Conference to debate TV in a ‘Post-referendum’ Scotland

THE TV broadcasting options in a post-referendum Scotland are to be debated at an annual conference about TV ‘in the nations and regions’.

SNP MP, Peter Wishart, is scheduled to speak at the two-day Salford Conference, which bills the debate thus: “With the question of Scottish independence soaring up the political agenda, we ask Pete Wishart MP, the SNP’s Westminster spokesperson for Culture, Media & Sport, what independence would mean for the UK’s radio and television sectors.”

A referendum in Scotland on independence has been set for two years’ time.

The conference is taking place on the 12th and 13th of next month, with Westminster Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, providing a keynote speech.

Also appearing are Adam Crozier, chief executive ITV, and George Entwistle, director, BBC Vision. Confirmed other speakers include Beryl Vertue, Tony Wood, David Davies, Barbara Slater, Moz Dee, Niall Sloane, David Wheeldon, Diane Coyle, Tom Gutteridge, Alex Connock, Gillian Reynolds, Mark Chapman, Nigel Smith, Phill Clark, and Sunandan Wallia.

Say the organisers, the sessions include:

“A VERY BRITISH DRAMA: With British TV exports now a £1.4bn business, the incentive to create the next hit drama has never been greater. We explore the snakes and ladders of making great international drama.

“STRUCTURED REALITY – THE INSIDE STORY: We peer past the fake tans, six packs and vajazzles to find out exactly how structured reality is produced.

“INDEPENDENT TELEVISION?: With the question of Scottish independence soaring up the political agenda we ask Pete Wishart MP, the SNP’s Westminster spokesperson for Culture, Media & Sport, what independence would mean for the UK’s radio and television sectors.

“A QUESTION OF SPORT: Our ‘who’s who’ of sports media panel explores how well are consumers served by the current sports media landscape.

“WATCHING THE RADIO: Is radio visualisation the key to keeping radio relevant amongst a mass of digital media? We explore the oldest of broadcast media’s newest trick.

“DIANE COYLE: The vice chairman of the BBC Trust in conversation with [conference chair] Steve Hewlett.

“IF I WERE JEREMY HUNT: What would you do if you were the person in charge of broadcasting in the UK? Three industry professionals tell us what they would do if they were the Secretary of State.”

For more information, visit www.nationsandregionsmedia.org