EXCLUSIVE: Next week will see one of the buzziest RTS conventions in recent years as the likes of David Beckham, Ted Sarandos and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight take to the stage in London.
Helmed by this year’s principal sponsor Netflix, the great-and-the-good of the UK TV industry will gather Tuesday for an event that could signal a “new normal” after years of “volatility,” according to RTS CEO Theresa Wise, who spoke to us in advance of the confab.
Since 2020, the industry has been beset by global shocks including the Covid-19 pandemic, Ukraine War, Hollywood strikes and recession, leading to an era of boom and bust that has shaken the sector to its core.
“A little predictability” may finally be on the horizon, Wise said, which should come to the fore at RTS London. “I hope this will set out people’s idea of what [the new normal] looks like,” she added. “This all starts with what demand looks like. And then the supply side [of the industry ] can adjust a bit more adeptly.”
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Wise rejected the notion that broadcasters and streamers could have better managed the boom and bust, pointing out that the majority of the volatility of the past few years has been “way beyond TV’s control.”
While RTS London will address these big topics head on with speakers including the heads of all major broadcasters plus Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, Wise said she hopes the convention will focus on the positive, with a theme titled ‘Keeping our creative edge’.
“One never wants to be complacent but we are known for great storytelling, powerful creative individuals and great shows,” added Wise. “We are aware that the industry has had a tumultuous time and want to acknowledge that while being positive and forward looking.”
With that in mind, the RTS landed a coup in the form of Netflix boss Sarandos, speaking at the convention for the first time since 2016. He will arrive almost immediately after the Emmys, with Netflix UK fare such as The Crown and Baby Reindeer extensively nominated. Whether Sarandos will touch on the controversy surrounding the latter remains to be seen.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he reflects on the journey that Netflix has been on,” said Wise. “An awful lot has happened since [he first spoke at RTS in 2013] so he will be able to reflect on the things that make a big organization like Netflix great.”
Netflix may have used its principal sponsor heft to pull some Beckham-shaped strings and the soccer icon/Studio 99 founder will address the convention on how to create a brand after a decorated sports career. “He is one of a number of people in that multi-hyphenate space so his perspective will be utterly fascinating,” added Wise. “You can see from his Netflix documentary that he is very aware of the business side, so I think we can expect a discussion around the thought process over what it takes to become relevant in this space.”
Last year’s principal sponsor was Channel 4 and this year’s is a non-public service streamer but Wise praised Netflix for being cognisant of the need to celebrate public service broadcasting when putting the lineup together. She pointed out that the main organizing trio of UK content boss Anne Mensah, VP EMEA production Anna Mallett and comms chief Ruth Settle have decades of PSB experience between them.
“It’s a cliché but having these three shows that Netflix is committing to the UK and putting in place people who understand the creative sector and how it works,” added Wise. “The timing is good for Netflix to show off the commitment they have made but also show they understand the collaborative nature of why the industry works.”
Nandy set piece
Nandy is delivering her first major set piece since taking on the Culture Secretary role and Wise is keen to hear whether there has been “a shift in tone” on the PSBs compared to the Tory government, which was at times combative towards the likes of the BBC and Channel 4.
“The PSB ecology is so important to the health of the rest of the sector and we are so unusual in that,” added Wise. “I think it will be really interesting to hear Lisa’s perspective on that plus the leaders of the PSBs.”
Elsewhere, Wise teed up a number of panelists who will talk up the “educational” nature of British TV such as ITV execs on Mr Bates vs the Post Office and, perhaps more surprisingly, Clarkson’s Farm producer Andy Wilman on the hit Prime Video series, which has attracted plaudits for tackling issues such as sustainability in farming.
RTS London takes place Tuesday 17 September. The London convention rotates annually with RTS Cambridge.