U.K. culture secretary calls for decentralization in TV industry
A call for change at the Royal Television Society conference
In a bold address at the annual Royal Television Society conference, the U.K. culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, took the stage to challenge the television industry on its centralized and exclusive nature. Her speech resonated deeply with the audience, which included prominent TV industry executives such as Big Talk CEO Kenton Allen and PACT CEO John McVey.
“For all of the efforts made by many of you in this room, it should shame us all that television is one of the most centralized and exclusive industries in the U.K.,” Nandy declared. “Because who tells the story determines the story that is told.”
Emphasizing regional talent
Nandy’s message was clear: the industry must broaden its horizons and commission content from every corner of the country. “Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not,” she emphasized. “If you’ve moved jobs and people and content, but the heads of departments and commissioners are still in an office in London, do something about it.”
Her words echoed the sentiments expressed at the Edinburgh TV Festival, where writer James Graham highlighted the underrepresentation of working-class people in TV. Nandy pointed out the industry’s blind spots, saying, “Frankly, if you don’t know why the film industry is so attracted to the beauty of Sunderland, or why the arts sector is buzzing in Bradford, or the potential to TV of the Welsh Valleys, it is most likely because you’ve never been there. And you have no right to call yourself a public service broadcaster.”
The challenge of relocation
Earlier in the conference, Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon discussed the difficulties faced by staff when the broadcaster moved its headquarters from London to Leeds in 2020. Mahon noted that many employees had deep roots in London, making it challenging to relocate their families.
Nandy, who took on the role of culture secretary in July following Labour’s victory in the general election, is the twelfth person to hold the position in the past eleven years. Representing Wigan in the North of England, she brings a fresh perspective to the role, despite not having a background in the media sector. Interestingly, her mother was a television producer, which perhaps gives her a unique insight into the industry’s workings.
A personal reflection on the state of the industry
As a cinema, TV series, and music enthusiast, I find Nandy’s call for decentralization both timely and necessary. The concentration of media power in London has long been a point of contention, and it’s refreshing to see a high-ranking official address it head-on. The idea that “who tells the story determines the story that is told” is particularly poignant. It underscores the importance of diverse voices and perspectives in shaping the narratives that reach our screens.
For those interested in exploring the beauty of regional storytelling, I recommend checking out the trailer for the series Happy Valley, which beautifully captures the essence of the Yorkshire landscape. Similarly, the film The Full Monty offers a glimpse into the lives of working-class men in Sheffield, providing a narrative that is both authentic and engaging.
The broader implications for the industry
Nandy’s speech also raises important questions about the future of public service broadcasting in the U.K. If broadcasters are to truly serve the public, they must reflect the diversity of the nation, not just in terms of geography but also in terms of class, race, and gender. This means not only commissioning content from different regions but also ensuring that decision-makers themselves come from a variety of backgrounds.
For music lovers, the album Different Class by Pulp offers a sonic exploration of working-class life in Sheffield, while the song Common People captures the frustrations and aspirations of those who feel left out of the mainstream narrative.
Moving forward
The challenge now is for the industry to take Nandy’s words to heart and implement meaningful changes. This will require a concerted effort from all stakeholders, from executives to content creators, to ensure that the stories we see on our screens are as diverse and varied as the people who watch them.
the goal is to create a television landscape that is truly representative of the U.K. as a whole. This means embracing the richness of regional cultures and providing opportunities for talent from all walks of life. Only then can we hope to tell stories that resonate with everyone, regardless of where they come from.
By decentralizing the industry and making it more inclusive, we can ensure that the stories we tell are richer, more varied, and ultimately more reflective of the world we live in.