Nigel Farage discusses UKIP's inclusion in leader debates, possible court action. Isabel Oakeshott and Stewart Purvis talk about broadcasters' debate plans. Netflix's original programming strategy and impact discussed. Lorraine Heggessey explores effective marketing in Dr Who regeneration.
Future UK TV debates face challenges regarding party inclusion and potential legal debates.
Doctor Who's regeneration theme sustains audience engagement and hints at future gender diversity.
Netflix's original content strategy reshapes TV viewing habits, attracting dedicated subscribers and challenging traditional broadcasters.
Deep dives
UK TV Election Leaders' Debates
Britain's first-ever TV election leaders' debates were a huge success, peaking at over 9 million viewers, particularly popular among hard-to-reach audiences like the youth. The impact on politicians varied, with debates raising questions about outcomes like David Cameron's failure to secure a majority. Planning future debates faces challenges, especially concerning the inclusion of parties like UKIP, leading to uncertainties and potential impact on mainstream parties.
Debating the Future of UK TV Debates
Discussions revolve around the complexities of organizing future UK TV debates, with considerations about including parties such as UKIP with significant poll standings. Broadcasters aim to delay decisions to assess evolving political landscapes. Legal debates may arise if excluded parties like UKIP challenge their participation. The criteria for defining major parties further complicates the inclusion debate.
The Evolution of Doctor Who
Tracing the evolution of Doctor Who, the show's regeneration theme remains a core element for sustaining longevity. Bringing varied stories, imaginative elements, and maintaining family appeal continues to engage a broad audience. Reflecting on past reinventions and successful revivals, discussions point towards a potential gender switch for the iconic Doctor character, tapping into modern perspectives on diversifying roles.
Streaming Wars: Netflix and TV Revolution
Exploring Netflix's foray into original content production, the move signals a strategic shift towards offering exclusive viewing experiences. House of Cards garnered attention and contributed to subscriber growth, showcasing the platform's ability to attract dedicated viewers. Netflix's aim to redefine traditional TV viewing through on-demand services is gradually reshaping viewer habits, particularly with younger audiences embracing personalized content consumption.
Internet TV Viewing Dynamics
As on-demand and catch-up services continue to shape TV consumption patterns, they currently represent approximately 1% of total viewing time. While original content and acquisitions play a pivotal role in attracting audiences, traditional broadcasters still dominate content provision. The significance of content as a key differentiator underscores the evolving landscape of TV consumption and competition among diverse viewing platforms.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage says he expects to be included in leader debates at the 2015 general election and may go to court if needed. Behind the scenes, broadcasters are exploring ways of staging debates both in 2015 and potentially next year before the Euro elections. So what might happen? Do all the leaders want to take part? Who has a veto? Isabel Oakeshott, political editor of the Sunday Times and Stewart Purvis, former ITN editor in chief and OFCOM partner, discuss.
Netflix has attracted publicity with its strategy of commissioning new programmes and releasing them all at once, like an online boxed set. Last week, it was the US sitcom Arrested Development and before that a remake of House of Cards. Is the new programme strategy paying off? Joris Evers, from Netflix, joins Steve from California while, in the studio, Paul Lee looks at the bigger picture for on demand services and rivalry with TV and DVDs. Paul is director of TMT research at Deloitte (tech, media and telecoms).
And why regeneration in Dr Who is such effective marketing - that's with Lorraine Heggessey who, as controller of BBC1, brought the programme back with Russell T Davies after its long break.
Presenter: Steve Hewlett
Producer: Simon Tillotson
Editor: Andy Smith.
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