Our next Media Society discussion event is about the future of British television. Join us for an online Zoom discussion on Wednesday 7th October at 6pm.
Event Panel
We are pleased to be joined for the discussion by Rhodri Talfan Davies, the Deputy Director-General of the BBC.
Rhodri Talfan Davies is responsible for the BBC's editorial strategy and is a member of both the BBC Board and Executive Committee. His role includes driving high standards across all BBC output, and safeguarding the public’s trust in the corporation. He previously led the BBC's Nations division, ran BBC Cymru Wales, and served as interim Director-General in spring 2026. He brings an insider's view of how the UK's national broadcaster plans to reinvent itself for a digital future.
Also on the panel:
Professor Catherine Johnson
Catherine Johnson is the Professor of Media and Communication at the University of Leeds, with more than 20 years' experience researching television, media policy and public service media. She led Public Service Media in the Age of Platforms, a major European research project on how global streamers are reshaping public broadcasters across seven markets. Her work on how audiences find and watch TV has informed debate on the Media Act and the future of the UK's PSBs.
Mathew Horsman
Mathew Horsman is a leading media analyst and consultant, and the founder of the media consultancy Mediatique. He is a former media editor at The Independent and research director at Investec, and has advised broadcasters, regulators and government on the economics of UK TV. He has written widely on the future of linear and terrestrial television and on how the BBC should be funded and reformed.
The discussion will be chaired by Nigel Dacre
Nigel is President of the Media Society and a media executive, writer and journalist. He spent 24 years in TV news at BBC News and ITN, ending up as Editor of ITV News. He is a former chair of Comux UK, and in 2025 was a member of the DCMS Forum on the Future of TV Distribution.
Event Details
British television is going through the biggest upheaval in a generation – and it's happening on multiple fronts at once.
The BBC is grappling with funding pressures and cutbacks, and the future of the licence fee itself is being questioned as part of next year’s Charter Renewal. Meanwhile, US media giants are reshaping the landscape: with Sky's planned acquisition of ITV and the Paramount takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.
At the same time, viewing habits are shifting fast. YouTube has become a rival to traditional broadcasters. Streaming services are pulling audiences away from linear TV. There’s an ongoing debate about how to protect public service broadcasting. And there’ll soon be a government decision on when to switch off Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT).
These issues raise a crucial question: what will British television look like in 5 or 10 years' time?
Join the Media Society for a live online panel discussion bringing together broadcasting experts to discuss what's driving these changes and how they will affect viewers and wider society.
Event Schedule: Wednesday 7th October. Zoom starts at 6pm. Discussion ends at 7pm
Tickets: Free for Media Society members (join the Media Society here). Non-members: £10. Students: £5.
About the Media Society
The Media Society is a British charity that organises events and activities about media issues.
