Best Tellycast Podcasts (2025)

1
The State of Digital-First in 2025 and What Comes Next in 2026 20:01

Play Pause

3d ago20:01

20:01

In this special end-of-year episode of TellyCast, Justin Crosby looks back at 2025 and unpacks the structural shifts that have quietly but fundamentally reshaped the digital-first production economy. Drawing on reporting from The Drop, conversations on the podcast, and insights from TellyCast events throughout the year, the episode breaks down six …

1
How Brands Become Broadcasters: Joe Churchill on Branded Entertainment, Creators and the Future of Social Video 38:15

8d ago38:15

38:15

In this episode of TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by Joe Churchill, former Digital Commissioning Editor for Branded Content at Channel 4 and now co-founder of Fan Club, a digital-first agency built around brands, creators and premium social video. Joe breaks down what it really means for brands to behave like broadcasters, why owning audiences …

1
Sam Barcroft: News, Creators and the Big Reset Coming to Media in 2026 55:32

15d ago55:32

55:32

Sam Barcroft returns to TellyCast with a major update: he’s now Group CEO of SWNS Media Group, the UK’s largest independent newswire. In this wide-ranging conversation, Sam explains why news, social video and the creator economy are colliding faster than anyone expected — and what that means for producers, brands and the entire media landscape. Sam…

1
How Digital-First Studios Are Rewriting the Rules | Live from TellyCast Digital Content Forum 2025 26:58

25d ago26:58

26:58

Factual isn’t standing still - and this panel proves it. Recorded live at the TellyCast Digital Content Forum, this conversation digs into how the factual genre is being rebuilt for a digital-first world. Lucy Smith hosts a sharp, unsentimental discussion with Gerrit Kemming (Quintus Studios), Marvyn Benoit (Baker’s Dozen Studios) and Jamie McDonal…

1
Micro Drama: Fad or the Future? | Live from TellyCast Digital Content Forum 2025 30:14

1M ago30:14

30:14

Vertical video drama has exploded in the past year – but is it a passing craze or the next big shift in storytelling? Recorded live at the TellyCast Digital Content Forum, this session brings together Spirit Studios’ Matt Campion, TheSoul Group’s Victor Potrel and writer-director-producer Katharina Gellein Viken to unpack the boom in micro drama. M…

1
Colin Furze, Dose of Society & Eline van der Velden at Web Summit 2025 1:16:47

1M ago1:16:47

1:16:47

This week’s TellyCast comes from Lisbon and the 2025 Web Summit, featuring three standout conversations from the frontline of social video. Engineering superstar and YouTube icon Colin Furze joins the show fresh from his packed session to discuss two decades of building one of the world’s biggest creator channels, the near-mythical underground tunn…

1
Thom Gulseven on Strong Watch, Channel 4 and the Future of Social Video 47:37

2M ago47:37

47:37

Strong Watch Studios co-founder Thom Gulseven joins the show to talk about building one of the UK’s most exciting digital-first production companies. He reveals how lessons learned at LADbible shaped the launch of Strong Watch with Ben Powell-Jones, how their channel People Are Deep became an award-winning social video hit, and why Channel 4 truste…

1
TellyCast at MIPCOM (Part 3) - Warren Brown, Joe Churchill, Luci Sanan, Robbie Lyle & more 47:02

2M ago47:02

47:02

In the final TellyCast MIPCOM special from Cannes, we hear from the people shaping the digital-first future of TV. Fan Club’s Joe Churchill talks about brands becoming broadcasters and his upcoming session at the TellyCast Digital Content Forum. Luci Sanan from Cowshed Ventures reveals her new YouTube adventure joint venture with Propagate Content.…

1
TellyCast at MIPCOM (Part 2) - Cecile Olsen, Matt Campion, Gerrit Kemming, Gary Woolf & more 1:16:46

2M ago1:16:46

1:16:46

In part two of our TellyCast MIPCOM special, Justin Crosby dives deep into the creator economy — the fastest-evolving part of the global content industry. Guests include Gerrit Kemming of Quintus Studios, Paul Telner from Viral Nation, Matt Gielen — digital media entrepreneur and former CEO of Electric Monster, Tobias Hoss from Lunar X, ITV Studios…

1
TellyCast at MIPCOM (Part 1) — Jodie Whittaker, Emily Atack, Nella Rose, Holywater, Shaftesbury and more 1:39:01

2M ago1:39:01

1:39:01

TellyCast is back in Cannes for Day One of MIPCOM 2025 — bringing you the biggest new shows, the freshest formats, and the digital-first innovators transforming the global content business. Justin Crosby talks to Jodie Whittaker and Elizabeth Berrington about Frauds — the hit ITV drama created by Suranne Jones and Anne-Marie O’Connor — as it makes …

1
Shaun Evans on Betrayal – Inside ITV Studios’ New Spy Thriller 25:36

3M ago25:36

25:36

Actor Shaun Evans and executive producer Tom Leggett join Justin Crosby on TellyCast to discuss Betrayal — ITV Studios and Mammoth Screen’s gripping new espionage drama. Best known for Endeavour, Shaun takes on a very different kind of spy in Betrayal, playing MI5 operative John Hughes — a man navigating a collapsing marriage, shifting office polit…

1
Inside ITV Studios’ 2025 Slate with Julie Meldal-Johnsen 26:47

3M ago26:47

26:47

This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by ITV Studios EVP of Global Content, Julie Meldal-Johnsen, for an exclusive preview of the company’s 2025 MIPCOM slate. From high-stakes thrillers like Frauds and Betrayal, to sun-soaked drama A Taste for Murder, bold new formats including Nobody’s Fool and Celebrity Sabotage, and powerful documentar…

1
The Next Wave of Documentaries with Ben Zand and Donata von Perfall 45:43

3M ago45:43

45:43

In this week’s TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by filmmaker Ben Zand and Documentary Campus CEO Donata von Perfall. Ben discusses the launch of Human, his bold new self-funded YouTube documentary strand that puts storytelling and brand-building ahead of TV commissioning. He explains why he’s betting on a digital-first strategy, how Zandland is c…

1
Kimmel, C4 CEO search, BBC's Reform coverage, Baywatch reboot and is C5 losing it's way? 47:02

3M ago47:02

47:02

This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by writer, producer and cultural commentator Stephen Arnell. With a career spanning Sky Arts, BritBox, ITV and bylines in The Guardian, The New Statesman and The Spectator, Stephen has seen the TV industry from every angle. In this episode we dive into the big media stories of the week, from the Baywa…

1
YouTube’s TV Takeover: Ben Woods on Social Video, Streaming Shifts & The New Hollywood 39:24

3M ago39:24

39:24

Is YouTube really the new TV? In this week’s TellyCast, Justin Crosby speaks with Ben Woods, Creator Economy Analyst at MIDiA Research, about his new report The New Hollywood: Tactics for YouTube’s TV Takeover. They explore why YouTube has now overtaken Netflix on living room TV sets, how younger audiences are watching social video instead of broad…

1
How Spud Gun Studios Took Mashed Independent and Built a Digital-First Powerhouse 44:47

4M ago44:47

44:47

This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by Tom Jenkins, Creative Director of Spud Gun Studios, the digital-first indie behind the hugely popular animation channel Mashed. Fresh from taking full ownership of the brand from Channel 4, Tom reveals how the studio is building on Mashed’s global fanbase of nearly seven million followers, striking…

1
5 Things Every Content Producer Needs To Know About Brand-funded Content 48:15

4M ago48:15

48:15

Branded entertainment is booming - but how can producers really work with brands? In this TellyCast episode, Justin Crosby talks to brand funded content specialist Charlie Read, founder of Upstream, about the five things every content producer needs to know about brand-funded content. From understanding business outcomes and audience insight to bui…

1
Dhanny Joshi on Building Big Deal Films and the Future of Social Video 47:57

5M ago47:57

47:57

Big Deal Films co-founder Dhanny Joshi joins Justin Crosby to share how he turned a call centre hustle into a BAFTA-winning indie. They discuss breaking through with Dreaming Whilst Black, navigating the commissioning crisis, and why digital-first, talent-led content is the future of TV. Sign up for The Drop newsletter Support the show Subscribe to…

1
Endangered Species? Ofcom’s Cristina Nicolotti Squires on Saving Public Service Media 35:23

5M ago35:23

35:23

This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby sits down with Ofcom’s Director of Broadcasting and Media, Cristina Nicolotti Squires, for a deep dive into the regulator’s urgent six-point action plan to save public service media in the digital-first era. With younger audiences flocking to YouTube, Netflix and TikTok, and PSBs losing share, is the UK’s broad…

1
Taf Makopa: Creator-Led Formats & The Future of Social Video 47:56

5M ago47:56

47:56

This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby sits down with Taf Makopa, founder of Mako Studios and one of the most exciting new forces in digital production. Taf reveals his first slate of four brand-funded shows with BoohooMan — including Are You Even Real?, a dating series hosted by UK rap icon Chip, and Luke Comes Home, a Luke Littler documentary feat…

1
How Komi Group’s Andrew Trotman Is Scaling the Creator Economy 44:43

6M ago44:43

44:43

This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby sits down with Andrew Trotman, CEO and founder of Komi Group, to explore how one of the UK’s most forward-thinking creator businesses is reshaping the digital content landscape. From building data-driven social brands to launching creator-led businesses, Andrew shares how Komi Group went from a horse racing tip…

1
How Hayley Morris Built a 9 Million Strong Social Video Audience 31:32

6M ago31:32

31:32

This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by social video sensation Hayley Morris. Known for her viral vertical comedies and brilliant multi-character sketches, Hayley shares her journey from early YouTube experiments to creating hit series like ‘The V Hotel’ and her growing portfolio of self-funded short films. She reveals how she built an a…

1
Jimmy Mulville & Peter Fincham on the State of UK TV, YouTube’s Rise and the Future of Comedy 1:18:33

6M ago1:18:33

1:18:33

On this week’s TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by two of the UK’s most respected TV leaders – Jimmy Mulville, co-founder of Hat Trick Productions, and Peter Fincham, co-founder of Expectation and former controller of BBC One and director of television at ITV. They discuss the health of the UK TV industry, the impact of YouTube, the future of com…

1
Inside Latin America’s Unscripted Boom – Live from Conecta 26:48

6M ago26:48

26:48

This week on TellyCast, Justin is reporting from Conecta Fiction & Entertainment in Cuenca, Spain — the heart of Hispanic TV content innovation. He’s joined by two of Banijay’s top executives shaping the future of unscripted in Latin America: Frank Scheuermann, Chief Content Officer of Endemol Shine Boomdog, and Marie Leguizamo, Managing Director o…

1
Inside the First TellyCast Digital Video Awards | Highlights, Winners & Red Carpet Reactions 28:40

7M ago28:40

28:40

The TellyCast Digital Video Awards have arrived! In this special episode, we bring you all the highlights from the first-ever awards show dedicated to the social video and digital-first industry, held at The Londoner Hotel in London’s Leicester Square. Hosted by Max Fosh, the night celebrated the creators, producers, studios and platforms redefinin…

1
How Hearst Networks UK Is Building a Scalable Social Video Strategy 49:57

7M ago49:57

49:57

Sam Pearson, Digital Commissioning Editor at Hearst Networks UK, joins Justin Crosby to reveal how the broadcaster is reshaping its digital-first strategy across platforms like YouTube, Facebook, TikTok and AVOD. From breakout social formats like History Crush and Unbreakable to monetising archive content and launching purposeful true crime program…

1
Max Fosh: Building a Creator Business (Without Chasing TV Deals) 48:27

7M ago48:27

48:27

He’s the YouTube creator who trained a horse to bet on racing and tricked Heathrow passengers with a fake “Welcome to Luton” sign — now Max Fosh joins TellyCast to reveal how he’s built a global creator business rooted in originality, lean production, and long-form storytelling. In this week’s episode, Max shares the inside story of his rise from F…

1
Inside MTV’s Digital-First Strategy with Amie Parker-Williams 25:44

7M ago25:44

25:44

This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by Amie Parker-Williams, Director of Commissioning & Production at MTV Entertainment Group International. Amie shares how MTV and Comedy Central are evolving their commissioning models to embrace a bold digital-first approach. She breaks down how her team balances in-house production with collaboratio…

1
Rebuilding from the Brink: Danny Fenton on Reinventing Zig Zag and the Future of TV 43:17

8M ago43:17

43:17

In this powerful episode of TellyCast, host Justin Crosby sits down with Danny Fenton, CEO and founder of Zig Zag, to discuss the turbulent journey his company has faced over the past 12 months. From insolvency to reinvention, Danny opens up about the personal and professional challenges of leading an independent production company through financia…

1
How to Work with Digital Commissioners and Succeed in Social Video | Live from TellyCast How to Make Money in Digital 39:05

8M ago39:05

39:05

Top digital commissioners from MTV, Channel 4, and A+E Networks reveal exactly what they’re looking for - and what they’re not - when commissioning social video content. Recorded live at the TellyCast How to Make Money in Digital event, this expert panel explores How to Work with Digital Commissioners and What They Want. Featuring Amie Parker-Willi…

1
Inside Channel 4.0: Evie Buckley on Digital Commissioning and Creator Culture 37:32

9M ago37:32

37:32

This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by Channel 4’s Digital Commissioning Editor and Channel 4.0 lead, Evie Buckley. In a wide-ranging and insightful chat, Evie reveals her latest exclusive digital commissions, shares her evolving commissioning strategy, and explains how data, talent, and creator-first thinking are transforming Channel 4…

1
The Future of AI in TV Production with Particle 6's Eline Van Der Velden 34:55

9M ago34:55

34:55

This week on TellyCast, Justin Crosby is joined by Eline van der Velden, founder and CEO of Particle 6 – an AI-first production company shaking up the world of digital video. With a background in both physics and performance, Eline shares how her unique career path has shaped Particle 6’s groundbreaking approach to content creation using artificial…

1
Zoo 55's Martin Trickey 38:33

10M ago38:33

38:33

In this episode of TellyCast, Justin Crosby sits down with Martin Trickey, Managing Director of Zoo 55, ITV Studios’ digital-first division. With a career spanning social, gaming, and streaming, Martin shares his insights into how audience behaviour is shifting, what’s driving the rise of FAST channels, and why major studios are fully embracing You…

1
Dom Joly on 25 Years of Trigger Happy TV 47:07

10M ago47:07

47:07

Buy tickets to the TellyCast How to Make Money in Digital event Trigger Happy TV became a cultural phenomenon when it hit screens 25 years ago, introducing a new style of anarchic, surreal hidden-camera comedy that still resonates today. In this special episode of TellyCast, Dom Joly joins Justin Crosby to look back at the madness of making the sho…

1
ITV Studios London Screenings Special 1:25:36

10M ago1:25:36

1:25:36

This week, we get an inside look at ITV Studios’ biggest event of the year at London Screenings, where global buyers gather to shop for the TV hits of the future. In this special episode, Justin speaks to ITV Studios executives Ruth Berry, Julian Bellamy, Cecilie Olsen and Kate Barnes about the company’s latest formats, dramas, and unscripted shows…

1
TheSoul Publishing's Victor Potrel 43:22

10M ago43:22

43:22

In this episode of TellyCast, host Justin Crosby sits down with Victor Potrol, SVP of Partnerships & Creator Services at TheSoul Publishing, one of the biggest players in digital-first content. With billions of views across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, TheSoul Publishing has mastered audience engagement at scale. Victor shares insights…

1
Is the UK's TV Commissioning System Still Fit for Purpose? | TellyCast Podcast 47:04

11M ago47:04

47:04

In this episode of TellyCast, host Justin Crosby dives into one of the biggest debates in the industry—does the UK’s TV commissioning system still work in 2025, or is it time for a major reset? Joining Justin is Ed Sayer, former commissioner-turned-producer, who shares his unique perspective from both sides of the fence. He discusses the challenges…

1
Platforms for Growth; TikTok, Snapchat & Twitch | TellyCast Digital Content Forum 34:41

11M ago34:41

34:41

An exclusive look into the latest developments and opportunities on TikTok, Twitch, and Snapchat with this panel discussion from the TellyCast Digital Content Forum, recorded live at BFI Southbank on 7 November 2024. Moderated by Deadline's Stewart Clarke and featuring Ed Lindeman from TikTok, Josh Bloom from Twitch, and Lucy Luke from Snapchat, th…

1
Channel 4's Matt Risley | TellyCast podcast 29:46

11M ago29:46

29:46

In this episode of TellyCast, Justin Crosby sits down with Matt Risley, Managing Director of 4Studio at Channel 4, to explore the broadcaster’s digital-first strategy. Matt shares insights into how Channel 4 is leveraging platforms like YouTube to reach new audiences, the importance of data-led content strategies, and the evolution of digital origi…

1
Sweating the Small (Big!) Stuff - TellyCast Digital Content Forum Panel 27:47

11M ago27:47

27:47

Join us for this panel session from the TellyCast Digital Content Forum, titled “Sweating the Small (Big) Stuff ”. Moderated by Annabel McCleod from Love Productions, this session features leading experts in digital content: Anna-Lee Bridgstock from Jungle Creations, Victor Bengtsson from The Sidemen, and Graham Swallow from Little Dot Studios. Tog…

1
The Traitors Controversy & AI’s Revolution in TV 1:02:19

12M ago1:02:19

1:02:19

In this special two-part episode of TellyCast, we dive into two pivotal discussions shaping the TV industry in 2025. In Part 1, veteran Scottish TV director and Directors UK board member Peter Strachan joins Justin Crosby to uncover the controversy surrounding BBC’s hit show The Traitors. Strachan raises serious concerns about whether the productio…

1
TellyCast: Best of 2024 – Iconic Guests, Major Moments & Industry Insights | TellyCast Podcast 1:24:04

1y ago1:24:04

1:24:04

In our final episode of the year, join us as we reflect on the best moments of TellyCast in 2024. Featuring exclusive interviews with Guns N’ Roses legend Slash, Joe Sugg, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Omid Djalili, Jane Root, Evan Shapiro, Patrick Spence, and many more, this episode takes you behind the scenes of some of the year’s most talked-abo…

1
Why Spain is the New Hotspot for Global Productions: Insights from ICEX and Palma Pictures | TellyCast Podcast 30:40

1y ago30:40

30:40

This special Shooting in Spain episode of TellyCast explores why Spain has become one of the most attractive destinations for international audiovisual productions. Justin Crosby is joined by Vanesa Álvarez, Foreign Direct Investment Projects Director at ICEX-Invest in Spain, and Eduardo Rodrigalvarez, Head of Locations & Supervising Location Manag…

1
Backstage at the TellyCast Digital Content Forum: Insights from Digital Leaders | TellyCast Podcast 47:02

1y ago47:02

47:02

Join us behind the scenes of the TellyCast Digital Content Forum at BFI Southbank, where digital leaders share their strategies, innovations, and insights into the ever-evolving world of digital-first video. Featuring Gerrit Kemming (Quintus Studios), Serena Jones (The B1M), Dan Biddle (Meta), Ed Lindeman (TikTok), Josh Bloom (Twitch), Lucy Luke (S…

1
Episode 212 - Nicola Shindler | TellyCast podcast 20:44

1y ago20:44

20:44

Justin Crosby interviews Nicola Shindler, CEO of Quay Street Productions, and one of the UK’s most renowned TV producers. Nicola shares insights into her critically acclaimed dramas, including Happy Valley, The Guest, After the Flood, and Dead Hot. She discusses crafting compelling narratives, balancing multiple productions, and her vision for the …

1
Shark Teeth Films: Tom Mudd & Adrian Carter Discuss Thriving in Unscripted Television | TellyCast Podcast 27:26

1y ago27:26

27:26

In this episode, Justin Crosby speaks to Tom Mudd and Adrian Carter from Shark Teeth Films, the renowned Canadian production company behind acclaimed series such as “Secrets in the Ice” and “Building Bad”. They share their journey from working with US cable networks to crafting globally successful factual programming. Discover their insights on ada…

1
Digital Docs panel - TellyCast Digital Content Forum 24 | TellyCast Podcast 26:40

1y ago26:40

26:40

In this TellyCast episode, we bring you the Digital Docs panel from the TellyCast Digital Content Forum, recorded live at BFI Southbank on 7 November 2024. In this session, we dive into the world of digital-first documentaries with a fantastic group of panellists who are each making waves in the industry. Moderator Sam Barcroft and the panel explor…

1
After Party Studios' Joshua Barnett | TellyCast Podcast 28:06

1y ago28:06

28:06

Buy tickets for the TellyCast Digital Content Forum 2024 Join host Justin Crosby as he sits down with Joshua Barnett from After Party Studios, a pioneering force in digital content production and distribution. From the roots of multi-channel networks to After Party’s rise as a next-generation production powerhouse, Josh shares insights into the stu…

1
Brand Funded Programming at MIPCOM 2024 | TellyCast Podcast 35:16

1y ago35:16

35:16

Buy tickets for the TellyCast Digital Content Forum 2024 In this episode of TellyCast, recorded live from MIPCOM, Justin Crosby hosts an all-star panel to demystify the world of brand-funded programming. The conversation features insights from industry leaders including Sam Glynn from UTA, Roberta Zamboni from Fremantle, and Javier Martinez from Yo…

1
MIPCOM 2024 featuring Slash, Evan Shapiro & more | TellyCast Podcast 53:11

1y ago53:11

53:11

Buy tickets for the TellyCast Digital Content Forum 2024 This week we’re in Cannes for MIPCOM, the world's biggest content market as TV execs from around the world come together to wheel, deal and enjoy the odd glass of rose. It's not every week you get to chat with a genuine rock star and this week I met with Guns n Roses legend Slash and Buccanee…