Report from Edinburgh: ‘Big Brother,’ fighting words and flourishing opportunities for factual

As three days of panel discussions and presentations wound down at this year's MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, several themes emerged as recurrent. First, the demise of Big Brother will close one door but perhaps open others (with close to £50 million freed up for new production); secondly, factual programming will ride out the storm caused by current economic turmoil and might even flourish in the immediate future. And thirdly, James Murdoch certainly doesn't mince words.

August 31, 2009

As three days of panel discussions and presentations wound down at this year's MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, several themes emerged as recurrent. First, the demise of Big Brother will close one door but perhaps open others (with close to £50 million freed up for new production); secondly, factual programming will ride out the storm caused by current economic turmoil and might even flourish in the immediate future. And thirdly, James Murdoch certainly doesn't mince words.

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About The Author

Barry Walsh is editor-in-chief and content director for Realscreen, and has served as editor of the publication since 2009. With a career in entertainment media that spans two decades, prior to Realscreen, he held the associate editor post for now defunct sister publication Boards, which focused on the advertising and commercial production industries. Before Boards, he served as editor of Canadian Music Network, a weekly music industry trade, and as music editor for HMV.com. As content director, he also oversees the development of content for the brand's market-leading events, the Realscreen Summit and Realscreen West, as well as new content initiatives.

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