Insiders: The TV Podcast

Expectation / Hat Trick

BBC

Netflix

ITV

Channel 4

Donald Trump

Youtube

Have I Got News For You

Alan Yentob

Spitting Image

Derry Girls

Father Ted

Television

Strictly Come Dancing

Hat Trick Productions

Expectation

Top Gear

Micro Dramas

Harry and Meghan

World Cup

The Office

Every Friday, TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville take you behind the scenes of the world of television.

Jimmy is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His hit shows include Have I Got News For You (series 69 now airing), Father Ted, Derry Girls, Outnumbered, and Episodes. In the US Hat Trick launched Whose Line Is It Anyway in 1997 which ran on ABC for seven years ... more

51 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	67	Founded	a year ago
Number of Listeners		Category	TV & Film

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Latest Episodes

Should Under-16s Be Banned From Social Media? Time Team's Patreon Fortune & Snubbing Tom Hanks with Strongwatch Studios

Ben Powell-Jones and Thom Gulseven of Strongwatch Studios join Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville to reveal what it was really like to work at LADbible when it was booming, why they had to turn down Tom Hanks and whether the UK's proposed social media ... more

17 Jul 2026 • 39 min

Sky buys ITV: How will this change what we see on TV?

TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville discuss Count Binface, the BBC's World Cup cost saving efforts, Sky's ITV purchase, and Peppa Pig using A.I.

Topics discussed:

Farage vs Count Binface

BBC not going to the US in the World Cup Quarter F... more

10 Jul 2026 • 37 min • Most popular

YouTube

Jimmy & Peter Answer Your Questions

TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville address your comments and questions regarding the BBC's Sarah Everard drama, axing long-running TV shows, Claude writing quiz show questions, as well as discussing Michael Grade's recent comments about ter... more

3 Jul 2026 • 38 min

YouTube

The World Cup Coverage Battle | BBC's 500 Job Cuts | The Government's Social Media Green Paper

TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville tackle the World Cup coverage battle, the TV Festival's Manchester move, the BBC's 500 job cuts, and the Government's social media green paper - recorded on the UK's hottest June day on record!

Topics di... more

26 Jun 2026 • 35 min

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Recent Guests

Charlie Perkins

Channel 4 Head of Comedy

Channel 4

Episode: C4's Charlie Perkins on Comedy

Michael Grade

Lord Grade of Yarmouth, former Chairman/CEO with past roles at BBC, Channel 4, ITV

Television industry veteran

Episode: Michael Grade on Solving the BBC’s Big Problems, MAFS UK Allegations & Running Channel 4

Greg Dyke

Former Director General of the BBC (2000-2004)

BBC (former DG)

Episode: Greg Dyke on the BBC’s new DG, how to get your staff on side & the importance of public service broadcasting

Amol Rajan

Broadcaster; presenter (Today Programme, University Challenge, Amol Rajan Interviews)

BBC; presenter

Episode: Amol Rajan on leaving the Today Programme, the BBC's future and leaping into the "Digital Narnia" of the creator economy

Lisa McGee

Brilliant writer and creator of Derry Girls and How to Get to Heaven from Belfast

Netflix (How to Get to Heaven from Belfast)

Episode: Lisa McGee on creating How to Get to Heaven from Belfast & what the future holds for Derry Girls

Gill Wilson

Head of Factual, Plum Pictures; former Channel 4 commissioning editor; founder of Bessie

Plum Pictures

Episode: ITV’s picture-in-picture ads, day drinking with Claudia Winkleman and the Wild West era of 90s reality TV (with Gill Wilson)

Kenton Allen

Spectacularly successful and award-winning producer; runs Big Talk Studios

Big Talk Studios

Episode: The Cup of Tea That Led to Ludwig, TV’s Algorithmic Future & Cancellation Nightmares w/ Kenton Allen

Tim Hincks

Co‑CEO of Expectation

Expectation

Episode: Why The Traitors Changed Format, will Disney buy Taylor Swift and can YouTube rule TV? (with Tim Hincks)

Owen Braben

Audience member and questioner at Content London Q&A

Episode: More pressure on BBC Chair Samir Shah, Gary Lineker’s big money Netflix deal, and a Q&A at Content London.

Hosts

Jimmy Mulville

Co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions; long-running host/co-host with industry and production background.

Peter Fincham

Former BBC executive; TV veteran with leadership roles at BBC1, ITV; co-hosts with insider perspective on commissioning, governance, and industry shifts.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 51 ratings

Peter - STOP INTERRUPTING!
Please someone tell Peter not to bang on, excluding Jimmy - and more importantly to stop interrupting Jimmy, even speaking over the punchline s of his stories. Sometimes I have to stop listening…
Apple Podcasts
2
Forpodsdake
United Kingdoma month ago
Excellent
Really enjoying this. Good insights and insider indiscretions.
Apple Podcasts
5
TIEITM
United Kingdom3 months ago
Casually brilliant
Glad Mulville still has some bite behind his bark.
Apple Podcasts
5
❤️Radio4Comedy
Netherlands4 months ago
Good
A very entertaining listen, Jimmy is particularly funny. Occasionally they do sound like 2 privileged older white men and this is not helped by the fact that ALL their guests are white older men like them too. Bit of an echo chamber. Apart from this it is a must listen.
Apple Podcasts
4
LOLAGIRL 2
United Kingdom5 months ago
Entertaining but…
Peter!! Please stop interrupting Jimmy. Great show chaps. Always entertaining
Apple Podcasts
5
MikeGuitar777
United Kingdoma year ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critiques note a perceived echo chamber and interruptive dynamics during conversations.

Listeners praise insider insights and industry experience.

Fans enjoy sharp banter and credibility on TV production.

Audience finds the discussions entertaining and informative for industry watchers.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#60	United Kingdom/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts	#109	Hong Kong/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts	#190	New Zealand/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts	#240	Ireland/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Michael Grade on Solving the BBC’s Big Problems, MAFS UK Allegations & Running Channel 4

Q: How should the BBC balance risk and audience expectations in scheduling and commissioning?

He argues for a shift away from narrow, data-anchored decision making toward courageous, talent-driven decisions that may initially challenge the data but pay off with strong, distinctive programming.

Michael Grade on Solving the BBC’s Big Problems, MAFS UK Allegations & Running Channel 4

Q: What would you advise a new BBC director general coming in from outside the organization?

Grade suggests embracing a fresh, externally informed view to modernize the BBC, remain ahead of audience trends, and rethink the role and purpose of the public service broadcaster in a world of abundant content and streaming.

Who really controls what you watch? (And why TV sackings are always messy...)

Q: How do commissioning decisions really get made and who influences them besides the controller?

Decisions involve a team including drama commissioners, schedulers, and finance partners; schedulers often have the final scheduling say which can drive or constrain decisions, and streamers add data-driven pressure that affects renewal chances; it's a collaborative process rather than a single person deciding in isolation.

Who really controls what you watch? (And why TV sackings are always messy...)

Q: Why does film treat the director as the primary creative force while television centers the writer in the hierarchy?

The hosts argue that TV is often more producer-driven with editorial control shared across multiple people, including writers and producers, whereas film historically assigns stronger auteur status to directors who wield final say through edits and cut decisions; in TV, producers and editorial teams usually steer the outcome, especially in long-running series.

Greg Dyke on the BBC’s new DG, how to get your staff on side & the importance of public service broadcasting

Q: What should Matt Brittin's approach be as he arrives at the BBC?

Greg suggests he should focus on getting internal support and understanding the BBC's unique role, then work toward aligning staff and stakeholders around a shared mission.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Insiders: The TV Podcast

What is Insiders: The TV Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Industry insiders share candid, experience-rich takes on British television, covering governance, funding, public service broadcasting, streaming disruption, and big industry moves. Episodes frequently center on how commissioning, talent dynamics, and platform strategy shape what audiences see—from public broadcasters to global streaming players—while peppering in sharp banter and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. A standout aspect is the long-running, insider-focused perspective on franchise history, regulatory pressures, and the evolving business of making high-profile TV, which can be particularly valuable for listeners in production, publishing, and ad-sponsored programming who want a practical view of current trends and decision-making in t... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Insiders: The TV Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Insiders: The TV Podcast:

1. The Rest Is Entertainment
2. The Media Show
3. Why Are You More Successful Than Me? with Richard Bacon
4. The News Agents
5. The Rest Is Politics

How many episodes of Insiders: The TV Podcast are there?

Insiders: The TV Podcast launched a year ago and published 67 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Insiders: The TV Podcast?

Recent guests on Insiders: The TV Podcast include:

1. Charlie Perkins
2. Michael Grade
3. Greg Dyke
4. Amol Rajan
5. Lisa McGee
6. Gill Wilson
7. Kenton Allen
8. Tim Hincks

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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