TVT Vault: Brian Walsh: “A lot more stories yet I want to tell.”

Much is rightly being said about Brian Walsh’s trailblazing achievements in Australian storytelling following tragic news yesterday of his passing.

Brian was working to the very end, due to attend an event in Melbourne next week announcing yet another Foxtel drama as executive producer.

“Walshie” loved making local drama, and even with changes with Foxtel management in recent years, it was a portfolio he was not about to surrender.

In 2019 I asked him if he was considering retirement anytime soon…

Originally published 9th March 2019:

“I only really dedicated myself fulltime to Foxtel from 2007 but it has been part of my life for the last 23 years,” he replied.

“If every day was the same it would not be challenging, but the truth is this is a business that continues to evolve.

“The imperative for any television executive is reinvention. With all the change we’ve seen in technology, consumer behaviour and competition, it has absolutely prompted me to reinvent.

“I’m also of the view that even though I’ve had a long tenure I am surrounded with lots of young people who come through the business. At some point in your career you have to accept that you have to mentor, and pass on your knowledge and experience. So I would like to think I still have a valuable contribution to make.”

Over more then two decades Walsh has commissioned all of the Foxtel-owned original content from Love My Way, SLiDE, Satisfaction and Australia’s Next Top Model to Tangle, Wentworth, Selling Houses Australia, Deadline Gallipoli, Spirited, The Great Australian Bake Off, The Real Housewives of Melbourne, Gogglebox, A Place to Call Home and Secret City.

“I’m proud of the shows we’ve commissioned and the success we’ve enjoyed. I still love coming to work. I still love Television, I still love Foxtel and want it to succeed,” he continued.

“Whilst I still feel challenged Foxtel will still be a central part of my life.

“Telling Australian stories is so important to me.

“Engaging with talent and artists is so important if we are going to build our industry. There are a lot more stories yet I want to tell.”