October 2018 IS BIGGER BETTER? Will consolidation help TV tip the scales against the tech giants? RTS YORKSHIRE From the CEO First of all, I’d like to congratulate Viacom International Media Net- Do you works, as the main sponsor of the RTS London Conference, for deliver- ing such a very special day. Huge want a thanks to Viacom’s David Lynn and James Currell for all their hard work behind the scenes and thanks, too, for their zinging conference career in contributions. The RTS was proud to have Bob Bakish, Viacom’s CEO and President, factual as the international keynote speaker. I am also extremely grateful to Matt Baker, who worked tirelessly to TV? help make the day the success it We’ve invited some of the busiest and best factual companies in the Yorkshire region for a day of careers advice and networking. Contents Hear how the producers of award-winning Trevor Phillips’ TV Diary Trevor Phillips questions the TV industry’s attitude shows such as The Yorkshire Vet, Catching 7 to sexual harassment and confesses that he was A Killer and Teen Mom UK work, and what underwhelmed by Bodyguard they are looking for when recruiting. RTS London Conference 2018 Reports by Matthew Bell, Maggie Brown, Steve Clarke and Tara Conlan One A full set of Faangs Media companies are consolidating and seeking 8 innovative alliances to take on the streaming giants. Matthew Bell logs on Two ‘Focus on content and the money will follow’ 12 Viacom chief Bob Bakish explains how he is reinventing 1 November the company for streaming. Tara Conlan reports 2:00pm-5:00pm Three The inclusivity bounty Matthew Bell observes as leaders from outside At 14 broadcasting suggest ways that TV can learn from other sectors Leeds College of Music, 3 Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7PD Editor Production, design Writer Steve Clarke and advertising Matthew Bell To register, please email [email protected] Gordon Jamieson [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Journal of The Royal Television Society October 2018 l Volume 55/9 was. Matt and his Viacom colleague some of the key debates around Brit- Turning away from the conference, James Harvey project managed the ish media for months to come. don’t miss this month’s Our Friend in conference with flair. I was pleased that Carolyn McCall Scotland. In his column, comedian Matt was also responsible for pro- and Alex Mahon – both making their Daniel Sloss explains in rather salty ducing the laugh-out-loud video RTS debuts in their current roles – were language why there is no substitute featuring Comedy Central stars Joel able to share their respective strategies for doing stand-up in his home Dommett and Nish Kumar, which for ITV and Channel 4. Tim Hincks, nation. opened the proceedings. interviewing each executive, again Finally, the RTS’s busy autumn With so many weighty topics to proved to be a master of comic timing. events season continues to roll out, in discuss, it was brilliant to have these Kirsty Wark’s trenchant and ener- London, the nations and regions. two talented comedians inject a getic interviewing style was another Check out our website for all the lighter note. Their sketch brought high point of the conference. Thanks details. some fun to one of the day’s themes also to all the session producers and – how media companies shape up to to the event’s executive producer, the streaming challenge. Helen Scott. Thanks, too, to Tony Hall and Sharon This edition of Television provides White for giving us such thoughtful comprehensive coverage of all and considered speeches. What they 12 sessions. Videos of each session had to tell delegates will help influence are available on the RTS website. Theresa Wise Four The battle to own voice Ten Audience safety in the digital age Steve Clarke takes soundings on how voice-activated What should policymakers be doing to regulate the 16 devices will impact on broadcasters 31 internet? Tara Conlan assesses the options Five The big shift Eleven How to end the standards lottery Maggie Brown hears Director-General Tony Hall make Ofcom CEO Sharon White examines what lessons from 19 an impassioned plea for more funding 34 regulating TV could be applied to police the internet. Steve Clarke takes notes Six ITV: contemporary, modern, relevant Tara Conlan takes a ringside seat as Carolyn McCall sets Twelve TV’s essential asset: trust 22 out her vision for ITV Jeremy Wright, the new culture secretary, sets out why 37 democracy needs strong public service broadcasters Seven: Commission accomplished For programme-buyers, building subscriber loyalty and 24 channel identity can trump a show’s expected ratings, Our Friend in Scotland learns Steve Clarke Daniel Sloss, making a global splash via Netflix, explains 41 how his nationality is critical to his comedy Eight What the world wants to watch Matthew Bell takes stock as producers share strategies Better brainy than big 26 for winning in a fast-evolving market Kate Bulkley attends IBC and finds that media 42 companies need to embrace AI and be nimble if they Nine Channel 4: ‘more important than ever’ are to compete effectively Alex Mahon argues that the broadcaster’s role is crucial 29 during a time of disruption. Maggie Brown reports RTS news 44 Reports of Society events across the nations and regions Sub-editor Photographer Royal Television Society Subscription rates Printing Legal notice Sarah Bancroft Paul Hampartsoumian 3 Dorset Rise, UK £115 ISSN 0308-454X © Royal Television Society 2018. [email protected] [email protected] London EC4Y 8EN Overseas (surface) £146.11 Printer: FE Burman The views expressed in Television T: 020 7822 2810 Overseas (airmail) £172.22 20 Crimscott St are not necessarily those of the RTS. E: [email protected] Enquiries: [email protected] London, SE1 5TP Registered Charity 313 728 W: www.rts.org.uk Television www.rts.org.uk October 2018 3 Your guide to upcoming events. Book online at RTS NEWS www.rts.org.uk RTS MASTERCLASSES NORTH EAST AND THE BORDER National events Tuesday 13 November Local events Thursday 18 October RTS Student Programme Behind the camera: workshop RTS EARLY EVENING EVENT Masterclasses DEVON AND CORNWALL A great opportunity to get Wednesday 24 October and Tuesday 6 November – date TBC to know each department Who’s watching? The challenge Wednesday 14 November Breaking into Media 2018 behind the camera. Suitable of digital TV measurement RTS Craft Skills Masterclasses Venue: The Drum Theatre, for early-career professionals, Speakers: Rich Astley, chief Venue: IET London, 2 Savoy Theatre Royal, Royal Parade, practitioners and students. product officer, Finecast; Place, London WC2R 0BL Plymouth PL1 2TR 3:30pm-5:00pm Matt Hill, research and planning Venue: Middlesbrough Institute director, Thinkbox; John Litster, RTS AWARDS Thursday 15 November of Modern Art, Middlesbrough MD, Sky Media; Sarah Rose, Monday 26 November Working in journalism TS1 2AZ director of consumer insight, RTS Craft & Design Awards 2018 2:00pm Channel 4; and Justin Sampson, Venue: London Hilton on Park Venue: Southampton Solent Thursday 18 October CEO, Barb. Chair: Kate Bulkley, Lane, 22 Park Lane, London University, Spark Building, East Exploring the Nile 360 with journalist. Tickets: £15. Free tick- W1K 1BE Park Terrace, Southampton BBC Africa correspondent ets for RTS full members must SO14 0YN Alastair Leithead be booked in advance. 6:30pm RTS FUTURES ■ Jane Hudson Panel discussion about the for 6:45pm Wednesday 30 January 2019 ■ RTSDevonandCornwall@rts. production of BBC News’s first Venue: The Hospital Club, 24 Endell Careers Fair 2019 org.uk VR documentary, Damming the Street, London WC2H 9HQ Venue: Business Design Centre, Nile. This event is part of BBC 52 Upper Street, London N1 0QH EAST Digital Cities North East, which RTS FUTURES ■ Nikki O’Donnell runs 15-19 October. Wednesday 24 October AWARDS ■ [email protected] Visit bit.ly/Digi-NE for more The One Show Wednesday 27 February 2019 information. 5:30pm-7:00pm Join the audience for a RTS Television Journalism LONDON Venue: Middlesbrough Institute live episode, with Martine Awards 2019 ■ Daniel Cherowbrier of Modern Art, Middlesbrough McCutcheon on the couch and Sponsored by Guestbooker ■ [email protected] TS1 2AZ musical guest Paloma Faith set Venue: London Hilton on Park ■ Jill Graham to perform. Before the show, Lane, 22 Park Lane, London MIDLANDS ■ [email protected] RTS Futures members will have W1K 1BE Tuesday 16 October an exclusive Q&A with audience RTS Midlands careers fair NORTH WEST researcher Emmey Little. Tickets AWARDS 10:00am-5:00pm. Tickets: £10. Saturday 10 November are free but must be booked in Tuesday 19 March 2019 Group bookings available via RTS North West Awards 2018 advance. 6:00pm-7:30pm RTS Programme Awards 2019 [email protected] Venue: Hilton Deansgate, 303 Venue: BBC New Broadcasting In partnership with Audio Venue: Edgbaston Stadium, Deansgate, Manchester M3 4LQ House, Portland Place, London Network Edgbaston Road, Birmingham ■ Rachel Pinkney 07966 230639 W1A 1AA Venue: Grosvenor House Hotel, B5 7QU ■ [email protected] 86­90 Park Lane, London RTS EARLY EVENING EVENT W1K 7TN Thursday 25 October NORTHERN IRELAND Wednesday 7 November Animorsels – stop motion Thursday 15 November Screening of Tiny Shoulders: AWARDS special RTS Northern Ireland Rethinking Barbie Friday 28 June 2019 Bottletop, Antenna and the RTS Programme Awards The RTS and eOne invite you RTS Student Television Awards invite you to an evening of bite- Venue: TBC to an exclusive European 2019 sized animation and drinks with debut screening of the Hulu Venue: BFI Southbank, Belvedere guest speaker Jim Parkyn. Book Tuesday 26 March 2019 documentary, followed by Road, London SE1 8XT tickets at animorsels.co.uk.