Insiders: The TV Podcast

Expectation / Hat Trick

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 and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer Peter ran TalkBack where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 5d ago

    Steph McGovern chats to TV Insiders Jimmy & Peter

    TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville are joined by the brilliant Steph McGovern to talk about her career, the television industry, and slime! In this episode: The Rest Is Money Podcast Steph's Career BBC News The TV Industry Steph's Packed Lunch Steph's Novels Have I Got News For You Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com. If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow. CHAPTERS 01:26 Robert Peston / The Rest Is Money 03:01 Steph's engineering roots 03:56 Steph's first steps into TV 05:25 Steph's background 09:30 Steph's first job at the BBC 11:40 The Big Deal 13:27 Working full time at the BBC 15:49 Is TV harder now? 17:40 Steph's Packed Lunch 24:08 Post Packed Lunch life 28:16 Steph's businesses 30:09 Steph's novels 33:50 Steph's first time on HIGNFY 35:48 Steph's first TV appearance #StephMcGovern #RobertPeston #TheRestIsMoneyPodcast #BlackAndDecker #BBC #Middlesbrough #TheBigDeal #StephsPackedLunch #Gootopia #Deadline Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, 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 and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer. Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I'm Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday. YouTube: @insiderstvpodcast Email: podcasts@hattrick.com Instagram: @InsidersTVPod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Steph McGovern chats to TV Insiders Jimmy & Peter

  2. Aug 21

    Ofcom vs Satire, Eurovision's Rule Changes, Subtitles vs Dubbing, Roku's A.I. Channel

    TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville discuss Ofcom vs Satire, Eurovision's voting rule changes, the "Sub v Dub" debate, and Roku's new A.I channel. In this episode: The TV Festival Ofcom vs Satire Eurovision's voting rule changes Subtitles vs Dubbing Roku's A.I channel Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com. If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow. CHAPTERS 00:27 - Intro 01:24 - The TV Festival 03:16 - Ofcom vs Satire 19:44 - Eurovision's voting rules change 26:48 - Subtitles vs Dubbing 34:27 - Roku's A.I. channel 43:24 - Outro #EdinburghFringeFestival #EdinburghTVFestival #BBC #StewartLee #Radio4 #ArmandoIanucci #JamesPrice #LBC #HaveIGotNewsForYou #DonaldTrump #Ofcom #BorisJonhson #Channel4 #EurovisionSongContest #Subtitles #Dubbing #Roku #FairgroundTV Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, 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 and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer. Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I'm Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday. YouTube: @insiderstvpodcast Email: podcasts@hattrick.com Instagram: @InsidersTVPod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Ofcom vs Satire, Eurovision's Rule Changes, Subtitles vs Dubbing, Roku's A.I. Channel

  3. Aug 14

    Can A Self-Funded-To-TV Model Work? BBC's Live At The Apollo Axed

    TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville discuss the viability of self-funded programming, the increasing lack of stand up on British TV now that Live At The Apollo has been axed, and whether Channel 4 should reinstate their "Red Triangle" programme warning. In this episode: - Self funded to TV model - Shane Gillis + Tires road to Netflix - BBC cancels Live At The Apollo - Do comedians need to be on television? - Should C4 reinstate their "Red Triangle" programme warning? Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com. If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow. CHAPTERS 01:27 - Self-funded to TV model 07:31 - Ad-funded programming 11:45 - Shane Gillis + Tires road to Netflix 15:30 - BBC cancels Live At The Apollo 23:28 - C4 celebrates 40 years since Red Triangle debut #ShaneGillis #Tires #Netflix #BBC #Channel4 #YouTube #LiveAtTheApollo #BlanketyBlank #CelebrityMastermind #MaryWhitehouse #NeverMindTheBuzzcocks # Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, 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 and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer. Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I'm Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday. YouTube: @insiderstvpodcast Email: podcasts@hattrick.com Instagram: @InsidersTVPod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Can A Self-Funded-To-TV Model Work? BBC's Live At The Apollo Axed

  4. Aug 7

    Ash Atalla on Unearthing The Office, His Worst Ever TV Show & Why He Left the BBC

    Comedy producer Ash Atalla joins Jimmy Mulville and Peter Fincham to tell the inside story of The Office, his struggles trying to sell the IT Crowd and what the worst TV show he ever made was… In this episode: •How The Office got off the ground — and why nobody was guaranteed to believe in it •Why Ash left the BBC and founded Roughcut Television •The tough reality of trying to sell shows like The IT Crowd •What the worst TV show Ash ever made was and what he learned from it •Why streamers will buy shows like How to Get to Heaven from Belfast but not Big Boys •What the future holds for the TV industry •PLUS: The BBC, Channel 4, Netflix, new comedy, old-school commissioning, and more Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com. If you enjoyed the episode, please give us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share the podcast with a friend – it really helps us grow. CHAPTERS 00:00 Coming Up... 01:53 Unearthing The Office, Big Boys and Stath Lets Flats 10:10 Joining Talkback & Starting Rough Cut 19:10 The Worst Show Ash Ever Made 22:45 How to Sell Shows Today 29:54 The Future of TV #TheOffice #AshAtalla #JimmyMulville #PeterFincham #TVPodcast #BritishComedy #BBC #Channel4 #RoughcutTelevision #TheITCrowd #PeopleJustDoNothing #StathLetsFlats #BigBoys #Television #Comedy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Jul 31

    The BBC’S Controversial New Ad, Luke Littler’s Netflix Show & Have UK TV's Diversity Pledges Failed?

    "What has the BBC ever done for me...?" TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville take on the BBC's much-debated new advert, dig into Hollywood's revolt against the $110 billion Paramount-Warner Bros Discovery merger, and ask whether anyone can ‘Beat Luke Littler’ in his new Netflix show… In this episode: Is the BBC's "What Has The BBC Ever Done For Me?" advert a costly own goal?Hollywood stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Alan Cumming and Benedict Wong  speak out against the Paramount-WBD mergerA new report revealing UK TV's diversity promises that haven't deliveredThe latest on Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the BBCLuke Littler’s new Netflix show with £501,000 prize potPLUS: Chris Martin's baffling cameo, Count Binface’s election chances and why Peter reckons he's more "Luke Littler" than "Mo Farah" Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share it with a friend – it really helps us grow! #BBC #RomeshRanganathan #BBCFundedByAllOfUs #ThisIsOurBBC #BBCAdvert #Advert #LicenceFee #2026 #Paramount #WarnerBrosDiscovery #LukeLittler #Diversity #DonaldTrump #Podcast #Television #Netflix #TVNews #InsidersPodcast Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, 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 and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer. Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I'm Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday. YouTube: @insiderstvpodcast Email: podcasts@hattrick.com Instagram: @InsidersTVPod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Jul 24

    Should Broadcasters Be Removing British Comedy History? And More Listener Questions!

    TV Insiders Peter Fincham and Jimmy Mulville answer listener questions on Channel 4 and Netflix removing classic sitcom episodes, the secret scheduling battle between the BBC and ITV and why some revived formats soar while others flop. Correction: It was actually Matt Berry's character of Douglas who dates April, not Chris O'Dowd's character Roy. You'll forgive us for getting this mistaken – we obviously couldn't watch the episode to check! In this episode: Why Channel 4 removed “The Speech” episode of The IT CrowdWhy Netflix removed episodes of Little Britain, Come Fly with Me & The Mighty BooshThe Fawlty Towers, Father Ted and Peep Show scenes that got cut or pulled entirelyWhether broadcasters should be editing TV historyHow the BBC and ITV secretly traded schedules ahead of the Radio Times deadline and why the ITV's Christmas strategy was always to "lose with honour"Forgotten TV creatives, like Brian Clemens, who never get mentioned todayWhy revivals like Gladiators and Blankety Blank succeeded as revivals when Challenge Anneka and Blind Date didn'tThe real story behind Have I Got News for You's rotating host, and how QI almost had a very different presenterHow actors fake smoking, drinking and eating on screen Have a question or opinion? Leave a comment on Spotify, find us on socials (@InsidersTVPod), or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com. If you enjoyed the episode, please give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, it really helps us grow. #BBC #ITV #Channel4 #Netflix #ITCrowd #FawltyTowers #FatherTed #PeepShow #LittleBritain #TVPodcast #BritishTV #Television #InsidersTVPod #HaveIGotNewsForYou #QI #Gladiators #PublicServiceBroadcasting #Streaming #Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Jul 17

    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 ban for under-16s can actually work. In this episode: •Why they said no to Tom Hanks's agent (and almost turned down Billie Eilish) •How a £500 video made £80k overnight (and why platform ad revenue can vanish just as fast) •Building LADbible's YouTube channel from zero to millions of views •Why Patreon and direct-to-consumer content is the future of monetisation, from Fin vs History to Time Team •Why focus groups lie (and what LADbible's data really showed about who was watching Love Island) •How TV and YouTube are merging, from Rest Is Football's move to Netflix to broadcasters commissioning entire YouTube channels •Their honest take on the UK's proposed social media ban for under-16s Have a question or opinion? Leave a comment, find us on socials (@InsidersTVPod), or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a review 5-star review, share it with a friend and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Strongwatch Studios 04:37 Building LADbible's YouTube Empire 09:44 Snubbing Tom Hanks and (almost) Billie Eilish 12:40 Starting a Company in a Constantly Changing Digital World 15:30 Patreon and the Rise of Direct-to-Consumer Content 22:10 Data in Digital versus TV and why Focus Groups Lie 23:07 TV as ‘Secondary Distribution for YouTube’ 26:05 Broadcasters Now Commissioning YouTube Channels 33:20 The Social Media Ban for Under-16s #YouTube #LADbible #SocialMediaBan #StrongwatchStudios #ContentCreator #Patreon #TVPodcast #BritishTV #DigitalMedia #InsidersTVPod #TomHanks #BillieEilish #CreatorEconomy #Streaming #Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Jul 10

    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 Finals The Sky/ITV deal Peppa Pig using A.I. for its younger voice actors Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:12 Farage vs Count Binface 03:20 The BBC's World Cup cost saving efforts 09:27 Sky's ITV deal 29:19 Peppa Pig + A.I. Have a question, opinion or suggestion? Leave a comment on Spotify or YouTube, find us on socials @InsidersTVPod, or email us at podcasts@hattrick.com. If you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and share the podcast with a friend — it really helps us grow. #CountBinface #NigelFarage #BBC #ITV #FifaWorldCup2026 #Sky #ITV #PeppaPig #GeneWilder Jimmy Mulville is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Hat Trick Productions. His list of hit shows includes Have I Got News For You, 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 and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer. Peter Fincham ran TalkBack, where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. New episodes every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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 and was the first British series to be recreated for American network television by a British producer Peter ran TalkBack where he executive produced many of their biggest shows including I’m Alan Partridge, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, and Da Ali G Show. He went on to be Controller of BBC1, then he was Director of Television at ITV, before returning to the independent sector as the co-CEO of Expectation, the company behind Clarkson's Farm and Alma's Not Normal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Expectation / Hat Trick
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Expectation / Hat Trick
  • Show Website
    Insiders: The TV Podcast

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