability to look across ing as engaged because the people on to the regulator’s protracted and the whole of the broadcasting market. screen don’t come from the same fraught review of the corporation’s “Whether we’re looking at news, communities as you.” n ambitions for its iPlayer service. diversity or online competition, the “I think there’s a fundamental tension BBC is central to that. Others can judge In Session Four, Ofcom CEO Sharon White in the relationship between Ofcom, as us, but I think that having the BBC as was interviewed by Tonight and News the first external regulator of the BBC, part of our broadcasting duties has at Ten presenter Julie Etchingham. The and the corporation,” she said. “I am made us a better regulator.” producers were Sue Robertson and Martin not sure it has quite come to terms Ofcom’s examination of BBC news Stott. Report by Steve Clarke. with having an external regulator. and current affairs is due to be pub- “The discussion we’ve had over the lished later this autumn. Watch the video at https://bit.ly/35k2Ruz Television www.rts.org.uk October 2019 15
RTS Cambridge 2019
Session Five
I
n her first major speech since
being appointed Secretary of
State for Digital, Culture, Media
and Sport, the Rt Hon Nicky Mor-
The Secretary of
gan MP called on broadcasters to State wants to see
“be as fleet-footed and as adapt-
able to change as their international UK broadcasters
competitors” such as Apple and Netflix. co-operating more
She warned: “Those who do not pool
their resources and talent will find it
difficult to succeed in this new age.”
Nevertheless, Morgan applauded “the
vibrant mix of broadcasters” in the UK,
and said her Government was “deter-
mined to see a strong and successful
future for our public service broadcast-
ers and commercial broadcasters alike”.
“People are watching what they want,
where they want, when they want. No
one can deny the benefits of an explo-
sion of choice and a competitive mar-
ket. But British broadcasters are central
pillars of our public life and their bene-
fits are too great for them to be cast off
as victims of this revolution.”
The Secretary of State said that fake
news – “disinformation, fuelled by
hermetically sealed online echo cham-
bers” – threatened the “foundations of
truth that we all rely on.… We need to
treasure and encourage the robust
news and high-quality content and
programmes that bring us together.”
She congratulated the public service
broadcasters for “working together,
across traditional boundaries, including
on exciting new platforms – just as they
did with Freeview 17 years ago”. She
highlighted the imminent launch of the
BBC/ITV VoD service BritBox as a “fan-
tastic example of this”.
The Secretary of State was also
Richard Kendal
pleased that public service broadcasters
were “increasingly working together
with their commercial counterparts”,
applauding Channel 4 and Sky for
joining forces to show the final of the
Keynote:
Cricket World Cup on free-to-air tele
vision in the summer.
“I am sure our PSBs and commercial
broadcasters can continue to do more
together in terms of producing content,
Nicky Morgan
working with advertisers and innovat-
ing to reach audiences of all ages,” she
continued.
Turning to diversity, Morgan called
on broadcasters to “represent the
country they serve, both on and off
screen”, adding: “I see it as fundamen-
tal to our success in the future as a
16nation. Representation is particularly must be offered to free-to-air broad- time when it feels as if our society
important for our broadcasters. Not casters. Acknowledging the large is getting more polarised and more
just because it is right and just, but audiences that watched this summer’s tribal… can bring us together through
because our broadcasters, I believe, Fifa Women’s World Cup on the BBC, creating moments of shared enjoy-
are most effective, and most relevant, Morgan announced that she would ment and inspiration”. n
when they channel the diversity of consult on adding women’s sporting
perspectives and backgrounds that events to the listed events regime. In Session 5, ‘Secretary of State keynote’,
make the country great. “Where a men’s event is listed, the the Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP, Secretary of
“I want to see all broadcasters work- women’s equivalent would be, too,” she State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
ing harder to promote diversity of all said. She was also considering adding was interviewed by journalist and broad-
kinds, at all levels.” the Paralympics to the list. caster Susanna Reid. The producers were
Morgan also called on broadcasters With more than a nod to the divisive Sue Robertson and Martin Stott. Report by
to take greater responsibility for the effects of Brexit, the culture secretary Matthew Bell.
welfare of participants in their shows: concluded her address to the RTS
“In the digital age, the spotlight can be convention with the hope that TV “at a Watch the video at https://bit.ly/35k2Ruz
intense for those who take part in
popular shows. Viewers have easy
access to participants via social media,
and video clips can last for ever, mean-
ing that fame can be an overwhelming
QUESTION give consideration to secondary
legislation to improve the quality
of the evidence?
experience for many people.”
The Secretary of State recognised
that regulators and the Government
& ANSWER A Nicky Morgan: The short
answer is yes, but legislation
at the moment is [difficult]
must support broadcasters as they
adapt to the new TV landscape. “We Q Susanna Reid: Why is there
not enough diversity in TV?
in the current parliamentary
environment. In my experience,
need to make sure that regulations,
some of which were developed in the
analogue age, are fit for the new ways
A Nicky Morgan: In politics,
I’ve found, you’ve got to go
out and find the talent.… It’s not
legislation is part of the answer,
but there is nothing to stop
broadcasters on a voluntary basis
that people create and consume con- enough to… launch a programme… dramatically improving the quality
tent,” she said. you’ve actually got to go out and of the data they supply.
While linear-TV shows were subject find people. In other sectors, such
to the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, pro-
grammes shown on most VoD services
were not subject to the same standards,
as financial services, there are
issues around unconscious bias in
who you are recruiting… it’s much
Q Susanna Reid: You made
a very good point [in your
speech] about [fake news]
said Morgan: “This does not provide the easier to recruit in your own image. operating in “sealed online
clarity and consistency that consumers echo chambers, threatening
would expect.
“So, I am interested in considering
how regulation should change to
Q Susanna Reid: Ofcom… wants
more powers to collect data
on diversity – will you be granting
the foundations of truth that
we all rely on”. Of course, that’s
a responsibility for broadcasters,
reflect a changing sector.” those? but isn’t it also responsibility for
Morgan also called on Ofcom, which
has begun its latest pubic service
broadcasting review, “to think big”, to
A Nicky Morgan: We’re not
planning to legislate at the
moment… but I hear very much
politicians?
One of the things that we hear so
often on Good Morning Britain is that
ensure that broadcasters were able to what Sharon [White, Ofcom Chief during the [Brexit] campaign, there
“meet audiences’ needs, find the best Executive] said [earlier at the RTS were lies told on both sides, and
new talent and provide the critical convention], we’ve discussed it… those were lies coming from the
mass of investment that is vital to [but] legislation is challenging at mouths of politicians?
drive success in UK television”.
The Secretary of State pledged to
the moment.
A Nicky Morgan: You’re right.
Of course, politicians – all
“consider the issue of ‘prominence’”
on electronic programme guides for
public service broadcasters. Ofcom is
Q Simon Albury, Chair of the
Campaign for Broadcasting
Equality: The [diversity] data,
of us involved – [have] to accept
that the past three and a half years
have left the country more divided
currently updating the rules that gov- which is supplied by the than people have seen at any point
ern prominence. broadcasters is poor, to inadequate in living memory.… When this first
Morgan promised to give “equal to non-existent… Sharon [White] phase [of Brexit] is brought to a
recognition to disabled and women’s talked about extending the conclusion, I think [we] will have
sports” in the listed events regime, the [diversity] characteristics, but to take a very long, hard look at
so-called sporting “crown jewels” that we need to see an extension of ourselves, and at what happened
include the Olympics and FA Cup. the quality [of data].… Will you and how we conduct campaigns.
Television rights for events on the list
Television www.rts.org.uk October 2019 17RTS Cambridge 2019
Session Six
Keynote: David Zaslav
Discovery’s dominance in factual TV will preserve it from
the consolidation feeding frenzy, believes its CEO
D
ocumenting the planet moved into TV, he said Discovery is food… We have a ‘view and do’ concept
with the BBC, differenti- doing the reverse. It has hired the brains that, ultimately, from a multiple per-
ating Discovery from behind Amazon’s e-commerce platform spective, in terms of creating value,
Netflix and the other Marketplace and around 150 product could be enormous.”
streamers – and taking development and technology staff, after Interestingly, “view and do” was
Amazon on at its own lessons were learnt from going direct to ruled out for Netflix the following day
retail game – were the three big consumer during the building of Dplay by its Chair and CEO, Reed Hastings,
themes expounded by Discovery’s and Eurosport Player. but it was not the only differential that
President and CEO, David Zaslav. Zaslav explained the thinking behind Zaslav said Discovery had created.
With Discovery now the second larg- the move: “Netflix has 150 million peo- “We’re at a very interesting time and
est TV company in the US in terms of ple who pay and do nothing else. we’ve chosen a path that’s quite differ-
reach, Zaslav candidly laid out his com- “If we can aggregate millions of entiated and we feel good about it… we
pany’s ambitions. Whereas Amazon people who are watching but they’re need all of your help because it’s really
built its billions in retail and then also buying a bicycle, a vacation or going to be about great content. But
18You can also read
