Making the Nation Talk: The Serious Power of a Lighthearted Story

When the Peppa Pig family shared a pregnancy announcement, careful planning translated to a story that went supernova, becoming THE national conversation. When British Lion Eggs had Tom Skinner making his kids some dinner, he was seen across broadcast, podcasts and had hundreds of thousands of views on Instagram. When Cats Protection hosted an award ceremony for heroic felines, broadcast crews lined up for a slot. 

What do these seemingly whimsical stories have in common? Levity, with impact.

In an age of rolling, depressing headlines and ever-heavier news cycles, lighthearted stories that capture the heart of the nation can really captivate. They offer viewers and listeners an escape, a moment of surprise, a smile, and, crucially, a reason to share. At Broadcast Revolution, we believe levity isn’t just a filler – it’s a force to be reckoned with. Here’s how we can make a story the nation talks about (and laughs with).

1. Start With Truth, Not Gimmick

Levity often lands best when it’s rooted in something real. Mummy Pig’s “pregnancy” sparked chatter because it tapped into a real-world phenomenon: children viewing fictional characters as akin to family. It resonated with something so many families in the real world experience – the excitement (and trepidation!) of a new sibling’s arrival, and how a new baby changes the family dynamic.

The announcement was fun and endearing, but at its core was an emotional truth that people could relate to, and evoked nostalgia for those who grew up with Peppa. It’s this that created a viral moment that was viewed over 61 million times on TikTok.

Takeaway: Start with something people already feel strongly about and then blend it with warmth and authenticity. 

2. Give Journalists a Reason to Smile – and Run It

Newsrooms crave balance: they need serious stories, but they love lighter and shareable moments too. When McVities celebrated the centenary of their iconic Chocolate Digestives, the interest-piquing news that we had been putting the biscuits the wrong way up on our plates caught attention – but that’s not all. 

Starting with an in-depth media audit to understand exactly what each broadcaster needed, we crafted bespoke packages tailored to them. This meant they could all put their own spin on the story, whether that’s the day’s guests dunking their digestives live on-air, getting access to the McVities factories or a feature on the centenary itself. Add in some high-quality B-roll going behind the scenes at the McVities factories, and outlets had everything they needed to bring the story to life.

Takeaway: Create assets and ideas that make producers really want to cover you on their particular programme, providing bespoke packages so each broadcaster has an angle. 

3. Create Shareable Visuals and Moments

Levity isn’t just a tone, it’s a visual cue. The Cats Protection awards ceremony delivered heroism in miniature: cats saving their families from fires and heart attacks, tear-jerking pet stories, and grateful owners made it irresistible to programme producers and social media alike. 

This is the feline factor – the irresistible pull cats exert over the human mind. When the creator of the World Wide Web, Tim Berners-Lee, was asked for an example of a popular use of the Internet that he would never have predicted, he answered, “kittens” – with the viewing of cat videos associated by scientific studies with feeling happier. 

Whether it’s spotlights on the nominated cats and their families for local outlets or live broadcast on the night of the awards ceremony, Cats Protection captured national interest through a combination of quirky, heartwarming tales and the knowledge that if there’s one thing people love, it’s seeing cats on their screens. 

Takeaway: If you want to create stories that are catnip to broadcasters, think like a showrunner; what will look good in a 2-minute VT? And remember, fluffy animals are a real wow for audiences. 

4. Tap Into Cultural Rhythm

There’s a reason Peppa Pig’s new sibling made it into the national conversation – Peppa is culturally embedded through countless children’s bedtime stories and TV watching. The secret is timing and tone. Light stories don’t compete with hard news, they offer relief. Placing your story with sensitivity to the national mood makes all the difference. And some broadcasters can make a lighter story really shine. The One Show is good at it. So is Good Morning Britain.

Takeaway: Read the room. Then offer something producers didn’t even know they needed. 

5. Don’t Apologise for Being Light – Lean In

Too often, brands shy away from humour or quirkiness for fear of seeming unserious. But seriousness doesn’t always earn attention. Levity gives people permission to care and to laugh. It can humanise your message and make it memorable.

Takeaway: Levity can lighten the load. If your story can delight and deliver impact, you’ve struck PR gold.

Light Doesn’t Mean Lightweight

At Broadcast Revolution, we know the UK audience. We know what producers want, and more importantly, what makes them smile. If you want the nation talking, laughing, and sharing, start with something that might feel small but can achieve big interest and big coverage. But remember – in a busy news agenda, the lightness needs to be strong enough, and culturally relevant enough, to cut through. 

Let’s make headlines that lift spirits, and your brand.