January 2019 Keep dancing Apply now for the 2019 Shiers Trust Award The Trust can make a grant of up to £4,000 towards publishing work on any aspect of TV history Grants will be given to assist in the completion of new or unfinished projects, work or literature specific to the objectives of the Trust. ‘Literature’ is defined as including audio-visual media such as DVDs and websites. It is essential that applicants read all the conditions and criteria, which can be found online at the address below. George Shiers, a distinguished US television historian, was a Do you need long- standing member of the RTS. The Shiers Trust grant is now in its 19th year. Application procedure £4,000 Applications are now invited and should be submitted to the Trus- tees by Friday 29 March 2019 on for a history of the official application form. www.rts.org.uk/ shiers-trust-award television project? 8 Journal of The Royal Television Society January 2019 l Volume 56/1 From the CEO As 2019 begins, I’d like decision to locate its new out- A massive thanks to them and to our to thank everyone of-London headquarters there. peerless host, Damian Collins MP, who has helped make I was thrilled that Michael Grade chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and the past year such could be a panel member at our Sport Committee. Full reports of both a stand-out one for December early-evening event, “A TV evenings are in this issue. the RTS. The Society Christmas Carol”. Michael’s revealing January’s cover story by Pippa could not do all the anecdotes came thick and fast. He Shawley is a timely piece on the rise great things it does without our tre- recounted how he’d helped shape and rise of the dance genre on TV. mendous, hard-working staff in Lon- and schedule some of the classic Saturday evenings won’t be quite the don, or the fantastic goodwill of moments from festive TV. The two same minus Strictly. every one who does so much for us in Kates (BBC Entertainment’s Kate The good news is that another the nations and regions. Phillips and Click’s Kate Russell) were glamorous dance series, The Greatest It’s been an incredible 2018. I can’t fantastic, too. Dancer, is coming soon. Judged by the thank everyone enough for making it On an evening of high drama at trailers, we’re in for another glossy, all happen. Westminster – in the Commons, the prime-time treat. I, for one, can’t wait. Our January issue contains some Government suffered three consecu- Finally, a very Happy New Year to New Year treats for you to enjoy. Peter tive defeats in the Brexit debate – the all our members and readers. Bazalgette’s look back at some of the RTS hosted its latest APPG event, “The main events of last year from a televi- future of TV journalism in an age of sion perspective is a joy to read. fake news and disinformation”, at Also, do read Helen Scott’s warm Portcullis House. reflections on how her home city, A stellar panel got to grips with a Leeds, is set to benefit from Channel 4’s subject that is close to all our hearts. Theresa Wise Contents Alex Horne’s TV Diary March of the ten-per-centers Alex Horne, creator of comedy hit Taskmaster, receives On both sides of the Atlantic, talent agencies are 7 an unusual delivery and consults his children for advice 20 increasing their role in content production. Simon Shaps investigates TV and dance: perfect partners Can BBC One’s new show The Greatest Dancer sparkle Fighting fake news 8 like Strictly? Pippa Shawley takes to the floor Steve Clarke is persuaded by an RTS panel that 22 transparency will be central to content platforms A storyteller for our times maintaining trust Mark Lawson hears how James Graham aims to make 10 sense of our divided nation in Brexit: The Uncivil War RTS Masterclasses 2018 Steve Clarke and Matthew Bell distil two days of expert Royals, reboots and revelations 26 advice from leading television practitioners In a Brexit-free zone, Peter Bazalgette looks back 13 on the past 12 months Carving up Christmas viewing Matthew Bell is haunted by the ghosts of Morecambe Gently does it 30 and Wise at a Yuletide RTS event Andrew Billen talks to Killing Eve producer 16 Sally Woodward Gentle about the obstacles RTS Craft & Design Awards 2018 to a work-life balance The nominees and winners of the awards, hosted by 33 Tom Allen at the London Hilton, over eight pages Our Friend in Leeds Helen Scott celebrates Channel 4’s impending move 19 to her home city Cover: BBC Editor Production, design, advertising Royal Television Society Subscription rates Printing Legal notice Steve Clarke Gordon Jamieson 3 Dorset Rise UK £115 ISSN 0308-454X © Royal Television Society 2019. [email protected] [email protected] London EC4Y 8EN Overseas (surface) £146.11 Printer: FE Burman The views expressed in Television News editor and writer Sub-editor T: 020 7822 2810 Overseas (airmail) £172.22 20 Crimscott Street are not necessarily those of the RTS. Matthew Bell Sarah Bancroft E: [email protected] Enquiries: [email protected] London SE1 5TP Registered Charity 313 728 [email protected] [email protected] W: www.rts.org.uk Television www.rts.org.uk January 2019 3 CrewStartTM Struggling with start paperwork? Use CrewStart™ for the simplest way to contract your crew Hiring artists and crew? Designed to help your team automate the processing of contracts, start forms, daily rate vouchers and timesheets, CrewStart™ manages the onboarding process for you, from initial invitation, to ensuring that paperwork is completed correctly, signed and approved securely online. CrewStart™ benefits: Reduce administration Ensure accuracy GDPR auditable reports All contracts stored securely in one place Digital signatures Document certification To find out how you can save time and go paperless on your next production whilst reducing administration and ensuring accuracy, visit the Digital Production Office® website www.digitalproductionoffice.com or contact us for more information: T: +44 (0)1753 630300 E: [email protected] www.sargent-disc.com www.digitalproductionoffice.com @SargentDisc @DigiProdOffice 8 /SargentDisc /digitalproductionoffice Your guide to upcoming events. Book online at RTS NEWS www.rts.org.uk RTS AWARDS National events Tuesday 19 March RTS Programme Awards 2019 RTS EARLY EVENING EVENT In partnership with Audio Network Wednesday 23 January Venue: Grosvenor House Hotel, RTS screening of 4 Blocks 86­90 Park Lane, London W1K 7TN Joint event with TNT Serie/Turner and the RTS. Screening of the RTS AWARDS season 2 opener plus a Q&A Friday 28 June Screening with executive producers Hannes RTS Student Television Heyelmann and Anke Greifeneder Awards 2019 and Q&A from TNT Serie, Quirin Berg from Sponsored by Motion Content Wiedemann & Berg and director Group Özgür Yildirim. 5:30pm for Venue: BFI Southbank, Belvedere 4 Blocks 6:30pm screening Road, London SE1 8XT Venue: Curzon Soho, 99 Shaftes­ 23 January bury Avenue, London W1D 5DY RTS CONFERENCE Curzon Soho Cinema, London 18-20 September Amazon RTS FUTURES RTS Cambridge Wednesday 30 January Convention 2019 NORTH WEST Tuesday 16 April RTS Futures Television Venue: King’s College, ■ Rachel Pinkney 07966 230639 RTS Scotland Student Careers Fair 2019 Cambridge CB2 1ST ■ [email protected] Television Awards 2019 Tips, tricks and practical The awards are supported by advice to help you land that NORTHERN IRELAND STV, which will film the awards all-important first job in TV. Local events Tuesday 26 March ceremony and show the event Take part in our interview RTS Northern Ireland Student and the winning films on its masterclasses, get your CV DEVON AND CORNWALL Television Awards 2019 digital platform. 6:00pm tweaked by professionals, learn ■ Jane Hudson Venue: TBC Venue: Argyle Street Arches, about the different jobs and ■ RTSDevonandCornwall@rts. ■ John Mitchell 253 Argyle Street, Glasgow G2 8DL schemes out there and network org.uk ■ mitch.mvbroadcast@ with the most influential btinternet.com Wednesday 12 June creatives in the business! EAST RTS Scotland Television Exhibiting companies include: Thursday 14 March REPUBLIC OF IRELAND Awards 2019 BBC, BECTU, Call Time, Channel 4, RTS East Awards 2019 ■ Charles Byrne (353) 87251 3092 Venue: The Old Fruitmarket, Connect2TVCoaching, Edinburgh Venue: TBC ■ [email protected] Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1NQ Festival, Endemol Shine UK, ■ Nikki O’Donnell ■ Jane Muirhead Finecast, FremantleMedia UK, ■ [email protected] SCOTLAND ■ [email protected] IBM, IMG, ITN, ITV, ITV Studios, Wednesday 16 January Mama Youth Project, Media LONDON RTS Scotland AGM SOUTHERN Trust, Milk VFX, Molinare, NBC, ■ Daniel Cherowbrier 6:30pm. Refreshments after ■ Stephanie Farmer NFTS, Presenter Promotions, ■ [email protected] Venue: STV, Pacific Quay, ■ [email protected] RDF, RTS Membership/ Glasgow G51 1PQ Bursaries, Sara Putt Associates, MIDLANDS THAMES VALLEY Searchlight, ScreenSkills, ■ Jayne Greene 07792 776585 Thursday 7 February ■ Tony Orme Shooting Partners, Sky Content ■ [email protected] Campbell Swinton Lecture ■ [email protected] Services, Sky QC&A, Sony, with BBC Scotland director Studio Lambert, Think Bigger, NORTH EAST AND THE BORDER Donalda MacKinnon WALES UKTV and WBITVP Saturday 23 February You are advised to book early, ■ Hywel Wiliam 07980 007841 Venue: Business Design Centre, RTS North East & the Border as this event is expected to sell ■ [email protected] 52 Upper Street, London N1 0QH Awards 2019 out. Refreshments available. 6:00pm onwards 6:00pm for 6:30pm WEST OF ENGLAND RTS AWARDS Venue: Hilton Newcastle Venue: BBC Scotland, 40 Pacific ■ Belinda Biggam Wednesday 27 February Gateshead Hotel, Bottle Bank, Quay, Glasgow G51 1DA ■ [email protected] RTS Television Journalism Gateshead NE8 2AR Awards 2019 ■ Jill Graham YORKSHIRE Sponsored by Guestbooker.com ■ [email protected] ■ Lisa Holdsworth 07790 145280 Venue: London Hilton on Park ■ lisa@allonewordproductions.