1945-2022
In a 50-year career, Barry Johnstone had just three jobs. Commencing his career as a ventriloquist and following a 10-year stint in the record business, the perennial salesman spent 40 years first as Managing Director of CTV Outside Broadcasts and subsequently Chairman of Europe’s leading media group; EMG. Since beginning work at age 15, Johnstone has had some remarkable adventures, but OB trucks were always his first love and kept him focused through four decades in the industry that he loved.
Since the 1980s, Barry was a mainstay in sports and music production in Europe and had developed a reputation among U.S. and world broadcasters as someone who could be relied upon to deliver, year after year. For almost 40 years, CTV, now EMG, played a key role in helping ABC Sports, BBC, SKY, NBC, TV Asahi, and ESPN deliver the British Open to viewers Worldwide. During the London 2012 Olympics, it was Barry’s company at the centre of the TV production of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, one of the most complex ceremony productions ever.
A great leader around whom everyone galvanised, Barry engendered a level of loyalty that was unique in the Television OB Industry. Adored and respected by his staff he continued to keep the company at the forefront of technology and innovation.
A natural born entrepreneur, Barry had always been making companies interesting since the mid 1980s, when he was working for Carlton in the UK. Tasked with developing Carlton’s mobile- production-unit business, he soon found that mobile units were to become the love of his life. He once commented in an interview; “I got the opportunity to join a group of people that wanted to build a mobile-edit suite,” he said. “It was quite unique. One-inch–tape machines had just been introduced into England. We decided that, if we bought these machines and put them into a truck, we could go around to all the network television stations and edit 10 times faster on 1- inch as opposed to what they did on 2-inch.”
Barry engendered a level of loyalty that was unique in the Television OB Industry
As Carlton grew, opportunity again knocked. Carlton agreed to sell Barry the editing studio and post production assets but not the OB vans so, when he started his new company (Corinthian Television (CTV)) in 1995, he had a company with post production and a studio but no mobile- production units. “Within a year, that all changed,” he said, “and my life changed with it.”
The success at the Open 32 years ago created a domino effect that made Barry’s organisation the primary force in golf coverage in Europe. In 1990, the company took over technical facilities for the Senior Open, another TWI event. Then, in 1992, European Tour Productions was launched as a joint venture between the European Tour and TWI. Barry and his team were again involved in a major European golf production and, in 1997, was awarded a five-year contract for ETP, allowing a fleet of OB units to be built specifically for golf coverage.
Barry led CTV, from its modest domestic UK roots to become a truly Global Brand. As part of Euro Media Group the company grew, increasing its reach and influence throughout the Continent covering Entertainment, Music and Sports events all over Europe.
Over the years, under Barry’s husbandry, CTV became the go to company for all major Music and Entertainment strands, as well as the natural home for the Country’s largest Sports contracts. He led the company to be the first UK operator to broadcast the first Live HD Music spectacular and went on to invest in his ‘Robbie Williams Live’ on SKY.
The BRIT Awards, BAFTA Film & TV Awards, Strictly Come Dancing Live, Britain’s got Talent, X Factor Live, the National Television Awards, are just some of the major Entertainment strands that Barry’s company continues to preside over. The Boat Race, London Marathon, Match of the Day, Trooping the Colour, The Cenotaph Remembrance, and many Royal Ceremonial Events are corner stones of its BBC portfolio. The Boat Race having special significance as the first Live Sports event to use a complete IP solution for its acquisition.
Barry led CTV, from its modest domestic UK roots to become a truly Global Brand
EMG and SKY have a long history with Barry winning the SKY Cricket Contract nearly 25 years ago. Golf, Darts and Boxing, amongst others continue to be regular SKY Sports outings. Barry enjoyed a very long history of collaboration with the USA Networks. CBS, NBC, ABC FOX, HBO and ESPN are all regular Clients on both sides of the Atlantic. Most notably EMG’s coverage of the Ryder Cup both in Europe and in America every two years. These landmark events continue to be immensely popular with both viewers and crew alike.
Since The NFL commenced its London Games nearly 15 years ago, EMG has hosted both CBS and FOX (as well as SKY and BBC) year on year, with the facilities constantly growing as the popularity of the Game snowballed in the UK. Barry and his team became an important European Partner for all their US friends and colleagues, including World Championship Boxing, high end music production, UFC and many other genres. Such was Barry’s and therefore EMG’s presence in the USA that in 2013 he was inducted into the coveted SVG Hall of Fame, until then an honour reserved only for senior figures in the world of USA Sports Broadcasting. Of all Barry’s professional achievements, it was this accolade that he was most proud of. He loved his American family and they universally loved him back.
A wonderful storyteller, a bon viveur, his keen and often irreverent wit hid an often sensitive and insightful nature.
Despite his success, Barry always remained the thorough pragmatist, with his feet firmly on the ground. He was a modest and generous patron to many TV training and feeder establishments and a tireless champion of those working hard to make their way in an ever changing industry. A tireless workaholic yet dedicated family man, Barry always engendered huge loyalty from his staff and fellow Directors. It is a testament to his management skill and enigmatic style that CTV had the lowest turnover of employees of any Broadcast facility house. His open door policy and inclusive character always ensured the rapid and amicable resolution to any problem.
Of all his many professional achievements Barry was most proud of how he developed its Golf coverage over the years, especially the Open. The company took the coverage through many incarnations of technology culminating recently with the largest OB compound to date, accommodating over 50 trucks, a huge prefabricated Broadcast centre and almost 1000 crew. An immense achievement for a man who started his company with one small truck in 1988.
Barry very sadly lost his beloved wife Libby to a long-term illness in 2021, the love of his life and mother to his wonderfull children Adam, Lucy, and Ben. He was a proud Grandfather to his two grandchildren and will live on through them as they continue to grow and develop.
Barry Johnstone was a unique figure in British Broadcasting. A wonderful storyteller, a bon viveur, his keen and often irreverent wit hid an often sensitive and insightful nature. Champion to the underdog, fiercely protective and supportive of his team, Barry was trusted and respected by all who were fortunate enough to meet him. He will always be one of our industry’s most respected Leaders, but above all he will be remembered as one of life’s True Gentlemen.
Shaun Gregory, CEO EMG Group: “Barry held several board roles within EMG, most notably serving as our UK Chairman. However, he was much more than that, offering help and support to everyone across the EMG family. It’s why this news has been so devasting for everybody, both within EMG, and across the industry. We’ve lost one of the ‘good guys’ and there’s a void that no-one else will ever be able to fill. Our thoughts are with Barry’s family right now and I feel honoured and privileged to have worked alongside such an incredible person.”
Hamish Greig, Deputy CEO of EMG UK says of his friend: “Barry touched a lot of people with his love and kindness and I would not be where I am today without his advice and guidance and I think that goes for many people across many disciplines in our great industry. When I think of Barry I smile, his friendship his stories, his laughter, his advice and so much more, he was much loved and certainly will be much missed. Barry was an industry phenomenon, a true entrepreneur and up until yesterday so full of energy, he will be long remembered for the truly great person he is.”
