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Do advertisers influence editorial?; British drama overseas; Immigration Street

Whether advertisers influence editorial, the growing global success of British drama and why Channel 4 has reduced the run of Immigration Street. Presented by Steve Hewlett.

The chief political commentator at the Daily Telegraph, Peter Oborne, has resigned from the paper, saying its lack of coverage of HSBC and allegations of tax avoidance amounts to a form of "fraud on readers" - a charge the paper strongly denies. Mr Oborne said there had been serious lapses of editorial judgement. It's raised questions about the extent to which advertisers influence editorial decision making, as newspapers come under increasing financial pressures. Steve Hewlett talks to Chris Blackhurst, former city editor of the Evening Standard and former editor of The Independent, about whether the balance of power is shifting.

British TV drama is becoming big business overseas. From the popularity of Downton Abbey, Sherlock, Parade's End and Doctor Who, to more recent exports like Broadchurch and Fortitude, a global audience is now enjoying home-grown productions. Steve Hewlett discusses what is driving the growing interest with Ben Donald, Executive Producer of International Drama at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide, Jane Millichip, MD of Sky Vision, and Mammoth Screen founder and producer Michele Buck.

A controversial documentary on immigration that was filmed in Southampton has been reduced from six programmes to one. Channel 4 has announced it will show "Immigration Street" as a one-hour documentary next Tuesday. The station originally commissioned six episodes of the Benefits Street spin-off, made by Love Productions. Steve Hewlett asks executive producer Kieran Smith what has led to the decision, and he speaks to Satvir Kaur, Southampton councils cabinet member for communities about the impact the documentary has had on residents.

Producer: Katy Takatsuki.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • The influence of advertisers

    Chris Blackhurst, ex editor of The Independent on whether advertisers influence editorial

    Duration: 07:31

  • British drama overseas

    Jane Milichip, Sky, Ben Donald, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ & Michele Buck, Mammoth Screens on rise in UK drama

    Duration: 10:38

  • Shortening of Immigration Street

    Cllr Satvir Kaur & Exec Prod. Kieran Smith on Channel 4's curbed run of Immigration St

    Duration: 08:42

Broadcast

  • Wed 18 Feb 2015 16:30

Podcast