What do TV leaders watch on TV in the summer?
Everyone seems to be bingeing something. But what about the people who actually work in TV — what do they watch?
That’s the question The Media Leader posed to a series of TV executives. From the action-packed Mayor of Kingstown to comedy classic Seinfeld to live sports, there is plenty across the ecosystem to keep TV leaders busy.
And as we edge closer to the final quarter, with the Edinburgh TV Festival round the corner and various upfronts coming up, the industry will be preparing to find out what the next Baby Reindeer, The Bear or Mr Bates vs The Post Office will be.
Lindsey Clay, Thinkbox CEO
“I wish you were asking me this question next week! August generally is quite an unusual time to ask about TV, with normal viewing habits disrupted by holidays. But for TV people in particular, it’s a strange time because the Edinburgh TV Festival is about to start and usher in a feast of amazing new TV to look forward to this autumn. I will come back, as usual, with an enormous list of must-watches.
“Having just got back from holiday myself, I already have a waiting list of shows I’m impatient to tuck into, including Dame Judi & Jay on Channel 4, Trigger Point on ITV, The Bear on Disney+, Elsbeth on Sky, Battle in the Box on U&Dave and probably Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert (again), also on Disney.
“But that barely scratches the surface and — plug klaxon! — I encourage all readers to sign up to Thinkbox emails, which always include the latest must-see shows.”
Lee Sears, president, international markets advertising sales, Paramount
“I’ve been watching Mayor of Kingstown season three on Paramount+ recently and have been surprised how much Jeremy Renner himself is involved in the action scenes — knowing it’s him really adds something to it.
“I’ve also just finished The Boys. I wasn’t sure it would be possible to top the previous series in terms of shock and gross-out moments, but it did, while (I’m sure) unintentionally being politically relevant.
“Given the notable dark content, I try to find something that means I don’t need to consider what it says about me, so I use Friends on Comedy Central and Parks and Recreation to lighten the mood.
“I also watched the original Total Recall on 5Action over the weekend and wondered how long it will be before we can go on a virtual holiday and depressed myself about the fact that it was made 34 years ago!”
Victoria Appleby, head of sales, Channel 4 Sales
“I absolutely love The Great, now in its third series. I’ve also just started Presumed Innocent on Apple TV+. I’m ashamed to admit I’ve only recently watched a full episode of Seinfeld, so I’m making my way through all seasons (currently about to start season three).
“I can’t wait for the Paralympics to start on Channel 4 next week, as there has definitely been an Olympics-sized hole in my TV viewing!”
Ronny Golan, director, CEO and co-founder, ViewersLogic
“In the last few months, I watched Netflix’s Baby Reindeer, tremendously enjoyed the BBC’s The Woman in the Wall and the second season of The Capture, and was disappointed by the new season of Dr Who. As a family, we all watch reruns of Would I Lie to You? on iPlayer.
“I also watch with my son reruns of Dr Who on the BBC, Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Disney+ and Gotham on ITVX. The Olympics were also heavily watched in our house — especially gymnastics and basketball.”
Laura Chaibi, international director of ad marketing and insights, Roku
“I just binged The Durrells, based on true events about a woman who moves her four children to Greece when her husband dies in the 1930s. It’s totally quirky, far too liberal and felt overly familiar. Three-quarters in, the mother refers to their time in India — and the penny dropped!
“My mother’s family also came to the UK from India and it helped me understand third-culture families like mine. It’s not about where you’ve come from or where you’ve landed; friends become the family you choose for yourself — or they choose you. It was beautiful to watch.”
Martyn Bentley, commercial director, UK, AudienceProject
“I was all in on the Euros. Then, like everyone, I got a bit depressed. Luckily, along came the Olympics, which was superb TV for the big feature events. I very much enjoyed having it on as a WFH companion — obviously between calls (don’t tell anyone!).
“As recent ‘empty nesters’, my wife and I now have more time for boxset bingeing. We loved Fallout and rattled through The Jetty. Currently, we are gripped by Godless and working through Taboo (another historical one), which, confusingly, is on both Netflix and iPlayer.
“Standout for me this year is actually another older crime franchise called The Tunnel, which has three outstanding series. It’s like The Bridge, but set between the UK and France, starting with a grim discovery in the Channel Tunnel.
“I’m rationalising my streaming channels currently with a view to getting Apple TV+ for a while so that I can work through Slow Horses there.”