September 2020 Gripping drama from ITV Television www.rts.org.uk September 2013 1 HOW DO WE CREATE MODERN ORCHESTRAL MUSIC? We fuse a classical approach with modern production techniques – from epic, panoramic and inspirational to bold new hybrid soundscapes. From big screen to small, tell incredible stories with Modern Orchestral music. Find out more Naomi Koh [email protected] | +44 (0)207 566 1441 MODERN ORCHESTRAL_AD SUITE_A4_FA_2.indd 1 24/06/2020 11:28:33 Journal of The Royal Television Society September 2020 l Volume 57/8 From the CEO Our summer may have epitomised by David Olusoga’s forward to ITV’s The Singapore Grip, been highly unusual, MacTaggart Lecture at the Edinburgh adapted by the great Christopher but I am proud to say International Television Festival, a Hampton. Caroline Frost discovers that RTS events came sobering account of his experience what it was like to make the series. thick and fast from of racism while working in television. We also hear from Sky Arts head head office and our Our TV Diarist, Pat Younge, recalls an Phil Edgar-Jones about his plans for centres across the UK. alienating episode of his own during the channel, which goes free-to-air This issue reports some outstanding the early part of his career. He also later this month. sessions: “In conversation with James praises a new generation of black With production recovering, there Purnell”, the BBC’s director of radio activists demanding lasting change. is a growing sense that TV is getting and education, expertly chaired by Also inside, Channel 4’s Maria St back on the front foot after lockdown. Miranda Sawyer; a discussion of The Louis looks at social justice from an Massive credit to the ingenuity of our Salisbury Poisonings from RTS Futures advertising perspective, while Ofcom’s industry for making this happen. Northern Ireland; and a fascinating Vikki Cook responds to Marcus Ryder’s look at the importance of TV brands piece in our last issue. in a cluttered digital landscape. Autumn is traditionally the time Diversity and inclusion remain top when viewing figures surge as the of our sector’s agenda, and were nights draw in. I, for one, am looking Theresa Wise Contents Cover: The Singapore Grip (ITV) Pat Younge’s TV Diary Heart-melting viewing David Olusoga’s powerful MacTaggart lecture contained ITV family favourite Dancing on Ice has broken 5 uncomfortable personal echoes for Pat Younge 16 taboos. Now it is preparing to socially distance Take Five... Inspiration to all Kate Holman and Imani Cottrell update Sky Arts is about to debut as a free service. 6 us on five social media trends 18 Phil Edgar-Jones, the man in charge, explains to Steve Clarke what new viewers can expect Our Friend in the North East Graeme Thompson asks if the infamous ‘exams algorithm’ Brand recognition is only half the story 7 also informed the BBC’s plan to axe regional services An RTS event showed how platforms and broadcasters 20 can cut through digital clutter Working Lives: military advisor HOW DO WE CREATE MODERN Military advisor Paul Biddiss is interviewed by Matthew Bell Time for truth 8 The writers of The Salisbury Poisonings tell the RTS why Comfort Classic: Gilmore Girls 22 gaining the confidence of local people was critical to the ORCHESTRAL MUSIC? A gentle guide to getting older and wiser, which drama’s success Moya Lothian-McLean returns to again and again 10 Diversity: Ofcom puts action before words Ear Candy: HBO’s Succession Podcast Vikki Cook responds to Marcus Ryder’s article in our We fuse a classical approach with modern production Podcast host Roger Bennett takes character analysis 24 last issue by outlining what Ofcom is doing to improve techniques – from epic, panoramic and inspirational 11 to a new level, hears Harry Bennett minority ethnic representation in television An epic story of imperial hubris A lesson for the BBC’s future? to bold new hybrid soundscapes. ITV’s adaptation of JG Farrell’s novel The Singapore Grip has James Purnell tells Miranda Sawyer how the BBC acted 12 many contemporary resonances, discovers Caroline Frost 26 fast to transform its education service in lockdown – and why he’s a licence-fee fundamentalist From big screen to small, tell incredible stories with A sketch show defying gravity Shilpa Ganatra examines why BBC Three’s Famalam, a Brands and broadcasters must seize the time Modern Orchestral music. 14 huge hit on social media, is making big waves with its Maria St Louis puts forward a three-point plan to build third series 28 genuinely diverse teams in the media sector Editor Production, design, advertising Royal Television Society Subscription rates Printing Legal notice Find out more Steve Clarke Gordon Jamieson 3 Dorset Rise UK £115 ISSN 0308-454X © Royal Television Society 2020. [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. Naomi Koh Matthew Bell Sarah Bancroft E: [email protected] Enquiries: [email protected] London SE1 5TP Registered Charity 313 728 [email protected] | +44 (0)207 566 1441 [email protected] [email protected] W: www.rts.org.uk Television www.rts.org.uk September 2020 3 MODERN ORCHESTRAL_AD SUITE_A4_FA_2.indd 1 24/06/2020 11:28:33 12-15 October Sponsored by Up to six hours of live steaming every day for four days Monday 10:00-10:45am Get ready for your first job in TV, with Jude Winstanley 12 October 11:15am-12:00pm Thinking about the future of the entertainment business in a converging world: consumer price, choice, regulation, and discoverability 12:30-1:15pm How to kick off a career in TV sport 1:45-2:30pm Is TV somewhere you can work if you have a disability? 3:00-4:00pm CV workshop with ITV experts Tuesday 10:00-10:45am How to make a brilliant podcast 13 October 12:30-1:15pm Working in the locations department with Film Birmingham 1:45-2:30pm Top tips for a career in digital effects 3:00-4:00pm Ask us anything Wednesday 10:00-10:45am Ask us anything... about the world of entertainment and factual TV 14 October 11:15am-12:00pm Behind the scenes: Live from the set of BBC One’s Birmingham-based soap Doctors 12:30-1:15pm Fiona Campbell, BBC Three – Baird Lecture 3:00-4:00pm CV masterclass with BBC experts Thursday 10:00-10:45am Post-production: is this where the magic of TV really happens? 15 October 11:15am-12:00pm Working in news – is it the toughest gig in TV? 12:30-1:15pm In conversation... with one of the country’s highest-profile TV writers 1:45-2:30pm Animation workshop: the world of animation is brought to life by our experts Book now! rts.org.uk/event/rts-midlands-careers-fair-0 @RTSMidsCentre @rts_mids #RTSCareersFair TV diary David Olusoga’s powerful MacTaggart lecture contained uncomfortable personal echoes for Pat Younge t’s been an unusually ■ We have a series in production, Am about, because David tackled head- domestic and turbulent Dro!, for S4C, showcasing the beauty on that hoary old race/class question month. Covid-19 wiped out and characters of the Welsh country- and the pernicious ways race and the idea of piggy-backing side. However, because of Covid class biases push you to the industry’s on my wife’s work trip to guidelines, we’ve had to review and edges and often out of the door. Tokyo, the family holiday rework everything from minibuses It happened to me, when I was a in Greece and travelling to to toilets to packed lunches. It’s been local news correspondent at BBC Edinburgh for the TV festival. an interesting creative and logistical Newsroom South East. It was 1994 and I IBut it’s not been quiet, as the challenge. So far, so good. was taken aside by my boss and told reverberations of the death in May I just wish we could rework the that, “while your accent sounds just of George Floyd, under the knee of bloody weather. like most people in this region, it’s not an American cop, are still being felt RP and we have a lot of BBC senior in August. ■ I thought this month would be a execs who watch our show”. The It triggered an interest in race and good time to start to learn the Welsh solution was to enrol me, aged 30, race relations that we’ve probably not language. I studied in Cardiff for in elocution lessons. seen here since the New Cross fire five years, support Welsh rugby and One night, it took me three hours and Brixton riots in 1981. And, after a can sing the national anthem – but to record a 40-second voice piece. It lot of soul searching in the TV indus- never learnt the language. Given our was confidence-sapping and soul- try, the commitments have come long-term commitment to Cardiff, destroying. Luckily, I had producing thick and fast. and working closely with Welsh- experience from LWT and managed I’m old enough to have been here language producers and S4C and to get into an off-screen role and before, many times, so it was great to BBC Cymru/Wales, it seems like the restart my career. Many didn’t have see a new generation of activists on right thing to do.