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Election debates; women directors; 'Sky Europe' talks; all3media chairman

Will the sale of all3media affect creativity?; how TV debates encourage voter participation; BSkyB talks to expand into Europe; and are there really fewer women directors nowadays?

The UK company behind programmes including Skins, Midsomer Murders and the Gadget Show has been sold to US media giants Discovery and Liberty Global. All3media group is comprised of eighteen leading production companies, which have always operated as individual businesses with creative independence. So, will a corporate buyout affect this culture? Steve Morrison, the Chairman of All3media joins Steve Hewlett to discuss.

The public want and expect TV election debates to be held in in the run up to next year's general election, that's according to a new report by the Lords Communications Committee. But they want greater diversity among the moderators and for broadcasters to encourage more voter participation. Steve speaks to Lord Inglewood, Chair of the Committee, about the findings and the possible formats the debates could take.

A new report from Directors UK claims there's been a decrease in employment of women directors in the last two years. It's examined over twenty eight thousand episodes of programmes, across of range of genres, and says that in some areas, such as entertainment and drama, production companies are more likely to hire men. Steve Hewlett talks to award winning director Beryl Richards about the findings.

BSykB has confirmed it is in the early stages of talks over a possible deal to buy the German and Italian pay TV assets owned by Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox. 21st Century Fox currently owns 57 percent of Sky Deutschland and all of Sky Italia. BskyB believe at the right value, this combination would have the potential to create a world class multinational pay TV group. Claire Enders, Enders Analysis talks about the ramifications of such a move.

Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Discovery and Liberty Global buyout of production giant All3Media

    Steve Morrison, Chair of All3Media explains how the buyout will affect the culture.

    Duration: 08:19

  • Reversing the lack of female directors in TV

    With Beryl Richards, Directors UK on her new report.

    Duration: 08:19

  • BSkyB in talks to buy out Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia

    Claire Enders, Enders Analysis on the ramifications of such a move.

    Duration: 04:08

  • Why TV election debates need to happen again

    With Lord Inglewood, Chair of the Lords Communications Committee on his new report.

    Duration: 06:06

Broadcast

  • Wed 14 May 2014 16:30

Podcast