As leader of one of the world’s largest media and entertainment companies, Burke will share his views on global media trends, how NBCUniversal is capitalising on shifts in consumer, technological and market dynamics, and his expectations for the future.
The challenges of a shifting TV landscape will be discussed by television executives at this year's RTS Cambridge Convention, chaired by BBC Director-General Tony Hall.
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In one way, the career of David Abraham has come full circle. He began his working life in advertising – and, in his latest role, running his own company, Wonderhood Studios, he is once again involved in producing TV commercials, as well as making TV programmes. With his trademark heavy-rimmed glasses and carefully judged wardrobe, Abraham still looks like he might have stepped out of the pages of ad bible Campaign at its 1980s’ peak.
Speaking at the RTS London Christmas Lecture, he predicted that despite the growth of streaming services a lot of people would still be watching live, scheduled TV in a decade.
He said: “In ten years’ time linear TV will be distributed by IPTV, but scheduled TV will still be important, that more passive way of consuming curated content will have a very important role, not least in news and entertainment.”
Among the subjects they covered were the UK’s inadequate digital infrastructure, Netflix, Brexit and, inevitably, The Great British Bake Off.
Matt Hancock’s speech in the previous session found favour with the panel. BBC chief Tony Hall welcomed the emphasis the Minister of State for Digital and Culture had put on “social and regional” diversity in television.
Breaking Boundaries: Diversity in Broadcasting will bring together industry leaders from across the UK’s broadcasting and creative sectors to discuss what the industry can do to reflect Britain’s diverse nature both on and off screen.
In addition to the keynote address from the Ofcom chief, Sky News’ Anna Botting will be chairing a panel discussion with speakers including Channel 4 Chief Executive David Abraham.
When Film4 chief David Kosse announced plans to stand down, the UK film industry didn’t, at first, take him seriously. And it wasn’t just because the news broke on April Fool’s Day.
Just a few weeks previously, Channel 4 CEO David Abraham had secured the green light from his board to significantly bolster the film unit’s budget from £15m to £25m for 2016.
The broadcaster's revenues are up by £41m on 2014.
The report also revealed the broadcaster worked with 295 suppliers to deliver its content, with a total spend over the year of £629m, of which £455m (approx. 72%) was spent on original content.
Across the Nations and Regions, content spend was at £149m.
For the first time in nine years Channel 4 has increased its audience share on its main channel across all hours, while the peak time portfolio up 12.9% year-on-year.
