Indies position strengthened by ITC report

The long running debate concerning the future of independent producers in the UK industry has been altered significantly by the publication of an ITC report into the issue.
Ordered earlier this year by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, the report's aim was to identify key issues for the future, in particular regarding the effectiveness the independent production quota, the likely impact of proposed changes to media ownership rules, and ways to encourage a strong UK production base.
The report concluded that independent production companies were often deprived of essential information by broadcasters and, because of draconian contracts and rights agreements, were regularly short changed when their shows became hits.
The commission called on all public service broadcasters to draw up transparent codes of practice and said the rights to exploit a successful show abroad should be retained by the producer, not the broadcaster, a major departure from current industry practice.
The document also outlined proposals to protect domestic television production in the event of a foreign takeover of ITV or five, which will be made possible by the forthcoming Communications Bill, and recommended safeguards to support production in the nations and regions.
Most notably, the report recommends that OFCOM, the proposed industry 'super-regulator', should be given responsibility for overseeing the welfare of independent production. The report proposed no changes to the current independent production quota, but called for strict enforcement of its application, including the imposition of fines or sanctions if necessary, particularly relevant considering the BBC's shortfall last year. The report further suggested that OFCOM should have the authority to introduce a value-based quota should that prove necessary.
Independent producers alliance, PACT, welcomed the ITC report, claiming many of their recommendations had been adopted, foremost among which was a redrawing of the current independent production quotas.
PACT Chief Executive, John McVay, said: "The ITC's recommendations put intellectual property rights at the heart of public policy for the first time. This sets a historic precedent for the independent production sector and for the role of creativity and innovation within the television industry."
The BBC, the first broadcaster to issue a response to the report, broadly welcomed the proposals, stating: "This is an important and timely review of a key area at a time of great change in the UK's creative industries."
(GB)