Latest news with #VsThePostOffice
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.
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
‘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 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).' 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.
Glasgow Times
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Mr Bates Vs The Post Office wins Bafta but fight for victims ‘not over yet'
The four-part series focuses on the subpostmasters who fought to clear their names in the wake of the Horizon scandal, which wrongly convicted them of offences such as fraud because of the faulty software. Creators of the show including actor Toby Jones who played Sir Alan Bates, writer Gwyneth Hughes and producer Patrick Spencer, hopes the Bafta win will keep the scandal at the forefront of the public's mind as subpostmasters continue to wait for compensation. 'It's not over yet. It's a complicated situation. There's several different compensation schemes going on,' Ms Hughes said at a winner's press conference shortly after receiving the award. 'They're all mired in different parts of the government. Nobody seems to know what's happening. 'Our main characters have not been paid. They haven't got their compensation. It's been going for 25 years. 'If we're on front pages tomorrow waving our very heavy statuettes, then that's bound to get it back in people's consciousness and get people to make an effort.' Mr Bates vs The Post Office wins the BAFTA for Limited Drama 👏 #BAFTATVAwards with @pandocruises — BAFTA (@BAFTA) May 11, 2025 She also said it was 'very distressing' when she realised the scandal was happening in Britain comparing the situation to something that might occur in a country where 'little people don't have any power'. 'It's a British story. I couldn't believe it was happening in my country. When I first heard about it, I thought that can't be true, that can't be right,' she explained. Kevin Lygo, managing director of ITV Studios, received the Special Award at the Baftas for commissioning Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, and urged all TV corporations to continue making series to 'make power to account'. 'It really falls to us to remember that these are incredibly important things that must continue to be learned,' he said on stage at the Royal Festival Hall. 'At a time when funding is tricky but not impossible, the ITV and the BBC must continue to make power to account, institutions like the post office to account. 'It is part of a long tradition on TV of these genres that true stories that shine a light on corruption, criminality, miscarriages of justice… but nothing, I think, has had quite the effects Mr Bates' has had.' Polly Hill and Kevin Lygo in the press room after receiving the Bafta Special Award, on behalf of ITV, for commissioning Mr Bates Vs The Post Office (Ian West/PA) He urged for those in power to speed up the compensation process for the subpostmasters still waiting to receive payment. 'It's been successful in every way, except one, which is that they still, many of them, have not got their compensation,' he said. 'So I say to anybody who's in charge of sorting out the compensation, will you hurry up and pay these people what they do?' Star of the show Jones described the series as being representative of the 'state of the world now'. Speaking at the winner's press conference, Jones said: 'I think that there's something archetypal about the story that keys into the state of the world now. 'It's not just the postmasters, there's a general sense of disenfranchisement of people feeling cut off from their dreams, cut off from just a lifestyle, cut off from living their lives.' Cast and crew members pose with Toby Jones, left, and Monica Dolan, right, in the press room after winning the Limited Drama Award for 'Mr Bates vs The Post Office' during the 2025 Bafta Television Awards (Ian West/PA) The show's producer Patrick Spence has called for the media to continue 'spreading the message' and raise awareness about the Horizon scandal. 'I think we've done our bit. We carried the baton for a bit. We need you guys to spread the message that they haven't been paid yet,' he said. 'It's not over, and they're being bamboozled with bureaucracy, so please, we beg you, don't make us make another drama. 'Get the message out and tell them seriously if there are still people in abject poverty waiting for compensation.'
The Herald Scotland
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Mr Bates Vs The Post Office wins Bafta but fight for victims ‘not over yet'
Creators of the show including actor Toby Jones who played Sir Alan Bates, writer Gwyneth Hughes and producer Patrick Spencer, hopes the Bafta win will keep the scandal at the forefront of the public's mind as subpostmasters continue to wait for compensation. 'It's not over yet. It's a complicated situation. There's several different compensation schemes going on,' Ms Hughes said at a winner's press conference shortly after receiving the award. 'They're all mired in different parts of the government. Nobody seems to know what's happening. 'Our main characters have not been paid. They haven't got their compensation. It's been going for 25 years. 'If we're on front pages tomorrow waving our very heavy statuettes, then that's bound to get it back in people's consciousness and get people to make an effort.' Mr Bates vs The Post Office wins the BAFTA for Limited Drama 👏 #BAFTATVAwards with @pandocruises — BAFTA (@BAFTA) May 11, 2025 She also said it was 'very distressing' when she realised the scandal was happening in Britain comparing the situation to something that might occur in a country where 'little people don't have any power'. 'It's a British story. I couldn't believe it was happening in my country. When I first heard about it, I thought that can't be true, that can't be right,' she explained. Kevin Lygo, managing director of ITV Studios, received the Special Award at the Baftas for commissioning Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, and urged all TV corporations to continue making series to 'make power to account'. 'It really falls to us to remember that these are incredibly important things that must continue to be learned,' he said on stage at the Royal Festival Hall. 'At a time when funding is tricky but not impossible, the ITV and the BBC must continue to make power to account, institutions like the post office to account. 'It is part of a long tradition on TV of these genres that true stories that shine a light on corruption, criminality, miscarriages of justice… but nothing, I think, has had quite the effects Mr Bates' has had.' Polly Hill and Kevin Lygo in the press room after receiving the Bafta Special Award, on behalf of ITV, for commissioning Mr Bates Vs The Post Office (Ian West/PA) He urged for those in power to speed up the compensation process for the subpostmasters still waiting to receive payment. 'It's been successful in every way, except one, which is that they still, many of them, have not got their compensation,' he said. 'So I say to anybody who's in charge of sorting out the compensation, will you hurry up and pay these people what they do?' Star of the show Jones described the series as being representative of the 'state of the world now'. Speaking at the winner's press conference, Jones said: 'I think that there's something archetypal about the story that keys into the state of the world now. 'It's not just the postmasters, there's a general sense of disenfranchisement of people feeling cut off from their dreams, cut off from just a lifestyle, cut off from living their lives.' Cast and crew members pose with Toby Jones, left, and Monica Dolan, right, in the press room after winning the Limited Drama Award for 'Mr Bates vs The Post Office' during the 2025 Bafta Television Awards (Ian West/PA) The show's producer Patrick Spence has called for the media to continue 'spreading the message' and raise awareness about the Horizon scandal. 'I think we've done our bit. We carried the baton for a bit. We need you guys to spread the message that they haven't been paid yet,' he said. 'It's not over, and they're being bamboozled with bureaucracy, so please, we beg you, don't make us make another drama. 'Get the message out and tell them seriously if there are still people in abject poverty waiting for compensation.'
South Wales Argus
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Mr Bates Vs The Post Office wins Bafta but fight for victims ‘not over yet'
The four-part series focuses on the subpostmasters who fought to clear their names in the wake of the Horizon scandal, which wrongly convicted them of offences such as fraud because of the faulty software. Creators of the show including actor Toby Jones who played Sir Alan Bates, writer Gwyneth Hughes and producer Patrick Spencer, hopes the Bafta win will keep the scandal at the forefront of the public's mind as subpostmasters continue to wait for compensation. 'It's not over yet. It's a complicated situation. There's several different compensation schemes going on,' Ms Hughes said at a winner's press conference shortly after receiving the award. 'They're all mired in different parts of the government. Nobody seems to know what's happening. 'Our main characters have not been paid. They haven't got their compensation. It's been going for 25 years. 'If we're on front pages tomorrow waving our very heavy statuettes, then that's bound to get it back in people's consciousness and get people to make an effort.' Mr Bates vs The Post Office wins the BAFTA for Limited Drama 👏 #BAFTATVAwards with @pandocruises — BAFTA (@BAFTA) May 11, 2025 She also said it was 'very distressing' when she realised the scandal was happening in Britain comparing the situation to something that might occur in a country where 'little people don't have any power'. 'It's a British story. I couldn't believe it was happening in my country. When I first heard about it, I thought that can't be true, that can't be right,' she explained. Kevin Lygo, managing director of ITV Studios, received the Special Award at the Baftas for commissioning Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, and urged all TV corporations to continue making series to 'make power to account'. 'It really falls to us to remember that these are incredibly important things that must continue to be learned,' he said on stage at the Royal Festival Hall. 'At a time when funding is tricky but not impossible, the ITV and the BBC must continue to make power to account, institutions like the post office to account. 'It is part of a long tradition on TV of these genres that true stories that shine a light on corruption, criminality, miscarriages of justice… but nothing, I think, has had quite the effects Mr Bates' has had.' Polly Hill and Kevin Lygo in the press room after receiving the Bafta Special Award, on behalf of ITV, for commissioning Mr Bates Vs The Post Office (Ian West/PA) He urged for those in power to speed up the compensation process for the subpostmasters still waiting to receive payment. 'It's been successful in every way, except one, which is that they still, many of them, have not got their compensation,' he said. 'So I say to anybody who's in charge of sorting out the compensation, will you hurry up and pay these people what they do?' Star of the show Jones described the series as being representative of the 'state of the world now'. Speaking at the winner's press conference, Jones said: 'I think that there's something archetypal about the story that keys into the state of the world now. 'It's not just the postmasters, there's a general sense of disenfranchisement of people feeling cut off from their dreams, cut off from just a lifestyle, cut off from living their lives.' Cast and crew members pose with Toby Jones, left, and Monica Dolan, right, in the press room after winning the Limited Drama Award for 'Mr Bates vs The Post Office' during the 2025 Bafta Television Awards (Ian West/PA) The show's producer Patrick Spence has called for the media to continue 'spreading the message' and raise awareness about the Horizon scandal. 'I think we've done our bit. We carried the baton for a bit. We need you guys to spread the message that they haven't been paid yet,' he said. 'It's not over, and they're being bamboozled with bureaucracy, so please, we beg you, don't make us make another drama. 'Get the message out and tell them seriously if there are still people in abject poverty waiting for compensation.'
