TV execs look to the future

Channel 4 comedy controller Andrew Newman

We have so many shows coming back, which is great, but it means we don’t have room for so many new things.

Next year is going to be hard. Ad revenue is down… and comedy never makes much money. But in 2011 we won’t be doing Big Brother, so there will be 250 hours to fill.

Last week’s Peep Show got 2.1million. If we do a programme on property – just show the inside of someone’s house – it’ll do as well as that. But those two million who like Peep Show will seek it out. It is one of the most successful shows on 4oD [on demand]. Comedy is something people feel passionate about, so in a future of infinite choice, things might be rosy. Comedy will survive quite well.

BBC comedy controller Simon Wilson

‘BBC One is the channel for which we have fewest ideas pitched, so that’s where we want ideas.’

But, less helpfully, he said that the corporation’s comedy priorities were ‘everything’.

Michaela Hennessy-Vass, commissioning editor for comedy, ITV

There is a future for half-hour comedy, but less and less for ITV1 as a channel. It’s hard to monetise a half-hour for us, so we’re looking for more hour-long comedies.’

Emma Tennant, controller of digital channels, ITV

2010 is a challenge. We’ve had to tighten our belts. There will be no new scripted comedy, but more entertainment programmes like Celebrity Juice. But we hope the market is turning around so are looking for 2011.

Sarah Farrell, director of content at Comedy Central

People are pitching us grungy comedy, but that’s not what we’re about. If you look at the channel’s hits, they’re glossy, aspirational US series – our viewers don’t want to be stimulated, necessarily. In our research, the Boosh was their least-liked programme. What we commission has to fit comfortably between the glossy scripted shows.

Steve North, channel head of Dave

There’s a real commitment to comedy, but the budget is spent for next year so we’re looking for 2011 - but we’re looking at animation, stand-up, sketch, sitcom and panel shows. I’d love to see fresh new ideas on the Dave. We’re definitely in the market for new ideas – but they have to be able to stand up against the likes of QI and Dragon’s Den.

Martin Trickey, multiplatform commissioner for comedy, BBC

Shows that can go from online to TV are very rare. We now aim to make comedy for the platform for which it is distributed, although brand-recognition content from Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You does very well.

Published: 24 Sep 2009