Simon Walker is a media entrepreneur, and founder of Marquee TV, a streaming platform which brings live performances to a global audience and was recently described by The Financial Times as ‘Netflix for the arts’. In a career spanning senior management roles at the BBC, EMAP and EMI Music, Simon has been at the heart of the entertainment industry’s transformation to digital for nearly three decades. In this in-depth interview, Simon shares how Marquee TV “provided a lifeline” to arts organisations during lockdown, giving them a platform to stream dance, theatre and opera – and generating much-needed survival revenue; explains how they cater for “an underserved audience” and why niche platforms work alongside – not against – the streaming giants; and proudly shares the success of Countryline, his new venture serving country music fans – which is set to launch its new weekly TV show broadcasting live from Nashville, and has just secured investment from Sir Elton John.