TellyCast: The content industry podcast

Justin Crosby
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TellyCast is the leading podcast exploring the future of television, YouTube, the creator economy and digital-first production. Hosted by Justin Crosby, each episode features conversations with the people shaping the future of content. 🎧 New episodes every week.

  1. 6d ago

    Ben Powell-Jones on Strong Watch Studios, A Comedy Thing and Why TV and Digital Are Becoming One Industry

    Three years after ex-LADbible executives Ben Powell-Jones and Thom Gulseven launched Strong Watch Studios with backing from Hat Trick Productions' Jimmy Mulville, the digital-first studio is delivering for Channel 4, the BBC and Netflix - and has just hired two senior TV executives to help it do more.  This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by co-founder Ben Powell-Jones for his first solo appearance on the show, to talk through how Strong Watch actually works: the strategy-first pitch that won Channel 4's A Comedy Thing, why the studio calls itself a content company rather than a digital one, and why Ben believes TV and digital commissioning are converging into a single industry — content distribution. The conversation also covers Strong Watch's expanding slate, including last year's Sidemen series three for Netflix and the Pluto TV FAST deal for its own factual series People Are Deep, why Ben thinks the creator economy is giving way to a "community economy" built on platforms like Patreon and Substack, and where AI fits — and doesn't — in the studio's workflow. Inside this episode: Why Jimmy Mulville backed Strong Watch Studios, and how the deal came togetherHiring senior TV executives Adam Reeve and Helen Gordon into a digital-first structureThe strategy-first pitch behind Channel 4's A Comedy Thing, and who owns whatWhy TV and digital commissioning are merging into one "content distribution" industryContent acquisition, TFI Friday and Piers Morgan's Uncensored playbookTaking People Are Deep from YouTube to Pluto TV and FAST channelsWhat LADbible's pandemic-era data taught Ben about stripping out "creative ego"The shift from creator economy to "community economy," and what Time Team's Patreon success revealsWhy Strong Watch uses AI everywhere except in the content itselfStory of the WeekHero of the WeekGet in the BinVisit Tubular Labs Sign up for The Drop newsletter Enrol on the TellyCast Digital Bootcamp Buy tickets for the Digital Content Forum Subscribe to the TellyCast YouTube channel for exclusive TV industry videos Follow us on LinkedIn Connect with Justin on LinkedIN TellyCast videos on YouTube TellyCast website TellyCast insta TellyCast Twitter TellyCast TikTok

  2. Jul 9

    Cannes Lions Special: AI, IP and Brand-Led Content | Luma AI, Studio 55, Aardman

    Recorded on the ground at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, this Cannes special closes the current series of TellyCast before the summer break. Host Justin Crosby meets three guests working at the point where advertising, entertainment and technology now converge. Jason Day, Head of EMEA at Luma AI, explains how the company is unifying multiple video and image models into a single creative platform, why he believes the technology has moved ahead of consumer expectations, and how brands are building AI capability in-house rather than outsourcing it. He also discusses Luma Agents and the Moses drama series produced with Wonder Project and Amazon Prime. Will Scougal, EVP of Brand and Commercial Partnerships at ITV Studios' Studio 55, unpacks Double Date Island, the TikTok-first dating format built with Tinder and OMD. He sets out why ITV Studios is bringing broadcast-grade IP and creator craft to brands, and why production groups are still rare at Cannes. Emma Hardie Commercial and Brand Director at Aardman, marks 50 years of the studio with a look at how Shaun the Sheep, Wallace and Gromit and a forthcoming Pokémon series translate into brand partnerships, gaming, Roblox and live experiences, from a Japanese farmhouse recreation to Feathers McGraw tattoos in China. TellyCast returns in September, with the Digital Content Forum taking place in London on 5 November. Explore the back catalogue of more than 270 shows, plus recent content from the studio and events, on the TellyCast YouTube channel. Visit Tubular Labs Sign up for The Drop newsletter Enrol on the TellyCast Digital Bootcamp Buy tickets for the Digital Content Forum Subscribe to the TellyCast YouTube channel for exclusive TV industry videos Follow us on LinkedIn Connect with Justin on LinkedIN TellyCast videos on YouTube TellyCast website TellyCast insta TellyCast Twitter TellyCast TikTok

    Cannes Lions Special: AI, IP and Brand-Led Content | Luma AI, Studio 55, Aardman

  3. Jul 2

    How to Build a Billion-View Entertainment Brand

    What does it take to build one of the UK’s most successful branded entertainment franchises? This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by Mark Rivers, co-founder of Cold Glass Productions, the company behind the award-winning Dish from Waitrose podcast and video series. Mark shares the remarkable story behind the show’s growth from a bold business plan into a billion-view entertainment brand, why Cold Glass doesn’t think of itself as a podcast company, and how premium digital entertainment is reshaping the production landscape. They discuss: Why podcasting is now an entertainment business, not an audio businessBuilding Dish from Waitrose into one of the UK’s biggest branded content success storiesCreating different edits for YouTube and Spotify audiencesThe importance of quality in an increasingly crowded podcast marketWorking with A-list talent including Dave Grohl, Emilia Clarke and Louis TherouxWhy distribution strategy should be developed alongside creativeCold Glass Productions’ new original series Outside InSubscription, Substack and the future of creator-led media businessesHow TV production companies can learn from digital-first entertainment brandsIf you’re interested in the future of podcasts, branded entertainment, YouTube strategy or the convergence of television and digital media, this episode is essential listening. Visit Tubular Labs Sign up for The Drop newsletter Support the show Enrol on the TellyCast Digital Bootcamp Buy tickets for the Digital Content Forum Subscribe to the TellyCast YouTube channel for exclusive TV industry videos Follow us on LinkedIn Connect with Justin on LinkedIN TellyCast videos on YouTube TellyCast website TellyCast insta TellyCast Twitter TellyCast TikTok Visit Tubular Labs Sign up for The Drop newsletter Enrol on the TellyCast Digital Bootcamp Buy tickets for the Digital Content Forum Subscribe to the TellyCast YouTube channel for exclusive TV industry videos Follow us on LinkedIn Connect with Justin on LinkedIN TellyCast videos on YouTube TellyCast website TellyCast insta TellyCast Twitter TellyCast TikTok

    How to Build a Billion-View Entertainment Brand

  4. Jun 26

    How to build a digital-first production company

    What does it really take to build a production company for the creator economy? This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by production strategist Bryony Hopkins, founder of BRYONY Ink, whose career spans the BBC, LADbible Group, Strong Watch Studios and FlightStory. Bryony has spent years designing production systems for creator businesses, broadcasters and digital-first studios, helping teams make premium content on lean budgets without sacrificing quality. The conversation explores why traditional TV production models often struggle in digital, how creators are building media companies, and why operational excellence is becoming a competitive advantage. Topics include: • Building production infrastructure for digital-first studios • Why mindset matters as much as production skills • Creating more content from every shoot day • Scaling creator businesses sustainably • The future of duty of care in the creator economy • AI tools transforming production workflows • Why TV professionals have valuable skills the creator economy needs • Protecting creators while producing ambitious content • The professionalisation of creator-led media businesses Whether you’re a TV producer, production executive, creator, commissioner or studio founder, this episode is packed with practical insights into how production is evolving in the digital-first era. Visit Tubular Labs Sign up for The Drop newsletter Support the show Enrol on the TellyCast Digital Bootcamp Buy tickets for the Digital Content Forum Subscribe to the TellyCast YouTube channel for exclusive TV industry videos Follow us on LinkedIn Connect with Justin on LinkedIN TellyCast videos on YouTube TellyCast website TellyCast insta TellyCast Twitter TellyCast TikTok Visit Tubular Labs Sign up for The Drop newsletter Enrol on the TellyCast Digital Bootcamp Buy tickets for the Digital Content Forum Subscribe to the TellyCast YouTube channel for exclusive TV industry videos Follow us on LinkedIn Connect with Justin on LinkedIN TellyCast videos on YouTube TellyCast website TellyCast insta TellyCast Twitter TellyCast TikTok

    How to build a digital-first production company

  5. Jun 18

    Is Hollywood Broken? Peter White on YouTube, Netflix and the Future of TV

    This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by Peter White, Executive Editor at  Deadline⁠, for a wide-ranging conversation covering the biggest issues facing the global content business. Peter shares his perspective from Los Angeles on the changing fortunes of Hollywood, the impact of YouTube on traditional television, the future of late-night programming following Stephen Colbert’s departure from CBS, the economics of streaming, and why production companies need to rethink how they make and monetise content. The discussion explores major industry developments including the Paramount-Skydance deal, the rise of creator-led content, YouTube’s growing dominance in the attention economy, the future of unscripted television, and whether vertical drama is genuinely the next big thing or simply the latest industry fad. Peter also explains why he believes the next generation of media talent will emerge from YouTube rather than traditional television, reveals why Deadline has expanded into live events, and shares his thoughts on the future relationship between creators, broadcasters and streamers. A candid and insightful conversation about where television, social video and the wider creator economy are heading next. In this episode: • Is Hollywood really in crisis?  • Why YouTube is winning the attention war  • The future of late-night television after Stephen Colbert  • The Paramount-Skydance merger and industry consolidation  • Why production companies must reduce costs  • Creator-led content versus traditional TV models  • The rise of YouTube-first entertainment  • Why Peter is sceptical about vertical drama  • How Deadline is adapting to a changing media landscape  • The future of TV, streaming and social video TellyCast is the podcast exploring the future of television, social video and the creator economy. Visit Tubular Labs Sign up for The Drop newsletter Enrol on the TellyCast Digital Bootcamp Buy tickets for the Digital Content Forum Subscribe to the TellyCast YouTube channel for exclusive TV industry videos Follow us on LinkedIn Connect with Justin on LinkedIN TellyCast videos on YouTube TellyCast website TellyCast insta TellyCast Twitter TellyCast TikTok

    Is Hollywood Broken? Peter White on YouTube, Netflix and the Future of TV

  6. Jun 11

    From Gold Rush to YouTube, AI and the Future of TV Production

    What happens when two experienced television producers decide to leave the traditional TV industry and build a digital-first business from scratch? In this episode of TellyCast, Justin Crosby sits down with Pete Campion, Co-Founder of IndyStudios, to explore how he and former BBC producer Matt Ramsden have made the leap from broadcast television into the creator economy. Pete spent more than two decades producing large-scale international factual series, including the hugely successful Gold Rush franchise. But as the economics of traditional television became increasingly challenging, he saw an opportunity to apply those storytelling skills to YouTube, digital channels and AI-powered content. The conversation explores the realities of building a digital-first production company, why TV producers should have confidence in their storytelling skills, how Indie Studios is developing original YouTube channels, and why AI is creating entirely new opportunities for factual storytelling. Pete also discusses audience behaviour on YouTube, the importance of owning intellectual property, collaborating with creators, working with brands, and the lessons traditional production companies need to learn if they want to succeed in the new production economy. Elsewhere, Justin and Pete discuss the future of reality television, duty of care in content production, the opportunities for experienced TV producers in social video, and why storytelling remains the most valuable skill in any medium. Whether you’re a producer, creator, commissioner, studio executive or media entrepreneur, this episode offers a fascinating insight into how one production company is navigating the transition from television to digital-first content. Key Topics • Building IndyStudios after redundancy from traditional TV  • Why experienced TV producers are moving into digital-first content  • Gold mining channels and niche audience strategies  • Working with creators and athletes  • The opportunities and risks of AI-generated storytelling  • Legends of Gold and AI-powered factual content  • What TV producers can learn from YouTube creators  • Audience-first storytelling versus commissioner-led development  • Duty of care in digital production  • The future of independent production companies Episode Highlights • Pete’s journey from Gold Rush to founding IndyStudios  • Why “storytelling will win” regardless of technology changes  • How AI is unlocking previously impossible factual stories  • Building owned IP instead of relying on commissions  • Lessons learned from publishing on YouTube  • The biggest mindset shifts TV producers need to make  • Why collaboration is essential for traditional indies entering digital Visit Tubular Labs Sign up for The Drop newsletter Enrol on the TellyCast Digital Bootcamp Buy tickets for the Digital Content Forum Subscribe to the TellyCast YouTube channel for exclusive TV industry videos Follow us on LinkedIn Connect with Justin on LinkedIN TellyCast videos on YouTube TellyCast website TellyCast insta TellyCast Twitter TellyCast TikTok

    From Gold Rush to YouTube, AI and the Future of TV Production

  7. Jun 4

    The Business of True Crime: Building IP Beyond Television

    This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by Naomi Channell, Head of Podcasts at Curve Media and creator of some of the UK’s fastest-growing true crime podcasts. Naomi shares her journey from a 20-year career in television production to building a portfolio of hit podcast brands that now attract more than a million monthly listeners across audio and video platforms. The conversation explores how Naomi developed her first podcast around the Stuart Lubbock case, why empathy and trust have become central to her approach to true crime storytelling, and how Curve Media has embraced podcasting as a serious digital-first business opportunity. Naomi also reveals how shows such as The Affair and Totally True Crime have found audiences on Spotify, discusses the realities of podcast monetisation, and explains why TV production companies should be thinking about podcasts, communities, live events, books and platform licensing as part of a broader IP strategy. If you’re interested in podcasting, digital-first content, social video, audience building or the future of media businesses, this is an essential listen. Visit Tubular Labs Sign up for The Drop newsletter Enrol on the TellyCast Digital Bootcamp Buy tickets for the Digital Content Forum Subscribe to the TellyCast YouTube channel for exclusive TV industry videos Follow us on LinkedIn Connect with Justin on LinkedIN TellyCast videos on YouTube TellyCast website TellyCast insta TellyCast Twitter TellyCast TikTok

    The Business of True Crime: Building IP Beyond Television

  8. May 26

    Andrew Eastel on Building Digital-First IP Beyond Broadcast

    This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by Andrew Eastel, Managing Director of Middlechild Productions, for a fascinating conversation about how traditional TV production companies can adapt to the digital-first production economy. Andrew explains how Middlechild launched the hugely successful Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh YouTube channel, why factual producers may be better placed for social video than they realise, and how TV indies can build long-term IP businesses beyond traditional commissioning. The discussion explores YouTube strategy, digital monetisation, brand partnerships, broadcaster pre-sales, connected TV viewing habits, audience behaviour, and why producers should think like entrepreneurs when building social video channels. Andrew also reveals how Middlechild’s new digital division Wildchild is developing future-facing content brands in areas including pets and survival, and explains why digital-first production could eventually create more stable long-term work for freelancers. This episode is essential listening for anyone working in TV production, social video, YouTube strategy, digital-first content, or the wider creator economy. Key Topics: • The success of Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh on YouTube • Why TV producers still have valuable advantages in digital • How broadcasters may increasingly acquire digital-first IP • Building long-term content brands beyond commissioning • YouTube as a search engine and connected TV platform • Monetisation strategies beyond YouTube ad revenue • Why producers need a business model before a format idea • The future of factual TV and digital-first production Visit Tubular Labs Sign up for The Drop newsletter Enrol on the TellyCast Digital Bootcamp Buy tickets for the Digital Content Forum Subscribe to the TellyCast YouTube channel for exclusive TV industry videos Follow us on LinkedIn Connect with Justin on LinkedIN TellyCast videos on YouTube TellyCast website TellyCast insta TellyCast Twitter TellyCast TikTok

    Andrew Eastel on Building Digital-First IP Beyond Broadcast
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TellyCast is the leading podcast exploring the future of television, YouTube, the creator economy and digital-first production. Hosted by Justin Crosby, each episode features conversations with the people shaping the future of content. 🎧 New episodes every week.

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