The Golden Age of Television

Sophie Turner Laing, in a key note speech at MIPCOM, has heralded a 'Golden Age of Television' due to new digital content providers enabling a wider audience to watch television.

In a key note speech at this year's MIPCOM, Sophie Turner Laing (CEO of Endemol Shine) has heralded a 'Golden Age' of television. Turner Laing has suggested that "technology is paving the way for television to be viewed by a wider audience". Technology should not be seen as a threat to the content industry, instead, an opportunity. New digital content providers such as Netflix are often seen as threats to the industry, disrupting old media foundations, however the reality of the matter is quite the opposite. These providers are "creating new opportunities for talent, more windows in the distribution chain, and allowing a wider audience to watch television".

Turner Laing continued to suggest that forming partnerships with different media will be key in allowing the TV industry to continue to develop. As an example of this, Turner Laing highlighted ICON, which was a joint venture with YouTube personality Michelle Phan. Turner Laing concluded that "Collaboration is the new world order for engaging fans, viewers and customers". Going forward we are urged to immerse ourselves in this 'golden age' of television.