Philip Ralph

This is fabulous news! Where are you BBC, ITV, Channel 4?

one good thing: at least the golden age of TV is over again so we can catch up on everything we missed between 2010 and now when there was Just Too Much Truly Excellent TV

I still haven't watched Narcos or Beef or Ozark or any of the Witcher or Sex Education or Stranger Things ffs

Latest monthly visa application figures are out.

Skilled workers? Still dropping.
Health & care workers? Still dropping.

Slow clap.

a man in a white shirt is sitting in a diner and says `` yeah , that was brutal . '' ALT: a man in a white shirt is sitting in a diner and says `` yeah , that was brutal . ''

2025 has been yet another brutal year for the TV and Film industry, both in the UK and overseas.

BBC to increase spend on content representing nations as it strengthens TV commissioning across the UK The increased investment, from within existing budgets, will ensure more high-impact, quality programmes that tell authentic, homegrown stories from the devolved Nations to UK-wide audiences

This is a hugely welcome step which I hope will be matched by greater bravery from commissioners to work with lesser known existing talent as well as brand new up and coming talent across the regions. This new focus must open up new opportunities for all.

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...

We’re in such a golden age of British and Irish actors by the way. I don’t think this gets talked about enough. Partly because the tv industry has become samey and bland. But go to just three plays and you’ll see what I mean. A golden age of elite talent.

The Last Video Rental Store Is Your Public Library Audio-visual librarians are quietly amassing large physical media collections amid the IP disputes threatening select availability.

“As prices for streaming subscriptions continue to soar and finding movies to watch, new and old, is becoming harder as the number of streaming services continues to grow, people are turning to the unexpected last stronghold of physical media: the public library.”

a blurry picture of a person with glasses and the words `` lets do this '' written on it . ALT: a blurry picture of a person with glasses and the words `` lets do this '' written on it .

TV and Film should be a thriving, joyful, sustainable industry to work in. Let’s make ‘Existing to 26’ a reality for everyone by supporting all those who pour their hearts and souls into this industry whether they are ‘successful’ or not.

Support your film, TV, and cinema community… | The Film and TV Charity Support your industry charity to fight loneliness, mental health struggles, and financial stress

Until that change comes, please support those you know who are struggling in any way you can. And, if you’re able, please donate to the UK Film and TV Charity who do incredible work and have never been so needed as now.
filmtvcharity.org.uk/get-involved...

a man with dreadlocks says that he wants the world to change ALT: a man with dreadlocks says that he wants the world to change

It’s always been incredibly hard to make a living in TV and Film, but it’s never been this hard. We desperately need positive and radical change across our industries in 2026 in the face of ever more uncertainty, entrenchment and risk aversion.

The weight of these punishing times has, of course, been bourn by those least able to survive when work is thin on the ground – those from working class, marginalised and diverse backgrounds. This has to change and soon before the arts are closed off to all but the most privileged.

A year in which their mental health and confidence has been shattered by no work, endless ghosted emails and enquiries, being penciled for jobs and then quietly forgotten, tiny residuals (if they got any at all), and the painful silence from their more successful colleagues.

a man in a suit and tie is making a funny face in an office . ALT: a man in a suit and tie is making a funny face in an office .

A year in which many of them have been forced to walk away from the industry they love and have dedicated their lives to in order to survive.

As the ‘Best of the Year’ lists arrive, awards season nominations drop, red carpets are walked, amidst all the glitz and glamour as successes are rightfully celebrated, let’s remember that for many thousands of actors, writers, directors, producers and crews this has been their worst year in memory.

a man in a white shirt is sitting in a diner and says `` yeah , that was brutal . '' ALT: a man in a white shirt is sitting in a diner and says `` yeah , that was brutal . ''

2025 has been yet another brutal year for the TV and Film industry, both in the UK and overseas.

Headline: Kate Winslet's 'extraordinary' new Netflix film was written by her son, 21

Armed with only a brilliant script, even a young inexperienced screenwriter can get their work produced by a huge studio.

You just have to WANT it hard enough. Reach for the stars, budding writers!💫

It’s really simple…

- Cap all political donations
- Ban foreign donations
- Strict conflict‑of‑interest & anti‑corruption laws with penalties
- No titles, honours or peerages for donors
- No govt contracts for donors
- Publish every donation/lobby meeting

…that’ll do it.

Rough translation - “Cinema is dead…”

😢🤦‍♂️

Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos says the streamer has no "opposition" to releasing Warner Bros. movies in theaters, but hints that "windows will evolve to be much more consumer friendly."

variety.com/2025/film/ne...

75% of Reform UK’s donations have come from just three rich men Calls grow for donation caps as Democracy for Sale research reveals that three-quarters of Reform’s funding comes from a trio of wealthy donors

🔴 Nigel Farage’s Reform is more reliant on super-rich backers than any major party in modern British political history

75% of *all* Reform donations *ever* have come from just three rich men

Is this what democracy looks like?

New on Democracy for Sale
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/75-of-refo...

Sick of constant demonisation of migrants on #bbcqt & failed cruelty being the only answer from spineless politicians?

Look out for my report launching at 11am with 9 evidence-backed proposals to ACTUALLY fix the immigration system!

With @anothereurope.bsky.social & @fesonline.bsky.social
👀👀👀

Most sports interviews on the radio remind me of asking a 10-year-old how school was. “It was good.” How did you feel when you won the prize? “Good. Yeah it was good.” Did you see your friends? “They were good. Yeah.”

"Surely it doesn't need to be said that Paul Dano is one of our greatest actors. Anyone who doesn't get that doesn't know what acting is. He's also a brilliant director and writer, a very snappy dresser, and a gigantic mensch." --Tony Kushner

So tell me again how Nigel Farage, who just took the largest ever political donation, from a Tory mega-donor, and another donation from the Viscountess wife of the non-dom owner of the Daily Mail, is planning to "take on the establishment"

Yesterday the President fell asleep, yet again, during a televised fake Cabinet meeting staged so that each of his courtiers could heap praise on him, praise for which he couldn't stay conscious. He woke up just long enough to spew racism. Why is this not being treated as an emergency? >

Tarantino loves the sound of his own voice. He doesn't like to be challenged. He likes stacked-deck conversations with acolytes. Every interview is a sermon. He knows shit, but he's also incredibly full of shit. And, worst of all, mean.

The Sarah Everard report part two: a catalogue of repeated and preventable failures | Joan Smith So many reviews, so much hand-wringing, yet misogyny in England and Wales’s police forces and impunity for offenders remains the norm, says Joan Smith, former co-chair of the Mayor of London’s VAWG Board

The Sarah Everard report part two: a catalogue of repeated and preventable failures | Joan Smith

t.co/09EKCqivJw

Our retreat programme for 2026 is live! We’re thrilled to be offering our first residential writing retreats - Write Here Write Now with dates in April & October. Available to anyone of any level and any genre - a restful, focused, supportive, productive space. Link below 👇

Oop!
I need to prepare for making TAX digital!...

"if your qualifying income is over £50,000 in the 2024 to 2025 tax year"

HA! HA! HA!
They know what I'm on! Why bother to send me this!?