Culture minister wants ‘massive production budget’ to remain part of BBC licence
Culture minister wants ‘massive production budget’ to remain part of BBC licence
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Culture minister Sir Chris Bryant has said he wants a “massive production budget” for creating TV and films in the UK to remain part of the purpose of the BBC licence fee. The Government will consider funding options to support the broadcaster’s long-term future when it reviews the BBC’s current Royal Charter, which will end in 2027.
Sir Chris spoke about how the sector needs support, when he appeared before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Tuesday for their British film and high-end television inquiry. Sir Chris said: “I don’t know where we’ll end up with the BBC Charter review, that’s not my area of responsibility, but I’ve always thought of the £3.75 billion of the licence fee as a massive production budget.
“And wherever we end up with (it), I want us to have a massive production budget for making television, not just high-end television incidentally, also unscripted and a whole series of other formats and movies, in the UK.”. He said he wants British production companies to be able to obtain more of their IP (intellectual property) when they are making deals with streamers.
“I do want the streamers to come here. Tom Cruise has made massive investments in the UK,” he added. “But I also want us to have a system where a British production company is commissioned by others to make something that where the IP, or some of the IP, remains with the production company. I kind of want a bit of both.”.
