A group of independent multimedia producers is lobbying the Beeb to abandon its planned 25 percent cut of its online budget.
In a submission to the BBC Trust’s consultation on the BBC’s proposal, the dozen companies say the proposal is “fundamentally misunderstanding the nature of future media at a critical point” and are “profoundly underestimating the potential of interactive media to achieve the BBC’s chartered Public Purposes”. The full submission follow below.
There has been bubbling discontent amongst the indies since Mark Thompson unveiled the plan to lop a quarter of the budget, the same proportion of staff and close about half of BBC.co.uk’s top-level directories by 2013.
Independent TV and multimedia producers Pact umbrella body voiced its opposition in March. The BBC has a 25 percent external supply quota, so they are fearful of losing commissions.
Here’s the letter…
In March, the BBC announced a Strategic Review of its activities, currently under consideration by the BBC Trust.
The BBC has, over the last 20 years, been instrumental in ensuring the vibrancy of the UK’s media production sector. Our production companies have in turn helped make the UK into the leading exporter of broadcast formats and world leaders in the creative exploration of media, to the great benefit of our economy. The BBC has done this in a way entirely consistent with its own chartered Public Purposes and we count ourselves among its most ardent supporters