Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell today announced the terms for a review of the programme supply market in British broadcasting.
The review aims to establish the facts about the overall economic health of the programme supply market, its likely future growth, and make an initial assessment of any structural or competition issues that might adversely affect the sector’s long-term development.
Tessa Jowell has asked the Independent Television Commission (ITC) to carry out the review and to report back to her with its findings in late autumn 2002.
The Culture Secretary has made clear that she looks to the broadcasters and programme suppliers to provide full co-operation and information to the ITC to assist in the review.
Ms Jowell said that the review will;
· Give an economic overview of how the programme supply market works, covering intellectual property rights, cost characteristics, funding, market structures, and scope for competition;
· In parallel, there will be a statistical assessment of the UK programme supply market and its evolution over the past 5 years, with a view to identifying the strengths and any possible weaknesses of the sector;
· Identify significant international markets and their impact on UK programmes;
· Identify key issues and future challenges looking at the extent to which there is effective competition in the programme supply market and the likely impact of changes to media ownership rules; and
· Identify issues and proposals for further discussion.
Announcing the terms of the review, Tessa Jowell said:
“Lord Puttnam’s Report identified the programme supply market as an area which required more analysis. I agree with him. I want the debate on the future of broadcasting to be informed and comprehensive. This Review will help ensure that.”
In welcoming the request by the Culture Secretary to undertake an initial review of the Programme Supply Market, the ITC’s Chairman, Sir Robin Biggam, today said:
“We will aim to produce an informed overview of the market, and to identify the main issues and concerns requiring further attention. We hope that the work of this initial review will provide a good foundation for subsequent discussion in Parliament as the Communication Bill goes through and for further consideration by OFCOM.”
1. As part of the review, broadcasters, programme suppliers and other interested parties will be invited by the ITC to submit written contributions outlining their views on the programme supply market in the UK, but focussing on the concerns raised by Lord Puttnam’s report. They include:
· The extent to which there is effective competition in the programme supply market; · The efficacy of the independent production quota; · The impact of changes in media ownership rules; and
· Measures, including training, needed to encourage a strong UK original production base.
Interested parties will have until October 12 to respond. Submissions will be posted on the ITC website, unless parties explicitly request otherwise.
PACT Chief Executive John McVay commented:
"We are delighted with the Secretary of State's announcement. It is the right decision at the right time. We expect the findings of the review will pave the way for new regulation and a revival of the UK production sector".
Jowell's review demonstrates a real understanding of the complexity of the television market. Policy making in the past has been over-concerned with broadcasting interests but Jowell has recognised the importance of content – both culturally and economically - and the challenges faced by UK producers. The review has been announced at a crucial time, ahead of the Communications Bill's passage through Parliament. PACT anticipates its findings will have a significant impact on the final shape of the Bill, and the future framework for regulation of the programme supply market.
