Govt Seeks Views Aimed At Boosting Under-Represented Genres In UK Broadcasting

The government is seeking views on a new pilot fund of up to £60 million aimed at boosting under-represented genres in UK broadcasting and developing the most creative and original content.

Whilst the UK is home to a thriving broadcasting industry, there has been a decline in provision of certain key public service genres like children’s TV, arts and religious programming. Beyond television, concerns have also been raised about the BBC’s dominance of certain radio genres, such as comedy, documentaries, drama and religious programmes.

The government has committed to establishing a pilot for a new contestable fund. The fund, using competitive forces to ensure the highest quality and the best value for money, will help to stimulate the provision and plurality of public service content in targeted areas. Bids for the fund will be assessed against a strict value for money criteria.

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said: "The UK's broadcasting system is an international success story and at the heart of our cultural life. The government is determined to make sure it continues to go from strength to strength. To do so, it must provide a broad range of high-quality content for all UK audiences which reflects the diversity of our nation. It must also provide opportunities for our world-renowned production sector, and to be able to adapt and thrive as technology and viewing habits change at an unprecedented pace.

"The government is open to the broadest range of ideas, views and evidence to inform the design of this pilot. We want to take this opportunity to consider fully how a fund should be targeted, how it should operate and be administered, with a view to delivering the best outcomes for viewers and the system as a whole."