David Abraham | RTS London Christmas Lecture

RTS London Podcast

Join David Abraham as he reflects on three decades in global media in conversation with Chris Curtis, Editor of Broadcast.
David Abraham is co-founder of Wonderhood Studios and a former chief executive of Channel 4 and UKTV. He is a passionate advocate of public service broadcasting in the UK and throughout his extensive media career has navigated through rapid shifts in technology, business models and ownership.

David co-founded the iconic 90’s ad agency St. Luke’s, then became a broadcaster at Discovery Networks in the early 2000’s. He went on to revive TLC in the USA with shows like Miami Ink, Little People Big World and Say Yes To The Dress before becoming Chief Executive at UKTV where he launched the hugely successful Dave channel.

David was appointed as CEO of Channel 4 in 2010 shortly prior to the end of Big Brother after over a decade at the heart of the schedules. He formed and led an award winning team team which creatively refreshed and diversified the schedules while delivering The Paralympics, Stand Up To Cancer, F1 and Bake Off. His tenure also delivered an industry leading digital strategy that secured over 15m registered users of All4. David faced calls to privatise Channel 4 which were resolved by the time he stood down towards the end of 2017 - by which time annual revenues had reached £1bn, and record investment into UK film via Film4 had also been sustainably delivered.

In the summer of 2018 David launched Wonderhood Studios which brings together leading talent from TV production and creative communications. 12 months in the company is now working on delivering its first commissions for UK PSB’s and has also been engaged by several leading brands to produce high quality mid and long form content for media platforms which are converging.

David will speak about his return to the frontline after nearly two decades leading established media companies - what he has learned and where he plans take Wonderhood Studios next.
Producer: Terry Marsh