Nick Hilton
@nickfthilton.bsky.social
Chief TV Critic: @theindependent
Podcaster in Chief: @podotpods
Other "chief" roles: tbc
Podcaster in Chief: @podotpods
Other "chief" roles: tbc
Pinned
Nick Hilton
@nickfthilton.bsky.social
· Dec 4
Future Proof | Nick Hilton | Substack
100% Undiluted Media Futurology. Click to read Future Proof, by Nick Hilton, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.
futureproofnews.substack.com
I have a newsletter – Future Proof – where I write bitter musings about digital media, from podcasts and YouTube to movies and TV. Basically every post is free and harmless, and I like seeing the subscriber ticker going up: so please sign up!
The BBC does this all the time and it contributes to a public sense that politicians are dishonest. Journo asks complex, sensitive Q and receives a straight bat or evasive reply. They then sigh and say “it’s a simple question!” even though they a) know it isn’t, and b) knew what the answer would be.
Something I hate about political interviewers is when they say “it’s a simple question!”. It is, as they know, almost never a simple question. They understand the evasion and can’t find a way around it. Instead they try to signal to listeners that the failure of interrogation is on the politician.
January 20, 2026 at 8:35 AM
The BBC does this all the time and it contributes to a public sense that politicians are dishonest. Journo asks complex, sensitive Q and receives a straight bat or evasive reply. They then sigh and say “it’s a simple question!” even though they a) know it isn’t, and b) knew what the answer would be.
Something I hate about political interviewers is when they say “it’s a simple question!”. It is, as they know, almost never a simple question. They understand the evasion and can’t find a way around it. Instead they try to signal to listeners that the failure of interrogation is on the politician.
January 20, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Something I hate about political interviewers is when they say “it’s a simple question!”. It is, as they know, almost never a simple question. They understand the evasion and can’t find a way around it. Instead they try to signal to listeners that the failure of interrogation is on the politician.
Conceiving this publication has already given me a stark insight into freelance journalism: this open submission call has triggered (literally) hundreds of pitches in the past week or two. All for a publication that a) doesn't pay much, and b) doesn't yet exist. Quite overwhelming!
Trotters is launching in 2026 – and we need travel writers. Please send pitches to gofortrotters@gmail.com (rates and other info below). The focus is on interesting, funny, unusual writing, rather than hotel, museum and cocktail bar recommendations.
January 16, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Conceiving this publication has already given me a stark insight into freelance journalism: this open submission call has triggered (literally) hundreds of pitches in the past week or two. All for a publication that a) doesn't pay much, and b) doesn't yet exist. Quite overwhelming!
One of the toughest (mercilessly early mornings) jobs in British journalism, but also one of the most influential. That was always an acceptable trade-off, but increasingly seems like the private market and creator economy (podcasts, YouTube, Substack etc) are a happier compromise.
Amol Rajan to leave Radio 4's Today programme to launch his own company
The presenter will continue to host University challenge and his Radical podcast for the BBC.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 1:16 PM
One of the toughest (mercilessly early mornings) jobs in British journalism, but also one of the most influential. That was always an acceptable trade-off, but increasingly seems like the private market and creator economy (podcasts, YouTube, Substack etc) are a happier compromise.
I feel like I’m missing the enjoyable schadenfreude of a guy who actively doesn’t want to be a Tory being sacked by the Tories and thus going to Reform with the swagger of a martyr. Haha??
January 15, 2026 at 11:20 AM
I feel like I’m missing the enjoyable schadenfreude of a guy who actively doesn’t want to be a Tory being sacked by the Tories and thus going to Reform with the swagger of a martyr. Haha??
Just heard the news on the radio, but I'm not sure what good it will do sending 60 five-year-olds off to war? Just shows the collapse, in size and scale, of the British armed forces...
January 15, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Just heard the news on the radio, but I'm not sure what good it will do sending 60 five-year-olds off to war? Just shows the collapse, in size and scale, of the British armed forces...
Alan Sked, launching UKIP in 1993: "UKIP has no prejudices against foreigners or minorities."
UKIP, in 2026:
UKIP, in 2026:
Ukip have submitted a new logo and slogan to the Electoral Commission, swapping the £ pound sterling symbol for a cross, that looks very much like it is modelled on the Iron Cross used by Prussia & Germany 1871-1918 and Hitler's Nazi regime from 1933-45
January 13, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Alan Sked, launching UKIP in 1993: "UKIP has no prejudices against foreigners or minorities."
UKIP, in 2026:
UKIP, in 2026:
A niche one for a subset of my followers, but I think the ratio of job listings:drama on the UKAN mailing list has finally reached 1:1...
January 13, 2026 at 3:27 PM
A niche one for a subset of my followers, but I think the ratio of job listings:drama on the UKAN mailing list has finally reached 1:1...
Took a huge risk getting Paquetá on my West Ham shirt this season. Gamble might not pay off 😔
January 12, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Took a huge risk getting Paquetá on my West Ham shirt this season. Gamble might not pay off 😔
How did being an asshole become an asset?
The Assholes Are in Charge of the Assylum
In the three (and a bit) decades I’ve been alive, a general rule has applied: hide the worst parts of your character, attempt to move towards the light.
open.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:35 PM
How did being an asshole become an asset?
I was on Free Thinking last night talking about innovation, with an amazingly erudite and experienced panel (+me).
Free Thinking - Innovation - BBC Sounds
Matthew Sweet explores the cultures of novelty.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 10:09 AM
I was on Free Thinking last night talking about innovation, with an amazingly erudite and experienced panel (+me).
Industry sometimes feels too icky to recommend, but I'll do it anyway.
Industry season four is unflinching, merciless five-star television – review
Square Mile drama returns to explore human nature in all its beautiful ugliness
www.independent.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Industry sometimes feels too icky to recommend, but I'll do it anyway.
I might be a contrarian but the conditions feel distinctly un-torrid.
January 8, 2026 at 8:10 PM
I might be a contrarian but the conditions feel distinctly un-torrid.
Who wouldn't want to export the values of a country where 83-year-olds are gig working for a rideshare app?
January 6, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Who wouldn't want to export the values of a country where 83-year-olds are gig working for a rideshare app?
It's increasingly hard to see how the BBC can maintain its "editorial and newsgathering relationship" with CBS, now that the latter is so nakedly partisan. If the BBC is skittish about being fair to Trump, from one direction, surely they can't also partner up with his propaganda arm?
It’s 0745 on January 6th and I’ve been watching the @cbsnews.com.web.brid.gy morning show for 30 minutes. No mention of you know what so far….
January 6, 2026 at 3:59 PM
It's increasingly hard to see how the BBC can maintain its "editorial and newsgathering relationship" with CBS, now that the latter is so nakedly partisan. If the BBC is skittish about being fair to Trump, from one direction, surely they can't also partner up with his propaganda arm?
Dog and snow - perfect combo!
January 6, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Dog and snow - perfect combo!
Reposted by Nick Hilton
@nickfthilton.bsky.social Thank you for being a true American for all! great news!
January 6, 2026 at 1:44 AM
@nickfthilton.bsky.social Thank you for being a true American for all! great news!
I finished 2025 with an angry howl, and I've started 2026 with something equally despairing 🙃
My friend, Grok
Is the internet already dead?
open.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:36 PM
I finished 2025 with an angry howl, and I've started 2026 with something equally despairing 🙃
Feels utterly pointless for liberals to point out Trump’s disregard for the rule of law, at this point. His support actively admires his desecration of norms. The argument has to be that he’s another hawkish neo-con who is going to make ordinary Americans poorer via foreign policy misadventures.
January 3, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Feels utterly pointless for liberals to point out Trump’s disregard for the rule of law, at this point. His support actively admires his desecration of norms. The argument has to be that he’s another hawkish neo-con who is going to make ordinary Americans poorer via foreign policy misadventures.
Sorry to ask but could any MUBI Go subscribers in London tell me what this week and next week’s films are? I’m in the provinces and the app is frozen on Sentimental Value…
January 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Sorry to ask but could any MUBI Go subscribers in London tell me what this week and next week’s films are? I’m in the provinces and the app is frozen on Sentimental Value…
This is just a note for anyone who has pitched so far: I'll start looking through them, and responding, next week!
Trotters is launching in 2026 – and we need travel writers. Please send pitches to gofortrotters@gmail.com (rates and other info below). The focus is on interesting, funny, unusual writing, rather than hotel, museum and cocktail bar recommendations.
January 2, 2026 at 10:04 AM
This is just a note for anyone who has pitched so far: I'll start looking through them, and responding, next week!
The Night Manager is back! And pretty good!
The Night Manager’s pace, intrigue and sly sexiness are all retained – review
Tom Hiddleston’s Jonathan Pine is on course to be a globetrotting icon on par with Mr Bond
www.independent.co.uk
January 2, 2026 at 7:13 AM
The Night Manager is back! And pretty good!
Stranger Things – overall – has been a good show. But the final series lost a lot of that charm, and expended much of my goodwill.
In the end, Stranger Things lost its way in a maze of sci-fi bunkum – review
Netflix’s most important original IP has morphed from a brilliant, influential coming-of-age saga into just another CGI rock’em sock’em adventure
www.independent.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Stranger Things – overall – has been a good show. But the final series lost a lot of that charm, and expended much of my goodwill.
This is a perfect example of why operating a religious cult is the foolproof grift. You can just ask for money in exchange for, like, eternal salvation. The best case scenario here, for Team Trump, was that they sell a disappointing smartphone to people who would've given them $500 for nothing.
Trump family business delays launch of $499 gold smartphone
US-made device planned by end of year hit by recent government shutdown affecting shipments
www.theguardian.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:54 PM
This is a perfect example of why operating a religious cult is the foolproof grift. You can just ask for money in exchange for, like, eternal salvation. The best case scenario here, for Team Trump, was that they sell a disappointing smartphone to people who would've given them $500 for nothing.
One final rant about how shit 2025 was.
2025, an obituary
A final thought for this terrible year
open.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:04 PM
One final rant about how shit 2025 was.