ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2014

AGM 19 May 2015, 6:00pm at the RTS, 3 Dorset Rise, London EC4Y 8EN ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

CONTENTS

Foreword by RTS Chair and CEO 3 Board of Trustees report to members 4 I Achievements and performance 4 – National events 4 – Centres events 30 II Governance and finance 40 1 Structure, governance and management 40 2 Objectives and activities 4 1 3 Financial review 4 1 4 Plans for future periods 42 5 Administrative details 42 Independent auditors’ report 44 Financial statements 45 Notes to the financial statements 48 Notice of AGM 2015 55 Agenda for AGM 2015 56 Form of Proxy 5 7 Minutes of AGM 2014 58 Picture credits 6 1 Who’s who at the RTS 62

PATRONS

PRINCIPAL PATRONS MAJOR PATRONS RTS PATRONS BBC Accenture Autocue BSkyB Channel 5 Digital Television Group Channel 4 Television Deloitte ITV Anglia ITV Enders Analysis ITV Granada EY ITV London INTERNATIONAL PATRONS FremantleMedia ITV Meridian Discovery Corporate Services Ltd Fujitsu ITV Tyne Tees Liberty Global IBM ITV Wales NBCUniversal International IMG Studios ITV West The Walt Disney Company ITN ITV Yorkshire Turner Broadcasting System Inc KPMG Lumina Search Viacom International McKinsey and Co PricewaterhouseCoopers Media Networks S4C Quantel YouTube STV Group Raidió Teilifís Éireann UKTV UTV Television Virgin Media Vinten Broadcast YouView

2 FOREWORD

his was a pivotal year for receive these bursaries. The students ible improvements to our website, par- the Society, with many have all started undergraduate courses in ticularly in the amount of original excellent events across practical media or broadcast journalism content being created, a great deal of the nations and regions, that have been accredited by Creative effort has also been going on under the a substantial increase in Skillset. They are a talented group, sev- bonnet. The Society is creating a much membership, the launch eral of whom have had to overcome very more engaging and robust online plat- ofT our new bursaries scheme and much difficult home circumstances and other form to showcase its activities to the of the groundwork done for a step challenges in order to study. public and to provide enhanced services change in our digital presence. The RTS We therefore intend to extend the to Members and Patrons. This is still a has continued to implement its strategic bursaries in 2015 and will be working work in progress, but we hope to have plan, announced in 2013, to do more for with our Patrons to identify those something much more vibrant and user- young people, expand its membership courses most relevant to addressing friendly launched by mid-2015. and build up its digital resources. television’s critical skills gap. These Partnerships and collaboration are also A wonderful example of the RTS at its will be Technology Bursaries aimed important for the way we work. In May best was the RTS London Conference, at engineering and computer-science we held our inaugural Joint Public Lec- Power, Politics and the Media, staged in undergraduates from less affluent ture with the Institution of Engineering the immediate run-up to the Scottish households. and Technology (IET). Dr Mike Lynch referendum. It was sponsored by STV We hope that this initiative will raise gave an excellent speech about how and chaired by the company’s CEO, Rob awareness among both students and technology is impacting on all parts of Woodward. faculty members about technology society and what this means for educa- Our national and local events, awards careers in our industries. tion and doing business in the UK. The and educational activities are only Good progress has been made towards collaboration with the IET is part of the made possible thanks to the unstinting achieving another strategic goal – of Society’s drive to re-embrace some of voluntary work and contributions of attracting and retaining a membership of our engineering and technology roots. our Members and Patrons. Our Patrons’ more than 5,000 by 2017. The increase in Other partners this year have included generous financial support is also the number of RTS Full Members from Creative Skillset, Broadcast magazine, IBC, matched by the many ways in which 1,970 to 2,740 in the course of 2014 has The Hospital Club, Sky and the BBC. It is they share their expertise and facilities been a gratifying barometer of the Soci- partnerships such as these that enable to enhance the Society’s programme of ety’s relevance and the perceived value the RTS to punch above its weight, and events. We were delighted to welcome of membership. more collaborations are in the pipeline eight new Patrons in the course of 2014. The Hospital Club affiliate access is a for 2015. A recurrent theme in our discussions fantastic benefit that effectively gives the It has been an action-packed year. We with Patrons – and the subject of a Society a central-London clubhouse hope that our Members and stakeholders crucial session at the RTS London Con- aimed at the entire creative community. have enjoyed their involvement with a ference – is that the television sector is We are looking at the provision of similar vibrant, expanding Society, and that it suffering a substantial skills shortage in benefits outside London to increase has had a positive and lasting influence technology, engineering and software membership in the nations and regions. on all those who have come into contact development. We have refreshed the RTS’s logo and with the RTS. At the beginning of the year, the RTS branding and introduced a membership launched its undergraduate bursaries welcome pack, and have redesigned and John Hardie, Chair of the scheme, and in the autumn we were able revitalised Television magazine. Board of Trustees, and to announce the first 20 students to While we have made significant, vis- Theresa Wise, Chief Executive

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RTS BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORT 1 Achievements and Performance

he Board of Trustees (who are also the directors of the Royal Television Society for the purposes of company law) presents its report and consolidated accounts for the year ended 31 December 2014. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and ArticlesT of Association and the Statement of Recommended Practice – Accounting and Reporting by Charities (March 2005). The Trustees’ Report highlights the ways in which the Society’s activities have provided real benefit to the public at large. During 2014, the RTS maintained its unique and influential role in furthering public understanding of the transformative changes affecting British television through its publications, website and the wide range of affordable and accessible public events it has staged. In 2012, the Board of Trustees adopted a five-year strategic plan for growth. The details of its implementation are itemised on the following pages.

4 ITV Commissioning Editor Katy Thorogood interviewed Andrew Mackenzie, Chief Creative Officer of Twofour at the RTS Student Programme Masterclasses

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1 EDUCATION AND YOUTH Reynolds. Producer Emily Feller and Line Pro- Television faces a growing skills crisis, yet secur- ducer Alison Loose talked the audience through ing employment in the industry is harder than the various stages of drama production, from ever. In addition, there is still a lack of social script editing to location work, the skills required mobility in the television industries. Starting out and the entry-level opportunities – which have is still easier from a more affluent family with grown significantly, thanks to a drama boom. social connections in the sector. ◗ The third session, “Anatomy of an indie and a look at the regions with True North”, was chaired RTS Undergraduate Bursaries This is the context in by Barbara Govan. True North’s Creative Director, which the Society launched its £60,000 Under- Andrew Sheldon, and Head of Production Carol graduate Bursaries scheme at the beginning of McKenzie covered a huge amount of ground in the year. their contributions. Twenty bursaries of £3,000 were offered to McKenzie said the company received up to THOSE full-time “Home” undergraduate students start- 60 CVs a week. Once freelancers or interns are ing eligible courses in autumn 2014, who had a in the office, she looks for people who show WHO household income of no more than £25,000, and curiosity and are not phobic about phones. SUCCEED who had not previously been on a higher educa- “The technology changes all the time… but WILL BE tion course. Special consideration was made for what sits beneath it all the time is storytelling,” those with challenges in their family backgrounds suggested Sheldon. “What you’ve got to be care- THOSE or in other areas. The RTS received 195 applica- ful of on university courses is that you don’t [WITH] tions by the closing date of 31 May. reach for the technology because, in a way, the The bursaries are for studying television pro- technology is quite transient… Storytelling BRANDS duction and related digital media at 12 Creative doesn’t change. It’s much harder to teach how to THAT CAN Skillset-accredited British universities. Each construct a story.” bursary offers three payments of £1,000 cash per ◗ Sky News journalists Neil Dunwoodie and STAND student, paid in February of each of the three Martin Stanford made the final presentations. OUT IN A academic years. Recipients also get free RTS Dunwoodie said self-shooting and editing are membership (which includes affiliate access to increasingly important elements in a reporter’s WORLD The Hospital Club in London) while studying and skill set. He oversees Sky News’s three-week OF MORE one year’s free membership of the RTS after AND graduation. RTS MEMBERSHIP MORE Getting Inside the Media The inaugural “Getting 4,000 CHOICE inside the media” one-day event in late Novem- ber represented an important step forward for RTS Full Members the Society and a significant contribution to addressing the television industry’s skills gap. RTS Student Members Held at the BFI Southbank in London, it brought those who teach and run media courses 3,000 320 in the UK face to face with the television profes- sionals who recruit young workers. A total of 124 people attended. 2,740 Number of membersNumber The aim was to give media academics a clearer appreciation of the variety of roles that the indus- 250 try offers and of the skills that their students 2,000 need to work in such a fast-changing sector. 1,970 This, in turn, should feed through into better employment prospects for graduates wanting 100 90 1,510 to get into television. 1,430 Four sessions covered a wide range of genres and production environments. 1,000 ◗ The first session, chaired by Lorraine Hegges- sey, showcased The One Show; three team mem- bers – Researcher Emilios Shavila, Executive Editor Sandy Smith and Production Executive Nick Todd – described the programme’s editorial and production processes. 0 ◗ Session 2, “Drama productions with Red Pro- 2011 2012 2013 2014 duction Company”, was chaired by Carolyn

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1 Jennifer Saunders, actor: 5 Mark Gatiss, actor and 9 Janice Hadlow OBE: 13 Clive Curtis, stuntman, host of RTS Craft & Design scriptwriter: RTS early- Lifetime Achievement, Lifetime Achievement, Awards evening event speaker RTS Programme Awards RTS Craft & Design Awards 2 Dr Michael Lynch OBE, 6 Sue Vertue, Hartswood 10 Rob Woodward, CEO, 14 Sian Williams, journal- Invoke Capital: RTS joint Films: RTS early-evening STV: Chair of RTS London ist: host of RTS Television event speaker event speaker Conference Journalism Awards 3 Claire Enders, Enders 7 Ben Stephenson, BBC: 11 Denise Large, IMG 15 Stephen Fry, writer and Analysis: RTS APPG event RTS early-evening event Productions: RTS Craft actor: RTS Programme speaker speaker & Design Awards winner Awards winner 4 Paul Blake, Maroon 8 Carol McKenzie, True 12 Matt Bennett, executive 16 Alison Loose, Red Pro- Productions: RTS joint North: Getting Inside the producer: RTS Futures duction Company: Getting event speaker Media speaker event chair Inside the Media speaker

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work placement scheme, which takes around The RTS also worked in partnership with the 60 people a year: “We tend to get people to work BBC Academy to offer an industry shadowing in a production role, so we’re looking for massive opportunity for freelancers. The initiative, which enthusiasm and a lot of work experience in a offered a paid, two-week job-shadowing pro- journalistic environment.” gramme for 30 freelancers, also received funding from Creative Skillset. Masterclasses The Society organised two master- class days aimed at students and young people 2 MEMBERSHIP considering a career in television (see section 5 The number of RTS Full Members rose to 2,740 on page 12 for more details). (from 1,970 at the end of 2013). Student Members rose from 245 to 322. Membership benefits were RTS careers advice While the Society has no for- largely unchanged from 2013. RTS Full Members mal careers service, practical advice to television are entitled to: hopefuls lies at the heart of many of its activities. ◗ Apply for free affiliate membership of the cen- This is particularly true of RTS Futures events tral London private members’ club and creative and the “Breaking into broadcasting” careers arts venue The Hospital Club. Members can advice days organised by the North West, South- entertain guests for dinner, lunch and drinks, ern and Wales centres in association with local subject to certain limits; colleges. ◗ A 25% discount on new subscriptions to Broad- cast magazine; Training partnerships In other training initiatives, ◗ Free entry to RTS early-evening events and the Society supported six Sky Academy TV RTS Futures events and to discounted tickets to Scholarships in partnership with the National centres’ awards ceremonies; Film and Television School and the Irish Institute ◗ Discounted AA membership for roadside assis- of Design and Technology. Each of the NFTS tance as part of the RTS AA Affinity Scheme; scholars was given networking opportunities ◗ Television magazine. through a year’s free membership of the RTS These benefits contribute to a compelling and The Hospital Club, plus invitations to industry membership proposition, which the Society will events. endeavour to improve in the future in order to expand the RTS’s size and influence. The Society scrapped its Gift Aid scheme in 2013 so that it RTS WEBSITE could offer benefits to members. 200k 3 DIGITAL DEVELOPMENTS A greatly enhanced online presence is a crucial 186,680 part of the RTS’s strategic plan. While significant, visible improvements were made to the existing website in 2014, much of the year’s activity was 150k directed at planning a replacement online plat- form that will be much more robust and user- Number of unique visitors

125,610 PUTTING STUFF ONLINE IS THE WAY

100k TALENT COMES THROUGH NOW Percentage visitors who are returning

86,670 friendly. We expect to unveil the first stage by 71,8100 50% mid-2015. The Society appointed its first digital editor in 40% April and created two intern positions in June. 50k This allowed us to greatly expand the amount of 30% original, web-only content on the site – particu- 20% larly video– and to improve the appearance of online reports of national RTS events. 10% An online payments system and event-book- ing facility was implemented in October . 0 2011 2012 2013 2014 Please see section 13 on page 26 for more detail about RTS website content and traffic.

8 Top: RTS Undergraduate Bursary recipients. Right: Shine CEO Alex Mahon interviewed JB Perrette, President of Discovery Networks International at the RTS London Conference. Inset: Sky CEO Jeremy Darroch (left) and BBC Director- General Tony Hall

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4 RTS LONDON CONFERENCE The RTS biennial London Conference, “Power, Politics and the Media”, on 9 September, really caught the moment: public debate over Scotland’s independence referendum had reached fever pitch and the wave of deal-making that is reshap- ing British television was making news headlines. The Advisory Committee was chaired by STV Chief Executive Rob Woodward. The RTS is extremely grateful to the conference’s principal sponsor, STV. It is only with the generous support of all its Patrons that the Society is able to stage the range and calibre of the events that it does. More than 350 people attended over the course of the day, including 29 “Next Generation Lead- ers” (compared with a total of 220 at 2012’s RTS Digital World Conference).

International Keynote: Chase Carey – 21st Century man This was a rare chance to 1 hear directly from one of the most powerful men in world media, Chase Carey, President and Chief Operating Officer of 21st Century Fox. He told his interviewer, RTS President Sir Peter Bazalgette, that in a fast-consolidating media landscape, where the traditional enter- tainment giants are challenged by the likes of Netflix and Amazon, premium content is more valuable than ever. “Those who will succeed are those that have unique content and brands that can stand out in a world of more and more choice,” said Carey.

The future you don’t want to face The session posed three questions: Is television 2 losing power? Are television channels becoming obsolete? Who are the financial winners and losers? Answers were provided by Matt Brittin, Goog- le’s chief of Northern and Central Europe; Face- book Head of International Media Karla Geci; and Kevin Sutcliffe, Head of News Programming in Europe for Vice News. “In the long run, I’m optimistic,” said Brittin. “In the short and medium term, you won’t make the same amount of money as you do on ITV with The X Factor, but the sums are getting bigger.” In the meantime, he advised: “Get out there and experiment. Don’t sit back and let other people learn how to make it work.” Perhaps the most memorable strategy was suggested in a video contribution by Sam Bar- croft, CEO of online news channel Barcroft TV. He said: “If I was in charge of one of the bigger broadcasters, I’d cut the costs in half and be more experimental… Some of these organisa- tions are full of people getting paid very well to not do a great deal.”

10 Tomorrow the world Chair Kirsty RTS London Wark interrogated three key deal- Conference keynote makers at the heart of the fast- ­ speakers: Chase 3 changing and consolidating British TV Carey, President market: Lorraine Heggessey; Kevin and Chief Operating Lygo, Managing Director, ITV Studios; Officer of 21st and Alex Mahon, CEO, Shine Group. Century, and (right) Mahon was speaking publicly for the Secretary of State the first time about the merger of Shine and Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP Endemol. Heggessey had, until recently, been overseeing the merger of Boom and Twofour, while Lygo had been busy reversing the US takeover trend by consolidating ITV’s position as the largest producer of non-scripted programming in the US. Mahon said that TV production UK-style had “I welcome Vice’s entry into the journalism become a low-margin business. Net profit mar- market,” said Ryley. “It is going to be a tough gins had fallen over five years from 13% to 5.3%, competitor and I think that it will sharpen our excluding revenue from foreign sales. Indies, she game. I like change and I like a bit of disruption.” added, had “less money to make the same show, while audience expectation… is going up. We have Give me Liberty Kirsty Wark quizzed Jim higher and higher quality, lower and lower prices.” Ryan, Senior Vice President and Chief 6 Strategy Officer of Liberty Global, on the Kingdom not united With Scotland’s group’s UK plans following its purchase of Virgin independence referendum due nine days Media, 50% of All3Media and 6.4% of ITV. 4 after the conference, this session looked at “Virgin Media was a fantastic acquisition for how social media and digital engagement loom us,” said Ryan. “In our business, we are talking much larger in the toolbox of political cam- about scale – absolutely key for cable.” Content, paigning. It also asked whether lessons learnt in by comparison, had its place, but was secondary: Scotland might change the way the 2015 general “We have always seen content as [an] ancillary election played out and how parties promoted investment.” their cases. But he went on to justify Liberty’s investments The panellists were: Ross Colquhoun, Director in content producers as “long-term investments. of the National Collective; John Curtice, Profes- Increasingly, good-quality producers are hard to sor of Politics at the University of Strathclyde; come by – having a long-term position in pro- and Gregor Poynton, Associate Director (Interna- duction is absolutely spot on.” tional) Digital at Portland Communications. “People are always looking for the silver bullet Whose IP is it anyway? With a commis- or the one tweet that wins the election,” said sioner, a producer, a writer and an agent all Poynton. “The truth is, it’s never that. It’s a col- 7 fighting their own corners, there was never lection of lots of little things that build up to a likely to be consensus about the answer. Holding larger thing. In politics, the digital treatment is the ring was Alex Graham, Director of Big Eck message, money and mobilisation.” Consulting. Doing battle for their slice of the pie were: Have I got news for you? Opening this Channel 4 Director of Commercial Affairs Martin session, Stewart Purvis CBE, Professor of Baker; Bryan Elsley, writer of Skins and Dates; 5 Television Journalism at City University, agent Michael Foster; and Liz Warner, Chief identified two big threats to TV news: declining Executive of Betty. audiences, particularly among the under-35s, and Should writers, directors and on-screen talent the pressure to provide more news for less money. not all get a slice of the pie as well? asked Graham. However, the leaders of the three main TV news “It’s not that they shouldn’t, it’s a question of providers – ITN Chief Executive John Hardie, how big this pie is,” said Warner. “People are Head of Sky News John Ryley and Fran Unsworth, deluded about how big the slice of the cake is to BBC Deputy Director of News and Current Affairs share around. – were all bullish about their future. They also professed not to be worried about The future of the BBC Broadcaster and the impact of new players in the market, such as media consultant Steve Hewlett grilled the Vice News, a channel aimed at the “connected 8 BBC’s Director of Strategy and Digital, generation”. James Purnell, about how he would be making

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the case for the corporation in the build up to 5 RTS MASTERCLASSES Charter renewal. Two very successful RTS Masterclass days were Purnell resisted being pinned down on the organised: one, in October, devoted to programme BBC’s approach to alternative or additional fund- genres; and the other, in November, to craft ing sources to the licence fee, or to making iPlayer skills. Both were held at the BFI Southbank in access conditional on possessing a licence. London. In previous years, the Masterclasses had been held on the same day as the Student Keynote: JB Perrette – The voyage of Awards but holding them separately allowed Discovery President of Discovery Networks more time to be devoted to the topics. 9 International JB Perrette explained the thinking behind Discovery’s investment in sports RTS Student Programme Masterclasses A total of networks and UK indie producers to Shine CEO 138 (of the 233 who booked) attended the three Alex Mahon. sessions, which were devoted to comedy, factual Although Discovery had become the world’s programming and drama. biggest pay-TV operator on the back of popular ◗ In the Comedy Masterclass, Saurabh Kakkar, documentaries and factual entertainment formats, Head of Comedy Development at Big Talk Pro- Perrette admitted: “We might need to diversify ductions, was interviewed by Pat Younge, Direc- into different types of content.” tor of WeCreate Associates. Kakkar’s formula for He said: “Every market is different. What might breaking into TV comedy emphasised self-help work in the UK might be a little bit different to and self-producing some material. what works in Germany.” Local networks needed Although inundated with scripts from agents to tailor their output “to the audience needs of that and wannabes, he advised all who aspire to culture”. But the group would continue to seek make successful TV comedy to send him a link global, multi-platform rights to all its content.

Keynote: Secretary of State In his first WHAT YOU’VE GOT TO BE major appearance as Secretary of State CAREFUL OF ON UNIVERSITY 10 for Culture, Media and Sport, Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP outlined the Coalition Govern- COURSES IS THAT… TECHNOLOGY ment’s plans for the television industry. IS QUITE TRANSIENT… IT’S MUCH He also outlined to Conference Chair Rob Woodward the many issues, such as retransmis- HARDER TO TEACH HOW TO sion fees and decriminalisation of the licence fee, CONSTRUCT A STORY where he believed that existing regulation needed review. But very few of these reviews would result in decisions before the 2015 general election. to a video clip: “Putting stuff online is the way Javid offered little comfort to a cash-strapped talent comes through now… the idea of sending it BBC: “The size of the BBC and the number of on paper is quite outdated.” areas it is involved in suggest there are more ◗ For the Factual Masterclass, Andrew Mackenzie, areas where savings can be made.” Chief Creative Officer of Twofour, was interviewed by Katy Thorogood, Commissioning Editor, Fac- Enabling the next generation In the final tual, at ITV. session, BSkyB CEO Jeremy Darroch and Mackenzie said that Twofour – the company 11 BBC Director-General Tony Hall found a behind Educating Essex – did not “spend too surprising amount of common ground in how much time and money [developing ideas] that television companies should expand their recruit- we know aren’t going to land on fertile ground”. ment pool. In TV, he said, “most of the ideas for shows start “I’m very keen to open up the BBC to wher- with conversations with commissioning editors”. ever the talent might be,” said Hall. “It’s up to us ◗ The final session saw screenwriter Gwyneth to stand up for equality of opportunity.” Hughes interviewed by Executive Producer Ruth Darroch said: “This is right at the top of my Pitt. “The most important thing we do is write personal agenda and it has to be led from the top suspense,” said Hughes. “It doesn’t matter if it’s a because, unless it is, it’s never going to course romantic comedy or a thriller… the audience through the business.” must care what happens next.” Hall has backed apprenticeships as one means of widening the recruitment net: “Apprenticeships RTS Craft Skills Masterclasses This masterclass day matter because it’s paid employment, it’s paid was sold out well in advance, with an audience skills, it’s finding people from all sorts of back- of 302 for the three sessions on sound, editing grounds to come and work at our organisation.” and camera.

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1 Peter Taylor OBE, BBC: 5 Deborah Turness: Judges’ 9 Lord Grade: RTS All Party 13 Cathy Newman, RTS Television Journalism Award winner, RTS Televi- Parliamentary Group event Channel 4 News: chair of Awards winner sion Journalism Awards speaker RTS early-evening event 2 Lis Howell, City University: 6 Saurabh Kakkar, Big Talk: 10 Lorraine Heggessey: 14 Pat Younge, WeCreate RTS All Party Parliamentary RTS Programme Master- RTS London Conference Associates: RTS Master- Group event speaker class speaker session chair class session chair 3 Joel Dommet, comedian: 7 Carolyn Reynolds, pro- 11 Mark Daly, BBC: RTS 15 Emily Feller, Red Pro- host of the RTS Student ducer: Getting Inside the Television Journalism duction Company: Getting Television Awards Media session chair Awards winner Inside the Media speaker 4 Tim Davie, CEO, BBC 8 Bobby Moss, BT Group: 12 Fran Unsworth, BBC, 16 Trevor Phillips, former Worldwide: RTS early- RTS Young Technologist of RTS London Conference Chair of EHRC: RTS joint evening event speaker the Year speaker event speaker

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◗ To be an accomplished TV sound engineer, the fundamental skill is to distinguish between “wanted sound and unwanted sound”, whether it’s on set, in the studio or at a football stadium. So said Sound Recordist Simon Clark and Sound Supervi- sor Robert Edwards in the first masterclass. Clark explained: “When students ask me what skills are required for my job, I always say it is not very technical, but you do need to get on with people. You must not be annoying when you’re the person trying to stop filming because you can hear an aeroplane that nobody else can.” Session chair Graham insisted that the sound quality on a TV drama should be so good that viewers are not conscious of it. ◗ In the second masterclass, editors Joanna Crickmay and Andrew McClelland shared their approaches to creating coherent programmes out of fragments. Documentary specialist Crickmay said the key was storytelling. “I get the rushes and try and tell a story with them… When I turn up on day one, mostly I don’t know… what the story is.” ◗ The speakers at the Camera Masterclass were Kristin Hadland, self-shooting Series Producer and Director of Photography Sue Gibson. Gibson said that, on a regular shoot, she likes to have “two cameras available at all times… Because schedules are getting shorter and shorter, I tend to work with a camera operator who can also do Steadycam, so we can have both all of the time.” Hadland got her first taste of self-shooting on the BBC One daytime series Helicopter Heroes. It was a steep learning curve: “You just had to get on with it, you couldn’t stop. You couldn’t say RTS Futures events: Sun, sex and suspicious formats Nine teams of RTS to a medic, could you just administer that life-­ ‘Sun, sex and suspicious Futures members, assisted by development saving thing again.” formats’ workshop and executives from broadcasters and production (inset) ‘Making it in TV companies, devised their own potential BBC 6 RTS FUTURES design’ speaker Ruth Three formats during the evening. This was a very successful year for the RTS’s Brooks, Creative Skillset Although dating formats dominated, the win- strand of events that seeks to engage a younger ning idea, Mind the Gap, involved keeping three audience in the Society’s educational activities. contestants in ultra-close proximity for a week RTS Futures membership is free, and has grown while they competed for a trip of a lifetime in to 3,630 from (3,150 in 2013); tickets to events are their gap year between school and university. It an affordable £10 to registered RTS Futures was created by a team mentored by RDF’s Neale members. Nine events were held (compared Simpson. with eight in 2013). Other teams were led by development execu- tives from the BBC, Electric Ray, Keo Films, Lime Battle of the broadcasters The first event of the Pictures, Princess Productions, Shiver, Thames year was a quiz for seven teams from different and Shine. broadcasters, each composed jointly of executives RTS Futures members also heard presenta- and RTS Futures members. The UKTV team tions from RDF Television Co-Head of Factual proved to be the most knowledgeable about TV Development Jack Bootle and BBC Academy trivia (narrowly beating the BBC). The prize for Creative Coach Linda Green. the RTS Futures members on the team was a coffee date with then-BBC Three Controller Zai Making it in TV design This event, in April, looked Bennett. The evening, at ITV Studios, was hosted at what new entrants needed to do to fill the by stand-up comic Rob Beckett. vacancies in TV’s design disciplines. The good

14 news, said Ruth Brooks from training body Cre- ative Skillset, was that “there are not enough people feeding the industry at the minute – there’s huge demand”. She was joined on the panel by Millennium FX Director Neill Gorton, a prosthetics and special effects designer; Sarah-Jane Prentice, Production Designer on the BBC One drama Call the Midwife; Sara Putt, MD of talent agency Sara Putt Associates; experienced hair and make-up designer Cathe- rine Scoble; and costume trainee Jo Stobbs. The event was chaired by Alice Skidmore, who ran the BBC’s Design Trainee Scheme for five years.

Speed date the entertainment gurus In this popular format pioneered by RTS Futures, young TV hopefuls sold themselves and their ideas over a series of three-minute dates to some of the country’s leading entertainment executives. At the same time, the gurus offered top tips on how to generate, develop and pitch ideas. The impressive roster of gurus comprised: Thames Executive Producer Mel Balac; Chan- nel 4 Entertainment Commissioning Editor Tom Beck; Series Producer Ed Booth; Executive Pro- ducer Fi Cotter Craig; Wall To Wall Entertain- ment Development Head Poppy Delbridge; Yalli Productions Managing Director Robert Gray; London Live Commissioning Executive Derren ATTENDANCE AT NATIONAL RTS EVENTS Lawford; BBC Controller of Entertainment Com- missioning Mark Linsey; Predictable Media RTS conferences, early-evening, RTS Futures RTS awards Masterclasses & Founder Sebastian Scott; RDF Head of Entertain- APPG, etc events events ceremonies education events ment Peter Usher; and ITV Entertainment Com- missioning Editor Asif Zubairy. 2,500

18 RTS Futures summer party The party was organised in association with Broadcast on the evening of 2,000 the magazine’s Diversify event, at Paramount on 16 4 Number of the 31st floor of London’s Centre Point. It was events in generously sponsored by FremantleMedia UK, the year Shed Media and Zodiak Media Group. 1,500 4 Number of attendeesNumber 4 4 Three drama professionals 14 I made it in… drama shared their experiences of following far-from-­ 18 1,000 conventional paths into the genre, yet still being able to establish successful creative careers. 8 9 Writer Chris Lunt’s breakthrough was Prey, 500 3 which was made for ITV by Red Production 6 8 Company. He emphasised that aspiring writers need to write, and keep on writing – and find an 2 agent. 0 1 1 2011 2012 2013 2014 2011 2012 2013 2014 2011 2012 2013 2014 2011 2012 2013 2014 Drama Republic Managing Director Roanna Benn encouraged drama hopefuls to consider

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RTS Futures event: ‘Speed date the factual entertainment gurus’ and (inset) RTS Student Programme Masterclasses speaker Gwyneth Hughes

script editing: “If you do it well, you’ll be [quickly] How to survive as a freelancer Later the same asked to produce. If you’re a good producer, you’ll month, an expert group of talent managers and be asked to be an exec because, believe it or not, production staff offered advice to prospective TV there just aren’t enough good ones.” freelancers on networking, writing CVs, handling Director Colm McCarthy, whose credits include interviews and managing money. Peaky Blinders and Sherlock, said: “You have to go “At entry level, for every job we advertise, we and just direct stuff. Now, that’s easier than it’s get 40 to 50 applicants,” warned RDF Head of ever been before, but it’s also more competitive Entertainment Development Neale Simpson, because it’s easier for everyone else, too.” who introduced the event. The packed event in late September was The panellists were: CPL Creative Executive chaired by Guardian TV critic Julia Raeside. Dawn Beresford; BBC Talent Executive Caroline Carter; Series Producer Martin Conway; Wall To Shooting stars – a beginners’ guide to self-shooting Wall Executive Producer Kathryn Taylor; and Self-shooting is rapidly becoming a key part of Production Manager Jude Winstanley. the job description for researchers and assistant “At the beginning of your career, as a runner or producers working in television’s factual arena. researcher, take the opportunity to test the gen- But training is thin on the ground. res out for which ones appeal to you,” suggested So, at this sold-out event in early October, a Carter. Conway added that new entrants to the panel of self-shooters, chaired by Executive industry “need to make the most of any oppor- Producer Matt Bennett, offered advice, while tunity to get in and not be too choosy”. training in basic camera skills was provided by However, Winstanley warned that it was Pro Motion Hire. increasingly the case in factual and documentary The panellists were: Assistant Producer Amy genres, and even in entertainment, that editorial Harrison; Senior Researcher Lewis Hatfull and staff needed to acquire technical skills, such as Producer/Director Dave Minchin. the ability to self-shoot. Hatfull, who has worked on Channel 4’s First Dates, said that, in his genre of factual entertain- I made it… on-screen The final event, in early ment, “the days are gone when you can be a direc- December, looked at how to make it as a TV tor but not shoot – there’s no money for that”. presenter. Minchin said that, “Aside from the technical Four prominent presenters – Alex Brooker, bits, the most important thing is being good with Sue Perkins, Anna Richardson and Charlene people – and that’s with people from all walks of White – were joined on the panel by Holly Pye, life, not just your colleagues… [but also] the unruly Head of Television at talent agency James Grant. kids in the background trying to ruin your shot.” “There’s a lot of talk about YouTube being the

16 new way [into the job], but it’s not that easy to first speaker, Channel 4 Director of Sales Jonathan make the transition [to TV],” cautioned Pye. Allan. “TV is the only medium that can [create] “Getting into production and then finding ways awareness fast, emotional engagement with a [to present] has probably been more successful.” product or brand, and long-term brand equity that “You must understand the medium,” warned lasts for years… TV’s share of the ad market has Perkins, co-presenter of The Great British Bake Off. been remarkably resilient over the past 20 years.” “You can either do that through writing, per- Despite this, big brands now consider TV as forming or being involved in production or jour- just part of their advertising mix. Dominic Red- nalism. If anyone here wants to be on television fearn, Global Media and Content Director at UK to be famous, to get girls or to be rich, you’re drinks giant Diageo, said his company would no never going to be on TV.” longer consider TV-only campaigns. The event was chaired by TV game-show host Sue Unerman, Chief Strategy Officer at Media- Vernon Kay. com, argued that, with the rise of the second The Society is extremely grateful for the hard screen, television had become a vehicle for work of the RTS Futures Committee, chaired by e-commerce, rather than a victim of it. Camilla Lewis. All the speakers agreed that ever-more sophis- ticated data about viewers was “the new oil”. 7 EARLY-EVENING EVENTS Jeremy Tester, Sky Media’s Director of Brand The Society’s early-evening events are free for Strategy and Communications, explained why members and also provide an accessible and the broadcaster was prepared to invest “hundreds low-cost way for the public to hear and question of millions of pounds” to build its AdSmart plat- television practitioners on a wide range of issues. form: “The size of the prize… runs into billions.” Seven events with top-tier participants were staged during the year (compared with six in 2013). Sherlock: anatomy of a hit The BBC’s most-watched drama since 2001 provided the Society with its The future of advertising – will television still have a most popular early-evening event to date – until starring role? The panellists at this event in Febru- that record audience of 228 was surpassed a few ary were unanimous that television ad revenues months later. would not be appropriated wholesale by the likes RTS Futures event, The tremendous panel comprised: creators of Google, as had happened to newspapers and ‘I made it… on-screen’. Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, Producer Sue magazines. However, they warned that the com- From left: Holly Pye, Alex Vertue, commissioner Ben Stephenson and mercial environment is changing very fast. Brooker, Charlene White, actress Amanda Abbington. “In 20 years’ time, 70% of advertising revenue Anna Richardson, Sue Gatiss said that Benedict Cumberbatch was, will still be from spot advertising,” predicted the Perkins and Vernon Kay from a very early stage, their ideal choice to

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play Holmes, and “when Benedict came in to read, we didn’t see anybody else”. Although Martin Freeman was not the only potential Dr Watson, the immediate chemistry between him and Cumberbatch persuaded the writers that they had found their dream team.

TV retweeted Some 40% of tweets during prime- time are TV-related. But can broadcasters use the platform to increase TV ratings? This was the question at the heart of a packed event in May. Dan Biddle, Head of Broadcast Partnerships at Twitter UK, gave a 20-minute presentation on what Twitter can do for TV, to set the terms of the debate. He emphasised the value of viewers and fans being able to communicate directly with talent (many of whom are Twitter addicts) as a way of cementing audience engagement. Virginia Monaghan, MTV’s VP for Music Con- tent and Commissioning, was, if anything, more bullish about Twitter than the man from Twitter. In the course of five weeks during the previ- ous summer, 166 million tweets were sent as young people voted for their favourite pop act to Early-evening event, ‘Doctor Who: Anatomy of a hit’. From left: Boyd Hilton, feature on MTV UK’s Hottest Summer Superstar. Steven Moffat, Nikki Wilson, Brian Michin, Ben Wheatley and Rob Mayor One Direction pipped Justin Bieber in the con- test; more importantly, audiences to the flagship UK MTV Music channel surged by 55%, accord- ing to Monaghan. Channel 4’s Head of Advertising Research & Development, Martin Greenbank, was much more sceptical about the platform. “The best thing that Twitter brings to TV is audience engagement,” he said. Also on the panel were Dan Jones, Creative Director, Digital at indie producer Maverick, and Iain Coyle, Commissioning Editor, Entertainment, at UKTV.

Tim Davie in conversation with Cathy Newman BBC Worldwide is looking for new commercial part- ners, its CEO, Tim Davie, told his interviewer, Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman, in Sep- tember. “You will see more and more partnerships. We’re having partnership discussions with lots of people around the world… Partnership is what it’s about now,” said Davie. Indeed, Worldwide had announced that very day that it had taken a 35% share in UK indie Lookout Point, producer of Ripper Street and Parade’s End. International demand for BBC dramas, such as Sherlock, and natural history documentaries, such as Frozen Planet (funded by seven different pro- ducers), remained strong, not least in Asia, he said. In China, the company is seeking a Chinese Early-evening event, ‘Connected TV decoded’. From left: Kate Bulkley, Jeremy Clarkson to front a local version of Top Gear. Dan Saunders, Emma Lloyd, Ilse Howling, Richard Halton and Stephen Taylor Admitting that media company executives

18 declaring that “content is king” had become a Stephen Taylor, Director of Redshift Strategy cliché, Davie nonetheless said it was truer than consultancy, predicted that linear viewing would ever. This thirst for acquiring content was driv- still comprise around two-thirds of all viewing in ing the latest round of consolidation. “All value is 2020. Richard Halton, CEO of YouView, thought derived from content,” noted Davie this overly optimistic. Taylor also predicted that connected-TVs Doctor Who – anatomy of a hit The Society booked would overcome the gulf between free-to-air a bigger-than-usual venue – Kings Place – for and pay-TV and make “pay-lite” the most popular this early-evening event on 11 November and choice by 2020, with widespread consumption was gratified to see it sold out a week in of on-demand content. advance. An imaginative online teaser campaign The other panellists were: Emma Lloyd, Sky begun before the full panel of speakers was con- Business Development Director; Ilse Howling, firmed contributed to the event’s popularity. Managing Director, Connected TV at Digital UK; Days after the end of Peter Capaldi’s first series and Dan Saunders, Google’s Head of Chromecast as the eponymous Time Lord, the event drew a for the UK, Nordics and Netherlands. record audience of 299. Flanking the panellists on stage were two of the UK television’s USP – just how unique are we? The creatures created by one of the speakers, effects genesis of this sparky debate in December maestro Rob Mayor, and his team at Millennium between Channel 4 Chief Executive David Abra- FX. He was joined by show­runner Steven Moffat, ham and Virgin Media CEO Tom Mockridge was the former’s combative MacTaggart Memorial THE DAYS ARE GONE WHEN Lecture several months earlier. YOU CAN BE A DIRECTOR BUT Since then, said Abra- NOT SHOOT – THERE’S NO ham, his concern had hardened that the UK’s MONEY FOR THAT unique broadcasting eco- system is threatened by US buyers. Mockridge, as Executive Producer Brian Minchin, Producer head of the recently acquired subsidiary of one Nikki Wilson and Director Ben Wheatley. such US owner, Liberty Global, adamantly disa- Speaking of the risk inherent in periodically greed. reinventing a venerated show, Moffat said: The argument quickly crystallised around the “Shows don’t die by people saying, ‘I don’t like it issue of retransmission fees. Abraham contended now’. Shows die by people saying, ‘Oh, it’s quite that commercial public service broadcasters good’. When people say, ‘I’m appalled by the new were effectively subsidising pay-TV platforms to Doctor Who,’ [you know] they’re watching it.” the tune of £200m a year. Mockridge dismissed Wheatley said he storyboarded his episodes the figure and said customers joined Virgin to get heavily “because I was particularly worried faster broadband, not to get ITV. about the level of effects work… The last film I The Society is very grateful for the hard work did, [we shot] three pages a day; Doctor Who was of the RTS Early Evening Events Committee, between four and 11.” chaired by Dan Brooke. The budget requires each episode to be shot in about a fortnight – a pace that is only possible 8 RTS ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP thanks to the “experienced crew in Cardiff that Three events were held at the Houses of Parlia- has grown up with the show”, said Wilson. ment under the auspices of the RTS All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), which is chaired by Connected TV decoded How will the approaching the Rt Hon The Lord Fowler. avalanche of connected-TV and mobile services impact on traditional linear viewing of scheduled RTS Dinner The outgoing Chair of Ofcom, Dame TV? Surprisingly little – for the time being – was Colette Bowe, was questioned by RTS President the view of an expert panel drawn from the Sir Peter Bazalgette at a dinner in her honour at frontline of internet-driven TV. the House of Commons in February. Forecasts that up to 90% of UK homes will have Her swansong speech included forthright an internet-connected­ main TV set by 2020 (more warnings about BBC funding and governance, than seven times the current penetration) were internet regulation and spectrum allocation. not controversial. But opinion differed about how She urged politicians not to underestimate the soon this would undermine live TV viewing. seriousness of the looming battle between broad-

19 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

casters and mobile-phone operators over spec- introducing subscription (City University Director trum. “If we get this thing wrong, there will be very of Broadcasting Lis Howell and former Crime- serious consequences for the delivery of public watch presenter Nick Ross). service broadcasting in the UK,” she warned. Howell said the iPlayer was steadily under- Bowe cautioned policymakers to be realistic mining the legitimacy of the licence fee; sub- about policing internet pornography. Ofcom scription, on the other hand, would be works with “the art of the possible” and “there are “transparent, fair, democratic and universal”. limits to regulatory action,” she said. “We would Grade conceded that, at £145.50, the licence fee be foolish if we were holding out to people the was “too high”, but Enders said that 57% of the idea that it’s OK, we can [regulate the internet].” public considered it “good value”. On BBC finance, Bowe said she had sympathy for the idea of contestable PSB funding, but TV diversity: who will win your vote? According to acknowledged that it would be difficult to make Creative Skillset, BAME (black and minority eth- it work in practice. nic) representation across the creative industries fell from 6.7% in 2009 to 5.4% in 2012 – despite Future funding for the BBC This debate, in June, 12.5% of the UK population by then being non- tackled the key issue in the negotiation of the white. next BBC Charter – how the corporation will be So it was no surprise that the November funded. event’s chair, BBC News Channel Senior Pre- A distinguished panel, chaired by Lord Fowler, senter Clive Myrie, opened the debate by asking: split down the middle between traditionalists, “What’s going on? Is it pure and simple racism? who wished to preserve the licence fee (Lord Why are bosses only employing people in their Grade, a former Chair of the BBC Governors, and own image – white, male, middle-class?” analyst Claire Enders), and those in favour of The three politicians tasked with providing

20 RTS STUDENT TELEVISION AWARDS ENTRIES

500 486 Post Graduate 451 entries

400 381 Under Graduate 361 Entries 333 Number of individual entries of individual Number

300

200

Number of educational 100 institutions

82 74 71 65 73

0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

answers and a way forward were: Ed Vaizey MP, Left: RTS All Party successful TV dramas, ITV’s biopic Cilla. At one the Minister for Culture, Communications and Parliamentary Group time the highest-paid female star on British the Creative Industries; his Labour shadow, event, ‘Future funding television, Black talked amusingly and movingly Helen Goodman MP, and Liberal Democrat MP for the BBC’, held at the of her early days on the Liverpool club scene. Stephen Gilbert. House of Commons. She had been reluctant to embrace a TV career. Vaizey made it clear that he had run out of Above: RTS Legend “Television found me, I didn’t find TV,” she said. patience with many media companies (though award recipient Cilla Her BBC One hit, Cilla, ran for eight series until he praised Sky for its employment initiatives: Black OBE (on left) 1976, and was watched by up to 22 million people. “It is far and away the most impressive with its with Baroness Floella LWT later won the battle to put Black under can-do, get-on-with-it attitude”). Benjamin OBE contract. Her first series for the ITV company “If necessary, government will have to push was Surprise Surprise. harder than I have in the past 12 months,” said But it was her next LWT show, based on the Vaizey. Australian format Perfect Match, that propelled Goodman attacked former Culture Secretary her to new heights. Blind Date ran for 18 years, Jeremy Hunt for ending Ofcom’s brief to monitor an essential fixture of Saturday-night TV for diversity levels in employment at UK broadcasters. millions of viewers. Black said her one regret was that she always 9 RTS LEGENDS gave into homesickness during several attempts Cilla Black OBE was the guest at an RTS Legends to make it as a singer in the US: “I wish I wasn’t lunch held at the House of Lords on 5 December such a wuss… I had the fancy frocks, but I (such events were formerly known as RTS Veter- wanted to go home.” ans lunches). Black was presented with the inaugural RTS Black was interviewed by Jeff Pope, writer and Legends Award by Paul Jackson. The lunch was Executive Producer of one of the year’s most hosted by Baroness Benjamin.

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10 JOINT EVENTS Lynch was optimistic about television: “I don’t The Society is keen to develop relationships with think television will die – in the same way that other societies and bodies where the combined radio hasn’t died… Imagine a new concept of TV, effect of co-operation enables the RTS to increase where it is 3D in whatever context...” he said, and its impact, influence, reach and effectiveness. creators could visually insert “non-existent digi- During the year, the Society jointly organised a tal things into the real world, where they can number of national and local activities with such interact perfectly” as if they were real. “The pos- partners. Details of jointly organised local events sibilities of that are really quite phenomenal.” will be found on pages 30 to 38. To quota or not to quota – RTS session at Diversify, In conversation with Baroness Doreen Lawrence of part of Creative Week Clarendon OBE – In the eye of the media storm The As part of Broadcast magazine’s Creative Week in first collaboration was with the BBC in February, June, the RTS hosted a very vigorous debate, “To when an impressively dignified Baroness Doreen quota or not to quota”, at RADA Studios on how Lawrence was interviewed by investigative to tackle the TV industry’s diversity deficit. reporter (and former RTS Young Journalist of the Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy Year) Mark Daly in the BBC’s Radio Theatre in told the packed meeting that the “industry has London. The event’s title, “In the eye of the media storm”, was apposite: with the release of the AUDIENCE EXPECTATION… IS Ellison Report a few days after the interview, the media storm around Lawrence had not abated. GOING UP. WE HAVE HIGHER She described how her two-decade struggle AND HIGHER QUALITY, LOWER for justice for her murdered son had left her hardly recognising herself in the mirror. AND LOWER PRICES On the day of the interview, the BBC launched its partnership with the Stephen Lawrence Trust, which aims to train up to 25 19- to 23-year-olds gone backwards over the past 10 to 15 years” in from black and minority ethnic backgrounds in promoting diversity. broadcasting and production skills. His solution was the introduction of “enforce- The Baroness welcomed the scheme as a “fan- able targets with [financial] penalties”, which he tastic idea”, but said: “It should have happened a characterised as “rules with teeth”, adding: “I long time ago.” She added: “If you truly want [TV] don’t see anything else that will produce the to reflect society, you have to put things in place kind of step change that we need.” to make it happen.” Production companies, for example, would lose a percentage of their fees if they failed to hit Dr Michael Lynch OBE, FREng – “Prediction is very diversity quotas. Targets would be nothing new difficult, especially about the future” The Society’s for TV, he argued, which already had regional first Joint Public Lecture with the IET (Institution and independent-production quotas. of Engineering and Technology) was held in May Fellow panellists Paul Blake, Managing Direc- at the Royal Society. tor of factual indie Maroon Productions, and Dr Michael Lynch was an enthralling speaker, Bectu Head of Diversity Janice Turner backed who tied together mind-stretching ideas with enforceable targets. entertaining – and sometimes jaw-dropping – The other speakers included: Peter Salmon, the demonstrations of the consequences of the BBC’s Director, England, and a member of the explosive pace of technological change. Creative Skillset board; Simon Albury, Chair of At the heart of Lynch’s talk was one very simple, the Campaign for Broadcasting Equality and if unpalatable, idea: the difficulty that human former CEO of the RTS; and Trevor Phillips OBE. beings have coming to terms with the uncertainty Phillips, the former Chair of the Equality and sparked by such changes. Human Rights Commission, said the big problem Predictions about the future tend to err on the was not that brilliant people were being ignored: side of doom-mongering, he said. They also tend “By definition, most people are not outstanding. “to overestimate the change in the short term and All that people from ethnic minorities would ask underestimate it in the long term”. for is to be allowed the same right to be mediocre His two big fears were that an inherently out-of as most other people.” control financial system would deliver another Turner called on the Arts Council of England, crash, and that what he called “a Moore’s Law of the BFI and Ofcom to be obliged to make the terrorism” would allow small groups to do great companies they fund or license regularly publish harm. employment diversity data.

22 The Cotton Film: Dirty White Gold – RTS session during Sustainability Week at The Hospital Club The challenge of financing a hard-hitting film on the plight of Indian cotton farmers was the focus of a compelling event hosted by the RTS in December. The screening and discussion were a contribution to The Hospital Club’s Sustainability Week. Journalist Leah Borromeo and her co-producers at Dartmouth Films explained how they had struggled to fund their campaigning documentary The Cotton Film: Dirty White Gold. The film, still only about 75% complete, casts a spotlight on unsustainable global garment-­ manufacturing practices and their tragic conse- quences for heavily indebted farmers.

11 RTS AWARDS The RTS’s awards represent the gold standard of peer recognition. The ceremonies, produced by RTS Enterprises, are well attended, thanks to the unparalleled integrity of the judging process, the continual refinement of award categories to match emerg- ing technologies and new areas of creative expertise, and the level of professionalism with which they are mounted. The Society is extremely grateful to the awards judges and presenters, all of whom donate their services. Although these events help to fund the Socie- ty’s charitable activities, the RTS has kept ticket prices as low as it can in the face of difficult economic conditions. The Society recognises the financial pressures on producers and broadcast- ers and has sought to balance these against the relatively inflexible costs of providing public opportunities to celebrate the highest standards of achievement in broadcasting.

RTS Television Journalism Awards 2012-2013 The awards were presented in February at the London Hilton. The evening was hosted by the BBC’s Sian Williams and the awards were presented by Richard Sambrook, who chaired the judging panel. A total of 459 people attended the ceremony (compared with 449 in 2013 and 392 in 2012). Of the 19 awards presented, ITN secured eight for its ITV and Channel 4 services, two of them for its coverage of the murder in Woolwich of fusilier Lee Rigby. The BBC won six awards and CNN International, two. The Lifetime Achievement Award was pre- sented to Peter Taylor OBE, and the Judges’ Award went to Deborah Turness, President of Olivia Coleman won the NBC News and a former Editor of ITV News. Actor – Female prize Television Journalist of the Year was BBC Middle at the RTS Programme East Editor Jeremy Bowen; Specialist Journalist Awards 2013 of the Year was Channel 4 News’s Michael Crick.

23 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

RTS Programme Awards 2013 The awards were held at Grosvenor House Hotel, London, in

November 2014 March and were hosted by writer and comedian May 2014 Tim Vine. The audience of 854 was the biggest for many years, and well up on the 772 achieved in 2013 (and 758 in 2012). From Fish Fight to Olivia Colman won the Actor – Female Rainforest Rescue award for the second year running, for her roles in Broadchurch and Run. Broadchurch also took the Drama Serial award. The Actor – Male award was given to Idris Elba for his portrayal of Luther. The Judges’ Award was presented to Janice Why Hadlow OBE, the former Controller of BBC Two. TV can The Lifetime Achievement award went to David change Suchet CBE. our world Twenty-eight awards were presented, with June 2014 11 going to the BBC and nine to Channel 4.

RTS Student Television Awards 2013 The awards, held in May at the BFI Southbank in London Zoella were attended by 231 students and teachers How a YouTube (compared with 163 in 2013 and 170 in 2012). star cashed in Undergraduate and Postgraduate Awards were

be more confident about people being lecturer at Cardiff University, says that interested.” IF YOU HAD A people tend to react to programmes judged in four categories: Animation, Fiction, Galloway says that most coverage is TV SHOW WITH that connect with their own lives. now through programmes about food, The way to get green issues across to travel or property. ENVIRONMENT people is therefore to make them part Good examples are Channel 4’s IN THE TITLE, of the things they do care about, such Entertainment and Factual. Entries for the Under- Hugh’s Fish Fight, which highlights as saving money or reducing waste. overfishing of the oceans, Simon PEOPLE Recent examples include Kirstie’s Reeve’s travel programmes on WOULDN’T Homemade Home or Kevin’s Supersized Content BBC Two, which always include threats Salvage on Channel 4. graduate group were judged on a regional basis to the environment when exploring WATCH IT But can likeable presenters and links new places, and Channel 4’s Grand to relevant issues really change public TV is failing to use its power to bring Designs, which often features homes closer to home, such as the badger cull, opinion? aiming for a low carbon footprint. have been simplified in order to Two examples suggest they can. The and these regional winners were then put forward about real change on environmental Perhaps, in the future, environmental appeal to a wider audience: “There are “crying rabbits” online video, put out issues could be included in more significant challenges to wildlife out by People for the Ethical Treatment of issues, reports Louise Gray factual programmes – and even in there, but the soundbite world we live Animals, forced two dozen high-street drama? Imagine an EastEnders recy- in is not giving [these issues] enough chains to stop stocking angora jumpers; for national judging. cling storyline. time.” and the film, Blackfish, turned public “If you had a TV programme with Julian Newman, Campaigns Director opinion against keeping orcas in environment in the title, people at the Environmental Investigation captivity. The national juries selected three nominees wouldn’t watch it. People will only Agency, is also frustrated. Television can learn from feature watch environmental programmes He points out that television can films and the internet about how when they connect with audiences,” make a real difference: unlike the effective such campaigning content can says Galloway. “But this is internet, a TV documentary can reach be. “People are much more alive to per category and the winner was chosen by not happening as millions of people who are not already consumer power because they recog- TV’s eco muchAmanda as interested in the subject –Craig: including nise thatWhy you cannot wait for govern- those in power. ment to change the world,” claims one Newman cites a BBC investiga- former TV executive. “It is shareholders, tion into deforestation in Malay- consumers and viewers who have the secret ballot. The Postgraduate nominees were Getty Images Gamesia, which heof claims madeThrones the power to change isthings now.” Malaysian Government change its Will Anderson, Joint Head of challenge policy on logging. Documentaries at Keo Films, has judged at a national level only. He would like natural history prog- proved this through Hugh’s Chicken Run rammes to mount more investigations and Hugh’s Fish Fight. hen it should.” to uncover environmental problems Both led to consumers complaining did you There is certainly and bring them to a wider audience. about the industrial farming of chicken The winners and nominees came from a wide first see a level of frustration The“Environmental issues canbest some- and fish. As a result, supermarkets elephants – among NGOs at a perceived times be put in a box, but they are vowed to change their practices. or dolphins failure by broadcasters to make the often tied up with important human- Viewers appear to have connected or gorillas – in public aware of environmental issues. rights and development issues,” says with presenter Hugh Fearnley- spread of media colleges, though students at the theW wild? It was probably on television, This is Despite the splendour of the wildlife Newman. “We need more investiga- Whittingstall, who clearly has a right? And did it inspire you to go out the challenge documentaries made by the BBC’s tive and hard-hitting work.” genuine passion for a subject that and save the world? Maybe for a few for broadcasters. to watch Natural History Unit, charities are showLeo Hickman, Chief Advisor on onaffects us all – theTV food on our plate. days or so… How do they not only worthy disappointed that the threats to the Climate Change at WWF, agrees that They also appear to have engaged National Film and Television School were nomi- OK, let’s try again. When did you last engage the viewer but also documentaries. animals so carefully depicted are there should be more serious environ- with the opportunity to take action see elephant carcasses with the ivory hold their interest and make the “So, from being a lot, there rarely reflected in the programmes. mental content in news and natural immediately via the internet or social torn out, lying on the African savan- impact long-term and worthwhile? developed a situation of being very For example, the BBC’s recent Africa history programmes, but calls for more media through online petitions. nah? Or bleached coral? Or the burnt The International Broadcasting Trust little.” series did touch on the problem of “environment by stealth” in main- Anderson says there is a real appetite nated for all the Postgraduate Awards and won stumps of a rainforest? recently compiled a report on how However, environmental issues have poaching. But considering that most of stream programmes. for interactive TV that not only informs Television, too, right? And did it effective television is in engaging still been “smuggled” into television the species featured are in danger of Sky, which can boast of having aired people, but helps them to improve the inspire you to go out and save the mainstream audiences with environ- through other formats. extinction, charities could have hoped 130 hours of “rainforest programming” world they live in by joining campaigns. world? Maybe for a few weeks or so… mental issues. Farming is always featured on the for a better reflection of the crisis. as part of its Rainforest Rescue “It is beholden on commissioners two of them. This is the essential problem with Mark Galloway, Director of the IBT, BBC’s Countryfile, which can attract Philip Mansbridge, CEO of Care for partnership with WWF, says the secret and the film-makers to come up with using TV to communicate such admits the fashion for “green pro- more than 8 million viewers. Galloway the Wild, blames the “fragmentation” is to use presenters not traditionally interesting ways to tell these stories,” important subjects as species loss or gramming” has diminished since the sees this “mainstreaming” of the of television, with broadcasters now associated with an environmental he says. “If you can do that, you can deforestation. financial crisis, as people have become environment into a range of output – having to compete with so many more message. have a great impact, like Fish Fight. The ceremony was hosted by comedian and Of course, it is shocking and, of more concerned about the economy. rather than being put in its own, channels, as well as the internet. In Road To Nowhere, self-confessed “You have the potential to reach a course, the viewer is going to react “There was a period when there was separate category – as the way As a result, there is a temptation to “environment sceptic” cricketer massive audience, to make people strongly and even vow to change their a lot of coverage of environmental forward. go for the tried and tested shots of Freddie Flintoff cycled through the aware, to do something good. You have lifestyle. But sooner or later the issues and it would be at peak times “The environment should not be hunting lions, rather than a more Amazon to learn about deforestation. the potential to change things.” actor Joel Dommett and the awards were pre- realities of paying the bills and putting and quite serious,” he says. “But, as treated with kid gloves,” he says. “It is complex piece about their ongoing Other presenters on the subject have food on the table intervene and the happens with TV, there was loss of messy and difficult and should feature conflict with humans. included Ross Kemp – hardly a hippy. Louise Gray is a freelance environmental sented by the Student Awards Chair, Patrick environmental crisis is forgotten. interest and the audience did not want all over the place. Broadcasters should He argues that environmental issues Lorraine Whitmarsh, a psychology correspondent. Younge, founder and Director of WeCreate 6 Television www.rts.org.uk May 2014 7 Associates.­

RTS Young Technologist of the Year 2014 The title The RTS’s monthly which is held every September. The judges ask was presented to Bobby Moss, a graduate soft- magazine, Television, applicants to demonstrate how the award would ware engineer at BT Group, for his work on web- was redesigned at the enhance their understanding of technology’s role based applications that support the company’s beginning of the year in television and related fields, and how they server infrastructure. He is also a STEM Ambas- propose to share that understanding. sador with the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network, which holds work- RTS Craft & Design Awards 2013-2014 The awards shops in schools and mentors the next genera- were presented in November at the Hilton in tion of young talent. London, and hosted by Jennifer Saunders. A total The award recognises potential future leaders in of 341 people attended the ceremony (compared broadcasting and related technologies, and pro- with 368 in 2013 and 337 in 2012). motes education in the science, practice, technol- The Judges’ Award went to the production ogy and art of television and its allied fields. team behind Peaky Blinders, which also won the The award, which is endowed by the family of Costume Design award. the distinguished engineer AM Beresford-Cooke, Four other productions scored double wins: gives the winner the opportunity to attend IBC, Utopia, for Photography and Production Design;

24 Television’s distribution has been expanded in partner- ship with patron broadcast- ers; as of the end of 2013, some 760 copies a month are placed in branded stands in the public lobbies of a number of their buildings around the UK. The print run has increased in line with the growing membership: all Full RTS Members receive Television by post. The magazine profiled a diverse range of com- panies, programmes, executives and technologies that are transforming the industry – from Vice News and Maker to Netflix and BT Sport, and from NBC News’s Deborah Turness to Discov- ery’s JB Perrette. On-screen, Television deconstructed Game of Thrones and Benefits Street, and examined the evolution of biopics, reality shows, shopping channels and green programming. Behind the screen, it looked at the impact on UK producers and broadcasters of the US buying spree, and carried accessible articles explaining the significance of apparently obscure debates over retransmission fees and spectrum allocation. Television did not ignore laptop and smart- phone screens: it profiled Zoella and YouTube’s Britpack, explored the economics of on-demand content and probed the impact of social media on traditional TV. For Television’s readers, one of its most keenly anticipated regular features is the insightful and revealing profile of a major figure in the British broadcasting landscape penned by Times jour- nalist Andrew Billen. The Billen Profiles included: Yahoo!’s Dawn Airey; BBC Worldwide chief Tim Davie; Channel 4 Chief Creative Officer Jay Hunt; Wall To Wall CEO Leanne Klein; Hat Trick’s Jimmy Mulville; Virgin Media CEO Tom Mock- ridge; and CEO-elect of the National Theatre Tessa Ross. Television’s “Our Friend” column seeks to bal- The Smoke, for Special Effects and Sound; Rev, RTS Student Television ance the inevitable metropolitan bias of a good for Editing and Costume Design; and The Tunnel Awards 2013 winners deal of Television’s coverage (given London’s secured both music awards – Original Score and and (inset) Mark Austin, dominance in UK television production and Original Title. RTS Television Journalism commerce). Throughout the year, guest column- The award for Lifetime Achievement was pre- Awards 2012-2013 winner ists focused on important industry trends that sented to stunt performer Clive Curtis. M25-bound broadcasters were prone to miss. They included: STV Productions’ Alan Clements 12 RTS PUBLICATIONS and Channel 4’s Stuart Cosgrove in Scotland; The Society’s monthly magazine, Television, is S4C Authority Chairman Huw Jones in Wales; highly valued for its incisive analysis and Graeme Thompson in Sunderland; and John wide-ranging coverage of the debates and devel- McVay in Xiamen, China. opments that are reshaping the media landscape. The TV diarists included Susanna Dinnage, Television benefited from a comprehensive Boyd Hilton, Simone Pennant, Andrew Scadding, redesign in February; many readers contacted the Emma Scott, Brigitte Trafford and Emma Willis, editor to voice their appreciation of its fresher and there were book reviews by Stewart Purvis appearance. and Raymond Snoddy.

25 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

As usual, the super-sized October issue was the major awards ceremonies – and, above all, devoted to in-depth coverage of the RTS London the RTS Programme Awards. Conference and IBC for the benefit of those An online payments system and event-book- unable to attend the events. ing facility was implemented in October. A Television supplement was distributed to colleges at the beginning of the year to promote Social media More effort was put into building the the RTS Undergraduate Bursaries, RTS Futures RTS’s social-media presence this year, which also and RTS Student Television Awards. In addition drove more traffic to the Society’s website. New to application details, the supplement carried initiatives included: a Facebook page for the reprinted articles on RTS Masterclasses and RTS Society (www.facebook.com/RoyalTelevision­ Futures events. Society, which is in addition to the existing RTS Futures Facebook page); live blogging from all 13 RTS DIGITAL PRESENCE RTS events; creating multimedia content to Illustrated reports of all national and RTS share; and sponsored Facebook posts. The key Futures events are uploaded to the RTS website statistics were: by the morning following the event (more ◗ @rts_media had 7,471 Twitter followers at the detailed reports continue to be published end of 2014 (up from 4,899 in 2013) in Television) and there is also a live ◗ @rts_futures had 2,521 Twitter followers at the Twitter feed (@rts_now) from most @rts_futures end of 2014 (up from 1,455 in 2013) events. ◗ About 8% of all RTS website traffic comes from Towards the end of the year, the Twitter digital content team established a 2,521 ◗ 411 likes for www.facebook.com/RoyalTele- regular schedule for publishing new visionSociety by the end of 2014 (from content, such as daily news updates and zero in August). the weekly “Tips Tuesday”, in order to increase the site’s “stickiness” for users. @rts_media Video content Almost all RTS events The Society’s website had 186,680 unique and sessions are videoed. Once edited, visitors (125,610 in 2013; 86,670 in 2012; 71,810 in they are uploaded to Vimeo, a video-­ 2011), who viewed an average of 2.89 pages (3.07 7,471 hosting service (although this will not pages in 2013; 3.26 pages in 2012; 3.45 pages in be apparent to most visitors as the 2011); their average time spent on the site was videos appear to be embedded in the two minutes 21 seconds (2’ 18” in 2013; 2’ 20” in RTS site). The total number of video 2012; 2’ 26” in 2011); 34% of them were returning streams (or “plays”) was 9,633 (compared visitors (35% in 2013; 39% in 2012; 43% in 2011). with 750 in 2013) Google Analytics changed the way it defines A total of 68 videos were made (compared such categories as a unique website visitor or RTS Twitter followers with 30 in 2013). The majority were edited returning visitor in the course of 2014. The fig- reports of RTS events (37 videos, comprising 11 ures given in the previous RTS report are not conference sessions, 21 other events and five directly comparable with the new metrics, so we awards ceremonies). Most of the remainder were have restated the statistics for 2011-13 according mini-programmes, generally with an educational to the new metrics to make them comparable. theme. The digital production team has devel- In the last six months of 2014, the majority of oped a number of branded formats, such as Tips website visits (60%) came via Google. Direct in 60 Seconds and How To… strands. access (from people who typed the URL into their browser or had saved the site in their THE TOP SIX RTS VIDEOS, 2014: No of plays favourites) accounted for 20% of traffic. Combined social media, including Twitter and Facebook 1 Sherlock: Anatomy of a Hit 2,000 generated 13% of all sessions. The trend suggests 2 Tips in 60 Seconds… How To Write that the site is increasingly being accessed by a Great BBC Application 850 people with no previous connection with the 3 Doctor Who: Anatomy of a Hit 560 Society. 4 Tips in 60 Seconds… How To Write a CV 550 Visitors who access websites through social 5 Doctor Who: Anatomy of a Hit – Extra 520 media, rather than directly or via Google, tend to 6 RTS Behind the Scenes: Newsnight 450 spend less time on those sites and view fewer pages. So, as the Society increases its social media reach, we expect to see a medium-term 14 RTS CENTRES drop in average duration of visit and page views The RTS Centres staged an impressive number of per visit while total visitor numbers increase. events and awards ceremonies during the year. The most popular content on the site is around These are described in more detail on pages 30 to

26 39; they contributed the majority of the 125 events RTS All Party East Branch of the Radio Academy, while Mid- held by the Society during the year. Parliamentary Group lands organised the Birmingham Film and TV The biggest-ever RTS North West Awards event, ‘TV diversity: Summit with a number of other partners, includ- attracted 475 people to central Manchester, while who will win your ing Birmingham City Council Film Office and Carol Vorderman hosted Bristol’s awards in front vote?’ From left: Helen the Writers’ Guild. of a full house of 500 at the city’s Old Vic. The Goodman MP, Clive Centres offered first views of upcoming pro- first Scotland Awards for many years drew an Myrie, Ed Vaizey MP and grammes. RTS North West gave an exclusive audience of 200-plus. Stephen Gilbert MP screening of ITV crime drama Prey, followed by a Some of the centres’ Student Television Awards Q&A with the cast and crew, while RTS Wales showed encouraging increases in entries, attend- previewed a crowdfunded film about the 1984 ances or both. In Scotland, entries from young miners’ strike, Still the Enemy Within. film-makers were up 50% on 2013 and almost During the year, centres organised visits to 400 people attended the RTS Yorkshire event, broadcasting facilities across the country, includ- which featured a record number of entries. ing Ashford Studios in Wicklow, the BBC’s New Northern Ireland Centre held its first Student Broadcasting House, BT Sport in the Olympic Awards at Belfast Metropolitan College, attended Park, Comux UK in Birmingham, the Divis Trans- by more than 100 people. mitter near Belfast and Sony at Pinewood Studios. Events aimed at students and young people Reflecting the RTS’s roots in broadcast engi- considering a career in television remained pop- neering, new advances in technology were the ular. RTS Wales ran a “Breaking into factual TV” focus of many events, particularly in London and event, while Southern Centre offered “Meet the Thames Valley. professionals” and “Working in journalism” at Other events examined specific programmes. local universities. More than 200 young people RTS Wales took the scalpel to a daytime peren- attended RTS Futures Northern Ireland’s annual nial in “Anatomy of a hit: Bargain Hunt”, and Lon- Media Careers Fair and Bristol Centre staged a don Centre assembled the key personnel from sell-out RTS Futures event on digital skills. Princess Productions to talk about Channel 5’s During the year, many centres linked up with The Wright Stuff. North East and the Border Centre other organisations to organise events, often celebrated kids’ drama Byker Grove, 25 years after boosting attendances as a result. North East and it first aired on BBC One. the Border Centre joined with local screen As well as honouring the work of many unsung agency Northern Film and Media and the North TV people from around the country at their

27 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

events, the centres also attracted top talent as speakers. These included Channel 4 News Political Correspondent Michael Crick, whose career was National RTS events in 2014 celebrated by RTS North West, and Sky News (with attendance figures) doyenne Kay Burley, who discussed sexism and tabloid disclosures about her personal life at an RTS North East and the Border event. 4 February RTS early-evening event: The future of advertising – will television still have a starring role? 96 15 IBC 13 February RTS dinner: Dame Colette Bowe DBE in conversation The Society has an 18% shareholding in IBC, with Sir Peter Bazalgette 126 Europe’s premier broadcast technology event, 19 February RTS Television Journalism Awards 2012/13 459 which is held each September in Amsterdam’s 24 February RTS Futures: Battle of the broadcasters 71 RAI Centre. A record 55,092 visitors, together with more than 1,700 exhibiting companies, 28 February Joint event with the BBC: In conversation with attended IBC 2014 (compared with 52,974 visitors Baroness Doreen Lawrence of Clarendon OBE – in 2013 and 50,937 in 2012). in the eye of the media storm 100 from BBC plus: 69 IBC has successfully widened its focus from 4 March RTS early-evening event: Sherlock – anatomy of a hit 228 broadcast engineering to add consumer elec- 18 March RTS Programme Awards 2013 854 tronics and social media to its remit. It is also 26 March RTS Futures: Sun, sex and suspicious formats 76 planning to expand geographically, and this year held trade shows and conferences covering the 24 April RTS Futures: Making it in TV design 93 Middle Eastern and North African and the Latin 13 May Joint Public Lecture with IET: D r Michael Lynch OBE, FREng American markets. These “Content Everywhere” – Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future 269 events will concentrate on the digital delivery of 16 May RTS Student Television Awards 2013 231 content to smartphones or connected-TVs, rather 19 May RTS Futures: Speed date the entertainment gurus 35 than on IBC’s traditional production and trans- mission hardware. 20 May RTS AGM 12 There was a palpable sense of accelerating 27 May RTS early-evening event: TV retweeted 94 change at the week-long conference and exhibi- 3 June RTS session: To quota or not to quota, at Diversify, part tion in Amsterdam. Much of the heat continued of Creative Week 185 to flow from ultra-high-definition TV – which 3 June RTS Futures summer party 240 has at least four times the resolution of HDTV pictures – as consumer electronics manufactur- 24 June RTS APPG event: Future funding for the BBC 73 ers pushed for its speedy adoption. 9 September RTS London Conference: Power, politics and the media 359 But, on many other fronts, the technological 22 September RTS Futures: I made it in… drama 68 changes offer at least as much benefit to new, 23 September RTS early-evening event: Tim Davie in conversation internet-based rivals as they do to established with Cathy Newman 120 TV broadcasters. The underlying theme was very much about how to do more for less money. 6 October RTS Futures: Shooting stars – a beginners’ guide to self-shooting 40 16 GOVERNANCE 27 October RTS Student Programme Masterclasses (233 booked) 138 The Board of Trustees met four times in the 29 October RTS Futures: How to survive as a freelancer 47 course of the year (in January, March, June and 6 November RTS Patron reception 85 October). The Trustees have complied with their obligation to have regard to the Charity Commis- 11 November RTS early-evening event: Doctor Who – anatomy of a hit 299 sion’s guidance on public benefit. The guidance 17 November RTS APPG event: TV diversity – who will win your vote? 91 is the benchmark against which the Society’s 24 November RTS Higher Education Day: Getting into the media 124 activities are measured. 25 November RTS Student Craft Masterclasses 302 Attendance at Trustees’ meetings: John Hardie 26 November RTS early-evening event: Connected TV decoded 137 (Chair) 4/4; Tim Davie 2/4; Mike Green 4/4; Huw Jones 3/4; Jane Lighting 4/4; David Lowen 3/4; 26 November RTS session: The Cotton Film: Dirty White Gold, part Graham McWilliam 4/4; Simon Pitts 3/4; Graeme of Sustainability Week at The Hospital Club c30 Thompson 3/4. 1 December RTS Craft & Design Awards 2013/14 341 The Trustees have a forward work plan of 5 December RTS Legends: In conversation with… Cilla Black OBE 103 agenda items, including: progress on the strategic 8 December RTS early-evening event: UK television’s USP – plan; finance; health and safety; reports on Cen- just how unique are we? 131 tres issues; education and bursaries; and updates on awards, conferences and other events. The 9 December RTS Futures: I made it… on-screen 108 CEO and Chair of IBC attend a Trustees meeting

28 once a year to present on the annual exhibition and strategic issues. In 2014, the Trustees also received a progress update on the digital hub at each meeting.

17 PATRONS Once again we thank our Royal Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, the Trustees of the Society, all the RTS Chairs, Centres Council Members, members of the former Advi- sory Council and Officers for giving us so much of their time. The Society was delighted to welcome eight new Patrons in the course of the year: EY, Fujitsu, IBM, Lumina Search, Turner Broadcasting System Inc, Virgin Media, YouTube and YouView. The RTS was disappointed that IBC 2014, in which the RTS is four companies – Channel Television, a partner, enjoyed a record Ikegami, ROAR Global and RTL Group – attendance were unable to renew their Patron status. The RTS All Party Parliamentary Group dinner, held in January with Collette Bowe, was also a 19 VOLUNTEERS patron event. In addition, an evening reception The Society was supported by a team of up to was held for RTS Patrons in the Undercroft 11 full-time staff during the year, but the success Museum at Westminster Abbey in November, of its activities has always been dependent on with 85 people in attendance. Patrons were wel- the expertise and dedication of hundreds of comed by the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean volunteers who plan and deliver different of Westminster Abbey. RTS CEO Theresa Wise aspects of its programme. These include not only updated Patrons on the progress of the Society’s the members of centre committees and national growth strategy. specialist committees, but awards jurors, con- tributors to Television, event speakers, panellists 18 RTS HISTORY ADVISORY GROUP and producers. The Society’s History Advisory Group was formed out of the History and Archive Group to 20 FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES support the RTS’s aim of advancing awareness The Society’s two wholly owned subsidiaries of all historical aspects of television among its – RTS Enterprises Ltd, which organises awards members and the public. events and conferences, and RTS (IBC) Ltd – In the course of the year, the group created an continued to generate surpluses which have extensive timeline of British television history, been covenanted back to the charity during the which will be available on the Society’s website. year to fund charitable activities. In addition to answering specific questions from RTS Enterprises Ltd held a number of awards Trustees and executives, the group has reached events and a conference during the year. RTS out directly to educational institutions and to (IBC) Ltd holds an 18% interest in the IBC confer- equivalent groups in museums, companies and ence and exhibition. other societies (including the IET and SMPTE) to establish and consolidate an extended network 21 RECOGNITION of historical expertise. The Society bids a fond farewell to Claire Price, The group assesses applications for the Shiers who stepped down at the beginning of 2015 as Trust grant and recommends one or more recip- Deputy CEO. Claire’s unflappable presence and ients to the Society. In 2014, the £2,000 award flair for organisation will be much missed by all was shared between Dr Sheldon Hall, whose those who are regular attenders of RTS events. Armchair Cinema is a study of feature films on We were saddened to note the passing this year British television, and Marc Scott, whose research of Michael Bunce OBE and Tony Pilgrim MBE, focuses on the unofficial development of televi- both of whom played an important role in the sion in Australia. development of the RTS.

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TRUSTEES’ REPORT – CENTRES 2 The RTS in the nations and regions

evening, introduced by Director of BBC England Bristol Peter Salmon, attracted more than 300 guests. A sell-out RTS Futures event in October took a More than 100 guests (a similar number to 2013) look at digital skills with Dan Efergan, Creative attended the West of England Student Television Director of Digital at Aardman, and Zodiak Media Awards in February at the Watershed in Bristol Multi-platform Producer Ben Freeman. to celebrate the best young talent in the region. In November, the annual autumn supper for In March, Carol Vorderman hosted the West chief executives and creative directors saw almost of England Awards ceremony in front of a full all the region’s indies, plus the BBC Natural History house of 500 people at the Bristol Old Vic (a little Unit and BBC Features, represented for an evening over 400 attended in 2013). The Ambrose Flem- of lively discussion. ing Award, for making an outstanding contribu- As the year ended, The One Show presenter tion to the industry, was presented to the Timeshift Mike Dilger and DIY SOS’s Mark Millar hosted the team, for its extraordinary series of documentaries centre’s first TV quiz. Ten teams battled it out on BBC Four. and Tigress Productions, led by Managing Direc- Over the summer, the Centre Committee tor Dick Colthurst, took the prize. regrouped and expanded to reflect the range Lynn Barlow, Chair of independent producers and post-production houses in the region. In September, the centre co-hosted an event London with the BBC and Watershed to recognise the prodigious talents of Colin Rose, who founded The centre held 13 events (14 in 2013) across its the BBC’s animation unit, commissioned Nick spring and autumn seasons, generally on alter- Park’s The Wrong Trousers and exec-produced nate Wednesday evenings at ITV’s London Stu- Sylvain Chomet’s film, Belleville Rendez-vous. The dios. The Centre Committee is very grateful to

30 ITV for its continuing support. The wide-ranging London Centre audience ◗ The annual RTS/Focal Jane Mercer Memorial programme was designed to complement the discussion and (inset) Lecture was given by Anthony Wall, who offered Society’s centrally organised events in London: Bill Bailey, winner at the a fascinating insight into the extensive archive of ◗ The spring season started with a presentation RTS West of England BBC arts strand Arena from audience research company Barb on how it Awards, organised by ◗ The autumn season began with a review of the gathers information on viewing across different Bristol Centre latest kit and services on show at IBC, organised devices jointly with the Institution of Engineering and ◗ The centre’s Student Television Awards Technology attracted an impressive number of entries, and ◗ A popular event in October examined the use of their range and quality was very encouraging major international sporting events, such as the ◗ In February, an expert panel surveyed the pre- 2014 Commonwealth Games, to test new TV tech- vious month’s Consumer Electronics Show in nologies Las Vegas, and gave an entertaining insight into ◗ In early November, key members of the Princess rapidly changing TV technologies Productions team described how they make ◗ The centre’s AGM in April was held in conjunc- Channel 5 daytime show, The Wright Stuff tion with “Sharpen your sound”, an event that ◗ The season ended with “Interactive programming: looked at the part that sound plays in the creative the business case”, which examined the commercial process value of interactive TV formats. ◗ At the end of their first month on air, execu- The centre also held two member-only events: a tives and on-screen talent from London Live visit to the BT Sport operation in London’s Olympic explained how they launched the UK’s biggest Park and a tour around New Broadcasting House. local-TV station Demand for the latter was so great that a second ◗ At the end of May, the Digital Television Group tour was organised. The centre’s membership rose revealed the findings of its Future of Innovation to 1,984, from 1,324 in 2013. in Television Technology Taskforce Kristin Mason, Chair

31 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

Midlands

In March, the centre joined a number of other partners, including Birmingham City Council Film Office and the Writers’ Guild, to organise the Birmingham Film and TV Summit, which was attended by 140 delegates. The centre organised five roadshows to spread news of the summit to other parts of the region. Two executive producers – Tim Key from Red Planet and Claire Ingham from Company Pictures – spoke at the event, which also offered sessions on careers in the media, film finance, developing skills and commissioning. In the evening, the centre’s annual Baird Lec- ture, “The integration of social and digital into broadcasting”, was given by Mars El Brogy from AN EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR local-TV station London Live. A new initiative, an education programme for SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS secondary school students, involved a series of INVOLVED A SERIES OF FOUR-HOUR four-hour workshops at 10 schools in the region. The first half of each workshop provided infor- WORKSHOPS AT 10 SCHOOLS IN mation about jobs in TV and advice on how to THE REGION land them. In the second half, students worked in groups to develop and pitch programme ideas. The winning teams from each school were invited to a final in July, where a panel of judges picked an overall winner. The programme was well received and will run again in 2015. Richard Salmon, Lead Research Engineer at BBC Research & Development, spoke to a joint meeting of RTS Midlands and Institution of Engineering and Technology members in Bir- mingham at the end of April about Ultra-HDTV. In October, 350 guests assembled at the National Motorcycle Museum to see actress Vicky McClure collect the Baird Medal at the centre’s Annual Awards. The ceremony was hosted by ITV News Central presenters Sameena Ali-Khan – who picked up the Best On-screen Personality Award – and Gareth Owen. The RTS Midlands Student Television Awards, which drew 41 entries from colleges in the region, were held at the same time. The 2013 Awards, held at the Birmingham City Holiday Inn, attracted nearly 300 guests and 40 student film entries. Panellists at London East branch of the Radio Academy. Eight events In December, John Fletcher and John Zubrzycki Centre’s ‘London Live’ were held (nine in 2013): from BBC Research & Development gave a pres- discussion (top) and ◗ The first event of the year focused on Made TV, entation on the trial of Ultra-HDTV at the Com- Midlands Centre joint- the successful bidder for the local-TV licence in monwealth Games in Glasgow during the summer. event speaker, writer the region. It drew more than 100 people to the Isabel Clarke, Chair Steven Knight (bottom) Live Theatre on Newcastle’s Quayside ◗ The doyenne of Sky News, Kay Burley, was interviewed about her career in February. More North East and the Border than 150 people attended the event at Sunderland University to hear Burley discuss sexism in The centre boosted attendance at its events in newsrooms, tabloid disclosures about her personal 2014 as a result of partnering with local screen life and the lengths that she is prepared to go “to agency Northern Film and Media and the North be first” in breaking the news

32 ◗ Nearly 200 children from schools across the North East and Cumbria created documentaries, animations and dramas for the Young People’s Media Festival at the David Puttnam Media Cen- tre in Sunderland in May ◗ The centre hosted a lunchtime reception in October for cameraman Les Coates, who has notched up 50 years as a freelancer. He was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award ◗ In November, the creators and stars of Byker Grove gathered at a sell-out event at the Tyneside Cinema, 25 years after the children’s drama first aired on BBC One. The series ran for 17 years and launched the careers of countless actors, writers and crew, including Ant and Dec – who sent a pre-recorded contribution – and the Oscar-­ winning director of The King’s Speech, Tom Hooper ◗ The “Review of the Year” was held at the Live Theatre in December. Quizmasters Tony Edwards and Graeme Aldous hosted the pre-Christmas treat, which attracted teams from local shows Vera and Look North, as well as from universities and production companies. Graeme Thompson, Chair North West

RTS North West continued to increase the range and size of its events thanks to the growth of the TV industry in Salford’s MediaCity UK. The cen- tre’s progress was also boosted by other local developments, such as Manchester’s new pro- duction facility, The Sharp Project, and by mar- shalling the talents of RTS members and supporters, such as the Liverpool Film Office. Ten events were held (seven in 2013): ◗ In January, members spent an evening in the company of Channel 4 News Political Correspond- ent Michael Crick at Quay House, Salford, hosted by former North West Tonight Political Editor Jim Hancock ◗ The centre’s Student Television Awards were presented by North West Tonight’s Annabel Tiffin at a ceremony held at the Lowry Theatre, Salford, in February. Dan Isaacs, from drama producer ◗ More than 400 guests attended the centre’s The Young People’s Kudos, was the guest speaker at the event. The Annual Awards in March (the 2013 ceremony Media Festival (top) ceremony followed a series of sessions with was much the same size). Winners included ITV and Byker Grove reunion industry experts, produced in partnership with series Vera (Drama) and Tales from Northumberland event (bottom), both Salford University, which was attended by with Robson Green (Factual). Jacqui Hodgson, Edi- organised by North East 250 students, a huge increase on the 110 students tor of the BBC’s regional current affairs strand and the Border Centre who went in 2013 Inside Out, received the Centre Award from RTS ◗ Some 240 TV industry workers attended the CEO Theresa Wise “Great big telly quiz 2014” in the same month ◗ The art of TV voiceover was illustrated in “Big (220 competed in 2013). The Lowry Theatre Voices”, which featured Peter Dickson (The X event, now in its fourth year, was organised by Factor) and Alan Dedicoat (Strictly Come Dancing), a team from ITV Entertainment and once again and drew a capacity audience of 200 to the Live featured an accordionist playing TV theme tunes Theatre in March ◗ In April, the centre put on an exclusive,

33 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

pre-transmission screening of ITV drama Prey, the major source of digital terrestrial television CREATORS followed by a Q&A with cast and crew, including for viewers in the east of Northern Ireland. AND STARS lead actors John Simm and Rosie Cavaliero In June, more than 90 people attended the ◗ A “Liverpool locations tour” in June visited the first RTS Northern Ireland “Telly pub quiz of the OF BYKER city’s spookiest film and TV locations year”, hosted by local television presenter Pamela GROVE ◗ In July, the centre held a Q&A with award-­ Ballentine. winning writer Jimmy McGovern and screened The Director General of RTÉ, Noel Curran, gave ATTENDED his new BBC One drama, Common, at BBC North the annual Dan Gilbert Memorial Lecture, which A SELL-OUT in Salford took place in November in conjunction with the ◗ The North West Awards launch party was held Belfast Media Festival. On the same day, former EVENT in September at the Lowry Theatre, where the RTS Northern Ireland Committee member Bill 25 YEARS nomination shortlist was revealed by CBBC Shaw was awarded the Pilgrim Award by CEO ­presenter Katie Thistleton and Newsround’s Theresa Wise and Hon Secretary David Lowen AFTER THE Aysha Tull for his service to the RTS over more than 50 years. SERIES ◗ In October, to celebrate the launch of The Later in November, more than 200 students Furchester Hotel, a new children’s series from and young people attended RTS Futures Northern AIRED ON CBeebies and Sesame Workshop, the centre Ireland’s annual Media Careers Fair. This was a BBC ONE invited speakers and puppeteers from Mackin- substantial increase on the 120 people who non & Saunders, Strange Hill High, CBBC and The attended the equivalent Futures event in 2013, Furchester Hotel to the Lowry Theatre. The event, “How to make the most of your time in further “No strings attached”, was a sell-out and higher education”. ◗ Later that month, the centre jointly hosted its Michael Wilson, Chair first family event with BBC Learning/ BBC Music, a screening of Ten Pieces. The film features classi- cal music played by the BBC National Orchestra Republic of Ireland of Wales. The Ten Pieces project aims to open up classical music to children The Centre Committee is pleased to acknowl- ◗ In November, the RTS North West Awards took edge the valuable patronage and support from place at the Hilton Deansgate, matching 2013’s RTÉ that enabled the centre to put on its pro- sell-out attendance of 470 guests. The top awards gramme of events. The Centre Committee was went to John Simm, Sarah Lancashire, Jimmy particularly delighted to host, with RTÉ’s assis- McGovern and Red Production Company. tance, the RTS Centres’ Council meeting in June. Alex Connock, Chair Ten other events were organised (seven in 2013): ◗ The first meeting of the year was a tribute to James Plunkett, author of Dublin novel Strumpet Northern Ireland City, by film-maker Ian Graham ◗ The RTS Republic of IreIand Student Television This was another successful year for the centre, Awards, held in February at RTÉ, were attended as it continued to improve its outreach to the by around 70 people and attracted 19 entries. local creative sector and to the next generation RTÉ One’s then-Channel Controller, George of media professionals. Dixon, presented the awards. In 2013, the awards In February, the centre organised a workshop, had a very similar attendance of around 70, and run by Green Inc Head of Production Helen drew 21 entries. Murray, for a group of 35 budding production ◗ In March, documentary-maker Sé Merry Doyle managers. talked about his award-winning film, John Ford: The first Northern Ireland Student Television Dreaming the Quiet Man Awards, held in March at Belfast Metropolitan ◗ Three-times IFTA recipient Ray Roantree gave College, were attended by more than 100 stu- a very popular editing masterclass in May dents, politicians – including the Minister for ◗ Donald Taylor Black, Creative Director of the Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry National Film School in Dun Laoghaire, hosted – and media professionals. a tour of its new studio later the same month In the same month, more than 50 people ◗ Centre members were invited by Vikings pro- attended an RTS Futures Northern Ireland “Meet ducer Morgan O’Sullivan to visit the set of the the pro” event in March. In the hot seat was the historical blockbuster at the newly built Ashford Centre Chair in his capacity of UTV Ireland Man- Studios in September aging Director. ◗ Production designer Quentin Mitchell, who In May, a group of 18 RTS members visited the worked at RTÉ before returning to his native Divis Transmitter, which has been a feature of Australia some years ago, was welcomed back the Belfast skyline since the 1950s and today is at a centre social event that month

34 Rex Ingram was the subject of an RTS Republic of Ireland documentary screening

GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD OF RTS EVENTS

150

33 125 National events in RTS Northern Ireland 27 London speaker RTÉ Director General Noel Curran (left) 100 26 14 Centre 19 events in 14 London 85 16 13 75 76

66 63

Number of eventsNumber 50 Events outside London

25

RTS Republic of Ireland organised a visit to the 0 set of Vikings 2011 2012 2013 2014

◗ Ian Graham presented his documentary on silent-film director Rex Ingram to an enthusias- Scotland tic audience in October ◗ Emmy winner Peter Canning was the guest In January, the centre held two masterclasses speaker in October, giving an account of the at BBC Scotland’s Glasgow studio complex. The complex lighting and visual set-up in Sochi for first featured Michael Hines, who shared his the ceremonies at the 2014 Winter Olympics experiences of directing hit BBC comedies ◗ In December, Conor Doyle showed clips from Chewin’ the Fat and Still Game. In the second, Paul the archives of the Theatre Royal, the historic Murray (Channel 4’s Location, Location, Location) Dublin palace of “cine-variety” – a hybrid of live talked students through the process of format and celluloid entertainment. development, pitching and commissioning. Charles Byrne, Chair The action then moved to the BBC Viewing

35 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

Theatre for the Student Television Awards ceremony. More than 30 entries were received, up from 18 the previous year. The theatre was filled to its 50-seat capacity in both years. In May, “Broadcasting in an independent Scotland”, at City of Glasgow College, was the occasion for a major policy statement by SNP Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop MSP in advance of the independ- ence referendum. She argued that, with a Yes vote, the current TV and radio workforce in Scot- land of 3,200 could almost double in size. The first RTS Scotland Awards for decades were held at Òran Mór, Glasgow, in June in front of an audience of more than 200 people. The RTS Scotland Award went to Peter Capaldi, who joined the ceremony via a Southern Centre video link from the Doctor Who set in Wales. Student Television A student networking event, organised by RTS Awards winner (right) Scotland student interns Bethany Miller, Amy and (inset) North East MacKinnon and Jonny Kerr, was held in Glasgow and the Border Centre in November. speaker, Kay Burley of In December, more than 30 RTS Scotland Sky News members enjoyed a fascinating insight into the successful launch of local-TV station STV Glasgow and a preview of the service planned by STV Edinburgh for early 2015. James Wilson, Chair Southern

The centre’s year began with a members visit to the BBC’s New Broadcasting House in January. The following month, 220 people attended the Southern Centre Awards at Winchester Guildhall, which featured the work of 10 indies, three regional broadcasters and student work from four universities. The 2013 ceremony was attended by 170 people and featured work from NORTH eight indies, three regional broadcasters and WEST three universities. CENTRE’S Two hundred media students from across the South attended the centre’s “Meet the profes- EXCLUSIVE sionals” event at Bournemouth University in SCREENING March, a significant increase on the 2013 attend- ance of 140. Thirteen TV professionals were OF PREY available to meet informally with students, FEATURED including then-ITV Commissioning Editor, Fac- tual Katy Thorogood, as well as executives from A Q&A Lion TV, Talent South, Bedlam Productions, Topi- WITH CAST cal TV, BBC South East and ITV Meridian. In September, the centre put on “The future of AND CREW

36 the BBC’s TV Centre” at Queen Mary College, Basingstoke. The details of decommissioning and facilitating the rebirth of one of Britain’s most iconic buildings made for an interesting story, which was outlined by Lynden Potter, Andrew Wheeler and Andrew Fullerton, members of the BBC team responsible for the process. Some 140 journalism students met with 15 working journalists at “Working in journal- ism”, which was held at Southampton Solent University in November. The event began with a formal session featuring BBC Head of Newsgath- ering Jonathan Munro, ITV Head of Digital News Jason Mills and Sky News Editor, Digital Neil Dunwoodie, before the students met the journal- ists informally. Gordon Cooper, Chair Thames Valley

Thames Valley had another busy year, hosting seven events and organising two visits: (eight events were held in 2013) ◗ In January, Panasonic showed members the latest consumer and broadcast technology at its Bracknell facility ◗ The following month, Snell’s Mike Knee pre- sented “New generation scalable motion pro- cessing from mobile to 4K and beyond”, which won IBC 2013’s Best Conference Paper award ◗ In March, the centre hosted an event on the serial digital interface, posing the question: “The death of SDI… is it finally here?” A panel of experts was ably refereed by John Ive ◗ The annual NAB review in May assembled a top-level panel, chaired by Dick Hobbs, to dis- cuss the themes of the Las Vegas trade show ◗ July offered a remarkable insight into Germa- ny’s Second World War Enigma cipher machine from former merchant navy radio officer and broadcast engineer Alan Watson, who also brought along rare versions of the machines to show the audience ◗ In October, the centre organised a visit to Sony’s Digital Motion Picture Centre Europe at Pinewood Studios ◗ SDNsquare co-founder Lieven Vermaele gave a lecture on “Network infrastructures for media applications” in November ◗ At the end of that month, the centre’s annual dinner dance was attended by more than 400 guests (452 in 2013) ◗ Rounding off the year, in December, Scalable Video Systems’ Alfred Krug gave a presentation on “IT-TV-Live”, a new framework for live video switching and effects that could revolutionise outside broadcasting. Penny Westlake, Chair

37 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

Ron Jones, RTS Wales speaker at the National Eisteddfod

Wales

The centre produced a wide-ranging programme of 13 events during the year (the same number as in 2013): ◗ The RTS Wales Student Television Awards were presented at the Zoom International Youth Film Festival before an audience of 150 students and schoolchildren at Bridgend College in March (2013 figures are not available) ◗ The “Breaking into Factual TV” event at the University of South Wales in the same month was equally well attended ◗ Sinead Kirwan and Owen Gower previewed their crowdfunded film about the 1984-85 miners’ strike, Still the Enemy Within, in April. The screening at Treorchy’s Park & Dare Theatre was attended by former miners who recognised themselves in the archive footage ◗ In May, RTS Wales invited former student award winners to the Ffresh Student Film Festival at Cardiff’s Cineworld. The young directors showed their winning films and offered advice on how to get on the first step of the career ladder ◗ The centre’s AGM, also in May, was followed by a “Meet the CEOs” event featuring the heads of BBC Wales, S4C and ITV Wales ◗ Students at Cardiff University contributed some very insightful questions at a discussion in June about how science is covered on television ◗ Members and guests toured Comux UK’s local- TV Network Operations Centre in Birmingham in June ◗ The centre’s annual Welsh-language event at the National Eisteddfod in Llanelli in August saw Ron Jones, the founder of leading production company Tinopolis, discuss the future of the RTS Wales ‘Meet the CEOs’ event (from left): Rhodri Talfan Davies, BBC Cymru creative industries in Wales Wales; Phil Henfrey, ITV Cymru Wales; Theresa Wise, RTS; and Ian Jones, S4C ◗ In the autumn, the centre organised two sessions

38 in Cardiff and Aberystwyth at which S4C RTS Yorkshire’s Annual explained its £4m Digital Fund. Gamers, indies Programme Awards and students discovered how to secure invest- were held at The Royal ment for digital services and apps with the Armouries in Leeds potential for commercial exploitation ◗ Arri demonstrated its Ultra-HDTV Amira cam- era – one of IBC 2014’s “must-see exhibits” – in October to a large and enthusiastic audience, which included several young film-makers ◗ In “Anatomy of a hit: Bargain Hunt”, Series Pro- ducer Julia Foot and her team gave the inside ‘SO YOU story on this daytime TV perennial, which has WANT TO been made in Cardiff since summer 2014 ◗ A team from BBC Wales Factual won the WORK IN Christmas quiz. Considerable festive cheer was VIDEO- shared by the teams of broadcasters, freelancers GAMES?’ and independent producers. WAS PUT Tim Hartley, Chair ON WITH THE Yorkshire In April, the centre joined with the University of WRITERS’ York and Heslington Studios to hold the first GUILD OF “Production Convention” at the university. The GREAT event, which attracted more than 190 people during the course of the day, was aimed at pro- BRITAIN fessionals engaged in the creation, management and delivery of TV and film. In June, the Annual Programme Awards cele- brated their 10th year with a star-studded dinner and ceremony at The Royal Armouries in Leeds. Some 264 people attended an event hosted by Matthew Burton and Michael Steer, two of the teachers from Channel 4’s RTS award-winning documentary Educating Yorkshire. The 2013 Pro- gramme Awards attracted 281 guests. The centre co-sponsored a three-day interna- tional conference on media archaeology with the University of Bradford, Bradford City of Film and the National Media Museum in September. In November, the centre co-sponsored “So you want to work in videogames?” with the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain. More than 30 people attended the event at West Yorkshire Playhouse. Later in the same month, York Racecourse provided the setting for the centre’s annual Student Television Awards. Almost 400 people attended the event, which featured a record number of 62 entries from nine universities and colleges in the region. In 2013, 300 people attended the Student Television Awards, which attracted 41 entries from 10 universities and colleges. In December, five teams battled it out in the centre’s inaugural TV quiz at the Trinity Arts Centre in Leeds, which was won by a team from BBC Look North. A London Centre event dissected The Wright Stuff Mike Best, Chair

39 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

FINANCIAL REPORT II Governance and finance

such number of further terms as the Board of Trustees shall 1 Structure, governance consider appropriate); ◗ One person elected by the Principal Patrons Group (two-year and management term, renewable for a second term); ◗ One person elected by those members of the Centres’ Council who represent Centres in Scotland, Wales, Northern CONSTITUTION Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (two-years, renewable for Royal Television Society is a company limited by guarantee and a a second term); registered charity governed by its Memorandum and Articles of ◗ One person elected by those members of the Centres’ Association. Council who represent Centres in England (two-years, renewable for a second term); and ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE ◗ Such number (not exceeding six) of additional persons The Society is UK-based with its head office in London. It has co-opted by the Board of Trustees as the Board of Trustees Centres in Bristol, Devon & Cornwall, London, Midlands, North may from time to time decide (two-years, renewable for a East and the Border, North West, Northern Ireland, Republic of second term). Ireland, Scotland, Southern Counties, Thames Valley, Wales and Trustees receive a briefing document that includes rules and Yorkshire. background on the governance of the Society. The Society The Society has two trading subsidiaries, RTS Enterprises ensures that Trustees are fully aware of their duties and Limited and RTS (IBC) Limited, whose principal activities are responsibilities to the charity and these are discussed at the the organising and staging of courses, exhibitions and other regular meetings of the Board of Trustees and the Centre Officers. events related to television and broadcasting. The Society’s governing body is the Board of Trustees, which PATRONS AND VICE PRESIDENTS comprises: The Society has appointed a Patron, a President and Vice ◗ The Chair of the Board of Trustees (two-year term, renewable Presidents, who contribute to the Society but without a for a second term); functional role in its governance. The Society is proud that HRH ◗ The Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees (two-year term, The Prince of Wales has been its Royal Patron since 1997. renewable for a second term); The President and Vice Presidents are distinguished figures in ◗ The Honorary Secretary (three-year term, renewable for a the television and wider community, available to add support to further three-year term, and eligible for re-appointment for the Trustees and activities of the Society, though not holding the such number of further terms as the Board of Trustees shall position or responsibilities of a Trustee or engaging in the Society’s consider appropriate); governance. ◗ The Honorary Treasurer (three-year term, renewable for a The range and composition of the Vice Presidents are regularly further three-year term, and eligible for re-appointment for reviewed by the Honorary Secretary and Trustees.

40 RISK MANAGEMENT 3 Financial review The major risks to which the Society is exposed as identified by the Board of Trustees are and will continue to be regularly reviewed and systems have been and will be established, and, RESERVES POLICY where appropriate, professional advisors have been or will be In line with Charity Commission guidance, the Board of Trustees appointed to mitigate those risks. has adopted a formal reserves policy. This recognises that the The RTS keeps a risk register, which is reviewed and updated income of the Society does not arise evenly year on year, or across FINANCE twice a year by the Audit Committee and overseen by the Board each year, and so it is prudent to hold appropriate free reserves to of Trustees. Key risks include: reputation; keeping focus relevant, enable the Society to properly plan its activities. particularly at major conferences; the digital hub; and the current The policy also recognises that the reserves that represent the performance of IBC. fixed assets and the restricted and designated funds of the Society The Audit Committee, chaired by Jane Lighting, meets twice a are not freely available and thus need to be distinguished from year. The committee takes delegated responsibility on behalf of free reserves. the Board of Trustees for ensuring there is a framework of The future structure of television, broadcasting and related accountability for examining and reviewing all systems and audio-visual enterprises remains uncertain, as the ease of digital methods of control, both financial and otherwise. This includes transport and copying, and the proliferation of new delivery risk analysis and risk management, and ensuring that the charity channels and reception devices continues unabated. is complying with all aspects of the law, relevant regulations and The organisations that are currently the Society’s main funders good practice. are being affected in different ways and this may impact on our In 2013, the Audit Committee evaluated the performance of the major sources of revenue. external auditors, Arram Berlyn Gardner, particularly with respect As we implement our strategic plan, we intend to increase to independence in view of the length of time the engagement annual expenditure to enhance our digital media, educational, partner had been in place. youth and regional offerings, during a period in which new The evaluation, which was presented to the March 2014 revenues are yet to emerge. Committee meeting, concluded that the audit process was It is therefore the intention of the Board of Trustees to hold free effective and that Arram Berlyn Gardner had sufficient checks reserves representing no more than four years’ average annual and procedures in place to ensure that it can maintain its expenditure. The Board has taken account of the subsidiaries’ independence and objectivity . reserves when determining this figure. Free reserves exclude In 2014 the Committee reviewed an investment policy (that was designated funds subsequently agreed by the Board of Trustees) to help the Society In 2012 any remaining funds that had previously been get best value from its surplus funds in a period of continuing low designated for projects completed in the year were transferred to interest rates. general reserves. A new fund of £1m was designated from general reserves for the implementation of the strategy plans (the “Transformation Fund”). The balance on the Transformation Fund stood at £0.6m at the end of 2014 (£0.9m in 2013). 2 Objectives and activities Based on the results for the two years ended 31 December 2014, the Society’s reserves policy would stipulate an amount of free The Society’s objects and its principal activity are the advance- reserves of no more than £7.1m. The level of free reserves as at ment of public education in the science, practice, technology and 31 December 2014 was £5.9m and it is the Board of Trustees’ art of television; and the advancement of the arts and culture, in anticipation that free reserves may reduce in the coming years particular by promoting and encouraging the achievement of high as our strategic plans bed in. standards of creativity in television and allied fields. The Board of Trustees reviews the reserves policy and the level The Society seeks to maintain and strengthen its position as the of reserves at least once a year in the light of current and antici- leading impartial platform for delivering these objects through pated levels of income and of the Society’s planned activities. events organised nationally and through its 13 regional Centres. The wider public can access and contribute to the charity’s FUNDING SOURCES activities through its magazine, website and open events. The The principal funding sources during the year continued to be the Trustees meet four times a year to consider the strategy for profits gifted by the charity’s subsidiaries, patron donations and delivering public benefit and specialist committees are membership fees. established to organise events. The charity’s wholly owned subsidiaries, RTS Enterprises Ltd and RTS (IBC) Ltd, gifted profits of £3,132 (2013: £47,749) and ACTIVITIES 2014 £1,200,927 (2013: £1,171,450) respectively. The funds gifted are used In 2014 the Society has produced a large number of events to fulfil by the charity to meet its charitable expenditure. The Trustees are its strategic and charitable objects. Some of the most significant satisfied with the current performance of both subsidiaries, which events are detailed in other parts of this report. The Society is provide sufficient additional funds for the charity to meet its fortunate to be able to call on leading specialists from the charitable objectives. television community and allied fields to work together on Voluntary income remains an invaluable source of income for planning and delivering its programme. the charity. During the year income from patrons was £397,530

41 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

(2013: £335,305) and membership fees received were £168,527, ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS of which £49,837 were deferred at the year end (2013: £121,101). Registered office and principal address INVESTMENT POWERS, POLICY AND PERFORMANCE 3 Dorset Rise Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Society London EC4Y 8EN has the power to make any investment that the Board of Trustees sees fit. Bankers The Board of Trustees approved a new investment policy in the National Westminster Bank plc year and will be appointing one or more investment managers in PO Box 11302 2015 to ensure that a reasonable return is generated on free 332 High Holborn reserves, allied to an acceptable appetite for risk and liquidity London WC1V 7PD considerations. As can be seen from the balance sheet, investments are Solicitors currently held as bank deposits, which ensures that funds are Farrer & Co available when required but produce a limited return. 66 Lincoln’s Inn Fields As at the year-end the group had cash balances of £6,052,264 London WC2A 3LH (2013: £6,410,222) of which £5,886,961 (2013: £6,176,505) was held on deposit, generating interest income of £50,746 (2013: £98,475) Auditors over the course of the year. Arram Berlyn Gardner LLP In the consolidated balance sheet, an investment of £54,000 30 City Road (2013: £54,000) is shown representing an 18% interest in the International Broadcasting Convention. This investment generated London EC1Y 2AB a surplus of £1,200,927 (2013: £1,171,450) during the year, which is included in the funding sources above, and the Board of Trustees Patron is pleased with the continued return on this investment. HRH The Prince of Wales

President 4 Plans for future periods Sir Peter Bazalgette Vice Presidents As noted elsewhere in this Report, the Society will be Dawn Airey implementing its strategic plan over the next three to five years Sir David Attenborough OM CH CVO CBE FRS and enhancing its range of activities. Baroness Floella Benjamin OBE Dame Colette Bowe OBE John Cresswell Mike Darcey 5 Administrative details Greg Dyke Lorraine Heggessey LEGAL DETAILS Ashley Highfield Legal entity Rt Hon Dame Tessa Jowell MP Company limited by guarantee and registered charity David Lynn Sir Trevor McDonald OBE Governing instrument Ken MacQuarrie Memorandum and Articles of Association Trevor Phillips OBE Stewart Purvis CBE Date of incorporation John Smith 12 July 1930 Sir Howard Stringer Mark Thompson Company number 00249462 Chair John Hardie Charity number 313728

42 DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES AUDITORS The Trustees of the charitable company (“the charity”) are its On 1 July 2014 Arram Berlyn Gardner was incorporated as Arram Trustees for the purposes of charity law and throughout this Berlyn Gardner LLP. Arram Berlyn Gardner LLP are deemed to be report are collectively referred to as the Board of Trustees. As set appointed as auditors and will be proposed for reappointment at out in the Articles of Association the Chair of the Board of the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. Trustees is elected by the Board of Trustees for a two-year term. The Trustees serving during the period of the report are as follows: TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and FINANCE Chair of the Board of Trustees the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and John Hardie regulations. Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees statements for each financial year. Under that law the Trustees Tim Davie have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice Honorary Secretary (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). The David Lowen financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Society at the year end and of its Honorary Treasurer incoming resources and resources expended during that year. In Mike Green preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required: ◗ To select suitable accounting policies and then apply them Trustees consistently ◗ Tim Davie (Elected by the Board of Trustees) To make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and Huw Jones (Elected by the centres who represent Scotland, prudent Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland) ◗ To prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis Jane Lighting (Co-opted by the Board of Trustees) unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Society will Graham McWilliam (Elected by the Board of Trustees) continue in business. Simon Pitts (Elected by the Principal Patrons Group) The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting Graeme Thompson (Elected by the centres who represent records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the Centres in England) financial position of the Society and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. Chief Executive They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Theresa Wise Society and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Deputy Chief Executive The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Claire Price (until January 2015) Society’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may Standing Committees of the Board of Trustees differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. Audit Committee Jane Lighting (Chair) STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE TO AUDITOR Tim Davie 1 So far as the Trustees are aware, there is no relevant audit Mike Green information of which the Society’s auditors are unaware, and Huw Jones 2 They have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as Trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit Remuneration Committee information and to establish that the Society’s auditors are aware John Hardie (Chair) of that information. Mike Green David Lowen APPROVAL This Report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 19 March Executive Management Group 2015 and signed on its behalf by: John Hardie (Chair) Mike Green John Hardie David Lowen Chair of the Board of Trustees Simon Pitts Claire Price (until December 2014) Graham McWilliam Theresa Wise

43 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

Consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2014

Independent auditors’ report to the Members of the RTS

We have audited the financial statements of Royal Television identify any information that is apparently materially incorrect Society for the year ended 31 December 2014, which comprise the based on, or materially inconsistent with, the knowledge acquired Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities/Income and by us in the course of performing the audit. If we become aware Expenditure Account, the Group and Charity’s Balance Sheet and of any apparent material misstatements or inconsistencies we the related notes. The financial statements framework that has consider the implications for our report. been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally OPINION ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion the financial statements: This report is made solely to the charity’s Members, as a body, ◗ Give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and the in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of The Companies Act parent charitable company’s affairs as at 31 December 2014 and 2006 and to the charity’s Trustees, as a body, in accordance with of the group’s incoming resources and application of resources, Section 151 of the Charities Act 2011, and the regulations made including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended; under Section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been ◗ Have been properly prepared in accordance with United undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s Members those Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and ◗ The financial statements have been properly prepared in for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Act 2011. charity and the charity’s Members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. OPINION ON OTHER MATTERS PRESCRIBED BY THE COMPANIES ACT 2006 RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES AND In our opinion the information given in the Trustees’ Annual AUDITORS Report for the financial year for which the financial statements As explained more fully in the Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement are prepared is consistent with the financial statements. set out on page 43, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for EXCEPTION being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters We have been appointed auditor under the Companies Act 2006 where the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011 and Section 151 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: with those Acts. Our responsibility is to audit and express an ◗ The parent charitable company has not kept adequate and opinion on the financial statements in accordance with applicable sufficient accounting records, or returns adequate for our audit law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). have not been received from branches not visited by us; or Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices ◗ The parent charitable company financial statements are not in Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors. agreement with the accounting records and returns; or ◗ Certain disclosures of Trustees’ remuneration specified by law SCOPE OF THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS are not made; or An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and ◗ We have not received all the information and explanations we disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give require for our audit; or reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from ◗ The Trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This statements in accordance with the small companies regime and includes an assessment of: whether the accounting policies are take advantage of the small companies exemption in preparing appropriate to the charitable company’s circumstances and have the Trustees’ Annual Report. consistently been applied and adequately disclosed; the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by the Paul Berlyn (Senior Statutory Auditor) Date: 2 April 2015 trustees; and the overall presentation of the financial statements. For and on behalf of In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial Arram Berlyn Gardner LLP information in the Trustees’ Annual Report to identify material Chartered Accountants 30 City Road, inconsistencies with the audited financial statements and to Statutory Auditor London EC1Y 2AB

44 Consolidated statement of financial activities (SOFA)/ income and expenditure account for the year ended 31 December 2014 FINANCE Notes 2014 2014 2014 2013 Restricted Unrestricted Total Total

£ £ £ £ Incoming resources Incoming resources from generated funds: Voluntary income 3 – 516,220 516,220 456,406 Activities for generating funds 10 – 1,835,837 1,835,837 2,029,340 Investment income 4 706 50,040 50,746 98,475

Incoming resources from charitable activities: Events, conferences and awards 5 – 312,732 312,732 259,085 Subscriptions and sponsorship 5 – 14,675 14,675 7,283

Total incoming resources 706 2,729,504 2,730,210 2,850,589 Resources expended Costs of generating funds: Fundraising costs of generating voluntary income 6 – 186,847 186,847 125,744 Fundraising trading; cost of goods sold and other costs 6 – 909,408 909,408 941,846

Charitable activities: Events, conferences and awards 6 3,150 1,641,307 1,644,457 1,245,261 Magazine publications 6 – 197,169 197,169 183,072

Governance costs 6 – 44,489 44,489 48,117

Total resources expended 3,150 2,979,220 2,982,370 2,544,040

Net incoming (outgoing) resources before transfers (2,444) (249,716) (252,160) 306,549 Gross transfers between funds – – – –

Net movements in funds (2,444) (249,716) (252,160) 306,549 Total funds brought forward 97,933 6,780,457 6,878,390 6,571,841

Total Funds carried forward 13,14 95,489 6,530,741 6,626,230 6,878,390

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities. The notes on pages 48 to 54 form part of these financial statements.

45 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

Consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 2014

Notes 2014 2013

£ £ £ £

Fixed assets Tangible assets 9 103,861 124,606 Investments 10 54,080 54,018

157,941 178,624 Current assets Debtors 11 1,030,196 800,529 Cash at bank and in hand 6,052,264 6,410,222

7,082,460 7,210,751 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 12 (614,171) (510,985)

Net current assets 6,468,289 6,699,766

Net assets 6,626,230 6,878,390

Funds Restricted Memorial funds 13 95,489 97,933

Unrestricted General fund 14 5,927,952 5,848,444

Designated Transformation Fund 14 602,789 932,013

Funds 15 6,626,230 6,878,390

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 19 March 2015 and signed on its behalf by John Hardie, Chair of the Board of Trustees

Company Registration Number: 00249462

The notes on pages 48 to 54 form part of these financial statements.

46 Society balance sheet as at 31 December 2014

Notes 2014 2013 FINANCE

£ £ £ £

Fixed assets Tangible assets 9 103,861 124,606 Investments 10 4 4

103,865 124,610 Current assets Debtors 11 902,831 738,072 Cash at bank and in hand 6,018,095 6,303,792

6,920,926 7,041,864 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 12 (398,561) (288,084)

Net current assets 6,522,365 6,753,780

Net assets 6,626,230 6,878,390

Funds Restricted Memorial funds 13 95,489 97,933

Unrestricted General fund 14 5,927,952 5,848,444

Designated Transformation fund 14 602,789 932,013

Funds 15 6,626,230 6,878,390

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 19 March 2015 and signed on its behalf by John Hardie, Chair of the Board of Trustees

Company Registration Number: 00249462

The notes on pages 48 to 54 form part of these financial statements.

47 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2014

the charity and its assets and are primarily associated with 1 Accounting Policies constitutional and statutory requirements. ◗ Support costs, which include central office functions, have been 1.1 ACCOUNTING CONVENTION allocated across the categories of charitable expenditure, The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost governance costs and the costs of generating funds. The basis of convention and in accordance with applicable accounting stand- the cost allocation has been explained in the notes to the accounts. ards. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and 1.5 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS AND DEPRECIATION Reporting by Charities (SORP 2005) issued in March 2005, applicable Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. UK Accounting Standards and the Companies Act 2006. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost The Society has taken advantage of the exemption in Financial less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful Reporting Standard No 1 from the requirement to produce a cash life, as follows: flow statement on the grounds that it is a small group. Leasehold improvements: 1.2 GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Straight line over the life of the lease These financial statements consolidate the results of the Society, Computer equipment: its centres and its wholly owned trading subsidiaries, RTS Enterpris- Three years straight line es Limited and RTS (IBC) Limited, on a line-by-line basis. Fixtures, fittings and equipment: A separate Statement of Financial Activities and Income and Five years straight line Expenditure account are not presented for the charity itself following the exemptions permitted by section 408 of the 1.6 INVESTMENTS Companies Act 2006 and paragraph 397 of the SORP. The total Fixed asset investments are stated at cost in accordance with incoming resources for the charity for the year ended 31 Decem- paragraph 297(b) of the SORP 2005. ber 2014 were £2,200,706 (2013: £2,184,312) with the negative net movements in funds being £252,160 (2013 positive net movement: 1.7 CENTRES £306,549). Centres’ income and expenditure is recognised in the period in which the group is entitled to receipt and the amount can be 1.3 INCOMING RESOURCES measured with reasonable certainty. Income is deferred only when Voluntary income is recognised upon receipt and is deferred only the Society has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it. when the Society has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it (such as the service or benefit being provided) or when the 1.8 FUNDS ACCOUNTING donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future Funds held by the Society are: period. No amounts are included in the financial statements for Unrestricted general funds – these are funds that can be used in services donated by volunteers. accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the Income from trading activities is recognised as earned (as the Board of Trustees. related goods and services are provided). Designated funds – these are funds set aside by the Board of Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis. Trustees out of unrestricted general funds for specific future purposes or projects. 1.4 RESOURCES EXPENDED Restricted funds – these are funds that can only be used for Expenditure is recognised in the period in which it is incurred. A particular restricted purposes within the objects of the Society. designated fund is established for expenditure, which has been Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are committed to projects, but remains unspent at the year-end. raised for particular restricted purposes. ◗ Costs of generating funds are those costs incurred in attracting Further explanations of the nature and purpose of each fund is voluntary income, and those incurred in trading activities that included in the notes to the accounts. raise funds. ◗ Costs of charitable activities comprise all expenditure identified 1.9 FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION as wholly or mainly attributable to achieving the charitable Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies objectives of the charity. These costs include staff costs, wholly are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the or mainly attributable support costs and an apportionment of balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are general overheads. recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction. All ◗ Governance costs include those incurred in the governance of differences are taken to the income and expenditure account.

48 2 Surplus for the year 3 Voluntary income

Surplus/(deficit) for the year is stated after charging: 2014 2013

2014 2013 £ £ FINANCE £ £ Patrons 397,530 335,305 Group Members 118,690 121,101 Depreciation of tangible assets 34,919 31,646 Auditors’ remuneration 516,220 456,406 Audit 20,500 20,065 Non audit 5,200 13,490 Membership income received in the year amounted to £168,527 and the sum of £49,837 has been deferred at the year-end Society in accordance with the Society’s accounting policies. Depreciation of tangible assets 34,919 31,646 Auditors’ remuneration Audit 12,750 12,050 Non audit 5,200 13,490 5 Incoming resources from charitable activities 4 Investment income The income was primarily from the Royal Television Society’s and interest charitable activities 2014 2013

2014 2013 £ £

£ £ Events, conferences and awards 312,732 259,085 Bank interest receivable 50,746 98,475 Magazine sales and other 14,675 7,283

Total 327,407 266,368

6 Total resources expended

Direct Support 2014 2013 costs costs total total

Costs of generating funds: £ £ £ £ Fundraising costs of generating voluntary income – 186,847 186,847 125,744 Fundraising trading; cost of goods sold and other costs 516,308 393,100 909,408 941,846

516,308 579,947 1,096,255 1,067,590

Charitable activites: Events, conferences and awards 613,833 1,030,624 1,644,457 1,245,261 Magazine publications 197,169 - 197,169 183,072

811,002 1,030,624 1,841,626 1,428,333

Governance costs 13,177 31,312 44,489 48,117

Total resources expended 1,340,487 1,641,883 2,982,370 2,544,040

49 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

7 Allocation of support costs

The charity allocates its support costs as shown in the table below.

Cost of Charitable Governance generating funds activities costs Total

£ £ £ £ Support costs Management and other costs 53,633 107,634 5,795 167,062 Premises costs 90,426 135,639 - 226,065 Employee costs 260,006 474,526 - 734,532 Finance, legal and professional and IT costs 175,882 312,825 25,517 514,224

579,947 1,030,624 31,312 1,641,883

Support costs included within expenditure in the SOFA have been allocated on the basis of salary percentage or on the proportion of floor area occupied by the activity. The cost allocation includes an area of judgement and the charity has had to consider the cost benefit of detailed workings and record keeping. Included in the above within finance, legal and professional and IT costs are transformation expenses of £329,224, of which the sum of £131,690 has been allocated to the cost of generating funds and the sum of £197,534 has been allocated to charitable activities.

8 Taxation

The company is a registered charity and no provision is considered necessary for taxation. In the accounts of RTS Enterprises Limited there was no tax charge (2013: £nil) and for RTS (IBC) Limited there was a tax charge of £5,716 (2013: £11,367). The group tax charge has been included within direct governance costs in note 6.

9 Tangible assets

Land and buildings Fixtures, leasehold fittings and (short) equipment Total

£ £ £ Group and Society Cost At 1 January 2014 118,665 171,006 289,671 Additions - 15,021 15,021 Disposals - (8,270) (8,270)

At 31 December 2014 118,665 177,757 296,422

Depreciation At 1 January 2014 22,466 142,599 165,065 Charge for year 12,023 22,896 34,919 Disposals - (7,423) (7,423)

At 31 December 2014 34,489 158,072 192,561

Net Book Values At 31 December 2014 84,176 19,685 103,861

At 31 December 2013 96,199 28,407 124,606

50 10 Fixed Asset Investments

Group Society

2014 2013 2014 2013

£ £ £ £ FINANCE

Shares in subsidiary undertakings – – 4 4 Other unlisted investments (at cost) 80 18 – – Other investments 54,000 54,000 – –

54,080 54,018 4 4

All the fixed asset investments are held in the UK. The Board of Trustees considers it appropriate to state the fixed asset investments at cost. At 31 December 2014, the Society owned all of the ordinary share capital of RTS Enterprises Limited and RTS (IBC) Limited, which organise and stage courses, exhibitions and other events related to the television industry. At 31 December 2014, the aggregate amount of these companies’ assets, liabilities, share capital and reserves was:

RTS Enterprises Limited RTS (IBC) Limited

2014 2013 2014 2013

£ £ £ £

Total Assets 344,803 362,366 563,825 524,819 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (344,801) (362,364) (563,823) (524,817) 2 2 2 2 Represented by: Share capital and reserves 2 2 2 2

As at the year-end £184,705 (2013: £188,995) of incoming resources had been deferred in the accounts of RTS Enterprises Limited, with £188,995 (2013: £86,995) being released to the profit and loss account. RTS Enterprises Limited and RTS (IBC) Limited pay their profits to the charity by a deed of covenant. A summary of the trading results of each subsidiary is shown below:

RTS Enterprises RTS Limited (IBC) Limited Total 2014 2014 2014 2013

£ £ £ £

Turnover 617,644 1,218,193 1,835,837 2,029,340 Cost of sales (514,810) - (514,810) (643,911)

Gross profit 102,834 1,218,193 1,321,027 1,385,429 Administration expenses (101,958) (10,419) (112,377) (155,749)

Operating profit 876 1,207,774 1,208,650 1,229,680 Other interest receivable and similar income 2,256 759 3,015 2,776 Interest payable - (1,890) (1,890) (1,890) Taxation - (5,716) (5,716) (11,367)

Profit on ordinary activities after taxation 3,132 1,200,927 1,204,059 1,219,199 Payment under deed of covenant (3,132) (1,200,927) (1,204,059) (1,219,199)

Retained profit for the year – – – –

51 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

11 Debtors

Group Society

2014 2013 2014 2013

£ £ £ £

Trade debtors 258,548 200,249 18,920 19,000 Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings - - 60,078 82,479 Other debtors 771,648 600,280 823,833 636,593

1,030,196 800,529 902,831 738,072

12 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Group Society

2014 2013 2014 2013

£ £ £ £

Trade creditors 123,371 93,528 105,782 78,549 Taxes and social security costs 28,824 41,618 23,108 30,251 Other creditors 201,355 157,773 193,755 150,213 Deferred income 260,621 218,066 75,916 29,071

614,171 510,985 398,561 288,084

13 Restricted Funds

London Awards Shiers Memorial Beresford-Cooke Fund Fund Fund Total

Group and Society £ £ £ £

At 1 January 2014 3,373 64,228 30,332 97,933 Interest received - 480 226 706 Expenditure - (2,040) (1,110) (3,150)

At 31 December 2014 3,373 62,668 29,448 95,489

The Society received a bequest from the estate of the late Mrs F Shiers to establish the George and May F Shiers Memorial Fund. The income of the fund that is under the control of the Society’s Board of Trustees is to be devoted to the study, collection and presentation of material concerning the history of television.

The Society received a bequest from the estate of the late Mrs Beresford-Cooke to establish the RTS Young Television Engineer Award. The income of the fund is under the control of the Society’s Board of Trustees and is to be used to assist the recipient of the Award to attend the IBC Conference in Amsterdam.

The London Awards Fund has been set up so as to recognise excellence in a young technologist.

52 14 Unrestricted funds

General Transformation Fund Fund Total

£ £ £ FINANCE At 1 January 2014 5,848,444 932,013 6,780,457 Expenditure 329,224 (329,224) - Transfer of Funds - - - Surplus for the year (249,716) - (249,716)

At 31 December 2014 5,927,952 602,789 6,530,741

The Transformation Fund represents the amount committed by the Board of Trustees to implement various initiatives arising from the strategic review undertaken in 2012.

15 Reconciliation of movement in funds £ Group and Society Deficit for the year (252,160) Funds at 1 January 2014 6,878,390

Funds at 31 December 2014 6,626,230

16 Analysis of net assets between funds

Fund balances at 31 December 2014 are represented by:

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Funds Funds

£ £ £

Tangible fixed assets 103,861 - 103,861 Investments 54,080 - 54,080 Net current assets 6,372,800 95,489 6,468,289

Total net assets 6,530,741 95,489 6,626,230

17 Liability of members

The Society is limited by guarantee without any share capital. In the event of the Society being wound up, each member is liable to contribute for the payment of the debts and liabilities of the Society such amount as may be required, but not exceeding £1.

53 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

18 Employees 19 Financial commitments

The average number of employees of the Group during the year As at 31 December 2014, the Society had annual commitments was as follows: under non-cancellable operating leases which expire as follows:

2014 2013 2014 2013

£ £ Management and other 2 2 Expiry date: Membership 1 1 Events and conferences 6 6 Within one year - 13,334 Finance and IT 2 2 Two to five years 140,998 140,998

11 11

2014 2013 20 Related party transactions £ £ Employment Costs During the year the Society entered into a contract with M True Wages and salaries 638,181 568,756 Consulting Ltd for the services of Mike True to provide Pro- Social security costs 62,824 58,158 gramme Management support for the development of its new Other pension costs 29,163 30,216 digital platform and online presence. Mike True is the partner of Theresa Wise, CEO of the RTS. 730,168 657,130 Before contracting with Mike True, the day rates of other providers were market tested. In the opinion of the Trustees the day rate agreed provides good value for money when The number of employees who received emoluments in excess compared to practitioners with similar levels of experience. The of £60,000 was as follows: Trustees were also involved in agreeing the contract and are involved on an ongoing basis in receiving progress reports and 2014 2013 approving payments. The total amount charged by M True Consulting Ltd to the Society in the financial year was £41,541 (2013: £nil), with £100,001–£110,000 1 1 £3,720 (2013: £nil) remaining unpaid and included in creditors at £150,001–£160,000 - 1 the balance sheet date. £190,001–£200,000 1 -

The comparative figure for the highest paid employee is for a period of ten months only. The total contributions in the year to money purchase pen- sion schemes for higher paid employees were £20,846 (2013: £20,791). The number of higher-paid employees to whom retirement benefits are accruing under such schemes is 2 (2013: 2). No members of the Board of Trustees received any remuner- ation in the year. Certain members of the Board of Trustees are reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred by them in carry- ing out their duties for the Society. The total expenses incurred by the trustees during the year was £3,269 (2013: £1,335).

54 NOTICE OF AGM

Royal Television Society

Annual AGM General Meeting 2015

19 May 2015, 6:00pm Board Room, RTS, 3 Dorset Rise, London EC4Y 8EN

55 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014 Agenda for AGM: 19 May 2015

The 86th Annual General Meeting of the Royal Television Society will be AGENDA held on Tuesday 19 May 2015 at: 1 To approve the Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting The Royal Television Society held on 20 May 2014. 3 Dorset Rise 2 To approve the 2014 Annual Report. London EC4Y 8EN 3 To receive the Financial Statements for the year ended at 6:00pm. 31 December 2014. 4 To appoint Arram Berlyn Gardner LLP as auditors for 2015/2016 VOTING BY PROXY and to authorise the Board of Trustees to fix their remuneration. Under Article 24, members of the Society are empowered to appoint a 5 Any other business. proxy to attend and vote at the AGM. The completed proxy form, on page 49, AGM should reach Head Office no less than 48 hours before the meeting.

56 Form of proxy

If you wish to I, ...... appoint another member please of ...... insert the name of your proxy here. being a member of the above named Society and entitled to vote hereby appoint You may delete reference to the ...... , ­Honorary Treasurer and or, failing him, the Honorary Treasurer, or, failing him, the Chair of the meeting, as my proxy to vote for me and on my Chair. Initial the behalf at the AGM of the Society to be held on 19 May 2015 at 6:00pm and at any adjournment thereof. In respect of the AGM alteration resolutions referred to in the Notice of the Meeting, I desire my proxy to vote as indicated:

For Against Abstain Please insert ‘x’ in 1.0 Approve minutes of the previous meeting held on the appropriate 20 May 2014: box if you wish to instruct your proxy on how to vote 2.0 Approve the 2014 Annual Report:

3.0 To receive and adopt Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2014:

4.0 To appoint Arram Berlyn Gardner LLP as auditors for 2015/16 and to authorise­ the Board of Trustees to fix their remuneration:

(If this form is signed without any indication as to how the proxy shall vote, the proxy will exercise his or her discretion both as to how he or she votes or abstains from voting)

Signature ...... Date ......

Form of proxy 1 Under Article 24, members of the Society are empowered to vote at the AGM by proxy. To be valid, this notes form of proxy must be deposited at the Royal Television Society, 3 Dorset Rise, London EC4Y 8EN not less than 48 hours before the meeting. 2 The proxy, who must be a member of the Society, must attend the meeting in person to ­represent you. 3 Unless otherwise directed, the proxy will vote or abstain as he or she sees fit.

57 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

Minutes of AGM 2014

Minutes of the 85th Annual General re-engage with students, add substantially Cambridge year, with a surplus of £306,000, Meeting of the Royal Television Society, to the value proposition, develop an compared with £157,000 in 2012. held on Tuesday 20 May 2014 at The effective digital hub and provide better Income in 2013 had increased by Hospital Club, 24 Endell Street, London communication between London and the £398,000 to £2,850,000 due to: increased WC2H 9HQ heartlands. She would report on progress Patron participation; the effect of the so far under Any Other Business. enhanced membership proposition; the Present John Hardie said he had been proud to Cambridge Convention; and IBC income John Hardie, Chair, Board of Trustees (in attend the Cambridge Convention, being the best ever – again. the chair); Jim Bartlett; Paul Berlyn organised by Channel 4 and chaired by Interest income reduced, year on year, (auditor, Arram Berlyn Gardner); Sanya David Abraham. due to the maturing of fixed-term charity AGM Burgess, Digital Editor; Keith Clement; The Annual Report covered some of the bonds. The Trustees were looking at Charles Byrne; Mike Green, Honorary very good awards and events held during alternative ways of investing surplus funds. Treasurer; Maggie Greenhalgh Centres’ the year, both nationally and in the In 2013, costs had increased by £249,000 Co-ordinator; David Lowen, Honorary centres, which were going from strength to to £2,544,000, mainly due to the costs of the Secretary; Arthur Pigott; Claire Price, strength. transformation strategy and IT systems. . Deputy Chief Executive; Jim Spring; and The RTS Futures strand, aimed at a The balance sheet remained strong. Theresa Wise, Chief Executive; younger generation, continued to flourish, Reserves were £6,878,000 at the end of the with events such as “From runner to super- year, compared with £6,572,000 at the John Hardie welcomed everyone to the star” and “How to get a job a job in TV”. beginning of 2013, mainly in cash. 85th Annual General Meeting of the Royal The early-evening events had attracted Reserves included £932,000 designated as Television Society. He noted that the stellar speakers, including Jeremy Darroch, the Transformation Fund – it was planned meeting was small but perfectly formed Adam Crozier and Danny Cohen, the that more than half of this would be used and just quorate. There were no apologies. BBC’s new Director of Television. by the end of 2014. “Broadchurch: anatomy of a hit” was one Keith Clement referred to page 37 and 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE of several sell-out events. asked about the £941,000 against PREVIOUS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING “Spectrum wars” was the subject of the resources expended – fundraising trading. HELD ON 23 MAY 2013 November public meeting of the RTS All Mike Green referred him to Page 41, The Minutes of the Annual General Party Parliamentary Group. Note 6, and said that this was the major, Meeting 2013 were approved unanimously. The Prince of Wales launched a new direct cost of holding the events. An There was one proxy vote in favour. initiative, RTS Undergraduate Bursaries, increase of £250,000 from the previous Proposed: Mike Green at the RTS Craft Skills Masterclasses in year was due to Cambridge. He reminded Seconded: Charles Byrne October. Twenty bursaries would be the meeting of the two-year financial cycle awarded in the next few weeks to students – the costs increased, as did the surplus. MATTERS ARISING: from low-income households. Keith Clement asked if the Cambridge Jim Bartlett asked if the minutes could be John Hardie thanked all the volunteers profit was visible in the accounts. If this published a little sooner rather than one both nationally and locally and also the was excessive, then perhaps ticket prices year after the meeting. head office staff. Caroline Thompson had were too high. Mike Green said these were David Lowen said it was normal retired from the Board of Trustees and he not management accounts and the level of company practice to publish the minutes thanked her work for the Society. disclosure was as required by Charity in the Annual Report. The 2013 Annual Report was approved accounting rules. The surplus on each John Hardie said the Trustees would take unanimously. There was one proxy vote in event was available, but not published. the issue away and examine the possibility favour. John Hardie said he was reluctant to of circulating the draft minutes earlier to Proposed: Jim Bartlett start regarding individual events as profit those who had attended the AGM. Seconded: Arthur Piggott centres and to start disclosing details without a great deal of discussion with the 2 APPROVAL OF THE 2013 ANNUAL 3 FINANCIAL REPORT, BALANCE SHEET Trustees. The surplus from Cambridge REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED enabled the Society to hold other charitable The 2013 Annual Report was introduced 31 DECEMBER 2013 events. If there was a lower ticket price, it with a short video. John Hardie mentioned Mike Green reminded members of the would expose the other events. He was a few of his highlights. Society’s two-year financial cycle – the willing to take this to the Trustees, if there Theresa Wise had joined as Chief Cambridge Convention in the odd years, were strong feelings at the meeting. Executive in March 2013 with a mission to the London Conference in the even. Theresa Wise said that, thanks to implement a five-year strategic plan for Income in the odd years was greater than sponsorship, the Society did make a the Society to: broaden participation, in the even. This year, 2013, had been a surplus on Cambridge, but nearly all of the

58 remaining events make a loss. Most of the the Board of Trustees authorised to fix its would take a long time. The website would grass-roots events did not generate a remuneration. begin to take shape this year, but it would surplus. It was important that they were Proposed by: David Lowen be a 20-month project. all taken together. Seconded by: Mike Green Mike Green pointed out that the trading 2. Membership proposition Membership surplus for RTS Enterprises was £47,000 5 ANY OTHER BUSINESS had increased by 600 to 2,100 since the on a turnover of £844,000. CEO report announcement of the deal with The Keith Clement said he took the point, Theresa Wise said the RTS had: a trusted Hospital Club. The Trustees were working but said he was uneasy: the Society needed brand, characterised by longevity and towards 2,750 by the end of 2014 and to be careful not to be seen as being for rich quality; a strong financial position, giving 5,000 in three years’ time. There were 500 AGM people and always interested in making a it the ability to change without financial student members, and the Society was profit. pressure; amazing senior partnership working on a student proposition. David Lowen reminded the meeting relationships; and a dedicated volunteer Theresa Wise was also exploring other that tickets for Cambridge and the national base in the nations and regions. deals for members, such as the 25% off awards were made available to the Centres. The growth strategy had been put in Broadcast magazine subscriptions and the Keith Clement asked if the arrangement place to address declining membership AA offer, and also a regional benefits with The Hospital Club involved a cost to and the lack of an appealing membership proposition. the Society. He thought it was a terrific proposition. The membership base was idea, but if it came at a huge cost, was it now stronger and growing. 3. Education – connecting with the worth it? In addition, the Society had seemed to young The Royal Patron had launched Mike Green said the decision had been lack relevance to some of its major the RTS Undergraduate Bursaries at the taken because the Society wanted to Patrons, it lacked a powerful digital RTS Craft Skills Masterclasses. The Society increase membership, and the hope was presence, and there were tensions had increasingly been receiving feedback that, in the long term, arrangement would between head office and the nations and about shortages in TV craft skills; and pay for itself. It was a small loss leader at regions. There was also a perception that the large number of film and television present and the Trustees would revisit it in the RTS should possess a club where productions coming to the UK had created a year or two to assess the results. They members could meet. a huge demand. The next masterclasses were also looking at similar arrangements As an educational charity, the RTS would cover programme production. outside London. lacked consistency in undertaking The RTS was partnering with Patrons John Hardie said the decision had been activities that could help connect with for other bursaries aimed at less affluent taken in the context of a six-year young people with an interest in our students. The Society was working with membership decline. The only value to industries. the BBC Academy and Creative Skillset on membership had been Television magazine, The Board of Trustees had, therefore, a career shadowing project and on other so the Trustees had decided not to approved 15 strategic initiatives to initiatives with Sky, Bafta and NFTS. subscribe to Gift Aid and, instead, use the transform the Society’s impact on its Ninety students had applied for the 20 Society’s buying power to provide benefits communities while preserving the places on the RTS Undergraduate to its members. The costs were relatively integrity and trust of its core values. They Bursaries scheme – the expectation was low because of who we were and the kind had started to implement these in March that there would be more than 100 before of people that the RTS would bring in. The 2013. It was not possible to tackle all 15 at entries closed at the end of May. The Hospital Club had already contributed to once, so they were leading on eight of Society was organising a “Faculty Day”, membership growth and satisfaction, and them. These were: aimed at making faculty better informed several events had been held here. The about the range of jobs available in the Trustees would take a judgement in a 1. Digital hub This would take the longest television industries and, particularly, year’s time to assess if it had been the time to implement, but it was important to about the skills most in demand. right thing to do. get the Society’s face to the world, its back The Financial Report was accepted office support system and its technological 4. New Patrons McKinsey & Company, unanimously. There was one proxy vote underpinning right. There were 17 sets Discovery Communications, Turner cast in favour. of requirements. A start had been made Broadcasting System, Virgin Media, Proposed: David Lowen with a different design for the home page. Liberty Global, Accenture, Lumina Search Seconded: Charles Byrne Theresa Wise introduced the new Digital and YouView had become Patrons. The Editor, Sanya Burgess. Society was embracing issues around new 4 APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS The new design was an opportunity to technology and making a big effort to Arram Berlyn Gardner was appointed refresh the brand. Theresa Wise stressed target potential patrons, both at a UK level unanimously as auditors for 20014/15 and that the digital hub was important and and in the nations and regions.

59 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 20132014

Minutes of the AGM 2014

There would be at least two Patron events magazine was being planned, and there courses that qualified for RTS Undergrad- per year. The RTS should be a place where would also be an RTS Futures summer uate Bursaries. David Lowen said they everyone could build informal relationships. party. were available to students on all Creative Skillset-accredited courses – there was a 5. Nations and Regions 7. Public Lectures list on the website. The RTS intended to provide a lot more As the technical side of broadcasting was Charles Byrne congratulated Theresa on support for the nations and regions and so wide, with many specialisms, the Soci- the volume of work she and the team had more contact with head office for centres. A ety had decided to team up with organisa- achieved in the past year. John Hardie PR company, Hobnob, had been appointed tions that covered such areas. The asked that this be minuted. and was expected to be a great benefit in inaugural RTS/IET Public Lecture was held Keith Clement said he thought the AGM this regard, as would the digital hub. in May at the Royal Society with Dr Mike CEO’s email newsletter was excellent. Theresa Wise planned to visit each Lynch. It was a great success and had been Jim Bartlett said he had been concerned centre at least once a year and was looking videoed and was available for download. by Theresa Wise’s criticism of the website forward to attending the first Scotland More lectures were planned. at the last AGM and would have welcomed Awards in June. a chance to see the minutes before they Efforts were being made to reintegrate 8. Television magazine appeared in the Annual Report. Theresa the East Anglia Centre into the Society. Work had been done on modernising the Wise said this had not been a reflection on David Lowen said he hoped that East Anglia design and on digitising the content for the regional contributions. would hold its first event in the coming year. online searches. The same designer had Jim Bartlett said it was great pity more worked on the Annual Report. The maga- people hadn’t attended the AGM. John 6. Partnerships with organisations zine was available on subscription. Hardie agreed – it was not satisfactory. During the year, the RTS had formed part- Charles Byrne suggested that the AGM nerships with Creative Skillset, the BBC John Hardie thanked Theresa Wise and could be scheduled with another event. Academy, the Institution of Engineering invited questions on her presentation. As there was no other business, John and Technology, The Hospital Club, Sky and Keith Clement asked if there was a list Hardie thanked everyone for attending IBC. A joint diversity event with Broadcast on the Society’s website of the college and closed the meeting at 7:00pm.

60 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2013

Picture credits

All pictures by Paul Hampartsoumian except:

Page 7: 1, 9, 11, 13, 14 and 15 by Richard Kendal; and 10 STV Page 13: 1, 3, 5, 8 and 11 by Richard Kendal Page 23: Richard Kendal Page 25: Both by Richard Kendal Page 29: IBC Page 35: Vikings: MGM Page 37: Howard Lucas AGM Page 38: Main picture: Paul Harness

61 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY REPORT 2014

Who’s who at the RTS

PATRON BOARD OF TRUSTEES HRH The Prince of Wales John Hardie (Chair) Tim Davie PRESIDENT Mike Green Sir Peter Bazalgette David Lowen Huw Jones VICE PRESIDENTS Jane Lighting Dawn Airey Graham McWilliam Sir David Attenborough OM CH CVO CBE FRS Simon Pitts Baroness Floella Benjamin OBE Graeme Thompson Dame Colette Bowe OBE John Cresswell CENTRES’ COUNCIL Mike Darcey Lynn Barlow – Chair, Bristol Centre (from July 2014) Greg Dyke Andy Batten-Foster – Chair, Bristol Centre (until July 2014) Lorraine Heggessey Mike Best – Chair, Yorkshire Centre Ashley Highfield Charles Byrne – Chair, Republic of Ireland Centre Rt Hon Dame Tessa Jowell MP Isabel Clarke – Chair, Midlands Centre David Lynn Alex Connock – Chair, North West Centre Sir Trevor McDonald OBE Gordon Cooper – Chair, Southern Centre Ken MacQuarrie Jennie Evans – Chair, Thames Valley Centre until March 2014) Trevor Phillips OBE Tim Hartley – Chair, Wales Centre Stewart Purvis CBE Kristin Mason – Chair, London Centre John Smith Graeme Thompson – Chair, North East and the Border Centre Sir Howard Stringer Penny Westlake – Chair, Thames Valley Centre (from Mark Thompson March 2014) James Wilson – Chair, Scotland Centre OFFICERS Michael Wilson – Chair, Northern Ireland Centre Chair John Hardie

Vice Chair Tim Davie

Honorary Secretary David Lowen

Honorary Treasurer Mike Green

62 COMMITTEE CHAIRS HEAD OFFICE Archives Advisory Group Chief Executive Theresa Wise Steve Bryant (from November 2014) Deputy Chief Executive Claire Price (until January 2015) Personal Assistant/Office ManagerElaine Berg Awards Policy and Fellowship Accountant Breda O’Donoghue David Lowen Assistant Accountant Angela Sacre Receptionist Lucy Evans (maternity leave from June 2014) Craft & Design Awards Archivist Clare Colvin (part-time) Nigel Pickard (to June 2014) Centre Liaison Maggie Greenhalgh (part-time) Cheryl Taylor (from June 2014) Events Diversity Events Manager Lindsey Cran (until October 2014) Marcus Ryder Events Manager Jo Mitchell Events Organiser Jamie O’Neill Early Evening Events Assistant Events Coordinator Callum Stott Dan Brooke Membership Education Committee Membership Services Manager Ken Mackenzie Graeme Thompson (from May 2014) Membership Services Assistant Lewis Butcher History Advisory Group (from October 2014) Don McLean (from April 2014) Publications IBC Conference Liaison Television Editor Steve Clarke (freelance) Terry Marsh Television production and design Gordon Jamieson (freelance) Programme Awards Editorial Adviser Sue Robertson (freelance) David Liddiment Digital hub RTS Futures Digital Editor Sanya Burgess (freelance, from April until Camilla Lewis December 2014) Digital Editor Tim Dickens (freelance, from November 2014) RTS Legends Intern Rebecca Stewart (from June 2014) Paul Jackson Intern Pippa Shawley (from August 2014) Intern Alastair Ballantyne (from November 2014) Student Television Awards Patrick Younge (until June 2014) A company limited by guarantee. Stuart Murphy (from June 2014) Registered in London 249462 Registered charity 313728 Television Journalism Awards Founded 1927 Stewart Purvis CBE

63 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY

3 Dorset Rise, London EC4Y 8EN Tel: 020 7822 2810 [email protected] www.rts.org.uk