Documenting the planet with the BBC, differentiating Discovery from Netflix and the other streamers – and taking Amazon on at its own retail game – were the three big themes expounded by Discovery’s President and CEO, David Zaslav.
In her first major speech since being appointed Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP called on broadcasters to “be as fleet-footed and as adaptable to change as their international competitors” such as Apple and Netflix.
She warned: “Those who do not pool their resources and talent will find it difficult to succeed in this new age.”
In her third and final appearance at an RTS Cambridge Convention, the outgoing CEO of Ofcom, Sharon White, gave a candid insight into what she described as the regulator’s tense relationship with the BBC, and reflected on why the TV industry had failed to improve its record on diversity.
Video-sharing platform TikTok was the word on everyone’s lips leaving the second session, “Exploring Gen Z”. Many had not heard of the Chinese-owned social media sensation, but were keen to find out more in order to reach the elusive next generation of viewers. Many market researchers describe Generation Z as those born after 1997.
Defined by session chair Rob Chapman as the generation “for whom 9/11 wasn’t a coming of age event”, Gen Z were instead shaped by the recession of the last decade.
Shifting viewing habits, developments in technology and the rapidly evolving competitive landscape are having a fundamental impact on our industry,” argued RTS Convention Chair Carolyn McCall as she opened Cambridge 2019.
But amid the change and uncertainty, which included Britain’s future relationship with Europe and the rest of the world, McCall maintained that television had a bright future.
It’s September. That means back to school. And not just for the kids.
With Edinburgh hangovers barely forgotten, and TV execs and politicians still reeling from Dorothy Byrne’s outlandishly honest MacTaggart Lecture, conference season gets into full swing.
Not in Bournemouth but in Cambridge, courtesy of ITV, for the RTS biennial convention. There’s no prorogation for us.
The RTS Cambridge Convention saw key figures debate the challenges facing the TV industry to an audience of television professionals.
Panels discussed diversity, the rise of SVODs and the future of advertising, with many asking who to trust in this new age world. The future of the television industry was a focal topic, from the ever-evolving streaming giants to the new generation of content creators.
Sir Lenny Henry calls for the television industry to step up to increase diversity in the workforce in his conversation with Karen Blackett OBE.
Lorraine Kelly explores social mobility in the television industry and speaks to RTS bursary recipients about their experiences. She is joined by Vikki Cook, Director, Content Media Policy at Ofcom, and Alan Clements.
Wayne Garvie, President, International Production, of Sony Pictures Television, David Lynn, President and CEO of Viacom International Media Networks and Reemah Sakaan, Group Launch Director of Britbox, discuss the future of streaming.
