Key industry players provide an insight into the evolution of sitcoms and discuss whether the genre has become more risk averse because of the pressure to land a hit, or simply evolved to meet the changing taste of viewers. We also examine if money is being redirected into genres that are cheaper and easier to make, how BBC Three moving online might affect the development and growth of new comedies, and who is putting their head above the parapet and trying to put scripted comedy back at the heart of TV viewing.

Panel:

Nerys Evans, Deputy Head of Comedy, Channel 4

Simon Lupton, Senior Commissioning Editor, UKTV

Jessica Knappett, Comedy writer and actress

Gregor Sharp, Comedy Commissioner, BBC

Chair: Boyd Hilton, TV Editor, Heat