Tony Robinson To Open VLV Conference On Children's Broadcasting

Tony Robinson, the well-known broadcaster, presenter and actor, whose work includes writing and starring in several award-winning children’s programmes, will open VLV’s 12th annual conference on Children’s Broadcasting on November 12, 2006.
Confirmed speakers include:

• Tony Robinson, broadcaster, presenter & actor
• Richard Deverell, Controller, BBC Children’s Programmes
• Anne Gilchrist, Creative Director, CBBC
• Michael Carrington, Creative Director, CBeebies
• Nick Wilson: Controller, Children’s & Youth Programmes, Channel Five
• Tim Suter, Senior Partner, Content & Standards, Ofcom
• John McVay, Chief Executive PACT
• Camilla Byk, VLV member and parent
• Nigel Pickard, Director of Family Entertainment, RDF Television

Speakers from ITV, the Disney Corporation, Turner Broadcasting have been invited.
Kate Bulkley, freelance journalist, Jocelyn Hay, VLV Chair, Anna Home, Chief Executive, Children’s Film and Television Foundation and Lewis Rudd, former Controller of Children’s Programmes at Carlton Television will chair the event.
Children’s television in Britain is in crisis as ITV seeks to end its distinguished record of providing a wide diversity of high quality indigenous programmes for children. Although the communications regulator, Ofcom, recently refused to give ITV permission to reduce its hours of children’s programmes each week from eight to just two at the weekends, ITV is known to be still negotiating for this reduction in its public service remit.
The BBC’s future plans for its children’s channels and a report of children’s changing use of media will be considered, together with the impact that moves to ban the advertising of high fat, salt and sugar products to children could have on production budgets.
Those attending include leading broadcasters, independent producers, regulators, parents, carers and academics. Space is limited and early booking is advisable.
Delegate Rates (including VAT): Corporate: £130; Voluntary Organisations and academics: £75; private individuals: £60; Students: £35.
(DS/SP)