Red Dwarf

UKTV's Steve North on Red Dwarf, Taskmaster and what it takes to be a Chief Programming Officer

In his 20-plus years at the broadcaster, he has led the rebrand of UKTV’s comedy channel to Dave, brought the huge hit Taskmaster to our screens and revived a childhood favourite, Red Dwarf. He also manages the combined BBC Studios and UKTV global compliance team.

What does the job involve?

Setting the editorial direction of the business so we can create distinctive, original, creative, enjoyable channels at UKTV that viewers want to watch.

Do you use gut instinct or data?

Lockdown boosts viewership for UKTV

In 2020, UKTV’s network share grew by 3.2% to achieve 4.63%, reaching over 18 million viewers a week, and grew its SOCI by 4%.

UKTV Play increased direct-to-consumer views by 42%, with shows such as Red Dwarf: The Promised Land, The Bill: The Early Years, Meet The Richardsons, EastEnders and Hypothetical topping the VOD service.

Autumn's best TV

ITV's new drama Paranoid

Hooten and the Lady – Sky: Friday September 18 at 9pm

This big-budget adventure drama follows the escapades of an unlikely duo – maverick adventurer Hooten (Michael Landes) and Lady Alexandra Lindo-Parker (Ophelia Lovibond), a refined British Museum historian. They travel the globe searching for lost relics, and get into numerous scrapes along the way. The first episode sees the pair hunting the lost city of gold – El Dorado, and hints dropped by Sky suggest further episodes will be set in Egypt and the Himalayas.

 

UKTV earnings reach double digits

Darren Childs UKTV

The network took their revenue over the £300million mark for the first time last year, which left them with £82million in earnings before other costs, it was announced on 12 April.  

Executives claim they have capitalised on the strong television advertising market. They also say a 20% increase in investment in original content helped boost viewing figures.

Upcoming original UKTV shows include a brand new series of cult hit Red Dwarf, an original chat show John Bishop: In Conversation With..., and the continuation of Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled.