The decision on whether to privatise Channel 4 should be based on “data and evidence” and not, by implication, on ideology, Alex Mahon told the audience gathered in Cambridge. The broadcaster’s CEO was speaking shortly before Government minister John Whittingdale – a last-minute stand-in for his reshuffled colleague Oliver Dowden – was due to address the RTS Convention.
Culture secretaries tend to come and go with some frequency – but not hours before they are due to address the RTS Cambridge Convention. On the first day of the Convention, Oliver Dowden was shifted sideways in Boris Johnson’s cabinet reshuffle and replaced by former Health and Social Care minister and I’m a Celebrity… contestant Nadine Dorries.
The minister for media and data, John Whittingdale, generously answered a last-minute call to appear by video link to read Dowden’s speech and answer questions from the Convention floor.
I still experience that “back to school” feeling in September, even though my daughters have long since finished their education. This year, it’s magnified as life starts returning to some kind of normal after months of Covid constraints.
I’ll be going to my first industry event for nearly two years, the RTS Convention in Cambridge. I’ve missed the buzz and energy of being in the same room with people, so I am feeling quite exhilarated.
How radical do we have to be to protect public service broadcasting? Ex BBC and New York Times boss Mark Thompson argues that PSB will die in the UK unless huge change happens. He debates his solutions with a distinguished panel.
Chair
Kirsty Wark, Journalist and Writer
Introduction
Mark Thompson, CEO, Ancestry.com
Speakers
Maria Kyriacou, President, ViacomCBS Networks UK, Australia and Israel
Alex Mahon, CEO, Channel 4
Fraser Nelson, Editor, The Spectator
The Channel 4 CEO speaks with Gillian Joseph about the challenges for the channel in the face of pending privatisation plans.
In a year of a Labour Wales, Tory England and SNP Scotland, what does Britishness mean now and in the future? And how can, and should, the British media react? The PSBs are rapidly spreading production round the country. What does this mean for the industry? Is it too late to save UK plc? Top pollster and TV pundit Professor Sir John Curtice puts a series of scenarios to a panel of industry leaders to explore their views of Britishness and the fragmenting media landscape.
Chair
Kirsty Wark, Journalist and Writer
Speakers
The celebrities fighting to evade the hunters are Olympic silver medallist Iwan Thomas, who is partnered with two-time Paralympic gold medallist Richard Whitehead, Made in Chelsea stars Ollie and Gareth Locke, actress Chizzy Akudolu, who is partnered with icon of UK garage Lisa Maffia, and Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne, who is partnered with international reality TV star Chloe Veitch.
The celebrities need to remain undiscovered for two weeks, as a top team of hunters try to track them down.
This year, 12 keen bakers will be looking to impress the two returning expert judges, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood. Enough perhaps for a hallowed handshake.
Meanwhile, Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas will be on hand to offer moral support and baker banter.
Here are the dozen vying for the crown:
Martin Clunes returns as former Metropolitan Police Senior Investigating Officer Colin Sutton in the second series of the ITV drama, subtitled The Night Stalker.
Take a Hike, a new series in which five hikers compete for the title of ultimate guide, could just as easily have been called Come Hike With Me. Each week sees a different hiker take the lead, judged by the others on their route, picnic, views and fun.
