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Pioneer examines human face for C4
Channel 4 has commissioned a specialist factual series examining the human face.
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Two Brothers scores debut ITV drama
The Missing writers Harry and Jack Williams have scored the first ITV commission for their indie Two Brothers Pictures – a six-part thriller about the consequences of deceit.
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TLC explores toddler pageants
The world of British child beauty pageants is to be exposed in a one-off documentary for TLC.
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Wildscreen opens with Netflix ivory doc Video
This year’s Wildscreen Festival is to launch with the European premiere of Netflix original documentary The Ivory Game.
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James Purnell handed BBC radio brief
James Purnell is to take responsibility for the BBC’s audio division after Helen Boaden revealed she will retire in March.
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Ofcom: offensive language worse on radio
Offensive language on radio is considered to be more problematic than television for the first time, according to an Ofcom study.
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ITVS entertainment head departs
ITV Studios’ Sumi Connock creative director of entertainment is leaving the company after almost eight years.
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The Garden's Wise sets up VR indie
The Garden’s director of programmes David Wise is leaving the ITV-owned indie to set up a virtual reality start-up.
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Jamie Oliver to disband Food Tube MCN
Jamie Oliver Media Group is disbanding its 17-channel multichannel network Food Tube to focus on its core channels.
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Charlotte Crosby to front MTV Snapchat gameshow
Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby is to front Show Us Ur Phone, a Snapchat gameshow for MTV.
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Former Sky exec John Cassy launches VR indie
Former Sky 3D boss John Cassy has partnered with Bafta-winning director Daniel Smith to launch a production company and scooped a virtual reality ballet experience as its debut order.
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Advertising teams eye original content
A growing number of advertising agencies are eying original content production following a spate of senior hires and partnerships.
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Unforgotten writer pens first French original
British drama writers often head to Hollywood after achieving domestic success, but Chris Lang, creator of ITV crime dramas including Unforgotten, crossed the Channel to Paris.
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TFI producer to join Fulwell 73
Suzi Aplin, the former producer of TFI Friday, Friday Night With Jonathan Ross and Comic Relief, has taken a staff job as Fulwell 73’s first head of non-scripted.
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Tony Hall backs BBC Studios to win
BBC director general Tony Hall has expressed a “strong belief ” that BBC Studios will hold its own in an era of full competition for the broadcaster’s airtime.
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‘Big rewards’ on offer for right daytime ideas
BBC daytime chief Dan McGolpin is searching for thought-provoking and topical breakfast shows and mid-morning returnable formats for BBC1.
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BBCW boosts Lookout stake
BBC Worldwide has increased its stake in War And Peace producer Lookout Point and laid out a path to taking full ownership of the firm.
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BBC’s Moore to speak at Commissioning Forum
The cream of British commissioning talent will share their strategies at the Broadcast Commissioning Forum on 3 November.
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Drama funding in spotlight
Questions have been raised about the future of funding high-end British drama following claims that the sector is heading for a “sub-prime mortgage moment”.
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The great Bake Off bun fight
A fierce row has erupted between the BBC and Channel 4 over the transfer of The Great British Bake Off, and Ofcom and Love Productions owner Sky have had their first say on the controversy.
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Nick Fraser exits BBC
BBC Storyville editor Nick Fraser has left his role after nineteen years to launch SVOD documentary platform Yaddo.
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CBBC's Muller leaves for Milkshake!
Channel 5 has appointed CBBC’s Sarah Muller as head of children’s programming, replacing Jess Symons who left earlier this year.
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Hancock: TV must spread beyond London
In his first address to the television industry, culture minister Matt Hancock has said that he supports public service broadcasters moving to the regions – an indication he supports a Channel 4 move to Birmingham.
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ITV restructures drama team
ITV has restructured its drama team, making two of its scripted commissioners redundant.
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ITV pilots Lambert challenge format
Gogglebox indie Studio Lambert is developing a factual entertainment format for ITV in which teams will have one day to walk between two well-known landmarks.
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Bake Off heads to Bulgaria and Mexico
The Great British Bake Off is heading to Mexico and Bulgaria after BBC Worldwide secured two international format sales.
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Amazon preps podcast service for UK launch
Amazon-owned audio service Audible is gearing up to launch podcast network Audible Channels, featuring hundreds of hours of original programming, in the UK.
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Netflix to bolster UK team Video
Netflix is preparing to put a number of commissioners on the ground in the UK with content boss Ted Sarandos revealing the streaming service is committed to British originals.
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Hunt and Purnell clash over Bake Off
Jay Hunt and James Purnell have gone toe-to-toe over The Great British Bake Off, in a fiery on-stage exchange at the RTS London conference.
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Ofcom to step up diversity focus
Ofcom chief executive Sharon White has pledged to step up the regulator’s work around diversity and intends to give a “harder edge” to requirements placed on the BBC.
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Millichip: drama funding faces 'sub-prime mortgage' moment
British drama funding could be heading for a “sub-prime mortgage moment” if fresh financing models aren’t found, according to Sky Vision boss Jane Millichip.
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C4 reveals secrets of super-rich
Canadian comedian Katherine Ryan will reveal how the super-rich built their fortunes in a Channel 4 series.
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NBCU boss cool on ITV acquisition
NBC Universal chief executive Steve Burke has poured cold water on rumours that the US giant was planning to acquire ITV.
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McArdle returns to Electric Ray
Studio Lambert deputy head of development Natalie McArdle has returned to Electric Ray five months after leaving the indie.
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BBC unveils daytime slate
Emerging Bristol-based indie Hungry Gap has scooped two BBC commissions as part of the broadcaster’s refreshed daytime slate.
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BBC Radio boss set to retire
BBC director of radio Helen Boaden is preparing to announce her retirement – a move that would allow the corporation to finalise its management reshuffle.
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iPlayer to require log-in from 2017
The BBC will require users to sign-in to access iPlayer from early next year, bringing the corporation closer to its personalised MyBBC vision.
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Studio Ramsay hires Chris Brogden
Gordon Ramsay’s fledgling indie has hired Tinopolis creative director of entertainment Chris Brogden as chief creative officer.
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News UK acquires TalkSport owner
News UK has completed its acquisition of TalkSport and Virgin Radio owner Wireless Group.
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BBC4 acquires Australian crime drama
BBC4 has acquired an Australian period drama that deals with the murder of over 80 homosexual men during the 1980s and 1990s.
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BBC hunts emerging scriptwriters
The BBC is calling for scriptwriters in the early stages of their careers with “striking and unusual stories” to apply for its 2017 Writers Programme.
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Dave deletes TV Burp transgender skit
An episode of Harry Hill’s TV Burp which mocked the transgender community will be re-edited after Ofcom ruled it had become intolerable to shifting audience attitudes.
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Broadcast opens World of Locations hub
Broadcast publisher MBI has launched a dedicated World Of Locations website – a resource dedicated to showcasing the world’s film, TV and commercial locations.
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In brief: Production Guild Awards; Synchronicity Films; Lookout Point
The Night Manager wins at the Production Guild Awards, while drama indie Synchronicity options Man Booker shortlisted His Bloody Project.
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Matt LeBlanc signs two-year Top Gear deal
Top Gear host Matt LeBlanc has signed a two series deal with the BBC to return to the motoring show.
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BBC2 orders Andrew Marr stroke doc
BBC2 has ordered a one-off film from Icon Films following Andrew Marr’s battle to recover from his stroke
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360Production appoints factual boss
Digging for Britain indie 360Production has appointed Renegade Pictures executive producer Belinda Cherrington as its first director of UK factual.
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Krempelwood funds Allen football doc
Game of Thrones star Alfie Allen is to front a football documentary for History, funded by fledgling content agency Krempelwood Entertainment.
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C4 acquires NBC's This is Us
Channel 4 has picked up the UK broadcast rights to NBC’s relationship drama This is Us from Twentieth Century Fox Distribution.
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C4 hands Bake Off to Humphreys and Webb Lamb
Kelly Webb Lamb and Liam Humphreys will be tasked with making a success of The Great British Bake Off for Channel 4.
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Panda lands 'huge-scale' BBC1 pilot
Moira Ross’s entertainment label Panda Television is to produce a non-TX pilot of a “huge-scale” family entertainment format for BBC1.
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Talking TV: Keith Richards & BBC tendering Video
Talking TV heads off on a lost weekend with Keith Richards as the Rolling Stones guitarist curates an entire weekend of programming for BBC4.
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Victoria to reign again for ITV
ITV has commissioned a second series of ratings smash Victoria from Mammoth.
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Sky Vision bolsters senior team
Sky Vision has strengthened its senior team with a number of hires including PBS Distribution boss Gillian Rose, who will lead sales in the US.
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Ken MacQuarrie named BBC regional chief
Long-serving director of BBC Scotland Ken MacQuarrie has been appointed as the corporation’s new director of nations and regions.
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BBC tests holographic TV Video
The BBC’s future-thinking R&D department has created a holographic TV experiment inspired by the infamous Princess Leia scene in Star Wars.
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BBC pilots Mrs Brown’s Boys spin-off
Hungry Bear Media is to pilot a talk-show spin-off of Mrs Brown’s Boys in which Agnes throws open the doors of her home to a string of celebrity guests and members of the public.
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ESG collaborates on South Korean reality format
Endemol Shine has teamed up with one of Asia’s leading content companies CJ E&M to co-produce a reality format that launches in South Korea next month.
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Hello Halo hires development chief
Glasgow-based indie Hello Halo has appointed Mentorn development executive Natalie Hill as head of development.
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Sky News and ITN land Emmys
Sky News and ITN have picked up International Emmys for their news coverage.
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GBBO: Berry exits as Hollywood signs up
Paul Hollywood has signed a three-series deal to continue to front The Great British Bake Off as Mary Berry revealed she will depart following its move to Channel 4.
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UK distribution hits £1.3bn
Growing interest in high-end British drama and increased investment from digital buyers has helped grow the UK distribution industry by 15% to £1.3bn over the past year.
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Agents slam pay transparency
Agents and TV executives have dubbed the government’s insistence that the BBC publish the names of talent paid in excess of £150,000 a “storm in a TV teacup”.
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BBC firms up supplier ties
The BBC is quietly reaffirming the relationships behind some of its biggest indie-produced shows, including Sherlock, Call The Midwife and The Apprentice, after losing The Great British Bake Off to Channel 4.
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Power founder regains control of business
Justin Bodle has bought back Power, the international production and distribution firm he founded in 1995.
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What is next for ITV drama?
Leading drama producers have called for ITV to be bold and brave to sustain the momentum created by former director of drama Steve November, which has contributed to its main channel’s audience share rising by 5.5%.
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X Factor back as ITV seals deal
ITV’s deal to renew The X Factor comes as the entertainment juggernaut’s back-to-basics format appears to have stemmed the show’s declining audiences.
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BBC in £250m content promise
The BBC is to put £250m of programming up for grabs over the next two years as part of its landmark tendering plans.
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Sally Wainwright lands BBC1 drama
Happy Valley will not be returning to BBC1 for at least two years – but creator Sally Wainwright already has a new series commission for the channel.
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C4 set to continue Paralympics contract
Channel 4 is set to remain the UK’s Paralympic rights holder until 2020, covering the next two Paralympic Games in PyeongChang and Tokyo.
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In brief: Ooyala; TVPlayer
Ooyala’s latest study has found that the share of online video consumed via Apple tablets has plummeted, as online video service TVPlayer has agreed a partnership with Samsung. Click for more.
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Plimsoll studies puppies for ITV
ITV is to explore the abilities of puppies in a two-part series from Life of Dogs indie Plimsoll Productions.
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The Night Of racks up 2.5m downloads
Sky Atlantic drama The Night Of has been viewed more than 2.5m times after the broadcaster made the entire series available on-demand ahead of its linear broadcast.
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C4 orders Autistic Gardener spin-off
Channel 4 has commissioned Betty to produce a spin-off series of The Autistic Gardener fronted by garden designer Alan Gardner.
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ITV2 heads for The Great Indoors
ITV2 has acquired CBS sitcom The Great Indoors to boost its comedy offering.
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Remarkable makes senior hires
Remarkable has bolstered its senior team by creating head of factual and head of entertainment roles.
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Commissioning Forum: 140 speed meetings available
More than 140 commissioner speed meetings are available at the Broadcast Commissioning Forum, which will take place on 3 November.
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In brief: Huffington Post, Ginx TV; Cartoon Network
Fearne Cotton is to front a HuffPo series, Sky & ITV have backed eSports channel Ginx TV and Cartoon Network has launched a VR game. Click for more
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Barcroft strikes Drive distribution deal Video
Barcroft Media has agreed a wide-reaching distribution deal with production funding agency Drive as it prepares to roll-out its latest YouTube channel.
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James Martin resurrects indie
TV chef James Martin has landed two commissions after relaunching his indie Blue Marlin Television.
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Youngest snares Victory exec
Youngest Media, the indie established by former Endemol execs David Flynn and Lucas Church, has hired a former Victory Television executive as its entertainment boss.
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BBC dominates Grierson shortlist
The BBC has dominated the final shortlist for the 44th Grierson Awards, picking up 27 nominations including all four presenter nominees.
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Holby City tops BBC tender line-up
The BBC has kicked off the biggest change to commissioning in a decade after revealing Holby City, A Question of Sport and Songs of Praise are to be put out to tender to the independent sector.
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In brief: Drunk History; Mip China; Steel Panther; TVF sales
Comedy Central is returning to Drunk History for a third run, while Mip is expanding to China.
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Pick pushes into true crime
Woodcut Media has secured its first two crime documentary series for Sky’s free-to-air channel Pick as the channel continues to push into original commissions.
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True North tackles regional talent drain
Leeds-based indie True North is to tackle a talent drain to London through a series of networking events promoting the benefits of working outside of the capital.
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Sister Pictures opens comedy label
Jane Featherstone’s fledgling indie Sister Pictures has launched a “naughty” authored comedy label run by Flowers producer Naomi de Pear.
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Sacked BBC journalist awarded £50k
Chandana Keerthi Bandara, a BBC journalist working on its Sri Lankan Sinhala service, has been awarded £50,000 compensation by an employment tribunal after his failure to prioritise news of Prince George’s birth contributed to his dismissal in 2015.
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Roughcut opens branded arm Video
People Just Do Nothing producer Roughcut TV has established a branded content arm in the wake of a PlayStation video game campaign.
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Schofield to meet Prince Philip for ITV
Spun Gold is teaming up with Phillip Schofield to shine a spotlight on the history of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) in an ITV documentary.
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Livity to expand social video Video
Branded content business Livity is to turbocharge its multiplatform network of video channels after securing a £1.5m investment.
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Geater named Bafta commercial chair
All3Media chief operating officer Sara Geater has been appointed chair of the Bafta commercial committee, replacing media lawyer Medwyn Jones.
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BBC Wales plans £9m savings
BBC Wales is seeking to save £9m per year by 2022 as part of a major shake-up of senior management and commissioning staff.
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ITV plans This Morning live event
ITV daytime stalwart This Morning is to be turned into a live visitor experience.
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Syco business head joins Objective
Objective has hired a chief operating officer from Syco.
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Game of Thrones breaks Emmy record
Game of Thrones broke a record set by Frasier 12 years ago to scoop the highest number of Emmys won by a fictional series.
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Drama start-up appoints writer in residence
Dancing Ledge Productions has awarded first-time writer and director Caroline Bartleet its inaugural writer’s residency.
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5 News editor moves to Sky
5 News editor Cristina Nicolotti Squires has been appointed director of content at Sky News.
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BBC Studios consultation kicks off
The Trust has launched a public consultation into the BBC’s plans to transform its in-house production arm into a commercial subsidiary.
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C4 orders Jon Richardson doc
Comedian Jon Richardson is to front a one-off programme on Channel 4 exploring the reasons to be terrified of life.
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Abraham: Bake Off will fund risky shows
Channel 4 chief executive David Abraham has written to key suppliers and stakeholders claiming that the audacious swoop for The Great British Bake Off will allow the broadcaster to invest in more risk-taking programmes.
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Carnival creates cyber-warfare drama
Carnival Films is developing a dystopian cyber-warfare drama based on Alex Gibney’s documentary Zero Days.
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ITV renews The X Factor and BGT
The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent will remain on ITV until 2019 after the broadcaster struck a three-year deal.
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Alison Sharman lands indie job
Former ITV exec Alison Sharman has joined Thoroughly Modern Media, the fledgling indie that produced Heston’s Dinner In Space.
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Spike Lee and Netflix to re-make She’s Gotta Have It
Spike Lee has partnered with Netflix to produce a TV version of his debut feature film She’s Gotta Have It.
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BBC to come under NAO's microscope
BBC Studios and BBC Worldwide will need to demonstrate value for money to licence fee payers after the National Audit Office (NAO) was awarded oversight of all BBC activities.
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Reuters digitises clips archive
Reuters is to make over 1m news video clips available to publishers through its Reuters Media Express platform.
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C4 expands nations and regions team
Channel 4 has underlined its commitment to nations and regions commissioning by creating a dedicated role.
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