ITV America and ITV Studios America Taps Menaka Evans as Chief Financial Officer

Richard Madeley has named and shamed an A-Lister that he claims is the 'rudest' celebrity he's ever interviewed in his 50-year-long career. The TV presenter was back at the helm of Good Morning Britain on Monday (March 6) after a two week hiatus.

Naman Ramachandran U.K. commercial broadcaster ITV has hired Alex Pumfrey as director of strategic partnerships, reporting into Martin Goswami, group strategic partnerships and distribution director. Alex Pumfrey, currently CEO of the Film and TV Charity, revealed last week that she was stepping down after almost six years in the role. She will remain in the role through May and join ITV in June. Pumfrey replaces Lynette Kewley, who was director of strategic partnerships and moved over to ITV’s streamer ITVX as director of commercial and propositions last year. At ITV, Pumfrey will be responsible for developing relationships across national media players such as BBC, BT, Sky and Virgin Media and international tech giants including Apple, Amazon and Samsung.

Hello Insiders. The international biz descended on the UK for the London TV Screenings this week, and we were there to cover it in full. Jesse Whittock here to guide you through all the film and TV news.

Phillip Schofield predicted a response from This Morning viewers - and he wasn't wrong. The presenter was back at the helm of the ITV daytime programme on Thursday (March 2) alongside Holly Willoughby as they appeared for their final show of the week.

IDLES, Rina Sawayama, Hot Chip and more have backed a campaign urging the UK government to act on US visa charges.Last month, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it was planning to raise touring visa fees for foreign acts by 260 per cent.Under the DHS proposal, applications for a P visa – which allows acts arriving in the States to perform temporarily – would increase from the current rate of $460 (£375.23) to $1,615 (£1,317).The longer-term O work visa would also jump from $460 (£375.23) to $1,655 (£1,349).In response, the Music Managers Forum (MMF) and Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) boosted their #LetTheMusicMove campaign – originally created in June 2021 – to oppose the potential changes, emphasising that the move could result in “crippling costs for UK artists looking to tour North America”.Now, a number of touring artists have bolstered the campaign with their support.“After what we’ve been through with Brexit and the pandemic, the implications of these new visa proposals are incredibly worrying for all artists wanting to travel and perform in the US,” Sawayama said.“I travel with 15+ crew on a tight margin, and any increase in costs sadly gets passed onto concert goers through higher ticket prices, which is not fair. Live music should be democratic and accessible and this is just another blow to the arts sector and the experience of concert goers.”Adam Devonshire of IDLES added: “Britain is renowned for its hugely profitable musical exports, however with pointless and costly restrictions such as these, British artists will struggle to make a name for themselves in the US, which would be a huge shame.

Naman Ramachandran Kevin Lygo, managing director, media and entertainment at ITV, has revealed what he thinks are the key ingredients to the success of the upcoming revival of “Big Brother” on the U.K. commercial broadcaster this fall. The British version of the iconic reality TV series is set to return to screens this year after what will be a five-year hiatus on network ITV2 and streaming platform ITVX. From its launch in 2000 until 2010 the show aired on Channel 4 before moving to Channel 5 in 2011. It ran there for seven years until Channel 5 finally retired the format in 2018.  Speaking to the media during an earnings call after ITV declared its 2022 financial results, Lygo said: “The key to ‘Big Brother’ is to keep it like it was in its golden period – to have it more interesting, intelligent, upmarket etc. than other reality shows. It’s a great addition to have in the autumn [fall] period.”

Carolyn McCall, CEO of U.K. media conglomerate ITV, doesn’t have her own office. Instead, on the open-plan top floor of ITV’s West London headquarters, she shares a desk with her executive assistant and her chief of staff. Right now, she’s sitting in a communal alcove around the corner while employees bustle past. It’s par for the course for a woman who “always wanted to be the visible leader,” as Alan Rusbridger, her former colleague at The Guardian, says. McCall, who is being recognized as Variety’s International Media Woman of the Year in honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, has made a habit of taking on the top job in the toughest of circumstances. She became chief executive at Guardian Media Group in 2006, just as the internet was blowing up the newspaper industry. Four years later, McCall joined budget airline EasyJet as CEO, then steered the multinational company through Britain’s departure from the European Union. In 2018, just as linear television was coming under assault from global streamers and social media companies, she moved to U.K.-based broadcaster and producer ITV.

Lorraine Kelly has issued a health update to her concerned fans and revealed her return date after she was forced to miss three episodes of her ITV show last week due to illness.The Scottish presenter, 63, was absent from Wednesday, Thursday and Friday's episodes of Lorraine after she went down with a "hideous" bug.Thankfully, Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh was on hand to step in as she acted as a guest host for the week.Taking to Twitter on Friday, Lorraine responded to a fan who wrote: "@reallorraine hope you are feeling better Lorraine?" to which she replied: "Much better ta - see you Monday xxx." It comes as Lorraine tweeted on Wednesday: "When you have to be sent home from work early in the morning because you are suddenly attacked by a hideous bug and were looking forward to interviewing @adamlambert THAT!" The presenter added: "Beyond disappointed but imagine if I had infected him !!!!!!" Lorraine's fans, viewers and celebrity pals were quick to wish the Scottish presenter well after her statement. Victoria Kennedy, editor of Lorraine, wrote: "Get well soon" with a heart and kiss emoji.

EXCLUSIVE: Cleopatra Entertainment has acquired North American rights to Argentinian director and producer Nicolas Onetti’s slasher picture What The Waters Left Behind: Scars.

EXCLUSIVE: Love Island distributor ITV Studios has hired a Disney sales exec on the eve of the London TV Screenings.

Lorraine Kelly was forced to pull out of her show at the last minute on Wednesday after coming down with a mystery illness.

Mark Wright joined hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on This Morning on Tuesday (February 21) to speak about his brand new TV programme. The TV personality, who found fame after appearing on the reality show The Only Way Is Essex is set to host The Challenge UK, the new competitive five-part series which sees 16 reality TV stars take on a range of gruelling tasks.

Sky News and ITV have been told by UK media regulator Ofcom that they must “explain their actions” after the family of a dead mother said the broadcasters intruded on their privacy as they grieved.

Former ABC News Chief James Goldston has joined Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs’ Candle Media to head up a new division focused on scripted and non-scripted features and series inspired by true stories. Goldston will serve as President of the new group. 

Dancing On Ice fans were left in awe after Diversity took to the rink on Sunday night's show.

Alison Hammond had a big night at the BAFTA Awards on Sunday (February 19) after making her co-hosting debut. The presenter, who is a regular face on This Morning, joined legendary actor Richard E. Grant at London's Royal Festival Hall to host this year's annual film awards.

“I think we need to find a way to avoid the U.S. brainwash,” said Newen Connect CEO Rodolphe Buet at this morning’s Berlinale Series Adapting to the Market session.

Stormzy and Nick Cave were among the famous figures who attended Vivienne Westwood’s funeral yesterday (February 16).The legendary British fashion designer and environmental activist died “peacefully” in Clapham, south London on December 29, 2022. She was 81 years old.As BBC News reports, the memorial service for Westwood was held at Southwark Cathedral.

Good Morning Britain has come under fire after discussing South Park's fresh dig at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have become the latest inspiration for an episode of the US cartoon, which features a copy of a book entitled Waaagh, following the release of Harry's book, Spare.

Josie Gibson was awkwardly shut down when she quizzed Matt Goss on his dance moves. The Bros star appeared on This Morning on Thursday (February 16) to chat to the presenter and her co-host Dermot O'Leary about his upcoming tour.