Lord Michael Grade – former controller of BBC One, chief executive of Channel 4, chairman of both the BBC and ITV, and most recently chair of Ofcom – reflects on what’s happening to Britain’s public service broadcasters as audiences splinter and the licence fee comes under strain. What funding model does he favour, what is the key question the BBC now faces, and can a channel like Channel 4 still justify its place in a market dominated by global streaming giants? And does foreign ownership of ITV’s broadcast arm really threaten the character of British television, or could it secure its future?

We explore Ofcom’s contested role as referee of “due impartiality” in an era of GB News, partisan presenters and politicians fronting current affairs shows- are standards really being applied evenly? And Michael Grade also revisits some of his most debated calls – from cancelling Doctor Who to reshaping Blackadder – and gives his top viewing recommendation.

To support our journalism and receive a weekly blog sign up now for £1.99 per month www.patreon.com/BeebWatch/membership

@beebwatch.bsky.social

@BeebRoger

Instagram: rogerboltonsbeebwatch

LinkedIn: Roger Bolton's Beeb Watch

email: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.