#OTBSpring21 · May 2021
Freeview and Digital UK’s Outside the box, home of insightful debate on the future of free-to-view television, returned in May 2021 for a special Spring Edition.
Three sessions streamed over three consecutive days explored how Britain can retain its global leadership in public service broadcasting.
Our speakers included thought leaders from the worlds of broadcast and online media, technology and communications, plus renowned experts in policy formulation, economics and business strategy.
Spring Edition sessions were chaired by academic, writer and broadcaster Jane Martinson.
The main Outside the box event will return in November to take a deeper dive into the issues facing the UK television industry. Last year's main virtual event can be viewed here.
If you would like to view any of the sessions on demand, please contact the Outside the box team.
Speakers
Outside the Box Spring 2021
Session 1 - Tuesday 18 May 2021
PSM Purpose and value: Past, present and future
12:00 - Welcome & introduction
Jane Martinson, Academic, Writer & Broadcaster and Owen Jenkinson, Marketing Director, Freeview
12:05 - Discussion: defining public value
Mariana Mazzucato, Professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value, UCL in conversation with Roly Keating, CEO, British Library
12:25 - Panel: PSM – building back better
Jane Martinson leads a panel that includes leading experts in competition and public policy, media analysis and market dynamics who will consider the future prospects for PSM in the UK. The UK’s broadcasting system is a British success story that for decades has been the engine behind our creative economy and has put Britain on the world stage. What are the features that have driven this success that can be taken forward? What is PSM’s purpose? Where does PSM’s competitive advantage lie?
- Mathew Horsman, Joint Managing Director, Mediatique
- Graham McWilliam, Partner & Co-founder, New North Partners
- Diane Coyle CBE, Bennett Professor of Public Policy, University of Cambridge
- Richard Sambrook, Emeritus Professor, Cardiff University
13:10 - The view from Freeview
Steve Gettings, Head of Strategy & Policy, Digital UK in conversation with Jane Martinson, Academic, Writer & Broadcaster
13:15 - End of Session 1
Session 2 - Wednesday 19 May 2021
Platforms and viewing: How user experience drives business success
12.00 - Welcome & introduction
Jane Martinson, Academic, Writer & Broadcaster
12:02 - Discussion: too big to regulate?
Benedict Evans, Independent Analyst in conversation with Jane Martinson, Academic, Writer & Broadcaster
12:22 - Panel: Designing for delight
Jane Martinson asks a panel of industry experts what makes for a successful user experience? What roles do aggregation, curation and personalisation play in driving viewing and making services ‘sticky’? How have global streaming services influenced consumer expectations around content discovery, search and recommendations, and interface design? How can local content be visible across a range of connected platforms and devices, and how might policymakers create a safe and fair framework for content discovery?
- Stephanie Hare, Researcher, Writer & Broadcaster
- Tim Bleasdale, Co-founder & Executive Creative Director, Ostmodern
- Faz Aftab, Director of Platform Distribution, ITV
- Steve Unger, Non-executive Director, Advisor & Researcher
13:10 - The view from Freeview
Sarah Milton, Chief Operating Officer, Digital UK in conversation with Jane Martinson, Academic, Writer & Broadcaster.
13:15 - End of Session 2
Session 3 - Thursday 20 May 2021
Collaboration & partnerships: Better together, but how?
12.00 - Welcome & introduction
Jane Martinson, Academic, Writer & Broadcaster
12:02 - Discussion: the art of partnerships
Ed Richards, Managing Partner, Flint Global in conversation with Sir Peter Bazalgette, Chairman, ITV
12:27 - Panel: collaboration in action
PSM providers have long been urged to collaborate in order to compete in the era of disruptive innovation. Jane Martinson leads a panel that considers the ingredients of successful collaboration. How do strategic partnerships evolve? What are the trade-offs, and how are tensions resolved? How does TV compare with another media sector? How can a supportive policy and competition environment encourage and sustain collaboration?
- Katie Vanneck-Smith, Co-founder & Publisher, Tortoise Media
- Jeff Norton, Executive Producer & Founder, Dominion of Drama
- Khalid Hayat, Director of Strategy & Consumer Insight, Channel 4
13:15 - The view from Freeview
Jonathan Thompson, CEO, Digital UK in conversation with Jane Martinson, Academic, Writer & Broadcaster
13:20 - End of Session 3
Freeview & Digital UK Speakers
Outside the Box Spring 2021
Jonathan Thompson - CEO, Digital UK
As CEO of Digital UK, Jonathan leads the development of Freeview, the nation’s biggest TV platform. In 2015. He oversaw the launch of Freeview Play, now the UK’s fastest-growing TV service. Jonathan is responsible for the day-to-day management of digital terrestrial television (DTT) and the development of the long-term strategy for Freeview.
Owen Jenkinson - Marketing Director, Freeview
Owen leads all marketing and communications activities at Freeview. Reporting to the Freeview Board of Directors, he ensures the Freeview brand remains salient, relevant and respected. During his 10-year tenure, Owen has overseen a range of award-winning campaigns, a successful rebrand and high-profile product launches for Freeview HD and Freeview Play.
Sarah Milton - Chief Operating Officer, Digital UK
Sarah leads the day-to-day running of the Freeview platform and is responsible for delivering the best possible customer experience. Previously she worked at Channel 4 where, as Head of Product, she was responsible for the functionality and user experience of All 4. Sarah was a member of the original team that launched 4oD, Channel 4’s ground-breaking video-on-demand service, in 2006.
Steve Gettings - Head of Strategy and Policy, Digital UK
Steve joined Digital UK last year and has led Freeview’s engagement with Ofcom on its review of public service media. He has a wealth of experience gained over 12 years at Ofcom where he held senior roles in strategy, policy and market intelligence. Steve started his career in economic consulting at Oxera and PWC. Prior to Ofcom he worked in strategy at the BBC.