BBC is accused of 'breathtaking arrogance' in a new Traitors row as broadcaster blasted for 'importing crews from London' and 'ignoring local talent' in a 'breach of Ofcom rules'

Share:
BBC is accused of 'breathtaking arrogance' in a new Traitors row as broadcaster blasted for 'importing crews from London' and 'ignoring local talent' in a 'breach of Ofcom rules'
Published: Jan, 23 2025 17:33

The BBC has been thrown into a new storm over hit TV show the Traitors after critics accused the corporation of 'breathtaking arrogance' by ignoring local talent while filming the show. The reality show, which has pulled in 10 million viewers a night, is filmed at Ardross Castle, about 30 minutes north of Iverness in the Scottish Highlands.

 [While the show is officially part of BBC Scotland, dozens of Scottish TV professionals have hit out at the national broadcaster for bringing in staff from London to work on the show which brings 'little benefit' north of the border. Host Claudia Winkleman is pictured]
Image Credit: Mail Online [While the show is officially part of BBC Scotland, dozens of Scottish TV professionals have hit out at the national broadcaster for bringing in staff from London to work on the show which brings 'little benefit' north of the border. Host Claudia Winkleman is pictured]

While the show is officially part of BBC Scotland, dozens of Scottish TV professionals have hit out at the national broadcaster for bringing in staff from London to work on the show which brings 'little benefit' north of the border. Under Ofcom rules, public service broadcasters (BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5) must hit a quota for the number of shows made outside of London.

 [Despite being filmed in Sheffield and produced in London, the programming counts towards Scottish spend at the BBC as the company rents a small office in Glasgow. The cast are pictured]
Image Credit: Mail Online [Despite being filmed in Sheffield and produced in London, the programming counts towards Scottish spend at the BBC as the company rents a small office in Glasgow. The cast are pictured]

The corporation has now come under scrutiny 'faking numbers', by misreporting how many Scots are working on the show's first season. The row began following the first season of the Traitors in 2022, when Studio Lambert - the production company that makes the show for the BBC - reported that half the off-screen talent working on the show were Scottish.

 [On the home straight, but could the traitors be undone by The Seer? An unexpected twist will hamper Charlotte, pictured, and co-traitor Minah's path to the projected £120,000 prize pot]
Image Credit: Mail Online [On the home straight, but could the traitors be undone by The Seer? An unexpected twist will hamper Charlotte, pictured, and co-traitor Minah's path to the projected £120,000 prize pot]

Those working in the TV industry in Scotland contacted Ofcom over what they believed to be a discrepancy, which the regulator upheld. 'Following spot checks, two BBC titles and one Channel 5 title were found to have contained reporting errors,' Ofcom told Deadline.

 [Teaser: In the last episode, host Claudia Winkleman told the remaining contestants that a new superpower would be introduced - a book with the words The Seer appears to reference a character from card game Werewolf, upon which the show is loosely based]
Image Credit: Mail Online [Teaser: In the last episode, host Claudia Winkleman told the remaining contestants that a new superpower would be introduced - a book with the words The Seer appears to reference a character from card game Werewolf, upon which the show is loosely based]

Share:

More for You

Top Followed