TellyCast: The content industry podcast

This week, we get an inside look at ITV Studios’ biggest event of the year at London Screenings, where global buyers gather to shop for the TV hits of the future.  In this special episode, Justin speaks to ITV Studios executives Ruth Berry, Julian Bellamy, Cecilie Olsen and Kate Barnes about the company’s latest formats, dramas, and unscripted shows, including high-profile titles like Cold Water ,...

In this episode of TellyCast, host Justin Crosby sits down with Victor Potrol, SVP of Partnerships & Creator Services at TheSoul Publishing, one of the biggest players in digital-first content. With billions of views across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, TheSoul Publishing has mastered audience engagement at scale. Victor shares insights into the company’s growth strategy, platform...

In this episode of TellyCast, host Justin Crosby dives into one of the biggest debates in the industry—does the UK’s TV commissioning system still work in 2025, or is it time for a major reset? Joining Justin is Ed Sayer , former commissioner-turned-producer, who shares his unique perspective from both sides of the fence. He discusses the challenges producers face, the realities of commissioning,...

An exclusive look into the latest developments and opportunities on TikTok, Twitch, and Snapchat with this  panel discussion from the TellyCast Digital Content Forum, recorded live at BFI Southbank on 7 November 2024.  Moderated by Deadline's Stewart Clarke and featuring Ed Lindeman from TikTok, Josh Bloom from Twitch, and Lucy Luke from Snapchat, this session dives into how these platforms a...

In this episode of TellyCast , Justin Crosby sits down with Matt Risley, Managing Director of 4Studio at Channel 4, to explore the broadcaster’s digital-first strategy. Matt shares insights into how Channel 4 is leveraging platforms like YouTube to reach new audiences, the importance of data-led content strategies, and the evolution of digital originals such as the hit brand 4.0. From balancing br...

Join us for this panel session from the TellyCast Digital Content Forum, titled “Sweating the Small (Big) Stuff ”.  Moderated by Annabel McCleod from Love Productions, this session features leading experts in digital content: Anna-Lee Bridgstock from Jungle Creations, Victor Bengtsson from The Sidemen, and Graham Swallow from Little Dot Studios. Together, they discuss how to grow and monetise digi...

In this special two-part episode of TellyCast, we dive into two pivotal discussions shaping the TV industry in 2025. In Part 1, veteran Scottish TV director and Directors UK board member Peter Strachan joins Justin Crosby to uncover the controversy surrounding BBC’s hit show The Traitors . Strachan raises serious concerns about whether the production truly delivers on Ofcom’s out-of-London rules,...

In our final episode of the year, join us as we reflect on the best moments of TellyCast in 2024. Featuring exclusive interviews with Guns N’ Roses legend Slash, Joe Sugg, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Omid Djalili, Jane Root, Evan Shapiro, Patrick Spence, and many more, this episode takes you behind the scenes of some of the year’s most talked-about productions. From blockbuster TV drama “The Cro...

This special Shooting in Spain episode of TellyCast explores why Spain has become one of the most attractive destinations for international audiovisual productions. Justin Crosby is joined by Vanesa Álvarez, Foreign Direct Investment Projects Director at ICEX-Invest in Spain, and Eduardo Rodrigalvarez, Head of Locations & Supervising Location Manager at Palma Pictures. Vanesa shares how initia...

Join us behind the scenes of the TellyCast Digital Content Forum at BFI Southbank, where digital leaders share their strategies, innovations, and insights into the ever-evolving world of digital-first video. Featuring Gerrit Kemming (Quintus Studios), Serena Jones (The B1M), Dan Biddle (Meta), Ed Lindeman (TikTok), Josh Bloom (Twitch), Lucy Luke (Snapchat), Neil Price (YouTube), and more. Discover...

Justin Crosby interviews Nicola Shindler, CEO of Quay Street Productions, and one of the UK’s most renowned TV producers. Nicola shares insights into her critically acclaimed dramas, including Happy Valley , The Guest , After the Flood , and Dead Hot . She discusses crafting compelling narratives, balancing multiple productions, and her vision for the future of television drama.  Support the show...

In this episode, Justin Crosby speaks to Tom Mudd and Adrian Carter from Shark Teeth Films, the renowned Canadian production company behind acclaimed series such as “Secrets in the Ice” and “Building Bad”. They share their journey from working with US cable networks to crafting globally successful factual programming. Discover their insights on adapting to a shifting content landscape, the creativ...

In this TellyCast episode, we bring you the Digital Docs panel from the TellyCast Digital Content Forum, recorded live at BFI Southbank on 7 November 2024. In this session, we dive into the world of digital-first documentaries with a fantastic group of panellists who are each making waves in the industry. Moderator Sam Barcroft and the panel explore what it takes to succeed in the digital document...

Buy tickets for the TellyCast Digital Content Forum 2024 Join host Justin Crosby as he sits down with Joshua Barnett from After Party Studios, a pioneering force in digital content production and distribution.  From the roots of multi-channel networks to After Party’s rise as a next-generation production powerhouse, Josh shares insights into the studio’s journey, standout projects like Channel 4’s...

Buy tickets for the TellyCast Digital Content Forum 2024 In this episode of TellyCast, recorded live from MIPCOM, Justin Crosby hosts an all-star panel to demystify the world of brand-funded programming. The conversation features insights from industry leaders including Sam Glynn from UTA, Roberta Zamboni from Fremantle, and Javier Martinez from You First. They explore the evolving landscape of br...

Buy tickets for the TellyCast Digital Content Forum 2024 This week we’re in Cannes for MIPCOM, the world's biggest content market as TV execs from around the world come together to wheel, deal and enjoy the odd glass of rose.  It's not every week you get to chat with a genuine rock star and this week I met with Guns n Roses legend Slash and Buccaneer’s Richard Tulk-Hart , Evan Shapiro an...

Buy tickets for the TellyCast Digital Content Forum 2024 This week were back in Rome for MIA, the leading Italian content and co production market. Our guests on this week’s show highlight the increased focus in factual content represented at MIA 2024. We catch up with Marco Spagnoli , deputy director of MIA, Oscar-winning documentary film maker Odessa Rae , and Italian producers Federico Scardama...

Buy tickets for the TellyCast Digital Content Forum 2024 In this episode of TellyCast , Justin Crosby sits down with Benjy Leslie , Managing Director at Connect Management , to explore the dynamic world of influencer marketing and talent management. Benjy shares insights from his experience working with top digital creators and building innovative brand partnerships. He discusses the evolving land...

Buy tickets for the TellyCast Digital Content Forum 2024 Our guest this week is renowned consultant psychologist Dr. Howard Fine.  Howie specialises in working with production teams and talent who face emotionally or physically challenging projects, such as true crime series, blue light shows, and immersive undercover reporting. We dive into how he helps prepare individuals for these high-stress e...

Buy tickets for the TellyCast Digital Content Forum 2024 As the global TV industry’s thoughts turn to Mipcom Cannes in October our guests this week’s show are Elisa Carbonell , CEO of ICEX Trade and Investment – the public institution that drives the prosperity of the Spanish economy through internationalisation and former president of NBC Universal International Studios, USA Network and Columbia...

Buy tickets for the TellyCast Digital Content Forum 2024 In this episode of TellyCast, host Justin Crosby sits down with actress and writer Kellie Shirley , known for her roles in EastEnders and In the Long Run . Kellie discusses her career journey, starting from her early days in Croydon to landing roles in major TV shows, and her work in theatre, radio, and film. She reflects on her first major...

Buy tickets for the TellyCast Digital Content Forum 2024 This week, our guest is a truly unique storyteller, someone who has carved out a distinct niche in the world of documentaries.  Ben Zand 's work takes us to some of the most unexpected corners of the globe, shedding light on untold stories and giving a voice to those often unheard. You may know him from his captivating series under the...

Buy tickets for the TellyCast Digital Content Forum 2024 This week we’re in Edinburgh for the TV Festival where the movers and shakers of the TV industry come together every year to debate the key issues of the moment. My guests are two senior UK producers from the worlds of scripted and unscripted entertainment. First up we have Quay Street productions’ Nicola Shindler OBE, renowned TV producer a...

Buy tickets for the TellyCast Digital Content Forum 2024 Our guest this week is YouTuber turned mainstream TV celebrity, actor, author, voiceover artist and producer Joe Sugg . We’re gonna be talking about Joe’s career to date, his new dating format ‘Date Me at My Worst’ and what he’s got planned for the future. Plus we’ll get to hear his Story of the Week, Hero of the Week and Who or What he’s te...

Buy tickets for the TellyCast Digital Content Forum 2024 Our guest on this week's show is Remy Blumenfeld. Remy is a coach specializing in sectors fuelled by innovation and creativity. His clients include leaders at Netflix, BAFTA, Channel 4, Fremantle, and the BBC, as well as the founders of many top production companies in the UK and the USA. Hear Remy sharing 5 top tips to help content pro...