Scottish Government
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New evidence shines light on TV in Scotland

The true picture behind the recent decline and future potential of Scotland's television industry was revealed yesterday when the Scottish Broadcasting Commission published the interim report on its first phase of evidence-taking.

Since November 2007, the Commission has been focusing its independent investigation on the economic context of broadcasting, looking at the issues affecting the levels of production and the economic impact the industry could generate in Scotland.

Key points emerging from the evidence taken in this first phase include:

* There are clear commitments by some of the UK network broadcasters to increase production from Scotland, but these need to be verified
* There is a practice of labelling some network programmes as 'Scottish productions' when there is very little financial or creative connection to Scotland
* Issues of distance, relationships, trust and scale have a significant impact on achieving success in Scotland in what is still a heavily centralised and London-based industry
* Broadcasting and television production needs to be seen as a core part of creative industries and an economic driver in Scotland
* There has been no identifiable cohesive, joined-up strategy for public sector support for the industry

Commission Chair Blair Jenkins said:

"There has never been an investigation or review of this kind in Scotland since the dawn of television. No public body, administration, parliament nor government has ever sought to review the state of broadcasting in Scotland, nor spoken to the heads of broadcasting in the UK, in this way.

"In our investigation we have been able to explore what may be at the heart of the reasons for the recent decline in the volume of television programmes being commissioned from Scotland and seen on the networks.

"We have asked direct questions of broadcasters, industry leaders and producers. People have been frank, honest and constructive - which is exactly what we need.

"We are particularly pleased that we are already able to deliver a wealth of new information and insight into the industry and its decision-making and why broadcasting in Scotland is where it is.

"We have noted that since the work of the Commission began, not only has there been an apparent increase in commitment shown by broadcasters and others to address the low level of production in Scotland, but this is already turning into action.

"We welcome recent announcements and commitments, but against the backdrop of the information we have published today, and the very worrying report from Pact last week, it is clear we need to see much more being done.

"What we are publishing today is just the start of the body of evidence and information we are taking and considering in order to focus our recommendations when we report fully this summer. We hope this will stimulate and encourage debate and action within the industry."

The Commission has taken around 27 hours of formal oral evidence, received written evidence, and undertaken workshops with individuals working in the industry. Many organisations and individuals with a stake or interest in the sector have come forward with information, ideas and concerns. And for the first time in Scotland, the heads of the major UK terrestrial channels - the BBC's Director General Mark Thompson, The BBC Trust's Chairman Sir Michael Lyons, Channel 4's Chief Executive Andy Duncan and ITV's Executive Chairman Michael Grade - have given extensive evidence on their commitments to Scotland.

Taking this initial evidence forward, the Commission is looking to hone in on certain areas it believes have an impact on the economic viability and importance broadcasting can have in Scotland. In particular the Commission is looking to:

* Verify further and quantify any new commitments to Scotland made by the BBC and Channel 4 in particular
* Stimulate further debate concerning quotas as a policy option
* Examine the potential new technologies and platforms offer the broadcasting industry in Scotland

The Scottish Broadcasting Commission was established in August 2007. Its remit is to define a strategic way forward for television production and broadcasting industry in Scotland.

Related Information

http://www.scottishbroadcastingcommission.gov.uk/

http://www.scottishbroadcastingcommission.gov.uk/about/documents/InterimRepEconomicPhase

http://www.scottishbroadcastingcommission.gov.uk/about/documents/EconomicPhaseEvidencedocs

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