The Riffs Show

In the Riffs Show, our video podcast, Lydia Fairfax (Triple Crown Consulting) and I discuss the strategies, economics and power dynamics shaping the OTT industry.

From platform control and monetisation to content, partnerships and emerging tech, each episode breaks down the forces driving broadcasters and streamers today. Smart, opinionated and grounded in real-world experience, The Riffs Show brings together news, interviews, reviews and analyses from across the worldwide television and online video sector.

Watch all episodes, free here or on Spotify. And join our mailing list to find out about upcoming sessions.

  • Riffs Episode #6 – Channel 4 & ITV

    On last week’s Riffs episode, Lydia and I talked about the BBC and potential changes to the licence. This week, and to share the love, we focused on Channel 4 and ITV, who have both made a number of announcements lately.

    Channel 4

    Channel 4 …

  • Riffs Episode #5 – The BBC Licence Fee

    At the Labour Party conference last week, Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media & Sport, said that she was looking at a mixed funding format for the BBC to help protect it from future government interference. Options included a “mixture of licence fee, commercial funding …

  • Riffs Episode #4 – OpenAI & Trump Tariffs

    On this week’s Riffs episode, Lydia and I discuss a range of topics including Sora 2 – OpenAI’s latest generative video AI model, Tilly Norwood – a new AI actor taking Hollywood by storm (or at least exercising human actors like Emily Blunt and trade unions like SAG-AFTRA), and the …

  • OTT Question Time Riffs Episode #3 – RTS Convention Review & Kangaroo 2.0

    In our third Riffs episode, Lydia reviews the RTS Convention – an event for the great and the good from the TV and, to a point, OTT industries – which she attended in Cambridge last week (18/19 Sept. 2025). She tells me about:

    • The PSB roundtable (featuring …

  • OTT Question Time Riffs Episode #2 – WBD Paramount Skydance + How OTT Leaders make Decisions

    In our second Riffs episode, Lydia and I discuss reports that Paramount Skydance is preparing a takeover offer for Warner Bros Discovery. We talk about the particulars of any potential deal, how it could be funded and which bits of WBD the buyer might get. Lydia – who …

  • OTTQT Riffs Episode #1 – Industry Rhythms & The Autumn Term

    OTT Question Time Online is our regular debate show, where a rotating panel of senior streaming executives tackle the biggest issues facing the industry.

    OTTQT Riffs, on the other hand, is me and my new co-host, Lydia Fairfax, having a chat about …

  • OTTQT Riffs Episode #1 – Industry Rhythms & The Autumn Term

    OTT Question Time Online is our regular debate show, where a rotating panel of senior streaming executives tackle the biggest issues facing the industry.

    OTTQT Riffs, on the other hand, is me and my new co-host, Lydia Fairfax, having a chat about …