BBC meets indie quota

In the UK, news figures from communications regulator Ofcom confirm that the BBC has hit its indie target, commissioning 28.8% of its programming from independent producers.

Ofcom’s Communications Market Review published today revealed that the BBC had exceeded its 25% quota for 2003/2004. This is the first time that the broadcaster has met this quota in four years.

According to the independent producers body Pact, missing this figure has cost the indie sector an estimated £77m in lost commissions over last year.

The BBC commissioned more than 2,300 hours from indies in 2003/04. Entertainment shows took up 47% of this total, while documentary accounted for 37%.

The broadcaster ordered programmes from 175 independent companies in 2003/4 and spent £308m on commissions. This budget has risen considerably since 2000/1 when it stood at £120m.

Endemol UK’s new status as an indie undoubtedly bumped up the numbers, though the BBC was keen to stress that it would have hit its target regardless. Endemol produces Restoration, Fame Academy, Ground Force and Changing Rooms for the BBC.

“From my first full year of business, and with Endemol re-classified, we have achieved a figure well above the quota and well beyond the inclusion of those Endemol hours,” said Jana Bennett, the BBC’s Director of Television.

“I am committed to staying well above the quota in this current year and in the years to come. Underlying these actual statistics is the need for us to keep supporting creatively what independent supply has to offer across the UK and across all programming and genres.”

Only last week the BBC and Pact shook hands on new terms of trade for indie productions. Under these new terms of trade, indies will own all rights (including copyright) in the programmes they produce, with the BBC taking a five-year licence to air the show across its portfolio of channels.

Last week’s deal also stipulated that the BBC can extend its licence once for a period of two years and extend on a rolling two-year basis for returning series while it continues to re-commission the programme. The broadcaster will also pay indies repeat fees during the licence period not covered by the initial licence fee.

Distribution, including international rights, format rights, commercial new media rights, videos and DVD rights and merchandising, will all fall to the indies “subject to certain protections required to protect the BBC’s licence”.

“Taken together, these two significant milestones are tangible proof of our changing and improving relationship with the independent sector which we hope will now go from strength to strength,” said Bennett.