February 2018 Dennis goes digital Apply now for the 2018 Shiers Trust Award The Trust can make a grant of up to £4,000 towards publishing work on any aspect of the history of television Objectives The promotion of public education through the study and research of the history of television in all its aspects and without regard to country of origin, including the development and encouragement of publications and associated projects such as WGW Mitchell (left), bibliographies and monographs on particular honorary secretary aspects, provided that the results of such study and of the Television research shall be published and that the contribution Society 1929-44, made by the Trust shall be suitably acknowledged in with John Logie any publication. Baird, preparing for Criteria a demonstration Grants will be given to assist in the completion of new or unfinished projects, work or literature specific to the objectives of the Trust. ‘Literature’ is defined as including audio-visual media such as DVDs and websites. The Trustees must be satisfied that the work they are supporting either could not be finished or published without the grant and that, with it, the Do you need work will be completed, or, the grant will provide the initial phase of a project that will be continued and completed with other identified funding. Applications will be considered broadly in support of research, development, writing, editing or publica- £4,000 tion. Grants for research will require that the results of the work will be made known and accessible through appropriate means. In the case of literature, for a history of projects must have a real prospect of publication. Applicants must demonstrate that their work will have a clear expectation of making a significant contribution to the objectives of the Trust. television project? Applicants will be required to satisfy the Trustees of the soundness of their projects, and identify any grants from other sources. The Trustees will not Previous recipients make commitments to support re curring funding, 1 2017: Birmingham City 8 2011: David Rose presented an nor make grants to cover fees or maintenance of University recorded interviews illustrated retrospective of his students undertaking courses. with programme-makers to exceptional career as a expand its online oral history of groundbreaking television and BBC Pebble Mill, 1971 to 2004. film producer to a large George Shiers number of live audiences George Shiers, a distinguished US television histo- 2 2016: The Scottish Broadcasting rian, was a long- standing member of the RTS. Before Heritage Group recorded 9 2008/2010: Steve Arnold interviews with people who digitised back issues of Radio his death in 1983, he and his wife, May, provided for a worked at and watched STV Times to make a searchable bequest in their wills. The Shiers Trust grant, now in from 1957 to 2017. online archive of articles and its 18th year, is normally worth £2,000. This year, to schedules mark the 90th anniversary of the RTS, it has been 3 2015: Oral history project by 10 2010: John Wyver conducted raised to £4,000. Grants will be consid ered and former Granada staffers interviews on the presentation approved by the Trustees who may, at their Stephen Kelly and Judith Jones, of theatre plays on British discretion, consult appropriate experts to assist their with interviews published at: television www.granadaland.org decisions. In assessing priorities, the Trustees will take into account the sums of money available. 4 2014: Shared between Dr 11 2009: Ronald Sandell, a key Sheldon Hall, whose Armchair planner of the analogue Cinema is a study of feature terrestrial transmitter network, Application procedure Applications are now invited and should be submit- films on British television, and conducted research for a book, Marc Scott, who has researched Seventy Years Before the Masts ted to the Trustees by Friday 30 March 2018 on an the unofficial development of official application form (available from the RTS, TV in Australia 12 2005: John Grist wrote a address below). Applications should set out the 5 2013: Barry Fox has built a biography of Grace Wyndham nature of the project in not more than 500 words. website (www.tekkiepix.com) Goldie, the first Head of BBC Supporting documentation may also be included. Television News and Current to present his collection of Details of your experience or qualifications should Affairs historical consumer electronics be provided. Applicants should ensure that their imagery and documents. 13 2004: Don McLean compiled project conforms to all the criteria. Applications 6 2012: Paul Marshall researched an authentically accurate audio should be accompanied by a budget that clearly a biography of Alan Archibald two-CD presentation of the identifies the sum being requested for a grant and Campbell Swinton, the early beginnings of TV in Britain visionary of all-electronic the purposes for which it will be used. Application forms are available either from the RTS website: television 14 2001: Simon Vaughan, archivist www.rts.org.uk 7 2012: Simon Vaughan digitised of the Alexandra Palace the 300-page ‘Black Book’, the Television Society, printed a or Clare Colvin, to whom they should be returned: first manual of the Marconi-EMI collection of 1,200 photos by Clare Colvin, Archivist, Royal Television Society, electronic television system, the father of television lighting, 3 Dorset Rise, London EC4Y 8EN. installed in 1936 Desmond Robert Campbell [email protected] Journal of The Royal Television Society February 2018 l Volume 55/2 From the CEO I can’t begin to express wonderful to have such a wide range TV production and broadcast journal- my gratitude to Their of exhibitors at the fair. They included ism degree courses. A further five RTS Royal Highnesses, The the BBC Academy, Channel 4, Creative Technology Bursaries, aimed at Prince of Wales and Access, Creative Skillset, Endemol encouraging some of the most tal- the Duchess of Corn- Shine UK, FremantleMedia UK, IMG ented students to consider a career wall and to all of our Studios, ITN, ITV, ITV Studios, Lime in television, are available to students Patrons who attended Pictures, the National Film and Televi- studying computing and engineering. last month’s celebration of the RTS’s sion School, RDF Television Group, Full details are on our website. 90th birthday. A huge thank you to Sky, Sony, Studio Lambert, Turner This month’s cover story examines ITV for hosting the event and also to International, UKTV, Viacom and War- how the Beano, Britain’s longest run- all the RTS bursary students who ner Bros Television Production UK. ning children’s comic, is being attended. Thanks also to Tom Mock- They were all mobbed by over 1,200 rebooted for the digital era. With luck, ridge and Peter Bazalgette for hosting eager youngsters. I hope we repeat the Dennis, Gnasher and Minnie will be this very special occasion. success of last year when a number of as much a source of delight to today’s Speaking at the event, Prince attendees secured internships that led swipe-fixated youngsters as they were Charles praised the high quality of to permanent positions in the industry. to previous generations. British television and the teamwork We have just announced our latest that makes this possible. undergraduate bursary scheme to I was reminded of this when I support students from low-income attended the RTS’s annual TV Careers families. The RTS is offering 22 bursa- Fair, held earlier this month. It was ries to students studying accredited Theresa Wise Contents Peter Bazalgette’s TV Diary The battle for prominence Peter Bazalgette mixes with royalty at the RTS’s Do traditional broadcasters risk losing prime billing 5 90th birthday party, and encounters a world beyond 18 on viewing menus as the tech giants muscle in? parody on Radio 4 Torin Douglas investigates The Beano goes global Royal Patron reception Dennis, Gnasher and Minnie are being digitally TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall 6 reinvented to future-proof the comic for tomorrow’s 20 were the guests of honour at an ITV reception to children. Pippa Shawley logs on celebrate the 90th anniversary of the RTS TV makes more space for older women Finecast targets a revolution in TV ads A stellar RTS panel poses some tough questions for the Jakob Nielsen, CEO of GroupM’s addressable advertising 8 men who still dominate TV. Steve Clarke takes notes 22 company, Finecast, explains to Steve Clarke how TV ads can now be sold at postcode level BBC Studios’ bid for scale Tim Davie and Mark Linsey explain their rationale for The buccaneer 12 merging BBC Studios and BBC Worldwide to Lisa Campbell 24 Intrepid and fearless, Jeremy Thompson epitomised the globe-trotting reporter, says Simon Bucks Our Friend in the North East Graeme Thompson sees how hit TV shows filmed in An intimate epic 14 Northumberland are driving a local non-media industry The Crown represents a new high-water mark 26 in UK drama production, hear peers and MPs. Why it pays to be on Jon Thoday’s side Matthew Bell reports Andrew Billen meets the boss of entertainment 15 powerhouse Avalon, the ‘No 1 true indie’ Cover: Beano Studios 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 2018. [email protected] [email protected] 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: [email protected] Enquiries: [email protected] London SE1 5TP Registered Charity 313 728 [email protected] [email protected] W: www.rts.org.uk Television www.rts.org.uk February 2018 3 Your guide to upcoming events.