Tim Davie

Josh Sapan was welcomed as “the real deal, one of the greats of American cable and the television industry” by his interviewer, Tim Davie. Not only that, the audience learned that Sapan was cut from a different cloth to most US TV executives because he understood British humour.

That’s germane because Sapan, President and CEO of AMC Networks, landed a 49.9% stake in BBC America (for $200m) in October 2014.

“We are cousins of the BBC, married into the family, a delight for me,” said the donnish-looking, New York-based cable veteran.

The preliminary programme for this year's RTS Cambridge Convention has been announced. 

The convention, held on a biennial basis, brings together leading figures from the television and its related industry.

This year's event looks forward to television in 2020, focusing on the challenge for content, creativity and business models.

The programme features sessions covering foreign ownership of UK production, the rise of the smart phone in television viewing, and the influence of talent in programme-making.

The BBC has created a heritage trail celebrating its landmark buildings in London.

Director-General Tony Hall and BBC Worldwide CEO Tim Davie were joined yesterday by entertainment legend Bruce Forsyth and Strictly Come Dancing presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman to unveil a heritage plaque at BBC Worldwide's new Television Centre headquarters.

Five further plaques will be unveiled at other London locations over the coming months, all recognising key moments in British broadcasting history.