大象传媒

He's the only man who's run the 大象传媒, Channel 4 and ITV. In this series for Radio 2, Michael Grade tells the inside story of Britain's television industry. It's a story that takes us from Alexandra Palace in London to Southfork Ranch in Dallas. The series examines the key milestones in the story of TV seen from Michael's unique and personal viewpoint.

In 1973, Michael Grade joined London Weekend Television as Deputy Controller of Programmes (Entertainment), "I realised that TV was destined to be the entertainment medium of the future".

In the second programme, 'Aunty Fights Back', Michael considers how, under the leadership of Director General Hugh Greene, the 大象传媒 refreshed its television offering and began to compete against ITV.

Michael recalls landmark dramas like 'Cathy Comes Home' with its Producer Tony Garnett, the controversial Falklands' film 'Tumbledown' with its Director Richard Eyre and the significance of 大象传媒 ONE'S weekly 'Play For Today' strand.

The programme also examines the launch of 大象传媒2, the impact of 'That's Life!' and 'Child Watch' and the significance of the arts strand 'Monitor'. And Michael recalls the genesis and influence of 'Live Aid' which he green lit for 大象传媒 ONE.

The series features a wealth of newly recorded personal interviews with many of the people Michael has worked with over the years, and this programme includes contributions from Bob Geldof, Esther Rantzen, Sharon Osbourne, Angela Rippon, and Melvyn Bragg, TV Drama Executives Jeremy Isaacs and Peter Bazalgette, Historian Asa Briggs, Professors Anthony Smith and Christopher Frayling, Producer William G. Stewart and former Channel Controllers Paul Fox and Jonathan Powell.

Presented by Michael Grade
Written and produced by Malcolm Prince.