The heads of two major UK television broadcasters recently discussed controversial TV personality Phillip Schofield’s new show on a rival channel. Channel 4’s Chief Content Officer Ian Katz criticized Channel 5’s decision to air Phillip Schofield: Cast Away without appropriately addressing Schofield’s past conduct. Katz said this while discussing Channel 4’s finances.
Earlier this year, ITV host Phillip Schofield stepped down from his longtime role on This Morning after acknowledging an inappropriate relationship with a younger colleague. His return to TV so quickly on Channel 5’s new show sparked a debate in the industry. Cast Away premiered last weekend, drawing 1.4 million viewers. The show features Schofield facing mental and physical challenges as he reflects on his controversial exit from ITV.
Katz took issue with how the show handled Schofield’s situation. He felt it did not properly examine the circumstances leading to Schofield leaving ITV. “People in Phillip Schofield’s position deserve appropriate questioning when on air,” Katz stated. He compared it to how a former UK health secretary was treated on a celebrity competition show on Channel 4. Katz said he wanted to see Schofield face tougher scrutiny than what aired on Channel 5.
Katz also criticized how the show let Schofield criticize his former ITV coworkers, like co-host Holly Willoughby, without rebuttal. Schofield reportedly said on the show that someone “threw colleagues under the bus” without being challenged by producers.
While Katz did not rule out working with Schofield someday, he said the former ITV personality was not a top priority for talent at Channel 4. Sources also said Channel 5 executives felt uneasy about giving Schofield his comeback show, igniting new discussions around broadcasters’ responsibilities regarding controversial public figures.
Schofield’s sudden downfall from his long-running ITV role earlier this year shocked the UK television industry due to him initially denying the relationship. It led to him losing representation and questions about how ITV handled a prominent on-air personality. Katz’s remarks highlight the ongoing balance networks must strike regarding ratings and ethics in featuring individuals embroiled in turmoil.
