EXPORT OF UK FINISHED PROGRAMMES FALLS

FIGURES released by the BTDA (British Television Distributors’ Association) for 2000 show that revenue generated by the sale of UK finished television programmes has continued to fall for the second year from £245.5m in 1999 to £218m in 2000.
Mike Phillips, director of international television at BBC Worldwide and chairman of the BTDA comments: “These figures provide a clear indicator as to the changes in supply and demand in the television industry. As channels proliferate, the competition for audiences becomes more intense. Broadcasters search for a home-run hit that can cut through the clutter. They also look for great formats and programme concepts that can be adapted locally.”
Rupert Dilnott-Cooper, Carlton International Managing Director told Broadcast news that: “If it wasn’t for the government’s recent extension of sale and leaseback, the production and distribution of new drama would now be facing imminent crisis.”
Although, the data compiled by BTDA and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, does show an increase in revenue of five per cent from the sale of UK programme rights overseas.
Total international TV sales by BTDA members for last year equated to £408m, compared to a figure of £389m for 1999.
Significant growth has been experienced in the areas of co-production – up by 45 per cent and licensing and merchandising – up by 47 per cent.
Mike Phillips comments: “The co-production figure is also revealing. Funding big budget shows in the UK is increasingly difficult. A large proportion of our ambitious drama, animation, science and wildlife programmes are made with investment from overseas broadcast partners. Their confidence in UK talent delivers benefit to the UK viewer and often makes our programmes more saleable around the world.”
The BDTA represents 25 of the UK’s leading distributors, including all the major companies such as BBC Worldwide, Carlton International, Granada International, Minotaur and Pearson Television International.
The Association was relaunched two years ago as a joint venture with producer’s association PACT – with a key objective being the development of relationships between producers and distributors for the creation of improved programming for export. (AMcE)