A new report sheds light on the disparity in Scottish content production by UK public broadcasters.
- Two-thirds of top ‘Scottish’ producers are based in London, according to new findings.
- The BBC predominantly commissions ‘Scottish’ programmes from London-headquartered companies.
- Channel 4 favours Scottish-based companies, meeting their regional obligations more effectively.
- Screen Scotland voices concerns over economic impacts and creative opportunities.
A recent report by Oliver & Ohlbaum Associates, commissioned by Screen Scotland, reveals that a significant portion of the BBC’s ‘Scottish’ content is produced by London-based companies. This study, covering 2014 to 2022, found that only five of the top 15 producers were based in Scotland, with the remainder operating from London yet meeting Ofcom’s criteria for being ‘Scottish’.
The Ofcom guidelines allow London-headquartered companies to qualify as Scottish by maintaining branch offices in Scotland. The report highlights that 80% of Scottish content aired by the BBC is produced by companies based in London, compared to Channel 4, which only sources 43% of its Scottish content from London.
David Smith from Screen Scotland expressed concerns over this trend, stating it undermines the economic potential of Scottish productions. He criticised the BBC’s approach, which prioritises quota fulfilment over genuine regional development.
Conversely, Channel 4’s approach of engaging Scottish-headquartered companies aligns more closely with regional growth goals, benefiting the local economy and providing more job opportunities within Scotland.
The investigation was strategically timed ahead of the Media Act 2024 and future BBC Charter renewals, aiming to address long-standing issues within the UK’s broadcasting legislative framework.
Scottish government representative Angus Robertson emphasised the importance of authentic Scottish commissioning to maximise economic and creative gains. He noted the consistent growth in commissioning spend, underscoring the strength of Scotland’s television production sector.
Screen Scotland urges a shift in the BBC’s commissioning culture to genuinely support regional development.
