THE BROADCAST INTERVIEW
Moz Dee, TalkSport
Hiring Richard Keys and Andy Gray in the middle of a media storm showed that TalkSport’s programme director is not afraid to take a gamble – and it’s paying off.
Bill Patrizio, Red Bee Media
‘The EPG on steroids’ is how Red Bee’s chief executive describes the company’s latest offering. He tells Chris Curtis why viewers’ desire for interaction is driving the content delivery agenda.
Peter Fincham, ITV
The Downton Abbey v EastEnders Christmas Day clash was a turning point in ITV’s navigation of the commercial/editorial divide, its programming chief tells Lisa Campbell.
Jay Hunt: C4’s chief mischief-maker
After the off-screen drama of 2011, Channel 4 has ‘got its balls back’, according to its chief creative officer. Now it wants to get people talking.
Sue Perkins: ‘I can’t even read an autocue’
You won’t find the Great British Bake Off presenter embarking on a TV ‘journey’, but her light-touch approach to factual can still shed light on big subjects.
Saul Nassé, BBC Learning
Using its biggest brands like Doctor Who as well as new daytime dramas, BBC Learning’s controller wants to inspire ‘a life full of learning’.
Radio 4: The World at One
A longer format for Radio 4’s flagship show has given it more scope for in-depth interviews and analysis. It’s also made it feel ‘less rude’ to guests, Martha Kearney tells Ben Dowell.
David Lynn, Viacom
A workplace retooled for collaboration, key brand investment and a continued push on global formats will position Viacom’s UK channels for the future, its UK MD tells Alex Farber.
Dorothy Byrne, Channel 4
Under C4’s ‘creative renewal’, the head of news and current affairs is overseeing a radical change in approach, with more emphasis on training and public involvement.
Bellamy’s mission of Discovery
Julian Bellamy unveils his vision for global content for Discovery Networks International – and where UK producers fit in.
Paula Kerger, PBS
As US broadcaster PBS prepares to launch its first UK channel, Alex Farber talks to president Paula Kerger, while channel head Richard Kingsbury describes the task of setting up from scratch.
Cathy Newman, C4 News
‘Tenacious with a smile’ is how C4 News’ first female presenter in more than a decade sums up her style. She tells Lisa Campbell why holding politicians to account demands ‘a sense of fun’.
Peter Richardson and Nick Smith, The Comic Strip
From their Devon base, Great Western Features has recreated cinema’s golden age on a comedy budget. Robin Parker finds The Comic Strip creative forces enjoying a new lease of life.
Ronan Bennett on C4's Top Boy
The writer of BBC1’s Hidden and C4’s Top Boy tells Chris Curtis why he’s uncomfortable taking creative control and likes to keep people guessing both on and off screen.
Anne Sweeney, Disney/ABC
The inside view from the Disney ABC exec and Mipcom’s personality of the year.
Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain
Peep Show creators Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain are navigating the tricky waters of comedy-drama on new series Fresh Meat - and this time they’re sharing the load.
Hegarty: a one-man brand
This is a golden era for the television, advertising titan Sir John Hegarty tells Lisa Campbell, but to get the best from your creative teams, you need “motivation not subjugation”.
Ricky Gervais: no offence intended
For his new series Life’s Too Short, Ricky Gervais returns to BBC2 and the mockumentary style that made him a star - but this time, he’s mostly behind the camera, he tells Paul Whitelaw.
Mark Austin and Tim Singleton, ITV News
ITV News has won a hat-trick of Baftas in the past three years despite limited resources. News At Ten’s anchor and assistant editor tell Jake Kanter how it has triumphed against adversity.
Arrow Media: From super-indie to start-up
Having tasted life at a super-indie, John Smithson and his partners are going back to their programme-making roots with start-up Arrow Media. Catherine Neilan hears their plans.
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Graham Smith and Mark Robson, Grand Scheme
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Joe Godwin, BBC Children's
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The next twist in Lime's tale
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Jimmy McGovern: Blood, sweat and tears
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Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner
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John Myers, Radio Academy
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Jeroen Oerlemans & Andrew Hornett, ESPN
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John Cassy, Sky 3D
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Luis Silberwasser, Discovery Networks International
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Zai Bennett, BBC3
NEWS ANALYSIS
Ratings 2011: the year PVR came of age
We may be watching in different ways, but 2011 viewing figures show TV ratings remain robust. Stephen Price reports on the broadcasters’ fortunes and the impact of recording.
