UK Broadcasters 'Don't Support Homegrown Film'

Two UK broadcasters have spoke out after a policy review criticised their support of the UK film industry.
BSkyB and ITV have been urged to make more of an investment in the sector following a policy review carried out by former Labour Minister Lord Smith, but today the broadcasters have fought back.
An ITV spokesman said most of its £1bn investment in programming was focused on original UK produced content.
"This significant investment in the British production sector helps support the UK's broader creative economy, with this weekend's Golden Globes win for Downton Abbey just one example of the vital role ITV1 plays in creating new drama successes and giving exposure to new writing, acting and production talent," said an ITV spokesman.
Meanwhile BSkyB said it invested in the movies that mattered most to its customers, including many from the UK.
Sky also reminded that they were committed to UK. They said: "We are already significant investors in UK production, with a planned 50% increase in homegrown content to £600m by 2014."
This follows a comment made by Lord Smith. He said:"Broadcasters should do more to support British film. ITV and BSkyB are doing very little to support British films in terms of investment in British production and in their acquisition policies. Eighty per cent of all film viewing takes place on television."
(LB/GK)