BBC Chief Content Officer, Kate Phillips, has written to indies to set out the extent of upcoming cuts to production and development budgets following BBC DG Matt Brittin’s announcement to BBC staff yesterday.
She said that the BBC will reduce its TV development spend by around 15% annually, “to ensure we focus on developing ideas which have the strongest chance of success.”
Phillips said that the BBC would “have to make reductions in our commissioning budgets which will impact all parts of our portfolio. Plans are still being finalised, but these changes will mean decommissioning some existing shows as well as fewer opportunities for new commissions.”
Phillips added she expected a reduction of around 100–150 hours of originated Network TV content per annum.
Phillips said that London indies would feel the cuts most “but there will be unavoidable impacts across the Nations and English regions too. We will work carefully with you and other partners to manage programme changes in a timely, respectful way.”
Phillips added that the BBC will “continue to commission across all genres and invest in distinctive UK content from a wide range of independent production companies of all sizes across the UK. While focusing on protecting current brands that our audiences love, we won’t stop building new ones, as well as prioritising growth in digital innovation.”
Staff Reporter
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