Ep 45: Chief Content Officer at Lifted Ent, Tom Gould - How to Keep Hit Formats Fresh

Love Island, I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, The Voice, Countdown and University Challenge are some of Britain’s biggest entertainment shows. But how do you keep hit formats like these feeling fresh without changing what audiences love about them? Tom Gould is Chief Content Officer at Lifted Entertainment, the production company behind these major formats. With more than two decades in television, Tom has helped shape some of the UK’s most successful entertainment shows. So, how do you protect the magic of a hit format while knowing when it needs to change? And what does it really take to lead creativity at one of Britain’s biggest entertainment producers? In this episode, Tom takes us inside the decisions behind the screen. Tom and Ashley discuss how long-running formats continue to evolve, what makes a new entertainment idea stand out and how Lifted is developing its next generation of mainstream hits. Tom also reflects on moving from programme-making into senior leadership, why learning to let go was one of his hardest lessons and how he supports production teams without taking over. They also explore the importance of trust, respect and creating a production culture where people feel comfortable speaking freely. In this episode: • What a Chief Content Officer actually does • How established formats remain fresh • Knowing what to change and what to protect • What Tom looks for in a new entertainment idea • Moving from Executive Producer into creative leadership • Learning to let go and empower production teams • Creating mainstream formats with humour and a sense of mischief • Why strong television begins with a respectful production culture Follow TV Makers on Instagram: @tvmakerspod Watch the full conversation on the TV Makers YouTube channel. This Episode is Sponsored by: RIMMS - https://www.rimms.tv If you enjoyed the episode, follow the podcast and leave a rating or review wherever you’re listening.