Latest news with #Garvie
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sony's Wayne Garvie Roasts 'Ridiculous' Channel 4 In-House Plan: 'It Could Be Potentially Disastrous'
The new Channel 4 in-house productions biz is 'preposterous,' 'ridiculous' and 'potentially disastrous' for the nation's irreverent public broadcaster, according to Sony international boss Wayne Garvie. Garvie did not hold back at the Deloitte Conference this morning when queried over the future in-house biz, which is currently seeking a boss. More from Deadline BBC Director General Floats Concerning Vision Of Future Where "People Don't Care" About Nation's Oldest Public Broadcaster Sky Boss Dana Strong Raises Artificial Intelligence Copyright Concerns: "I Can't Fathom How A Small Producer Keeps Up" A24 Teaming With 'How To Have Sex's Molly Manning Walker On Women's Soccer Series For Channel 4 Instead of focusing on owning new IP via in-house, he said Channel 4, which is soon to be without a CEO and a Chair, should concentrate on a future where it comes together with the BBC. 'Those of us who run in-house production businesses know how difficult it is,' said Garvie, who oversees the likes of Doctor Who, Industry and Sex Education via Sony labels. 'If you're starting out and you don't own IP and have no institutional knowledge of how to run a production business it could be potentially disastrous for Channel 4.' Garvie variously described the plan, which came in after Channel 4 avoided privatization and will allow it to own IP for the first time in its 40-year history, as 'ridiculous' and 'preposterous.' Last month, Channel 4 said it plans to take majority stakes in third-party production companies as part of the plan to move into in-house production. Jonathan Allan, Channel 4's COO and incoming interim CEO, declined to reveal the value of the company's indie investment war chest. Channel 4 has cash reserves of £111M ($150M). 'You lose money after the first three years,' added Garvie today. 'Maybe you make money in five years if you have great people but not money that will help Channel 4 really grow.' Instead, he said Channel 4 should be thinking in a blue sky way about how it can combine with the BBC. 'We have five PSBs here in Britain, most other countries have one,' added Garvie. 'The future surely is the BBC and Channel 4 coming together and that should be focus of the new chair of Channel 4 and its CEO.' Garvie was speaking at the Deloitte and Enders Media & Telecoms 2025 and Beyond Conference after Sky boss Dana Strong and before Netflix EMEA chief Larry Tanz and UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. Best of Deadline 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More Everything We Know About 'Nobody Wants This' Season 2 So Far List Of Hollywood & Media Layoffs From Paramount To Warner Bros Discovery To CNN & More
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
‘Ridiculous' for Channel 4 to start making in-house TV shows, says Sony
Under a new strategy, launched in May, the broadcaster unveiled how it would start to develop in-house production capabilities with a separate company focused on 'entertainment, reality and entertainment genres with international potential'. Wayne Garvie, the president of international production at Sony Pictures Television, whose division's companies and partners have made Channel 4 shows such as Hullraisers and The Undeclared War, told the Media And Telecoms 2025 And Beyond Conference in London on Tuesday that the broadcaster's plan is 'ridiculous' and 'it won't work'. He added that those 'who run in-house production businesses' know that when you start 'you lose money for the first three years'. He claimed that Channel 4 is doing this without owning many intellectual rights or having an 'institutional knowledge of how to run a production business'. Mr Garvie said: 'It could be potentially disastrous for Channel 4, because it's got limited resources. It's got to adapt to a change in (the) broadcast market.' However, he did praise outgoing Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon with helping the broadcaster continue, but pointed out that even with 'good people' it is going to take half a decade to make money. Mr Garvie said the UK having multiple public broadcasters is 'unsustainable', and added: 'The future has got to be, surely, Channel 4 and the BBC coming together, and that should be the focus for a new chair of Channel 4 (who replaces Sir Ian Cheshire).' Responding later in the day, Ms Mahon said: 'Wayne was a bit excitable this morning, wasn't he?' She added: 'The good news is that Channel 4 has a sensible, modest, intelligent plan for in-house production, but I do agree with Wayne that it's not easy… to be a producer.' Ms Mahon also dismissed a 'coming together' of the BBC and Channel 4, saying the UK has 'such a strong public service broadcasting ecosystem' because of the 'plurality and competition'. She added: 'I think there are ways that we should all operate together, and Freely is the best example of that, but we also shouldn't believe that by popping us all together in one service, we would end up with more impact on the audience.' Netflix's vice president of content for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Larry Tanz, dismissed that the streaming giant would not have commissioned Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, at the event, which is hosted by Enders Analysis and Deloitte at Convene Sancroft in the St Paul's area. '(Vice president of UK Content at Netflix) Anne Mensah, and her team in the UK, commissioned Adolescence, Baby Reindeer and Toxic Town for the UK audience first and foremost,' he said. 'Maybe I can finally put that to rest here and say we absolutely would have commissioned Mr Bates in the UK if we had the opportunity, we think our audience would have loved it.' It follows Wolf Hall director Peter Kosminsky, who has pushed for a levy on streaming companies to finance public broadcasters, which include ITV, BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Mr Kosminsky told the BBC Two current affairs programme Newsnight that Adolescence, which explores themes such as incel culture and bullying and has been a global hit for Netflix, is a 'fantastic programme', but the streaming giant would not make the show if it was not successful outside the UK. He claimed that streamers would not make issue-led dramas such as Mr Bates Vs The Post Office and Hillsborough as they are too British-focused, and voiced concerns that public broadcasters do not have the money to finance such commissions.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
‘Ridiculous' for Channel 4 to start making in-house TV shows, says Sony
'Ridiculous' for Channel 4 to start making in-house TV shows, says Sony Under a new strategy, launched in May, the broadcaster unveiled how it would start to develop in-house production capabilities with a separate company focused on "entertainment, reality and entertainment genres with international potential" (Image: PA ) Channel 4 has been called "ridiculous" for planning to set up an in-house production arm by a boss at leading studio company Sony. Under a new strategy, launched in May, the broadcaster unveiled how it would start to develop in-house production capabilities with a separate company focused on "entertainment, reality and entertainment genres with international potential". Wayne Garvie, the president of international production at Sony Pictures Television, whose division's companies and partners have made Channel 4 shows such as Hullraisers and The Undeclared War, told the Media And Telecoms 2025 And Beyond Conference in London on Tuesday that the broadcaster's plan is "ridiculous" and "it won't work". He added that those "who run in-house production businesses" know that when you start "you lose money for the first three years". He claimed that Channel 4 is doing this without owning many intellectual rights or having an "institutional knowledge of how to run a production business". Mr Garvie said: "It could be potentially disastrous for Channel 4, because it's got limited resources. It's got to adapt to a change in (the) broadcast market." Article continues below However, he did praise outgoing Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon with helping the broadcaster continue, but pointed out that even with "good people" it is going to take half a decade to make money. Mr Garvie said the UK having multiple public broadcasters is "unsustainable", and added: "The future has got to be, surely, Channel 4 and the BBC coming together, and that should be the focus for a new chair of Channel 4 (who replaces Sir Ian Cheshire)." Responding later in the day, Ms Mahon said: "Wayne was a bit excitable this morning, wasn't he?" She added: "The good news is that Channel 4 has a sensible, modest, intelligent plan for in-house production, but I do agree with Wayne that it's not easy... to be a producer." Ms Mahon also dismissed a "coming together" of the BBC and Channel 4, saying the UK has "such a strong public service broadcasting ecosystem" because of the "plurality and competition". She added: "I think there are ways that we should all operate together, and Freely is the best example of that, but we also shouldn't believe that by popping us all together in one service, we would end up with more impact on the audience." Netflix's vice president of content for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Larry Tanz, dismissed that the streaming giant would not have commissioned Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, at the event, which is hosted by Enders Analysis and Deloitte at Convene Sancroft in the St Paul's area. "(Vice president of UK Content at Netflix) Anne Mensah, and her team in the UK, commissioned Adolescence, Baby Reindeer and Toxic Town for the UK audience first and foremost," he said. "Maybe I can finally put that to rest here and say we absolutely would have commissioned Mr Bates in the UK if we had the opportunity, we think our audience would have loved it." Article continues below It follows Wolf Hall director Peter Kosminsky, who has pushed for a levy on streaming companies to finance public broadcasters, which include ITV, BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Mr Kosminsky told the BBC Two current affairs programme Newsnight that Adolescence, which explores themes such as incel culture and bullying and has been a global hit for Netflix, is a "fantastic programme", but the streaming giant would not make the show if it was not successful outside the UK. He claimed that streamers would not make issue-led dramas such as Mr Bates Vs The Post Office and Hillsborough as they are too British-focused, and voiced concerns that public broadcasters do not have the money to finance such commissions.
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
‘Ridiculous' for Channel 4 to start making in-house TV shows, says Sony
Channel 4 has been called 'ridiculous' for planning to set up an in-house production arm by a boss at leading studio company Sony. Under a new strategy, launched in May, the broadcaster unveiled how it would start to develop in-house production capabilities with a separate company focused on 'entertainment, reality and entertainment genres with international potential'. Wayne Garvie, the president of international production at Sony Pictures Television, whose company is behind Netflix hit Cobra Kai and Starz series Outlander, told the Media and Telecoms 2025 and Beyond Conference in London on Tuesday that Channel 4's plan is 'ridiculous' and 'it won't work'. He added that those 'who run in-house production businesses' know that when you start 'you lose money for the first three years'. He claimed that Channel 4 is doing this without owning many intellectual rights or having an 'institutional knowledge of how to run a production business'. Mr Garvie said: 'It could be potentially disastrous for Channel 4, because it's got limited resources. It's got to adapt to a change in (the) broadcast market.' However, he did praise outgoing Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon with helping the broadcaster continue, but pointed out that even with 'good people' it is going to take half a decade to make money. Mr Garvie said the UK having multiple public broadcasters is 'unsustainable', and added: 'The future has got to be, surely, Channel 4 and the BBC coming together, and that should be the focus for a new chair of Channel 4 (who replaces Sir Ian Cheshire).' Responding later in the day, Ms Mahon said: 'Wayne was a bit excitable this morning, wasn't he?' She added: 'The good news is that Channel 4 has a sensible, modest, intelligent plan for in-house production, but I do agree with Wayne that it's not easy… to be a producer.' Ms Mahon also dismissed a 'coming together' of the BBC and Channel 4, saying the UK has 'such a strong public service broadcasting ecosystem' because of the 'plurality and competition'. She added: 'I think there are ways that we should all operate together, and Freely is the best example of that, but we also shouldn't believe that by popping us all together in one service, we would end up with more impact on the audience.' Netflix's vice president of content for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Larry Tanz, dismissed that the streaming giant would not have commissioned Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, at the event, which is hosted by Enders Analysis and Deloitte at Convene Sancroft in the St Paul's area. '(Vice president of UK Content at Netflix) Anne Mensah, and her team in the UK, commissioned Adolescence, Baby Reindeer and Toxic Town for the UK audience first and foremost,' he said. 'Maybe I can finally put that to rest here and say we absolutely would have commissioned Mr Bates in the UK if we had the opportunity, we think our audience would have loved it.' It follows Wolf Hall director Peter Kosminsky, who has pushed for a levy on streaming companies to finance public broadcasters, which include ITV, BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Mr Kosminsky told the BBC Two current affairs programme Newsnight that Adolescence, which explores themes such as incel culture and bullying and has been a global hit for Netflix, is a 'fantastic programme', but the streaming giant would not make the show if it was not successful outside the UK.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
‘Ridiculous' for Channel 4 to start making in-house TV shows, says Sony
Wayne Garvie, the president of international production at Sony Pictures Television, whose company is behind Netflix hit Cobra Kai and Starz series Outlander, told the Media and Telecoms 2025 and Beyond Conference in London on Tuesday that Channel 4's plan is 'ridiculous' and 'it won't work'. Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon (Ian West/PA) He added that those 'who run in-house production businesses' know that when you start 'you lose money for the first three years'. He claimed that Channel 4 is doing this without owning many intellectual rights or having an 'institutional knowledge of how to run a production business'. Mr Garvie said: 'It could be potentially disastrous for Channel 4, because it's got limited resources. It's got to adapt to a change in (the) broadcast market.' However, he did praise outgoing Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon with helping the broadcaster continue, but pointed out that even with 'good people' it is going to take half a decade to make money. Mr Garvie said the UK having multiple public broadcasters is 'unsustainable', and added: 'The future has got to be, surely, Channel 4 and the BBC coming together, and that should be the focus for a new chair of Channel 4 (who replaces Sir Ian Cheshire).' Responding later in the day, Ms Mahon said: 'Wayne was a bit excitable this morning, wasn't he?' She added: 'The good news is that Channel 4 has a sensible, modest, intelligent plan for in-house production, but I do agree with Wayne that it's not easy… to be a producer.' Ms Mahon also dismissed a 'coming together' of the BBC and Channel 4, saying the UK has 'such a strong public service broadcasting ecosystem' because of the 'plurality and competition'. She added: 'I think there are ways that we should all operate together, and Freely is the best example of that, but we also shouldn't believe that by popping us all together in one service, we would end up with more impact on the audience.' Sir Ian Cheshire, the outgoing Channel 4 executive (Ofcom/PA) Netflix's vice president of content for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Larry Tanz, dismissed that the streaming giant would not have commissioned Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, at the event, which is hosted by Enders Analysis and Deloitte at Convene Sancroft in the St Paul's area. '(Vice president of UK Content at Netflix) Anne Mensah, and her team in the UK, commissioned Adolescence, Baby Reindeer and Toxic Town for the UK audience first and foremost,' he said. 'Maybe I can finally put that to rest here and say we absolutely would have commissioned Mr Bates in the UK if we had the opportunity, we think our audience would have loved it.' It follows Wolf Hall director Peter Kosminsky, who has pushed for a levy on streaming companies to finance public broadcasters, which include ITV, BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Mr Kosminsky told the BBC Two current affairs programme Newsnight that Adolescence, which explores themes such as incel culture and bullying and has been a global hit for Netflix, is a 'fantastic programme', but the streaming giant would not make the show if it was not successful outside the UK. He claimed that streamers would not make issue-led dramas such as Mr Bates Vs The Post Office and Hillsborough as they are too British-focused, and voiced concerns that public broadcasters do not have the money to finance such commissions.
