The BBC has issued the starkest warning yet about the UK scripted funding crisis, telling lawmakers that multiple greenlit series are “stuck in limbo.”
In a written submission to British Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee, the national broadcaster said: “We are starting to face significant and urgent challenges in getting productions across genres made, even those that have been greenlit by our commissioners to move forward into production.”
The BBC’s evidence, submitted to an inquiry on British film and high-end television, added: “Multiple greenlit BBC productions are now stuck in funding limbo and are not progressing to production.”
Warning lights have been flashing for weeks about the crisis, with Deadline reporting on BBC director general Tim Davie holding crisis talks with seasoned scripted producers. Black Doves producer Jane Featherstone also told lawmakers this month that the BBC is struggling to fund “multiple” series on its books.
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The BBC cited four reasons for the crisis: a drop in co-production funding from deep-pocketed partners, a “difficult global sales market,” persistent inflation in talent and logistics costs, and cuts to the license fee. The BBC also lamented the closure of scripted producers, such as Euston Films, which shuttered days before the premiere of Joe Cole series Nightsleeper.
“The current challenges are detrimental for both audiences, who could start to see less high-quality, free, and distinctive public service content, and the sector,” the BBC said. “As we set out to the Committee previously, there are some culturally vital genres that have been under pressure for some time: they are seen as riskier investments, in part due to their domestic focus, therefore find it more difficult to secure third-party funding due to challenges outlined above.”
The BBC called for targeted tax relief across comedy, children’s, and audio, but — perhaps surprisingly — stopped short of echoing widespread calls for television tax credits to be extended to lower-end domestic dramas.
The corporation said: “The BBC – and the other PSBs – play an essential role in investing in backing the best storytelling from across the UK, investing in homegrown talent and creativity. From Shetland to Sherwood to I May Destroy You, we bring audiences authentic stories that they value. But there are headwinds that mean it is increasingly difficult for the BBC to make the same volume of content, while still ensuring that we fulfil our remit by taking risks and remaining creatively ambitious.”
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