Broadcast Behind the Screens
57 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago -Broadcast Behind the Screens gives you the ins and outs of the television industry, taking a look behind the glitz and glam. Each week, hosts Alice Redman and Heather Fallon bring you exclusive industry insights and interviews from the sector, from on-screen talent to commissioners and even those currently making the cups of tea. Join the duo weekly for insights into television news, the latest greenlights and more from behind the screens.
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Episodes
Episode 3: How far has the TV industry come since #MeToo?
December 14, 2022 16:52 - 31 minutes - 21.1 MBTimes Up UK chair Dame Heather Rabbatts joins the podcast to discuss what has been done to tackle sexual harassment and abuse in the TV industry since the revelations about Harvey Weinstein surfaced five years ago. She talks to reporter Heather Fallon about the progress so far, including the upcoming Independent Standards Authority, devised by Times Up and Creative UK. Rabbatts also unpacks how NDAs can be misused, the problems with informality and where she hopes the industry will be in fiv...
Episode 2: Dominic Savage
December 06, 2022 13:54 - 17 minutes - 12.5 MBIn the second episode of the second series, Broadcast's senior reporter Ellie Kahn speaks to the Bafta-nominated director, writer and actor Dominic Savage about his upcoming Channel 4 drama I am Ruth, starring Kate Winslet and her daughter Mia Threapleton.
Episode 1: Ben Willbond and Laurence Rickard
November 28, 2022 13:45 - 32 minutes - 21.7 MBBroadcast Behind The Screens has returned for a second series. In this week's opening episode, stars of Horrible Histories and the comedians behind Ghosts and Yonderland Ben Willbond and Laurence Rickard dissect their latest project We Are Not Alone for UKTV channel Dave. The feature-length comedy explores humanity through the eyes of the aliens that have recently conquered the planet and allows the comedy duo to examine some of the odder aspects of human life. During the episode, they discu...
Bonus Episode: The English with Hugo Blick
November 10, 2022 12:02 - 20 minutes - 20.9 MBIn a special bonus episode, international editor John Elmes speaks with the creative team behind BBC and Amazon Prime series The English to discuss the show's inception, creative methods and modernising the Western ahead of its debut.
Episode 11: BBC disinformation correspondent Marianna Spring
September 08, 2022 08:19 - 37 minutes - 26 MBIn the final episode of the series, BBC disinformation correspondent Marianna Spring joins the podcast to discuss her role, fake news and the impact of social media. Plus, Alice and Heather say a big thank you for all the support over the last 11 episodes.
Episode 10: Heartstopper - Edinburgh TV Special
August 31, 2022 13:24 - 30 minutes - 21.8 MBPatrick Walters, the executive producer behind Netflix's coming of age LGBTQ+ romance from See-Saw Films joins the podcast this week from Edinburgh, as hosts Alice and Heather recap the highlights, themes and major talking points of this year's TV Festival. The interview with Walters begins at 16.30.
Episode 9: Dan Snow
August 24, 2022 07:01 - 24 minutes - 34.1 MBThis week, broadcaster and founder of History Hit Dan Snow sits down to discuss original programming for the SVoD, his love of history and the brand's upcoming projects. Hosts Alice and Heather also talk about both Edinburgh Fringe and Edinburgh Television Festival.
Episode 8: House of the Dragon bonus episode
August 19, 2022 07:58 - 24 minutes - 19.1 MBIn this special episode Alice and Heather travel to Westeros via Leicester Square to interview Sky director of programmes Zai Bennett about the launch of House of the Dragon. Bennett speaks to the duo about the draw of a Game of Thrones spin-off, the broadcaster's original drama strategy and his hopes for the future of the Sky/HBO output deal. Later, Alice and Heather share their thoughts on the first episode.
Episode 7: John Torode and Sarah Sapper
August 17, 2022 08:53 - 29 minutes - 22.1 MBThis week MasterChef's very own John Torode sits down with executive producer Sarah Sapper to discuss their new Food Network series John Torode's Ireland. The duo discuss Ireland's culinary delights, filming whilst coming out of Covid and the future of food television. Alice and Heather also discuss their greenlights of the week, and tease a very exciting bonus episode.
Episode 6: Intimacy Coordinator Ita O’Brien
July 27, 2022 13:44 - 36 minutes - 26.9 MBIta O'Brien, the intimacy coordinator Michaela Coel dedicated her I May Destroy You BAFTA to, joins Alice and Heather on the podcast this week to talk all things sex. The trio discuss how the role has developed in light of MeToo and Times Up, to how Ita prepares for the range of sex scenes she has worked on - including Normal People, Gentleman Jack and It's a Sin. Alice and Heather also outline what new TV we have to look forward to, and what they've been watching.
Episode 5: Ben Frow and Sebastian Cardwell
July 20, 2022 13:58 - 44 minutes - 33.2 MBThis week's episode sees Paramount UK supremo Ben Frow and deputy chief content officer Sebastian Cardwell join Alice and Heather, revealing a major schedule shake-up on Channel 5. Alongside calling out for major returnable series, the duo also discuss launching Paramount+ in the UK, how they generate ideas and help further Alice and Heather's growing list of egg-related puns.
Episode 4: Reality TV special
July 04, 2022 12:19 - 43 minutes - 60 MBThis week Joe Mace from ITV, Nazleen Karim from Monkey Kingdom and Dan Nettleton from Bandicoot join Alice and Heather to discuss all things reality television. The pair also talk about their time at Sheffield Doc/Fest, what they've been watching, and make a case to bring back weekly episode releases.
Episode 3: Hugo Chegwin and Sarah Asante
June 27, 2022 09:27 - 30 minutes - 23 MBThis week, Alice and Heather are joined by People Just Do Nothing and Sneakerhead star Hugo Chegwin, and UKTV comedy commissioner Sarah Asante. The group discuss finding new comedy talent, dead-end jobs, and most importantly, Sneakerhead and BAFTA award-winning Big Zuu. This episode does contain some explicit language.
Episode 2: Jack Rooke
June 20, 2022 10:38 - 39 minutes - 89.8 MBThis week Alice Redman and Heather Fallon are joined by comedian, producer and writer Jack Rooke to talk about his Channel 4 series Big Boys. Alice and Heather also talk about the news that ITV is closing in on a Big Brother revival, Alice's time at Realscreen and Banff World Media Festival, and what they've been watching.
Episode 1: Dolly Alderton
June 12, 2022 21:58 - 28 minutes - 21.5 MBAlice and Heather are back with a brand new podcast. In the first episode of Broadcast Behind the Screens, Alice Redman and Heather Fallon are joined by Dolly Alderton to discuss the TV adaptation of her bestselling memoir Everything I Know About Love. Alice and Heather also discuss their greenlights of the week.
Episode 41: Commissioning Christmas Special
December 15, 2021 15:54 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBIn our final episode of 2021, Alice Redman and Heather Fallon discuss the biggest news stories, reveal TV’s favourite television of the year and test their memories of a record year.
Episode 40: Starzplay VP of International Programming, Jeff Cooke
November 23, 2021 12:26 - 23 minutes - 18.3 MBThis week Alice and Heather discuss their greenlights of the week, and the upcoming special Christmas episode of Commissioning Conversations. Later on Alice is joined by Jeff Cooke, VP of International Programming at Starzplay to discuss international commissioning and the range of deals available to producers looking to work with him.
Episode 39: Luke Hyams, YouTube‘s Head of Originals EMEA
November 09, 2021 16:35 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MBIn this episode, YouTube's Luke Hyams gives insight into how producers can create very distinctive content for such a unique platform. Heather Fallon and Alice Redman also talk BBC's new comedy team, as well as their greenlights of the week.
Episode 38: MIPCOM recap with Digital-i
October 26, 2021 14:47 - 25 minutes - 18.1 MBThis week Alice and Heather are joined by Matt Ross and Sophia Vahdati from insight company Digital-i, who specialise in TV and media industry analysis. Together they recap this year's MIPCOM, the global market for entertainment content across all platforms.
Episode 37: Discovery‘s VP of Development, Laura Crowson
September 28, 2021 11:52 - 21 minutes - 14.7 MBThis week, Discovery's VP of Development Laura Crowson speaks to Alice Redman about taking pitches from UK producers to feed into the US pipeline, and more. Plus, Alice and Heather discuss their Greenlight of the Week.
Episode 36: Why do Netflix cancel shows? with Digital-i
September 15, 2021 12:34 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBAlice and Heather are joined by Digital-i to discuss why Netflix cancel programmes.
Episode 36: Why does Netflix cancel shows? with Digital-i
September 15, 2021 12:34 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBAlice and Heather are joined by Digital-i to discuss why Netflix cancel programmes.
Episode 35: Edinburgh TV Festival recap + Rosie Jones
September 01, 2021 16:24 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MBThis week, Alice and Heather recap their highlights and key themes of this year's Edinburgh TV Festival. Plus, Heather speaks with comedian Rosie Jones about how she got into TV.
Episode 34: ITV Head of Factual Entertainment Sue Murphy + Netflix's Q2 results
August 17, 2021 13:22 - 31 minutes - 23.2 MBThis week, Alice Redman and Heather Fallon speak to ITV's Head of Factual Entertainment, Sue Murphy, about her 9pm ambitions for the broadcaster, plus they break down Netflix's Q2 results with Matt Ross from Digital-i, a technology and insight company that specializes in TV and media industry analysis, to uncover what's next for the streaming giant.
Episode 33: Channel 4 Daytime & Features special
August 05, 2021 09:04 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBThis week Alice Redman speaks to Kate Thomas, Deborah Dunnett and Jayne Stanger from the Channel 4 daytime and features team, commissioning editors based in the nations and regions. The team, who are responsible for getting out-of-London commissions through Channel 4's doors and onto TV screens, discuss their remits and much more.
Episode 32: BBC new hires, C4 privatisation & Nevision
July 14, 2021 11:27 - 24 minutes - 19.6 MBThis week, Alice Redman and Heather Fallon discuss the latest commissioning news, including BBC new hires and Channel 4 privatisation. Later, Alice is joined by Commissioner Index subscriber Nevision's scripted creative director, Neil Zeiger. All that, plus Alice and Heather dish on their greenlight of the week.
Episode 31: Factual Entertainment special with South Shore
July 06, 2021 11:53 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MBAlice and Heather are joined by independent production company South Shore's joint CEOs Melanie Leach and Andrew Mackenzie to discuss the factual entertainment genre.
Episode 30: Poppy Dixon, Director of Documentaries and Factual Commissioning at Sky
June 30, 2021 13:00 - 30 minutes - 20.4 MBThis week Alice and Heather delve into the world of factual television, speaking with Sky's director of documentaries, Poppy Dixon, as well as Commissioner Index subscribers First Look TV about what they're up to, how they use CI, and the true crime genre. All that, plus Alice and Heather discuss their greenlight of the week.
Episode 29: US upfronts & factual commissioners
June 01, 2021 13:28 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MBThis week Alice and Heather discuss the US upfronts, factual commissioning at the PSBs and, of course, their greenlight of the week. Tune in to find out what's set to hit US screens and laptops this year, and what's working in factual.
Episode 28: True Crime event special
May 17, 2021 15:13 - 18 minutes - 13 MBThis week, Alice Redman and Elizabeth McDonald discuss the recent Commissioner Index True Crime event, featuring a panel of true crime commissioners including Channel 5's Dan Louw, Discovery's Winona Meringolo and A+E Networks UK's Diana Carter. They unpack the commissioners' remits and more, and also discuss their Greenlight of the Week.
Episode 27: BBC commissioning special
May 10, 2021 12:56 - 34 minutes - 31.5 MBIn this week's episode, Broadcast reporter Max Goldbart joins to discuss the plethora of changes happening within the BBC's commissioning teams, and Alice speaks to Troy TV about working internationally.
Episode 26: Blue Ant Media Canada's Alison Barrat & Sam Linton
May 04, 2021 11:13 - 23 minutes - 16 MBThis week Alice and Heather unpack the addition of brand new international commissioner profiles to the Commissioner Index. They discuss their findings during months of research, and why producers should start looking around the world for co-production opportunities. Later, they speak with Blue Ant Media Canada's Alison Barrat, SVP, Production and Development, and Sam Linton, VP, Head of Original Content about their opportunities for producers.
Episode 25: WarnerMedia's Zia Bales + Icon Films' Gemma Greene
April 12, 2021 12:38 - 18 minutes - 17.5 MBThis week's episode features special guests Zia Bales, Senior Manager of Acquisitions and Co-productions, Kids EMEA for WarnerMedia, and award-winning production company and Commissioner Index subscriber, Icon Films. Icon's Head of Development Gemma Greene speaks to Heather Fallon about the last year and what's coming up for them in 2021, while Lizzie McDonald spoke to Zia Bales about her shopping list for Cartoon Network & Boomerang, plus her view on reboots. Alice Redman and Lizzie discus...
Episode 24: Channel 5's Sebastian Cardwell + BBC3 and Sky news
March 12, 2021 11:20 - 19 minutes - 13.4 MBThis week we'll be taking a look at what's been happening in the world of commissioning, including BBC3's return to linear. Alice Redman speaks with Channel 5's Sebastian Cardwell about his wider remit. And, of course, we discuss our greenlights of the week.
Episode 23: Disney+, YouTube & Discovery news
February 26, 2021 09:37 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBIn this week's episode, the third member of the Commissioner Index research team, Lizzie, joins Alice and Heather to unpack the latest commissioning news. Lizzie delivers the inside scoop on the Discovery Network's Magnolia channel, described by Discovery as "a warm cup of milk," which is now arriving in streaming form before it launches as a linear channel. Heather discusses YouTube's move towards diverse, unscripted original content, and why UK producers should be looking to YouTube for ...
Episode 22: Commissioning for daytime + C4 & Sky commissioner updates
February 11, 2021 11:38 - 19 minutes - 18 MBCommissioner Index researchers Alice Redman and Heather Fallon break down all the new commissioning appointments that have happened across Channel 4 and Sky in the last few weeks. They also discuss our recent Commissioning Conversations Live event, featuring daytime commissioners from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. They analyse what the panel said about the pathway to peak, and why daytime is best-placed to sit on the channels' respective streaming services. All that and more on this week's Com...
Episode 21: Alan Clements, Two Rivers
January 28, 2021 10:52 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBOn this week's episode hosts Alice Redman & Heather Fallon discuss producing programmes for the highly prized 16-34 demographic, plus changes at E4 and what's on their TV radar, including Sex & the City reboot And Just Like That... This week they are joined by special guest Alan Clements, Managing Director of Two Rivers, who discusses their latest commissions and more. Subscribe to the Commissioner Index here.
Episode 20: Sara Gibbings, Troy TV
January 14, 2021 09:43 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MBEpisode 20 introduces a re-formatted Commissioning Conversations. Hosts and CI media researchers Alice Redman and Heather Fallon briefly break down a tumultuous year's commissioning updates, and share the programmes that got them through 2020. Later, Alice speaks to Sara Gibbings, founder of production company Troy TV, an international outfit specializing in scripted, documentaries, factual entertainment, commercial and educational content. They catch up on how Troy navigated 2020, their b...
Episode 19: Working with the New Streamers
December 17, 2020 12:29 - 25 minutes - 23 MBIn this special episode, Commissioner Index media researchers Alice Redman and Heather Fallon join their colleagues at our sister site Broadcast to discuss their latest report, Working with the New Streamers. The report provides an in-depth look at the commissioning strategies of the newest SVoD services – Apple TV+, Disney+, HBO Max and Peacock. They also talk about a few more of the upcoming streamers, Discovery+, Paramount+. The report also features a chapter detailing the commissioning s...
Episode 18: Denise Seneviratne, Channel 5 Commissioning Editor
September 17, 2020 11:08 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBAlice Redman speaks to Channel 5 Commissioning Editor Denise Seneviratne in this week's episode. Seneviratne, whose genres include Factual, Specialist Factual and Factual Entertainment, unpacks the different path Channel 5 went down during lockdown, their focus on escapist programming, and highlights her current shopping list. She also discusses Viacom's diversity policies, how to pitch to her and the importance of looking at the entire Viacom portfolio when making the approach. All that, pl...
Episode 17: Philippa Collie Cousins - Commissioning Editor for Drama at UKTV
September 09, 2020 09:02 - 18 minutes - 17.4 MBSpeaking to Alice Redman, Collie Cousins unpacks UKTV's The Diplomat, its commissioning process, and how lockdown took the pressure off for the show's writers. Collie Cousins also discusses how a turbulent 2020 may change the types the of stories that people want to write and want to watch. All that, plus what she's looking for next, how to pitch to her and what's been her lockdown go-to boxset. Subscribe to the Commissioner Index here.
Episode 16: Victoria Noble, Senior Director, Production & Development at Discovery UK
August 12, 2020 15:11 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBSpeaking to Hannah Bowler, Discovery UK's Victoria Noble, Senior Director, Production & Development, unpacks the male-skewing original content that channels Quest and Discovery are looking for (think: experiential and immersive.) Noble discusses what she's been working on and commissioning under lockdown, and reveals that Discovery UK has greenlit 100+ hours of new content in the past month alone. Plus, the type of multi-platform show she's looking for, and whether they're asking anything d...
Episode 15: Amanda Rees, Director of Content at S4C
August 05, 2020 13:27 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBIn this weeks episode, S4C's Amanda Rees talks to Heather Fallon about how the broadcaster navigated commissioning during the pandemic, as well as their recently announced slate of popular factual and factual formats. Rees also discusses what she is looking for in a co-production partner and offers her advice for the production community. Subscribe to the Commissioner Index here.
Episode 14: Phil Edgar Jones, Director of Sky Arts and Head of Entertainment
July 29, 2020 13:48 - 13 minutes - 32 MBOur newest podcast host, media researcher Heather Fallon, speaks to Sky Arts Director and Head of Entertainment for episode 14. They discuss the recent announcement that Sky Arts is going to be a free-to-air channel from September, and what Edgar Jones hopes this means for the arts industry at such a challenging time. Edgar Jones also reveals what he's looking to commission and whether going free-to-air will change his upcoming slate. Plus, how lockdown changed Sky Arts' commissioning strate...
Episode 13: Courtney White, President of Food Network
July 22, 2020 14:18 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MBCommissioning Conversations is back for our first regular episode of season 2. This week sees Broadcast Intelligence senior media researcher Hannah Bowler speaks to the President of the Food Network, Courtney White. They discuss how the benefits of finding unexpected talent for the network, how UK producers can work with them and who to pitch too, plus Courtney's favourite TV chef. Subscribe to the Commissioner Index here.
Episode 12: Commissioning Under Covid
July 09, 2020 13:24 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBCommissioning Conversations returns for season 2 and a very special episode, your weekly hosts, Broadcast Intelligence researchers Hannah Bowler and Alice Redman, in conversation with each other, discussing their latest Commissioning Under Covid report. In addition to discussing the report, Alice and Hannah also look back at season one of Commissioning Conversations, plus their reactions to lockdown TV and their speculations on the future of the industry. Subscribe to the Commissioner In...
Episode 11: Alex Jones & Tim Key, Red Planet Pictures
June 10, 2020 12:00 - 17 minutes - 16.5 MBRed Planet Pictures, who produce the hit series 'Death In Paradise', talk to Hannah Bowler about what it's like to produce the show - and how the pandemic has halted production. Joint Managing Director, Alex Jones, and Executive Producer, Tim Key, also give their take on working with different commissioners from the BBC, ITV and UKTV, how they're managing to keep traction on development projects, plus the fact that there is still an appetite for pitches from commissioners. Subscribe to the...
Episode 10: Jordan Laird, Creative Director at Studio Something
June 03, 2020 11:05 - 17 minutes - 12.8 MBIn our tenth episode, senior media researcher Alice Redman talks to Jordan Laird, Creative Director at Studio Something. Studio Something are the studio behind acclaimed show 'A View From The Terrace', which provides a look into the world of Scottish football. Laird discusses how the show came to be, what the process was like after the pilot was shot, what it's like working with BBC commissioners, and more. Subscribe to the Commissioner Index here.
Episode 9: Pete Thornton, Head of Scripted at UKTV
May 27, 2020 13:05 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBSpeaking to Alice Redman, Thornton discusses what he's looking for in lockdown, pitch preferences, as well as what pitches best suit UKTV channels Dave, Gold, W and Alibi. Plus if his strategy will alter in the future, post-pandemic. Subscribe to the Commissioner Index here.
Episode 8: Scott Lewers, EVP Multiplatform Programming, Factual and Head of Content, Science at Discovery
May 20, 2020 14:33 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MBListen to Episode 8 with guest Scott Lewers, who talks to Hannah Bowler of the Commissioner Index. Lewers unpacks his role at Discovery, talks how programming has been affected by coronavirus, his strategy post-corona, how to pitch to Discovery and how non-linear platforms are impacting the industry. Subscribe to the Commissioner Index here.