A2020 - Register to watch - Outside the box 2020

Freeview’s annual industry event, Outside the box looked at the key issues facing our industry.

The future of public service broadcasting is one of the most significant debates of recent times.

Freeview’s event considered the role of PSB in a changing media landscape; how PSBs can adapt and change in a global TV sector; and the kind of system needed to deliver public policy goals for UK viewers and wider society.

Senior figures who have worked inside the UK’s leading broadcasters gave their outside perspectives on PSB: Mark Thompson, David Abraham, Anna Bateson, Rienkje Attoh, Gill Whitehead and Emma Scott.

Plus leading practitioners and experts in news – Alastair Campbell, Anna Mallett, Julia Hartley-Brewer, Ayesha Hazarika MBE and Peter Pomerantsev – discussed their views on the role of impartiality and independence in the global battle against disinformation.

Broadcaster and journalist Cathy Newman returned to lead the proceedings for this free-to-attend virtual event.

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Video gallery

Speakers

Day 1

Wednesday 11 November 2020, 11:30am - 1.10pm

The future of PSB - the opportunities and challenges ahead for the UK’s broadcasting ecosystem.

11:30: Welcome and introduction

Cathy Newman, Broadcaster & Journalist with Owen Jenkinson, Marketing Director, Freeview.

11:35: Opening keynote: PSB - State of the nation

Michael Grade CBE, Former Chairman, BBC and ITV, and Former CEO, Channel 4 in conversation with Cathy Newman, Broadcaster & Journalist

11:55 - 12.00: BREAK

12.00: Panel: Outside-in - perspectives on PSB

David Abraham, former CEO of Channel 4 and Co-founder of Wonderhood Studios, leads a panel of ‘critical friends’, those who’ve worked within the PSB system and have subsequently gone on to senior positions elsewhere. From the outside looking in, what advice would they now give to the PSBs? How do they think PSBs can stand out in a world increasingly dominated by streaming services? Where do they think PSBs should be focusing their efforts, how can they stay relevant to audiences?

Anna Bateson, former Chief Customer Officer, Guardian News & Media
Rienkje Attoh, Managing Director, So & So Productions
Gill Whitehead, Non-Executive Director
Emma Scott, Non-Executive Director & former CEO, Beano Studios

12:50 - 12.55: BREAK

12:55: Keynote interview: Adapt and survive

Mark Thompson, former President & CEO, The New York Times Company interviewed by Emily Bell, Leonard Tow Professor of Journalism; Director, Tow Center for Digital Journalism.

13:15: Closing remarks

Cathy Newman, Broadcaster & Journalist

13:20: END OF DAY 1

11:30: Welcome and introduction

Cathy Newman, Broadcaster & Journalist with Owen Jenkinson, Marketing Director, Freeview

11:35: Opening keynote: PSB State of the nation

Michael Grade CBE, Former Chairman, BBC and ITV, and Former CEO, Channel 4 in conversation with Cathy Newman, Broadcaster & Journalist

11:55 - 12:00: BREAK

12:00: Panel: Outside-in - perspectives on PSB

David Abraham, former CEO of Channel 4 and Co-founder of Wonderhood Studios, leads a panel of ‘critical friends’, those who’ve worked within the PSB system and have subsequently gone on to senior positions elsewhere. From the outside looking in, what advice would they now give to the PSBs? How do they think PSBs can stand out in a world increasingly dominated by streaming services? Where do they think PSBs should be focusing their efforts, how can they stay relevant to audiences?

Anna Bateson, former Chief Customer Officer, Guardian News & Media
Gill Whitehead, Non-Executive Director
Emma Scott, Non-Executive Director & former CEO, Beano Studios
Rienkje Attoh, Managing Director, So & So Productions

12:50 - 12:55: BREAK

12:55: Keynote interview: Adapt and survive

Mark Thompson, former President & CEO, The New York Times Company interviewed by Emily Bell, Leonard Tow Professor of Journalism; Director, Tow Center for Digital Journalism.