Lyndon Saunders

Current positions

Lecturer in Broadcast Media

Biography

I’m a broadcast producer and now full-time academic and media consultant in the sector.  I'm currently programme leader for BA TV and Radio Production and teach documentary, factual, programme development and professional practice on the BA and the MA Media Production courses. Having made the move from industry to academia, I've forged a specialism in connecting curriculum to industry and have initiated and overseen many exciting live projects that see our students working directly with industry within their courses of study.  I'm passionate about the mutually beneficial pipeline this creates for all concerned: industry, students, staff and the University.

In broadcast I've got 19 years industry experience in TV, radio and digital production. With a wide range of experience, I’ve produced what are dubbed 'shiny floor' entertainment shows (Saturday night TV) and made many factual programmes for both the BBC and ITV.  My industry production credits include (BBC:) Strictly Come Dancing, five series of Dragons' Den, A Comedy Map of Britain and (ITV:) the popular doc series The Lakes and daytime TV hit Ade in Britain, amongst others. 

As radio producer in my early career and with a more recent return, I won two Radio Academy gold awards and I’ve series produced a live BBC 5 live current affairs show as well as making many documentaries for BBC Radio 1, Radio 4, World Service and 5 live. 

My production work has always been diverse and this greatly informs my teaching and academic activity.  My career to date has featured both harrowing and incredible experiences, all memorable; covering 9/11 in NYC for BBC 5 live, touring America alongside British bands for Radio 1 and tracking down boxer Manny Pacquiao in a Philippine jungle training camp amidst a raging super typhoon for BBC World Service!

I have specialist experience in programme development and commissioning, particularly within ITV Studios’ factual label Shiver and commissioning successes I was involved in include Tales From Northumberland, You Saw Them Here First, Unbelievable Moments Caught on Camera, Amazing Animal Births, Paul O’Grady’s For The Love of Dogs, Big Fat Asian Weddings, Hillsborough: The Search For Truth, and daytime quiz Show Me The Telly.

Many moons ago (now just about old enough to say that) I used to DJ in clubs, at raves and illegal parties (it was the 90s) and I've competed in amateur triathlon competitions (but now, with two young kids, I’m generally too tired for either of those!).