DCMS

For the first time in 15 years, a Labour Culture Secretary took to the stage at an RTS convention. Lisa Nandy, appointed in early July, mounted a passionate defence of public service broadcasting, telling broadcasters and streamers to be less London-centric – and giving a shout-out to beloved CBBC puppet Hacker T Dog, who hails from her own Wigan constituency. 

She praised children’s TV for being “one of the things your industry and our country is brilliant at”.

John McVay, the Chief Executive of Pact, speaks for many in the TV sector when he urges Lucy Frazer, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport since February, to remain in her post for the foreseeable future. “My main plea is, ‘Can you stick around a bit, please,” he said.

I feel very fortunate to have been in this wonderful role for three months. For the media, and for the television industry in particular, trust is a vital commodity. It may not capture the imagination in quite the same way as a new drama, be as immediately celebrated as an overnight Barb rating, or even be treasured quite as much as new revenue. But all broadcasters need trust to succeed.

One of the most significant changes of Theresa May’s January Cabinet reshuffle was the elevation of Matt Hancock to Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. He became the second – and most obviously technologically literate minister – to lead the department under the Prime Minister’s reign.  

The former minster for new technology within the DCMS – a post he had held for the previous 18 months – is already well known to many within television and related sectors.

It really is an honour to address the RTS Conference. This is one of the top fixtures in a Culture Secretary’s diary - and I would have been very disappointed to miss out.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I have the best job in government.

How could it be otherwise, when I get to engage with such a rich variety of sectors?

They are a huge and growing part of our economy; they are energetic and exciting; they are educational and enjoyable; they are major sources of jobs; and they export on a massive scale and showcase the UK to the rest of the world.

Throughout its history, TV has been one of the UK’s greatest success stories. In recent years, it has grown at twice the rate of the rest of our economy and annually generates over £13bn in revenue. Of that, the growing independent production sector now contributes £3bn a year. 

More than just the economic statistics, your work really matters. You are one of the UK’s best shop windows, introducing the world to our culture and telling them who we are as a nation. 

It is a pleasure to speak at this Royal Television Society conference - and to take up the post as Minister responsible for our most vital, cherished and thriving sector.