Insiders: The TV Podcast

Michael Grade on Solving the BBC’s Big Problems, MAFS UK Allegations & Running Channel 4

36 min · 22. maj 2026
episode Michael Grade on Solving the BBC’s Big Problems, MAFS UK Allegations & Running Channel 4 cover

Description

TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville are joined by Michael Grade to talk about the challenges facing new BBC Director General Matt Brittin, questions asked of Channel 4 after allegations made about Married at First Sight UK and Blackadder, Doctor Who, Father Ted and more! In this episode: * What the new BBC Director General needs to do first, and why coming in from the outside can be a strength * Why Michael Grade thinks the BBC should take more risks and become “a nursery and not a grocery” * The BBC’s culture, Oxbridge snobbery, scheduling, and why the middle of television has disappeared * Why the BBC needs to justify public money in a streaming world and what its real purpose should be * Michael Grade’s take on Channel 4, new voices, and whether it can survive as a smaller, distinctive broadcaster * The Married at First Sight UK allegations, duty of care, and whether reality TV has gone too far * Telling talent the truth, spotting blind spots, and why great TV still depends on taste * Blackadder, Father Ted, Doctor Who and more! Have a question or opinion? Leave a comment, find us on socials (@InsidersTVPod), or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com [podcasts@hattrick.com]. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to give us a 5 star rating on Apple podcasts or Spotify, follow the podcast wherever you're listening to it now and share this episode with a friend — it really helps us grow. Chapters 00:00 Coming up! 01:10 The Challenges for the New BBC Director General 18:19 Running Channel 4 22:35 Almost Cancelling Black Adder 25:07 Married at First Sight UK and reality TV ethics 30:55 The Rest of Michael's Career #BBC #MichaelGrade #MarriedAtFirstSightUK #Channel4 #DoctorWho #Blackadder #FatherTed #RealityTV #TVPodcast #BritishTV #Television #InsidersTVPod #PublicServiceBroadcasting #BAFTA #Streaming #Podcast ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

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65 episodes

episode The World Cup Coverage Battle | BBC's 500 Job Cuts | The Government's Social Media Green Paper artwork

The World Cup Coverage Battle | BBC's 500 Job Cuts | The Government's Social Media Green Paper

TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville tackle the World Cup coverage battle, the TV Festival's Manchester move, the BBC's 500 job cuts, and the Government's social media green paper - recorded on the UK's hottest June day on record! Topics discussed: The UK's Prime Minister England cs Ghana The World Cup coverage battle between the BBC & ITV The Edinburgh TV Festival moving to Manchester The BBC's 500 job cuts The Government's social media green paper Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:30 The UK's next PM 02:06 England vs Ghana 02:32 What's on the show today? 03:13 The World Cup coverage battle 10:00 The Edinburgh TV Festival moves to Manchester 14:30 Hydration Break 14:53 The BBC's 500 job cuts 25:01 The Government's social media green paper 35:25 Outro Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com. If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow. #PrimeMinister #AndyBurnham #England #FIFAWorldCup2026 #BBC #ITV #HydrationBreak #EdinburghTVFestival #Manchester #UKGovernment #GreenPaper #YouTube Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer. Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday. YouTube: / @insiderstvpodcast Email: podcasts@hattrick.com Instagram: @InsidersTVPod ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

26. juni 202635 min
episode C4's Charlie Perkins on Comedy artwork

C4's Charlie Perkins on Comedy

TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville are joined by Channel 4's Head of Comedy Charlie Perkins to discuss the importance of comedy for a channel identity, monetising comedy on YouTube, SNL's budget, talent deals and how hit comedies can prove a good investment years after their first release. Topics discussed: Channel 4's sitcom commissions Comedy + YouTube SNL UK New comedy talent Producer's rights Monetising comedy on YouTube Chapters: 00:00 Intro 02:40 Channel 4's sitcom commissions 04:25 The value of comedy 08:10 Comedy on digital platforms 09:27 The trickle down effect in comedy 11:45 SNL UK's on C4? 14:13 TV + Comedy talent 19:45 Will YouTube change how we make TV? 27:26 How to monetise comedy on YouTube 38:07 What's your pitch for more comedy on Channel 4? Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com. If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow. #Comedy #Channel4 #SNLUK #YouTube #DontHugMeImScared Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer. Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday. YouTube: / @insiderstvpodcast Email: podcasts@hattrick.com Instagram: @InsidersTVPod ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

19. juni 202640 min
episode 2026 World Cup Kick Off artwork

2026 World Cup Kick Off

TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville debate whether it’s coming home after 60 years of hurt in this 2026 World Cup episode that covers The Rest Is Football’s lucrative Netflix deal, extortionate live sport paywalls, and nostalgic chat about previous world cups.  Topics discussed: * England winning the World Cup in 1966 * The Rest Is Football Netflix series * World Cup Coverage tussles between BBC and ITV * Are sport paywalls taking the piss? * The ongoing issue of viewers illegally streaming live sports events * Will the 2026 World Cup make Americans finally love football or, as they continue to call it, soccer  * What is the future relationship between live sports and free-to-air television? * Geopolitics and football * The World Cup and Brazil at Goodison Park, 1966 * Players who were destined for greatness but sadly never achieved it Chapters: 00.00 - The 1966 World Cup 05.27 - The Rest Is Football World Cup coverage 13.37 - Live sport behind paywalls / Illegal live sport streaming 17.10 - Will America learn to love football? 20.12 - Listed events / World Cup coverage 24.26 - Watching the 2026 World Cup / Geopolitics in football 28.05 - World Cup at Goodison Park Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com. If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow. #2026WorldCup #TVPodcast #TheRestIsFootball #paywalls #soccer #GoodisonPark #DonaldTrump #ColePalmer #BBC #ITV #LiveSports Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer.   Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday. YouTube:   [data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAB4AAAAUCAYAAACaq43EAAAAo0lEQVR4AWNABv8ZjBWAuACIG4B4PRDvx4LvA/F/NHwem1qoGQ1QMxUYsAGo5H8a4wJ0Sx1AEnTCDsgWz6ejxfORLd5PR4v3wy0mSaOCL6UWvyfP4v1n/v9fv58iB5BtMRi8//T/f8PM//8FHOhqMQLcf/b/f0AxnS1GAIi4QeRwtxgR1MM6cVGenQa6AKF/kTnQlQT9q8UBbQhQq+lzn9SmDwBt39YrPgtlogAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==] / @insiderstvpodcast   [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1adbR91YQIX4Aa3gXMGdug] Email: podcasts@hattrick.com [podcasts@hattrick.com] Instagram: @InsidersTVPod [https://www.instagram.com/insiderstvpod] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

12. juni 202636 min
episode Should a Man Write the Sarah Everard Drama? 400 Female Screenwriters vs. The BBC artwork

Should a Man Write the Sarah Everard Drama? 400 Female Screenwriters vs. The BBC

TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville debate the BBC's controversial Sarah Everard drama and whether a man should be writing it, explore how the Married at First Sight UK fallout could threaten Love Island, and confirm your suspicions: your favourite TV shows DO keep disappearing for longer and longer… Topics discussed: * The 400 female screenwriters who signed an open letter against the BBC commissioning Jeff Pope to write the Sarah Everard drama * Should men write dramas about violence against women? Or is it too soon for a factual drama about Sarah Everard at all? * Love Island relaunching under the shadow of the Married at First Sight UK/Panorama scandal * What next for MAFS UK after all episodes taken down from Channel 4, TUI pulls sponsorship and the "hush email" sent to workers? * The Stranger Things Effect: why the gap between TV seasons has more than doubled in a decade – and does it actually matter? * After the success of ice hockey romance dramas Heated Rivalry and Off Campus, is sport + sex TV's hottest new genre? * Could croquet, bowls or darts be the UK's answer to ice hockey romance? Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1adbR91YQIX4Aa3gXMGdug], find us on socials @InsidersTVPod [https://www.instagram.com/insiderstvpod], or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com [podcasts@hattrick.com]. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a review 5-star review, share it with a friend and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Chapters: * 0:00 Intro and Jon Petrie joining Hat Trick Productions * 2:51 The Sarah Everard Drama: Should a Man Be Writing It? * 14:35 Love Island, Married at First Sight UK & Reality TV's Reckoning? * 25:06 The Stranger Things Effect: Why TV Shows Disappear for Years * 30:33 Ice Hockey Romance: TV's Hottest New Genre? #BBCDrama #SarahEverard #LoveIsland #MarriedAtFirstSight #StrangerThingsEffect #TVNews #BehindTheScenes #UKTelevision #PeterFincham #JimmyMulville #InsidersPodcast #BBCControversy # #TwinPeaks #HappyValley #StrangerThings #Euphoria #TVPodcast #BritishTV #RealityTV #JeffPope #MAFS #Channel4 #HatTrick #TVIndustry #ScreenwritingDebate #HeatedRivalry #OffCampus #TVDrama Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer.   Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday. YouTube:   [data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAB4AAAAUCAYAAACaq43EAAAAo0lEQVR4AWNABv8ZjBWAuACIG4B4PRDvx4LvA/F/NHwem1qoGQ1QMxUYsAGo5H8a4wJ0Sx1AEnTCDsgWz6ejxfORLd5PR4v3wy0mSaOCL6UWvyfP4v1n/v9fv58iB5BtMRi8//T/f8PM//8FHOhqMQLcf/b/f0AxnS1GAIi4QeRwtxgR1MM6cVGenQa6AKF/kTnQlQT9q8UBbQhQq+lzn9SmDwBt39YrPgtlogAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==] / @insiderstvpodcast   [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1adbR91YQIX4Aa3gXMGdug] Email: podcasts@hattrick.com [podcasts@hattrick.com] Instagram: @InsidersTVPod [https://www.instagram.com/insiderstvpod] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

5. juni 202634 min