Tag: television

Local chef hits our screens tonight on MasterChef: The Professionals

Edinburgh chef Paul Hood will appear on MasterChef: The Professionals tonight at 9pm on BBC One – and it’s all thanks to his wife! 

Cooking since his early teens, when he watched his father at work as a head chef in some of the world’s most famous kitchens, father of two Paul, 34, can’t reveal many details about his journey in the show but he can disclose that it was the experience of a lifetime. 

As Development Chef for Heritage Portfolio for the past three years, Paul has conjured up some of the UK’s most memorable and exciting menus, serving up his diverse, quirky and edgy style for events such as the Scottish Food and Drink Awards.  

It was Paul’s wife, Laura, who applied to the show in secret, whilst pregnant with their son who’s now one. 

Paul explains, “I am so thankful to Laura for supporting my passion to cook. She used to look at me watching MasterChef and shouting at the screen when the skills challenges were on, and always said that I should go for it. In the end, she made the biggest career highlight of my life happen.  

“I promise myself that nothing I do in the kitchen will ever be predictable. Behind the scenes, I work like a machine but this is my passion so it never feels hard and I’m driven to surprise and excite people at every turn. 

“Seasonality matters so much to me, using ingredients when they are plentiful and at their best. Winter is a particularly interesting time, when we have less choice but that’s when a great chef can dial up the creativity and make magical food from fewer ingredients. 

“Heritage Portfolio’s food values are my food values and I hope I showcased some of them on the show – you will have to wait and see.” 

Founder of Heritage Portfolio, Mark Miller, says, “We are so proud of Paul’s achievements over the years and for him to be recognised at this level is richly-deserved. 

“He brings a delicious thrill to every menu he creates for our clients, helping to make their events in some of the UK’s most iconic venues totally unforgettable.” 

Movie and TV buffs assemble!

Pop-culture retailer Lost Universe is recruiting a professional binge-watcher

●    £300 cash payment to binge-watch geek movies or TV from your sofa

●      One-year subscriptions to ALL the top streaming services up for grabs!

Lost Universe Binge-Watcher Dream Job_2.jpg

Pop-culture online retailer Lost Universe is recruiting for a seriously dreamy job, a geek movies and TV binge-watcher. All that’s required for the role is to rate three movies or TV episodes of choice from the latest superhero/Sci-Fi/fantasy releases.

The opportunity is a one-off project which will pay one talented movie or TV fanatic £300 for their binge-watching efforts, gift them a £30 voucher to spend at lostuniverse.com and will also offer the ultimate binge-watching bundle: ONE-YEAR subscriptions to ALL the top UK streaming platforms, from Netflix, Disney +, Amazon Prime and NOW TV Entertainment all the way to YouTube Premium.

Five runners-up will also win a £30 Lost Universe gift voucher each, giving pop-culture fans even more reasons to enter.

The dream job winner will enjoy best-in-class entertainment, including the latest from the Marvel or DC Universe, all the 11 Star Wars movies and TV show the Mandalorian (on Disney+), all seasons of Game of Thrones (on NOW TV), exclusive YouTube content with no ads, and much more.

Binge-Watcher Dream Job requirements

Lost Universe is the home of all things geek, offering a wide range of fan favourite licensed merch, including the most sought-after limited editions and exclusives, so they are looking for someone who lives and breathes pop-culture for the fun role. Job requirements list someone who obsesses over their favourite superhero/Sci-Fi/fictional characters, follows the latest movies and TV releases and reviews them with friends for fun, and even cite “owner of comfortable sofa/armchair for binge-watching preferred”, but the role is open to pop-culture newbies and veterans alike.

Sounds like a tough job indeed!

How to apply

It couldn’t be easier to apply, with the company asking applicants to upload a picture of themselves recreating a superhero/Sci-Fi/fictional character pose, either on Facebook or Instagram, mentioning the name of their chosen character in the description. They will need to tag @lostuniverse.club and use the competition hashtag #bingewatcherdreamjob.

Applicants are free to snap a fun pic using social media filters or improvising with stuff they have around the house – Lost Universe will judge entries based on creativity and following the superhero/Sci-Fi/fictional theme, and don’t require professional pictures, costumes or attire.  The one-off binge-watcher job opportunity is encouraging all pop-culture fans to enter!

Applications are open until 28th October 11:59 PM and the winner will be announced on 2nd November on the Lost Universe website and social media. The one-off role is open to UK residents aged 18 and over.

For the full description of the role and the terms and conditions, please visit:

https://lostuniverse.com/blogs/lost-universe-blogs/binge-watcher-dream-job-applications-now-open

Prime Minister’s statement on coronavirus: 22 September 2020

Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation on coronavirus

Good evening, the struggle against covid is the single biggest crisis the world has faced in my lifetime.

In less than a year this disease has killed almost a million people, and caused havoc to economies everywhere.

Here in the UK we mourn every person we have lost, and we grieve with their families.

And yet I am more certain than ever that this is a struggle that humanity will win, and we in this country will win – and to achieve what we must I want to talk to you directly tonight about the choices that we face – none of them easy – and why we must take action now.

I know that we can succeed because we have succeeded before.

When the sickness took hold in this country in March, we pulled together in a spirit of national sacrifice and community. We followed the guidance to the letter. We stayed at home, protected the NHS, and saved thousands of lives.

And for months with those disciplines of social distancing we have kept that virus at bay.

But we have to acknowledge this this is a great and freedom-loving country; and while the vast majority have complied with the rules there have been too many breaches – too many opportunities for our invisible enemy to slip through undetected.

The virus has started to spread again in an exponential way. Infections are up, hospital admissions are climbing.

We can see what is happening in France and Spain, and we know, alas, that this virus is no less fatal than it was in the spring, and that the vast majority of our people are no less susceptible, and the iron laws of geometrical progression are shouting at us from the graphs that we risk many more deaths, many more families losing loved ones before their time; and I know that faced with that risk the British people will want their government to continue to fight to protect them, you, and that is what we are doing, night and day.

And yet the single greatest weapon we bring to this fight is the common sense of the people themselves – the joint resolve of this country to work together to suppress covid now.

So today I set out a package of tougher measures in England – early closing for pubs, bars; table service only; closing businesses that are not covid secure; expanding the use of face coverings, and new fines for those that fail to comply; and once again asking office workers to work from home if they can while enforcing the rule of six indoors and outdoors – a tougher package of national measures combined with the potential for tougher local restrictions for areas already in lockdown.

I know that this approach – robust but proportionate – already carries the support of all the main parties in parliament.

After discussion with colleagues in the Devolved Administrations, I believe this broad approach is shared across the whole UK. And to those who say we don’t need this stuff, and we should leave people to take their own risks, I say these risks are not our own.

The tragic reality of having covid is that your mild cough can be someone else’s death knell.

And as for the suggestion that we should simply lock up the elderly and the vulnerable – with all the suffering that would entail – I must tell you that this is just not realistic, because if you let the virus rip through the rest of the population it would inevitably find its way through to the elderly as well, and in much greater numbers.

That’s why we need to suppress the virus now, and as for that minority who may continue to flout the rules, we will enforce those rules with tougher penalties and fines of up to £10,000. We will put more police out on the streets and use the army to backfill if necessary.

And of course I am deeply, spiritually reluctant to make any of these impositions, or infringe anyone’s freedom, but unless we take action the risk is that we will have to go for tougher measures later, when the deaths have already mounted and we have a huge caseload of infection such as we had in the spring.

If we let this virus get out of control now, it would mean that our NHS had no space – once again – to deal with cancer patients and millions of other non-covid medical needs.

And if we were forced into a new national lockdown, that would threaten not just jobs and livelihoods but the loving human contact on which we all depend.

It would mean renewed loneliness and confinement for the elderly and vulnerable, and ultimately it would threaten once again the education of our children. We must do all we can to avoid going down that road again.

But if people don’t follow the rules we have set out, then we must reserve the right to go further. We must take action now because a stitch in time saves nine; and this way we can keep people in work, we can keep our shops and our schools open, and we can keep our country moving forward while we work together to suppress the virus.

That is our strategy, and if we can follow this package together, then I know we can succeed because in so many ways we are better prepared than before. We have the PPE, we have the beds, we have the Nightingales, we have new medicines – pioneered in this country – that can help save lives.

And though our doctors and our medical advisers are rightly worried about the data now, and the risks over winter, they are unanimous that things will be far better by the spring, when we have not only the hope of a vaccine, but one day soon – and I must stress that we are not there yet – of mass testing so efficient that people will be able to be tested in minutes so they can do more of the things they love.

That’s the hope; that’s the dream. It’s hard, but it’s attainable, and we are working as hard as we can to get there.

But until we do, we must rely on our willingness to look out for each other, to protect each other. Never in our history has our collective destiny and our collective health depended so completely on our individual behaviour.

If we follow these simple rules together, we will get through this winter together. There are unquestionably difficult months to come.

And the fight against covid is by no means over. I have no doubt, however, that there are great days ahead.

But now is the time for us all to summon the discipline, and the resolve, and the spirit of togetherness that will carry us through.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): What has changed?

The UK Government has today announced further national measures to address rising cases of coronavirus in England.

It is critical that everybody observes the following key behaviours:

  • HANDS – Wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds.
  • FACE – Cover your face in enclosed spaces, especially where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
  • SPACE – Stay 2 metres apart where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place.

Face Coverings

  • Customers in private hire vehicles and taxis must wear face coverings (from 23 September).
  • Customers in hospitality venues must wear face coverings, except when seated at a table to eat or drink. Staff in hospitality and retail will now also be required to wear face coverings (from 24 September).
  • People who are already exempt from the existing face covering obligations, such as because of an underlying health condition, will continue to be exempt from these new obligations.
  • Guidance stating that face coverings and visors should be worn in close contact services will now become law. (from 24 September)
  • Staff working on public transport and taxi drivers will continue to be advised to wear face coverings.

Working from home

To help contain the virus, office workers who can work effectively from home should do so over the winter. Where an employer, in consultation with their employee, judges an employee can carry out their normal duties from home they should do so. Public sector employees working in essential services, including education settings, should continue to go into work where necessary. Anyone else who cannot work from home should go to their place of work. The risk of transmission can be substantially reduced if COVID-19 secure guidelines are followed closely. Extra consideration should be given to those people at higher risk.

Businesses

  • Businesses selling food or drink (including cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants), social clubs, casinos, bowling alleys, amusement arcades (and other indoor leisure centres or facilities), funfairs, theme parks, and adventure parks and activities, and bingo halls, must be closed between 10pm and 5am. This will include take-aways but delivery services can continue after 10pm. (from 24 September)
  • In licensed premises, food and drink must be ordered from, and served at, a table.
  • Customers must eat and drink at a table in any premises selling food and drink to consume indoors, on site. (from 24 September)
  • Businesses will need to display the official NHS QR code posters so that customers can ‘check-in’ at different premises using this option as an alternative to providing their contact details once the app is rolled out nationally. (from 24 September)
  • Businesses and organisations will face stricter rules to make their premises COVID Secure (from 28 September).
    • A wider range of leisure and entertainment venues, services provided in community centres, and close contact services will be subject to the COVID-19 Secure requirements in law and fines of up to £10,000 for repeated breaches.
    • Employers must not knowingly require or encourage someone who is being required to self-isolate to come to work.
    • Businesses must remind people to wear face coverings where mandated.

Meeting people safely

  • Support groups must be limited to a maximum of 15 people (from 24 September)
  • Indoor organised sport for over 18s will no longer be exempt from the rule of six. There is an exemption for indoor organised team sports for disabled people. (From 24 September)
  • There will be a new exemption in those areas of local intervention where household mixing is not allowed to permit friends and family to provide informal childcare for children under 14. (from 24 September)
  • Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions will be restricted to a maximum of 15 people (down from 30). Other significant standalone life events will be subject to the ‘rule of six’ limits, except funerals (from 28 September).

Government has announced an initial £60 million to support additional enforcement activity by local authorities and the police, in addition to funding that has already been awarded.

The spread of the virus is also affecting our ability to reopen business conferences, exhibition halls and large sporting events, so we will not be able to do this from 1 October.

The government’s expectation is the measures described above will need to remain in place until March.

These measures apply to England – but there may be different rules if you live in an area under local lockdown: and you should check local lockdown rules. If you are in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, different rules may apply.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s address on Coronavirus measures

Address to the nation on 22 September 2020

The last six months have been unprecedented. They’ve been the hardest many of us have ever lived through.

But through our collective efforts across Scotland, we did beat Covid back.

As a result – although too much heartbreak has been endured and too many families are grieving – many lives were also saved.

But as we enter winter, and with many lockdown restrictions now thankfully lifted, the challenge is once again getting harder.

Albeit from the very low level we achieved in the summer, cases are rising again.

In the last three weeks, they have almost trebled.

And as the virus spreads, we see more people being admitted to hospital again and sadly dying.

So we are once again at a tipping point – we must act to get Covid back under control and protect the things that matter most to us.

In a global pandemic of a virus with as yet no vaccine, we simply can’t have 100% normality. No country can. So we must choose our priorities.

Our priorities are saving lives and protecting health.

  • Keeping schools open.
  • Restarting NHS services.
  • Ensuring care homes are safe.
  • And protecting jobs and livelihoods.

It is to safeguard these priorities that I must ask all of you again to make sacrifices. Sacrifices for our national well-being. They are not easy but please believe me when I say they are essential.

We have decided that from Friday there will be a national curfew for pubs, bars and restaurants. They will have to close by 10pm – to reduce the time people spend there.

And from tomorrow, we are all being asked not to visit each other’s homes – because we know that is often how the virus spreads most easily from one household to another.

There are exceptions – for care of the vulnerable, extended households, childcare and tradespeople.

But generally, by staying out of other people’s houses for now, we give ourselves the best chance of bringing Covid back under control.

We can still meet outdoors with one other household in groups of up to 6 people

And because we know this is especially difficult for children and young people we’ve tried to build in more flexibility for you.

If you are younger than 12, there are no limits on playing with your friends outdoors.

And if you are between 12 and 17 you can meet your friends outdoors in groups of 6 – but you don’t all have to be from just two households.

Now, for everyone – adults and children – I know that today must feel like a step backwards.

But please know that thanks to all your efforts over the last six months, we are in a much stronger position than in the spring.

Cases are rising but less rapidly than back then.

Our Test & Protect system is working well – tracing contacts and breaking chains of transmission.

We have much more information on how and where the virus spreads.

And we know what we need to do to protect ourselves and others.

And all of us have a part to play.

So I am asking everyone – please, follow the new rules. They will make a difference.

If you can and haven’t already, please also go to protect.scot and download the Protect Scotland app – so more people who might be at risk of the virus can be traced quickly and asked to self-isolate.

And remember FACTS – face coverings, avoid crowded areas; clean your hands and surfaces; keep two metre distancing; and self-isolate and get tested if you have symptoms.

Finally, I know that all of this has been incredibly tough – and six months on it only gets tougher. But never forget that humanity has come through even bigger challenges than this one.

And though it doesn’t feel like it now, this virus will pass. It won’t last forever and one day, hopefully soon, we will be looking back on it, not living through it.

So though we are all struggling with this – and believe me, we are all struggling – let’s pull together. Let’s keep going, try to keep smiling, keep hoping and keep looking out for each other.

Be strong, be kind and let’s continue to act out of love and solidarity.

I will never find the words to thank all of you enough for the enormous sacrifices you have made so far.

And I am sorry to be asking for more.

But a belief I hold on to – and one I am asking you to keep faith with in those moments when it all feels too hard – is this: If we stick with it – and, above all, if we stick together – we will get through it.

New measures to drive down infection rate

Household restrictions and 10pm closing time for hospitality settings

Further measures to protect the population from the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) have been announced by the First Minister yesterday (Tuesday) as Scotland faces an upsurge in cases.

The new restrictions focus on no household visits and a 10pm closing time for all hospitality settings.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said today that this action is necessary in order to prevent a resurgence in community transmission of the virus and the potential for a rapid return to the pressures the NHS experienced earlier in the year.

Measures include:

Inside people’s homes (from today, Wednesday 23 September)

  • Do not meet people from any other households in your home or another person’s home socially, unless they are in your extended household
  • These rules also apply to children
  • Children whose parents do not live in the same household can move between homes, as can non-cohabiting couples
  • Very limited exemptions apply for childcare, and for tradespeople

Private gardens or public outdoors spaces (from today, Wednesday 23 September)

  • A maximum of six people from two households can meet in outdoor spaces
  • You should limit as far as possible the total number of households you meet in a day
  • Under-12s do not count towards the maximum number of households or number of people who can meet outdoors. Under-12s do not have to physically distance
  • A maximum of six 12 to 17 year olds can meet in outdoor spaces, with no household limit. Physical distancing is still required

Indoors in public spaces (from today, Wednesday 23 September)

  • A maximum of six people from two households can meet in public indoor spaces such as cafes, pubs and restaurants
  • Children under 12 from those two households do not count towards the limits

Hospitality (from 00:01 Friday 25 September 2020)

  • Pubs, restaurants and all hospitality settings will be required to close at 10pm
  • Table service will continue to be required in all hospitality premises

Car sharing

  • You should only car share with members of your own, or extended, household, and follow guidance when there is no alternative

Working

  • You must continue to work from home where practicable

These restrictions will be reviewed within three weeks and further guidance will made available where necessary.

Action – and adherence to restrictions – is needed now to safeguard lives, protect from infection and bring the R number down below one.

The First Minister said: “It is worth stressing that because of the collective sacrifices we all made to drive infection levels down over the summer, the growth in cases is from a low base and – at this stage – far less rapid than in March.

“I want to thank the people of Scotland for their cooperation, forbearance and the sacrifices they have made – but these measures are essential in ensuring we do not let this virus get out of control again.

“While these measures are tough, we believe they can make a significant difference while keeping our schools, public services and as many businesses open as far as possible.

“Early data suggests that restrictions currently in place in west central Scotland are starting to slow the increase of cases. So by extending household restrictions nationwide now, in an early and preventative way, we hope it will help to bring the R number down and the virus back under control.

On hospitality measures, the First Minister said: “I want to thank those businesses that are making huge efforts to ensure compliance. However, I want to be clear with the hospitality trade about this.

“Notwithstanding the economic implications, further restrictions – including possible closure – will be unavoidable if the rules within pubs and restaurants on hygiene, face coverings, maximum numbers in groups, and the distance between them are not fully complied with.”

Children as young as six regularly making their own decisions about what content to watch, without help from mum or dad

  • Over half (51%) of 6 – 15 year olds don’t talk to their parents about choosing what content to watch.
  • Four in ten (42%) parents say they’re concerned about what effect upsetting or disturbing content might have on their child’s development.
  • But the majority of parents (63%) agree films and TV shows are good springboards to talk to their children about difficult topics, including mental health and sexuality.

New research by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has revealed that more than half (51%) of children aged 6 – 15 choose what to watch all or almost all of the time, without help from their parents.

The research, by YouGov, showed that as many as half (46%) of 6 year olds are regularly making their own decisions about what to watch without asking mum or dad. Four in 10 (42%) parents say they’re worried about the effect watching disturbing or upsetting content might have on their development.

Six in 10 (63%) parents of 12-15 year olds think that films and TV can be a useful springboard in starting difficult conversations with their children around topics like mental health and sexuality. And interestingly, three quarters of teens agree (72%).

When it comes to parents with young children, two thirds (65%) with 4-11 years olds say that content can help them start conversations about relationship breakdown, death, illness or bullying. And their children also agree (66%).

David Austin, Chief Executive of the BBFC, said: “It’s clear from our new research that young people and their parents need the right information to help them choose content well. It’s vital for children’s healthy development, and parents’ peace of mind, that they’re confident they’re pressing play on something that won’t cause harm or upset.

“It’s very encouraging that parents – and their children – are approaching each other to talk about depictions of issues they see on screen. That’s why we have comprehensive ratings info on our website, alongside our trusted and well known age ratings, which gives everyone an idea of what to expect.”

Girls are much more likely to talk about their mental health with a parent after watching content on a streaming service – with a quarter of 6 – 15 year old girls (25%) saying they’ve approached a parent after seeing something, compared to less than one in five (19%) boys.

Find out more information on the BBFC website www.bbfc.co.uk 

Scottish Live Screaming

Streaming-induced arguments on the rise as Scots feel content fatigue

Lack-lustre lockdown entertainment is leading to arguments with friends & family, new research has found.

ODEON Cinemas found that over a quarter (26 per cent) of the nation has argued about what to watch during 2020 and on average Scots have a stream-induced argument TWICE a week.

Choosing what to watch isn’t the only screen-screamer, with 60 per cent of Scots also getting annoyed when others in the household ‘double-screen’ (watching TV and being on a mobile phone, laptop or tablet at the same time).

Elsewhere, entertainment- starved Scots also spend 102 hours – the equivalent of 4 days a year – searching for shows to watch. It’s no surprise then that 68 per cent admit to feeling content fatigue, ‘bored’ of streaming sites which have been their ‘go to’ for much of the year.

ODEON is hoping the release of Tenet (26 August) will fill the entertainment void & help the 28 per cent of the nation looking to ‘escape the everyday’ in the darkness of the cinema.

Carol Welch, Managing Director UK & IRE said “At home entertainment has played a huge part in our lives this year but after spending hours making do with a small screen, we’re looking forward to welcoming guests back to the real deal.

“Those who are tired of big cat kings or double screening can rest assured they can escape to the big screen and immersive entertainment at ODEON.” 

Brits no longer have to waste hours ‘remote con-scrolling’ as film fans can get back to ODEON – the home of entertainment – by booking tickets at https://www.odeon.co.uk/

QE2: THE WORLD’S MOST LUXURIOUS HOTEL

NEW SERIES STARTS TONIGHT ON CHANNEL 5

Hotel QE2 has now been open in Dubai for just under two years. She’s a little bit of Britain fighting her corner in the world’s toughest hotel market.

The QE2, the most famous ocean liner in the world, now has a new home in Dubai. And, a new life as a floating hotel. This magnificent vessel is bigger than Titanic and has transported rockstars and royalty, and sailed over 6 million miles, circumnavigating the globe 25 times.

Hotel QE2 has now been open in Dubai for just under two years. She is a little bit of Britain fighting her corner in the world’s toughest hotel market.

With a multimillion pound refurbishment ongoing, and a new team at the helm, will it be sink or swim for Hotel QE2?

QE2, Bigger than Titanic, she’s transported rockstars and royalty, and sailed over 6 million miles, circumnavigating the Globe 25 times before she was retired.

EPISODE 1: In today’s episode …

At 52 years of age, Hotel QE2 is one of the oldest landmarks in Dubai.   Millions have already been spent on her refurbishment, but she’s still only 40% complete.

With more than 100 five-star hotels, competition in the Dubai hotel market is fierce.  Designer Chris needs to launch new superior suites on the ship’s top deck to keep up. The first VIP guests are due to check into them in just a few days. But the rooms are far from ready.

Not only that, but there’s a glamorous new arrival coming to town. The QE2’s bigger and younger sister, the Queen Mary 2. And it’s Queen Mary 2 passengers who are due to be checking into the new rooms.  But first, QE2’s Head of Tours Peter is hoping to a sneaky peak at the new rival to size up the competition.

Meanwhile, Executive Chef Dino and his team have a big event booked in: a traditional Burns night supper for 200 guests. The QE2 was built on the Clyde, so it’s a matter of pride to get everything absolutely right. But where do you find haggis in the UAE?? 

And there’s an even bigger headache on the horizon. The Burns Night shindig is due to be held in the historic Queens Room, which played host to her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, back in the day. But it’s also undergoing a bit of a facelift – which also isn’t finished …

Can the QE2 team pull out all the stops to get everything ready in time and impress the best?

QE2: The World’s Most Luxurious Hotel starts tonight at 9pm on Channel 5

TV show seeks farmers who are keen to diversify their businesses

Exciting new TV series to provide expert advice and ideas on how to diversify and supplement income for farmers across the UK

agriculture barley field beautiful close up
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Producers are looking for farmers who are interested in creating new sources of revenue from their farms, for a brand new TV series due to film later this year and early 2021. 

It might not be easy to be a farmer these days, with rising overheads, Brexit, bad weather and disease all playing their part, but it’s a generations-old industry that us Brits are known for and this series wants to celebrate that heritage.

STV Productions (who make Catchphrase and Antiques Road Trip) would like to speak to farmers who would be interested in diversifying or making adjustments to their businesses, in order to develop new revenue streams.  Experts will be on hand throughout the journey to help them explore opportunities and realise their ambitions.

The series will be hosted by farmer, author and presenter, Adam Henson who is passionate about local communities rallying round local farms.

Executive Producer, John Redshaw, said: “We’re keen to meet with farmers from right across the UK to take part in what we know will be a hugely positive and upbeat experience – and might even be life changing.  

“By learning about the history of their farms, and studying the potential within their agricultural landscapes, we want to join farmers on their journey to make their diversification dreams a reality.

“Whether farmers are at the ideas stage, have already started their plans, or have successfully diversified, we’d like to hear all about it. Please spread the word, get in touch and help us celebrate the next chapter in our great farming community.”

If you’d like to take part in this new series,  get in touch with the team for a chat with no obligation at farming@stv.tv or call 0141 300 3806.

UK broadcasters to introduce industry-wide guidance for producing TV safely during Covid-19

ITV, BBC, Sky, Channel 4, Channel 5, STV, ITN, the Association for Commercial Broadcasters and On-Demand Services (COBA) and Pact have joined forces to introduce new industry wide guidelines for producing television safely in the weeks and months ahead.

The guidelines are intended to enable a return to production for the television industry.

This guidance covers the broad range and scale of all TV programme making in every genre for TV and is complementary to the forthcoming British Film Commission guidance on managing the risks associated with film and high-end TV drama production.

In the new guidelines, the number one priority remains the safety and well-being of production teams and those who work with them.

The guidance has been produced through a collaboration of cross industry experts in this area along with external expertise provided by Dr Paul Litchfield CBE. 

The broadcasters have also worked with First Option, safety consultants to the media and entertainment industry, to devise this approach as well as liaising with union representatives and the Health and Safety Executive.

The guidance has also taken careful note of the recent government advice (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19) on the safe return to work.

The expectation is that the guidance will evolve over the coming months as the lockdown is eased, as government advice evolves and as TV productions adapt to the new challenges posed by the Covid-19 risk and provide a framework the entire industry can work within.

The full guidance is attached (see below). In summary, the guidance details six areas that producers, in conjunction with the commissioning broadcaster, must consider when planning to produce during Covid-19. They are:

●       Specifically consider people at higher risk of harm

●       Heighten precautions for everyone at work

●       Reduce the number of people involved

●       Consider editorial ‘on camera’ requirements

●       Consider mental health and wellbeing

●       Feedback loop

The guidance also lays out the key areas to consider when assessing risk on productions and suggests controls to consider (detailed in the attached guidance). They are:

●       Travel: Try to minimise travel and follow social distancing principles within travel arrangements, wherever possible.

●       Location: Consider the physical capacity of the space given the requirements of social distancing along with the provision of key hygiene facilities.

●       Work Activities: Consider the activities that people are going to need to undertake across roles on production and if these can be adapted or changed to reduce risk.

●       Work Equipment: Work equipment is key to TV production from cameras and headsets to edit suites. Good hygiene and managing potential issues with touchpoints should be addressed.

●       Work Patterns: Work patterns may enable you to have small groups (cohorts) of people who don’t come into contact with other groups.

●       Rest Areas: Rest areas are very important but may need some reconfiguration and planning around breaks to ensure rest areas are as safe as possible.

●       First Aid and Emergency services: Emergency services are under great pressure so may not be able to respond as quickly as possible alongside this Coronavirus (Covid-19) poses a potential risk to first aiders.

●       Masks, Gloves and Other Personal Protective Equipment: Use of PPE is very much a last resort and should only be considered when all other forms of control have been considered and/or implemented. In would not in general be appropriate to source medical grade PPE. The very limited exceptions to this might be when filming in higher Covid-19 risk settings such as hospitals which would only be at the invitation of the relevant hospital authorities.

●       Mental Health: The Covid-19 risk and the response has had a potential Mental Health impact for those working on productions.

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: “Great British television is keeping us company throughout the crisis, and I’m keen to get cameras rolling as soon as it is safe. Our creative industries are Britain’s global calling card and this is a significant step forward in getting our favourite shows back into production.”

Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive, ITV said: “ITV has been at the heart of informing, entertaining and connecting the UK through the Covid-19 crisis. Our production teams are now working hard to bring many more much loved shows back for viewers.

“This requires really innovative thinking, but above all, the safety and well-being of all those who work on the programmes is paramount. Working with partners across the industry, and with the support of DCMS, we have created clear guidelines to give producers a framework within which they can ensure that their production is safe.”

Tony Hall, BBC Director-General, said: “Everyone across the TV industry wants to get production back up and running. Recent weeks have shown just how important shows are to the public.

But we can only move forward with the right safety measures in place. This guidance is an attempt to get that right. Clearly we will keep it under review. We have, as an industry, already learnt a lot about how we can deliver programmes and we will all put that into practice”.

Alex Mahon, Chief Executive, Channel 4 said: “I’m phenomenally proud of the role Channel 4, alongside our production partners, has played over the last two months to help navigate audiences, particularly young and hard-to-reach viewers, through the Covid crisis.

Unlocking the television production sector in a safe way will be vital to continuing to ensure we can both continue to serve our audiences and help sustain the livelihoods of those in the industry – and I’m pleased that we’ve been able to work in partnership with other broadcasters, DCMS and PACT to create this innovative new framework.”

Simon Pitts, CEO STV (above) said: “STV’s continued delivery of public service news and current affairs throughout the Coronavirus crisis demonstrates our ability to produce programming safely, incorporating stringent new safety measures.

“Nations and regions producers like STV Productions play a vital role in driving both the UK’s world-leading production sector and the local creative economy and – working closely with the Scottish Government – this protocol can provide a vital framework for more of our colleagues, across a broader range of production, to return to work with the same level of confidence about their safety and wellbeing.”

Gary Davey, CEO Sky Studios, said: “This guidance provides production companies and broadcasters with a shared set of principles to keep staff, cast and crew safe across a range of productions.

We will continue to work closely with our international partners, share best-practice and continuously review and evolve the guidelines as we return to production.”

Ben Frow, Director of Programmes, ViacomCBS Networks UK said “The UK is a global leader in content production and these guidelines will help pave the way to getting our sector safely back up and running, as we begin to navigate a ‘new normal’.

“Through a consistent and collaborative industry approach, we can work together with suppliers to reframe the parameters of programme-making during this challenging time, putting people’s wellbeing at the heart of the process.”

Anna Mallett, CEO, ITN said: “Our teams in ITN have pioneered new ways of working to keep the news on-air and crucially, to keep staff, freelancers and contributors safe during this time.

We’ve been able to share our experiences and protocols to help draw up these guidelines for the wider industry. Our documentary team have found ways to ensure safety and creatively maintain production on a number of programmes filmed in contributors’ homes and on location.”

Adam Minns, Executive Director, COBA said: “Like the rest of the sector, COBA members are keen to renew production activity as soon as it can take place safely and responsibly.

“We hope this guidance will be an important step in getting the TV sector back to what it does best: making world class content.”

John McVay, Pact CEO, said: “This guidance from all the major commissioning broadcasters in the UK is a very helpful first step to getting the industry back working and taking forward the recovery”.

Industry wide – TV Production Guidance 18052020

A message from STV

People and businesses across the country are now profoundly impacted by the coronavirus and we recognise the vital role that public service broadcasters like STV will play through this extended period of disruption.

We are a free to air, universally available and highly trusted source of news, entertainment and information and we will use our privileged place in your life to have a positive impact now and in the longer term:

For you, our viewers

We will do everything we can to maintain our service and keep our shows on air across all genres, in particular to ensure you are informed with trusted news about the crisis both on TV and online, as well as providing you with much needed entertainment.

Our news service

Our dedicated team of journalists continue to collect and broadcast news content across Scotland, providing the most locally focused news service, together with dedicated Holyrood and Westminster coverage.

Our current affairs programme, Scotland Tonight, will offer additional coverage of the coronavirus pandemic and now has a 7.30pm peaktime slot on Thursday evenings in addition to Monday to Wednesdays at 10.40pm

Our broadcast schedule

We will deliver a comprehensive range of new programmes. Our schedule largely relies on pre-recorded shows like The Chase and Tenable in the afternoons and 9pm dramas like Liar and Belgravia.

It was also announced that Coronation Street and Emmerdale – the two most popular programmes in Scotland – will continue to run for the coming months, albeit on a reduced schedule pattern of 8 episodes per week from Monday 30th March as the production teams implement new health advice.

While The Voice UK knock out stages continue this weekend, it has also been announced that the live semi-final and final have been postponed on 28th March and 4th April and we aim to replace them with Voice specials.

In addition the production teams are working hard to maintain the Britain’s Got Talent live shows when they return later this spring. Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway will still air this weekend, without a live studio audience for the first time.

Across drama, entertainment and factual entertainment you still have a huge range of new and returning shows to look forward to, including the dramas Liar, Belgravia and Quiz, as well as entertainment from Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow, Gordon, Gino & Fred’s Road Trip and the return of the Britain’s Got Talent auditions next month.

STV Player

With thousands of hours of content, the STV Player is the home of the STV schedule online and much more. It is also now universally available across Scotland following its recent launch on the Sky platform and on Apple TV, alongside over 30 other platforms and connected devices.

There are currently over 50 box sets for you to choose from on the Player across drama, entertainment and factual, with something for everyone.

You can catch up on the latest big dramas, like Flesh and Blood, McDonald & Dodds, Vera, Cold Feet and Endeavour.

We have also added over 1000 hours of exclusive Player-only content like drama series Rake, Janet King, The Last Enemy, The Code, Deep Water, The Slap, Acceptable Risk and Hamish Macbeth.

And there’s a chance to remember classic STV dramas like Taggart, Rebus, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Take the High Road. Beyond drama there are great factual titles, including hours of Scottish scenery, documentaries and true crime, including titles like Grand Tours of Scotland, Cold Justice, Unveiled, Changing Faces, and Street Hospital.

More new content for the STV Player will be announced soon.

STV Children’s Appeal

No one will be hit harder by the coronavirus than our most vulnerable communities. We have therefore granted emergency funding of £400,000 from monies raised during the 2019 STV Children’s Appeal to FareShare, who will redistribute food to communities across Scotland.

We are actively seeking to work collaboratively with other charities to ensure that funding gets to those who need it most right now, and will be adapting our future STV Children’s Appeal fundraising activities in 2020 to ensure we focus on the most pressing causes during this crisis.

Looking ahead

These are hugely challenging times for everyone but my fantastic colleagues at STV are committed to delivering the best possible service for viewers, partners and our local communities over the coming months, and I would like to thank them for their professionalism and dedication.

We’ll continue to work together with industry, commercial partners, government and you our viewers to entertain, inform and provide vital support where we can across Scotland.

Simon Pitts

Chief Executive Officer, STV