At 6TV, there is one meeting that trumps all others. The ‘Creative Assembly’, as it’s termed by its architect, the Chief Creative Officer (CCO), has, in many ways, become the channel’s key decision-making forum. Held once a week, its aim is to review programmes that have been pitched to, or piloted by, the channel, and to discuss and debate the relative merits of each. Its principle players are the Senior Commissioning team, but a revolving group of junior staff from throughout the channel are also invited to join and their input encouraged. The aim, according to the CCO, is to initiate a “collision of different perspectives and ideas”. She explains: “It’s about finding a collective intelligence and creativity by bringing in different types of people, from different backgrounds, rather than versions of the same person.”

The idea behind the Creative Assembly is certainly laudable. It represents a genuine attempt to break down barriers and bring in different voices – particularly those from different class backgrounds. Yet our interviews revealed that, in many ways, the concept has dramatically backfired. Far from disrupting existing hierarchies, the Creative Assembly has become a crucible of the already anointed, a gladiatorial encounter where the discussion of television programmes often acts as a vehicle for Senior Commissioners to underline their cultural prowess to the Executive team. Success here rests on the demonstration of a particular highbrow sensibility, with participants jockeying to drop legitimate cultural references, or showcase an evermore arcane and lyrical mode of aesthetic appreciation. “It’s sort of a game of showing off,” Rachel, a Senior Commissioner (professional/managerial origins), explains:

For those from working-class backgrounds, the Creative Assembly is a visceral reminder of the ceiling they face at 6TV, a pageant for the performance of an elite culture they mostly find impenetrable and alienating. Bill, a Commissioner, summed up the sentiments of many. He explained that these meetings always provoke the most acute feelings of otherness: “There is always this moment where I look around and think, ‘I’m not part of this club.