



Freeview and Digital UK’s annual industry event Outside the box returned in-person and on stage at London’s Picturehouse Central.
Hosted by broadcaster and journalist Cathy Newman, and introduced by Freeview Marketing Director Owen Jenkinson, Outside the box 2021 featured:
- Media titans Andrew Neil and Mark Thompson
- Renowned chairs Beth Rigby, Kamal Ahmed, Stewart Purvis CBE and Pat Younge
- Leading TV creatives David Olusoga OBE, Sara Johnson, Mobeen Azhar, Sarah Doole and James Graham OBE
- Expert speakers Professor Bobby Duffy, Katy Balls, Rachel Corp, Samuel Kasumu, Baroness Bonham-Carter, Salma Shah, Mark Oliver, Nick Toon and Karen Blackett OBE
Speakers debated key issues of the day, including:
- The culture wars and the responsibilities of broadcasters and politicians
- The policy changes that will impact the future of British broadcasting
- The enduring power of TV ads and television advertising as a force for good
All sessions are available to view on-demand.




Video Gallery


Speakers


Programme

Part 1
08:30: REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST09:30: WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONOwen Jenkinson, Marketing Director, Freeview and Cathy Newman, Broadcaster & Journalist. 09:40: KEYNOTE INTERVIEW - BREAKING NEWSAndrew Neil, Publisher & Broadcaster in conversation with Beth Rigby, Political Editor, Sky News. 10:10: PANEL - REPORTING THE CULTURE WARSIs the UK on a path towards a US-style culture war? What role has the media played in this if so? With so many 'hot button' issues surfacing in public discourse, how should UK news broadcasters report topics that divide society? How should they balance freedom of expression with providing platforms for those with extreme views? Impartiality rules provide balance but do they lead to bland news reporting which can turn viewers away in an age of opinion? How should broadcasters respond to accusations of 'wokeism'?
Chaired by Kamal Ahmed, Editor-in-Chief & Co-founder, The News Movement 11:00 - 11:30: COFFEE BREAK |
08:30: REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST
09:30: WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
Owen Jenkinson, Marketing Director, Freeview and Cathy Newman, Broadcaster & Journalist.
09:40: KEYNOTE INTERVIEW - BREAKING NEWS
Andrew Neil, Publisher & Broadcaster in conversation with Beth Rigby, Political Editor, Sky News.
10:10: PANEL - REPORTING THE CULTURE WARS
Is the UK on a path towards a US-style culture war? What role has the media played in this if so? With so many 'hot button' issues surfacing in public discourse, how should UK news broadcasters report topics that divide society? How should they balance freedom of expression with providing platforms for those with extreme views? Impartiality rules provide balance but do they lead to bland news reporting which can turn viewers away in an age of opinion? How should broadcasters respond to accusations of 'wokeism'?
- Bobby Duffy, Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London
- Katy Balls, Deputy Political Editor, The Spectator
- Rachel Corp, Editor, ITV News
- Samuel Kasumu, Social Entrepreneur, Commentator & Strategist
Chaired by Kamal Ahmed, Editor-in-Chief & Co-founder, The News Movement
11:00 - 11:30: COFFEE BREAK
Part 2
11:30: PANEL - BRITISH BROADCASTING FUTUREWe start by hearing creatives David Olusoga OBE, Sarah Doole, James Graham OBE, Mobeen Azhar and Sara Johnson talking about their hopes and fears for UK broadcasting and what they’d like to see broadcasters achieve in the next decade. We then turn to an expert panel to debate what they have heard and consider the practicalities of policy recommendations and requirements in the context of the Government’s forthcoming Broadcasting White Paper.
Chaired by Stewart Purvis CBE, Broadcaster, Author & Academic. 12:20: THE POWER OF TVKaren Blackett OBE, UK Country Manager, WPP, in conversation with Cathy Newman, Broadcaster & Journalist 12:40: THE LAST WORDMark Thompson, Co-chair, International Fund for Public Interest Media in conversation with Pat Younge, Co-founder & Co-Managing Director, Cardiff Productions. 13:00: CLOSING REMARKSCathy Newman, Broadcaster & Journalist 13:05: EVENT ENDS |
11:30: PANEL - BRITISH BROADCASTING FUTURE
We start by hearing creatives David Olusoga OBE, Sarah Doole, James Graham OBE, Mobeen Azhar and Sara Johnson talking about their hopes and fears for UK broadcasting and what they’d like to see broadcasters achieve in the next decade. We then turn to an expert panel to debate what they have heard and consider the practicalities of policy recommendations and requirements in the context of the Government’s forthcoming Broadcasting White Paper.
- Baroness Bonham-Carter, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for DCMS in the Lords
- Salma Shah, Partner & Senior Advisor, Portland
- Mark Oliver, Chairman & Senior Advisor, Oliver & Ohlbaum Associates
- Nick Toon, Director, Rationale Consulting
Chaired by Stewart Purvis CBE, Broadcaster, Author & Academic.
12:20: THE POWER OF TV
Karen Blackett OBE, UK Country Manager, WPP, in conversation with Cathy Newman, Broadcaster & Journalist.
12:40: THE LAST WORD
Mark Thompson, Co-chair, International Fund for Public Interest Media in conversation with Pat Younge, Co-founder & Co-Managing Director, Cardiff Productions.
13:00: CLOSING REMARKS
Cathy Newman, Broadcaster & Journalist
13:05: EVENT ENDS
Photo Gallery



















Andrew Neil, Publisher & Broadcaster
Andrew Neil, Publisher & Broadcaster

Cathy Newman, Broadcaster & Journalist in conversation with Owen Jenkinson, Marketing Director, Freeview
Cathy Newman, Broadcaster & Journalist in conversation with Owen Jenkinson, Marketing Director, Freeview

London’s Picturehouse Central
London’s Picturehouse Central

'Reporting the Culture Wars' Panel (left to right): Bobby Duffy, Katy Balls, Kamal Ahmed, Rachel Corp, and Samuel Kasumu
'Reporting the Culture Wars' Panel (left to right): Katy Balls, Kamal Ahmed, and Rachel Corp

Samuel Kasumu, Social Entrepreneur, Commentator & Strategist
Samuel Kasumu, Social Entrepreneur, Commentator & Strategist

Bobby Duffy and Katy Balls in conversation
Bobby Duffy, Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Policy Institute at King’s College

Rachel Corp, Editor - ITV News
Rachel Corp, Editor - ITV News

'British Broadcasting Future' Panel (left to right): Baroness Bonham-Carter, Salma Shah, Stewart Purvis CBE, Mark Oliver, and Nick Toon
'British Broadcasting Future' Panel (left to right): Baroness Bonham-Carter, Salma Shah, Stewart Purvis CBE, Mark Oliver, and Nick Toon

Baroness Bonham-Carter, Salma Shah, and Stewart Purvis CBE
Salma Shah, Partner & Senior Advisor, Portland

Stewart Purvis in conversation with Mark Oliver
Stewart Purvis in conversation with Mark Oliver

Karen Blackett OBE, UK Country Manager, WPP, in conversation with Cathy Newman, Broadcaster & Journalist
Karen Blackett OBE, UK Country Manager, WPP

Pat Younge, Co-founder & Co-Managing Director, Cardiff Productions in conversation with Mark Thompson, Co-chair, International Fund for Public Interest Media
Mark Thompson, Co-chair, International Fund for Public Interest Media

Networking at Outside the box 2021
Networking at Outside the box 2021

Networking at Outside the box 2021
Networking at Outside the box 2021

Networking at Outside the box 2021
Networking at Outside the box 2021

Registration desk at Outside the box 2021
Registration desk at Outside the box 2021

Networking at Outside the box 2021
Networking at Outside the box 2021
About Freeview and Digital UK
We work together to ensure that every viewer in the UK can access a competitive and compelling free TV offer.


As the world of television continues to evolve, Freeview is changing too.
Right now, Freeview is the only major TV platform in the UK that is growing its user base. Offering viewers a compelling foundational TV service on to which SVOD services can be added, the platform plays a critical role in delivering consumer choice and supporting the UK’s broadcasters by driving share and prominence.


As the world of television continues to evolve, Freeview is changing too.
Right now, Freeview is the only major TV platform in the UK that is growing its user base. Offering viewers a compelling foundational TV service on to which SVOD services can be added, the platform plays a critical role in delivering consumer choice and supporting the UK’s broadcasters by driving share and prominence.
