Insiders: The TV Podcast

Expectation / Hat Trick

BBC

Netflix

ITV

Donald Trump

Youtube

Channel 4

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

The Office

Streaming Services

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

39 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	61	Founded	a year ago
Number of Listeners		Category	TV & Film

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Latest Episodes

Should a Man Write the Sarah Everard Drama? 400 Female Screenwriters vs. The BBC

TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville debate the BBC's controversial Sarah Everard drama and whether a man should be writing it, explore how the Married at First Sight UK fallout could threaten Love Island, and confirm your suspicions: your fa... more

5 Jun 2026 • 34 min

Why Do Great TV Shows Often End So Badly? How To Tell an Actor They’re Being Killed Off & Why Polymarket has Changed Reality TV Forever

TV Insiders Jimmy Mulville and Peter Fincham discuss whether Euphoria is on its final series, how to end a TV hit properly, why killing off characters can backfire, how prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket are spoiling reality TV shows like ... more

29 May 2026 • 37 min • Most popular

YouTube

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

TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville are joined by Michael Grade to talk about the challenges facing new BBC Director General Matt Brittin, questions asked of Channel 4 after allegations made about Married at First Sight UK and Blackadder, Do... more

22 May 2026 • 36 min

Eurovision Turns Off Anti-Booing Software | The BBC BAFTA Backlash & A Wordle TV Show!?

TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville tackle Eurovision's biggest controversy yet, the BBC getting called out at the BAFTA TV awards, and why Wordle could actually work as a prime-time TV show.

In this episode:

* Why Eurovision 2026 final h... more

15 May 2026 • 33 min

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Recent Guests

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.

Andy Wilman

Legendary producer, former executive producer of Top Gear, The Grand Tour, and current producer of Clarkson's Farm.

Expectation

Episode: Andy Wilman on Top Gear, The Grand Tour, and Clarkson’s Farm.

Hosts

Peter Fincham

Co-host and television executive with leadership experience at BBC1 and ITV; later co-CEO of Expectation, involved in high-profile productions and industry analysis.

Jimmy Mulville

Co-host and Hat Trick Productions founder; veteran TV producer involved in major UK formats and theatre/film ventures.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 39 ratings

Excellent
Really enjoying this. Good insights and insider indiscretions.
Apple Podcasts
5
TIEITM
United Kingdom2 months ago
Casually brilliant
Glad Mulville still has some bite behind his bark.
Apple Podcasts
5
❤️Radio4Comedy
Netherlands2 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 Kingdom4 months ago
Entertaining but…
Peter!! Please stop interrupting Jimmy. Great show chaps. Always entertaining
Apple Podcasts
5
MikeGuitar777
United Kingdom10 months ago
Excellent
Excellent, informative insights. Feel like I have learnt a lot.
Apple Podcasts
5
Scottie Glenn
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.

Very insightful, especially for those interested in UK TV production and funding.

A bit of occasional repetition, but high-quality analysis and anecdotes.

Entertaining and informative with insider knowledge.

Shows strength in industry context; guests are well-chosen and relevant.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts	#33	United Kingdom/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts	#58	Saudi Arabia/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts	#76	India/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts	#91	Hong Kong/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts	#101	Belgium/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts	#196	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.

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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 discuss the shifting TV landscape with a focus on public funding, streaming, and the consolidation of production power. Episodes blend sharp analysis of BBC funding, the rise of mega-indies, and platform strategies with candid anecdotes from executives and producers, plus timely takes on creator economies, big-format franchises, and the evolving role of public broadcasters. A notable edge comes from long-tenured figures who frequently connect historical industry patterns to today's decision-making, offering listeners practical context for pitching guests, navigating sponsorships, or evaluating opportunities in UK and global television.

A standout trait is the duo's willingness to challenge conventional wisdom with industr... more

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How many subscribers and views does Insiders: The TV Podcast have?

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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. When It Hits the Fan
5. Full Disclosure with James O'Brien

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

Insiders: The TV Podcast launched a year ago and published 61 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. Michael Grade
2. Greg Dyke
3. Amol Rajan
4. Lisa McGee
5. Gill Wilson
6. Kenton Allen
7. Tim Hincks
8. Owen Braben

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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