News pioneer Deborah Turness: February 2019 - Royal Television Society
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Journal of The Royal Television Society February 2019 l Volume 56/2 From the CEO It may only be Febru- I am very grateful to Alex Wootten, Day with a special all-female episode. ary but 2019 has got Chair of RTS Futures, our exhibitors, I am thrilled that the screenwriter off to a lively start for session producers and panellists for responsible for the programme, Max- the RTS. At the Soci- making the TV Careers Fair such a ine Alderton, found time to write this ety’s London HQ we vibrant success. month’s TV Diary. have been busy host- Our latest screening was held at Elsewhere in this edition, we look at ing the juries for the Soho’s Curzon cinema last month, what are bound to be two of the year’s 2019 RTS Television Journalism and when a large crowd had the opportu- biggest issues for our sector – the RTS Programme Awards. nity to see two episodes of 4 Blocks, a impact of Brexit and the debate over Elsewhere, our events programme brilliant TNT Serie crime series, fol- BBC financing of free TV licences for is very much up and running. In Janu- lowed by a Q&A with one of the stars the over-75s. ary, I was so thrilled to attend our and members of the production team. As we all know, these are complex busiest RTS Futures TV Careers Fair Thanks to all who made this happen. matters that are concentrating the to date. More than 1,350 people came With International Women’s Day minds of politicians and policy- to the event, which was so bustling coming up on 8 March, it’s especially makers. I am grateful to John McVay that exhibitors didn’t have the chance fitting that our cover story is Andrew and Torin Douglas for their clear- to draw breath. Billen’s interview with Deborah Tur- headed analysis. There was a very enthusiastic ness, one of the great innovators take-up of the CV clinic, and the working in TV news. After spells at panel sessions were particularly pop- ITN and NBC, Deborah is now blazing ular this year. One panel was devoted a trail at Euronews. to the question of how to make it as a ITV’s super soap Emmerdale will be Facebook/Instagram brand. celebrating International Women’s Theresa Wise Contents 5 Maxine Alderton’s TV Diary Maxine Alderton is thrilled to know that her home is steeped in the history of Coronation Street 20 BBC faces free-fee quandary The vexed question of free TV licences for the over-75s is concentrating minds at the BBC and beyond. Torin Douglas unpicks the arguments 6 Reinventing TV news Andrew Billen asks Deborah Turness, the first female editor of a British TV news show, about her latest canvas for modernisation, Euronews 22 ‘I’m paid to wiggle my finger in the air’ Channel 5’s director of programmes, Ben Frow, tells Caroline Frost where he wants to spend the money freed up by axing Big Brother 10 The Brexit conundrum John McVay provides a user’s guide to how leaving the EU is likely to affect Britain’s production community 24 Freeview shifts up a gear As Freeview rolls out its new mobile app, Steve Clarke talks to the man behind the initiative, Jonathan Thompson, 13 Our Friend in the Midlands CEO of Digital UK Guz Khan wants TV to try harder to reflect the uniqueness of Birmingham in all its glorious authenticity 26 The gangs of Berlin Matthew Bell hears the makers of the acclaimed 14 The ultimate professional TNT Serie drama 4 Blocks explain how they broke Lisa Campbell profiles Fiona Bruce, whose new role as the mould of the TV crime show presenter of Question Time is already proving controversial 16 Getting social with Facebook Watch Patrick Walker, the platform’s EMEA director of media partnerships, tells Steve Clarke what he’s looking for Cover: Monica Schipper/FilmMagic Editor Production, design, advertising Royal Television Society Subscription rates Printing Legal notice Steve Clarke Gordon Jamieson 3 Dorset Rise UK £115 ISSN 0308-454X © Royal Television Society 2019. smclarke_333@hotmail.com gordon.jamieson.01@gmail.com London EC4Y 8EN Overseas (surface) £146.11 Printer: FE Burman The views expressed in Television News editor and writer Sub-editor T: 020 7822 2810 Overseas (airmail) £172.22 20 Crimscott Street are not necessarily those of the RTS. Matthew Bell Sarah Bancroft E: info@rts.org.uk Enquiries: publication@rts.org.uk London SE1 5TP Registered Charity 313 728 bell127@btinternet.com smbancroft@me.com W: www.rts.org.uk Television www.rts.org.uk February 2019 3
RTS NEWS Your guide to upcoming events. Book online at www.rts.org.uk STEVE HEWLETT MEMORIAL NORTH WEST Venue: Winchester Guildhall, The National events LECTURE 2019 Tuesday 26 February Broadway, Winchester SO23 9GH Tuesday 24 September RTS North West Student RTS AND SKY ATLANTIC Speaker TBC Television Awards 2019 April 2019, date TBC PRESENT Venue: TBC 6:30pm-9:30pm Meet the Professionals Monday 18 February Venue: The Lowry, Pier 8, A chance for students from In conversation with RTS MASTERCLASSES The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ production-based courses Stephen Graham Tuesday 5 November and ■ Rachel Pinkney 07966 230639 across the south to meet Interviewed by Save Me co-star Wednesday 6 November ■ RPinkney@rts.org.uk informally with a wide range of Alice Feetham. 6:30pm for 6:45pm RTS Student Masterclasses media production professionals Venue: Kings Place, 90 York Way, Venue: IET, 2 Savoy Place, NORTHERN IRELAND to discuss current TV issues, London N1 9AG London WC2R 0BL Tuesday 26 March opportunities and professional RTS Northern Ireland Student and career development RTS FUTURES RTS AWARDS Television Awards 2019 Venue: Bournemouth University, Tuesday 19 February Monday 25 November Venue: TBC precise venue TBC Screening of Flack and RTS Craft & Design Awards 2019 ■ John Mitchell ■ Stephanie Farmer scriptwriting Q&A London Hilton on Park Lane ■ mitch.mvbroadcast@ ■ SFarmer@bournemouth.ac.uk Meet the writer, producer and 22 Park Lane, London W1K 1BE btinternet.com commissioner behind UKTV’s THAMES VALLEY first scripted drama series, Flack. REPUBLIC OF IRELAND ■ Tony Orme Panellists: Oliver Lansley, writer Local events ■ Charles Byrne (353) 87251 3092 ■ RTSThamesValley@rts.org.uk of Flack; Mark Talbot, producer ■ byrnecd@iol.ie at Hat Trick Productions; and DEVON AND CORNWALL WALES Pete Thornton, head of scripted ■ Jane Hudson SCOTLAND Wednesday 27 February at UKTV. 18:45-9:30pm ■ RTSDevonandCornwall@rts. Tuesday 16 April RTS Cymru Annual Lecture Venue: London Transport org.uk RTS Scotland Student 2019: Jane Tranter, Bad Wolf Museum, Covent Garden Piazza, Television Awards 2019 Productions London WC2E 7BB EAST The awards are supported by 6:00pm Thursday 14 March STV, which will film the awards Venue: Lecture Theatre 0.06, RTS AWARDS RTS East Awards 2019 ceremony and show the event School of Journalism, Media and Wednesday 27 February Venue: TBC and the winning films on its Culture, Cardiff University, RTS Television Journalism ■ Nikki O’Donnell digital platform. 6:00pm 2 Central Square, Cardiff CF10 1EP Awards 2019 ■ nikki.odonnell@bbc.co.uk Venue: Argyle Street Arches, ■ Hywel Wiliam 07980 007841 Sponsored by Guestbooker.com 253 Argyle Street, Glasgow G2 8DL ■ HWiliam@rts.org.uk Venue: London Hilton on Park LONDON Lane, London W1K 1BE ■ Daniel Cherowbrier Wednesday 12 June WEST OF ENGLAND ■ daniel@cherowbrier.co.uk RTS Scotland Television Sunday 24 March RTS AWARDS Awards 2019 RTS West of England Tuesday 19 March MIDLANDS Venue: The Old Fruitmarket, Awards 2019 RTS Programme Awards 2019 Monday 7 October Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1NQ Venue: Bristol Old Vic, King In partnership with Audio Network RTS Midlands Careers Fair ■ April Chamberlain Street, Bristol BS1 4ED Venue: Grosvenor House Hotel, Venue: TBC ■ scotlandchair@rts.org.uk ■ Belinda Biggam 86-90 Park Lane, London W1K 7TN ■ belindabiggam@hotmail.com Friday 29 November SOUTHERN RTS AWARDS RTS Midlands Awards 2019 Wednesday 6 March YORKSHIRE Friday 28 June Venue: TBC In conversation with Chris Wednesday 27 February RTS Student Television ■ Jayne Greene 07792 776585 Packham RTS Yorkshire Student Awards 2019 ■ RTSMidlands@rts.org.uk With Chris Packham, wildlife TV Awards 2019 Sponsored by Motion presenter, photographer, writer, The awards are sponsored by Content Group NORTH EAST AND THE BORDER film-maker and campaigner Daisybeck Studios and pre- Venue: BFI Southbank, Belvedere Saturday 23 February Venue: Bournemouth University, sented by Calendar’s Christine Road, London SE1 8XT RTS North East & the Border Fern Barrow, Poole BH12 5BB Talbot. 6:30pm-10:30pm Awards 2019 Venue: Leeds College of Music, RTS CONFERENCE 6:00pm onwards Friday 8 March 3 Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7PD 18-20 September Venue: Hilton Newcastle RTS Southern Centre Awards ■ Lisa Holdsworth 07790 145280 RTS Cambridge Gateshead Hotel NE8 2AR Hosted by ITV Meridian’s Fred ■ lisa@allonewordproductions. Convention 2019 ■ Jill Graham Dineage and BBC South pre- co.uk Venue: King’s College CB2 1ST ■ jill.graham@blueyonder.co.uk senter Laura Trant 4
TV diary Maxine Alderton is thrilled to know that her home is steeped in the history of Coronation Street T he week begins with a huge win for Emmerdale, but of my episodes (Charity’s Flashback) an epic clear-out of because it shows that our viewers has been nominated. I don’t feel that my extremely messy have taken both James and his char- I can take any credit, though. It was home office in time acter, Ryan, to their hearts. beautifully shot by director Mickey for a makeover. And what a resounding vote from Jones. Emma Atkins’s performance Marie Kondo I am the public for diversity and represen- as Charity was astonishing. It’ll be not. What does spark tation on screen. I’m so proud of our lovely to toast their achievements, joy, though, is a small brass plaque producers for always striving to bet- no matter what the result. inside one of the fitted cupboards. It ter reflect the world we live in. reads: “Specially installed for Lynne Our format lends itself to this. It’s ■ Flurries of snow outside make me Perrie.” This is a reminder that soap vital that we use it to make a positive sympathise with the crew currently history is literally in the walls here. difference. Hopefully, in the future a shooting one of my episodes across Due to its proximity to the original win of this kind won’t be such a big the Pennines. Coronation Street set in Manchester, deal. It’ll simply be a win. It’s supposed to take place in spring, my flat used to be home to Lynne but this time of year always throws Perrie (Ivy Tilsley, later Brennan), then ■ Thursday brings a very fun edit on us weather-shaped curveballs. The Johnny Briggs (Mike Baldwin), fol- two first drafts with my script editor episode itself is an all-female special lowed by David Neilson (Roy Cropper), Liam. With these episodes, we’re again for broadcast on International who sold it to my director husband. playing with the traditional soap Women’s Day. I sometimes procrastinate, thinking format. They were a high-octane It’s a wonderful opportunity to about the iconic dialogue that must joy to write. celebrate our extraordinary female have been learnt here. It’s strangely I can’t wait to see how they turn cast and crew. The show was a comforting to be carrying the baton out on screen when they are shown uniquely female effort across all the on, writing episodes of Emmerdale in early May. other departments involved in the next to the vanity unit where Lynne production. once applied her make-up. ■ A fascinating evening is spent The episode explores female In a couple of days, her circa-1985 listening to American lawyer David friendship and support through all fitted furniture will be removed to Rudolf speak at Manchester’s Stoller stages of life. It packs quite an emo- allow me more space to work. If Hall. I’m addicted to criminal justice tional punch. The gender balance is she’s up there watching, I hope she documentaries, and Netflix’s The relatively good in soap, especially for understands. Staircase had me hooked. writing, but there’s much work to be I’m proud to report that I’m now an done beyond that. ■ An even bigger hit of joy comes expert on the owl theory. If an avian I will be proudly supporting the with the National Television Awards serial killer crops up on Emmerdale, #BalanceForBetter campaign on and watching Emmerdale win Serial you’ll know who to blame. 8 March. Drama. Our incredible James Moore picks up the Newcomer prize. ■ I’m excited to receive an invita- Maxine Alderton is a writer on ITV’s It’s emotional, not just because it’s tion to the Broadcast Awards. One Emmerdale. Television www.rts.org.uk February 2019 5
The Billen profile Andrew Billen asks Deborah Turness, the first female editor of a British TV news show, about her latest canvas for modernisation, Euronews Euronews Reinventing TV news D eborah Turness, the newscaster deskless for 5 News, push- A few years ago, its investors decided former editor of ITV ing anchors in front of a vast news wall to create instead 12 separate video and News, ex-President of at ITV, restoring scandal-prone NBC audio channels, each with its own NBC News and now News to its primacy in the US, and now, content. Comcast-owned NBC in the boss of Euronews, as she puts it, making a start-up out of US, looking to expand east, suddenly admits that there are the Euronews heritage brand. took an interest and, in 2017, acquired a parallels in her working and domestic “What I love is taking things that 25% stake. lives. She is, she says, a serial renova- have real legacy, heritage and magical Turness, ending a successful but tor. She bought a place in Shepherd’s qualities, keeping the best of what they tumultuous spell at NBC News in New Bush and turned it into a family home are, but modernising them,” she says York, became president of NBC News just before her first daughter was born, over coffee at the Electric House club International and presided over a and then did the same thing in in Notting Hill. “Yes, there are parallels.” relaunch. Chiswick, just before her second. Euronews was no wreck but, from Naturally, one of the first things she When she moved to New York, she Britain, spoilt for news channels, it oversaw was a spanking new studio at bought a 19th-century “wreck” around looked like an oddity. Formed by a its Lyons HQ, from where anchors are the corner from where the family was collective effort of state broadcasters now, at last, seen on screen. A “cube” renting, took out many walls and the alarmed that CNN had cornered the contains a shirt-hanging-from-trou- staircase, redid the bathrooms, and Gulf war, it was a continent-wide sers young journalist who not only made the opened-up spaces “magical”. newsreel, identical in each of its mar- shows us the latest social media but And then there is her life as a rein- kets, save for the dubbed-on calls out its lies – Turness has on her ventor in television news, making the commentary. phone an impressive skewering of a 6
‘MAINSTREAM NEWS IS FIGHTING FOR ITS LIFE, [NOW] WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR TRUST’ political ad mispresenting the liberal Euronews is, undoubtedly, an excit- Williams, who, caught exaggerating his Belgian MEP Guy Verhofstadt. ing place to work. A recent survey heroics in Iraq, was extracted from the In Brussels and, due to the vagaries showed that its new format is winning anchor’s chair of NBC Nightly News. of European politics, one week out of mass approval from its viewers. Yet, it “To be honest, you can ask anybody four in Strasbourg – an additional set seems small beer for a woman who who worked with me, I don’t engage in provides a cockpit for MEPs to debate may be Britain’s most successful TV it [office politics]. I tell everybody who matters such as, well, Brexit. news executive ever and has run works with me I’m here to do a job. Yet, it is not the vivid-green HQ that mighty NBC News herself. I ask if the Let’s work out what the goals are, the make Euronews unlike anything else rumours in the trade press that she was priorities. on television – though now, as was not “sidelined” are right. “I’m here to define a strategy, to necessarily the case previously, it is in a “No, not at all. I’d gone to NBC News work in collaboration with people, I’m good way. Rather, it is the fact that its reporters are not accompanied by cam- era operators but by iPhones acces- sorised with selfie sticks, Osmo image stabilisers and arsenals of chargers. “For journalists coming into the business now, it’s liberating,” says Tur- ness. “They have a different style of journalism and they’re trying to do something different. It gets you closer to the people that you’re interviewing. It gives a more visceral representation of what is happening in those places.” She points to two instances. One is Euronews’s coverage of the December Strasbourg market attack. Admittedly, Euronews’s it was “lucky” that its Raw Politics team Anelise Borges reporting the Euronews was in town with the European Parlia- gilets jaunes ment, but the courage of its reporters protests in Paris reporting live from the streets cannot be disputed. The other is the enterprise of its to do a job. When I got there, things very, very focused and I don’t have youthful “star reporter” Anelise Borges, weren’t great. It was post quite a diffi- time for any of that.” who took her iPhone (and drone) aboard cult time for the organisation. The But removing star presenters cannot the Aquarius, the migrant rescue vessel Today show was number two, Meet the have been fun? “I always think that, turned away by Italy last summer. Press was going to number three, NBC whatever you have to do, do it with “She was able to win the trust of the Nightly News was starting to be unstable. kindness and compassion and you can refugees and the crew on board. They “I was brought in as someone to look look at yourself in the mirror.” let her in. She filmed their children. and see what needed to be done to put On the alleged culture of sexual “There’s the story of one woman with things right. And everything was num- intimidation at NBC, Turness turns her three little girls: they crossed seven ber one before I left. I was extremely rather corporate. It is not just, I point countries in Africa – all these incredi- happy and proud of what I had out, Matt Lauer, the “nice guy” who bly intense stories from people who are achieved. I’d always seen it as a project.” was forced out of Today after horrifying very shy and normally wouldn’t open There were also personal reasons, stories about his treatment of women. up, and would not have opened up regarding her husband’s first family, for Even the legendary ex-anchor Tom with a great big camera crew. returning. Even so, life in Bronxville NY Brokaw was accused of a (compara- “Anelise was live every day for 10 days and commuting to NBC’s Manhattan tively minor) impropriety. “He is a on the ship and then, when she came off, studios at Thirty Rock, sounds pretty hero and that’s it. It’s gone away. It I brought in a couple of guys who nor- entrancing. The downside, I guess, was didn’t stick.” mally make Panorama for the BBC. They the filthy office politics as, first, she But did she see abuse of power dur- and she made a one-hour documentary removed David Gregory as moderator ing her tenure? “Absolutely not. And, that has already won two awards.” of Meet the Press, and then Brian indeed, the NBC News investigation � Television www.rts.org.uk February 2019 7
A life of twists and Turness Deborah Turness, President, NBC News International Born 4 March 1967; brought up in Hertfordshire Father Andrew Turness, self-made businessman, died three years ago Mother Caroline, helped launch her husband’s business Married to John Toker, Cabinet Office comms director and former ITN producer (her first husband was journalist and ex-Clash roadie Damien Steward); two children: Fleur and Belle Education St Francis’s College and Knights Templar School, Baldock; University of Surrey (French and English), University of Bordeaux Euronews staffer using Euronews (journalism) a stabilised iPhone for a piece to camera 1988 Freelance producer for ITN in Paris 1991 Producer, ITN north of England � into it found that none of that had “But I felt that if you were a young 1993 ITN Washington bureau been reported into HR or management.” woman and you demonstrated that 2000 Deputy editor, then editor, of But that’s the problem: a culture of you could actually deliver, you could 5 News silence. “Indeed, and there’s a whole survive and thrive in the environment. 2002 Editor, Channel 4’s RI:SE cultural review going on and a very I felt, actually, that you were even more 2002 Deputy editor, ITV News productive and inclusive movement in noticed because you were a woman.” 2004 First female editor of ITV terms of encouraging people to speak. On the road, was she ever proposi- News (which wins three consec- “Look,” she says, “NBC News was the tioned by a colleague? “No one has utive Baftas and an International first news organisation to put a woman ever asked me this before. I think in Emmy during her tenure) as president of news. That was me. I any environment at that time, any 2013 President, NBC News had a female boss at the time. Way young woman, particularly in a role 2017 Moves back to Europe to more than half of my direct reportees where you’re travelling with teams of relaunch Euronews, based in Lon- were female. men, there were advances made, yes. don and Lyons “So, it was, and it continues to be, a Were they rebuffed if I wasn’t inter- very, very good place for women to ested? Yes, absolutely. And was that Awards Women in Film and Tele work, as is Euronews. Euronews has respected? Yes, always.” vision News and Factual Award got a woman head of ad sales, me, and Brought up in Hertfordshire and 2009; RTS Television Journalism a woman as chief content officer.” expelled by nuns from St Francis’s Awards 2014 Judges’ Award Things were a different when she College for smuggling boys into a barn Hours of sleep needed ‘I’m not began at ITN in the late 1980s. She dance, Turness was never a pushover. Margaret Thatcher, but I can get by recalls “minding the desk” when the She now thinks that relocating, aged 12, on five or six.’ men went to the pub after the 5:45pm to the local comprehensive further bulletin. Although there were instances toughened her up. Watching The Affair, Cold Feet, of powerful women at ITN – such as Journalism soon called her. She The Crown Diana Edwards-Jones – most were at started a schools page in the local the programme assistant level. paper and, at 15, was a music reviewer. 8
Euronews Euronews Raw Politics studio At the University of Surrey, she studied John Toker. I like to think that I played invest in it, really own it, really believe French and English. Her postgraduate a small part in this decision. in it. And we did. And I am very, very studies took her to Bordeaux’s school In an interview that she gave in proud of it. Did we autocorrect after- of journalism. 2006, she said that, while her job was wards a little bit and come back to the Speaking French is a huge asset in her “probably” not compatible with family middle somewhere? Yes, but you still current job, but it was her flair that most life, she had been encouraged by an see ripples of that everywhere.” impressed Jon Snow, then ITN’s diplo- interview with the actor Geena Davis, Nevertheless, her new Euronews matic editor, back in 1988, when she who had twins at 48. I had written the may prove even more influential. was his freelance producer in Paris. She piece. She smiles when I remind her. “We are in an era where mainstream quickly concluded that, while she might In any case, in 2009, aged 42, she had news is fighting for its life, where we make an average correspondent herself, the first of two daughters. have to fight for trust. I think these she could be an exceptional producer. Her tenure as head of ITV News was issues of how we tell our stories and After spells as deputy editor and marked by scoops, including footage of how we present our stories are now then editor of 5 News (the first time that the arrest of the 2005 London bombers, fundamental and existential.” ITN removed a newscaster from their but also by a complete overhaul of its So news must show its workings, as desk), and an unhappier few months studio presentation in favour of a vast maths teachers say? “Yes, because, editing Channel 4’s breakfast show news wall. This was the “theatre of otherwise, why would you just trust it? RI:SE, she rejoined ITV News as deputy news” era, and it did not last for ever. I think we’re in a post-trust world.” editor. In 2004, she was promoted to “Theatre of news was about bringing “Our goal is to make NBC News editor there, becoming the first female the power and the drama of video into a very impactful, influential, global editor within British network news. the news presentation environment. news brand.” It was a remarkable achievement, The previous set had been a teak We may not quite get this in Britain, made the greater by her decision, not wooden desk. but Euronews is a vast theatre of news. long after, to have children, having met “If you’re going to make changes, Deborah Turness, television news’s the man who would become her sec- there is a very American concept of ‘go greatest renovator, not to say greatest ond husband, the former ITN producer big or go home’. Really do this, really show-woman, is transforming it. n Television www.rts.org.uk February 2019 9
The Brexit conundrum E merging from the Christ- Member states and others outside of mas fug of too many late Production economics the European Economic Area that are nights, too much mulled party to the Council of Europe’s Con- wine and – at least for me vention on Transfrontier Television – a strictly non-vegan John McVay provides (ECTT) are included within the Euro- feasting period, we all a user’s guide to how pean works content quota. have to stare 2019 squarely in the eye, Leaving the EU will not affect the pull our socks up (a nice present that leaving the EU is likely UK’s position in the ECTT, as the Coun- you appreciate with the passing years) and utter the dreaded word that so far to affect Britain’s cil of Europe is separate from the EU. So, our high-value programming will has not made it into my festive games production community continue to qualify as European for the of Scrabble – Brexit. majority of the territories we sell into. If, like me, you were suffering from But we should anticipate that Santa’s Brexit overload before the Christmas continue to have a relationship with the little French helpers may try to spoil break, then the Westminster news EU on digital policy. This will cover future Christmases. blackout over the holiday period was a digital trade and e-commerce, telecom- At least for now, this gives medium- welcome respite. But, with Brexit once munications and digital infrastructure, term clarity for UK sales and financing, again dominating the news agenda, it digital technology and broadcasting. but it will probably also be raised by EU would be wrong to ignore what it may The Government’s promise of a future buyers seeking a discount on longer- mean for the UK’s broadcasting, pro- “digital relationship” on broadcasting term deals. duction and distribution sectors. with the EU, and its recognition of the On the other hand, it makes no com- Of course, all of this is subject to the cultural and economic importance of mercial sense to me that EU broadcast- following health warning. We may the industry is, on paper, encouraging. At ers, happy with quality UK programmes have one or more of: no deal, remain this stage, however, it is a bit like a letter that are popular with their audiences, in the EU, have a new PM, a general to Santa – quite a lot of asks but no idea would decide to stop buying them. election or another referendum. what we will actually end up with. After all, US shows have been a con- stant feature of European schedules for Digital Single Market European works many years. On this, we have to make The Government has said that the UK The Government has confirmed that sure that the UK Government (which will not be a part of the Digital Single content originating in the UK will still will still be a member of the Council of Market. However, the UK does want to be classed as “European works”. Europe) remains vigilant. 10
Visas and immigration Cultural test Continued access to talent and skills is The law on this contains references to key to maintaining a thriving UK crea- the EEA; the Government has recently tive industry, and free movement of published an amendment to this legis- (very talented) people has been part of lation. This action was taken in order why the UK has developed such an to “avoid the situation that, unless the important audio-visual sector, particu- references to EEA state are amended, larly in VFX and distribution. then British directors, actors and other The Government has stated that production personnel would not be freedom of movement will end when eligible to score points under various the UK withdraws from the EU. How- sections of the test, whereas nationals ever, EU rules on immigration will or residents of any EEA state would”. continue to apply in the UK until The cultural test will not be changing December 2020, the agreed imple- post-Brexit. Companies will still be able mentation period. to qualify for tax relief under this test. This is, of course, contingent on the Government being able to continue Intellectual property and copyright with its current plans and the UK not The Government’s IP enforcement leaving the EU without a deal. strategy shows commitment to protect- After 2020, there is, to put it mildly, a ing IP and ensuring that the UK degree of uncertainty. remains a world leader in this area. Although the Government has stated Although the strategy was released the importance that it attaches to the before the referendum, the Government continued mobility of “talented indi- has said that this has not changed. viduals and groups to support cultural, Although the UK will be leaving the creative and sporting co-operation”, it Single Market, the Government recog- has also recognised there are some nised the importance of IP last year in areas within the creative industries with its white paper on the future relation- skill shortages. These require non-UK ship between the UK and the EU. workers to fill the gap. The UK is a signatory to numerous This will be affected by how the international treaties and agreements Government responds to and imple- protecting copyright. This means that ments the recommendations of the the majority of UK copyrighted works Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) for European Economic Area (EEA) are protected around the world. The UK’s future relationship with ‘THE RISK TO migration post-Brexit. the EU will not be affected by this. INTERNATIONAL The recommendations included: no preferential treatment for EEA citizens, However, there may be some uncer- tainty until a deal is negotiated with BROADCASTERS a requirement that workers meet a the EU. In the short term, there seems BASED IN THE UK minimum £30,000 salary threshold and abolition of the Tier 2 cap. This is a to be no major cause for concern pro- vided a deal is agreed. In any case, IS IN THE REGION limit on the number of the Rest of the copyright law varies across EU states. OF £1BN-WORTH World visas that can be granted. Pact called for a flexible post-Brexit Creative Europe funding OF INVESTMENT’ migration system in its submission to The UK will remain in the EU budget the MAC’s consultation. The MAC has until December 2020, with funds still acknowledged this with the recom- available to our creative sector until mendation of abolishing the Tier 2 cap, that date. This has particularly benefit- which allows for some flexibility. ted companies in animation, docu- It is not clear if the Government will mentaries and film distribution. This fully accept all of the MAC recommen- was set out in a financial settlement dations without further consultation between EU negotiators and the UK and lobbying from business. For many, Government. It stated that UK organi- the minimum salary threshold is the sations can continue to apply for funds key issue. from Creative Europe’s forthcoming The MAC instigated an employer media and culture sub-programmes. consultation for the “shortage occupa- UK organisations will have exactly tions” list (the key list for all industries) the same rights and obligations as a few days before the Christmas holi- other countries participating in the day. The deadline for responses was Creative Europe programme until the 6 January. There’s nothing like under- current programme ends in 2020. taking a major review of our future Successful Creative Europe appli- employment and business needs over cants from the UK can receive funding a holiday period. until the end of their projects (even if � Television www.rts.org.uk February 2019 11
‘UK HIGH-VALUE PROGRAMMING WILL CONTINUE TO QUALIFY AS EUROPEAN FOR TERRITORIES WE SELL INTO’ European Union The European Parliament � they run beyond 2020). Looking contained in the AVMS Directive will relocating its European HQ to beyond 2020, the Government has no longer apply to the UK. Amsterdam from London, it remains stated that it is “open to exploring The country-of-origin principle, set to be seen how many other compa- continued involvement in Creative out in the AVMS Directive, is of par- nies may be contemplating moving Europe to support the cultural, crea- ticular importance to broadcasters their complete UK operations to other tive and audio-visual sectors”. and producers. The Commercial EU cities, such as Dublin, Paris, Berlin Broadcasters Association has calcu- or Hamburg. Audiovisual Media Services Directive lated that the risk to international At various times, I’ve been accused The Government has not fully clarified broadcasters based in the UK is in the of putting a positive spin on Brexit’s its intentions regarding any transi- region of £1bn-worth of investment. impact on our sector. I do have seri- tional arrangements on the Audiovis- The Government has stated that, ous concerns, especially on migration ual Media Services (AVMS) Directive. because we are leaving the Single and the ease of movement issues that But it has made it clear that the UK Market, the country-of-origin princi- could affect UK production costs and will still have a close relationship with ple will no longer apply. It has, how- damage our competitiveness. the EU. This could mean that the UK ever, assured the industry that it is But the UK is and will remain one will remain a part of the AVMS Direc- “seeking the best possible arrange- of the world’s most important, tive, depending on negotiations with ments for the sector”. dynamic and creative audiovisual the EU. This has spurred some EU member economies regardless of what hap- In 2018, the European Commission states to try to attract UK-based pens with Brexit. The reason is simple published a notice to stakeholders broadcasters who require access to – we happen to be very, very good at making it clear that, subject to any the EU to relocate their operations to entertaining the UK and the world. n transitional arrangements relevant to their own territories. While Discovery the withdrawal date, EU rules has announced that it will be John McVay is CEO of Pact. 12
OUR FRIEND IN THE MIDLANDS Guz Khan wants T he West Midlands is TV to try harder I kept my own show as genuine and my home and I authentic as possible. And I mean bloody love it. So to reflect the that in the small and the big aspects why do I barely see it on the big old telly? uniqueness of of the show. Slowly but surely, as things started to Don’t get me wrong, I Birmingham in come together, I could see how having know everyone from the Spaghetti Junction to Bolivia loves all its glorious that in my mind made a difference. All I could think about before the show Peaky Blinders – it’s a great show – but authenticity dropped was, “Man, all I care about is it hardly feels like it’s created here. that the West Mids crew appreciate the I enjoy some gangster shizz set in ting, I made it for them....” my neck of the woods as much as the It did drop, they did love it and I next former criminal but, as soon as was ecstatic. People from all demo- some of the characters open their graphics were tweeting about the mouths, I’m hearing accents that sound terms they use and the streets they’d like a Welsh guy who has spent consid- walked on, and how the relationships erable time in Berlin, not Small Heath. in the show were proper Brummie. It was the fundamental thing that Your dude was vindicated, it was threw me while I watched the domi- mission complete. I’d made a show nant performances from brilliant that made our lot proud. actors. They’re dope these lot, but Man Like Mobeen has now become they aren’t Brummies, mate! more widely known as a show drip- Guz Khan This led me to question whether an ping in authenticity, but it’s just one actual West Midlander had been con- small cog in the machine of the West sulted over this issue. It’s something Midlands. we are very proud of. I want to see Maude tear it up at a Our vernacular, our mannerisms sent how genuinely diverse the West laundrette in West Bromwich while and our interests are a tapestry that Midlands is. she’s battling a heroin addiction and make us so unique – “Is that under- I’m an absolute newbie to the running a day care centre at the stood, bab?” entertainment industry. I never same time. As a comedian, I obviously gravitate dreamt of being in it. I never thought These are real stories that should be toward the comedy that’s on television. I’d be standing on stages or writing told by our people, not Cuthbert the But it’s few and far between, really, scripts for television. It’s just not Oxford graduate and his scriptwriter when it comes to us. something that a working-class kid from Monmouth. Citizen Khan had a very successful does around here. The West Midlands is my home and run, and Adil Ray is definitely a So when this came snowballing I bloody love it. So, hopefully, when Brummie, but it never quite satisfied down on me like a bad day in the we do see it on the big old telly more the palates of the people it was sup- Swiss alps – I’ve never been skiing, often, it’ll come with proper accents posed to represent. by the way, that’s what posh white and some proper West Midlands Television from our region is so folks do, innit (I’ve been down a hill flavour as well. sporadic that, when it is done, it in a Tesco trolley blindfolded, though, “Is that understood, bab?” n has to be amazing. This can only same shit) – the first thing I asked happen when we offer more people myself is, what would I like to see Series two of Man Like Mobeen was from diverse backgrounds a chance on TV? released as a box set on BBC Three on to tell their stories, people who repre- It led me on a path of ensuring that 7 February. Television www.rts.org.uk February 2019 13
The ultimate professional W hoever political prowess and journalistic rig- replaced Presenting our, and highlighted the fact that the national treas- shortlist was almost entirely female: ure David Dimbleby as Lisa Campbell profiles Emily Maitlis, Kirsty Wark, Victoria Derbyshire, Samira Ahmed plus what host of BBC Fiona Bruce, whose was described as one “token” male, flagship Question Time faced a daunting Nick Robinson. prospect. Having fronted the show for new role as presenter All of which only added to the pres- an age-defying 25 years, he cast a long shadow, and there was intense pressure of Question Time is sure. “It was as though, for some, a gen- der-themed sword of Damocles had on the corporation to pick someone who already proving been hovering over Bruce’s debut – wouldn’t be overpowered by the role. with her not just representing herself, Fiona Bruce was regarded in some controversial but all females who have the audacity to quarters as an unlikely choice to suc- take a man’s place,” wrote Barbara Ellen ceed such an iconic broadcasting epitome of calm during her debut in the Observer. heavyweight. Viewers didn’t have to appearance on 10 January. Bruce describes herself as a feminist wait long for her baptism of fire. To those who know her well, however, from her university days at Oxford, It came during her second week in Bruce’s initial fears were clear. “Having which she attended 1982-86. Arriving charge of the high-profile politics show worked with Fiona for years. I could see there from a comprehensive in south- and spoke volumes about how, in the she was nervous to begin with but, being east London, she was aware of class age of social media, presenting Question the ultimate professional, she soon hit and how “chippy” she was about it. Time requires very special skills. her stride,” said one news executive. This feeling of not fitting in was fun- The BBC received more than Bruce’s trademark composure was nelled into feminist activism, which 100 complains after Bruce had queried not the only quality that set her apart, included her successfully making the panellist Diane Abbot’s assertion that according to a BBC insider who was case for a female tutor to whom female Labour was “level pegging” with the part of the pilot process. In what was students could turn for support. The Conservatives in the opinion polls by affectionately described as Question initiative was subsequently rolled out saying “you’re behind, Diana”. Her Time Idol, shortlisted hosts were put to at every Oxford college. mistake lit up Twitter. the test with a panel of politicians and Since then, she has demonstrated The presenter subsequently put the pundits before a 120-strong audience. her feminist viewpoint personally and record straight in the following week’s “It was a formidable shortlist and it’s professionally – most of the time, at programme. “There was some discus- very hard to separate people in terms least. She famously challenged Sir Alan sion about opinion polls.… I was talking of CV, but the pilots allowed us to Sugar on an episode of The Money Pro- about a poll which came out on the compare. The tricky thing is, it’s a gramme about his view that women day of the programme, which sug- programme about the audience, it’s not should declare childcare commitments gested the Conservatives were ahead. an interview programme,” says a Ques- to a potential employer. “The Shadow Home Secretary men- tion Time insider. “So you have to keep In 2017, she joined other BBC pre- tioned some other, earlier polls which letting people in, without letting the senters in signing the letter to Direc- showed Labour in the lead and we panel evade the question. It was a tor-General Tony Hall calling for equal should have made that context clear, balance David struck brilliantly and pay. However, she did not come out in and I’m really happy to do that now.” Fiona instinctively got that. support of presenter Miriam O’Reilly’s When news of her appointment “The pilot was an enlightening, enter- ageism claim against the BBC in 2009, emerged, the BBC News at Ten presenter taining, watchable hour, everything you with O’Reilly going on to win her case and Antiques Roadshow host confessed could want from Question Time.” against former BBC One controller Jay that she had “not felt this nervous in a Despite this, as the first female host Hunt in 2011. long time”. She added that the job felt in the show’s 40-year-history, there As an aside, one former colleague “massively exposing”, but she would was the inevitable Twitter backlash, as recalls Bruce’s “gleeful acceptance” try not to let her nerves show. well as criticism from certain sections of her Rear of the Year title in 2010, To the outside world, Bruce was the of the press. They questioned Bruce’s something which, the following year, 14
‘HER DISTANCE FROM WESTMINSTER IS SEEN AS A STRENGTH’ Fiona Bruce in the Question Time chair BBC she admitted was “the most hypocriti- Amanda Platell, writing in the Daily programme. In 2008, she took on the cal, ridiculous, ludicrous thing” she had Mail: “Question Time is the toughest of role that she’s most famous for, hosting ever done. gigs for the presenter. It doesn’t require Antiques Roadshow, now in its 41st series. This time, however, Bruce has been poise but cunning, political nous and a The BBC executive who appointed entirely robust. In a recent interview in ferocity and command I suspect Fiona Bruce as Dimbleby’s successor, direc- the Times, she shot down Andrew Bil- does not possess. tor of news and current affairs Fran len’s line of questioning with this “It is, and should be, forensic, fierce, Unsworth, speaking before Bruce’s retort: “I assumed that when I got formidable. That’s not Fiona Bruce. Question Time debut, said: “We chose interviewed about this that at least one She’ll be a butterfly broken on the her because she combines the author- person would say to me, ‘Do you think unrelenting wheel of politics.” ity of a newsreader with the warmth you got the job because you’re a As one colleague states: “Perhaps and personality which comes with woman?’ And a) I don’t; b) I’m insulted because of Antiques Roadshow, people interacting with Antiques Roadshow by the suggestion; and c) men have seemed to have forgotten that she’s a audiences over the years. been getting jobs because they’re men journalist and has worked on Newsnight “I would also nail any perception for centuries. And I don’t recall a) that and Panorama. Either that or the talk of that she is a bit of a lightweight. The question ever being asked of them, or the ‘soft touch’ was just sexism.” papers reported that the BBC ‘wanted b) hearing a peep out of them about it.” Bruce has been employed as a a softer feel’, which is rubbish. She is Questions concerning gender are reporter on a range of news and cur- a proper journalist. It is just that she not the only negative thing Bruce has rent affairs programmes. She began hasn’t been immersed in the Westmin- faced since winning the prestigious her BBC career at Panorama as a ster scene.” Question Time role. Many assumed that researcher after meeting then-editor Her distance from Westminster is the BBC would appoint a journalist Tim Gardam at a wedding. seen as a strength by another BBC with a more traditional political back- Her other reporting roles include journalist, who said: “David refused ground. At 4-1, the bookies’ favourite working on Breakfast News and BBC South to hang out with politicians and kept was Kirsty Wark. East plus current-affairs series such as himself away from that world. He was Indeed, following Bruce’s appoint- First Sight, Public Eye and Real Story. never a political correspondent. ment, there were raised eyebrows In 1999, she became a presenter on “He saw it as his job to be on the among some news and current affairs the BBC Six O’Clock News, then the Ten, audience’s side. You need to know producers in the TV industry. as well as co-presenting Crimewatch. enough to not be bamboozled, and Some press commentators suggested Famously, in 2001, Bruce became the Fiona is as sharp as a tack. You don’t that she would be a soft touch. Few, first female presenter to work on the need to be in Westminster to know however, have been as harsh as BBC television general election results what politics is about.” n Television www.rts.org.uk February 2019 15
Patrick Walker Getting social with Facebook Watch I n a short time Facebook Watch At Google, he led the team that has come a long way. Rarely a Facebook launched YouTube in Europe. Years week goes by without its par- earlier, he had worked as a BBC News ent, Facebook, attracting nega- tive publicity for allegations Patrick Walker, the producer based in South-east Asia. There, his colleagues included such that someone, somewhere is platform’s EMEA distinguished reporters as Kate Adie, using the social media behemoth for John Simpson and Matt Frei. nefarious purposes, with or without director of media “The news experience became very the possible involvement of the Rus- sian state. partnerships, tells helpful when I joined Facebook in 2016. All the questions around our place in By contrast, the video-on-demand Steve Clarke what democracy and false news became a service Facebook Watch appears to be very important part of my role, working immune to such criticism. One of its he’s looking for with the industry to help it understand first scripted shows, the 10-part Sorry our perspective,” he says. “I am not a for Your Loss, starring Elizabeth Olsen, Huda Boss, and fairy-tale-inspired digital native but I have worked in the won the kind of reviews that most anthology series Sacred Lies. digital industry since it began.” commissioners would die for. Facebook Watch made its debut in Walker is an American by birth; two The series was described as a gor- the US in August 2017. The service years ago, he finally became a British geous, poignant drama about bereave- rolled out worldwide just over a year national but continues to hold a US ment. It was one of four Watch shows later. Spearheading the European passport. He speaks as fast as Jay Hunt to be renewed for a second season in arm of the outfit is Patrick Walker, a and almost pauses before smiling to December. The others were Kerry 51-year-old, highly experienced media add: “I’m the digital godfather.” Washington’s drama Five Points, social practitioner, whose past includes peri- His first media job was with Japanese influencer Huda Kattan’s reality show ods working for Google and the BBC. public service broadcaster NHK. 16
‘FACEBOOK ORIGINALS NEED TO LEVERAGE FACEBOOK GROUPS AND IGNITE LIVE CHAT’ Facebook Facebook Sorry for Your Loss Japanese culture has always fascinated was commissioned because we knew him. He was the company’s first non- Japanese full-time employee. Walker bereavement was an important topic. “The series sparked discussion. Even Working for lived in the company’s dormitories, taking communal baths with his Japa- when we ran the first trailer, Facebook lit up: people said that they were so Zuckerberg nese colleagues. He made documenta- pleased to share their thoughts on the ries and children’s shows, subsequently issue. We’re looking for meaningful Patrick Walker: ‘The question launching NHK’s first HD channel. social interaction around program- people always ask me is, “Have Today, from one of Facebook’s two ming. If we’re not achieving that, then you met Mark Zuckerberg?” We London offices, Walker runs a global we’re not achieving our mission, travelled together to Nigeria to do team of more than 30 people. “We which is to help people build commu- some projects with the content work with broadcasters, production nity and bring people closer together. community. companies, digital publishers, public “That is something we think about ‘Every week, he does a Q&A with figures, creators, influencers, artists every day in our programming conver- the entire company. He’s done it for and celebrities,” he explains. sations and the dialogues we’re having a decade, and Sheryl [COO Sheryl But, to be clear, Walker isn’t the per- around people joining the platform.” Sandberg] participates. son to contact if you’re a producer He continues: “I like to think of it in ‘That’s one of the reasons that a pitching a high-end scripted show. That terms of a campfire storytelling expe- lot of the people working with us side of the business is run from the US. rience, where you are present with remain highly motivated, because Indeed, in terms of traditional commis- others, present with the storyteller and we see how deeply concerned and sions across all programme genres, the your reactions can affect the nature of committed our leaders are by being opportunities appear to be limited. the dialogue around the storytelling. physically present and taking open, What is essential is that anyone “It can be geographically distributed and often very raw, questions. considering a pitch must ensure that but it can still be intimate digitally. You ‘It gives us confidence that they the idea fulfils Facebook’s social mis- can even tell your own story. That is aren’t sitting in some glass box, not sion. Walker has zero interest in shows the ambition of a co-watching video listening to the big topics. that are watched “passively”. Watch social experience.” ‘He is approachable, accessible, Parties, a collective experience around A good recent example is Confetti, a every week taking open questions a theme, and Watch Premieres have daily, live, interactive game show pro- from any of his employees, as well been introduced to encourage social duced by Fremantle in the UK and as participating in workplace chat engagement. launched in late November; different dialogue around certain key topics, “It’s the experience of watching the versions of the show are available in personally commenting and being content that differentiates Watch from the US, where it made its debut, and in open to responses and feedback. other platforms,” Walker emphasises. Thailand and Mexico. I’ve not seen that in any other “Even if it is the same content, the expe- “Facebook Originals need to leverage company, of any size.’ rience can be different. Sorry for Your Loss Facebook groups and ignite live chat � Television www.rts.org.uk September 2013 17
‘WHEN WE RAN THE FIRST TRAILER, FACEBOOK LIT UP’ Where he gets his news from Patrick Walker: ‘The way I con- sume my news is like a diversified investment portfolio. I look across a diversity of sources, from the New York Times to the Guardian to CNN, and I consume them in bits. ‘For diversity [of opinion], I also consume sources such as Fox News and others. There’s a mosaic of Sacred Lies news that comes from these differ- ent sources that I like to draw my own opinion from. � and all the things that are specific to Says Walker: “Since we launched ad ‘One of the interesting things the platform,” he says. “The thing to breaks in all these markets, the con- about primarily consuming news keep in mind is that Watch is essentially versations we’re having with content through social is that you can have an open platform for video. Within it, owners are, ‘What catalogue of pro- the diversity that is particularly there is a combination of programming. gramming do you have? What shows important in today’s world, where “Only a minority are original shows. do you have in your libraries or that there’s a lot more polarisation than A large part is from partners uploading you’re producing currently that might we may like. videos from their archives. Things such already have an inherent social follow- ‘The BBC is one that I have a as Endemol’s Mr Bean and Fremantle’s ing?’ It could be zombies, beauty, com- heavy amount of trust for. But, Got Talent and original shows from the edy or whatever. How might we work again, even if the news organisa- likes of the Lad Bible Group.” together to bring those clips back to tions themselves are trustworthy, Mr Bean was first broadcast on ITV life in a social environment?” for me, personally, having a diver- in 1990. Over the years, the show was Facebook says that more than sity of sources allows me to draw repeated on linear-TV, subsequently 75 million people visit Watch each day; conclusions that might take in becoming available on DVD and on average, they spend more than different points of view. catch-up. Extraordinarily, it’s a Face- 20 minutes on the service. ‘I have a very strong and book Watch sensation. The Mr Bean “We’re even seeing examples of personal commitment to the page on Facebook has 82 million fol- people consuming full-length epi- importance of public service lowers, says Walker. sodes,” says Walker. So, it seems that broadcasters, in whichever country, In August, Facebook introduced an short-attention-span teens and mil- and the role that they play. I think ad-revenue-sharing model that splits lennials are prepared to be less fidgety every country has a good selection revenue 55/45 in favour of the content with their Facebook feeds. of very solid news sources. companies, provided that the videos are But there is evidence that young ‘The internet allows people to at least three minutes long, have gener- people are less likely to be Facebook have access to a range of news ated more than 30,000 one-minute users than they once were. Research sources that isn’t dictated by one views in the past two months, have a by Pew, published in May in the US, particular point of view.’ minimum of 10,000 followers and meet suggests that YouTube, Instagram and Facebook’s eligibility criteria. Snapchat are all more popular among 18
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