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In conversation with Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Chris Bryant MP on the challenges and opportunities facing television in the future.

Chris was the Parliamentary Private Secretary to Rt Hon Harriet Harman MP Leader of the House of Commons and Lord Privy Seal; Secretary of State for Equality and Minister for Women and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2008 when he was then appointed to the Government in the post of Deputy Leader of the House of Commons.

Channel 4, Sky and the BFI have all set new diversity targets and the Creative Diversity Network launched a new Commissioner Development Programme across all the broadcasters. Does all this mean that it’s Diversity: Job Done?

A panel comprising representatives of the broadcasters and key industry figures join Chair, Afua Hirsch to discuss if what has been achieved so far is enough or if the real work has only just started?

The exclusive results of an industry survey by The TV Collective will also be revealed on the night.

Panel:

Following the success of the Birmingham Film and TV Summit and the 2014 RTS Roadshows, you said you wanted more of these type of industry events and so we are hosting three free seminars across the region in the Spring and we’d like to invite you to come along…

11:45-14:00 including light lunch at:

Worcester University – Tuesday 28th April
BBC Nottingham – Thursday 21st May
University of Birmingham – Thursday 4th June

As part of the BBC's Reflect and Represent Week, this joint RTS/BBC event will examine the financial arguments for television diversity, both on and off screen.

On-screen diversity will look at the issue of attracting an audience in the UK and whether a more diverse demographic (gender, race, sexuality, disability) can attract a larger audience. And whether on screen diversity helps sell British programmes abroad or whether the foreign market prefers a less diverse range of actors.

The Royal Television Society Yorkshire Centre in association with the Radio Academy Yorkshire Branch are supporting Leeds Trinity University's annual Journalism Week by holding a joint event- The Way Forward - to look at how new technology is impacting on the job of the broadcaster whether it’s covering live breaking news events such as the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris, or covering the political agenda – including the forthcoming General Election.

The comedy writer and producer behind In The Loop, The Thick of It and Veep - Armando Iannucci - is coming to the RTS for an early evening chat about his critically-acclaimed career. 

Armando Iannucci in Conversation with Lucy Lumsden, Head of Comedy, Sky, will take place in central London on Wednesday 25 March. 

So, you want to make it the top in television?! How are you planning on getting there?

Come and meet a panel of TV superstars whose careers have taken them from their early days on work experience, as trainees, as runners, through to success and recognition in the industry.

Is the 30-second spot still the holy grail for advertisers? We examine why brands want their messages in programmes as well as between them and how this is changing the nature of programme funding and creation. Key industry players provide an insight into the challenges broadcasters, producers and brands face when working together to create content that meets all of their needs, while still remaining true to the original concept and proving compelling for viewers.