TV Makers

Love Island, I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, The Voice, Countdown and University Challenge are some of Britain’s biggest entertainment shows. But how do you keep hit formats like these feeling fresh without changing what audiences love about them?
Tom Gould is Chief Content Officer at Lifted Entertainment, the production company behind these major formats.
With more than two decades in television, Tom has helped shape some of the UK’s most successful entertainment shows. So, how do you protect the magic of a hit format while knowing when it needs to change? And what does it really take to lead creativity at one of Britain’s biggest entertainment producers? In this episode, Tom takes us inside the decisions behind the screen.
Tom and Ash discuss how long-running formats continue to evolve, what makes a new entertainment idea stand out and how Lifted is developing its next generation of mainstream hits.
Tom also reflects on moving from programme-making into senior leadership, why learning to let go was one of his hardest lessons and how he supports production teams without taking over.
They also explore the importance of trust, respect and creating a production culture where people feel comfortable speaking freely.
In this episode:
• What a Chief Content Officer actually does
• How established formats remain fresh
• Knowing what to change and what to protect
• What Tom looks for in a new entertainment idea
• Moving from Executive Producer into creative leadership
• Learning to let go and empower production teams
• Creating mainstream formats with humour and a sense of mischief
• Why strong television begins with a respectful production culture
Follow TV Makers on Instagram: @tvmakerspod
Watch the full conversation on the TV Makers YouTube channel.

This Episode is Sponsored by:
RIMMS - https://www.rimms.tv
If you enjoyed the episode, follow the podcast and leave a rating or review wherever you’re listening.
Recorded by Ashley Golder - https://ashleygolder.tv/
Instagram @tvmakerspod
Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk

Artwork by Benjamin Leon  -
Instagram: @benleondraws
Website:  www.benleondraws.com

TV Makers is on the road at the Edinburgh TV Festival 2026.
If there was one conversation everywhere this year, it was digital. YouTube, the creator economy, changing audiences, new ways of funding content... and what all of that means for traditional television and the people who make it.
So for this special episode, Ashley Golder grabs a microphone and heads around the festival to take the temperature of TV in 2026.
Featuring:
Bella Roberts (Bella Does Editing) — on the creator economy and building an audience of more than half a million followers on Instagram alone.
Kimberly Godbolt (Talented People) — on the mood across the industry, what’s changing and where television goes next.
David Clews (Twofour) — on how one of the UK’s biggest production companies is responding to a changing industry.
Jon Willers (The Development Network) — on building audiences, finding the money and why data might be more useful than vibes.
JT (Action for Freelancers) — on what all of this change means for the people actually making the programmes.
James & Soleta Rogan (Rogan Productions) — on navigating uncertainty, looking after filmmakers and why, whatever happens next, we need to keep making.
From broadcasters and production companies to creators, new business models and freelancers, this is a snapshot of an industry in the middle of some pretty big changes — recorded from the floor of the Edinburgh TV Festival.
A huge thank you to the Edinburgh TV Festival team for having TV Makers back again this year.
TV Makers gets under the skin of what people across the television industry do and, most importantly, how they do it — so we can learn from their experience before taking those next steps ourselves.
Follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.
Recorded by Ashley Golder - https://ashleygolder.tv/
Instagram @tvmakerspod
Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk

Artwork by Benjamin Leon  -
Instagram: @benleondraws
Website:  www.benleondraws.com

From the moment Olaide Sadiq was offered the job to winning two BAFTAs almost two years later, she shares what it really took - professionally and personally - to direct Grenfell: Uncovered.
Just days before recording this episode, documentary director Olaide Sadiq won not one, but two BAFTAs for Grenfell: Uncovered - taking home Emerging Talent at the BAFTA Craft Awards and Best Single Documentary at the BAFTA Television Awards.
The remarkable part? It was her very first documentary as a director.
In this episode, Olaide joins obs doc director Ashley Golder to talk about making the leap from experienced producer to first-time director, overcoming imposter syndrome, and leading one of the UK's most significant documentaries for Netflix.
Along the way, she shares the practical realities of directing at the highest level - from writing her first director's vision statement and creating beat sheets and look books, to building trust with contributors, developing a visual style, and leading a team through emotionally demanding material.
No topic is off the table. Olaide is exceptionally humble and refreshingly honest about what she didn't know, what scared her, and what she learned along the way. In a world where everyone seems to have it all figured out, Olaide does the opposite - even revealing that she emailed the execs to say she didn't think she was ready for the job.
We discuss:
Winning two BAFTAs with a first directing credit
Why she almost turned the opportunity down
Pitching herself to direct for Netflix
Writing a director's vision statement
Creating beat sheets and look books
Finding your directing style
Building trust with contributors
Directing one of the UK's most sensitive documentaries
Working with Netflix and the support that shaped her journey
Managing imposter syndrome and self-doubt
What she's learned that she's taking into her next documentary
Whether you're looking to direct your first film, step up into a directing role, or simply want to understand how award-winning documentaries are made, this episode is packed with practical advice, honest reflections and reassurance that even the best directors don't always feel ready.
Follow TV Makers on Instagram @tvmakerspod.

Special thanks to Directors UK for letting us use their space for the recording. 
Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

This Episode is Sponsored by:
RIMMS - https://www.rimms.tv
Recorded by Ashley Golder - https://ashleygolder.tv/
Instagram @tvmakerspod
Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk

Artwork by Benjamin Leon  -
Instagram: @benleondraws
Website:  www.benleondraws.com

If Part 1 answered many of the questions we've all quietly wondered about... Part 2 goes even deeper.
What happens when legal, ethics and editorial judgement collide?
Can a contributor really withdraw consent?
What should you do if someone threatens self-harm to stop a programme being broadcast?
Can the police confiscate your camera or rushes when on location?
And what actually happens when a production lands in crisis?
Joining TV Makers once again is Clare Hoban, Co-CEO of Reviewed & Cleared and an editorial content lawyer with years of experience advising television productions through some of their most complex legal and editorial challenges.
In this second part of our conversation, Clare shares real-world examples and tackles some of the more nuanced situations that production teams face, from duty of care and ongoing consent to crisis management, GDPR, contributor rights and the legal realities of filming in public.
As with Part 1, many of the answers challenge long-held industry assumptions and highlight why understanding the law properly gives productions far more confidence than relying on TV folklore.
Please note: This interview was recorded earlier in 2026. Whilst we've done our best to keep everything up to date, this episode should not be taken as legal advice. Laws, regulations and guidance change, and every production is different. If you need advice on a specific situation, please contact Clare and the team at Reviewed & Cleared.
Connect with Clare
🌐 Reviewed & Cleared: https://reviewedandcleared.com
This Episode is Sponsored by:
RIMMS – https://www.rimms.tv
Linkline – https://linklinecrew.com
📸 Follow TV Makers on Instagram: @tvmakerspod
📧 Get in touch: podcast@tvmakers.co.uk
🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Follow or subscribe to TV Makers so new episodes automatically land in your feed. If you've enjoyed this conversation, please consider leaving a rating or review - it really helps more people discover the show.
The full TV Makers back catalogue is available wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Recorded by Ashley Golder - https://ashleygolder.tv/
Instagram @tvmakerspod
Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk

Artwork by Benjamin Leon  -
Instagram: @benleondraws
Website:  www.benleondraws.com

Have you ever caught yourself thinking…

“Could I go to jail if we get this wrong?”
“Can we legally film this?”
“Can we broadcast that without permission?”
“What happens if someone withdraws consent?”

If so, this episode is for you.
Joining TV Makers is Clare Hoban, Co-CEO of Reviewed & Cleared and an editorial content lawyer with years of experience in the TV and content world and she was generous (and patient!) enough to sit down with Ashley Golder and get asked all the questions we’ve always wondered the answers to but either never had the opportunity to ask, or dare we say it…never wanted to look foolish in asking ourselves? 

The answers might even surprise you!
One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is that television can often do far more than people realise - as long as you understand where the legal, editorial and compliance boundaries actually sit.

This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Part 2 will be released next week instead of the usual 2 week gap, where we tackle even more real-world scenarios and answer more of the questions you’ve always wanted to ask a TV lawyer. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it.

Please note: This interview was recorded earlier in 2026. Whilst we’ve done our best to keep everything up to date, this episode should not be taken as legal advice. Laws, regulations and guidance change, and every production is different. If you need advice on a specific situation, please contact Clare and the team at Reviewed & Cleared.

Connect with Clare
🌐 Reviewed & Cleared: https://reviewedandcleared.com

This Episode is Sponsored by:

RIMMS - https://www.rimms.tv
Linkline - https://linklinecrew.com

📸 Follow TV Makers on Instagram: @tvmakerspod

📧 Get in touch: podcast@tvmakers.co.uk

🎧 Enjoying the podcast? Follow or subscribe to TV Makers so new episodes automatically land in your feed. If you've enjoyed this conversation, please consider leaving a rating or review - it really helps more people discover the show.

The full TV Makers back catalogue is available wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Recorded by Ashley Golder - https://ashleygolder.tv/
Instagram @tvmakerspod
Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk

Artwork by Benjamin Leon  -
Instagram: @benleondraws
Website:  www.benleondraws.com