BBC director general Tim Davie was in full “Tigger Tim” mode as he chaired the Royal Television Society’s biennial Cambridge Convention over the past two days. The energetic executive bounded on stage to extol the virtues of UK content, setting the tone for an event focused on optimistic pragmatism (the conference’s theme was ‘Where Do We Grow From Here?’), rather than existential self-flagellation.
Davie more or less succeeded in this endeavor, with a string of speakers, including senior U.S. executives, warming to his theme while grappling with challenges like consolidation and the rise of YouTube. Davie admitted that one of his first RTS Cambridge Conventions ended with him requiring stitches after hitting his head following a few drinks at King’s College. He hopes that this year’s event was less a bang to the brain, more a jolt in the arm for British brilliance. Read on for some of the convention’s biggest talking points and off-stage gossip.
YouTube’s Takeover
YouTube was not far from anyone’s lips here at Cambridge, with nearly every session grappling with the Google video-sharing platform’s dizzying rise as a television service. Deadline hears that YouTube is now regularly out-ranking the BBC as the most-watched platform in the UK, which would have been unthinkable even a couple of years ago.
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A senior BBC executive confided that the service is a “frenemy,” but Banijay Entertainment CEO Marco Bassetti went one step further, saying that traditional broadcasters are still treating YouTube like the “enemy,” when they should consider windowing more original content on the platform. These deals are happening, but it’s not without issues, with Kevin Mayer, the former Disney executive behind kids sensation CoComelon, lamenting YouTube’s capricious algorithm.
Luckily, the government has a plan. Culture secretary Lisa Nandy told the audience of TV luminaries that ministers are prepared to legislate if YouTube declines to prominently promote public service content. The intervention was welcomed by those in the room, but a question lingered: is it too little too late?
Will Paramount Skydance Buy ITV?
The short answer is: not right now. But this did not stop the rumor from spreading like wildfire in the wings of West Road Concert Hall, home to the conference. Four of the most senior executives in UK television mentioned the speculation to Deadline, marveling at the deep pockets of David Ellison, who is now plotting a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. The chatter was indicative of one of the themes of the RTS event: consolidation.
Even if Paramount Skydance is not a suitor, ITV has unofficially been on sale for many months — and its future was referenced on-stage. RedBird IMI is no longer interested in acquiring Love Island producer ITV Studios, as CEO Jeff Zucker all-but said on stage in a gloomy intervention on M&A regulations in Britain, while his colleague, the All3Media CEO Jane Turton, politely declined to comment. Bassetti was also coy when asked the same question.
Others linked with a deal include Comcast-owned Sky Studios, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Italy’s MediaForEurope. “We’re no clearer on ITV Studios’ status, so we will have to get it over a drink,” smiled Tim Davie as he summarized the first day’s events.
In a more serious moment, the bosses of the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Paramount (owner of Channel 5) ruled out mergers to better compete with the U.S. majors. Among those eschewing such talk? Step forward, Paramount’s Sarah Rose. “If you go to a single buying point on a single channel, it would be much harder to defend the ecosystem we are so keen to protect,” Rose said. This felt a long way of her saying that her paymasters are not about to inhale ITV.
What is clear is that Paramount Skydance’s interest in Warner Bros. Discovery is concrete. FX chairman John Landgraf told delegates that the deal, or another mega merger, is “inevitable.” A senior U.S. source said WBD’s board will have to sell if Ellison offers $25 per share or more. Asked how CEO David Zaslav would feel about the offer, the source added: “He won’t like it, but he won’t have a choice.”
Channel 4: JA’s Running For CEO
Channel 4 is in the throes of leadership upheaval, but one thing is certain: interim CEO Jonathan Allan (known almost universally by his initials JA) is in the running for the job permanently. Asked if he wants the gig by BBC presenter Amol Rajan, he answered emphatically: “Yes.”
The candor was refreshing — and it appears to be backed up by growing industry support. On the fringes of Cambridge, Deadline spoke with a number of key Channel 4 suppliers who are pulling for Allan. He is believed to have big ideas for Channel 4 — ideas that will differentiate him from ex-CEO Alex Mahon — but he is keeping his cards close to his chest until interviews begin.
Headhunters are out for the top job and Allan’s chances will not have been harmed by Paramount executive Sarah Rose joining The Royal Foundation. Rose was considered one of the hot favorites for the Channel 4 job. Jane Turton has also been heavily linked to Channel 4, but there is some uncertainty over whether she wants the job, despite suggestions she is unsettled at All3Media.
Channel 4’s new chair Geoff Cooper gets to work next month, with the CEO search at the top of his agenda. Insiders are already encouraged by early conversations with Cooper. His lack of media experience is being painted as an advantage for Channel 4, with insiders saying he is not coming to the job with any baggage. He is also seen as a seasoned boardroom operator, who can help bring stability to the network after a year of change.
Cooper will want to keep an eye on industry disquiet about Channel 4’s plans to launch an in-house productions unit. When Allan was on stage, the house lights went up and the audience was asked if they had reservations about the plans. The majority raised their hands. “Oh f***k,” Allan joked, before attempting to reassure delegates by saying that the production arm would be small and profits would help Channel 4 invest more in content.
Channel 4’s Dinner Date
While we’re talking about Channel 4, bonus Cambridge points for Jamie Austin, the company’s interim director of corporate relations. When journalists were shut out of the RTS convention’s traditional King’s College banquet, he spontaneously took a group of lowly hacks to the pub for pie and chips.
Andy Harries Re-Ups At Sony
Sony Pictures Television may have sprung a surprise in signing BBC content chief Charlotte Moore to run Left Bank Pictures (she’s now a couple of weeks into the job), but don’t expect The Crown producer’s founder Andy Harries to sail off into the Ibiza sunset anytime soon. The charismatic British producer was in Cambridge after just penning a new deal with Sony, cementing his place as Left Bank’s executive chair.
Sources joked that he was surprised to find in his new contract that he would be reporting to his old mate Wayne Garvie, to which the Sony president wrly pointed out that this had been the case for years. Harries will continue to keep an eye on big projects, not least stoking the embers of a prequel (or another brand extension) to The Crown, but he still can’t resist a pitch. Two people said Harries quickly set to work selling a show when he spotted Angela Jain, Disney’s new EMEA chief, on his train to Cambridge.
New Disney Boss Taken For A Ride
Talking of Jain, Deadline hears her first day in the job was not a bad introduction to the Mouse House: the former ITV Studios executive enjoyed a company away day at Disneyland Paris. Jain wasn’t on stage at Cambridge, but she got a big vote of confidence from FX chairman John Landgraf, who said she is “very good.” He went on to detail how Disney is trying to “reposition as much capital as we can outside the U.S.,” which is great news for Jain — and for producers like Harries, who are competing for her budget.
Tax Breaks Beckoning?
Jane Featherstone, co-founder of Black Doves producer Sister, is spearheading efforts to lobby UK ministers for extended tax breaks — and the mood music appears to be one of progress. After some lukewarm words from ministers about keeping the request “under review,” ITV CEO Carolyn McCall revealed that UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is “receptive” to the idea.
“Just do it,” said McCall, who stressed that it was a “no-brainer” in terms of boosting productions and industry jobs at a time when series are sitting on the shelf amid a funding crisis. She also raised the prospect of tax relief for news, an intriguing prospect — and one that could resonate with culture secretary Lisa Nandy, who underlined the democratic importance of public service media during her Cambridge speech. “I’ve heard [the tax breaks request] very loud and clear,” Nandy said.
“Bitches Get Shit Done”
The RTS Cambridge Convention concluded with Sarina Wiegman, who has led the England women’s soccer team to two European championships. Wiegman talked about her secrets of leadership, revealing that, ahead of the triumphant Euro 2025 final, she surprised her team with a little toiletry bag brandished with words: “Bitches get shit done.” It’s a message that will ring in the ears of UK executives as they return to their places of work after two days in Cambridge.