Directors Digest — Thursday 16 September

From the rush to save the future of PSBs, to the scramble to secure Nolan's new film — we cover everything happening in our industry this week, including Black to Front and cabinet reshuffles. Read about it all below.  

In the week that saw both the DCMS consultation on a change of ownership of Channel 4 and a House of Lords inquiry on the future of Channel 4 close, Broadcast shared a round up of the key takeaways from Channel 4's response and explored how the broadcaster has helped launch the careers of new and underrepresented voices.

Alex Mahon, Channel 4 CEO argued that privatisation will impact the broadcaster’s ability to break this kind of new talent and support indies. (Deadline)  

Over in Whitehall, a cabinet reshuffle saw Nadine Dorries become the tenth culture secretary since 2010. (Screen)

John Whittingdale (the minister behind Channel 4 privatisation plans) stepped in at the eleventh hour for a demoted Oliver Dowden to deliver a keynote speech at the Royal Television Society's Cambridge Convention. Here he announced new rules to protect 'distinctively British' PSBs (Advanced Television), only for Whittingdale to be ousted from his ministerial role the following day.

Elsewhere, The Hollywood Reporter took us inside the scramble to secure the new Nolan film as a battle between studios and streamers commenced.

Closer to home, The Guardian covered Channel 4's Black to Front programming, with journalist Hibaq Farah reflecting on the importance of airing Black-ish: it "often feels like an inside joke for black people, but that is what ultimately makes it crucial viewing for a mainstream audience".

In the UK, Netflix has committed funding "to bring more diverse voices into the industry with a number of schemes designed to upskill below-the-line creatives from all backgrounds", reports Broadcast.

Are you a member with an opinion on one of these stories? Is there an issue affecting directors that you think isn’t getting enough attention in the media? Why not write for us and make yourself heard — email [email protected] with your article idea.