From the CEO Contents

icon needs to be restored. Don’t miss Roz Laws’ report of the evening.

Talking of soaps, Carole Solazzo looks at what members of minority groups in her local community think of how they are depicted in them. It’s a powerful piece.

Sky continues to invest heavily in British content. Inside, Shilpa Ganatra examines the launch of Sky Kids.

Also in this issue, RTS Midlands Chair Kully Khaila reminds us of the region’s important role in training screen talent.

Elsewhere, we report on an enlightening RTS event that explored the ever-growing podcast phenomenon.

Our TV Diarist is the brilliant Frank Cottrell-Boyce, winner of the Judges’ Award at the RTS North West Awards

2022. Not surprisingly, Frank’s diary is a must-read.

Don’t miss our Working Lives column, an interview with Sky News foreign correspondent Stuart Ramsay. Without the bravery and resourcefulness of people like Stuart, our knowledge of global catastrophes such as the war in Ukraine would be so much poorer.

Finally, I hope to see many of you at the RTS Television Journalism Awards on 1 March. I can promise you a great evening.

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Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s TV Diary

The screenwriter and novelist tries to find that story he always wanted to write…

Comfort Classic: Detectorists

Steve Clarke celebrates a tender, humane comedy that really cares about its characters and their imperfect lives

Ear Candy: Obsessed with… Happy Valley

Harry Bennett gets obsessed as Amy Gledhill and Isy Suttie dissect the drama episode by episode

Working Lives: Chief correspondent

Stuart Ramsay tells Matthew Bell what he has learned on the frontline of 18 wars and a pandemic

Bringing a TV legend to life

Russell T Davies tells the RTS how he set out to rescue the reputation of one of the giants of British TV, Noele Gordon, with his tribute Nolly

Our Friend in the Midlands

Kully Khaila hails local training initiatives but urges all concerned to keep investing in tomorrow’s talent

Do soaps wash too white?

Carole Solazzo asks people in her local community if shows such as Corrie and EastEnders are doing enough to represent the complexity of UK society

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Theresa Wise

Four’s new freedoms

Now that plans to privatise Channel 4 have been ditched, how will it take advantage of its new opportunities? Steve Clarke reports

Sky Kids goes big on UK content

Sky goes head to head with CBeebies by providing an ad-free, linear-TV channel. Shilpa Ganatra investigates

Too working-class for a career in TV?

Ashling O’Connor examines broadcasters’ efforts to recruit and retain staff from a wider socio-economic base

New ways to learn your craft

Television distils a day of expert advice from top talent at the RTS Student Masterclasses 2023

The rise and rise of the podcast

An RTS panel explains why the audio format is booming and offers tips to potential podcasters

Will the tail wag the dog?

There is mounting evidence that brand-funded content is finally about to emerge as a force in British TV. An RTS panel explains why

RTS news and events

Reports of the Society’s seminars, events and awards ceremonies from around the UK and Ireland