Comedian and actor Munya Chawawa has said that British television is in decline not because of platforms like TikTok, but because it has lost its willingness to take risks. Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival on Thursday, the 32-year-old delivered the Alternative MacTaggart lecture, receiving a standing ovation.
Chawawa argued that traditional TV shows now often find their apex as pixelated reposts on TikTok, and that the industry's reliance on nostalgia and reboots is driving audiences away. He said: 'British TV isn’t dying because of TikTok. It’s dying because it’s lost its willingness to take risks, to throw caution to the wind and to gamble on great ideas.'
He contrasted the success of Netflix's Korean-language drama Squid Game, which amassed 265 million views, with a YouTube recreation by Mr Beast that garnered 850 million views. 'The message was clear,' Chawawa said, 'anything you can do, we can do better.' He urged TV to move forward by collaborating with digital creators, injecting budget to elevate their ideas.
Chawawa also highlighted the precarious nature of TV careers for digital talent, stating that the industry often expects them to prove themselves before giving them a chance, and if they fail, their TV career may be over. He called for more nurturing of talent from digital backgrounds.
The comedian, known for his satirical online videos and appearances on shows like Would I Lie To You? and Taskmaster, won best breakthrough comedian at the 2021 National Comedy Awards. His lecture follows recent Ofcom reports showing YouTube is now the second most-watched media service in the UK, and that traditional public service media is under threat.
