ABSTRACT

Covering all the major areas of television production, this in-depth work highlights the widely varying influences, difficulties and opportunities at work in the industry. Each kind of producer across the seven areas here examined faces the same practical issues of budget, talent and equipment resources, and end-product expectations; however, the self-image of the producers and the creative environment in which they work can differ greatly from one programming sector to the next, and whilst their careers may run parallel they are usually cut off from one another ideologically. Based on interviews from over two hundred and fifty producers working across a selection of British television channels as well as producers of a number of high-profile American shows, this book takes in a panoramic view of production models at work today and concludes with some insightful suggestions for the future.

chapter 1|18 pages

Producers in British television

chapter |8 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|20 pages

Documentary: film-makers

chapter 3|18 pages

Journalist producers

chapter 4|15 pages

Sports: live events

chapter 5|21 pages

The edinfotainment maelstrom

chapter |5 pages

Introduction

chapter 6|19 pages

Drama/fiction

chapter 7|13 pages

The comedy enigmas

chapter 8|19 pages

‘Light entertainment’

chapter 9|16 pages

The independent takeover

chapter 10|11 pages

Women producers

chapter 11|16 pages

Programme barons and power

chapter 12|8 pages

Conclusions: past

chapter 13|9 pages

Towards 2022

chapter |2 pages

The interviews

chapter |3 pages

Notes

chapter |4 pages

Selected bibliography