Many of Sky's recruits will, he believes, return to the "proper public service" broadcasting offered by the BBC, partly because comedians need big TV audiences to act as promotional windows for the lucrative stadium tours or DVD market, he argues.
Attenborough, who has just celebrated 60 years in broadcasting, offered a glimpse into his vision of the future after Cox paid tribute to him at an event hosted by the Radio Times on Tuesday night, said: "If I had a torch I would hand it to Brian Cox".
Jeremy Darroch, Sky's chief executive, has diversified Sky's broadcasting offer, investing heavily in drama in particular.
The old days of broadcasting offered audiences something akin to the paperback bestsellers you might find in a rack at a drug store or airport kiosk.
The International Children's Day of Broadcasting offered a unique opportunity to Togolese children to sensitize about polio and behaviors for a healthy life.
The broadcasting industry offers a less clear picture.
Kalaallit Nunaata Radio (KNR), the island's broadcasting company, offers radio and television programs in Greenlandic and Danish.
One, of course, is the rise over the past half-century of FM broadcasting, which offers better fidelity and less interference – which is why almost every music station is now FM.
2003 Communications Act sets up new converged regulator, Ofcom, and a three-tier system of public service broadcasting which offers little to no protection for key strands such as children's and religion.
