What happens when two experienced television producers decide to leave the traditional TV industry and build a digital-first business from scratch?
In this episode of TellyCast, Justin Crosby sits down with Pete Campion, Co-Founder of Indy Studios, to explore how he and former BBC producer Matt Ramsden have made the leap from broadcast television into the creator economy.
Pete spent more than two decades producing large-scale international factual series, including the hugely successful Gold Rush franchise. But as the economics of traditional television became increasingly challenging, he saw an opportunity to apply those storytelling skills to YouTube, digital channels and AI-powered content.
The conversation explores the realities of building a digital-first production company, why TV producers should have confidence in their storytelling skills, how Indie Studios is developing original YouTube channels, and why AI is creating entirely new opportunities for factual storytelling.
Pete also discusses audience behaviour on YouTube, the importance of owning intellectual property, collaborating with creators, working with brands, and the lessons traditional production companies need to learn if they want to succeed in the new production economy.
Elsewhere, Justin and Pete discuss the future of reality television, duty of care in content production, the opportunities for experienced TV producers in social video, and why storytelling remains the most valuable skill in any medium.
Whether you’re a producer, creator, commissioner, studio executive or media entrepreneur, this episode offers a fascinating insight into how one production company is navigating the transition from television to digital-first content.
Key Topics
• Building Indie Studios after redundancy from traditional TV
• Why experienced TV producers are moving into digital-first content
• Gold mining channels and niche audience strategies
• Working with creators and athletes
• The opportunities and risks of AI-generated storytelling
• Legends of Gold and AI-powered factual content
• What TV producers can learn from YouTube creators
• Audience-first storytelling versus commissioner-led development
• Duty of care in digital production
• The future of independent production companies
Episode Highlights
• Pete’s journey from Gold Rush to founding Indie Studios
• Why “storytelling will win” regardless of technology changes
• How AI is unlocking previously impossible factual stories
• Building owned IP instead of relying on commissions
• Lessons learned from publishing on YouTube
• The biggest mindset shifts TV producers need to make
• Why collaboration is essential for traditional indies entering digital
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