Former ITV and Channel 5 bosses will examine the future funding model of the BBC.
The UK government has just set out the panel that will advise on the future of the license fee, which could be culled in 2027 after more than 100 years. The panel will assess the sustainability of the current model and examine alternative options for funding the national broadcaster, while exploring new ways for the broadcaster to increase commercial income and how it could transition to any potential new funding model.
Panelists include Sir Peter Bazalgatte, a storied former chair of ITV, and David Elstein, the former CEO of Channel 5.
Others include Amber de Botton, who worked at Sky News and then was ITV’s Head of UK News, and Lorna Tilbian, the Executive Chairman of investment and wealth management firm Dowgate Capital. Full list is below.
The panels will be chaired by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer,...
The UK government has just set out the panel that will advise on the future of the license fee, which could be culled in 2027 after more than 100 years. The panel will assess the sustainability of the current model and examine alternative options for funding the national broadcaster, while exploring new ways for the broadcaster to increase commercial income and how it could transition to any potential new funding model.
Panelists include Sir Peter Bazalgatte, a storied former chair of ITV, and David Elstein, the former CEO of Channel 5.
Others include Amber de Botton, who worked at Sky News and then was ITV’s Head of UK News, and Lorna Tilbian, the Executive Chairman of investment and wealth management firm Dowgate Capital. Full list is below.
The panels will be chaired by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer,...
- 3/21/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
London - British TV veteran David Elstein has called for a "radical" break-up of the BBC in the wake of the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the public broadcaster. The former CEO of Britain's Channel 5 and former BSkyB head of programming is now chairman of non-profit group openDemocracy and chairman of the Broadcasting Policy Group, which has in the past suggested BBC reforms, including for Britain's Conservative Party. He argued that two internal BBC probes into abuse allegations and a decision to drop a planned report on the Savile affair won't be enough. In
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- 11/8/2012
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
BFI chairman hails government 'vote of confidence' in handing Institute greater responsibility for British film production
The chairman of the British Film Institute (BFI), Greg Dyke, today welcomed a government plan that instals his organisation at the helm of UK film policy. Earlier today, culture minister Ed Vaizey announced that the BFI would take on the bulk of the responsibilities previously handled by the outgoing UK Film Council. Vaizey also pledged an increase in lottery funding from £27m today to £43m by 2014.
"The decision is a great vote of confidence in the BFI," Dyke said. "It is a bold move to create a single champion for film in the UK and we welcome it. We want to achieve a greater coherence across the whole film sector and to strike a balance between cultural and commercial."
Dyke went on to hail the move as "a major transformation for the BFI" and...
The chairman of the British Film Institute (BFI), Greg Dyke, today welcomed a government plan that instals his organisation at the helm of UK film policy. Earlier today, culture minister Ed Vaizey announced that the BFI would take on the bulk of the responsibilities previously handled by the outgoing UK Film Council. Vaizey also pledged an increase in lottery funding from £27m today to £43m by 2014.
"The decision is a great vote of confidence in the BFI," Dyke said. "It is a bold move to create a single champion for film in the UK and we welcome it. We want to achieve a greater coherence across the whole film sector and to strike a balance between cultural and commercial."
Dyke went on to hail the move as "a major transformation for the BFI" and...
- 11/29/2010
- by Xan Brooks
- The Guardian - Film News
The British pay-tv giant is considering putting all its new HBO programmes on a single channel, rather than spreading them across the schedule. Sky thinks that having a single Us drama channel will increase pay-tv take-up, especially among women. It may not just be HBO shows on the channel. This morning’s Guardian reports that Sky is close to similar tie-ups with both Showtime and AMC, which would mean Mad Men, Dexter and Breaking Bad all going behind a pay-wall for at least five years. Privately, Sky describes the lack of the women subscribers as the “female handbrake” holding it back. Sport and movies – famously described by Rupert Murdoch as the battering rams to drive pay-tv subscriptions – as well as its Sky One channel are really aimed at men and children. David Elstein, former programming head of BSkyB, says HBO is the highest-quality content brand worldwide apart from the BBC.
- 8/2/2010
- by TIM ADLER
- Deadline London
Edinburgh -- The future of ITV dominated debate at the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, which wound down Sunday.
Despite a feel-good opening speech from ITV director of television Peter Fincham, talking up the future for mass-audience channels, gloom over the advertising climate and ITV's regulatory burden prompted a range of the broadcaster's executives to call for urgent action to slash its regulatory obligations.
During a panel discussion, ITV managing director Rupert Howell said the broadcaster would have to consider handing back its broadcast license if its quotas on regional programming were not cut back in the near future.
ITV also is waiting to hear from media regulator Ofcom as to whether the broadcaster can change the tariffs it charges for commercial airtime, in order to increase its revenue.
"ITV's public-service obligations need to be tapered from next year," Howell said. "If the gulf between the cost and benefit of holding these broadcast licenses widens,...
Despite a feel-good opening speech from ITV director of television Peter Fincham, talking up the future for mass-audience channels, gloom over the advertising climate and ITV's regulatory burden prompted a range of the broadcaster's executives to call for urgent action to slash its regulatory obligations.
During a panel discussion, ITV managing director Rupert Howell said the broadcaster would have to consider handing back its broadcast license if its quotas on regional programming were not cut back in the near future.
ITV also is waiting to hear from media regulator Ofcom as to whether the broadcaster can change the tariffs it charges for commercial airtime, in order to increase its revenue.
"ITV's public-service obligations need to be tapered from next year," Howell said. "If the gulf between the cost and benefit of holding these broadcast licenses widens,...
- 8/24/2008
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
EDINBURGH, Scotland -- NBC Universal is poised to announce a $350 million deal to acquire Sparrowhawk Media, the U.K.-based private-equity vehicle that owns the international operations of the Hallmark Channel, sources said Sunday. A deal is not yet concluded but will likely be finalized "within days rather than weeks," according to one person familiar with the deal.
The deal would prove critical to NBC Universal's expansion plans under CEO Jeff Zucker, who has made overseas revenue growth one of his main priorities.
Neither Sparrowhawk nor NBC Universal would comment on the prospect of the deal, but sources close to the talks confirmed that discussions are at an advanced stage.
Sparrowhawk paid $242 million for the business in April 2005, backed by Providence Equity Partners and 3i, under the chairmanship of former Channel Five CEO David Elstein, who hired former Walt Disney International Television head David Hulbert to be chief executive of the business. It has since broadened the channel base by adding new brands, including made-for-television movie service Movies24 and joint venture KidsCo to its channel portfolio.
The deal would prove critical to NBC Universal's expansion plans under CEO Jeff Zucker, who has made overseas revenue growth one of his main priorities.
Neither Sparrowhawk nor NBC Universal would comment on the prospect of the deal, but sources close to the talks confirmed that discussions are at an advanced stage.
Sparrowhawk paid $242 million for the business in April 2005, backed by Providence Equity Partners and 3i, under the chairmanship of former Channel Five CEO David Elstein, who hired former Walt Disney International Television head David Hulbert to be chief executive of the business. It has since broadened the channel base by adding new brands, including made-for-television movie service Movies24 and joint venture KidsCo to its channel portfolio.
- 8/27/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- DCD Media has moved into the top ranks of U.K. indie producers through the acquisition of Prospect Pictures, September Films and West Park Pictures, in a shopping spree totaling £19 million ($38.6 million).
DCD, which listed on London's small cap market AIM in 1999, is the creator of such shows as "The Victoria Secret's Fashion Show" and "The Wind in the Willows", and is chaired by former Five chief executive David Elstein.
Lifestyle producer Prospect, best known for cooking shows such as "Saturday Cooks" and "Take Away My Take Away" was acquired for £7 million ($14.2 million); "Hollywood Women" creator September Films was acquired for £9 million ($18.3 million); and "Stephen Fry in America" producer West Park Pictures was acquired for £3 million ($6.1 million).
The combined group is expected to produce an annual profit of £50 million ($101.6 million).
DCD, which listed on London's small cap market AIM in 1999, is the creator of such shows as "The Victoria Secret's Fashion Show" and "The Wind in the Willows", and is chaired by former Five chief executive David Elstein.
Lifestyle producer Prospect, best known for cooking shows such as "Saturday Cooks" and "Take Away My Take Away" was acquired for £7 million ($14.2 million); "Hollywood Women" creator September Films was acquired for £9 million ($18.3 million); and "Stephen Fry in America" producer West Park Pictures was acquired for £3 million ($6.1 million).
The combined group is expected to produce an annual profit of £50 million ($101.6 million).
- 7/13/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Crown Media Holdings Inc., owner and operator of Hallmark Channel, said Thursday that it is selling the domestic rights to its film library to RHI Enterprises Llc. for $160 million as part of its continued focus on achieving profitability. The sale to RHI, which is headed by chairman Robert Halmi Sr. and president and CEO Robert Halmi Jr., includes all rights in the U.S. to more than 600 television movies, miniseries and series. The news follows last year?s transaction in which international rights to the library were sold to a group of investors comprised of Providence Equity Partners, 3i and U.K. television executive David Elstein. Crown Media said it will have the right to continue to broadcast selected titles from the library on the Hallmark Movie Channel for up to two years.
- 10/5/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- Crown Media Holdings Inc. said Monday that it has canceled its eight-month effort to sell the Hallmark Channel. The company's stock plunged 18% on the news. Also Monday, Hallmark Channel executive vp and chief marketing officer Chris Moseley announced she will depart by the end of April. In August, Crown Media's board authorized management to "explore strategic alternatives," including a sale of all or some of its assets. That followed the company's successful sale of its international business to Providence Equity Partners, 3i and U.K. television executive David Elstein in February 2005. Moseley oversaw the creation of Hallmark Channel's global brand strategy, among other marketing initiatives at Crown Media.
- 4/18/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- Crown Media Holdings Inc. said Monday that it has canceled its eight-month effort to sell the Hallmark Channel. The company's stock plunged 18% on the news. Also Monday, Hallmark Channel executive vp and chief marketing officer Chris Moseley announced she will depart by the end of April. In August, Crown Media's board authorized management to "explore strategic alternatives," including a sale of all or some of its assets. That followed the company's successful sale of its international business to Providence Equity Partners, 3i and U.K. television executive David Elstein in February 2005. Moseley oversaw the creation of Hallmark Channel's global brand strategy, among other marketing initiatives at Crown Media.
- 4/18/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
TORONTO -- Canadian TV producer and distributor Ellis Entertainment on Wednesday said it has acquired the exclusive Canadian distribution rights to the Crown Media library from London-based Sparrowhawk Media. Toronto-based Ellis will handle English- and French-language sales of the 580 titles in the library acquired last April when Providence Equity Partners, 3i Group and British TV executive David Elstein paid $242 million for the international versions of the Hallmark Channel and the international rights to its Crown Media library from Crown Media Holdings Inc.
- 8/10/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- Hallmark International has appointed former Walt Disney International television president David Hulbert to the post of chief executive, chairman David Elstein said Monday. Elstein, who acquired the $242 million business from Crown Media in partnership with private equity groups Providence Capital and 3i last month, said the company's immediate priorities were to break into new territories, including France and Germany, to consolidate its position in Spain, and to bring its disparate channels to break-even or profitability. The new management team also plans to launch sister channels alongside Hallmark channels in existing territories. Hulbert's appointment had been rumored to be in the works since early March (HR 3/4).
- 3/22/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- Hallmark International has appointed former Walt Disney International television president David Hulbert to the post of chief executive, chairman David Elstein said Monday. Elstein, who acquired the $242 million business from Crown Media in partnership with private equity groups Providence Capital and 3i last month, said the company's immediate priorities were to break into new territories, including France and Germany, to consolidate its position in Spain, and to bring its disparate channels to break-even or profitability. The new management team also plans to launch sister channels alongside Hallmark channels in existing territories. Hulbert's appointment had been rumored to be in the works since early March (HR 3/4).
- 3/22/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- Former Walt Disney Television International president David Hulbert may be in line to take the helm at Hallmark International, according to industry speculation Thursday. The $242 million TV business was acquired last month by former Channel 5 chief executive David Elstein. Hulbert, who quit Disney abruptly in January, is expected to take the chief executive post alongside Elstein, who will be chairman. Hallmark International was acquired in partnership with private equity firms Providence Equity Partners and 3i.
NEW YORK -- A group funded 50-50 by buyout firms Providence Equity Partners and 3i Group and led by David Elstein, the former chief executive of Britain's Channel Five, is expected to announce today the purchase of the international TV operations of the Hallmark Channel from Crown Media Holdings Inc. for $242 million. The group was working out the final details of the cash and debt sale late Tuesday, said one source who asked not to be identified. Elstein is slated to be announced as chairman of the new company, and the board is expected to approve the deal today, the source said. Also included in the transaction is a library of about 600 films and miniseries belonging to the international unit, the source said.
- 2/23/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- Lord Hutton delivered his report two weeks ago, but the BBC is still reeling, and the aftershock looks like it will continue for at least the next few months. That's the timetable the government has set for appointing a new chairman to run Britain's biggest broadcaster. Only after he or she is in place -- probably by April -- will the BBC be able to appoint a new director general to replace Greg Dyke, who closely followed BBC chairman Gavyn Davies out the door in the wake of Hutton's scathing criticism of BBC editorial practices. "The hiatus in management is going to be very uncomfortable," said former Five CEO David Elstein, who is chairing a committee for the Conservative Party looking into the future of the BBC. His committee's report will be made public Feb. 24 and will offer a new approach to how the BBC could be governed. The BBC last week pulled its submission to the government on the review of its royal broadcasting charter -- which had been signed off by Dyke -- until its new leaders are on board.
- 2/10/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
EDINBURGH, Scotland -- As television executives began to head south to London after three days of passionate debate, conferences and parties in Scotland's capital city, it was clear the annual pilgrimage -- the Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival -- had lost none of its power to surprise.With the fest renowned for bringing the industry's major issues into focus, many had expected this year's debate to coalesce around the increasingly powerful position of the BBC. But the absence of director general Greg Dyke from the festival combined with the announcement of an official review into BBC and industry trade practices from Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell took some heat off that topic.Instead, the conference was dominated by concerns over the future of ITV and its major shareholders, Carlton Communications and Granada Media, which were branded "dysfunctional," "deluded" and "incompetent."In a devastating public attack, much of which came from its own former management, Carlton chairman Michael Green and Granada chairman Charles Allen were accused of "a decade of profound mismanagement" that had brought the once-successful network to its knees and led to a 13% year-on-year decline in audience share.The comments come as ITV bosses are desperately trying to woo Channel 5 chief executive Dawn Airey to head the network in an attempt to recover some of its lost ground."ITV has been taken over by business executives who knew nothing about broadcasting and a management deeply distracted by the delusion that they could have a future in pay TV," former Channel 5 CEO David Elstein said."Their ability to lose revenue hand over fist has been spectacular," he added, pointing out that in addition to more than £1 billion ($1.51 billion) spent on the now-collapsed pay TV platform ITV Digital, the two companies had spent a further £1 billion over 10 years on a suite of unsuccessful pay TV channels.
- 8/26/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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