March to November 2025
Older Viewers Feel Left Behind - But Their Love of Classic TV Is Going Global
New UK research suggests that older audiences are increasingly feeling disconnected from today’s television landscape, while interest in classic programming continues to grow both in the UK and internationally.
|
According to the report published by RXTV Info, 67% of viewers aged over 55 feel overlooked by modern television, and almost 40% of those aged 75 and above say they feel “erased entirely” from on-screen representation.
More than half of respondents said they prefer nostalgic or classic programming, describing it as more entertaining and relatable than much of what is currently broadcast. This renewed interest in archive television is reflected in a wider global trend. Broadcasters and streaming platforms are turning to older series and formats, recognising their continued relevance and appeal to audiences across different generations. |
The Bright Thoughts Company is proud to be part of this revival, actively licensing its acclaimed catalogue of music, drama, and comedy programming worldwide. In addition, the company is now actively developing fresh television formats inspired by its very diverse back catalogue — re-imagining proven ideas for new generations of viewers.
Bright Thoughts’ legacy of creative excellence continues to find new life — proving that truly great television never goes out of fashion!
Bright Thoughts’ legacy of creative excellence continues to find new life — proving that truly great television never goes out of fashion!
04 November 2025
Macready on Alexander Street
We are delighted to announce that our 1983 production, Macready! - Frank Barrie's acclaimed one man show about Victorian actor William Macready - has been licensed to the Alexander Street video streaming platform.
|
Originally broadcast more than four decades ago, the programme has been meticulously restored and remastered into high definition, allowing new audiences to experience it with a freshness previously unseen.
The agreement with Alexander Street, one of the world's leading suppliers of educational video content to universities and public libraries, is a landmark moment for The Bright Thoughts Company as we begin the process of making our back catalogue commercially available for modern audiences. The deal underscores a broader trend in 2025: the resurgence of interest in archive television. As streaming platforms diversify their offerings to cater to niche audiences, the opportunities for older productions are multiplying. |
With technology enabling restorations that rival modern broadcasts, forgotten gems are being reintroduced to contemporary viewers who crave both cultural depth and historical insight.
Our new partnership with Alexander Street signals a bold step into a diversifying media landscape, and is a fitting revival for a production that itself celebrates the endurance of great theatre across the generations.
Our new partnership with Alexander Street signals a bold step into a diversifying media landscape, and is a fitting revival for a production that itself celebrates the endurance of great theatre across the generations.
09 September 2025
Frank Barrie (1936-2025)
Theatre star Frank Barrie has died at the age of 88. According to a statement from his agency Scott Marshall Partners "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved client. He died peacefully at home."
The Yorkshire-born actor played Edward Bishop in EastEnders from 2010 to 2011. On the stage, Frank was a member of Laurence Olivier's National Theatre Company at the Old Vic in numerous Shakespearean and other stage roles, including The Woman In Black and Lunch With Marlene.
Appearing in very many TV shows over the years, Emergency Ward 10, No Hiding Place, Softly, Softly, Special Branch, On Giant’s Shoulders, Queen Of Swords and many more, Frank also was a successful director in his own right, shows include Shylock, JM Barrie and The Life And Loves Of Edith Wharton, all of which toured internationally. His also talents extended to writing with credits to include Wellington, The Family At Ham, The Devil You Know and The Other Woman, broadcast by the BBC.
The Yorkshire-born actor played Edward Bishop in EastEnders from 2010 to 2011. On the stage, Frank was a member of Laurence Olivier's National Theatre Company at the Old Vic in numerous Shakespearean and other stage roles, including The Woman In Black and Lunch With Marlene.
Appearing in very many TV shows over the years, Emergency Ward 10, No Hiding Place, Softly, Softly, Special Branch, On Giant’s Shoulders, Queen Of Swords and many more, Frank also was a successful director in his own right, shows include Shylock, JM Barrie and The Life And Loves Of Edith Wharton, all of which toured internationally. His also talents extended to writing with credits to include Wellington, The Family At Ham, The Devil You Know and The Other Woman, broadcast by the BBC.
Frank Barrie as William Macready
|
Vertical Divider
|
With such exceptional talents, Frank wrote, directed and starred in his own one-man show Macready! which played in 65 countries worldwide over a 22 year period. It also represented GB at the 1982 Commonwealth Games Arts Festival in Australia. The play received great notices wherever it played in London and especially in New York.
Macready! - a celebration of the actor. The stage play was based on the diaries of the great Victorian actor William Charles Macready, written and played by Frank Barrie. Bright Thoughts Company recorded the play at the Fortune Theatre, Russell Street, London and was screened on Channel 4 TV (25/08/83). |
In 2022 Frank said to me/us "I like the idea of giving it a kind of continuance" and so we have since been working directly with Frank to get Macready! remastered in HD.
Whilst the whole show is very much in-tact from the digitisation process, the sound is of good quality. Thankfully, Frank's performance is still remarkable!
Whilst the whole show is very much in-tact from the digitisation process, the sound is of good quality. Thankfully, Frank's performance is still remarkable!
Digitised and Remastered
We believe in all our hearts that Frank would like Macready! to be part of his lasting legacy and to be made available as a resource for acting students and audiences of all kinds who are interested in theatre history and the acting masters of part eras. We therefore endeavour to continue to fulfil his wishes to the best of our abilities.
Indeed, for years we get the occasional request from acting students around the world asking to view the production as part of their on-going studies and particularly if they are actually playing the role of William Charles Macready. We hope the remastered digitised version will be available before very long once it is placed on the right platforms with no need to have to ask permission from Bright Thoughts.
Indeed, for years we get the occasional request from acting students around the world asking to view the production as part of their on-going studies and particularly if they are actually playing the role of William Charles Macready. We hope the remastered digitised version will be available before very long once it is placed on the right platforms with no need to have to ask permission from Bright Thoughts.
|
|
Vertical Divider
|
Naturally, our biggest regret is that Frank will not be at the launch of the HD remaster but we are wholly confident he will be with us in spirit. We did regard him as a friend.
When I started my career as a TV Producer, Macready! was only the second show I had actually been credited as producer and so I have a special fondness not only for the show, but also the kindness and generosity of Frank. He cannot have missed that I was still very 'green' and 'wet behind the ears' but at no point did he let me know that and there were never any dramas in getting the show recorded in front of a live audience and then edited.
Not only that, the hospitality offered by Frank and Mary at their house. Recollections of a show-biz party where I felt very much out of my depth at the time, but also the odd cosy dinner to chat through things informally, which I was far more comfortable with. Deeply fond and personable memories.
When I started my career as a TV Producer, Macready! was only the second show I had actually been credited as producer and so I have a special fondness not only for the show, but also the kindness and generosity of Frank. He cannot have missed that I was still very 'green' and 'wet behind the ears' but at no point did he let me know that and there were never any dramas in getting the show recorded in front of a live audience and then edited.
Not only that, the hospitality offered by Frank and Mary at their house. Recollections of a show-biz party where I felt very much out of my depth at the time, but also the odd cosy dinner to chat through things informally, which I was far more comfortable with. Deeply fond and personable memories.
Neil Anthony,
01 July 2025
01 July 2025
Does TV need fixing?
UK TV is facing a 'perfect storm' according to recent articles about the industry in crisis over budgets and viewing figures.
|
The beauty perhaps of being an independent producer is being able to think and operate outside of the box, so to speak.
We believe that British talent is the solution not the problem as the prolonged crisis continues to sweep through the TV world. To all our fans of 'Top Cs & Tiaras' who continually express their support for a comeback, it will likely survive the storm currently being faced by British producers and will be remade. In today's market it is excellent content for global platforms using British talent, set in the UK and Europe and therefore primed to attract funding from partners from the industry who are not UK broadcasters. To our followers who ask "why can't we see more classic gems such as the monologues and why do they remain such a rare find?" It is also highly likely there will soon be a revival. |
There is indeed new interest in a remake, but what makes it so attractive to UK producers in the current climate?
It is an ideal format for today's TV industry. It is literally 'conversations in a room' (as Peter Kosminksky, director of Wolf Hall describes the budget constraints) and therefore with the right casting of top actors, it has high onscreen value and falls easily within the budget parameters of productions made primarily for the local UK market.
It is an ideal format for today's TV industry. It is literally 'conversations in a room' (as Peter Kosminksky, director of Wolf Hall describes the budget constraints) and therefore with the right casting of top actors, it has high onscreen value and falls easily within the budget parameters of productions made primarily for the local UK market.
Neil Anthony, 22 March 2025
