The Royal Television Society (RTS) today announced the full programme for its 2007 Cambridge Convention, Europe's pre-eminent, high-level gathering of international broadcasting executives.

Held at Kings College, Cambridge from 13-15 September, this year's convention has been planned by James Murdoch, Chief Executive of BSkyB and Chair of the Convention Advisory Committee. Entitled 'Contrasting Horizons', the convention programme will examine the lessons to be learnt from other industries in the wider world and how these can be best employed to the benefit of viewers and consumers alike, as well as discussing television's current big issues.

A biennial event, the RTS Cambridge Convention has yet again attracted a stellar list of speakers and panellists including John Riccitiello, CEO of Electronic Arts, the world's biggest video games publisher, Peter Chernin, President and Chief Operating Officer of News Corporation and Gerhard Zeiler, Chief Executive of the RTL Group.

The convention's keynote speech will be given by the Rt Hon James Purnell MP, who will be making his first address on broadcasting since becoming the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport in June 2007.

Session debate will be chaired by leading players from the broadcast industry such as Dawn Airey, Greg Dyke, Peter Bazalgette and James Murdoch himself. Another highlight will be a debate on the future of Public Service Broadcasting involving channel heads Andy Duncan (Channel 4), Michael Grade (ITV), Jane Lighting (five), Mark Thompson (BBC) introduced by Ed Richards, Chief Executive of the regulator OFCOM.

As is customary, the convention will begin on Thursday afternoon with the Huw Wheldon Memorial Lecture, which commemorates one of the most inspiring programme makers and television managers of any era and a former President of the RTS. This year's lecture will be given by Anthony Lilley, Chief Executive of Magic Lantern Productions, a member of the Content Board of OFCOM and an authoritative voice on new media issues.

Commenting on this year's programme, James Murdoch, said:

"What I enjoy about Cambridge is that the convention lasts long enough to put together an agenda that has an arc to it. It is a hugely exciting time right now. The opportunities ahead are boundless. Some of the most exciting stuff is happening here in the UK and there are a lot of really good thinkers in the industry. Giving them a showcase to talk about how they see the future is a unique opportunity."

ENDS

Press Contact (ING Media):
Robert Pine
robert@ing-media.com
+44 20 7247 8334