I would like to start by wishing all our readers, contributors, editors and 'back-room' staff a very happy New Year, and here's hoping that 2006 will be a little more peaceful than last.

To start they new year , we feature the first of what I hope will be a continuing series of contributions from noted director Haldane Duncan. Apart from 200 editions of Emmerdale, he's experienced the creative side of the television industry from many angles, and in these irreverent autobiographical articles we'll learn not only what is was like working his way up the industry ladder, but what he thought of the people he met on the way.

Along with the concluding part of David Liddiment's informed and informative review of ITV's achievements, we see what is likely to be the first of several articles this year on another 50th anniversary: that of television in Australia. We lead off with an overview of the commercial networks.

And last but not least, we continue our tradition of allowing our contributors to tell us what they would do if they took over one of the BBC's top jobs. This month Glenn Aylett decides to have a go at the top job that tops them all: that of Director-General. I don't envy him the task.