
Michael Grade on Solving the BBC’s Big Problems, MAFS UK Allegations & Running Channel 4
From Insiders: The TV Podcast by Expectation / Hat Trick
May 22, 2026 · 36 min · Season 3 · Episode 20
About this episode
Michael Grade discusses the challenges facing the BBC and Channel 4, along with insights on reality TV and classic shows.
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, Doctor Who, Father Ted and more! In this episode: What the new BBC Director General needs to do first, and why coming in from the outside can be a strength Why Michael Grade thinks the BBC should take more risks and become “a nursery and not a grocery” The BBC’s culture, Oxbridge snobbery, scheduling, and why the middle of television has disappeared Why the BBC needs to justify public money in a streaming world and what its real purpose should be Michael Grade’s take on Channel 4, new voices, and whether it can survive as a smaller, distinctive broadcaster The Married at First Sight UK allegations, duty of care, and whether reality TV has gone too far Telling talent the truth, spotting blind spots, and why great TV still depends on taste Blackadder, Father Ted, Doctor Who and more! 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, make…
People in this episode
Hosts: Peter Fincham, Jimmy Mulville
Guest: Michael Grade
Topics covered
- BBC challenges
- Channel 4 allegations
- reality TV
- television culture
- public broadcasting
Keywords
- BBC
- Channel 4
- Michael Grade
- reality TV
- television culture
- public broadcasting
- Blackadder
- Doctor Who
- Father Ted
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: BBC, Channel 4
Books & works: Blackadder, Doctor Who, Father Ted
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