Thinkbox
What did the industry watch: award winning TV planners reveal their top TV picks and viewing habits of 2023
2023 has been a great year for TV content, as viewers we have been spoilt for choice. We couldn’t possibly chose the best shows of the year so we asked the TV Planning Awards winners to tell us their top shows. Read on to see what the best TV planners watched this year.
Rachel D'Cunha (she/her), Strategy Partner, Wavemaker
What was your TV moment of the year?
The new season of The Bear was just phenomenal. The acting, the script, the composition... *chefs kiss*. The other candidate is Partygate on Channel 4. Extremely provocative and perfectly timed for release during the Covid enquiry...
Describe your viewing habits in 3 words?
Selective, escapist, late-night!
Best discovery in 2023 (new or old classic)?
The Change on Channel 4. Kooky, funny, and giving a much needed spotlight to women in mid life. Hats off.
What’s your TV guilty pleasure?
I will watch anything with Stanley Tucci in, I'm a sucker for his sophisticated older man vibes.
Your water cooler TV show – what had the office talking in 2023?
It’s got to be that chump Matt Hancock on SAS: Who Dares Wins!! Just get off our screens will you?!
What TV can’t you wait for in 2024?
I was late to the party with the first series, but I am very excited about the next season of The Traitors.
Jack Henderson, AV Lead, Wavemaker
What was your TV moment of the year?
Staying up on the last day of the season, knee slides across the living room
Describe your viewing habits in 3 words?
Sport. Comedy. Indecision.
Best discovery in 2023 (new or old classic)?
The Bear on Disney+. I raced through both series in under a week.
What’s your TV guilty pleasure?
Deal or no Deal. Whether it’s Mulhern or Edmonds, I’m in.
Your water cooler TV show – what had the office talking in 2023?
A media cliché but definitely Succession. Impossible to avoid the spoilers.
What TV can’t you wait for in 2024?
All new True Detective. The first series is an all-time favourite.
Mike Williamson, Head of AV Planning, MGOMD
What was your TV moment of the year?
Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals weekend on ITV. Four massive games, the surprise defeat for Wales, the edge of the seat finish between Ireland and New Zealand, and one of the best game of all time between France & South Africa!
Describe your viewing habits in 3 words?
Sport based (whenever it’s possible), compromising (to reality TV), escapism (to end the day).
Best discovery in 2023 (new or old classic)?
In line with my viewing habits, The Mark Cavendish cycling documentary on Netflix is highly recommended.
I also started watching Succession from the very beginning and it hasn’t disappointed!
What’s your TV guilty pleasure?
Married At First Sight and Selling Sunset. I always say I only watch them because my wife does, but that is a blatant lie!
Your water cooler TV show – what had the office talking in 2023?
Two things come to mind;
- Everyone seemed to tune in to Elton John’s Sunday night Glastonbury farewell on the BBC.
- The Last Of Us on Sky. Particularly Pedro Pascal’s seemingly endless ability to deliver award winning roles.
What TV can’t you wait for in 2024?
The new series of Full Swing. Hopefully lots of behind-the-scenes coverage of the PGA vs LIV fallout.
