MGEITF

Summary

TV bosses beware. Kicking off the Festival this year, Gok Wan is going to get his hands on the TV industry.  Live on stage, he'll work his magic on two surprise guests in need of a re-fit, while revealing the results of his mission to uncover the best and worst dressed people in British broadcasting.  Brace yourself; it's time to see the industry naked.  

 

Summary
If last year was the year of controversy - This is the year of consequences.  Just how far can you go before you've crossed the line, breached the rules and made yourself the next poster-boy for TV fakery? With producers caricatured as reckless and broadcasters accused of arse-covering, we put senior commissioners to the test. A hypothetical unfolding production begins to run into problems and the producers turn to their commissioners for help, but what wise words of wisdom do they have and how will they cope when we turn up the heat ?

Summary

Over one year ago Danny Cohen announced his intention to "move BBC Three's centre of gravity younger" and make the channel "a multi-platform pioneer".  Entertainment shows including Lily Allen and Friends and The Wall have helped him realise this goal.  But it is with documentary series such as Young Mums' Mansion and Blood, Sweat and T-Shirts that he has gained greater critical success.  So how does Danny plan on moving forward from his first testing year?  What has he learnt from his online adventures?  And with the possible migration of Gavin and Stacey to BBC One, is he confident of finding the next comedy hit?

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsored by

Summary

 Just three years after David Liddiment pronounced the sitcom dead, he's back to find out whether, with the help of a panel drawn from the current crop of sitcom stars and comedy supremos, new life has been breathed into it.  Are we witnessing the revival of the  traditional sitcom, complete with studio set and laughter track and why are younger, edgier comedians being drawn to the genre?

 

Sponsored by

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary
    

Join Jamie Oliver for the Edinburgh International Television Festival's first interactive cook up!

Jamie Oliver is arguably television's foremost public service campaigner.  He also runs his own indie, presides over an international mega-brand, and is the face of a supermarket.  But how does he reconcile his commercial work with his public service commitments? And what are the risks in combining the role of Producer and talent?  As Jamie cooks up a feast for the audience, Peter Bazalgette will give him a proper grilling on the pressure points of his career.

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsored by

 

 

 

 

Tasty treats provided by FremantleMedia Enterprises.

 

Summary

Smart young production staff are the lifeblood of the industry.  But in a vibrant independent and freelance market, do we do enough to nurture and develop these talents and skills?  Are the new generation of TV talent getting the training they deserve?  Featuring an exclusive specially shot 'Secret Millionaire' film, this session explores what more the broadcasters and indies can do to ensure training and development happens for all.

Summary

Two years into the job Richard Woolfe's channel boasts an impressive range of commissioned shows - from the gritty Ross Kemp franchise to ambitious entertainment events such as Gladiators. But as the relentless growth of Freeview sees Sky One struggling to out rate Five US, how can next year's commissions secure the future for BSkyB's showcase entertainment channel? 

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsored by

 

Summary
The documentary is back.  After all those warnings that everything from reality television to talent shows would spell the nail in the coffin for the traditional documentary, this last year has seen the genre's return.  Channel 4 boosted its output of Cutting Edge to up to 30 single documentaries.  The BBC's White season was a controversial success, sparking discussion everywhere from the Daily Mail to Newsnight and the new Wonderland strand was a critical hit.  So why have TV execs re-embraced the documentary and what opportunities does it offer production companies?

Summary

Sharon Osbourne joins an industry panel to discuss why any celebrity in their right mind would go on TV?  Shows like Strictly Come Dancing, Hogan Knows Best and Celeb Big Brother have broken up relationships, destroyed families or wrecked careers.  Broadcasters are pushing the genre further every year - the last 12 months have seen Jodie Marsh marrying a stranger (or so we thought), Kerry Katona giving birth on camera, and dozens of celebrities putting themselves under scrutiny for our entertainment on shows like I'm a Celebrity, Hell's Kitchen and Celebrity Wife Swap.  Where will the pursuit of ratings all end?  Will celebrities do anything for exposure? 

 

Summary
12 Yard selling to ITV.  All 3 Media funding Studio Lambert.  Even as the credit crunch dries up city money, industry sources continue to fund acquisitions in the indie sector.  And millionaires are made - on paper at least - as Producer colleagues look on enviously. But how do you get your hands on a slice of the pie?  And with the economy looking fragile, is it time to make that big step? Investors and producers reveal how you can create a company that can make your fortune.

Summary

After  a year of budget cuts and the loss of  Director of Programmes Peter Dale what does incoming MORE4 chief Hamish Mykura see as the future of MORE4?   How will challenging factual strands such as True Stories fare against more profitable repeats of property shows? 

With Big Brother, Celebrity Hijack and the continuing success of Skins, E4 programming has had another high profile year.  But faced with television's most fickle audience, what are Angela Jain's plans for "C4 without the boring bits"?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsored by

Summary

2008 has been the year of the re-brand.  Dave and BBC Three are amongst a host of channels and programmes using the dark art of the marketer to fight for viewers.  With shortening attention spans, fierce competition and general media overload is TV's powerbase shifting from programme makers to branding experts?  But are the latest measures a case of 'all fur coat and no knickers'?

Summary

The much anticipated thoughts on the state of the industry from the man who, in the space of a year, has been in charge of Britain's two biggest television channels. Peter Fincham resigned as Controller of BBC One following the controversy over the Queen documentary and in February 2008 became Director of Television at ITV. In his MacTaggart, Peter will concentrate on the creative challenges facing television in an environment of increasing commercial, competitive and regulatory pressure.

 

 08Mactaggart

 

Summary

The Festival’s social events kick off with the Friday Night Opening Reception. Take in spectacular views over Edinburgh as you are fed, watered and entertained at a new venue for 2008, Our Dynamic
Earth.

Two options are available to you when you leave the MacTaggart Lecture – either jump on one of the coaches available outside the McEwan Hall, or stretch your legs and enjoy the fifteen minute walk, following the map

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

     Sponsored by